Advice on Gaming Computer

[Kikkeo]

Hello! I want to buy a computer in the next few days to play WoW with my friends and BF.
My budget is up to about $2,000, but less is more hehe.
I'm in the US (North Carolina), have no preferences, and have no idea how to overclock (but i know what it is..sorta)

I've asked some friends, and they suggested that i get a dell or namebrand. I also heard that a new brand called Uberclok is good for games. I've gone through the sites and chosen two...let me know what you think!

Dell/Namebrand (all the same to me)
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.00GHz 6MB Cache 1333MHz FSB
750W PSU (Doesn't say the kind)
Dual 512MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 9800 GT
4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz
NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI Motherboard
Windows Vista Home Premium
500GB SATA 7,200RPM 16MB Cache
20X Dual-Layer Burner (DVD±RW)
Onboard 7.1 sound and network card
$1,350 ish

The Uberclok Ion
Gigabyte P35 GA-EP35-DS3L
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 overclocked to 3.7 Ghz
4GB Corsair XMS2 RAM 800MHz
ATI Radeon 4870 X2
500GB SATA 7,200RPM 32MB Cache
550W PSU: Corsair 550VX
Vista Home Premium
Onboard sound and network card
$1,750

(Building one isnt an option for me!)
Thanks so much for reading!

 

[disports]

Goodness, that's unfortunate that you can't buy the parts and build it for yourself. You would save yourself a decent amount of money. I certainly like the Uberclok Ion, but damn for that price..

 

[Denithor]

Can you push a tack into a corkboard and tighten a screw with a screwdriver?

If you answered "yes" to both -- congratulations! You can build your own computer!


The first system is much closer to what you need, drop one 9800GT, cut down the PSU if you can (500W is plenty), the rest looks good.

If you want specific parts to build your own custom WoW system just post here and we'll help with each step of the way. You can probably get the whole thing (22" LCD, system, keyboard/mouse/speakers) for about $1000. Much better than $1350 for just the box.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: Kikkeo
The Uberclok Ion
Gigabyte P35 GA-EP35-DS3L $90
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 overclocked to 3.7 Ghz $150 (MicroCenter B&M)
4GB Corsair XMS2 RAM 800MHz $43 (AR at NewEgg)
ATI Radeon 4870 X2 $510 (VisionTek at NewEgg)
500GB SATA 7,200RPM 32MB Cache $60
550W PSU: Corsair 550VX $78 (AR at NewEgg)
Vista Home Premium $100 (OEM at NewEgg)
Onboard sound and network card
$1,750

(Building one isnt an option for me!)
Thanks so much for reading!

The numbers are what I would pay for those components. Total comes to $1031, and you still need a case, keyboard, mouse, display, hardware build, and software installation. Oh, and an aftermarket CPU cooler too, and a DVD burner.

Surely you could do much better by building yourself. It's not very hard. If you can use a screwdriver, and follow directions, then you can build a PC.

 

[Kikkeo]

Thanks for the replies so far!

I really don't have the time to "build" a computer. Even if it is easy for you, by the time i get over not scaring myself, educating myself, and gathering all the parts, id REALLY rather have paid $500 more. I'm pretty sure i'd destroy half the parts before i ever had a chance anyway =)

I don't mind paying the extra money, its not an issue. I would, however, Love your opinions on ...
what the better deal is for the $;
if i should change anything specific like the graphics card;
and whether MMOs like WoW will run fine on either =)

Thank you again!

 

[disports]

In any case then, You might as well opt for the first build. Save yourself some money at the same time. Since you're only playing WoW.

 

[Denithor]

HP a6660t

Get this, with three modifications (if the link doesn't work, just go to www.hp.com and search for that model).

1) Go with Vista Home Premium 64-bit (+$0)
2) Upgrade to e8400 (+$50)
3) Upgrade from 320GB harddrive to 750GB harddrive (+$50)

Total will be $649 with these changes. They're offering free shipping right now which makes this even better.

