Computer help please

(Forgive me if this is in the wrong section and please point me to the right place if it is.)

So my beloved computer is dieing. Mother board and Hard drive. It would cost almost as much as a new computer to fix it and upgrade to windows 7 So I am just going to buy a new one. Problem is I can not afford much and do not know how to build my own from scratch.

So here is the question... I found this computer at Bestbuy for $889 with a 23" monitor.

HP
#
Processor Brand
AMD
#
Processor
AMD Phenom™ II
#
Processor Speed
2.8GHz
#
System Bus
4000MHz
#
Cache Memory
2MB on die Level 2 and 4MB shared on die Level 3
#
System Memory (RAM)
8GB
#
System Memory (RAM) Expandable To
16GB
#
Type of Memory (RAM)
DDR3 SDRAM
#
Hard Drive Type
SATA
#
Hard Drive Size
1TB
#
Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce 9100
#
Video Memory
256MB (shared)
#
Audio
High-definition support (7.1-channel surround sound capable)
#
Speakers
None
#
Network Card
Built-in 10/100Base-T Ethernet LAN
#
Wireless Networking
Built-in wireless LAN (802.11a/b/g/n)
#
Recordable DVD Drive
Yes, double-layer DVD±RW/CD-RW
#
Recordable DVD Drive Speeds
12x DVD+R DL; 12x DVD-R DL; 16x8x16 DVD+RW; 16x6x16 DVD-RW; 12x DVD-RAM; 40x32x40 CD-RW
#
Direct-Disc Labeling
Yes
#
Digital Media Reader or Slots
Yes, digital media card reader
#
Available Expansion Bays
External: 1 (3.5"), 1 (5.25"); Internal: 1 (3.5")
#
Available Expansion Slots
1 PCI, 1 PCI E x1, 1 PCI E x16, 1 mini cord
#
USB 2.0 Ports
6 (2 front, 4 rear)
#
IEEE 1394 Ports
1 (rear)
#
Keyboard Description
HP USB
#
Other Control Devices (mouse, etc.)
HP USB optical mouse
#
Operating System Platform
Windows
#
Operating System
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
#
Software Included
HP MediaSmart Suite; Microsoft Works 9.0 and more
#
ENERGY STAR Qualified
No
#
BBY Software Installer
No
#
HDMI Output
No
#
Blu-ray Player
No
#
Graphics Chip
NVIDIA
#
Drive Capacity
1TB

I was wondering if you guys think it will run COH okay. At least for a month or two until I can replace the power supply and put in a nice g card or maybe even use the one in my dieing computer. (EVGA NVIDIA GEFORCE 7950 GT 512MB PCIE) Is that card considered outdated? Would it be better just to buy a new one in the 150 range? Do you know of any other computers in that price range that would be better? I like that it comes with a 23" monitor. The one I have now is only 18" and not wide screen. The other computer I was thinking about is this one for about the same price only with no monitor and 4gigs ram instead of 8.

Brand iBUYPOWER
Model Gamer Extreme 947i
Type Gaming
Processor Intel Core i7 860(2.8GHz)
Processor Main Features 64 bit Quad-Core Processor
Memory 4GB (2GB x 2) DDR3 1600
Hard Drive 500GB SATAII
Optical Drive 1 24X DL DVD+/-RW Drive
Graphics NVIDIA GeForce GTS250 1GB
Audio Sound card - Integrated
Ethernet 10/100/1000 Mbps
Power Supply 700W
Keyboard iBUYPOWER USB Deluxe Keyboard
Mouse iBUYPOWER USB Mouse
Operating System Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Special Features NZXT Gamma Gaming Tower
Motherboard
Chipset Intel H55
CPU
CPU Type Intel Core i7
Installed Qty 1
CPU Speed 860(2.80GHz)
CPU Socket Type LGA 1156
CPU Main Features 64 bit Quad-Core Processor
Graphics
GPU/VPU Type NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250
Graphics Interface PCI Express 2.0 x16
Memory
Memory Capacity 4GB DDR3
Memory Speed DDR3 1600
Form Factor DIMM 240-pin
Memory Spec 2GB x 2
Memory Slot (Total) 4
Memory Slot (Available) 2
Maximum Memory Supported 16GB
Hard Drive
HDD Capacity 500GB
HDD Interface SATA II
Optical Drive
Optical Drive Type DVD±RW
Optical Drive Spec 24X DL DVD+/-RW Drive
Audio
Audio Chipset Integrated
Audio Channels 8 channels
Communications
LAN Chipset Integrated
LAN Speed 10/100/1000Mbps
Front Panel Ports
Front USB 2
Front eSATA 1 x eSATA (based on motherboard availability)
Front Audio Ports 2
Back Panel Ports
Rear USB 6
RJ45 1 port
Rear Audio Ports 3 ports
Expansion
PCI Slots (Available/Total) 1 x PCI-Express x16
1 x PCI-Express x1
1 x PCI

as you can see I am a mess and need help. Upgrade the first one later on or buy a monitor later on with the second one? Or screw them both?

AAAGHHH help!

Where to begin, where to begin.

The monitor in the package deal is 1920x1080 but only has analog VGA or HDMI. No DVI port. So you will need either a DVI to HDMI dongle/adapter or a video card with HDMI out to have a better quality digital connection to the monitor from the video card.

I assume the iBuyPower rig costs around the same as the BestBuy combo deal. You admit yourself that you will need to buy at least a better PSU for that HP box and possibly a $150 video card as well. The monitor in that combo is $250 at BestBuy and you can get similar ones online for a bit less. So that's almost a wash.

The iBuyPower rig is considerably more powerful CPU wise (i7-860 Vs Phenom II X4 820, ~20-30% faster in games) not to mention it comes with a PSU and descent ultra mode capable video card now instead of when you can afford it later. The 4 Vs 8 GB of memory isn't as important as you may think. Manufactures toss in more memory because it's relatively cheap compared to a better CPU or even a lower end gamer video card. It's cheap pinstriping and floor mats for PCs. The average Joe and Jane can grok that 8 is more than 4 and that must be better but are ignorant over differences in performance between different CPU brands and models or even what components are important to overall performance.

Open secret. Most if not all 32 bit applications, which is like 99% of what you will likely run over the next few years, can't use more than 2GB. So unless you run a lot of memory hogging applications at the same time, you will unlikely notice the difference between 4GB and 8GB in your system.

Thanks guys!

I like the Ibuypower but am still on the fence because although it gets good reviews it was pointed out that there is only one fan, cheep parts, and everything is packed in tight to the case.

For the price I guess I have to take what I can get and hope for the best. Building is not an option because hubby needs receipt for taxes and wants to keep it simple.

Thanks again!

Fans are easy to come by and install. And having all the wiring tight to the case increases air flow. When you can, pay the extra money for name-brand memory and video cards. If I recall its not really that much extra.

Personally, I'd go with the IBuyPower rig as well. If nothing else, getting a monitor adapter is a cheaper alternative to upgrading the PSU and Video.

It'll be easier in the long run to get a better monitor. While I haven't looked at more recent systems, some factory-built machines can come with either non-standard size PSUs or hook-ups just to keep getting replacements from the PC manufacturer (if they are available). While I don't believe that is as common nowadays, it's one of those "under the hood" surprises that I've seen people unhappy about.

Also, unless your really needing the app room, the 500GB HD is more than enough for most gaming rigs. a single TB drive is overkill, personally.

Thank you for the time...

@Travlr (Main) / @Tymers Realm (Test)