Help me find cheap desktop!

[ucan'tlickourcocks]

Originally Posted by ColaCock

Also has Windows 7, except it's 32 bit instead of 64.

Deal breaker..... you need 64-bit to support more than 4GB of ram.

Have you thought about having somebody fix it for you? Ship it to me, and I will diagnose your problem for free, and you only have to pay for parts to repair.....

Not a sexy choice, but likely your cheapest option.......

But I also agree with AMD as your best budget choice. Your problem of the computer turning off is not a Processor problem.......

[sandstorm2001]

Originally Posted by gamecock88

Actually tablets and touch screen in general is killing sales of most desktops, aside from serious gamers and corporate users. Laptop and Desktop sales are in double digit sales declines year over year. Windows 8 had hoped to curtail that some but only made it easier for the casual user to transition away. As for the comments on repair cost, I completely agree with you but the casual buyer doesn't even think about how easily they can open it up and work on it. They're commodity throw away items. Apple is about the only co that can consistently get over the $1,000 range for laptops anymore. Sure there are those in the niche market. With sales in such sharp declines, volume of the large desktop components drops and prices for that stuff will increase if you can find it at all before too much longer. Go to any computer store and look around. 10x more laptops than desktop pcs and 30x more tablets. Those #'s are in no way scientific but are from my observation's only.

There are dozens of articles written about it but here's a good one from WSJ. Pay special attn to their graphic showing the decline year over year. It's actually falling off quicker now: http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/...14973888155516

image: http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/i...0410191805.jpg

More from Bloomberg: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-0...-shopping.html

Software is moving to cloud environments, optical drives are becoming less of a standard, and hard drives are becoming SS more often. All in an effort to make things smaller, portable and have a longer battery life. Technology is killing the desktop PC.

A decline in sales doesn't make it dead. Dying perhaps, but not dead. Desktops will be around as long as the difference in price remains constant, particularly for gamers. My friend has a gaming laptop and I built a desktop. We spent the same amount, and my machine is twice as powerful. His laptop also weighs like 8+ lbs, so it isn't particularly portable anyways. I also don't really have any desire to do any serious gaming with a computer in my lap and you're pretty limited on screen size. Desktops aren't going anywhere unless laptops and tablets catch up to the raw power potential that desktops have, and I don't really see how that's possible.

And you did recognize the gaming market, but you have to understand that's a pretty big market that will throw down some cash for a little extra performance here and a little there. As long as desktops have a really concrete use for a large market like that they aren't dead or obsolete.

[ColaCock]

Originally Posted by BleedsGarnet

Your power supply is bad

Originally Posted by ucan'tlickourcocks

Deal breaker..... you need 64-bit to support more than 4GB of ram.

Have you thought about having somebody fix it for you? Ship it to me, and I will diagnose your problem for free, and you only have to pay for parts to repair.....

Not a sexy choice, but likely your cheapest option.......

But I also agree with AMD as your best budget choice. Your problem of the computer turning off is not a Processor problem.......

Aside from the motherboard, the power supply is the only other thing I haven't tried to do- replaced HD, RAM, wiped and restored system, etc. I didn't think a power supply would cause a BSOD? I think I started a thread on my issues a good while back, I will see if I can link to it here.

Basically, and I can't predict actually WHEN it will happen, the computer will just do a "glitchy" look and then shoot straight into BSOD. Sometimes, it won't even actually BSOD...it will just glitter up the screen and make a awful loud noise like it's hung up on something.

I could be wrong, but I feel like it happens *most* of the time whenever I am playing a video or have multiple tabs open. I know it *always* crashes whenever my girl's family are visiting and her dad tries to play CandyCrush through Facebook or her little nieces try to play some girly dress up flash-based game.

Other times, I just can't predict it. I can turn it on...open Google Chrome...and then boom- BSOD.

I'd love to keep this computer if possible. It has a Quad Core processor and is a good machine aside from the issues. I just don't want to replace the motherboard. Should I try the power supply?

