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General discussion

Cheap refurb vs. cheap new

by thegibson Mar 31, 2010 1:50AM PDT

I built our computer about five years ago so we are well past the time when it needs to be replaced. I've been upgrading RAM and storage as we go, but we've reached the end of the road with this one.

I'm considering two different computers for purchase: one is a refurbished from buy.com, and one is a newer tower from Best Buy. Regardless of which one I get I plan on installing a second hard drive (to separate the operating system from the data) which I'm guessing would void any warranty that comes with the machine. So bear that in mind. (related thread: http://forums.cnet.com/5208-4_102-0.html?threadID=388908%20)

I don't do any gaming or video editing so we are looking at photos, music, streaming video, etc.

Gateway DX4822-01 (refurb) $399

2.6GHz Intel Pentium Dual-Core E5300 Processor (Benchmark = 1723 on cpubenchmark.net)
6GB DDR2 Memory
1TB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive, 16X DVD

Discussion is locked

11 Posts
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i Lean to the i Three.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Mar 31, 2010 1:59AM PDT

There are too many reasons even more so when we talk about video work.

Ok, the warranty is split into a few areas. Yes you'll not get any warranty support for the OS. It was not that good anyway as most questions end with "restore the factory OS."

But the hardware is still under warranty with something you must know going in. They won't support you with a hardware issue unless you restore the factory load. Some get upset about that but 'dems the rules'.

While the x4500 might be slammed by some, outside of games I find it a great solution. My laptop with a 4500MHD connects to the HDTV with HDMI and plays HD content just fine. And with your i3 you'll scream past my laptop's older C2D 2.0GHz CPU.
Bob

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Restore factory load?
by thegibson Mar 31, 2010 2:52AM PDT

You mean return it to the state it was in when I purchased it? Isn't it still void as I cracked the case can could have done anything when in there without them knowing?

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by r. proffitt Forum moderator Mar 31, 2010 3:14AM PDT

I rarely see any company rule so harshly. Given the nature of desktops and the need to clean them yearly how would we avoid opening the case.

Of course they would cover a non-stock setup. But if you do this right you can return it to stock when needed. Hard disks are so cheap that I could remove the supplied drive, slip in a new drive just for my use.
Bob

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by thegibson Mar 31, 2010 3:33AM PDT

They used to have those seals over the case side. So ridiculous.

So it's really worth the extra $160?

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Yes.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Mar 31, 2010 5:28AM PDT

The old pentium core unit is strictly a value item and nothing more. How much do you value your time?

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wow
by thegibson Mar 31, 2010 7:22AM PDT

I guess I'm just shocked that there's $160 worth of value in the processor considering I'm going to void the warranty the minute I get home.

I wasn't expecting that. Does anyone else agree?

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Let's try a little math.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Mar 31, 2010 10:17AM PDT

Looking at benchmarks your one hour video render on the i3 should take longer than 1.5 hours (my bet is 2+ hours) on the dated dual core.

Yes, it's worth it.
Bob

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Okay.
by thegibson Mar 31, 2010 11:34AM PDT

... but I don't render video. I might rip some DVD's so I have backups for my kids, but rendering video is not something I know how to do or am looking to learn.

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Ripping a DVD involves rendering.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Mar 31, 2010 9:05PM PDT

ALL and I mean ALL dvd rippers I've seen render some of the DVD to get an idea of what to do with the DVD.

If you want to make a less than great upgrade to a value only box then do that. At least someone warned you.
Bob

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Good to know.
by thegibson Mar 31, 2010 10:35PM PDT

Thanks. I wasn't making the connection there.

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Sorry for the typo.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Mar 31, 2010 5:27AM PDT

I meant no one covers the non-stock machine.

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