PC World Community: noob needs help buying new gaming ...

9 Replies Last post: Jun 28, 2007 2:09 PM by smax013

shakes

4 posts since
Jun 25, 2007

Jun 25, 2007 2:05 PM

noob needs help buying new gaming desktop PC

Hi, I'm new to the forum and in need of help. I know next to nothing about PC's so this is all very intimidating to me. My current home PC is almost 10 years old so I want to upgrade. I want a gaming PC that can also do word processing and photo storage.

I know that building a PC would be a lot cheaper but I woulld have no clue how to even begin that process.

My budget is anywhere from $3000-$6000 but I would like to stay at around $5000 tops.

From the research I've done so far this is what I've learned...please correct me if I am wrong.

Cybepower is terrible despite the great reviews it gets online. Avoid at ALL COSTS.

Dell has terrible customer service and tech support. alienware is the same and is overpriced.

Falcon and voodoo are very overpriced as well.

haven't heard anything about Gateway's gaming PCs.

Velocity Micro, haven't heard anythign good or bad about them either.

No matter what I end up with make sure it runs XP and NOT Vista since Vista is terrible right now and a lot of games don't work because of something called drivers.

I was hoping to get somethign with a quad processer and duo graphics cards. But, i was wondering if I really need that or if it is just overkill and will be obsolete soon anyway?

As far as the games I will be playing...mostly FPS, company of Heroes, some dungeon crawler diablo types and MAYBE I'll give WOW a try.

So, any suggestions as to what brand and model I should go with would be greatly appreciated

Rabidgerbil38

1 posts since
Jun 25, 2007

1. Jun 25, 2007 8:20 PM

in response to: shakes

from my experience iv found that buying a complete system never seems to work out and you always end up paying way to much my advice to you would be to either read up on computers yourself or find a tech savvy friend and browse newegg's computer hardware section and build your own for 4 grand you can build a top of the line gaming machine able to run any of the newest games at full specs i mean my dream computer on that web site only runs to about 3 grand all together and you can pick your operating system so you wont have to deal with windows vista all in all its best to build a custom machine

shakes

4 posts since
Jun 25, 2007

2. Jun 25, 2007 9:23 PM

in response to: shakes

Rabidgerbil38 wrote:from my experience iv found that buying a complete system never seems to work out and you always end up paying way to much my advice to you would be to either read up on computers yourself or find a tech savvy friend and browse newegg's computer hardware section and build your own for 4 grand you can build a top of the line gaming machine able to run any of the newest games at full specs i mean my dream computer on that web site only runs to about 3 grand all together and you can pick your operating system so you wont have to deal with windows vista all in all its best to build a custom machine

like I said, building a computer is NOT an option. I can barely figure out how to send email so there is no way I could ever build a computer even with the simplest instructions you could ever find. I'm not at all a technical or mechanical person or a handy person. I've never so much as put a shelf on a wall so I have a hard time believing I could ever build a computer. And then if it breaks down, who do I call for tech support? Myself?

Now if there are any custom builders who are known as reputable and have tech support that you can direct me towards i would be definitely interested in pursuing that avenue, But, I would need to know for sure that I wasn't getting ripped off and that I wasn;t going to be deserted the second I got my machine.

Knifeblade

806 posts since
Apr 5, 2007

3. Jun 26, 2007 12:15 PM

in response to: shakes

K, so ya want a pre-fab? Cool, I understand that. Check out
Acer and newegg, maybe even tigerdirect. I would stay away from Cyber, though I not so sure about Alienware.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tam >aka Attack Pig<~~~~~~~ 2400 Celeron 2.4 OC'ed to 3.1, FX 5500 O/C'ed to 568 Mhz, PSU to 500W, 1024 RAM DDR O/C'ed to 428 Mhz I don't like no's from Dell. However I enjoy making them say yes

Arther

184 posts since
May 30, 2007

4. Jun 28, 2007 9:41 AM

in response to: shakes

Hello, I recently built a new gaming machine via www.ibuypower.com

Have had the new pc for a few weeks now and so far so good, had one minior problem when I 1st got it but I think that was more me than the pc.