Older thread:

http://www.cockytalk.com/showthread.php?t=188997

(title is Hard Drive Failure, but if you read down...I don't think that was actually the real problem after all)

This is my current unit:

HP 6510f
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...en&lc=en#N1191

[ultimatetailgater]

Originally Posted by ColaCock

Aside from the motherboard, the power supply is the only other thing I haven't tried to do- replaced HD, RAM, wiped and restored system, etc. I didn't think a power supply would cause a BSOD? I think I started a thread on my issues a good while back, I will see if I can link to it here.

Basically, and I can't predict actually WHEN it will happen, the computer will just do a "glitchy" look and then shoot straight into BSOD. Sometimes, it won't even actually BSOD...it will just glitter up the screen and make a awful loud noise like it's hung up on something.

I could be wrong, but I feel like it happens *most* of the time whenever I am playing a video or have multiple tabs open. I know it *always* crashes whenever my girl's family are visiting and her dad tries to play CandyCrush through Facebook or her little nieces try to play some girly dress up flash-based game.

Other times, I just can't predict it. I can turn it on...open Google Chrome...and then boom- BSOD.

I'd love to keep this computer if possible. It has a Quad Core processor and is a good machine aside from the issues. I just don't want to replace the motherboard. Should I try the power supply?

Older thread:

http://www.cockytalk.com/showthread.php?t=188997

(title is Hard Drive Failure, but if you read down...I don't think that was actually the real problem after all)

This is my current unit:

HP 6510f
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...en&lc=en#N1191

A PSU can certainly cause a BSOD if a capacitor or regulator is starting to fail it in the power it delivers won't be as stable and the computer will shut off to protect itself. The power a PC gets must be very stable and constant which is why you need a psu in the first place and can't use AC current from the wall.

Since your system is using integrated graphics through the motherboard and not from the cpu I would replace the motherboard first. It's really not that hard, just unplug some wires, and unscrew about 9 screws, put new one it place, screw it in and reconnect the wires. Any AM3+ board will work with your CPU.

Start with this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128565
and (not required but would free up your system ram and take load off cpu)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130814
Finally
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139026

Going this route worst case you're spending $121 assuming you send in the rebates. If you can replace the parts yourself this is a no brainer and you keep a much better system compared to anything you're going to get off the shelf for under $300. Also this new mobo supports any of the new AM3+ cpus such as this one

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819113286

at this point you're in for $241 and virtually a new, very fast for the price computer.

[markp_vip]

Originally Posted by ColaCock

What do you guys think about this Dell refurb unit?

http://www.dfsdirectsales.com/StoreC..._ram_250gb_hdd

I can get it for $319 with a coupon. It has an Intel Core i5 and says it has 4 slots for memory. Also has Windows 7, except it's 32 bit instead of 64.

This looks like former computers leased to businesses/government?

Thoughts?

I've had nothing but trouble from every Dell I have ever owned. Would never buy one again. Stuck using a Dell laptop at work and it's terrible as well.

[ColaCock]

Originally Posted by ultimatetailgater

A PSU can certainly cause a BSOD if a capacitor or regulator is starting to fail it in the power it delivers won't be as stable and the computer will shut off to protect itself. The power a PC gets must be very stable and constant which is why you need a psu in the first place and can't use AC current from the wall.

Since your system is using integrated graphics through the motherboard and not from the cpu I would replace the motherboard first. It's really not that hard, just unplug some wires, and unscrew about 9 screws, put new one it place, screw it in and reconnect the wires. Any AM3+ board will work with your CPU.

Start with this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128565
and (not required but would free up your system ram and take load off cpu)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130814
Finally
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139026

Going this route worst case you're spending $121 assuming you send in the rebates. If you can replace the parts yourself this is a no brainer and you keep a much better system compared to anything you're going to get off the shelf for under $300. Also this new mobo supports any of the new AM3+ cpus such as this one

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819113286

at this point you're in for $241 and virtually a new, very fast for the price computer.

