Bringing another technology issue to light...

[Left]

Should I be afraid of purchasing refurbished electronics from Gamestop.com, thereby oftentimes saving me 10-20% or more in price?

 

[High Fidelity]

I wouldn't. Buy new and make sure it's good warranty.

 

[Left]

I wouldn't. Buy new and make sure it's good warranty.

Thanks. It's just so tempting sometimes, especially when a product is no longer being made new.

 

[Kenny'sID]

What are we talking here..consoles? and where would you buy these things otherwise?

 

[Left]

What are we talking here..consoles? and where would you buy these things otherwise?

To be very specific, I am thinking about buying a refurbished i7 Alienware Steam Machine for $438, and also buying the 2 year protection plan from them for $50.

It would be cheaper and more powerful than some options.

 

[Wookiee]

To be very specific, I am thinking about buying a refurbished i7 Alienware Steam Machine for $438, and also buying the 2 year protection plan from them for $50.

It would be cheaper and more powerful than some options.

Depends exactly what's in it and what generation i7 it is. If they've refurbished it with the same components that were already in it, then I don't see it being an issue. If they've cut corners I'd be hesitant (especially if it was the power supply).

 

[Kenny'sID]

To be very specific, I am thinking about buying a refurbished i7 Alienware Steam Machine for $438, and also buying the 2 year protection plan from them for $50.

It would be cheaper and more powerful than some options.

Are you up on computers enough to know it has all the specs you need/want? Not sure what graphics card it has but that doesn't sound like too bad a price. I build my own but even if you know how to repair/replace cards, motherboards and such, sometimes computer hardware is not a bad deal used.

For instance, I still have 7? or so old graphics cards that all worked when I upgraded them over the years and some were used..point being, like memory, they last.

 

[Left]

Depends exactly what's in it and what generation i7 it is. If they've refurbished it with the same components that were already in it, then I don't see it being an issue. If they've cut corners I'd be hesitant (especially if it was the power supply).

Uh, I imagine it's just a normal Alienware Steam Machine. You know, i7-4785T, Geforce 860M+ that reaches 750 Ti performance levels, 8GB RAM, 1TB 5400RPM hard drive.

 

[Left]

Are you up on computers enough to know it has all the specs you need/want? Not sure what graphics card it has but that doesn't sound like too bad a price. I build my own but even if you know how to repair/replace cards, motherboards and such, sometimes computer hardware is not a bad deal used.

For instance, I still have 7? or so old graphics cards that all worked when I upgraded them over the years and some were used..point being, like memory, they last.

I used to be a computer benchmarker, in the Core 2 days.

I know little these days though.

 

[Kenny'sID]

You say steam machine...is it one with no Windows, but just the Steam operating system?

 

[Left]

You say steam machine...is it one with no Windows, but just the Steam operating system?

Yes. I was planning on buying Windows and installing it. I know how to do that.

 

[Kenny'sID]

You need to know all the specs before making a purchase like that. Power supply wattage, memory amount/speed, Graphics card, and such.

 

[High Fidelity]

I wouldn't get a Steam machine. I also don't know why it only has a 5400 rpm HDD. If you're using HDD and not SSD, I wouldn't go below 7200 rpm(which even then can be a bit meh).

If you want to play PC games my suggestion is just spend the extra money and build a PC. If you live in the U.S. you can build a pretty decent one for $1000-1500 that will run most things on max and last you a few years whilst also being something you can upgrade as and when.

 

[Left]

You need to know all the specs before making a purchase like that. Power supply wattage, memory amount/speed, Graphics card, and such.

I think I do. Unless it being refurbished has somehow changed them.

 

[Kenny'sID]

Yes. I was planning on buying Windows and installing it. I know how to do that.

OK, another $100 or so, but you are aware of that.

 

[High Fidelity]

Also an i7 isn't always necessary. An i5 will do just as well for 99% of tasks and will save you a pretty penny. The 4690K is very good.

 

[Kenny'sID]

OK sorry, I missed the post with the specs.

 

[NothingIsImpossible]

I buy used accessories. Never gaming systems themselves though. I also trade in alot of stuff I have at Gamestop since I get even more of a discount being a pro member. Well discount for buying and selling.

 

[Left]

I wouldn't get a Steam machine. I also don't know why it only has a 5400 rpm HDD. If you're using HDD and not SSD, I wouldn't go below 7200 rpm(which even then can be a bit meh).

If you want to play PC games my suggestion is just spend the extra money and build a PC. If you live in the U.S. you can build a pretty decent one for $1000-1500 that will run most things on max and last you a few years whilst also being something you can upgrade as and when.

It gets a bit more complicated than that for me. I have $700 on a Gamestop credit card, and if I want to spend it elsewhere, I have to pay a fee for someone, like a friend, to take a Gamestop gift card and get me a proper gift card to the right store. No one is going to do this for free.

I don't want to sign up for another credit card.

 

[Left]

Also an i7 isn't always necessary. An i5 will do just as well for 99% of tasks and will save you a pretty penny. The 4690K is very good.

Yes, but the Steam Machine processors are weaker by nature than equivalent desktop processors. These are generation 4 "T" processors. Lol.