Looking for new desktop pc

[justintime]

We have a dell desktop pc that is about ready to die. It makes loud rattling noises, and the fan sounds like its on its last legs. We've only had it a little over 2 years. One thing I liked about the dell was that you could custom order what you want when you order it. I would like to do that again, but want to avoid dell since I don't have a lot of confidence in them since our PC is dying already Does anyone have any recommendations on a similar company where you can custom order what you want? Someone suggested cyberpowerpc, but their shipping seems really high, and I've read complaints about really long shipping times

 

[Sadie22]

Not responsive to your questions, but in the two years you have had the computer, have you ever cleaned inside the case? That can make a big difference. The fan draws in a lot of dust while it's trying to keep the PC cool.

 

[elgerber]

At least you could last time I ordered from them.

 

[justintime]

Not responsive to your questions, but in the two years you have had the computer, have you ever cleaned inside the case? That can make a big difference. The fan draws in a lot of dust while it's trying to keep the PC cool.

I hadn't until a few days ago. My brother suggested that, and there was a TON of dust, but it didn't help. Maybe it died so soon because I didn't do it periodically all along?

 

[disneymarie]

Not responsive to your questions, but in the two years you have had the computer, have you ever cleaned inside the case? That can make a big difference. The fan draws in a lot of dust while it's trying to keep the PC cool.

That is a big thing, with our Dell it s fans ran so often keeping it cool tons of cat fur, dust would collect in a month or so. Hated our Dell, the power board, mother board, cd reader, all went during and after warranty. Now we buy what is on sale for our needs no issues. Except my Gateway laptop....but it is under warranty.
Komando.com I honk it is has a link for finding a computer for your needs. Kim komando' website. Sorry not sure of pelting, try a google.

 

[manning]

That is a big thing, with our Dell it s fans ran so often keeping it cool tons of cat fur, dust would collect in a month or so. Hated our Dell, the power board, mother board, cd reader, all went during and after warranty. Now we buy what is on sale for our needs no issues. Except my Gateway laptop....but it is under warranty.
Komando.com I honk it is has a link for finding a computer for your needs. Kim komando' website. Sorry not sure of pelting, try a google.

pelting?

 

[Fire14]

I personally have had good luck with my HP's I ordered current one from costco.

 

[Fyrefly]

A two year old computer isn't out of date yet. The only rattling sound would come from the single moving part in the system - the fan. If you're feeling adventurous, open it back up and look at the fan. It's not as complicated as opening a laptop, just unscrew stuff and don't unplug anything inside!

Is the fan loose? Does it rattle around so that you can tighten it up?

I bet you could google your model of Dell and find a fan that fits. They tend to run around $10 on Amazon. Personally I'd give it a go and swap out the fan first, you might get several more years out of it.

Here's a quick tutorial on how to replace one, very simple: http://www.ehow.com/how_2122082_install-computer-case-fans.html

 

[elgerber]

At least you could last time I ordered from them.

Well I have no idea what happened to the first half of this post. It was supposed to say you can custom order from HP.

 

[mel&me]

Blow the dust out of mine every few months. Not cooling will kill a computer, Have 4 fans in my puter. Change the fan, they are cheap. could be a cpu fan or a case fan making noise. They are cheap replace both.

 

[EMAW_KSU]

If all that is wrong with it I would look at replacing the fans making noise.

I have never purchased a complete computer I always put together my own with parts from Newegg or Tiger Direct they have complete available also.

 

[justintime]

A two year old computer isn't out of date yet. The only rattling sound would come from the single moving part in the system - the fan. If you're feeling adventurous, open it back up and look at the fan. It's not as complicated as opening a laptop, just unscrew stuff and don't unplug anything inside!

Is the fan loose? Does it rattle around so that you can tighten it up?

I bet you could google your model of Dell and find a fan that fits. They tend to run around $10 on Amazon. Personally I'd give it a go and swap out the fan first, you might get several more years out of it.

Here's a quick tutorial on how to replace one, very simple: http://www.ehow.com/how_2122082_install-computer-case-fans.html

Thanks, I'll have to check the fan. That would be nice if that was all it ended up being!

 

[timmac]

Here's hoping it's just a rattling fan... if that's the only issue, then I'd say you're good to go for a while still. At risk of sounding like a Dell apologist (I'm really not one, however), I'd just offer that a fan going bad--or really any component dying-- is something that can happen on occasion with a system from any manufacturer.

 

[jmac323]

So I'm in the IT industry for a major chipmaker so that being said, here's my two cents.

- I agree that two years is not out of date, but maintenance is a must
(cleaning out the case as suggested, cleaning the hard drive from excessive stored files and data, running repairs and getting rid of stftware not used will all help with performance. Might even be worth taking to a pc doc for a cheap flat rate).
- I've owned Dell products for 10 years and never had anything like what you said go wrong above so I'm sorry you are experiencing that. I just had to rebuild my Dell tower (2 1/2 years old) because of a blue screen crash. It's been running like a champ since the re-build. I would buy Dell again but I would also consider HP (yes you can customize online and often times find discount codes as well). Certain times of the year to buy you can find better deals as well (ie; back to school time (Augish) and Holiday (oct-dec).
- I currently own Dell slim tower PC, 2 Apple ipads, a Dell laptop and an Acer ultrabook. I use the Ultrabook the most and the tower only for photo editing mostly. I plan to purchase an HP all in one with touch once the new Intel processors come out later this year.

Good luck!

 

[TammyAlphabet]

Get a Mac. Once you go Mac you never go back.

 

[wiigirl]

I personally have had good luck with my HP's I ordered current one from costco.

Me too....I have an all-in-one with a touchscreen. Love it and even being 3 years old I still have no issues with it.

 

[CourtneyL]

Get a Mac. Once you go Mac you never go back.

This exactly. I just replaced my Mac after 6 years of use. It still runs but was getting kinda slow and couldn't get the latest OS. It's now functioning as a server in the basement. My laptop lasted me almost 5 years before I upgraded.