Poll: I'm considering PC gaming, but...

[RhombusHatesYou]

Oh, and PM me if you'd like some help with parts or specs. That's what I'm here for.

Dammit... I have you down for Light Comedy Relief in my Fantasy Escapist community.

 

[MrCherry]

it's already been said, but I'd suggest building your own... It's cheaper, not hard at all with all the guide and you can have a lot of fun doing it!

Also, I'd suggest going for Windows 7 x64, if your looking to play some older games as well (or think you may do later on) I'd recommend going for a Dual Boot system with Windows XP, there are plenty of guides to tell you how to do this...

I build these machines at least once a week (I'm A computer engineer) so if you need any tips or advice then let me know

 

[zehydra]

Like others, I will recommend newegg for build-your-owns, I personally have a Sager laptop, and its awesome, only it's been overheating lately, and I suspect(hope) I just need to clean out dust.

 

[beema]

Build.
Do your research, take your time, don't rush in to anything, you'll be fine. Unless you're a complete bungling klutzy nimrod, of course ;-)

Here's a thought: find an old/crappy PC someone doesn't want anymore and completely disassemble it. Take note of how everything fits together, etc. Your new gaming PC is going to be somewhat different, but the basic structure is the same, and all PC's require more or less the same components to operate. This way you can familiarize yourself with the inside of a PC without potentially damaging anything expensive.

The only slightly tricky part is cpu/heatsink installation. Everything else is very basic plugging things in and moving around cabling, and screwing screws.

If you want to be extra careful/finicky, get some latex gloves, a grounding wrist strap, a compressed-air canister, a small flashlight, and a set of small screwdrivers/tweezers.

Finally, youtube is your friend. There are tons of detailed video tutorials.

 

[Kevlar Eater]

(must be something wrong if the poll doesn't show up, despite clicking the "yes" box and filling in the options)

Anyway, since the majority suggest building a computer, here's what I thought was good in theory:

Spoiler: PC guts

Motherboard - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ..._crossfire_motherboard-_-13-130-223-_-Product ($167)

Processor - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808 ($140)

Graphics card - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...1375&cm_re=5850_radeon-_-14-121-375-_-Product ($267)

Case - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...cm_re=coolermaster_haf-_-11-119-160-_-Product ($130)

Power supply - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006 ($110)

RAM - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...m_re=corsair_dominator-_-20-145-249-_-Product ($110)

Hard drive - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ternal_hard_drive_1_tb-_-22-136-490-_-Product ($60)

CD/DVD burner - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204 ($24 [includes shipping])

Operating system - Windows 7 64 bit - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...cm_re=64_bit_windows_7-_-32-116-754-_-Product ($100)

Total price for everything listed: $1084

Tell me if I'm missing something vital, incompatible parts, improvements, etc. I can go as high as $1300 if necessary, though I would not wanna go further if it can be avoided.

Edit: Further changes to suggested items noted. Still debating whether or not to switch to an i5/i7 processor and a motherboard that supports either or both.

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

If you don't know how to make a PC, go to a local PC store and get them to build one to your specifications.

 

[octafish]

go to http://www.newegg.com if you want to build, or http://originpc.com if you want pre built

if you want to build, just remember try to keep you workplace clean, organized. and when installing parts always have a body part on the case

Wear a strap, at least for the first few builds/maintenance tear downs. Cheap insurance really and not inconvenient. I don't wear one anymore because I'm comfortable with my ability, that said I needed to buy a replacement BIOS chip for my mobo three months ago, because I fried it. luckily it was socketed in and not soldered like most modern boards.

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

Tell me if I'm missing something vital, incompatible parts, improvements, etc

Your CPU and mobo aren't compatible. Phenom II X6 needs a mobo with an AM3 socket. One you've picked is for Intel i-series CPUs.

GPU is good but considering everything else you're stuffing in the guts, you might want to pony up the extra cash for a 5850.

You're also going to want an internal HDD, even if it's just a small one, for your bootdrive. Trying to use an external as your bootdrive can cause major headaches.

Oh yeah, and as the case you're getting looks wanky, grab some electroluminescent cables to use in it.

 

[Motiv_]

PC Gamer has a nice, step by step tutorial on how to build a gaming computer.

I can't link it sadly due to my search engine always redirecting me to some spam. Google it.

Newegg or your local hardware store are both good choices for buying parts for your new "Rig". Good luck.

 

[KaosuHamoni]

Tell me if I'm missing something vital, incompatible parts, improvements, etc. I can go as high as $1300 if necessary, though I would not wanna go further if it can be avoided.

If I were you, I'd get a better case (Coolermaster Haf series), a better MoBo (Rampage III, or a high end Gigabyte), and a 1366 CPU (intel i7 for me thanks). You also might want to consider a 1 KW PSU, and a 6 Gb set of Corsair Dominator DDR3 RAM. oh and your HDD is external, and a 1.5 TB HDD is overkill. Buy one main 1 TB and then get a backup, and backup all of your data onto that regularly in case your main dies.

