Compooter Specs Help Needed

[Gasman]

I've decided, now that I have a "stable" temp job, that I am going to get a new computer in a couple weeks once I fill my meager coffers more. In the meantime, I'm doing some research and have no idea what I am looking for. So, I am asking for some advice on what I'm looking for. I'm looking to keep the price of this excursion on the cheap. I am wanting a desktop with a compact tower, a new monitor and the most bang for my buck. It will not be custom made, but rather straight from a store, since I'm too lazy and compooter-illiterate to make one myself. However, it is possible for me to switch out a couple parts if need be. But basically right now I want to know what the general specs of the hardware I'm looking for so I can get a decent gaming rig for modern games.

Thanks in advance, I won't be able to respond for a while since I'm going to bed now and then have work when I wake up.

[KarthXLR]

You'll regret buying a rig at a store. Ask anyone here.

[shoopfox]

You'll regret buying a rig at a store. Ask anyone here.

Yeah, seriously get a friend to help you out if you absolutely can't do it. The markup on a prebuilt machine is exorbitant

[Didzo]

Everyone here will tell you to either build your own (most of us learned about computers by putting our own together) or have a friend slap it together for you.

Past that, what are your general computer-related activities, what exactly do you need in terms of peripherals (keyboard, mouse, speakers, etc.), and what exactly is your budget?

[Gasman]

Past that, what are your general computer-related activities, what exactly do you need in terms of peripherals (keyboard, mouse, speakers, etc.), and what exactly is your budget?

For what I use my computer for, it's mainly web surfing along with games, and a bit of microsoft office work when need be. I'll be needing a keyboard, monitor and the tower itself, since my old mouse works just fine and I'll be using headphones for everything else. Budget is approximately $500, enough for a decent running computer but nothing fancy.

As for building it myself, I have absolutely no experience with hardware, I have never even installed ram before. I do not trust anyone to build it for me, and I don't trust myself with anything extensive.

[KarthXLR]

As for building it myself, I have absolutely no experience with hardware, I have never even installed ram before. I do not trust anyone to build it for me, and I don't trust myself with anything extensive.

We'll help you through. Hell, we'll probably tell you what to buy.

[Kirby]

[quote author=Gasman link=topic=5552.msg201911#msg201911 date=1302050740]
As for building it myself, I have absolutely no experience with hardware, I have never even installed ram before. I do not trust anyone to build it for me, and I don't trust myself with anything extensive.

We'll help you through. Hell, we'll probably tell you what to buy.
[/quote]


And we'll all laugh at you and say we told you so if you buy a premade one.

[Versus]

$500 prebuilt gaming computer

enjoy cs 1.6

[Geoff]

$500 prebuilt gaming computer

enjoy 10fps minecraft

[Didzo]

You won't be able to play pretty much anything more graphics intensive that a youtube video on a prebuilt computer for $500.

Though even a custom build will still be a budget rig at that price point.

[Eschatos]

If you're not rolling with 4xASUS ARES/2DIS/4GD5 Radeon HD 5870 X2 4GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity and a Intel Core i7-980X Extreme Edition Gulftown 3.33GHz 6 x 256KB L2 Cache 12MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Six-Core Desktop Processor BX80613I7980X then you might as well drive a railroad spike into your forehead.

[Versus]

$538.91, not prebuilt

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/Public...r=20077287

really surprised i found that for this price

what kind of performance would you like from a "decent gaming rig for modern games"?

edit: i found a prebuilt with approximately the same stats for $300 more than the newegg wishlist i linked above (prebuilt had slightly better ram, slightly better cpu, a worse/cheaper monitor [monitor was optional though], larger case but no-name brand, less powerful PSU)

http://www.ibuypower.com/Store/AMD_Pheno...or/w/63903

[Didzo]

$538.91, not prebuilt

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/Public...r=20077287

really surprised i found that for this price

what kind of performance would you like from a "decent gaming rig for modern games"?

Does that motherboard/RAM combo work with the CPU?

[Versus]

mobo said it was AM2+ and supported DDR2 800

[KarthXLR]

It'll be a little weak, definitely won't run new games on high. But hey, $500 is a small budget.

[KarthXLR]

Here's a guide that might help in-case you're not satisfied with Versus Suggestions.

[Didzo]

Proposed Possible Minor Changes to the Versus Master List

Keyboard - Cheap and functional
WD Hard Drive - Same specs, $4 cheaper
Rosewill Case - $10 cheaper, otherwise doesn't seem all that different
This might be a better motherboard/RAM combo for $5 less:
MoBo - AM3 socket type, (marginally better) integrated graphics
RAM - GSkill DDR3 1333

And uhh....

Operating system?

[Gasman]

what kind of performance would you like from a "decent gaming rig for modern games"?

I am looking to play my games and future games at medium to high settings with 40-70 fps. No more n64 graphics for me if I can help it.

Thank you Karth, I will give that guide a looking over as soon as I finish with this.

And uhh....

Operating system?

Hm, Windows 7 most likely. XP is getting too outdated without support and Vista is too much of a hassle.

I actually may build the computer myself, after listening to you all. Depends on what other info I hear from my family.

[Versus]

sounds good didzo. although when the cases are already this cheap, saving $10 by going from CM to rosewill is, uh...yeah. mobo/ram combination looks good.

yeah, even at budget costs like this, building your own will still save you plenty of money. w7 is definitely your best choice for an OS.