On the site you are able to pick from just about any combonation, my advice for you ( not knowing much about pc's) would be to play around with the set up of a new pc. When you see something you might like copy it into google and check for reviews.

I have built a few machines in the past but it had been around 5yrs and I just did not feel like doing it my self this time around. So some one recommended ibuypower. I went there and started checking out what they offer. I spent over a week reading every review I could get my hands on in regards to processor,HD,video card, power supply, OS (because of vista) heck even gaming mouse..ect..when I looked at something I thought I might like I would just google it and read as much as I could on it.

The problem with off the shelf pc's is that you never get exactly what you want unless you are willing to spend a crazy amount of money. Trust me when I tell you that if you where to spend some time just reading up on reviews for things like video cards, Processor, MB, HD, Memory, OS, mouse, keyboard..ect..you will know enough to put together a nice system.

My total system was $2300 and It can run anything out there with no problems at all. The only thing I could have done more to my system was get more than one video card

p.s. Forget WoW...go with EQ2 :lol:

shakes

4 posts since
Jun 25, 2007

5. Jun 28, 2007 10:05 AM

in response to: shakes

Arther wrote:Hello, I recently built a new gaming machine via buypower

Have had the new pc for a few weeks now and so far so good, had one minior problem when I 1st got it but I think that was more me than the pc.

On the site you are able to pick from just about any combonation, my advice for you ( not knowing much about pc's) would be to play around with the set up of a new pc. When you see something you might like copy it into google and check for reviews.

I have built a few machines in the past but it had been around 5yrs and I just did not feel like doing it my self this time around. So some one recommended ibuypower. I went there and started checking out what they offer. I spent over a week reading every review I could get my hands on in regards to processor,HD,video card, power supply, OS (because of vista) heck even gaming mouse..ect..when I looked at something I thought I might like I would just google it and read as much as I could on it.

The problem with off the shelf pc's is that you never get exactly what you want unless you are willing to spend a crazy amount of money. Trust me when I tell you that if you where to spend some time just reading up on reviews for things like video cards, Processor, MB, HD, Memory, OS, mouse, keyboard..ect..you will know enough to put together a nice system.

My total system was $2300 and It can run anything out there with no problems at all. The only thing I could have done more to my system was get more than one video card

p.s. Forget WoW...go with EQ2 :lol:

I am very interested in what you did, but i am confused. Were you able to buy a pre built PC from ibuypower or did you have to buy the parts and build it yourself? I would definitely want to go that route if they sell built computers, but if it is just a parts store and I have to build it there is no way I would do that. Also, do you get tech support with your PC? if not, i would just as soon spend the extra couple thousand to go with an established company that gives tech support.

and can you play every new game with that build? For instance, company of heroes, current FPS, dungeon crawlers and RTS? Those are the games I am interested in.

Lastly, do you know anyting about Micro Velocity? I am currently looking at that company now and it looks good. What do you think of this build? Doesn't come with a monitor so i would have to get one on my own though.

Velocity Raptor DCX
Intel D975XBX2LKR Bad Axe II Motherboard w/ DDR2, PCI Express
Intel Core 2 Q6600
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro Heatsink
2048 MB Corsair Dominator
2x 1 GB Diamond Radion HD 2900XT
X-Fi Xtreme audio
Creative Gigaworks 5.1 speakers
2x 400GB Hitachi 7200rpm 16MB
DVD burner
CD burner combo drive
1.44 floppy drive
Windows XP Pro
Velocity Micro keyboard and mouse

$4378 (no monitor)

Arther

184 posts since
May 30, 2007

6. Jun 28, 2007 10:57 AM

in response to: shakes

shakes wrote:> Arther wrote:Hello, I recently built a new gaming machine via buypower

Have had the new pc for a few weeks now and so far so good, had one minior problem when I 1st got it but I think that was more me than the pc.

