Proposed build

[sephir]

Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
AMD Phenom(TM) II X6 1065T six-core processor [2.9GHz, 3MB L2 + 6MB L3 shared, up to 4000MHz]
8GB DDR3-1333MHz SDRAM [4 DIMMs]
1TB 7200 rpm SATA 3Gb/s hard drive
2GB DDR3 AMD Radeon HD 6570 [DVI, HDMI. VGA adapter]
LightScribe 16X max. DVD+/-R/RW SuperMulti drive
16x max. DVD ROM (player)
Wireless-N LAN card
15-in-1 memory card reader, 1 USB, 1394, audio
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Gamer


This is a HP build as part of a graduation present. Unfortunately I can't go custom build because I'm not the one paying for it. The current total cost of this build is $1009. Thoughts?

Keyboard and Mouse HP USB keyboard and optical mouse

[Neogearzx]

seems pretty beast for the price to be honest

you already have a monitor and speakers / headphones?

[CoronA1979]

Do you or anyone you know have any remote knowledge of putting a PC together? If so, I would sincerely suggest buying the parts and building it yourself. I know it can seem a bit intimidating on the front end but if whoever is paying for it is willing to shell out $1,000 there could be a much better system to be had with this route.

Just a thought-

[sephir]

Its a university graduation present from my Parents, and to put it simply they will not pay for a custom. I live with 2 comp sci majors currently, so I could build it myself but... I'm not paying a cent for it, so I'm not overly concerned with saving $50-100, since I'm saving the full price on the PC by getting them to buy it.

I do have my own monitor, but no speakers yet (will probably get some after I get PC).

[chiyio]

just took a super quick look, but noticed a couple things right off.

processor you want is probably this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103849
not the 1065t you have listed which seems to be an older chip (newegg doesn't even carry it)

also, you want a higher speed of ram then the type you listed. you want this speed.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2%20x%204GB%29

oh, also missed they have a creative audio card listed, what the hell. get an asus card, geez.

*ok bla, it's an hp you can't do anything about. it's no custom build, but whatever, it'll be fine.

[Olo401]

^ I hadn't heard of the x6 1065T until now, which makes me believe it might be an OEM-only model.

@ OP: The video card in that machine (which is an OEM-only model) is really low spec for hard gaming - you'll be able to play newer intensely graphic games, but you'll be forced to turn down the settings and possibly your screen resolution. This also makes me believe the power supply is also low spec (~400W).

If there's no way to get out of having a pre-built computer, then at least get one from a custom build shop like ibuypower.

[Bloodfire]

A question for the OP, and I know it may have nothing to do with your build, but...

How old are you? over 26 or under 26?

if >= 26 then you can reap the benefits of tax credits, through the tax form 1098T, also you can claim your tuition.
else
your parents claim you as a dependent and claim all the benefits, because you getting a loan is based of your parents income.
end if

Now I ask this, because if you are the former, why now use some of those tax credits to buy a bigger and better machine?

Just saying, it's a thought. Of course I don't have all the info. Either way good machine, for the price.

[Coren]

If you can't go custom, for the love of god can you at least stay away from any product named HP?

RAM doesn't mean shit. That 8gb sys ram and 2gb on your vid card is crap if it's slow. HP is horrible about putting some useless but massive amount of ram just to make it look more appealing to the "oh bigger numbers is better" crowd that shops at bestbuy.