Desktop Recommendations?

[Sapphire]

I'm currently running on an Acer Aspire laptop my dad got me about three years ago for college, but I'm slowly starting to realize that it can't keep up with the work I don on it. I've been wanting to own my very own personal desktop for a few years now, so I think now's the time to save up for one. The only problem is that I don't know what would be a decent desktop for me. Can any of ya help me out? What do I need to look for in a computer? As far as budget goes, I don't really care for the price as long as it's reasonable (but let's not be too expensive).

[rtil]

are you willing to build or do you want a pre-made machine

[Sapphire]

pre-made would be most preferred

[BluPhoenix]

price range?

[Sapphire]

It's up to you, but let's try $2500 or less.

[rtil]

hell for that you could buy the most bloated alienware box ever .. actually probably not. but with that you can basically get the best of the best. but i won\\\'t overkill and recommend a machine for you. i really prefer building over buying, but if you insist on a pre-built here\\\'s one that looked good to me on newegg:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16883147177

what\\\'s the most cpu intensive thing you use your computer for?

[BluPhoenix]

hell for that you could buy the most bloated alienware box ever

$10,117.00

[BluPhoenix]

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping...e_desktops_home

try customizing one of these, see if you find something you like

[Sapphire]

hell for that you could buy the most bloated alienware box ever .. actually probably not. but with that you can basically get the best of the best. but i won't overkill and recommend a machine for you. i really prefer building over buying, but if you insist on a pre-built here's one that looked good to me on newegg:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16883147177

what's the most cpu intensive thing you use your computer for?

I feel like if I tried building a computer I would end up breaking something or I may end up doing something wrong if not given proper instructions.

Hmm... as in programs? It's probably Adobe Audition 3 or Flash. But whenever I run Sony Vegas 9.0 and Audition at the same time usually. Also, I have three PC games that I'd like to put to use so they may end up being the much greater in size.

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping...e_desktops_home

try customizing one of these, see if you find something you like

Will do!

[rtil]

i recommend HP as well. they're not amazing, but they are the best of the pre-built machine manufacturers. make sure you get a quad-core processor like an i7. i would also stick to 64-bit win7 and that will allow you to utilize more than 4GB of ram which i think for what you do you will need from time to time as those software suites begin to transition to 64-bit editions.

[Sapphire]

Is it possible to hook up the hard drive to my current laptop? Or would I have to buy a separate screen?

[rtil]

uh well if you want to have an interchangeable data drive i'd suggest getting an external, w/ firewire if possible

[Sapphire]

Nah, it's fine. Hopefully I can get a new hard drive during the fall. I'l update the thread if anything comes up. Thank you two for your help.

[Sapphire]

Back again!

I was looking around, and found this and wanted to get some opinions on it.

[rtil]

it's pretty good for the price. i looked at the recommended build ($669 one). don't expect much out of the graphics card if you play games, though. all the ones they offer in that package are mid-range

[Sapphire]

Hmm, what types of graphics cards should I look into? Or do you know of any desktops under $1000 that have good graphics cards?

[BluPhoenix]

this

is my computer

Hmm, what types of graphics cards should I look into? Or do you know of any desktops under $1000 that have good graphics cards?

i suggest looking for a compy with an ati hd radeon card that is somewhere in the mid-to-high 5000\\\'s

[rtil]

anything radeon x750+ or nvidia gtx x70+ will get you good performance on all modern games and excellent performance on older games

[Sapphire]

Would it be possible to  just buy a new graphics card and switch it out with the one in the desktop I linked?

[rtil]

yes

i'd be opening it anyway to install better cooling, cuz my guess is they'll keep the stock coolers on which are typically made of cheap aluminum/fake copper