My total system was $2300 and It can run anything out there with no problems at all. The only thing I could have done more to my system was get more than one video card

p.s. Forget WoW...go with EQ2 :lol:

and can you play every new game with that build? For instance, company of heroes, current FPS, dungeon crawlers and RTS? Those are the games I am interested in.

Lastly, do you know anyting about Micro Velocity? I am currently looking at that company now and it looks good. What do you think of this build? Doesn't come with a monitor so i would have to get one on my own though.

Velocity Raptor DCX

Intel D975XBX2LKR Bad Axe II Motherboard w/ DDR2, PCI Express

Intel Core 2 Q6600

Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro Heatsink

2048 MB Corsair Dominator

2x 1 GB Diamond Radion HD 2900XT

X-Fi Xtreme audio

Creative Gigaworks 5.1 speakers

2x 400GB Hitachi 7200rpm 16MB

DVD burner

CD burner combo drive

1.44 floppy drive

Windows XP Pro

Velocity Micro keyboard and mouse

$4378 (no monitor)

Not sure about that company but if you ask me the price sure seems to be a bit high.

As for the one I was telling you about I picked all the sutff out that I wanted in my pc from there site and they put together and ship it to you. Thats why I was saying check out there site and play around with system builds and if you come across a hardware item you are not sure about just copy and past right into google and read the reviews/forums on that item.

And yes my build will run ANY game out there today....

Here is a look at my system set up:

1000 Watt -- Thermaltake Toughpower W0132RU Power Supply Quad SLI Ready
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6700 (2x 2.66GHz/4MB L2 Cache/1066FSB
Certified CPU Fan and Heatsink
Asus P5N-E SLI nForce 650i SLI Chipset w/6-channel CODEC, Gb LAN, S-ATA Raid, USB 2.0, IEEE-1394 Dual PCI-E MB
2048MB 1024MB X2 DDR2-800 PC6400 Memory Module Corsair XMS2 Xtreme w/Heat Spreader
NVIDIA GeForce 8800GTX 768MB w/DVI + TV Out Video
Gaming HARD DRIVES Serial ATA-150, 10,000 RPM WD Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB 16M Cache Hard Drive
18X Dual Format/Double Layer DVDR/RW + CD-R/RW Drive Beige
Black Logitech X-540 5.1 Surround Speakers + Subwoofer
Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard
Logitech MX518 Gaming-Grade Optical Mouse
Thermal Temperature LCD Display
12-In-1 Internal Flash Media Card Reader/Writer
MS Windows XP Home Edition w/ Service Pack 2

Warranty Service Standard 3-Year Limited Warranty + Lifetime Technical Support
Rush Service Fee (not shipping fee) RUSH

, Ship Out in Next Business Day )

Hope this helps out

shakes

4 posts since
Jun 25, 2007

7. Jun 28, 2007 12:02 PM

in response to: shakes

Arther wrote:

Not sure about that company but if you ask me the price sure seems to be a bit high.

As for the one I was telling you about I picked all the sutff out that I wanted in my pc from there site and they put together and ship it to you. Thats why I was saying check out there site and play around with system builds and if you come across a hardware item you are not sure about just copy and past right into google and read the reviews/forums on that item.

And yes my build will run ANY game out there today....

Here is a look at my system set up:

1000 Watt -- Thermaltake Toughpower W0132RU Power Supply Quad SLI Ready

Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6700 (2x 2.66GHz/4MB L2 Cache/1066FSB

Certified CPU Fan and Heatsink

Asus P5N-E SLI nForce 650i SLI Chipset w/6-channel CODEC, Gb LAN, S-ATA Raid, USB 2.0, IEEE-1394 Dual PCI-E MB

2048MB 1024MB X2 DDR2-800 PC6400 Memory Module Corsair XMS2 Xtreme w/Heat Spreader

NVIDIA GeForce 8800GTX 768MB w/DVI + TV Out Video

Gaming HARD DRIVES Serial ATA-150, 10,000 RPM WD Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB 16M Cache Hard Drive

18X Dual Format/Double Layer DVDR/RW + CD-R/RW Drive Beige

Black Logitech X-540 5.1 Surround Speakers + Subwoofer

Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard

Logitech MX518 Gaming-Grade Optical Mouse

Thermal Temperature LCD Display

12-In-1 Internal Flash Media Card Reader/Writer

MS Windows XP Home Edition w/ Service Pack 2

Warranty Service Standard 3-Year Limited Warranty + Lifetime Technical Support

Rush Service Fee (not shipping fee) RUSH , Ship Out in Next Business Day )

Hope this helps out

thanks, that helps a lot. A couple of questions though.