Thanks, I have a TigerDirect store down the street from my house- so I will stop by there this afternoon. In case they don't have the particular motherboard that you referenced from NewEgg, what should I tell the staff when searching there? Just "any AM3+ mobo" will do? Cheapest?

Or is this it: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...653&CatId=7375 ?? Shows in stock at my store, too.

I am definitely not against replacing the motherboard, but do you think I should start with the power supply since it is the cheapest option? Why do you suggest replacing the motherboard from the start, out of curiosity?

Also- since I have never replaced a motherboard (but feel confident in my ability to do so):

- will I have to re-install Windows and start from scratch?
- do I have to remove the CPU from my current motherboard and replace on the new one?

[ultimatetailgater]

Originally Posted by ColaCock

Thanks, I have a TigerDirect store down the street from my house- so I will stop by there this afternoon. In case they don't have the particular motherboard that you referenced from NewEgg, what should I tell the staff when searching there? Just "any AM3+ mobo" will do? Cheapest?

Or is this it: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...653&CatId=7375 ?? Shows in stock at my store, too.

I am definitely not against replacing the motherboard, but do you think I should start with the power supply since it is the cheapest option? Why do you suggest replacing the motherboard from the start, out of curiosity?

Also- since I have never replaced a motherboard (but feel confident in my ability to do so):

- will I have to re-install Windows and start from scratch?
- do I have to remove the CPU from my current motherboard and replace on the new one?

Well from past experience your issue sounds like one of 3 things to me: mobo, video or psu. Since your video is currently integrated on your mobo, replacing the mobo is covering 2/3 things. It's really a toss up from the issues your having. Any AM3+ mobo will do, micro-atx is probably a good idea just to make sure your case has room. Also make sure it has integrated graphics if you don't want to purchase a dedicated card(the one you linked does) Yes you will have to remove your cpu and cpu cooler and move them to the new motherboard. You will probably want to get small tube of thermal paste if you don't have some. You can clean the old paste off the cpu with your finger in a ziplock bag or an old credit card. There's a decent chance you'll need to reinstall windows. You should be able to get into safe mode and swap the drivers it really just depends.

[ColaCock]

Okay. Going to buy both this afternoon and see what happens.

If all else fails, I should be able to return them and continue on my search I suppose.

[Grit_And_Steel]

Interested to see how this goes.

[Spurrier_Superior_One]

Try overstock.com, my desktop is a refurbished and the only thing that is original is the casing

[ucan'tlickourcocks]

I would try the power supply first. Because it is cheaper.....

I would look for swollen caps on the mainboard, if you don't see any, It could certainly be the power supply.

Also, keep in mind, if you replace the mainboard, you "may" have to reinstall the operating system. And it is possible, that the operating system on your restore partition may not work......

To be safe, you would want to get as close as you can to your old mainbard, specifically the same chipset if possible.......which is an AMD 785G chipset. (760G would be ok here.....)

ultimatetailgater made some good suggestions above, but I wouldn't worry about the Video Card....... since you are not a gamer. With a Quad core, and the amount of Ram you have, the 7560G GPU should be fine.......

[ColaCock]

Okay, so the motherboard wasn't in stock when I went in...even though it said so on the website.

Well, as I was grabbing that Corsair 430 watt power supply...I had remembered that an older computer of mine was in the attic and although it was 10 years old, it was a "super computer" back in it's day. Wondered if it was 250 watts or more.

Got home and lucked up, found it was 350 watts. Took it out, and replaced it in my current machine. Also, there was a LOT of dust built up on the CPU cooling fan. Disassembled that and cleaned it off well- sprayed with a duster, too.

So far, so good. No crashes since about 3 hours ago...and lately, that is a record.

If this works, I may still go and get that Corsair PSU since this one will probably only last so long. I figured this was a cheap way to troubleshoot, though.

Thanks for the help and stepping me away from the ledge, everyone! I'll update progress.

[MB_Gamecock]

Originally Posted by BleedsGarnet

Your power supply is bad

Or the silicone heat sink has hardened on the processor. You can get a small tube at an electronics store.

There could also be blown caps on the mother board.