Game PC vs Work PC

[Charlie98]

Traditionally I've always bought a normal PC for home use... I use it for my business and run typical programs like MS Office, QuickBooks and the like, but I also like to run flight sims and shooter games. I got MW2 earlier this year but found my vid card isn't even capable of running it. Rather than trying to upgrade my 4-year old Dell, I figured I'd be money ahead by replacing it.

Pardon my ignorance... but is a gamer PC just as capable of running non-game programs (Office, QB, etc) or is there some sort of programming that biases it's performance against this? Or are gamer PC's just loaded with hardware geared toward gaming and video performance?

...and who makes a good gamer PC? I won't buy a HP/Compac, Dell doesn't do gamers, but beyond that... who? I've seen Ienovo, CyberpowerPC, Gateway (they still around?) and others. No, I don't want to build one.

I've found newegg.com, are there any other decent online retailers?

Thanks!

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Unless you have a specific need for power when doing "office" work, the cheapest desktop you can find these days is overly powerful.

Point is, any gaming PC should be more than powerful enough for office apps.

Depending on the game you want to play, get a desktop with an appropriate CPU and put a better video card in it. Others can tell you what that means.

What is your budget?

 

[SZLiao214]

For gaming pc usually you can save a huge amount by building it yourself. The margin is less when just building an office pc.

newegg/amazon/ewizz are where i buy almost all my electronics type stuff.

Dell actually bought alien ware a few years ago.

 

[Charlie98]

Dell actually bought alien ware a few years ago.

I didn't know that... tells you how far out of the computer loop I am...

What is your budget?

About $1000 out the door.

As far as building... I can probably build a computer, I just don't want to get nickle/dimed to death and wind up with a $1500 computer that doesn't work. My wife wouldn't care for that... :twisted:

 

[KeithP]

Depending on the game you want to play, get a desktop with an appropriate CPU and put a better video card in it. Others can tell you what that means.

This.

The last "gaming" box I built was a Dell 580. I bought it through their outlet store with a 15% off coupon (relatively easy to find) and added a video card and a good power supply to support it.

Really, the only functional difference between a gaming system and a work system is a good discreet video card. Oh, and also gaming systems usually have garish looking cases.

-KeithP

 

[biostud]

here's a place to start

http://www.ibuypower.com/ibppages/intel-p67-h67-chipset.aspx

 

[Chiropteran]

bought it through their outlet store with a 15% off coupon (relatively easy to find) and added a video card and a good power supply to support it.

Really, the only functional difference between a gaming system and a work system is a good discreet video card.

This is true, but you gotta watch out. Some Dell business class computers have the PCI-E slots backwards, making it impossible to add a dual slot video card. If your plan is to replace power supply and video card, you need to do some basic research before you purchase.

 

[Charlie98]

This is true, but you gotta watch out. Some Dell business class computers have the PCI-E slots backwards, making it impossible to add a dual slot video card. If your plan is to replace power supply and video card, you need to do some basic research before you purchase.

See... that's the stuff I know nothing about. :\ ...and I don't even know what a dual slot video card is (although I think I can figure it out. :biggrin: )

I really like my Dell, and was looking at them when the idea of getting a gaming computer came up. I'd be tickled if I could get a decent Dell and just swap out the video card and power supply. It looks like on most of the prebuilts you are going to have to change the power supply anyway if you want to run a higher-end video card.

 

[nickb64]

I'd almost suggest something like the XPS 8300. You can configure off the base model to have a 3GHz i5 2320, 8GB RAM, a 560Ti, and a 750GB HDD for $929.

It'd be better probably to build your own, but that's not terrible, and you could certainly do worse. That's without a monitor, but I'm guessing you probably have one already that you could at least deal with for a while.

My friend's dad got one of the older model of that as a new family PC, with the i7 860 and a 5450. They don't look bad, and it seems solid enough. The specs I listed above would be good for pretty much every game out right now on fairly high settings (especially CoD, since they haven't redone that engine really since 2007). It'd be solid for BF3 even.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

FYI, you can find i3 based desktops for $300.

i5s start at $650

i7s start at $800.

That leaves alot of money left over for a video card and power supply.

 

[bigbubba3]

See... that's the stuff I know nothing about. :\ ...and I don't even know what a dual slot video card is (although I think I can figure it out. :biggrin: )

I really like my Dell, and was looking at them when the idea of getting a gaming computer came up. I'd be tickled if I could get a decent Dell and just swap out the video card and power supply. It looks like on most of the prebuilts you are going to have to change the power supply anyway if you want to run a higher-end video card.

I think i quoted that wrong...

