computer brand advice

[KenM]

I'm (hopfully) getting a new computer with my tax money this year, I was looking at some at best buy. They have a VPR matrix and HP brand with what I want. Both about same price. Anyone have used either? what brand should I get? I will mainly use it for gaming and PnP RPG stuff.

 

[KChagga]

I am currently using a VPR matrix computer and my computer before that was a HP. I would whole heartedly say that the VPR is the better of the two. I've had my VPR for almost 9 months now and have had no problems with it. Whereas with my HP which I had for about 3 years(lord only knows why I didn't get rid of it sooner) seemed like I had to spend time every couple of months setting things right. I never really had any major problems though except for having the power cable die(go figure).

I would recommend the VPR as a good running machine.
You might be able to get a deal with your VPR. When I bought mine I got 256 Mb ram free and installed for free, so this made it a better deal than competing computers for the same price.
I'm pleased, but of course now that I said this my computer will probably explode

 

[TheAuldGrump]

I am also the happy owner of a VPR Matrix, and have had no problems with it at all. (Hear that baby? Daddy's pleased with you...)

I was surprised with how difficult it was to get though, I had the model I wanted in mind for three weeks and it sold out three times before I got it. The last time I found out what day they were coming in (28 of them!) and arrived at the store at 9:30, the mall opening at 9:00. There were six left. And this without rain checks! The remaining five sold while mine was being set up.

The Auld Grump, very happy with his computer.

 

[KenM]

My only concern with the VPR is I don't see any place in the case for ventilation. And if i'm home, my computer is on, any problems with overheating?

 

[gariig]

Got a link to VPR's website. I've never heard of them.

Gariig

 

[Leopold]

VPR is best buy's home brand. Brand's i go with:

Dell
HP/Compaq
IBM

Shy away from:
Gateway
E-machines
<off brand never heard o'them>


Best bet is to goto a store, tell them what you are looking for and then take the advice and goto the website of the manufacturer and build your own. IF it comes up cheaper than the store get it, and don't look back. If not, goto the store and buy the PC...

 

[KChagga]

You know I've never thought about the ventilation. I have a cable modem and I just leave my computer on all the time. I've never noticed that it felt hot. The couple of times I've opened it up the components never felt any warmer than any other computer I've owned. I would guess the ventilation must be adequate.

 

[KenM]

the other reason I ask about ventaltion is I want to put a gforce 4 ti 4600 card in it, i do alot of gaming. don't want to overheat.

 

[jdavis]

Have you looked online? You might be able to find information there, not to mention sometimes you can get better prices. We don't have a Best Buys where I live so I am not familiar with them. I'm sure one of the many hundreds of computer sites will have a review and comparison list on them. If you are wanting a gaming rig with a GeForce 4 card (or have one you are putting in) then you will want to make sure the rest of the computer is up to par also, gaming is one of the hardest things a computer does normally. Ventalation is normally not a problem for tower, mid/tower cases (there will be fan's and ventalation somewhere on it) unless you are going to run it very hard or overclock it, if it's a slimline case or something along that line there may be problems with that and the video card placement.


http://www.bestbuy.com/ComputersPeripherals/Desktops/ViewSelection.asp?m=488&cat=490&scat=491

If it's the case pictured, then the ventalation is in the back and may have some under the front lip of the faceplate. A lot of never cases don't have visable front air intakes, they are under the front lip. That wouldn't be any different in ventalation than any of the HP cases pictured, The Alienware cases are more designed for heavy cooling but they are much better computers in general.

 

[KenM]

Here is the specs of the VPR I'm looking at: P4 2.5. MMz, 512 DDR RAM, 80 GB hard drive, 16x CD drive, 48x CDRW, geforce 2 32 MB video card, win XP, software bundle with MS office, CD burner software, keyboard, mouse. all for $999.00, Has everyting I want except have put in a better video card.