Curse

shaolin mind trick · Nov 07, 2006, 06:43 PM // 18:43

Ok, so I'm in the market for a new computer, and as this will be a major purchase and I'm not all the knowledgable, I was wondering what kind of a machine community members would suggest.

Basically, this computer will only be used for gaming. Goal is to get a very high fps rate at decent graphics setting for those high-graphic games (CS:S makes hurts my current computer

)

Currently have a Radeon 9800 graphics card, but I think my current computer just wasn't good enough to get much out of it (~30 fps on medium low graphics settings for most games, also very choppy). Think it needs to be upgraded?

As far as going the custom route, my knowledge is pretty limited, so building my own is very intimidating. For this reason, an off-the-shelf system would be preferred.

Budget: Would prefer to keep the cost around a grand, but willing to go up to ~$1500 if needed.

Thanks to all for any opinions.

Mushroom · Nov 08, 2006, 05:10 PM // 17:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaolin mind trick

As far as going the custom route, my knowledge is pretty limited, so building my own is very intimidating. For this reason, an off-the-shelf system would be preferred.

Budget: Would prefer to keep the cost around a grand, but willing to go up to ~$1500 if needed.

Thanks to all for any opinions.

Try looking at your local computer stores. "Custom" does not mean that you have to do it yourself. Most stores have good quality units either available for immediate pick-up, or can have them built in 1-3 days (depending on parts availability).

The store I work at, we currently have 2 "custom built" units on the floor, both are under $1,000. We can have about anything you want withn 1-2 days (our parts come next day). And we are not unusual. About half of the small shops in the area work the same way.

Myself, i normally reccomend against the "mass market off the shelf" units, because the vast majority are junk. Poor quality, under wattage power supplies, almost total lack of ability to upgrade. Most last little over a year, then about all you can do is throw them away and buy a new unit.

l)l2UNl( · Nov 10, 2006, 05:32 AM // 05:32

well you could read up on some of the info and ask a few people for suggestions then go build your own but imo MOST off the shelf comps are a waste of money...

try this site
http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/ or...
http://www.ibuypower.com/

bizarresk · Nov 10, 2006, 09:10 AM // 09:10

go for Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 1024+ MB DDR RAM, WD Raptor HDD, and Radeon x1900gt or higher

EternalTempest · Nov 10, 2006, 10:12 AM // 10:12

CPU = Intel Core 2 Duo beat everything. If you can't afford, go with AMD Athlon 64 X2.

"Intel Duo Core 2 Duo > Athlon 64 X2 > Everything Else (Including original Intel Duo Core)"

Memory: 2 GB of Ram or more (4 if you can swing it)

Video: Nvidia 7x or Ati X1xxx Series (I prefer Nvidia myself)
Avoid the "Bleeding Edge newest gen cards" Direct X 10 cards are now (nvidia) or about to (ati) released on he market. Which will cause most current gen cards to drop below $500 quickly in a few months. I also avoid 1st next gen. Aka Nvidia 8xxx. Let them work some bugs out 1st. Advice applies to when Ati comes out with there DX10 card as well.

OS: Windows XP that offers free upgrade to Vista Premium or better (avoid Vista Basic)
Dell is doing that. Not saying jump to Vista when it come outs out but get that free upgrade cd so you can upgrade when you want to.

Hard Drives: SATA drives > IDE Drive (No matter what size). 100 gb at least. At least 7000 RPM or faster
I like seagate drives a lot myself.

Warranty (if OEM Computer): Get 2-3 years + the opps I dropped it coverage.

You do save money building your own but there is NOTHING wrong with ordering from Dell, Hp, etc. That a going OEM saves you a lot of headache trying to deal with warranty issues or you don't have / or don't feel comfy with you skills to not mess anything up while building new pc.

dansamy · Nov 10, 2006, 12:24 PM // 12:24

For your goal of a high fps and your budget of less than 1500 at the very max, it is most likely you will need to build it yourself or hire a builder to do so. CyberPower and IBuyPower are both listed above and they frequently run specials on their gaming setups. Skip the fancy case, but get a good power supply. You can't run a massive gaming rig off 300-400 watts. (Well, you technically can, but you really shouldn't. You'll fry parts and/or the power supply.)

l)l2UNl( · Nov 11, 2006, 01:24 AM // 01:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by EternalTempest

CPU = Intel Core 2 Duo beat everything. If you can't afford, go with AMD Athlon 64 X2.

"Intel Duo Core 2 Duo > Athlon 64 X2 > Everything Else (Including original Intel Duo Core)"

Memory: 2 GB of Ram or more (4 if you can swing it)

Video: Nvidia 7x or Ati X1xxx Series (I prefer Nvidia myself)
Avoid the "Bleeding Edge newest gen cards" Direct X 10 cards are now (nvidia) or about to (ati) released on he market. Which will cause most current gen cards to drop below $500 quickly in a few months. I also avoid 1st next gen. Aka Nvidia 8xxx. Let them work some bugs out 1st. Advice applies to when Ati comes out with there DX10 card as well.

OS: Windows XP that offers free upgrade to Vista Premium or better (avoid Vista Basic)
Dell is doing that. Not saying jump to Vista when it come outs out but get that free upgrade cd so you can upgrade when you want to.

Hard Drives: SATA drives > IDE Drive (No matter what size). 100 gb at least. At least 7000 RPM or faster
I like seagate drives a lot myself.

Warranty (if OEM Computer): Get 2-3 years + the opps I dropped it coverage.

You do save money building your own but there is NOTHING wrong with ordering from Dell, Hp, etc. That a going OEM saves you a lot of headache trying to deal with warranty issues or you don't have / or don't feel comfy with you skills to not mess anything up while building new pc.

he has a budget you knw...

ubermancer · Nov 11, 2006, 02:02 AM // 02:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by l)l2UNl(

he has a budget you knw...

newegg.com ftw?

dansamy · Nov 11, 2006, 02:33 AM // 02:33

Ummm...he can't build it himself. He's gonna need to utilize a retail outlet for either a custom built or an off the shelf.

MegaMouse · Nov 11, 2006, 11:53 AM // 11:53

For most gamers out their the best is what you can build yourself. As far as an off the shelf pre built rig, go to www.tigerdirect.com and check out the systemax line they carry. They can be upgraded as time and money allows. Another good source would be www.cyberpowerpc.com and www.ibuypower.com . Both of those offer reasonably priced beginer gaming machines that are upgradeable. Their are other companies out there offering decent machines at good prices, but you will have to do a bit of shopping to compare prices. Also check out Best Buy they handle some reasonable prebuilts also.

Good Luck
Mega Mouse

Mushroom · Nov 11, 2006, 06:03 PM // 18:03

I will say it one more time. Check some of your local stores. Most of them build custom systems, frequently for less money then the internet stores do.

I went to the ibuypower site, and decided to see what our mid-range new system would sell for. I used all the options to make it as close of a match as possible to what we sell off-the-shelf for $895. By the time I was done, the unit (with 5-10 day shipping) came out to $1,267. That is almost $400 more, and quite a wait.

And I know that our store is certainly not unique. Almost half of the local stores specialize in custom systems for local buyers. In fact, most of the "Specialty stores" online started in the exact same way. The largest difference turns out to be that they have a larger advertising budget to pay for, which often turns into higher prices.

And if none of the local ones can do what you like, you are only out the time you spent shopping around. But you may be surprised with what you may end up with.

dansamy · Nov 11, 2006, 06:35 PM // 18:35

Please don't buy anything from TigerDirect advertised with a mail-in rebate. They rarely honor them.