New computer

[Superasil]

well, my computer is crap. I'm looking to build a new one with Windows 7 on it, i know what to do (did it many times before...), but I'd like some input on what some people have. i have about $700-1000 to spend, gaming computer of course. any suggestions?

 

[Captain_Caveman]

well, my computer is crap. I'm looking to build a new one with Windows 7 on it, i know what to do (did it many times before...), but I'd like some input on what some people have. i have about $700-1000 to spend, gaming computer of course. any suggestions?

Well you will want a ATi Radeon HD 5850 or a 5870. (the new king of the hill graphics, DirectX 11, best bang/buck)
the cheapest or 2nd cheapest i7
the cheapest Gigabyte, MSI, ASUS or DFI P55 motherboard
the cheapest Patriot, Corsair, or Crucial memory
any steel case that's a full tower. preferably one that is NOT tool-less. as tool-less cases tend to have more vibration.
a good power supply (at least 600W). look at what's on sale at newegg & zipzoomfly and then research them all at http://www.jonnyguru.com (DO NOT CHEAP OUT ON THE PSU!)

 

[Horticulture]

Got a monitor?

 

[Godhead]

make yer own if not get a dell

 

[Lord Mountbatten Reborn]

It'd be nice if the site had its very own Technical Guy. Technical Guy is good at what he does, and the asker of the technical question may compare other Escapist's answers with the answers of Technical Guy. If one answer is deemed by many to be the better of Technical Guy's then Technical Guy is stricken down and the Escapist member with the better answer gains the title of new Technical Guy.

Anyways, you can probably tell that I am not good on technical issues.

 

[manaman]

Got a monitor?

Monitors are for pansies. I use a direct link to my brain. The seizures are only a minor side affect, hardlyagagag noticeable.


To the OP, just look up what you want - customer reviews while not always reliable can give you a good indication of issues you can run into. Also read up on compatibility. $1000 will get you a lot of computer these days, as long as you don't get caught up in the "Well that one is better and it only cost $30 more" game.

 

[Horticulture]

It'd be nice if the site had its very own Technical Guy. Technical Guy is good at what he does, and the asker of the technical question may compare other Escapist's answers with the answers of Technical Guy. If one answer is deemed by many to be the better of Technical Guy's then Technical Guy is stricken down and the Escapist member with the better answer gains the title of new Technical Guy.

Anyways, you can probably tell that I am not good on technical issues.

We have a group [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.105715], but they're both semi-dormant.

Monitors are for pansies. I use a direct link to my brain. The seizures are only a minor side affect, hardlyagagag noticeable.

I tried that, but my neural link was never upgraded from SCSI

 

[Maluku]

I believe you shouldn't build your own PC unless you know what you are doing, especially if money is an issue. I have build all my rigs myself, but I have killed a fair amount of hardware over the years (learned everytime). You wouldn't build your own car from components unless you know what your doing, but people always suggest to build your own computer.

It is kind of elitist really, many professionals seem to think: "If you can't build your own PC, you don't deserve to own one"

I don't think that is true.

 

[Lord Mountbatten Reborn]

We have a group [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.105715], but they're both semi-dormant.

My envisage of Technical Guy is of a man/woman who never sleeps, so desperate they are to unravel all the mysteries of their perma-dormant sex life.

I say that in all respect to any would-be technical experts out there, and point out to you all that, despite my lack of knowledge in all things technical, I wish to unravel these mysteries also.

 

[Horticulture]

My envisage of Technical Guy is of a man/woman who never sleeps, so desperate they are to unravel all the mysteries of their perma-dormant sex life.

I say that in all respect to any would-be technical experts out there, and point out to you all that, despite my lack of knowledge in all things technical, I wish to unravel these mysteries also.

Maybe we can split up the tech duties. That way we can get most of the benefit with none of the celibacy.

 

[Thaius]

I gotta' throw it out there...

Get a Mac.

Let the hating begin...

 

[Horticulture]

I gotta' throw it out there...

Get a Mac.

Let the hating begin...

I dunno if Macs really work with a sub-$1k budget and gaming aspirations...

 

[Thaius]

I gotta' throw it out there...

Get a Mac.

Let the hating begin...

I dunno if Macs really work with a sub-$1k budget and gaming aspirations...

Well since you can install Windows on a Mac as of a few years ago, it works fine with gaming usage, and the new Macbooks (let alone the Mac Pros) are quite powerful.

Sub$1k budget... yeah, not really. Worth it though, in my opinion: more than worth it.

 

[Captain_Caveman]

I believe you shouldn't build your own PC unless you know what you are doing, especially if money is an issue. I have build all my rigs myself, but I have killed a fair amount of hardware over the years (learned everytime). You wouldn't build your own car from components unless you know what your doing, but people always suggest to build your own computer.

It is kind of elitist really, many professionals seem to think: "If you can't build your own PC, you don't deserve to own one"

i disagree. I think if you build it yourself, not only will you spend less money & get higher quality + faster componenets; but you will learn how to repair it in the process.

the key is to just do lots of instructional research beforehand, and go slow. remember not to do it where there's static-electricity and keep touching something that's bare-metal every time you move your feet or butt, so as to ground yourself.
I don't think that is true.

 

[Duskembrance]

"If you can't build your own PC, you don't deserve to own one"[/b]

Completely agree'd.

 

[Captain_Caveman]

I gotta' throw it out there...

Get a Mac.

Let the hating begin...

I dunno if Macs really work with a sub-$1k budget and gaming aspirations...

Well since you can install Windows on a Mac as of a few years ago, it works fine with gaming usage, and the new Macbooks (let alone the Mac Pros) are quite powerful.

Sub$1k budget... yeah, not really. Worth it though, in my opinion: more than worth it.

You know you can build a hackintosh for 20% the cost of a mac right? Sinec macs use PC components now. You just need to make sure you have compatible parts (since their drivers are more limited). google hackintosh and do some research.

 

[Captain_Caveman]

"If you can't build your own PC, you don't deserve to own one"[/b]

Completely agree'd.

learn how to quote. that was some1 elses quote i disagreed w/. if you cant learn how to post you dont deserve to use a forum.