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[Recommend on] Computers
Arkan
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So I turned 21 today. Among other things, I got 400$ and access to a savings account containing 1600$. That, plus a 100$ best buy gift card I had lying around, plus the fact that the computer I currently have suuuuuuucks, makes me want to get a new computer. But I'm not really sure what to look for, so I figured I'd asked THE INTERNET! for advice.
Some criteria:
I am not looking for a hyper-exensive ubercomputer... I'm not looking to run Crysis at max settings or anything (is that joke dead yet?). The highest-end thing I might run possibly ever would probably be Warhammer Online. The rest of the games I run regularly aren't that advanced (source/orange box engine games and WoW are the only ones that tax the one I'm on now, which is a 3-year old laptop). Something above and beyond that would be nice, but I really don't want to go super-expensive - 600-800$ is the range I want to be in. I'm hopefully going to a 4-year college this fall and want as much of the money available for that.
I'd also like something that would last a while - good warranty, easy to upgrade the parts, stuff that isn't failure-prone, etc.
So... any suggestions?
(side note: this was copied from G&T. I don't mind buying prebuilt computers and in fact it might be slightly preferrable because I don't know how a warranty would work on a built one - the only reason my current computer has lasted so long is because I got an awesome 3-year warranty on it, so if possible I'd like to get that again - but if the price difference between self-built and pre-built is big enough I'd consider it)
Some criteria:
I am not looking for a hyper-exensive ubercomputer... I'm not looking to run Crysis at max settings or anything (is that joke dead yet?). The highest-end thing I might run possibly ever would probably be Warhammer Online. The rest of the games I run regularly aren't that advanced (source/orange box engine games and WoW are the only ones that tax the one I'm on now, which is a 3-year old laptop). Something above and beyond that would be nice, but I really don't want to go super-expensive - 600-800$ is the range I want to be in. I'm hopefully going to a 4-year college this fall and want as much of the money available for that.
I'd also like something that would last a while - good warranty, easy to upgrade the parts, stuff that isn't failure-prone, etc.
So... any suggestions?
(side note: this was copied from G&T. I don't mind buying prebuilt computers and in fact it might be slightly preferrable because I don't know how a warranty would work on a built one - the only reason my current computer has lasted so long is because I got an awesome 3-year warranty on it, so if possible I'd like to get that again - but if the price difference between self-built and pre-built is big enough I'd consider it)
Big, honkin' pile of WoW characters
Blackbeard7 wrote: »I think it's hard for someone not to rage at mario kart, while shouting "Fuck you Donkey Kong. Whose dick did you suck to get all those red shells?"
Arkan on
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Look around before posting please.
Maybe everyone has you on ignore.
(Please do not gift. My game bank is already full.)
I'm assuming this is in reference to something pre-edit on the OPs part?
(Please do not gift. My game bank is already full.)
Now I'm curious! What'd he say?
Just asked for advice on his build. In the post right after you pointed to the sticky.
(Please do not gift. My game bank is already full.)
Just make sure when you make a selection, do some googling. Many forums have dedicated Dell threads and you can find a lot of information about the machines this way. Some of their smaller units, for example, cannot accept double height video cards. You'll want to know this before buying the machine and trying to jack in an nvidia rageomatic ati 88000 monster card in there.
Yeah, it was just funny to see someone actually ask for advice on building a computer right after Esh posted that. The funny is far, far gone now.
Still you might want to check out the op in the build thread. It wouldn't be hard to build a computer that met your requirements for under $500 but that would be with no monitor or even OS.
There was a G&T thread a while back about buying pre-builts but there wasn't much success in anyone proposing a go-to vendor as far as I know. Places like Dell seem very, very opposed to you adding a ATI 4850 to one of their normal computers' configurations and the gaming computers are normally overpriced.
(Please do not gift. My game bank is already full.)
Dell does use standard components in their ATX systems, so in general, it's pretty easy to plug in a new video card or add memory after you get the machine in your hands.
But you have to do your research, because not ALL their systems are this way. Sometimes they have wacky cooling systems installed or they use a weird layout that won't let full size cards be installed. Once you fileter out those systems however, they make very good machines.
Yeah, I was talking more about adding in a gaming video card from dell.
Earlier someone wanted to upgrade their computer (I think it was a dell not sure) and I ended up advising that they get a 4770 since it has lower power usage and good performance.
If you can make sure that the computer that you buy has 20 amps on the 12 volt rail then that might be an option for the OP as well.
(Please do not gift. My game bank is already full.)
Depends on if you tell them about it or not.
Machine goes bad, remove the card, complain bitterly into phone.
No no.
I mean just being able to chose it as an option. They have the cards and will put them in their "gaming" PCs.
I'm saying that the way Dell limits what you do by "brand", makes it hard to get a decent deal on a gaming PC from them.
I don't think you voided your warranty but if you call up tech support you may have to remove the card before they help you.
(Please do not gift. My game bank is already full.)
Shouldn't be hard to find one in that price range that can run Half-life 2 engine games / Warhammer online and you may use it a lot in classes ( to play games instead of listening to lectures).
http://steamcommunity.com/id/Cykstfc
But yea, is there a reason you want a desktop?
Because bang for buck they're far superior to a laptop. And beyond that, building your own (which a brain damaged monkey could do) is as even better way to save.
And since when is Warhammer even remotely playable on a Eee?
He did say he was about to head to college; having an all-in-one system that can play his games and can be brought to class to take notes on might be something the OP values.
A desktop+netbook combo might also work, and with the right deals, at nearly the same price, so that's something to consider, too.
Oh if you go retail don't spring for any extended warranty... there isn't a single part in that PC that could cost more than that to replace :P
If you're looking to use your Best Buy gift certificate, they have some pretty good gaming machines in there for less than a grand. Just do your homework and research things out.
There is a boutique that is inexpensive and the owner will narrow down what you need and whats not needed to get you within your budget, whatever your budget may be.
MaxForce PC.
Go straight to the forums and sign up and ask for a quote. Tell him your intended budget and what you want to play on it.
There are other boutiques out there too like Puget and Maingear but they're more expensive.
Here is a list so you can search around:
MaxForce PC
Puget Custom Computers
Maingear
Velocity Micro
Digital Storm
Find out what you need first.