Best computer for new gamer?

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gr3n4d3g1rl

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Jun 29, 2007
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I've recently become interested in the PC gaming world. I'm not into alot of games at the moment for the PC mainly the Sims 2 (with all expansion packs), doom 3, half life 2 and roller coaster tycoon. I will be getting flight simulator and Lord of the rings battle for middle earth soon. I'm looking for a computer that will run well for games and average computer usage (eg. Word, Internet, Instant messaging.)

I have a budget of about $700-$900. Can someone please help me decide. Post a link if you must 😛
 
an e6300-e6600 based system with an 8800gtx 320 can be had in that price range.

as far as mobo p5n-e sli systems are inexpensive with extreme performance

dvd burner, 2 gb of ddr2, vista

if u can not find one - email me i can set you up with one!
 
The MSI P6N SLI-FI nForce 650i has firewire and sli for +$12

Drop the ATI RADEON X1050 128MB for the NVIDIA GeForce 8500 GT 512MB for +$58. Not the greatest but DX10 and (please verify!) HD DVD hardware decoding.

You need dual channel & 1Gb memory: +90

Good luck!
 
Looks like you do want to buy pre-built based on the link you pasted, and if you aren't a hardware geek I don't blame you (even though this is a site for hardware geeks :) ).

Some of my family members were in a very similar position and I no longer build systems for family members (because I end up supporting their SW/HW myself which SUCKS). My solution was to check in at dell.com regularly and find a sweet deal on a desktop with integrated graphics, then buy a nice video card to add in afterwards. Make sure you get the regular tower size (not the small form factor, video cards don't fit and the PSUs are lower wattage). Their deals on AMD systems were usually better than Core 2 Duo ones.

As for a video card, I can tell you a 7600GT will work in a Dell Dimension and this should play the games you mention fantastically. Should be able to get one of those for ~$100 nowadays.

Some here will want to crucify me for suggesting a Dell Dimension, but the configuration I outlined above I have used twice with excellent results. Dell's phone support is better lately, and better my uncle calls someone in India for a spyware problem than me. If you build it yourself you don't have anyone to call, which you may not be comfortable with.
 
cyberpower is a decent company for pre-built pc's. i bought my first pc from them. good quality and excellent customer service.
 
cyberpower is a decent company for pre-built pc's. i bought my first pc from them. good quality and excellent customer service.
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agree with NUFC987, Solid systems, solid performance at good prices. The support has been good as well.
 
Look in bestbuy or circuit city's flyer. In canada, a Hp system with 2GB RAM+320GB+E6300+integrated graphic card+other useless softwares for 500$ CND ( 450$USD ). The price should be cheaper in US than Canada, thus you could get a gaming system (HP system + a videocard like 7600GT recommended above. ) for less than 600$ plus tax.
 
Yup, totally agreed.

The games she listed there are not that demanding, they should work OK on a computer like that.

Exception Flight Simulator, which works badly even on a $4000 computer with two 8800 GTX cards. 😛 :roll:
 
I was also planning on getting all of the WoW and Elder Scrolls games. I watch many of my friends play these games and I'm interested in buy them. 😀
 
After you buy a prebuilt system, add 2more GB of crucial bullistix ram from new egg. CL4, 800mhz, for only 70$ plus tax. The system will perform a little better than having 2GB. If you're using windows vista, upgrading from 2Gb to 4GB will give you boost in speed in programs you use often because of superfetch.
 
after 2gb of ram there is next to no improvement in super fetch

super fetch is really limited to .5gb -1gb systems with vista

power users with multi, programs and video streaming may see a minor improvement on paper

2gb is all u need!
 
Sorry, yes I am lookin for a prebuilt system. I am a female, GR3N4D3 G1RL is my xbox live gamertag...
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Going pre-built is very safe, along these lines the best advice I would offer is not to be fooled by thinking that buying locally is the best option. Don't get me wrong, BBs and Circuit City do well on PCs, but some of the nightmares I have heard about the service from BBs is scary. Best bet is to shop around, find a good price, and then compare customer service, this is one area, when you buy pre-built, you want to focus on almost as much as the parts that are in the system. In the end, junk in is junk out so make sure they use quality parts, but even the best parts fail and if they have idiots working on computers you will spend more time in the store than you will at home!

Also, watch how they define in home service and repair, especially after the first year, it isn’t always what it seems….
 
Processor ( AMD Athlon™64 X2 3800+ Dual-Core CPU w/ HyperTransport Technology)

Processor Cooling ( CoolerMaster Liquid CPU Cooling Fan System Kit )

Motherboard ( MSI K9N4 SLI-F NVIDIA nForce 500-SLI MCP Chipset w/7.1 Sound, Gb LAN, S-ATA Raid, USB 2.0, Dual PCI-E MB )

Memory ( 512 MB [512MB X1] DDR2-800 PC6400 Memory Module Corsair-Value or Major Brand )

Video Card ( NVIDIA GeForce 7100GS With TurboCache Supporting 256MB w/DVI + TV Out Video )

Video Card Brand ( Major Brand Powered by NVIDIA )

Hard Drive ( 160 GB HARD DRIVE [Serial-ATA-II, 3Gb, 7200 RPM, 8M Cache] )

CD/DVD Drive ( [** Special !!! ***] 18X Dual Format/Double Layer DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW Drive)

Sound Card ( 3D Premium Surround Sound Onboard )

Meter Display ( Thermal Temperature LCD Display)

Operation System (Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium)

I created this one for right above $600 which is the bottom of my price range. I'm thinking of ugrading the hard drive to 320GB (for $30). I plan on buying this computer in a few days. :? Anything else I need to get before order? I can always upgrade parts as I go.

This computer comes with a three year labor warranty, one year parts, and life time support services.
 
I'd say splurge on your Graphic Card a little more go for ATI HD 2400 or 2600 should be out soon enough (By the time you build it). The 7100 will be about as useful as Intel Integrated Graphics(Barely Playable with most games), and some of the games you've listed that your thinking of playing won't even run at decent Frame Rates without at least Something comparable to Nvidia 7800 or ATI X1650 O/B
 
You should wait till july 4th for Independance day or what ever they call it in US. Here in Canada, on July1st, Canada day, Most computer store has a sale on computers.

600$ for the system spec listed above is a little bit on the expensive side. You should be able to get a better deal on a holiday when its on sale.
 
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