Computers & Networking

[tcshelton87]

Hey all,

Like the subject says, I'm in the market for a new desktop machine but after spending several days looking at various sites, I think I'm more confused than informed. So if anyone who knows a bit about computers could give me a hand, I'd really appreciate it.

Here's what I'm looking for:

• My price range is around $1000-$1500. Ideally I'd like to stick more in the lower range but I'm willing to go even higher if it's for a good machine.
• I'm a digital artists so I run some decently heavy duty applications like photoshop, illustrator, poser, etc.
• I do most of my work with a tablet so I need something that doesn't lag or freeze up. (This is very important.)
• I tend to run a lot of programs at the same time so something with a lot of memory and a fast processor would be ideal.
• I create big files so a large amount of storage space would be good as well, maybe even an extra hardrive specifically just for art files.
• An awesome video card.
• I don't play games very often but something that plays games wells and handles 3D would be nice too.
• No Macs please. I had to use those at school and I'm just not a fan.
• A fair number of USB ports.
• Something I can update would be nice. I've had the same computer for the past 6 years so I like being able to replace parts whenever the situation    calls for it.

I think those are the most important things so to recap:

• $1000-$1500 Price range
• Can handle big/multiple programs
• A lot of memory
• Fast processor
• A lot of storage space
• Good graphics card
• Plays video games decently
• No Macs
• Extra USBs
• Updatable

Sorry if that's a a lot of information, but I just wanted to make sure I gave as much as possible. If there's anything I didn't answer, please let me know. And thanks in advance, I just want to make sure that if I spend the money, it's for a worth while machine.

[RealGeorgeW Valued Expert]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olstemplatemapper.jsp?id=pcat17080&type=page&qp=crootcategoryid%23%23-1%...~~q70726f63657373696e6774696d653a3e313930302d30312d3031~~cabcat0500000%23%230%23%232gc~~cabcat0501000%23%230%23%232j~~cpcmcat212600050011%23%230%23%231~~f994%7C%7C5072656d69756d~~nf884%7C%7C4469736372657465204772617068696373&list=y&nrp=15&sc=abComputerSP&ks=960&usc=abcat0500000&sp=-bestsellingsort+skuid&list=y&iht=n&st=processingtime%3A%3E1900-01-01

Take your pick from pretty much any of those.

[RealGeorgeW Valued Expert]

Sorry, you'll have to copy/paste it.

Now, that's for computer/monitor combo, I should have asked do you just need the tower?

[cpm · Accepted solution]

Dell Studio XPS Desktop / Intel® Core™ i7 Processor / 8GB Memory

Model: SX8100-2777NBC | SKU: 1244502

Browse the Internet wirelessly with this desktop's Dell 1525N wireless mini card that ensures a fast connection. Get brilliant performance from the Intel® Core™ i7 processor with four multithreaded cores.Windows 7 Home Premium preloaded Which Windows 7 edition is best for you? Compare.Learn more about Intel® processors. Information provided by Intel.

 5 Read reviews (3)

Sale: $1149.99

[asandwhich]

What did you get confused about?

[tcshelton87]

I seem to be having a hard time making the link load in my browser after cutting and pasting it. I get a best buy logo that says their online ordering is temporarily down but when I go browse through the computer section, it seems to be running fine. I don't know if it's the site or my computer (which is a POS to say the least) so I'm gonna wait a little bit and see if I can make it work.

But to answer your question, I had planned to get the monitor separately since I'm wanting a good monitor as well, but if any of the combos come with a decent monitor than that's fine too since I'll probably wind up getting two separate ones anyways and one can be pretty basic. I guess it's just a matter of what's a better value.

Thanks by the way, I appreciate the help. : )

[tcshelton87]

Yeah, That seems pretty nice, I'll definitely add it to my list of choices. Thanks, appreciate it. : )

[tcshelton87]

I mostly got confused about the parts of the machine. The difference between this processor vs. this processor. Is this amount of memory a little or a lot? Is this a good graphics card? What sort of rpm should I look for in a hardrive? What's a good brand. Just things like that. I know a bit about computers but not enough to shell out $1000+ without at least some advice. And since I work a lot, it's hard to make time to go to a computer shop and ask someone so I'm hoping to find some info online.

[RealGeorgeW Valued Expert]

http://www.forums.bestbuy.com/t5/Computers-Home-Networking/A-How-To-Pick-a-new-computer-netbook-or-l...

Take a look there, it'll answer quite a few of your general questions.

[tcshelton87]

Thanks, that helps. : )