[QUOTE=science_man_88;281725][URL]http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/lenovo-lenovo-thinkcentre-desktop-computer-featuring-intel-core-i3-2100-processor-len-782449u-english-len-782449u/10179102.aspx?path=06fc75b95999b7b0334f273dfcbbe9faen02[/URL]

[URL]http://www.bestbuy.ca/Search/SearchResults.aspx?path=ca77b9b4beca91fe414314b86bb581f8en20&q=%252a&sp=BBY_en-CA_Product_Collection_Site-WideSP&Facet=cBBYMCCPCatalogenCAPresentationHierarchy1%2523%2523-1%2523%2523-1%257e%257eq2a%257e%257ecBBYMCCPCatalogenCA20213%2523%25236%2523%25231u%257e%257ef604%257c%257c496e74656c20436f7265206935%257e%257ef487%257c%257c384742%257e%257enf459%257c%257c31205442&viewall=true&targetCategory=20213[/URL]

[URL]http://www.bestbuy.ca/Search/SearchResults.aspx?path=ca77b9b4beca91fe414314b86bb581f8en20&q=%252a&sp=BBY_en-CA_Product_Collection_Site-WideSP&Facet=cBBYMCCPCatalogenCAPresentationHierarchy1%2523%2523-1%2523%2523-1%257e%257eq2a%257e%257ecBBYMCCPCatalogenCA20213%2523%25236%2523%25231u%257e%257ef604%257c%257c496e74656c20436f7265206935%257e%257ef487%257c%257c384742%257e%257enf28%257c%257c4845574c455454205041434b415244&viewall=true&targetCategory=20213[/URL] are the best comparisons I could get on the data given in the ads onto the Canadian site.

is there anything special the numbers talk about in the processor name ? I get the letters mean stuff my first guess is the MHz of the processor. never mind I didn't look closely enough at the link I gave:[/QUOTE]

The numbers in the processor name just define that processor compared to others in that line, usually the higher the number, the more 'top of the line' it is. Your first link, the i3-2100 is roughly 3x your current system, but at $629 a bit expensive for what you get. The middle link has hard core gaming machines, and probably way above what you are looking for. That H8-1145 in the 3rd link is identical to the 2400 I recently picked up and is roughly 6x your current system and looking at power vs price the one I personally would choose. Compared to the i3, you're spending 1/3 more to get more than 2x the capability. Truth be told though, from your statements the i3 would be more suited to what you currently do.

[QUOTE=bcp19;281728]The numbers in the processor name just define that processor compared to others in that line, usually the higher the number, the more 'top of the line' it is. Your first link, the i3-2100 is roughly 3x your current system, but at $629 a bit expensive for what you get. The middle link has hard core gaming machines, and probably way above what you are looking for. That H8-1145 in the 3rd link is identical to the 2400 I recently picked up and is roughly 6x your current system and looking at power vs price the one I personally would choose. Compared to the i3, you're spending 1/3 more to get more than 2x the capability. Truth be told though, from your statements the i3 would be more suited to what you currently do.[/QUOTE]

so i3 xxxxS or i3 xxxxT it looks like as <processor> xxxxK sound like it's for people to modify more than the rest by what you all have said.

[QUOTE=science_man_88;281729]so i3 xxxxS or i3 xxxxT it looks like as <processor> xxxxK sound like it's for people to modify more than the rest by what you all have said.[/QUOTE]

I would go for an S over a T as the S is performance optimized where the T is power optimized and is not going to be as fast as a processor that has no letter on it. 2500K>2500S>2500>2500T.

now I'm scared I tried typing run into the search menu for windows and accidently typed un and entered seems to try to restart my computer. maybe it's really time to shut down as it might be my hardware I might need to clean it.

[QUOTE=science_man_88;282127]now I'm scared I tried typing run into the search menu for windows and accidently typed un and entered seems to try to restart my computer. maybe it's really time to shut down as it might be my hardware I might need to clean it.[/QUOTE]

You probably either accidentally hit over so the Enter was over Shut Down, or else a restart dialog (like from Windows Update) popped up between typing "un" and pressing Enter. Either way I wouldn't worry about it.