1. What build on ibuypower did you start with as your base when building your system? I noticed that they have several to choose from.

2. How much more would it be to get the second graphics card and also is it even necessary?

3. I notice you have a duo processer, is a quad processor a huge improvement and worth the money?

4. Did you get a monitor with that? IF not, what are good brands of monitors, specifically in the 22-24" realm?

Thanks again, you've been most helpful.

Arther

184 posts since
May 30, 2007

8. Jun 28, 2007 1:56 PM

in response to: shakes

shakes wrote:> Arther wrote:

Not sure about that company but if you ask me the price sure seems to be a bit high.

And yes my build will run ANY game out there today....

Here is a look at my system set up:

Warranty Service Standard 3-Year Limited Warranty + Lifetime Technical Support

Rush Service Fee (not shipping fee) RUSH , Ship Out in Next Business Day )

Hope this helps out

thanks, that helps a lot. A couple of questions though.

1. What build on ibuypower did you start with as your base when building your system? I noticed that they have several to choose from.

2. How much more would it be to get the second graphics card and also is it even necessary?

3. I notice you have a duo processer, is a quad processor a huge improvement and worth the money?

4. Did you get a monitor with that? IF not, what are good brands of monitors, specifically in the 22-24" realm?

Thanks again, you've been most helpful.

NP always glad to help where I can seeing how this fourm has helped me out tons:)

Now as far as DUO compared to QUAD from best I can tell ( I am no experct on this) if you are going to be doing A LOT of muli-tasking then you want QUAD but for most folks out there DUO is more than enough. Seems like I remember it being a fairly expensive upgrade to go from DUO to QUAD.

On the right top of the screen you should see something that says "SHIP IN 24 HOURS" once you click on that it will give you a choice between AMD and INTEL. I my self use to be a really big AMD fan until I went to build this pc. After doing a lot of reading up and asking questions most folks agreed that INTEL was the better choice now adays. (some one recently told me that AMD might even be getting out of the processor build business all together soon and become a consulting firm..not sure if true or not)

I think the Gforce 8800GTX runs about $500 each..I to started to go with two of the in SLI but decided to wait a few months when the price drops and then buy a 2nd one. ( A side note there is going to be very little out there that you would need a 2nd card of this size..at lest right now)

I already have a 21" Dell flat panel desk top so had no need to buy a new one (I did try my hardest to get the wife interested in letting me buy a new 24" ....but..no luck:oops:

If memory servers me correct PCWorld had a good post on the top monitors to buy in diffrent size range..you should check it out

smax013

4,007 posts since
Jan 28, 2007

9. Jun 28, 2007 2:09 PM

in response to: shakes

Arther wrote:

Now as far as DUO compared to QUAD from best I can tell ( I am no experct on this) if you are going to be doing A LOT of muli-tasking then you want QUAD but for most folks out there DUO is more than enough. Seems like I remember it being a fairly expensive upgrade to go from DUO to QUAD.

And you also need to make sure that your software (programs and/or OS) support the use of multicores/multiprocessors. It has taken awhile, but I believe it is much more wide spread. I want to say that Vista does support multiple processors/cores. According to the Micro$oft site, all version of Vista will support multiple cores but only Business, Ultimate and Enterprise support dual processor. I am assuming that when they say multiple cores, that would include quad cores, but you would want to look into a little further to be sure.

[soapbox] Backup good...no backup bad!! [/soap box]

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