Challenge: $1000 on Gaming/entertainment... from scratch?

[Googenstien]

OK, I'll play and I will just do this from a quick check at Best Buy, I am sure I can find a better deal on a TV.

I would get this Samsung 40" LCD which is on sale for $675

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+40%22+Class+/+1080p+/+60Hz+/+LCD+HDTV/9783506.p?id=1218173773494&skuId=9783506&st=ln40c530&cp=1&lp=1

Then I would get a 120 Slim PS3, which would cover Gaming, Movies, Music and Internet Browsing - $299

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+PlayStation+3+(120GB)/9476952.p?id=1218115837227&skuId=9476952

There you go, 2 purchases to do pretty much it all

 

[SimuLord]

No computer, eh? Well, I guess the thousand bucks would go to buying a new gaming PC. If my house has been burgled and I've lost most (or even all) of my electronics, the fact of the matter is that I haven't lost any of my games.

YAY STEAM!

Steam FTW, but games are discretionary cost, not part of $1000 budget. Think of it as like business expenses or an insurance claim, only hardware can go on the list. BTW, would you choose Intel or AMD processor? AM2+ and AM3 seem very friendly to system builders.

Don't forget with your PC build; no Monitor, no mouse, no speakers.

Also, if you want to watch TV you can't walk into your parent's living room or flatmate's room. Could you live without a TV? Or would you go for a less fancy PC to have a TV to watch while lounging on a couch. Or would you settle for a PCI capture card.

Cheapo mouse and speakers (right now I'm using a 4-year-old Dell stock mouse and I've never had a problem with it), (gulp) cheap monitor, probably even a 4:3 1280x1024 as a stopgap. I can always upgrade later. AMDs are cheaper and every cent counts if I'm trying to put a gaming-quality PC together for under $1000 that isn't going to go obsolete on me in a week.

Also, I've lived without TV since 2006. Totally not even on the list of things I'd think to buy with that $1000.

I'd miss my DS, but not so much that I'd spend money to replace it.

 

[Callex]

I guess I'd invoke the power of the british car-boot sale! For my PC I managed to grab a retro akai sound system with some pretty huge speakers for about £20 a few days ago (relics from an era when bigger was better). I could probably throw a new PC together with some 2nd hand bits, and have enough left over to buy a cheap HD TV off ebay or something.

 

[Rayansaki]

Buy PS3 for 300$, TV for 690$, and 10$ of beer. You're all set!

 

[Rayansaki]

OK, I'll play and I will just do this from a quick check at Best Buy, I am sure I can find a better deal on a TV.

I would get this Samsung 40" LCD which is on sale for $675

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+40%22+Class+/+1080p+/+60Hz+/+LCD+HDTV/9783506.p?id=1218173773494&skuId=9783506&st=ln40c530&cp=1&lp=1

Then I would get a 120 Slim PS3, which would cover Gaming, Movies, Music and Internet Browsing - $299

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+PlayStation+3+(120GB)/9476952.p?id=1218115837227&skuId=9476952

There you go, 2 purchases to do pretty much it all

Don't forget the remaining 26$ worth of beer!

 

[Hiphophippo]

I'd just buy my laptop back and pocket the last hundred bucks. I'd be set.

 

[Syphous]

So... I could spend that 1000 dollars on hookers and cocaine, right? What am I saying, of course I can!

 

[Talendra]

I would claim it on insurance, hah!
If I could not, well I would be screwed, as I work from home, and use a hell of alot more than $1000us of equipment.
However, if it was just for entertainment, I would get a good monitor, and put together a half decent PC with that money. I do not watch TV, but I could easily put a TV tuner in the PC if I wanted. I would miss my consoles, but my PC would satisfy most of my entertainment needs, at least until I'm back on my feet.

 

[Treblaine]

I'd miss my DS, but not so much that I'd spend money to replace it.

thanks for the reply, but wouldn't include portable stuff like phones, MP3-players or portable consoles in this '$1000-challenge'.

Maybe another separate challenge could be something like a '$500-Challenge' for all your portable gadgets (in which case the first person to say iPhone 4 for everything gets shot in the face).

 

[Lust]

I'd save it since I wouldn't know where to start.



Indecisiveness at it's finest.

 

[SimuLord]

I'd miss my DS, but not so much that I'd spend money to replace it.

thanks for the reply, but wouldn't include portable stuff like phones, MP3-players or portable consoles in this '$1000-challenge'.

Maybe another separate challenge could be something like a '$500-Challenge' for all your portable gadgets (in which case the first person to say iPhone 4 for everything gets shot in the face).

So I rebuild my gaming PC (and really, anything I'd stick into it would be an improvement on the 2006- and 2007-issue tech currently in the box), I keep my DS, and all I lose is an ancient (launch day, and the only thing that doesn't cause disc-read errors is PS2 games, no backward compatibility and the DVD player's fucked) and expendable PS2 that I'd already have sold if not for the fact that I'd be hard pressed to get enough money for lunch for it?

That's hardly a challenge at all, good sir. That's an improvement.

