Want to get a pre-made setup, how to judge?

[limetwist]

Hey all! I'm in a conundrum. My handy upgraded-to-death PC has finally met it's demise, due to a very stupid hot-swap error on my part. I've been collecting gift cards for Best Buy from various point-earning programs and I've got about $400 worth. (I can spend more than that, just don't want it to go to waste). Rather than build another PC I want to go ahead and use this money at Best Buy to get a new CPU... I want to ensure that it's upgradeable, doesn't have all built-in or proprietary components, has a case big enough to fit my hand in, etc. I have monitors, mice, keyboards, etc. Don't need a "media" style PC. Don't need terabytes of space. Just need something to do some movie and audio editing, website work, occasional gaming, downloading tv shows, maintaining the family iPods, etc... I don't want it to be a wuss. I don't need bells and whistles. I have enough of those laying around from other pre-made pcs.

Unfortunately I haven't really stayed on top of things since the 90s when I managed a small network of 286s and 386's. I feel dumb, but I don't know the latest on processors and such. If anyone would take a bit of time to peruse BB's collection of towers and give your opinion, I would very much appreciate it. :cool:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Desktop-Computers/Towers+Only/pcmcat212600050008.c?id=pcmcat212600050008

kelly

[rch1231]

Personally I would go with a DELL or HP/Compaq. Both companies have great customer service and make good long lasting product. Based on the limits of wanting something you can expand (knocks out the slim or SFF - Small Form Factor boxes) and not needing 1TB of space I would recommend the:
Dell - Inspiron Desktop / Intel® Pentium® Processor / 4GB Memory / 500GB Hard Drive
Model: I560-2050NBK | SKU: 9846086
Dell makes great systems and stands behind the product. You don't need more than 4GB of memory on a desktop unless you are doing heavy graphics and PC3 memory is faster than PC2. Dual core processor with 64 bit capabilities will give you a good system. Is a tower vs SFF so you have room to expand.

[limetwist]

Thanks so much for looking and giving an opinion. No, definitely don't want the tiny cases, I never really see that as a bonus... I'd rather have expansion slots. Are pci slots a thing of the past? I was surprised to learn that some don't have them. I always liked the option with all the built-in stuff that I could still use a different sound card or adding a modem for faxing.
-k

[caperjack]

hi, not much need for addin pci devices nowadays for basic/and beyond computing ,the onboard sound has gotten really good ,5.1 highdef and maybe higher ,no need to add a pci sound card .onboard video has improved as well ., im not a fan of Dell/HP and Compaq towers one only one reason,case specific PSU's and motherboard ,cause a problem when you need to upgrade or replace a PSC or Motherboard ,they do have a long life usually ,so inmo if you do buy one from best buy ,go compaq ,then Dell .
would go with at least the intel i5 cpu but if money is there go for the i7

[limetwist]

I'm seriously looking at this ASUS CM5675 in the respect that it seems upgradeable and has decent parts. I'm not sure if the price is expensive or not - HP's are considered 'budget computers' and these aren't. am I on the right track?

[caperjack]

looks nice

[birellar]

Dell is best one i always recommend this. Just go ahead with this one.