# Tell me what computer to buy **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 21, 2011, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-computer-to-buy/597035 "2011-09-21T03:45:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Fubaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@Fubaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fubaya)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-computer-to-buy/597035/1 "2011-09-21T03:45:03Z")
I’m going to retire my main computer and use it as a server and want a really good desktop for general use but I’m lost when it comes to computers these days. I know a good processor, but the specs are often unclear, and even if they aren’t, I still don’t know if it’s the best or just ok. Plus I’ve never heard of half these brands. So I’m outsourcing this to you. I want the best desktop I can get for a reasonable price. I’m setting the “reasonable price” at up to $1500. I can go higher so don’t rule that out, but it seems like that should be more than enough for what I need. Here are the things I want or don’t want: I don’t play games. I do some video encoding but nothing heavy. Any good computer should be able to handle that, so I certainly don’t need a ‘gaming device’ or a ‘multimedia computer’. I want a good video card though. I don’t care about software, I’m going to wipe the drive and install Linux about 5 minutes after I get home. Don’t need wireless, I ran cat5 through the whole house and prefer that for desktops. A 1TB drive is plenty, I have around 3 more TB laying around. As much RAM as possible but I won’t rule out only 6 gigs, expandable of course. HDMI output would be nice, not required. I will start the bidding with [this](http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Lenovo+-+IdeaCentre+K330+Desktop+/+Intel%26%23174%3B+Core%26%23153%3B+i7+Processor+/+12GB+Memory+/+1.5TB+Hard+Drive/2817219.p?id=1218353390736&skuId=2817219). I think that looks like a good one for $1,079 but I’m not sure and I’ve never heard the name. ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-computer-to-buy/597035/2 "2011-09-21T04:26:34Z")
For your needs, I’d strongly consider just going to a reputable local system builder and asking them to throw together a decent Xeon box for you. Looks like the biggest open issue would be trying to get a video card that played well with Linux. You may also be able to get a workstation from a place like Dell or HP, but I don’t know if you’d need to go through a business-purchasing channel. If you’re looking for specific brands of computers, I’ve had good luck with Thinkmate systems in the past ([http://www.thinkmate.com](http://www.thinkmate.com)) ---
**Author:** ![Waterman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b2d939/32.png) [@Waterman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waterman)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-computer-to-buy/597035/3 "2011-09-21T05:31:36Z")
I would look for a computer with a better video card than the HD 6450 and I would also, without a doubt, find one with USB 3.0 ports. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-computer-to-buy/597035/4 "2011-09-21T06:53:08Z")
If you don’t care about games _or_ particularly complex video software, I can’t imagine what use you’d get out of a $1500 computer that couldn’t be met by a $600 one instead.