If you haven't made up your mind, I just got this in an email. It's a [URL="http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=1706926&sku=B69-0488"]kit[/URL] that builds this:[LIST][*]AMD Phenom II X6 1035 (6 cores!)[*]MSI 760GM mobo[*]8GB RAM[*]1 TB HDD[*]24x DVD Writer[*]Mid-tower case[*]450W power supply[/LIST]No OS, but you could either go Linux or buy 64-bit Win7. (They sell an OEM version that is OK, but, for a self-built machine, you're technically in violation of the MS license.)

Cost: US $350 less a $50 rebate. OEM 64-bit Win7 is $139 less $20 rebate until 12/31. (Not sure if Canadian buyers would qualify for rebates or not.)

I would go Win7 Pro because you get MS Virtual PC with a fully licensed XP guest OS.

Mail order, but TigerDirect is usually good with DOA returns. And don't be scared of a kit, everything is easy to put together with a Phillips screwdriver. Only extra might be a better cooler than the stock heatsink as discussed [URL="http://www.mersenneforum.org/showthread.php?t=16253"]here[/URL]. My 1090 runs pretty hot -- I'm running with the case open and a fan blowing on the system; makes for a loud bedroom....

[QUOTE=schickel;283624]If you haven't made up your mind, I just got this in an email. It's a [URL="http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=1706926&sku=B69-0488"]kit[/URL] that builds this:[LIST][*]AMD Phenom II X6 1035 (6 cores!)[*]MSI 760GM mobo[*]8GB RAM[*]1 TB HDD[*]24x DVD Writer[*]Mid-tower case[*]450W power supply[/LIST]No OS, but you could either go Linux or buy 64-bit Win7. (They sell an OEM version that is OK, but, for a self-built machine, you're technically in violation of the MS license.)

Cost: US $350 less a $50 rebate. OEM 64-bit Win7 is $139 less $20 rebate until 12/31. (Not sure if Canadian buyers would qualify for rebates or not.)

I would go Win7 Pro because you get MS Virtual PC with a fully licensed XP guest OS.

Mail order, but TigerDirect is usually good with DOA returns. And don't be scared of a kit, everything is easy to put together with a Phillips screwdriver. Only extra might be a better cooler than the stock heatsink as discussed [URL="http://www.mersenneforum.org/showthread.php?t=16253"]here[/URL]. My 1090 runs pretty hot -- I'm running with the case open and a fan blowing on the system; makes for a loud bedroom....[/QUOTE]

if my family wasn't against it I can get a [URL="http://www.bestbuy.ca/EN-CA/product/id/10164620.aspx"] i7 2600[/URL] for around $600 from best buy during the boxing day sales plus the cost of a monitor.

[QUOTE=science_man_88;283658]if my family wasn't against it I can get a [URL="http://www.bestbuy.ca/EN-CA/product/id/10164620.aspx"] i7 2600[/URL] for around $600 from best buy during the boxing day sales plus the cost of a monitor.[/QUOTE]

my sister called they went to the store and tried to give me deals I settled in the i3's and a $99 20 inch monitor.

[QUOTE=science_man_88;283658]if my family wasn't against it I can get a [URL="http://www.bestbuy.ca/EN-CA/product/id/10164620.aspx"] i7 2600[/URL] for around $600 from best buy during the boxing day sales plus the cost of a monitor.[/QUOTE]
Why is your family against it?

[QUOTE=science_man_88;283663]my sister called they went to the store and tried to give me deals I settled in the i3's and a $99 20 inch monitor.[/QUOTE]
How much does this one cost (excluding the monitor)?

[QUOTE=axn;283673]Why is your family against it?


How much does this one cost (excluding the monitor)?[/QUOTE]

supposedly $549 my family told me not to go near the top of the line.

yikes i7 for $600 vs. i3 for $550? That's a rip off. If you're on an i3 level of performance then AMD is more competitive... though the i3 might still be better.