 

[viranimus]

Ok i do not get this whole 1000$ just for a gaming PC buisness. I really dont. 1000$ is entirely too much to waste on a "gaming" pc because it really doesnt take that much to play games.


Monitor 165
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236067

Case 65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811166004

PSU 14
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817709010

Processor 150 - OCable to 3ghz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115207

Mobo 58
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157175

RAM - 55 x2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098

VC - 155
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130514

HD - 44
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136112

K&M -20
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823109200

Speakers (optional) 14
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121016

Hardware $ 738

I was being fairly liberal with setting it up, but I challenge anyone to run that system and compare it to virtually anything on recommended check on canyourunit.com after OCing the processor (which ASUS Mobos come with an OC utilitiy right on their system driver disc and could not possibly be any easier to do) The ONLY thing I would say that might need an upgrade out of it, is the PSU as I would feel more comfortable with something like rosewill, antec, ect, instead of a powersupply made by a company whos primary claim to fame is making toasters. You could also shave off 2 sticks of ram off that and still be in fairly good shape, but I wouldnt.

People like to stat whore on PC builds entirely too much. You could take that system and run crysis on it at 1900 x 1080 without a hiccup. If there IS any sort of hiccup.. then move over to a 64x OS, that way you are able to utilize the VC ram along with the system ram. Will this box be obsolete in 6 months? Not really because if anything becomes obsolete it would be the VC, which with the Mobo selected, pick up an extra VC and run it in SLI to eliminate that problem.

Ill be honest, I can build a PC for less than 500$ that can do the same thing, But I just threw this together quickly to show that 1000$ is too much, much less the 1200, 1500, 2000 that some people will tell you is an absolute requirement.

Needless to say.. its all about priorities and maximizing what you need vs what your getting. A good PC can be the backbone of an entertainment system, and can also eliminate the need for other things such as a gaming console, dvd/blu ray player, ect and with little add ons like tv tuners, or monitors with HDMI inputs can even eliminate the need for a tv all together.

 

[Treblaine]

Don't forget the remaining 26$ worth of beer!

Hmm, maybe after hypothetically finding your house burgled, beers should be the FIRST thing you'd buy! Just to console your loss, especially after the cheap ass insurance will only settle a $1000 bill to recoup for the nicked goods.

 

[Jfswift]

Don't forget the remaining 26$ worth of beer!

Hmm, maybe after hypothetically finding your house burgled, beers should be the FIRST thing you'd buy! Just to console your loss, especially after the cheap ass insurance will only settle a $1000 bill to recoup for the nicked goods.

You win for that. You're right, beers come first.

 

[Chal]

Spoiler: Spoiler for Obsolescence

$700 computer. (The one I'm on was $800 at purchase, but included some extras I'd leave out on a budget. Microsoft Office really ripped us off and wouldn't work, and I think it was actually a fair amount of the price. Thank God for Open Office.)

That leaves $300 for all my golden oldies, plus all sorts of freebies.
I guess I'd go with DII, SCI, Morrowind, Myst Anniversary Edition, BF2, HL1 Anthology, Orange Box, and M&B for games that actually cost something. 8 packages @ ~$30 each = $240. The remaining $60 is donated to Tarn Adams, and I think I still own most of my collection.

(Missing SCII, Civ IV collection, Borderlands, BF2142 and 1942, few random Star Wars games, etc.)

Not bad, eh? Lotta people complain about PC gaming being too expensive, but I'm not seeing it here with people being out of luck for owning any actual games once they have the TV/console.

EDIT: Well then, you changed the OP and games don't matter now. Eh. $1000 Gaming PC it is. I really don't want to look up a bunch of specifics, so I'll just say it's really super-great. This post is probably a little redundant now that it's only about the machine itself, but here it is.

 

[Dys]

In Australia, that kind of money either allows you a wii+HD tv, a high-mid range PC (obviously including screen), an xbox 360 with less than 1080p resolution (probably something 720p with low refresh) or a PS3 and a really, really small tv (most likely CRT).

I take the PC? It's by far the most useful and serves unlimited entertainment options outside gaming and movies.

free internet?you can get a cheap computer system for around $900

I you're aiming for a "cheap" computer you should be able to get 2 rather easily for that price. If you wanted to (even in Australia[footnote]Anything technological in Australia costs about 60% more than it does in the USA. About 5% of that markup is the difference in currency, they rest is because the technical world hates us [/footnote]) you could get change of $900 on a laptop (though not exactly gaming spec). For $900 you could quite easily get a computer that plays all current gen games, I beleive my little brother built one for closer to $700au a few months ago.

 

[Akalistos]

So $1000* to spend - not on top of whatever you have at the moment - but starting from scratch for ALL your electronic entertainment, media and communication needs. Imagine it's a situation like you've been burgled of all your valuable electronics, or you've moved into a fully fitted apartment with only your clothes.

Remember YOU DON'T HAVE:
-TV
-consoles
-DVD player
-COMPUTER incl laptop
-But to make it fair, a free WiFi router for internet.

Only $1000.

