How am I gonna get in to PC games?

[octafish]

Once you have built your desktop, download Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory. It is a free, open source and completely without hats, online team based shooter. Apart from pointing you at GOG and Steam, there isn't much I can add other than to say "Build your own computer" it is a good skill set to have and will save you money down the track.


Oh and pick up X-Com. It will run on your notebook. When you can run Source engine games pretty well you might want to check out Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines, that is a classic RPG that was PC exclusive.

 

[INF1NIT3 D00M]

So I've decided I really want to get in to PC gaming and have kind of started my collection.
[...] I'm gonna have 2 build a brand new pc.
[...]let's say $500 is the absolute max although if less is an option do tell
[...] at least competent enough to run everything at least 30 fps preferably 60.

But my question goes deeper.
How do I truly "get in"?
What games should I get to startoff, how do I get in to the modding scene, etc.

If you want something that will run "everything at least 30 fps preferably 60", you'll probably want a computer like mine.
You may spend a bit more than $500.
My computer, the cutting edge stuff that'll run new games 60 fps out of the box, costs roughly $1,600. And that's with minimal extras.
If you want a computer dedicated to gaming, $500 gets you nowhere. You're looking to spend twice that amount unless you're literally McGyver-ing this thing together out of paperclips and a soldering iron. That said, if you're not looking to spend quite *that* much on a gaming computer, you can still get a computer good enough for Source engine (read: valve games) for roughly $700-$1000 depending on how much you want to strip from your prospective computer.
For this process, I recommend www.ibuypower.com
That's where I bought mine, nice and shiny. It's all the fun of building it yourself with all the hassle taken out. They put it together, make sure the components work properly, then ship it to you. It may even come out cheaper than Newegg, and I'll vouch for the quality.
Oh! One thing about IBuyPower. Pick a pretty computer that you like the look of, then customize it to get it how you like. Then pick a different starting computer and use the same settings. You will probably get a different price. Shop around the site until you find the starting point that gets you the lowest possible price for that configuration you want.

As for "getting into" PC gaming, just buy a PC game, really. I recommend Steam. In fact, here is a list of games that are fun by themselves and have amazing mod communities:
-Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
-Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy (I'll play this one with you!)
-Garry's Mod (Have fun with your other Source game's toys! See Portal)
-Mount and Blade: Warband
-Portal/Portal 2 (There's a great map community, also there are mods for Garry's Mod that let you use the Portal Gun!)
-Trackmania Nations Forever (There's a HUGE selection of 'skins' which are new cars to drive)
-Unreal Tournament (Pick any one you like. Mods/Community are awesome here)

...And that's just to name a few. Don't forget to check out the Indie scene here on PC, games like Cowboyana and Ad Nauseam 2, or things like Gang Garrison 2, Tremulous, any games by Eric Ruth, or even stuff like Braid.

At first it's a bit weird, but if you know where to look (and you'll figure it out eventually) there are awesome games, often for free, all over the place. But usually they're just on steam for wicked cheap. Play some stuff, have a look around, you won't realize you're a PC gamer until you look at the desktop clock and realize it's been hours, perhaps days since you've eaten, slept or gone outside.

 

[Joccaren]

People have given plenty of tips about hardware already so I will just recommend some games to you, you didn't mention any genre you liked so just gonna take some personal favourites:
RTS:
Any total war game(preferred Rome or Shogun).
Civilization 3 & 5
Dwarf fortress
Dungeons of Dreadmor
Europa Universalise 3
FPS:
Team fortress 2
STALKER - Shadow of Chernobyl
Left4dead 1
Adventure:
Bastion
Terraria
LIMBO

I'm personally going to add Civilization IV in there, as I didn't like Civ III, and Civ V just did not feel like a civilization game. Each to their own, but IV should be looked at. Especially with some of the amazing mods out there for it, and its Beyond the Sword expansion.

If you want something that will run "everything at least 30 fps preferably 60", you'll probably want a computer like mine.
You may spend a bit more than $500.
My computer, the cutting edge stuff that'll run new games 60 fps out of the box, costs roughly $1,600. And that's with minimal extras.
If you want a computer dedicated to gaming, $500 gets you nowhere. You're looking to spend twice that amount unless you're literally McGyver-ing this thing together out of paperclips and a soldering iron. That said, if you're not looking to spend quite *that* much on a gaming computer, you can still get a computer good enough for Source engine (read: valve games) for roughly $700-$1000 depending on how much you want to strip from your prospective computer.

