Which gaming computer should I get?

[Cheesenubs]

Hey guys I have been looking for a while and haven't found a gaming computer (I'm thinking Alienware alpha). What would you recommend? Budget is $850 and desktop is $700( need a monitor and keyboard). Also keep in mind that I'm in Australia so I would like australian websites.

 

[learningbitbybit]

If you are going to buy pre-built PCs, I don't recommend Alienware. I personally would recommend building your own PC.

PCPartPicker part list: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/kNcrhM
Price breakdown by merchant: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/kNcrhM/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($89.00 @ CPL Online)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($108.00 @ Umart)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($91.00 @ IJK)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($68.00 @ Umart)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R7 260X 2GB DirectCU II Video Card ($155.00 @ CPL Online)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1100 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($55.00 @ CPL Online)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.00 @ IJK)
Monitor: BenQ GL2460HM 60Hz 24.0" Monitor ($199.00 @ CPL Online)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($46.00 @ CPL Online)
Total: $890.00
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-09 20:25 EST+1100

 

[chrisITguy]

Alienware is overpriced no matter which way you turn them.

 

[Tom Waller]

If you are going to buy pre-built PCs, I don't recommend Alienware. I personally would recommend building your own PC.

PCPartPicker part list: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/kNcrhM
Price breakdown by merchant: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/kNcrhM/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($89.00 @ CPL Online)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($108.00 @ Umart)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($91.00 @ IJK)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($68.00 @ Umart)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R7 260X 2GB DirectCU II Video Card ($155.00 @ CPL Online)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1100 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($55.00 @ CPL Online)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.00 @ IJK)
Monitor: BenQ GL2460HM 60Hz 24.0" Monitor ($199.00 @ CPL Online)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($46.00 @ CPL Online)
Total: $890.00
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-09 20:25 EST+1100

Would be much better off with a better CPU, and Also, for a tiny bit more, Upgrade to the r9 270x.

There you'd have a perfectly capable gaming PC hitting very good frames.

 

[Cheesenubs]

So I have to build it right?

 

[Cheesenubs]

Yeah thanks for pc part picker but can someone upgrade the cpu. And do you know any place which can build pc's because my parents disapprove of building.

 

[r3v3ng3]

PCPartPicker part list: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/hspnFT
Price breakdown by merchant: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/hspnFT/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($149.00 @ Centre Com)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($108.00 @ Umart)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($99.00 @ IJK)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($70.00 @ IJK)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 270 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($205.00 @ Centre Com)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 334U ATX Mid Tower Case ($45.00 @ Umart)
Power Supply: XFX TS 550W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($99.00 @ PLE Computers)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($19.00 @ CPL Online)
Monitor: Asus VE248H 24.0" Monitor ($195.00 @ CPL Online)
Keyboard: Gigabyte GK-KM6150 Wired Standard Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($12.00 @ CPL Online)
Total: $1001.00
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-09 21:24 EST+1100

Which ever outlet you buy from, just get all your parts there and ask them to build it for you. It will be an extra charge.

 

[chrisITguy]

Honestly, it's a great learning experience to build one. Try casting that to your parents =). It's not too bad if you take your time and even watch how to videos like I did!

Back to your original post, Tomshardware does excellent reviews every month on top performing products. At your lower price point, I would recommend AMD 6300 at least. Parts are normally cheaper too.

Here is my personal reccomendation on a budget:
PCPartPicker part list: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/ZQyBYJ
Price breakdown by merchant: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/ZQyBYJ/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($139.00 @ Centre Com)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-D3P ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard ($119.00 @ IJK)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($88.00 @ CPL Online)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 320GB 2.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($57.00 @ Umart)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 270X 2GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($219.00 @ CPL Online)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 450W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($89.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Total: $711.00
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-09 21:30 EST+1100

Pick out a cheap(ish) case and maybe a slightly larger (still atleast silver rated) psu and you would be good to go. You can have the crappiest case and this will not effect yoru pc performance. Unless the air flow just sucks.