Edit: research is vital. As long as you know your stuff, you'll be fine. You might want to think about a new monitor(s), keyboard and mouse. Asus and Samsung make good monitors, Logitech, Steelseries and Micro$oft make good keyboards, and Razer and Logitech make good mice.

 

[TheComedown]

(must be something wrong if the poll doesn't show up, despite clicking the "yes" box and filling in the options)

Anyway, since the majority suggest building a computer, here's what I thought was good in theory:

Spoiler: PC guts

Motherboard - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131636 ($140)
Processor - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103851 ($200)
Graphics card - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...1375&cm_re=5850_radeon-_-14-121-375-_-Product ($267)
Case - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811103033 ($90)
Power supply - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006 ($110)
RAM - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277 ($85)
Hard drive - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136358 ($55)
CD/DVD burner - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204 ($24 [includes shipping])
Operating system - Windows 7 64 bit - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...cm_re=64_bit_windows_7-_-32-116-754-_-Product ($100)

Total price for everything listed: $1071

Tell me if I'm missing something vital, incompatible parts, improvements, etc. I can go as high as $1300 if necessary, though I would not wanna go further if it can be avoided.

Edit: Used RhombusHatesYou's advice and revised some parts. I am kinda worried about the compatibility of the GPU and motherboard.

That's a pretty decent rig, cant say much about the processor as I know next to nothing about the AMD chips, but the numbers aren't bad. That GPU should work with the board, but having an nvida northbridge, getting a nvida card would run smoother with the board, but the 5850 should work but if you wanted to upgrade to crossfire you could run into problems. I'd suggest finding a mobo with dedicated crossfire. Tho again I could be a little off with my advice, I'm not a big AMD man.

BTW I'm not a fan of the case, but thats just cause I think its butt ugly, it should do the job fine and have some competent cooling.

 

[TheComedown]

if you want to build, just remember try to keep you workplace clean, organized. and when installing parts always have a body part on the case

After installing and grounding the PSU first, if you don't ground it first touching the case still wont help.

 

[Wintermoot]

1.get yourdelf a decent PC and add some Graphic/Sound cards
2.gradualy replace your PC parts with gaming parts
3. get a factory-built gaming PC

 

[TheComedown]

1.get yourdelf a decent PC and add some Graphic/Sound cards
2.gradualy replace your PC parts with gaming parts
3. get a factory-built gaming PC

... All three of those suggestions are unnecessarily expensive, why buy a build then spend more money on it so soon? A waste of time and money. You're better off starting from scratch and building your self.

 

[Halceon]

I'll make this short.

I feel like I'm in a conundrum. Option 1: I've thought about buying a pre-built PC from either Ibuypower or Cyberpower (or another place if one can think of one that's in America), but all have long track records of poorly-built PC's, nonexistent quality assurance, bipolar customer/tech support, bait and switch tactics, etc. that's kind of scaring me away from buying from those places out of fear of being another disgruntled statistic. Plus I hate talking to people, whether over the phone or in person.

Option 2: Building a gaming PC. Many suggest taking this route because of the aforementioned, but this applies to the already tech-savvy. That I am not, nor do I know of anyone or anywhere that can help me with this option. Many internet guides on how to assemble a PC recommend not "winging it" as there is a good chance I could ruin an expensive part solely from inexperience.

I'm not in a hurry to get a new PC, but would you guys suggest?

Putting your computer together is easy. You should just get a tech savvy person to help you order the right parts.

 

[CmdrGoob]

I was intimidated about building my own PC, but the first time I did it I realized it was pretty easy. These days everything just clicks together nicely and there are guides for everything on the internet, so don't be put off. If building your own saves a nice chunk of cash, the go for it.

 

[ImprovizoR]

Pre-built is gonna cost you more and give you less. I suggest you do a little research (it's actually fun). Watch and read some reviews on CPU's, GPU's, mobos etc. then make the right choice. That's what I did and I'm one happy panda.

 

[SuperNashwan]

Building a PC to me is like playing with a very expensive but simple meccano or lego set. There arent that many pieces to it, and you just slot them in the right slots. Of course the complex bit is that its you that have to decide what goes together, but generally its not too difficult.

Certain motherboards have certain "socket types", which means only certain CPU's will go on them. There are a few (obsolete) slot types for graphics cards, but most likely you will buy the most modern - PCI-e. Choice is one or two slots, depending if you want another graphics card in the future.

Then its just a case of getting the right leads for the drive sockets, CPU, power cables, cooling fans and heat sinks, RAM sticks (what type do you want? There are a few), a box to put it all in, little glowey lights to make it look annoying ...

Oh and as someone else said, make sure you 'earth' yourself before handling circuit boards. You can do this by touching the case when its still plugged into the mains (if you live in the UK and have an earth pin that is, if you have a US or european 2-pin plug, then go touch a radiator / wall heater or anything metal connected to the floor, and then avoid walking around on carpets before you handle the boards)