what computer to buy.

[mitchmatch]

My laptop has died and i used it like a desktop(most of the time it stayed in my house) and a laptop sometimes so im really in need of a new computer so what im looking for is something that can handle programs like Photoshop fireworks and some other big programs for school, i would also like this to be able to play games(adventure,fps,some free roam games,dayz stuff like that.)the don't have to be the newest or set to high graphic setting), i would like it as cheap as i can go while still being decent doesn't have to be over the top. so should i get a laptop or desktop? should i buy or build? and what ones do you recommend?
thanks.

ps. i have a small tablet that isnt the greatest but dose all my potability needs

 

[Shamar Holtz]

You should build a desktop, unless you need or want mobility. What's your budget?

 

[martinch]

Generally, laptops get expensive quickly if you're looking at getting good performance out of them (i.e. gaming or workstation) - primarily due to the obvious challenge of getting high performance components into, and adequately cooled within, a small chassis.

Do you have an idea of a budget? This should be a solid starting point specs-wise - dunno if it's in your budget or not: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/76GhJx

 

[13thmonkey]

if you have portability covered then desktop will win on price for performance.

 

[mitchmatch]

You should build a desktop, unless you need or want mobility. What's your budget?

around the 1,500$ mark

 

[atheus]

You should build a desktop, unless you need or want mobility. What's your budget?

around the 1,500$ mark

I just finished building an i5 4690k/z97/gtx 970 gaming PC for well under $1500. I don't know how much gaming you want to do, but you should be able to build a pretty monster rig under that price tag if you go the desktop route, so I would say if that's how you use it definitely go with a desktop.

If you don't know much about building systems, check out pcpartpicker.com and look at some of the builds posted there. I'd highly recommend starting with an i5 4690k for any system, though. It's an excellent value.

 

[Shamar Holtz]

Don't know if you need any monitors or anything but if you don't i'll change the build up a bit

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($324.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.95 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty Z97 Killer ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($106.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Mushkin ECO2 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Video Card ($319.99 @ Amazon)
Case: DIYPC Adventurer-9601R (Black) ATX Full Tower Case ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec TruePower Classic 750W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($83.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $1167.34
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-18 03:47 EDT-0400

 

[atheus]

What's with these 750 watt power supplies? 550 is plenty for a gtx 970. Any more is wasteful in various ways.

 

[Shamar Holtz]

For future upgrades, but most importantly if he wants to SLI eventually

 

[atheus]

For future upgrades, but most importantly if he wants to SLI eventually

Yeah... that's silly to me. It's like telling someone buying a commuter car to buy Ford Mustang with a roll cage in case they decide to take it to the track. It's a waste of money, and will make the system less power efficient. Plus, it appears this fellow isn't a guy who's going to be reaching for 144 FPS to pwnzorz 2 the l33tztr3m3. 550 watts is plenty.

 

[13thmonkey]

power efficiency issue will be very minor.

 

[velo3100]

A desktop is definitely the best option to go. If you can build it, they tend to be cheaper. As I am not a desktop expert, someone else maybe able to give you the best specs for the games you play.

 

[Shamar Holtz]

For the games you want to play and the price you gave, you could get a new desktop and a new laptop.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($218.99 @ Directron)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.95 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97-HD3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($71.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 280 3GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($150.00 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake VL80001W2Z ATX Mid Tower Case ($21.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($43.00 @ Newegg)
Total: $687.38
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-18 17:24 EDT-0400


Would get this laptop as well http://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-15-6-laptop-intel-core-i5-6gb-memory-750gb-hard-drive-black-licorice/3787031.p?id=1219601636800&skuId=3787031

 

[atheus]

PCPartPicker part list

1. For $100 you may as well grab a matched pair of 8GB memory sticks. The Ripjaws go on sale on Newegg for ~$100 and lower all the time — often with DDR3-1866 and better speeds. Take advantage of G.Skill's stick matching system.
2. If you're getting Z97 anyway, you really aught to grab a 4690k for the extra $10. Maybe overclocking isn't in the picture today, but the system will last you years. Maybe it's just over the horizon.
3. 2-3TB HDD seems to be the sweet spot for price/GB. If my bulk drive only had 1TB, I'd have run out of space long ago.
4. Finally a build with a power supply that isn't 3x the max TDP of the system. (this one's only 2x).

 

[velo3100]

You are kidding right. Apple laptops are not made for games, They are more for people who want something portable and can handle multimedia programs like video and image editing as they have a good display. However they don't have much support for games as their gpu's are normally too weak to handle games.

Also which laptop are you referring to when you said: by the "newly come to market"

As per my perspective you should purchase an apple laptop which one is newly come to market.

 

[orlbuckeye]

For future upgrades, but most importantly if he wants to SLI eventually

He doesn't need to to be set to high setting so he won't need SLI graphics.