Help finding a computer for DD

[the_mother_thing]

I am at a loss and need help. My DD needs a new computer for school and something good with graphics (games and graphic design). She prefers a desktop so it can sit below her desk. There are SOOO many computers out there anymore and I haven't had to shop for one in a few years since I am primarily on my iPad. She just needs the cpu; already has a great monitor, keyboard, etc. She has been using my laptop but it's older and not cutting it. I went to best buy and of course they tried selling me the best/most expensive, but she doesn't need ALL that. I am comfortable spending up to $7-800 if it's a good, reliable machine but obviously wouldn't mind spending a little less if there is a deal to be had.

Any recommendations, suggestions, or warnings to look out for? I just don't know anymore what is good, what is junk, etc. and with all these cyber Monday deals, it's quite overwhelming. I would greatly appreciate any/all help!

ETa: she does not want a MAC/Apple product.

 

[Karl_K]

Which graphics programs and what kind of/which games?
That will make a huge difference in what I recommend.

 

[the_mother_thing]

Thank you for your offer to help Karl! I appreciate it so much! She has a drawing tablet that she creates intricate, freehand drawings with Photoshop CS6, illustrator, and game wise, just the usual kid stuff ... Mine craft, steam games, skyrim, league of legends. If it can do that stuff, it can probably handle her other usual web browsing & school work. LOL

 

[Karl_K]

700-800 is marginal for a system that is good for 4 years of that use unless she knows a computer geek who can build it for her.
She needs a i5 cpu with min of 8gb ram and a separate video card and a big hard drive or 2.
A ssd for the main drive with a big second hd would be ideal.
To get that in a prebuilt is over budget.
Does she have friends who build their own systems?

 

[the_mother_thing]

She does have friends who build their own, but most of them are out of state/country. I don't really expect it to be used for more than 2 years honestly. She will probably be back in laptop mode then for college. That's why I figure the budget is reasonable because, sadly, it is a temporary fix.

For what is prebuilt, on the market today, is there a graphics card that is better than not, or one I should steer away from in a prebuilt machine?

 

[Karl_K]

She does have friends who build their own, but most of them are out of state/country. I don't really expect it to be used for more than 2 years honestly. She will probably be back in laptop mode then for college. That's why I figure the budget is reasonable because, sadly, it is a temporary fix.

For what is prebuilt, on the market today, is there a graphics card that is better than not, or one I should steer away from in a prebuilt machine?

ok
most of them are using nvidia for a separate video cards with an i5.
If it says intel graphics it will not handle what she needs.

 

[the_mother_thing]

Thank you for your help Karl. We went with this one ... Has an i5 with the nvidia graphics card and 2gb dedicated video memory, with 8gb ram and 1tb hard drive. I know when college time comes, she'll be chomping at the bit for a laptop so I would rather splurge on that when the time comes. Hopefully this will get her through to then.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/cyberpowerpc-gamer-xtreme-desktop-intel-core-i5-8gb-memory-1tb-hard-drive/9787159.p?skuId=9787159&id=1219435619436

 

[Karl_K]

Thank you for your help Karl. We went with this one ... Has an i5 with the nvidia graphics card and 2gb dedicated video memory, with 8gb ram and 1tb hard drive. I know when college time comes, she'll be chomping at the bit for a laptop so I would rather splurge on that when the time comes. Hopefully this will get her through to then.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/cyberpowerpc-gamer-xtreme-desktop-intel-core-i5-8gb-memory-1tb-hard-drive/9787159.p?skuId=9787159&id=1219435619436

While not the ideal it should work well and is a reasonable compromise everything considered.