Computer recommendation < $1000

I'm going to buy a new computer soon, my current one is dying. The most heavy duty use is CoH - there's also web browsing, some DVD ripping, and such, but nothing too taxing for a modern computer except CoH. I have about $1000 budgeted. I've read Father Xmas's guides to building my own computer, and I have completely ruled it out, but I had a bad experience with my prior computer that I built myself and really want the comfort of someone to call if there's a problem.

It'll be hooked up to a 1920x1080 monitor (through a KVM if that matters). Ultramode is desirable but given the budget I know there will be compromises.

So, any recommendations? Will be buying in a week or two. I checked out the dell XPS 8500 - it'll be replacing an XPS 410 which I've been happy with.

I'm not really good with pre-built systems. I'm more into custom built ones.

I would suggest going here first.
http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=253272

Sometimes you can find a very good deal on a pre-built system when for whatever reason they are trying to unload them at a loss. Kinrad got a pretty good deal on a laptop for $600 which based on components sells for $800 to $1000.

I would say the typical rules apply. Shop around, be patient and verify.

Actually, things have gotten easier on BIY these days. The last 10 or so I built worked on the first try. I haven't seen as much weird stuff as I used to. The last weird thing I ran into was an IDE cable that was keyed backwards and the fix was to cut the key off. These days things are serial ATA and are cake.

Probably going to have to pay extra for good phone service or its going to be sent someplace out of the country.

Yea but he's looking for a pre-built. You could put together a nice box at CyberPowerPC or iBUYPOWER for $900-1000. Here are a couple available at NewEgg.

However there may be a few ways to make either cheaper if you order directly from CyberPowerPC or iBUYPOWER. For instance 8GB is plenty and you don't need a 2GB video card.

Yeah. My prior computer was built by me, ran for about two years, then one morning I turned it on and nothing happened. I realized I had no idea where to start to fix it, no extra parts to try and find which was wrong, and nobody to call. So I like having someone to call. (It started as a real BYI including the case, http://gadgetdon.com/archiveddomesti...ry2/index.html though eventually got put in a more traditional PC only case).

Thanks for the advice, everyone.

Just realize I didn't fill out the form. The thing is, I'm not particularly sure what I need. I do most of my daily work on my iMac. 90% of the PC's use is for City of Heroes, plus checking to see how web sites look on a PC, and also DVD ripping and conversion with Handbrake. A PC that plays CoH well will have no trouble with the other tasks. From what I've heard, nVidea graphic cards (or more importantly their drivers) seem to have fewer glitches with CoH than AMD cards, most of my PCs have had Intel chips but that just means I don't know what is a good AMD processor.

As the person who runs the "safe AMD drivers list" for CoH its honestly not much of a problem. The Nvidia drivers have issues too.

So far no one runs a good nvidia list yet, but I am in the process of getting a couple of nvidia cards for testing. If you think Nvidias are immune feel free to go and look over at the technical issues section of the forums, you will nvidia cards there too.

I'm a value for the dollar guy and I have no loyalty for AMD or Nvidia. If you want an Nvidia I'll point you to an Nvidia.

http://www.apple.com/macmini/

Though I would recommend the upgraded $799 model over the $599 model since gaming is a factor, it still hits your target price point & will do everything you asked for.

I'm looking for a PC with Windows, my business excuse is to see how websites look on IE and Firefox/Chrome on a PC plus the driver for my Belkin Nostromo doesn't work under mountain lion.

I'm leaning towards the Dell, under the "Devil you know" theory and I have had good experiences with them. The only nVidea option is the GT 640 with DDR5. I know it's not great, but is it acceptable for running CoH on a 1080p monitor. But based on NewChemical's comments may look at amd options! Choices are a 7570 and a 7770.

Honestly, were I you, I'd simply take the default option for now.

That'll leave you with seed funding for a beefier card down the road.

As it is, you're going to be seeing a significant jump in performance.

And I'd still keep an eye on nVidia solutions. For CoH, they're just less problematic overall.

Clicking on the linked image above will take you off the City of Heroes site. However, the guides will be linked back here.

Went ahead and placed the order for a Dell 8500 with the GT640 video card. i5-3450 processor, 8 GB RAM, 1TB Hard disk. There was a sale for $699, though I splurged $25 for overnight shipping once it's built. I'll keep an eye out for a deal on a GTX 550 ti card, the power supply is 420 watts and that should handle the 550 from what I've read.

Did I go cheap? Yeah. But compared to my current core2duo, it'll rock. And I've had good results with Dell.

It arrived today (yup, 1 day later) and while I'm still figuring out parts of Windows 7 (just jumped from xp), it's up and running. Took it on a Lambda trial and and ITF, and Ultra added no lag. So, looks like there is no real need to upgrade the video card.

Incidentally, was having problem that the trackball connected to the KVM (a wired Logitech Trackman Wheel) wasn't working and would shut off soon after boot up. Then I moved the KVM from a USB 3.0 port to USB 2.0 port, and it worked. Not sure why the keyboard also connected to the KVM would work but not the trackman, but at least glad that's solved. I may also need to upgrade my Nostromo n52 to a Razer n52te - the former's drivers aren't rated for windows 7 but the later is.

Oh, and let me put in a plug for gog.com. The second game I play most on the PC is Zeus/Poseidon. gog.com has a copy for sale that's drm free and updated to work under w7.

So, end result, gonna put my gadgetdon seal of approval on this box.


*edit*

And whaddya know, tonight sellout.woot has the razor Nostromo refurbished for $36 (plus $5 for shipping).

Just if anyone is interested, I've been Using this computer for almost two weeks, very happy. Run all the iTrials at least once on Ultra mode without a hiccup and many hours during DXP weekend.

This was the Dell XPS 8500 with a GT 640 video card, on a monitor running at 1920 x 1080 resolution.

I'm glad its working out for you.

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