If I were to...

Ok I want a new compy. I am not a wise when it comes to computer specs though. I got around 600 for the CPU without need for a hard drive. I want a gaming computer, with a good video card and an ok sound card.

 

any suggestions?

You definitely want a Intel Core 2 Duo, nothing else can match it for performance and price. Ideally you should go with the models with 4MB of L2 cache, but the 2MB models are still good.

 

Motherboard, the nVidia i680 is the latest and greatest chipset at the moment. They are going to go for a bit of a premium though.

 

As for video card, I'm currently an nVidia fan and the 7900GT is a great card but might be tough to find. Video card choice is really going to come down to budget. Be prepared to spend at least $250 for a good one.

 

As for RAM, 2GB is the sweet spot right now, but make sure your motherboard can go up to 4GB.

 

Sound card? I just use onboard.

 

Are you going to build it yourself or have a friend do it?

You definitely want a Intel Core 2 Duo, nothing else can match it for performance and price.  Ideally you should go with the models with 4MB of L2 cache, but the 2MB models are still good.

 

Motherboard, the nVidia i680 is the latest and greatest chipset at the moment.  They are going to go for a bit of a premium though.

 

As for video card, I'm currently an nVidia fan and the 7900GT is a great card but might be tough to find.  Video card choice is really going to come down to budget.  Be prepared to spend at least $250 for a good one.

 

As for RAM, 2GB is the sweet spot right now, but make sure your motherboard can go up to 4GB.

 

Sound card?  I just use onboard.

 

Are you going to build it yourself or have a friend do it?

 

Totally agree, but one thing to keep in mind: In about 2-3 weeks the new E4300 (core2duo) processors will be out; They are supposed to be cheaper, better overclockers (if you care for that sort of thing) and theoretically, better performers than the current crop. Supposedly they will provide the 'best bang for the buck' as it were. GL

I would completely suggest getting a Dell. I have built my own computer many times now and it's just nice to have someone else do it and know that if something goes wrong they will fix it.

Well, the one I am using right now is a HP and so far it held up to expectations, it is just a little too old and my family needs an extra pc.

 

as for building, I am fairly capable of building a pc and so is my dad.

I would completely suggest getting a Dell.  I have built my own computer many times now and it's just nice to have someone else do it and know that if something goes wrong they will fix it.

 

You can't get a decent gaming computer from Dell for $600.

I would completely suggest getting a Dell.  I have built my own computer many times now and it's just nice to have someone else do it and know that if something goes wrong they will fix it.

 

You can't get a decent gaming computer from Dell for $600.

 

True but you can get a good one for around $1000 and you can easily get no interest credit from them

And for an extra 1000 dollars you can make it shoot lazers!

 

600 bucks is what I got

True but you can get a good one for around $1000 and you can easily get no interest credit from them

 

Which is irrelevant since it's $400 over his budget.

You can't make a good gaming comp for 600 bux period. Moot point. Of course, if the "gaming" you are talking about is WoW, you could build a suitable computer out of cardboard and ramen noodles. If you want to play games with amazing gfx, you should save your money.

I'll see what parts I can put together. Needing a case and PSU really hinder what you can do...

QFT^^

And don't even think about getting a cheapass PSU; it's one of the biggest mistakes you can make.

Case - $19.99 Cheap RAIDMAX ATX

PSU - $23.99 Sunbeam 580W

Processor - $74.99 AMD64 3500+ 2.2GHz

Motherboard - $52.99 ASUS A8V-VM

Memory - $93.99 1GB (512MBx2) Corsair DDR PC400

Video Card - $199.99 XFX nVidia 256MB 7900GT

 

Total = $465.94

 

Not too shabby to be honest. Actually a better processor then I currently use to run WoW and the same video card. That would run WoW pretty dam n well to be honest.

You can't make a good gaming comp for 600 bux period. Moot point. Of course, if the "gaming" you are talking about is WoW, you could build a suitable computer out of cardboard and ramen noodles. If you want to play games with amazing gfx, you should save your money.

 

True story

 

Lyssa: While that is a respectable rig, I would never buy a Sunbeam (or most 'name brand' PSUs for that matter) the risk is just too high.

 

Este: Get a 'good' PSU if you don't wanna see your $600 melted: PC Power&Cooling is simply the best totally worth the price.

 

Other brands that one might consider 'safe': Sparkle and Fortron...Dunno if Newegg carries them, but they are no-frills brands with solid power and stability pumping out very clean watts with respectable amperage on the 12v line (very important).

Please... I have a Sunbeam SLI PSU and it's been fine for a year.

 

PC Power & Cooling is over-priced, they make claims of fire and brimstone if you "take the chance" of not using one of their PSUs. Are their PSUs nice? Sure...but it's like buying a Ferrari when all you need is a Miata.

 

All that being said there is plenty of room in that configuration for a more expensive power supply if Este feels the need to spend more.

 

Of course I do not have any personal experience with that particular model PSU or case so your mileage may very. I am not endorsing either...but I have been building computer for over 10 years and have a pretty good idea of what I'm talking about.

 

EDIT: There is a CoolerMaster for $69.99 with a $20 MIR.

 

Or a Thermaltake for $109 with a $40 MIR.

 

Or a Silverstone for $129.

24 dollar psu? christ... that's scary : P

Este, if you do not wish to wait to save up and get a dell then just make sure to do lots of research.

 

www.pricewatch.com is a very good site to get prices but a little light on tech specs.

 

One thing you could do is make sure to get a motherboard with onboard video and you can then wait a little while before getting a bigger video card. You could also do that with ram as well starting smaller and then moving up, just make sure you have enough slots for all the ram you would like to buy.

 

Stick with big name brands, they normally have the best warranties.

Asus motherboards 3 year warranty

BFG video cards lifetime warranty

Kingston ram lifetime warranty

 

With power supplies the easiest way to test their quality is oddly their weight. If they feel like a rock then they should be pretty good but if you think you could throw it 50 yards it might not be that great.

 

Remember in the end this is your baby and you are the one who has to live with it so do as much research as you can and get as many opintion as possible before you are ready. That is why I go with Dell now. I came from a mom and pop computer store and back then I loved to rebuild my rigg every couple of months but now that I got another job and all we use are computers I built back from the mom and pop shop and dells I can see the difference and I understand why Dell has become the juggernaut that it is today.

 

Have fun and good luck

And as for my "crappy" power supply...

 

http://jonnyguru.com/review_details.php?id=19