Buy a gaming PC or buy Steam Sale games??

[C95J]

So, I have come across a bit of a predicament.

I have about £320 spare to do one of two things:

1. Buy a cheap gaming computer, so I can play the 4/5 games I have on Steam on my laptop right now, then slowly upgrade my computer later to handle the more demanding games I will eventually get.

2. Take full advantage of the Steam Sale games now, and buy loads of games (which I won't be able to play) ready for when I have enough to buy a good computer around Christmas time/early next year.

Also, as a bit of a side note, which games should I buy if you choose option 2?

 

[Vonnis]

Keep saving until you can get a decent gaming computer. It's very possible to put together a machine on a budget that does pretty well for most games as long as you don't need everything maxed out, but 320 quid isn't going to cut it, especially since you said "buy" and not "build".
Steam sales aren't rare occasions, and it's a safe bet they'll be more spectacular around holiday season (which is the earliest you'd be able to play the games anyway if you spent the money now).

 

[C95J]

Keep saving until you can get a decent gaming computer. It's very possible to put together a machine on a budget that does pretty well for most games as long as you don't need everything maxed out, but 320 quid isn't going to cut it, especially since you said "buy" and not "build".
Steam sales aren't rare occasions, and it's a safe bet they'll be more spectacular around holiday season (which is the earliest you'd be able to play the games anyway if you spent the money now).

Thanks, I could build, but I don't know much about computers, so I don't really want to risk it.

 

[BigTortoise]

Honestly, building a computer is much easier than it sounds.
-Motherboard screws right into the case
-Processor goes into it's own slot easilt. Heatsink/fan screwed over it.
-Graphics card goes right into a PCI slot.
-Ram has it's own slots and snaps right in.
-Power supply... Just manage your cables right.

Congrats. You've built a PC. Though you ought to look into buying the right components

 

[Kiefer13]

I'd keep your money and save for a decent gaming PC. If you buy the components and build it yourself, you should be able to get a pretty decent rig that will last you a while for about £800 or so. I've realised you said you don't know much about computers, but it really isn't that difficult. I'm sure there are plenty of guides you could look up on the internet with a quick google search if you get stuck.

Besides, you've said about buying a cheaper computer and gradually upgrading it. Just building an entire computer wouldn't really be any more difficult than that. It would just require more time at once rather than spread out over whenever you would be upgrading the various components.

 

[TangoOneSix]

I'd say save and get components to build a computer. Consider it an investment. Steam sales happen all the time, sometimes multiple times a year for the same game.

For 320, you'll be hard pressed to buy or build any capable PC, but if you save a bit, you can throw together something decent in time for Christmas - and the associated sales that come with it, which are occasionally ridiculous.

Don't forget, even if you have a PC, you'll still need a monitor, mouse, keyboard and speakers. Unless you play with headphones.

Good luck!

 

[C95J]

Thanks guys, I am currently trying to get a job for the summer (I am only 16), so hopefully, if all goes well, and I don't spend too much money on games later this year, I will be able to afford a decent rig by just after Christmas, ready to take on 2012.