Computerosity

[Zaspar]

I'm beginning to grow tired of my computer more and more. Although it's perfectly fine for producing and DJing music, it's not adequate for gaming. I'm pretty sure I can buy a better-performing PC for the same price my dad bought this one for (around 700 bucks).

I currently have 2.16 ghz, 4gb of RAM, crap intel integrated graphics, and the computer is from 2007 or something. ("Blackbook")

But, this will be a move from a mac to a pc. If anyone could recommend anti-virus software etc, that would also be nice.

And the main point: I want a new computer that outperforms this one for about 700 bucks, or maybe a little more.

Thanks!

 

[whitemagehealu]

Are you going to be building it yourself?

 

[Kainzo]

I'm actually assisting my cousin building a new one for under $800-900 - you do need to have some background in computers if its your first build - but you can mostly piece it together

 

[Zaspar]

Are you going to be building it yourself?

Pretty sure I could build with my dad, but he's also a mac person, so I dunno.

@Kainzo @whitemagehealu I was actually thinking along the lines of ordering it pre-built though... any chance I could do that?

 

[whitemagehealu]

Ibuypower.com is where I got my computer. You can choose different parts and things.

 

[Morningstar42]

Building it yourself is not very hard, as long as you are just careful with it and take your time, it really isn't too complicated. I like to refer people to the Tech Report System Builder guides, they are a pretty useful resource. Looking at that link, remember you'll need another $100 or so for Windows.

As for virus protection, I use AVG and I have also heard a lot of good things about Avast. These both have free versions available, and I've never found the need to spend money for a better version. They aren't bloated like some of the bigger name virus programs, and they do a fine job at protecting your system.

 

[Zaspar]

Building it yourself is not very hard, as long as you are just careful with it and take your time, it really isn't too complicated. I like to refer people to the Tech Report System Builder guides, they are a pretty useful resource. Looking at that link, remember you'll need another $100 or so for Windows.

As for virus protection, I use AVG and I have also heard a lot of good things about Avast. These both have free versions available, and I've never found the need to spend money for a better version. They aren't bloated like some of the bigger name virus programs, and they do a fine job at protecting your system.

How good is Norton? They're like the only anti-virus company I've ever heard of, haha

 

[Morningstar42]

Norton works fine, but it isn't free, and you probably don't need any of the additional features it has... as far as basic virus/malware detection, I don't think it will protect you any better than any other good programs.

 

[Nalestom]

I recommend Avast for active virus and trojan protection, and I recommend scanning on a monthly basis with a program called Malwarebytes. Both programs are completely free and do a VERY nice job of detecting and removing malicious software.

 

[Zaspar]

Ibuypower.com is where I got my computer. You can choose different parts and things.

The W110ER looks excellent, for only 900... I'll see if they get cheaper anywhere else

 

[heylookitskyle]

Go with CyberPowerPC instead of ibuypower if you know what your doing just a tiny bit more. You pick a few more parts instead of ibuypowers's "Certified items".

 

[Zaspar]

Go with CyberPowerPC instead of ibuypower if you know what your doing just a tiny bit more. You pick a few more parts instead of ibuypowers's "Certified items".

So is building a computer from scratch less expensive than buying one pre-built?

 

[heylookitskyle]

So is building a computer from scratch less expensive than buying one pre-built?

I actually found with CyberPower's sales that it would be almost the same price and someone who knows what they are doing build it.

With CyberPower you pick every part that goes in your computer and they build it and ship it to you (you can buy one they pre configure if you choose). I searched all the parts I chose on Newegg and it came out to be around the same price using CyberPower.