(*Don't care about official currency conversion rates, UK users get a £800 budget as if you take a look at the cost of living here, taxation and importation difficulties then you'll know why. Don't know for Aussies or other countries)

EDIT: changed for clarity:
+ don't worry about games and movies, call this discretionary costs

I would buy a cheap ass computer or a Portable and a PSP. I play music and movie on mine. The rest goes to replace my TV. I have paid 500$ for a 700$ HD ready 32 flat LCD screen. (Thanks to my friend Bernard from La Clef de Sol!) I'll bet i can have the same for the same price. A cheap ass computer can go to 120$ to 150$ and a PSP 160$ to 220$ with memory stick. Add all and you get around 870$ in the worst scenario. Add taxes and i should be able to rebuy my MEGAMAM MAVERICK HUNTER X!

So, How did i do?

 

[Treblaine]

Spoiler

Ok i do not get this whole 1000$ just for a gaming PC buisness. I really dont. 1000$ is entirely too much to waste on a "gaming" pc because it really doesnt take that much to play games.


Monitor 165
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236067

Case 65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811166004

PSU 14
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817709010

Processor 150 - OCable to 3ghz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115207

Mobo 58
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157175

RAM - 55 x2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098

VC - 155
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130514

HD - 44
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136112

K&M -20
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823109200

Speakers (optional) 14
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121016

Hardware $ 738

I was being fairly liberal with setting it up, but I challenge anyone to run that system and compare it to virtually anything on recommended check on canyourunit.com after OCing the processor (which ASUS Mobos come with an OC utilitiy right on their system driver disc and could not possibly be any easier to do) The ONLY thing I would say that might need an upgrade out of it, is the PSU as I would feel more comfortable with something like rosewill, antec, ect, instead of a powersupply made by a company whos primary claim to fame is making toasters. You could also shave off 2 sticks of ram off that and still be in fairly good shape, but I wouldnt.

People like to stat whore on PC builds entirely too much. You could take that system and run crysis on it at 1900 x 1080 without a hiccup. If there IS any sort of hiccup.. then move over to a 64x OS, that way you are able to utilize the VC ram along with the system ram. Will this box be obsolete in 6 months? Not really because if anything becomes obsolete it would be the VC, which with the Mobo selected, pick up an extra VC and run it in SLI to eliminate that problem.

Ill be honest, I can build a PC for less than 500$ that can do the same thing, But I just threw this together quickly to show that 1000$ is too much, much less the 1200, 1500, 2000 that some people will tell you is an absolute requirement.

Needless to say.. its all about priorities and maximizing what you need vs what your getting. A good PC can be the backbone of an entertainment system, and can also eliminate the need for other things such as a gaming console, dvd/blu ray player, ect and with little add ons like tv tuners, or monitors with HDMI inputs can even eliminate the need for a tv all together.

I'd nominate DDR3 over DDR2, it costs almost the same but is quite a significant improvement with games that increasingly take advantage of it. It especially becomes relevant with increasing RAM load.

Also, GTS-250 is not the best value as it seems to be AGAIN a re-branding of the venerable G92 chip and performs almost exactly the same. ATI 4870 seems to be better value.

$14 for a NEW power supply? Now that sounds like a great way to fry your entire system. Money saved on PSU could very easily cost you more than just that component failing.

On the $1000-Challenge, if you come under budget... well... is there anything else you want, like a projector or games console?

 

[Hiphophippo]

This is why I love my laptop and Steam. My laptop runs games pretty well perfect, was under a thousand bucks, and most all of my games are on steam so I wouldn't have to buy em again.

 

[Treblaine]

$700 computer. (The one I'm on was $800 at purchase, but included some extras I'd leave out on a budget. Microsoft Office really ripped us off and wouldn't work, and I think it was actually a fair amount of the price. Thank God for Open Office.)

That leaves $300 for all my golden oldies, plus all sorts of freebies.
I guess I'd go with DII, SCI, Morrowind, Myst Anniversary Edition, BF2, HL1 Anthology, Orange Box, and M&B for games that actually cost something. 8 packages @ ~$30 each = $240. The remaining $60 is donated to Tarn Adams, and I think I still own most of my collection.

(Missing SCII, Civ IV collection, Borderlands, BF2142 and 1942, few random Star Wars games, etc.)

Not bad, eh? Lotta people complain about PC gaming being too expensive, but I'm not seeing it here with people being out of luck for owning any actual games once they have the TV/console.

EDIT: Well then, you changed the OP and games don't matter now. Eh. $1000 Gaming PC it is. I really don't want to look up a bunch of specifics, so I'll just say it's really super-great. This post is probably a little redundant now that it's only about the machine itself, but here it is.

Bad luck on MS Office. If only Microsoft could stick to making a simple, solid and customisable operating system then I'd like them a hell of a lot more.

Anyone else noted, when budgeted to $1000:

Some seems to prefer $250 on a console and $750 on a Giant HDTV

While others prefer $750 on a custom PC & $250 on a Smaller Screen

Interesting. Veeeery interesting.