Is yours a prebuilt rig? Because even here in Aus you don't need to spend that much to get a good computer that will get 60+ FPS out of anything. I spent $400 on mine, and it runs everything but BF3 on highest settings with high FPS rates. The weak link that stops me from playing BF3 is my graphics card, and I can easily get a 560Ti for around $200.
Now, mine isn't the top of the line, but the top of the line is not required to run everything on max settings with high FPS.

Woah, $500 bucks will barely get you off the ground. That may cover everything except the CPU and the graphics card. You can easily spend $500 on one of those items, much less both. If you want decent frame rates and free reign in what games you choose, you'll need to spend around 50% more.

Then you have to build the PC and that can be challenging, if not dangerous, if you don't know what you're doing. If you have a friend that's a big computer geek, employ his services. He'll make the process much easier.

Crysis if you're feeling bold.

Same as above for pricing.

PCs are easy to build. It is like playing with Lego. Everything has a dedicated place, and each of those places is labelled. So long as you know basic rules like 'keep yourself grounded' and follow them, you will be fine.

Crysis isn't that great anymore. I could run it max settings with no lag on a 6 year old computer. A modern $500 computer will run it just fine.

 

[Rad Party God]

You're making it sound harder than it really is.

Just play games in your PC, it's really not that hard.

As for advice for getting a better PC to play more graphically complex games with stable/smooth framerates, then you just need to do a little research in the forums, that'll get you covered. It's also a lot more affordable than console gaming. Just ask any of the 200+ games I have in my Steam library, without counting GoG and retail.

 

[drumguy818]

1. Get Portal
2. Get Portal
3. Get Portal
4. Get Portal
5. Get Portal
6. Get a PC/Mac/whatever you like
7. Get Portal
8. Get Portal
9. Get Portal
10. Get Portal 2
11. Get other things you like
...boy, this would suck if you don't like puzzle games...

 

[cybran]

What the fuck? Since when did it suddenly become a ritual to be a PC gamer?

1) You buy a PC.
2) You game on the PC.
3) ????
4) PROFIT!

There are no certain games you NEED to be a PC gamer. The only problem regarding PCs is that you usually need to lay down some hard cash in order to get a PC you won't have to upgrade within the next two years (If you got a steady income with money to put on the side for stuff like this, it's preferrable to go this way, getting a med-spec PC, and just upgrade it as you need to.)

It depends what you want to do. Do you want to game Battlefield 3 on max settings? Do you want to play Starcraft 2 on medium settings? A good idea is to find a game you REALLY want to play (preferrably a newer one) and just see what specs it needs, then go from there.
However, you will probably need to go above the $500 if you want to avoid upgrading within a year.

As for a final note; You don't "get into" PC gaming. You just game on a PC. It's not different from a console, other than it allows you some more options, and overall better control in your games. The only thing I can think of "getting into" regarding gaming in general is the Esport scene, otherwise it's piece of cake. The hardest part will probably be to tailor up a good PC without spending too much money, but it's generally better to overdo it than underdo it, if you ask me.

I can tell you're a console gamer x)

there ARE MANY games you need to be a PC gamer for, because of the fact that they only exist on the PC.

As for my final note, yes, you do "get into" PC gaming, because you have to handle alot of stuff yourself which the console usually does for you. You also have to maintain your PC better than a console by cleaning and defragging it and fixing the register once in awhile.

 

[Zarmi]

I can tell you're a console gamer x)

there ARE MANY games you need to be a PC gamer for, because of the fact that they only exist on the PC.

As for my final note, yes, you do "get into" PC gaming, because you have to handle alot of stuff yourself which the console usually does for you. You also have to maintain your PC better than a console by cleaning and defragging it and fixing the register once in awhile.

And I can tell you're an ignorant asshole. I am by no chance a console gamer, the only reason I got a PS3 was to play my share of fighting games, Demon's Souls and now Dark Souls. No other reason.

Sure, you have to maintain your PC, but it's not a requirement to game on one, you know. Yes, there are many games exclusive for the PC, but you are not forced to play them. The concept of a "PC gamer", is funny enough, a person who games on a PC. It's a simple as that. Now go back to your Wii, please and stop trying to be a smartass, and even failing at getting it right.

If you don't believe me, add me on Steam, should prove I spend my time gaming on a PC and not on lolsoles.

