Buying a comp at Best Buy

I want to buy a comp at Best Buy, preferably one with Windows 7, or Win7 that can also dual-boot with XP.

I went to Best Buy and asked for a comp that could handle WoW (even though I don't play it, I assume whatever can handle Wow can handle MS). Some girl recommended this computer. It looks nice, but it's also suspiciously cheap. This is the gfx card that comes with it, which I'm not sure is too great.

I'm not good at all with computer knowledge, so I could be far off. One of my friend's, who's far more experienced with computers than I am, was also feeling a bit edgy towards a few aspects of the above mentioned comp and gfx card; also including how a downgradable computer would be desirable for MS.

Assuming the above is no good, what computer would you recommend I buy at Best Buy for best Maple Story gameplay? I'm looking for something not too much over $700. Pretend I'm like 7 years old, since that's how good my computer knowledge is. I'm very, very edgy on doing much customization/building after purchasing a computer.

Thanks in advance.

I'm very, very edgy on doing much customization/building after purchasing a computer.

And you plan to dual boot your new computer with XP?

Why do you want to dual-boot XP? Other than the standard one, every version version of 7 comes with a virtual machine that runs XP.

And you plan to dual boot your new computer with XP?

I'm honestly edgy on that too since I find the idea of downgrading my computer just to play MS silly. I'd first see how well Win7 itself works (since I don't plan to do boss runs until MS makes it Win7 compatible), and if it is terrible, then I might have to do something I'm not comfortabe with.

Why do you want to dual-boot XP? Other than the standard one, every version version of 7 comes with a virtual machine that runs XP.

Again, my comp knowledge is very limited. I was just told by a friend to find a computer that can dualboot since MS isn't very Win7 compatible. I'm a bit more interested in this "Virutal Machine" bit since I've yet to hear of that.

I got stuck with a 945 Intel Family Chipset, and ... fuuuuuuuuuuck...

Based on what I could dig up with a brief google, it seems to be adequate for something like WoW, but don't expect quality play on stuff like Starcraft II.

Why do you want to dual-boot XP? Other than the standard one, every version version of 7 comes with a virtual machine that runs XP.

I was pretty sure only Ultimate could do that. @_@ Youve got to download it from Microsoft and junk, it doesnt just COME with it.

I was pretty sure only Ultimate could do that. @_@ Youve got to download it from Microsoft and junk, it doesnt just COME with it.

I know Vista Ultimate came with an XP downgrade, but I can't say anything about Windows 7.

So would it be alright to assume the computer is capable of decent MS play (including boss runs)? I heard it might have a low power supply based on other models. I know I'm probably going to need a new gfx card.

The woman that recommended this computer to you is an idiot. Intel GMA will barely play Maplestory, let alone WoW. You'll be playing at the lower resolutions, and you'd be much better off with a graphics card. It does have a PCI-E slot which you'll need for the graphics card, but then you'd have to open up your computer to install it.

[video=youtube;5ILrq7lMe-0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ILrq7lMe-0[/video]

It's extremely easy to install a graphics card. It's one of the most simple upgrades to do because it's very hard to screw up. There are much more difficult upgrades to do (replacing motherboard being one of the hardest).

For what you'll be using it for, spending $50-100 on a graphics card would be well worth the money. If you're just playing Maplestory (or even WoW), you don't need to spend that much for good performance. It's only when you need to run it at higher resolutions that you need to spend more on the card.

I honestly wouldn't recommend buying anything from Best Buy, their prices are outrageous.. there are sites where you can pick the parts you want in your computer and they'll build it for you and ship it out, at a much cheaper price. I recommend tigerdirect and newegg. <.< Also in reply with Fiels recommendation, that would be a wise choice, on board GFX cards are very horrible at running games for the most part. You can get a 9500 GT Nvidia easily for $80, or an HD Radeon 4650 for around $100. Both handle really well.
All in all I say this computer she recommended is the biggest rip off I've seen. There's no reason to even have 8GB of Memory.. You would be perfectly fine with 4 GB of DDR2 Memory, and like I said building a computer from scratch is the best deal you'll get.. and most sites will like I said, build them for you. Regards to the Core i3 processor.. you can easily get a Dual 2 Duo for under $200. I'd recommend the E8400.

I was pretty sure only Ultimate could do that. @_@ Youve got to download it from Microsoft and junk, it doesnt just COME with it.

