HP Store Online

Custom PC or go to a place like Best Buy ?

Hi, i have saved up around 760 bucks, and i don't think i can save up more than that. Neways ... my 6 year old pc (compaq 800mhz amd duron, 768sdram, geforce mx4000, is driving me nuts). i had this cpu (with upgrades little by little every year), i tried to buy a new processor last year (intel p4 2.8ghz, and i found out it doesn't even support my system.) i was soo mad. neways..... the only games i can play on this garbage cpu is games like wc3, but i wanna play games like battlefield 2, Need for speed most wanted, fps games ( not too intense) So do u guys think i should get a cpu from a store like best buy who got pcs like HP, emachines, etc.... or.. should i go to a nearby cpu custom shop and have them built me a cpu? And if i were to choose the custom cpu place, can u guys tell me the parts i need and how much each of them coasts , so i can tell them to make me a pc in that price range? thx alot I'd also like to add that i have no credit card so i can't do any online purchases.

Public Comments

1. You can't build a CPU easily. You're best off going with the pre-made ones from AMD or Intel. The Intel Core2 Duo CPUs are pretty good. Just buy an off-the-shelf pre-made system from your local computer store. If you're looking to play games, then get a computer with a good graphics card. If you don't have a credit card then you're looking at buying computer components at store prices, so you'll be paying a premium.
2. Get a Dell.
3. You better get to savin or learn how to build your own! The video card and ram you are gonna need is gonna chew up 3/4ths of that 760 bucks! check out barebone systems.
4. With only 750 bucks and no credit card for buying parts online, it would be kindof hard to build your own. As much as I hate saying it, you might need to go pick a computer up from best buy. Just don't get Vista I prefer to build my own. You can get a better quality computer for less money than an equivalent Dell, but it it takes a little more money than you have.
5. i would go to an online manufacturers store and get a better deal and a longer warranty (dont buy dell tho)at least 2 years
6. You're better off buying one from a store or manufacturer, building your own computer is more beneficial when you're looking for the most top-of-the-line computer, stuff you wont find in a store, because its a little cheaper to do it yourself. if you just want a run-of-the-mill computer, you're better off letting them build it for you.
7. Check around in smaller shops that sell computers and see their prices.
8. I just went to bestbuy.com, they have a decent acer for $599, if you can find a nice dual core desktop for $500-$550, you will have an extra $100 to get a video card and thats all you need to play games like battlefield 2..... If you can find a computer for the full price, most now have an older video card to support Vista, then you can upgrade to a newer video card later on.....