As for a final note; You don't "get into" PC gaming. You just game on a PC. It's not different from a console, other than it allows you some more options, and overall better control in your games. The only thing I can think of "getting into" regarding gaming in general is the Esport scene, otherwise it's piece of cake. The hardest part will probably be to tailor up a good PC without spending too much money, but it's generally better to overdo it than underdo it, if you ask me.

This, so much.

It sounds as if you're trying to fit into some sort of culture. Just play what you enjoy, experiment, see what appeals to you. Don't pick up games because people say that they're an "essential" part of PC gaming. They're lying.

Exactly my point. You aren't forced to pick up certain games, just play whatever the fuck you like. I personally game on a PC because I enjoy the superior controls and because I use a PC as much as I do, as it's also part of my work. I simply feel the most comfortable with it, especially when playing FPS' as the FPS controls on consoles is more of a handicap than anything else.

 

[Zarmi]

Accidental double post.

 

[Outright Villainy]

Go to buildapc [http://www.reddit.com/r/buildapc] on reddit. Check all the links in the sidebars, or ask around, but getting a budget gaming pc isn't difficult at all right now. Building isn't that difficult at all, and even if you do find it scary, you could always just pay a specialist shop to build it for you and still save a load, or just ask around the computer science department in any nearby college, it'll be full of nerds! Full of 'em!

As for games, there aren't really many essentials, just pick up what you're interested in. Most games are pretty multiplatform these days anyway, so you could always start off with what you'd want on console, and go from there.

Also, Tf2. Good lord tf2 on pc is glorious.

 

[Termagent]

http://www.mmo-champion.com/content/2474-New-Video-Games-Forums-Artworks-Comics-Setup-of-the-Month?page=6#comments

Read this post, even though it's about WoW at the start, the second half of the post has some computer setups for people who want a basic idea.

 

[badgersprite]

Upload your brain into your computer and import yourself into the game's programming.

Wait, I think I misunderstood the question.

 

[Tharwen]

Ha, I have a GMA 950 too. I share your sorrow.

Did you know that Doom 3, Fable, Halo, Quake 4 and Portal all run well(ish) though? What about Rome: Total War? Dwarf Fortress? Need For Speed Underground 2? Counter Strike?

I spent much of the last 5 years playing these games on my terrible little macbook...

 

[Zack Alklazaris]

500 Dollars? I hope you know how to BUILD a PC. Because there is no chance you'll get a gaming rig serious enough to handle the games coming out now on a 500 dollar pre-built.

Everyone here seems to of covered great games and the whole yes you have to become a pc gamer so I wont get into that.

But I would recommend going on Amazon, Ebay, or New Egg and buy all the parts yourself. Then build it or get a friend (there is always a friend) I've bought some factory modified cards (Like the BFG Nvidia 250 GTS Overclocked) You go with a slightly outdated card, but its modified to handle new games. Helps if your on a tight budget.

 

[Kathinka]

with a 500$ pc you can play most of todays games on rather good settings. don't forget, half a decade old console (that weren't that powerfull when they were new) can do it! you won't be able to crank everything to ultra on very demanding games, but everything of the last few years you can easily play maxed out.

i don't know the exact prices in the colonies, but over here with that kind of budged i would go for something like this:

Phenom II X4 955 - 90
colling unit comes with cpu - 0
gigabyte GA 870A - 70
4 gb corsair xms 3 (ddr3 1600) - 35
Gigabyte GTX 460 superclocked - 150
onboard soundcard - 0
some generic 50 buck harddrive, maybe seagate 7200, has one terrabyte - 50
sony dvd burner of your choice - 20
generic case, cooltec evolution CT-K3 works - 35
sharkoon SHA550 (not the most powerfull, but it will do) - 50

there, you are at 500 bucks, and roughly 7-8 times more powerfull than an xbox 360. more than enough to play battlefield 3 with very nice settings. consoles are in no way cheaper than pc's, it's an age old lie console fanboys tell over and over again. the price to assamble a rig of the power of an xbox360 is laughably low. you don't need to be a rich snob to get a very decent gaming pc.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/313?vs=290

for $10-20 more, just get the 6870. In some cases, you can get the 6870 for $150-160. rebates and such. Here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131378

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102948

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150561

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161389

Otherwise, pretty solid. If you want to spend $15 more, you can get 8GB of RAM. I'd recommend it, as RAM is dirt cheap right now.

both very good points. i just tried to stay within the 500 dollar budged at every cost^^ but both options would be a good decision.