Where can I get a decent PC for cheap?

DollarBill · Post by **DollarBill** » July 29th, 2007, 10:54 pm

I'm a Mac guy, but I need a PC with XP on it. I want something pretty basic cuz all I need to do is code on it, but I want it to be good enough to last a long time. I have no idea about all the crazy new PC chips these days. I don't know how comparable the AMD stuff is to the INTEL stuff or even how the different processors stack up within their own brand.

Basically I want a decent processor and a good amount of RAM with a DVD/CD burner, but i don't need any special graphics or sound cards or anything like that. It would be nice if it had XP so I don't have to buy and install it myself. I'm currently only developing software for XP.

So that's that. Any info about PC's would help, and any info on where to get one as fast as possible for as cheap as possible would be great!!! THANKS!!!

Brian Boyko · Post by **Brian Boyko** » July 30th, 2007, 11:16 am

You'll probably want to build yourself if you want a PC with XP on it (and you don't want to go with Dell.)

Here's the rubdown:

The current high-performance chips are the Intel Core 2 Duos. They absolutely beat the current AMD offerings, but they also cost about twice as much. Intel Core 2 Duos use Socket 775 boards.

AMD's offerings, though, are no slouch, and they have a dual core "X2" selection that certainly gives you plenty of power. Socket 939 boards are on their way out, Socket AM2 boards are the new standard and should give you the most upgradability down the line.

You'll need at least 1GB of RAM to feel comfortable in XP. 2GB is even better.

That's about it.

kbadr · Post by **kbadr** » July 30th, 2007, 11:20 am

Is your mac powerful enough to run Parallels? Most of the developers in my office have Macbooks, but they run Parallels so they can have a PC test machine with XP. Seems to work like a charm.

Roy Janik · Post by **Roy Janik** » July 30th, 2007, 12:05 pm

Ars Technica always has really good guides on building different types of machines. Check out the "budget box" section specifically, which builds a box for under 800 dollars, including monitor:

http://arstechnica.com/guides/buyer/guide-200706.ars

DollarBill · Post by **DollarBill** » July 31st, 2007, 2:20 am

Kareem, I'd rather not run parallels. I've heard you have to split your ram between the environments and also I'd rather not put any of that microsoft junk on my mac.

I was hoping to spend 300 bucks. 400 at most. I've never built a system, but it actually sounds like it's more expensive to do that rather than buying one with a bunch of software already installed. I mean there's x2's at the computer stores for under 400. Only problem is they have vista.

Is there like a refurbished computer store online that is reputable?

kbadr · Post by **kbadr** » July 31st, 2007, 10:57 am

I'd troll eBay. For either a PC, or at least a copy of Windows XP. I'm sure you can find both cheap enough. Just make sure you buy from a seller with a good rating.

DollarBill · Post by **DollarBill** » August 8th, 2007, 5:38 pm

EBAY IS THE BEST!!!! 2ghz amd 64 x2, 1gb ram, 200gb HD, dvd/cd RW, memory card reader, good video and sound cards, usb, firewire, BUT most importantly XP is already on there.

$299.01 bitches!!!!!

Now I need a kvm switch. EBAY!

ESeufert · Post by **ESeufert** » August 12th, 2007, 11:12 am

if you're buying it from out of town, you can use my company to ship it and save some $$$$

uship.com. You can import your ebay auction directly into your shipment listing.

Brian Boyko · Post by **Brian Boyko** » August 12th, 2007, 3:04 pm

ESeufert wrote:if you're buying it from out of town, you can use my company to ship it and save some $$$$

uship.com. You can import your ebay auction directly into your shipment listing.

Eric, you work for Uship? We (at NetQoS Marketing) thought their viral video was awesome - did you have anything to do with that?

ESeufert · Post by **ESeufert** » August 13th, 2007, 8:48 am

no, that was a few months before I started working there. It's pretty funny, though