"A new version of Microsoft Virtual PC, newly renamed as Windows Virtual PC was made available for Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate editions.[60]"

It is not that hard of a DL. Microsoft writes their operating systems and website with people like the OP in mind.

A virtual machine runs another computer within yours. You would get Windows 7 and XP. You could switch between them without hassle, if you ran into issues.

Sorry for replying so late, I haven't been able to use a computer recently, not long enough for an initial response. Before reading this thread again, I went back to Best Buy and talked to someone who looked like they knew a bit more what they were talking about, and recommended this computer to me. He admitted that while it should work alright straight out of the box, he recommended I buy and updated graphics card and power supply(?), which should cost about $60-$80 (each?). I'm hoping this will be a decent computer to finally have for myself.

The woman that recommended this computer to you is an idiot. Intel GMA will barely play Maplestory, let alone WoW. You'll be playing at the lower resolutions, and you'd be much better off with a graphics card. It does have a PCI-E slot which you'll need for the graphics card, but then you'd have to open up your computer to install it.

-snip-

It's extremely easy to install a graphics card. It's one of the most simple upgrades to do because it's very hard to screw up. There are much more difficult upgrades to do (replacing motherboard being one of the hardest).

For what you'll be using it for, spending $50-100 on a graphics card would be well worth the money. If you're just playing Maplestory (or even WoW), you don't need to spend that much for good performance. It's only when you need to run it at higher resolutions that you need to spend more on the card.

Thanks a lot for the link, Fiel. The computer noob I am, I know nothing about installing the simplest of software. I knew from the beginning that woman didn't know what she was talking about, which is why I'm glad I posted here first.

I honestly wouldn't recommend buying anything from Best Buy, their prices are outrageous.. there are sites where you can pick the parts you want in your computer and they'll build it for you and ship it out, at a much cheaper price. I recommend tigerdirect and newegg. <.< Also in reply with Fiels recommendation, that would be a wise choice, on board GFX cards are very horrible at running games for the most part. You can get a 9500 GT Nvidia easily for $80, or an HD Radeon 4650 for around $100. Both handle really well.
All in all I say this computer she recommended is the biggest rip off I've seen. There's no reason to even have 8GB of Memory.. You would be perfectly fine with 4 GB of DDR2 Memory, and like I said building a computer from scratch is the best deal you'll get.. and most sites will like I said, build them for you. Regards to the Core i3 processor.. you can easily get a Dual 2 Duo for under $200. I'd recommend the E8400.

Yeah, I know Best Buy usually charges a little extra for what they got. I'm glad to know there are sites out there that will actually give you the parts and put them together for you instead of a "do-it-yourself" program. Thanks for those links; if this computer the guy recommended to me, which seems fairly legit so far (unless I'm missing something obviously moronic), that might be the best route since getting a simple computer for myself is too much to ask for when it comes to Best Buy. Their geeksquad was going to charge me $200-$300 for a problem I ended up fixing myself within 20min a few years ago.

I have heard more about that XP thing too, although I don't think the comp I was recommended comes with it. However if the DL is really simple, I can probably obtain it after purchasing said computer. Seems really convenient from what I read. I still find it weird that even they seem to be noticing XP is superior to Vista and 7 in some areas; I always thought the problems were solely MS-based.

Well, you were right, he's better than the woman but not by much.

That system also has integrated graphics. So it would work "right out of the box", but a graphics card is still recommended (like he said).

Where he's wrong is that buying a new power supply is simply not an option for a Dell computer. Almost all power supplies on the market today follow a standard called ATX. Dell does not follow ATX in any way, shape, or form. They're notorious for using power supplies that are not compliant with regular power supplies. When something busts, they want you to buy a new computer or depend on their warranty. Yeah, it's pretty sad. So if you want to get a new power supply, you have to get one from Dell, and you can bet that it isn't cheap. I'm certain there are other manufacturers which are not ATX compliant, but I can't name any off the top of my head.

Looking at the specifications, it does not list how much wattage the power supply allows. The computer is still an able system, but I wouldn't go with anything below a 350w power supply for a low-mid gaming rig. 400w would be preferred, 450w would be best, 500w and above might be overkill.

As far as purchasing a graphics card, that should cost in the range of $50 - 100 including shipping and everything. The power supply depends on what you can find at the brick and mortar.