Expert: Bobbert - 12/27/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi
I am going to take advantage of the after Xmas sales to buy a new system to replace my almost ten year old one.
I have most of the major big box retailers here.
I dont really want to go over $1000, but want something that will do me for at least five years and be ablwe to play the most current games for my kids.
Thanks for your advice.

ANSWER: I would need considerably more information about what you're looking to do, such as actual processing demands, like examples of software you'd like to run.

If by games you mean high demand 3D games (examples would include members of the BioShock, Fallout, or Gothic series), five years is an unrealistic goal (the technology simply moves too fast - even if you purchased a top of the line customized gaming system today, in five years it would not be giving you the same kind of performance as when it was new, simply due to advances in 3D technology over time). Regarding everything else you're likely to want to run though, five years isn't necessarily unrealistic - office applications still run fine on machines ten years old or more, as long as you have an appropriate version of the given application (for example, Microsoft Office XP will still work on hardware from the first quarter of this decade, however Office 2007 will not, both offer the same functionality though).

With more information on what you'd like to specifically run, I can provide some more structured advice.

-bob


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: .My kids like the Sims, there is a new version out but old computer wont take it.
.basic office and email
.Windows 7
Thanks again

Answer
Well, The Sims 3 is a relatively demanding game, so you may have to compromise on video quality settings in-game to meet your budget, but overall you shouldn't have much trouble. Are there any specific systems (you mentioned post-holiday sales) that you were looking at?

I would suggest looking at the Dell XPS 8100, and HP's Pavilion Elite if you're going to purchase an OEM machine, you'll need to add a graphics adapter in yourself (or substantially overpay at the time of purchase, to the order of 200%). Alternately, you could build the machine yourself from the ground up and probably come out at least somewhat ahead of the Dell and HP offerings (in terms of flexibility and longevity, I'm mostly looking at the power supply as a consideration here). In terms of adding a graphics adapter, I like nVidia's GeForce GTX 460 and ATi's Radeon HD 6850 - unfortunately in at least the case of the Pavilion Elite, and likely with the XPS 8100, the included power supply won't handle these cards (and the ~$200 "upgrade" options from Dell and HP are truly a joke for that price).

Building the machine yourself is quite simple, and there are a number of resources available (if you weren't wanting relatively high demand 3D games, I wouldn't be suggesting this, but honestly if gaming is on the horizon, there isn't really an alternative if cost-effectiveness is also a goal). See here:
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/how-to-tech/build-a-computer.htm

That article is somewhat dated, ignore talk on subjects like AGP, IDE/PATA, and similar technologies, everything else is quite pertinent. They also have links to some videoguides through HowStuffWorks.

From your original inquiry, you stated your location as Canada, so I'm going to assume that Newegg.ca is an option for you. Look at the following as a sample build, feel free to make changes or ask questions as desired:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.533541
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125353
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256059
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231253


With that, you'll spend around $850 plus monitor, keyboard, and mouse (which I'm assuming you should already have, same goes for a DVD or CD drive - you'll salvage these components from an existing machine, if this isn't acceptable, you can add them in: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151175; http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126041; http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236094 or anything that also suits your tastes). You'll have a system that will be head and shoulders above a ~$900-$1400 configuration from a big-box, and a power supply that'll withstand upgrades over the next five years.

Again, if you weren't looking to run demanding 3D games, I wouldn't be suggesting a custom build, but this is really the better deal for the money (I suggest you play around with my sample build a little, look at alternative components, select a case that suits your tastes, etc).

If you have any questions or need clarification, feel free to ask.

-bob