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Lab Assistant
Original Poster
#1 Old 10th Oct 2013 at 11:30 PM
Default Help with a new PC / Is this a good one?
I'm trying to buy a new computer so that I can play the Sims 3. My current computer is more than 5 years old and won't even start the game anymore. Besides playing the Sims 3, I use my computer for the internet and some minor photo editing. My current budget it $1,200. I live in the United States. I won't need a new mouse, keyboard, or speakers. I currently have two monitors that I can continue to use. The graphics card has to support having two monitors. If possible, I'd like to get one new monitor that's slightly bigger than my current 17" one.

My biggest problem is that I'm not quite sure where is the best place to buy a computer from.

I found this one on ncix.com. It's base price is $1,299.00.
http://secure.us.ncix.com/ncixpc/nc...72C05DA-5338657

With the following changes, the price goes down to $1138 (which doesn't leave me enough money to also get a monitor.)
* OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Edition
* SSD: change to Crucial M4 CT064M4SSD1 2.5in 64GB SATA III MLC 7MM (-$56)
* Hard Drive: none (-$106)

Would this be a good computer to get?
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Lab Assistant
#2 Old 11th Oct 2013 at 9:46 AM
If you don't plan to overclock CPU then no reason to spend budget on K series CPU , Z87 mobo , Watercooling.
i5-4570 , H87 mobo , no need for aftermarket cooling all of this are good enough.
For VGA if you can wait , 15 OCT AMD will release new graphic cards (actually old product with new name but reduce price).
Lab Assistant
Original Poster
#3 Old 14th Oct 2013 at 12:43 AM
Would something like this be better? http://secure.us.ncix.com/ncixpc/nc...D1B76B4-5344708

If I get rid of the internal lighting (that's only for decoration, right?), and change the SSD to be "Kingston SSDNow V300 60GB 2.5in SATA3 LSI SandForce Solid State Disk Flash Drive SSD" (instead of 120GB), then the price goes down to $1084.

How good is the ASUS GeForce GTX 660 OC? Is it as good as a GTX 760? In my notes I wrote down that I should get a GTX 760.

Does anyone have experience with NCIX.com? That last time I got a computer it was from IBuyPower. I haven't had any problems with it, but I've heard that they have a lot of complaints.

This all feels very overwhelming.

[edit] Also, would a computer like the one above be enough to play a lot (or all) of EPs? I currently own WA, Ambitions, LN, Pets, Supernatural, Seasons, and 2 Stuff packs. I'd also like to get Island Paradise.
Site Helper
#4 Old 14th Oct 2013 at 2:03 AM
My current computer is from NCIX and I'm very happy with it. Some people complain that they are slow to ship, but I'd rather have a computer which works well even if it takes a bit longer to get it.

I would recommend Windows 7 instead of Windows 8. Some people have problems getting the Sims to work on Windows 8, especially if you have the original base game.
Lab Assistant
Original Poster
#5 Old 16th Oct 2013 at 10:46 PM
Originally I was looking at the 504-IG (http://secure.us.ncix.com/ncixpc/nc...72C05DA-5338657), but enterprise24 said it was more than I needed, so I started looking at the 300-IM (http://secure.us.ncix.com/ncixpc/nc...D1B76B4-5344708).

But if I upgrade the 300-IM's graphics card to GTX 760, than it I'm only saving $24 by getting it. Might it be worth the $24 to get the better computer even if it is overpowered for what I'm doing?
Lab Assistant
Original Poster
#6 Old 18th Oct 2013 at 10:16 PM
After deciding on the 504-IG I went to order it, but when I put it in My Shopping Cart, a mystery $22 was added to the total price. I tried to contact the company about the addition, but they haven't gotten back to me. Now I'm wondering if I should order the computer from someplace different.
 
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