You want to buy two things to add to it to turn a general use machine into a gaming rig.

EVGA 9800GT $110AR
G.Skill 2x2GB DDR2-800 $50

So your total cost will be $810 for a system that will run WoW at up to 1920x1200 smooth as silk. With the $500+ you're saving, buy a really nice 24" or 27" LCD and have some real fun.

 

[Kikkeo]

Yay, something i can actually do!

I'm sure i can switch out some cards easier than the rest, thanks! =)

Now that i look, the power supply isnt listed. Think itll be enough to power that 9800?

 

[Denithor]

It should be fine, if it's not you can always get an Antec EA500 for $50 or less (that's a little more work than dropping in a video card but not bad, the hardest part is just neatly stashing all the unused cables). Or you could spend a little more and get a Corsair 520HX with modular cables if you're a neat freak.

But I seriously doubt you'll have any problems.

EDIT: And if you jump by tomorrow, you can get a Crucial 2x2GB DDR2-800 kit from frys.com for $20AR.

 

[Twsmit]

I have to make my obligatory "build it for yourself" comment first. Going off ball park price figures off the top of my head, you are easily paying $500-600 extra over the cost of buying off an e-tailer like newegg. That's almost 30% more in price due to ignorance and a lack of desire to learn. PC gaming isn't the cake walk that console gaming is. Windows OS is a mess and so are drivers and software patches, windows updates, antivirus scanners etc....... It's almost a requirement that high end PC gamers be moderately savvy when it comes to the software... if you can manage a screwdriver then I believe you can master the hardware as well.

Now to the build. I would advise against going with an SLI configuration unless you have a really big monitor or are SLIing GTX260/280 cards. Putting two 9800GTs together is silly in my book as a GTX card probably just as fast and a lot less of a hassle. As for the 4870 X2 that is a good card, but might be overkill unless you plan on using a 24" or larger monitor. A single 4870 1GB is probably all you would need.

The parts you have selected look good, just make sure you don't go overboard or skimp on the video card. A single fast card is usually better than SLIing two mediocre cards. The X2 is probably the best option if you want a fast single card albeit a little overpowered for the average rig.

It just comes down to if you want to throw your money away. Honestly since you understand how to spec out a machine, understand what overclocking is in a general sense and figured out how to post on the forum, you sound like a pretty bright guy compared to the average joe, and I think with a few hours of reading and learning you could easily build your own machine.

 

[jeffw2767602]

Dont be scared, build a computer. It is easier than peeing with the lights out!

 

[AVP]

Yeah I would definitely build as well, but that is the answer that you would get from 95% of the people on this forum. Denithor made a good suggestion but if you don't have the time to learn to build a computer the power supply is the biggest pita, even though it only physically takes 10-15 minutes to do. Because most of us are so computer literate and are into hardware we forget how daunting looking all the different parts and cables can be.

With that said, the dell you picked is decent though the lower level xps 420 without the 9800gt ($120) and a 375/425 watt power supply is only $830 with 4gb of ram and the same basic specs. Check Here You would end up with a great system for around $1020 without shipping.

So really learning to install that stuff yourself could save you a big buck, and you might find it fun like the rest of us. Buying the XPS 420 and changing out the power supply and video card might be the way to go if at the very least you are worried about building the whole thing yourself. This way you could still have tech support and a whole system warranty if you want it.

There are many great guides to system builds and the people here would be very happy to help you. Heck if you have a digital camera you can take pictures of the inside and I and possibly others could tell you where to stick the cables.

 

[Roguestar]

Originally posted by: Twsmit
you sound like a pretty bright guy

Oho?

 

[Denithor]

The OP is actually a girl (yes, there are females on this board, as much of a surprise as that may be to some ).

As an update, since she hasn't posted back here yet, she decided to get the HP configured as above and is adding a 9800GT and 4GB of Crucial ram (from the Fry's deal).

Now she has a second thread asking about what monitor to use.