Need help in getting new Desktop
 

For those computer experts on here...

I am looking to buy a new desktop computer from bestbuy very shortly. I chose Bestbuy because I have some gift cards to use.

I came up with 4 choices:

Acer Desktop Computer featuring AMD Phenom X4 Quad-Core 9500
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodde...47&catid=20217

HP Phoenix Desktop Computer featuring AMD Phenom Quad Core Processor (A6655F) - Refurb - Online Only
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodde...gon=&langid=EN

Acer Aspire Desktop Computer featuring Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodde...43&catid=20217

HP Pavilion Desktop Computer featuring AMD Phenom X4 9150e Quad-Core (M9417C) - Refurb - Online Only
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodde...3&catid=20217#

Which one is better? What's the differences between Dual-Core and Quad-Core? is AMD better than Intel now? Is it worth the extra money to get the Quad-Core? Also, anyone had a bad experience with refurbished desktop? Basically I am using my computer for movies, songs and surfing on internet.


Thanks for your time.

they all suck
just go build ur own and use the bestbuy cards for some other stuff

Buying computers from Bestbuy or Futureshop is stupid. They pop in 6GB of rams on some of their computers, and run the most crappy video card. I still don't understand why they put so much ram in.

Well your doing basic things, I don't see why you need a Quad-core processor.

ACER = crap
refurbished = crap

sometimes hp has awesome deals on their pcs...sometimes

best to build ur own

yeah dude build your own
don't go shitty plus building your own you can get the things you want/need at a CHEAPER cost

some computer stores will assemble the computer for you too for a cheap cost (worth it imo if you're a noob)

if you're not playing games, your gfx card doesn't need to be that great
and if you're planning on using xp 84bit then there's no point getting anything past 3.5gb ram. 4gb max for most computer

dual core is fine if it's just music, movies and web browsing

Dude dont buy from best buy, You will get fucked in the ass.. If you dont buy their warranty you have 14 days to find out if there are any problems or else they want money upfront before they do any service that you require. Also they wont help you with any service support or anything.. I get regular customers that need computer repairs because they bought it from best buy or futureshop and never bought extended warranty. Also even if you do buy the warranty from best buy, it takes sometime 2-3 weeks when computers only take 2-3 days to fix max (depending on stock of hard ware) software is a faster fix. All in all you are just buying a cheap "shiity get me off the self" computer.

Screw the gift cards and just buy from NCIX.
Use the Giftcards towards something else. BB and FS are the last places I'll ever look for computer stuff.

Thank you for all your help... I guess I should build my own.
I got the following quote from Anitec.

Here are the specs I am buying:
# Case - InWin Mini Tower Case w/Front USB Ports
# Motherboard - Intel Core 2 Duo Compatible (nVidia GeForce 7050 Chipset)
# Processor - Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 (3.0 GHz) Dual-Core
# Memory - 2GB DDR2
# Additional Memory - 2GB DDR2
# Hard Drive - 500GB - 7,200 RPM SATA II
# Optical Drive - 22x DVD+/- R/RW, Double-Layer DVD-Writer
# Video - nVidia GeForce 7050 256MB Integrated Graphics
# Audio - 7.1 Channel High-Definition Audio
# Wired Network Adapter - 10/100Mbps Network Adapter
# Operating System - None
# Warranty - 1-Year Parts & 3-Year Labour Warranty

How about that? Is it any good? I am going to run Windows XP on that.
It's $525 + taxes

You might want to know what your mobo acctually is, for all you know they could put in the smallest board with no pci slots and your screwed.. Especially since your running a mini tower, make sure you get a decent mobo.. Is the memory 667 or 800??? Everything else looks pretty decent. Audio and network dont really make a diff in a quote since its all on board. theres no point in really getting a wicked sound card since most on board is 7.1 now. You main thing is your mobo, if you got extra money throw in a hd mobo...

what about your power supply?

video card is shit. but i guess if your not gaming its fine..