Anyway Dells are great computers for day to day stuff, as that is what they are built for. Replacing the power supply and video card wouldn't be a bad idea but sometimes the internals will look significantly different than that of a gaming pc. Cooling is abysmal and PSU space might be restricted. Dell builds for its own parts, and has the luxury of using non standard sizes for parts. For that reason I would stay away from business pre-builts like dell and hp. Cyberpc and Ibuypower are both pretty good, and you can build a custom system on their site rather easily.

Building your own PC however would not only be cheaper but potentially more reliable, not to mention very rewarding. Here are some steps to get you started.

1) Go to youtube and watch tutorials on how to put together a computer. Best 10 minutes I have ever spent. Pay attention to the specific parts they are using, IE motherboard chipset and the CPU that goes it.

2) Once you are confident with your knowledge about pc parts and how they go together its time for you to decide what you want from your build. Keep in mind expectations about physical size, storage, video card manufacture, cooling, life expectation ect. Once you have that together find a DIY kit from newegg that fulfills those goals.

3) You will need a CPU, GPU, RAM, Motherboard, Case, Power supply, Hard Drive, DVD drive. You may also want some accessories like a fan controller. Check out newegg DIY. It will make your life easier.

4) Order your parts and begin assembly. Again check out YouTube as well as newegg reviews so as to avoid any curve balls.

5) Save lots of $

For your budget here is my suggested build.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboB...t=Combo.679878

DIY kit including an i5 2500k (best price/performance cpu out there for gaming) ssd ram and motherboard. Install windows or whatever OS you use on the ssd as well as all your core programs (office, drivers, flash player, firefox, ect ect) Games and other non crucial programs go on the larger HDD

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822145299

500 gig hard drive. You may not need this as your old hard drive(s) from your Dell can be placed in your new computer, but I would suggest it since drives do fail with age.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127593

Graphics card, Nvidia gtx 560. Its powerful enough to max out (60fps) most current games in 1080p. Msi twin frozr have a remarkable ability to cool well and stay quiet. I can personally attest to this as I own a reference and msi ati 5850. Msi Twin Frozr is probably 20db quieter and 10C cooler under load.

http://www.newegg.com/Shopping/Shopp...82E16817341016

500watt psu. More than enough for your setup. Its also modular so you can manage the spaghetti.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811108236

Its a micro atx case, but probably the best case I have ever built in. Awesome, controlled airflow, minimalistic, good looks and rock solid.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811112316

If your looking for a case that resembles Dell, or just something classy Lian Li is the way to go. It won't cool as well but i will look sexy.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103065

Heatsink and fan for you CPU. It will allow you to overclock it. And before that freaks you out, sandybridge allows for a one click overclock. NOTHING TO FEAR. If you choose not to overclock its still worth the $ because of how much quieter it runs than the tiny stock heatsink. (may not fit in the LIAN LI case.)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835233084

These are great fans. Move lots of air and stay quiet. They are to be put on the side of the In Win case to cool the GPU and CPU. You probably need 2.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811998065

Lastly a fan controller so you can turn down your fans when your not gaming.



This may all seem complex but its a so much easier than you think.

 

[nickb64]

1) Go to youtube and watch tutorials on how to put together a computer. Best 10 minutes I have ever spent. Pay attention to the specific parts they are using, IE motherboard chipset and the CPU that goes it.

Tested.com has a few good PC Build videos that are better produced than most stuff you'd get on Youtube, as well, with some good discussion of why they chose the things they did and how to do stuff. They are sometimes kind of long, but they're very good.

Recent

Older

In between

 

[marcplante]

If you want to look into a laptop that does double duty for $1k. Look at the Lenovo y570 at the lenovo store. It's often marked down to 999

I7 processor
1G graphics switchable when you aren't gaming
8 G of RAM
750G HD
64G SSD
HDMI out
BluRay Drive
JBL speakers and surround sound.

screen isn't the highest of resolutions for gaming, but you can always output to a $150 24" monitor.

Bought one for my wife and will buy a second for myself for Christmas.

Only warning is that the lenovo site ships you a PC on a slow boat from China (literally) their lead times are pretty long)

Update: Just got a ship notification 1 week after ordering. I was originally told it wouldn't ship for another 2 weeks]

 

[Emulex]

the hp 500 and compaq 500 are the same - they are just rebaged for consumer and desktop - core 2 duo technology - ddr3 - pcix 16 empty - throw 8gb of ram in it and an ssd and you have a solid business unit for cheap.

you can't really build a business class machine (win7 pro/ultimate costs too much) better than a pre-built. and if you realize what i said the machines are the same they flash themselves (tattoo) on first boot or system recovery

 

[Charlie98]

Jeepers... you guys have me almost convinced to build my own...

OK, more dumb questions...

Do I need to buy an OS, or does it come installed on the hardware? I run XP home now, I don't need anything bigger than that.

Is the Nvidia as good/better than the Radeon?

How about wireless connectivity to my router?

I wouldn't carry anything over from my current computer, and the hard drive? I think it's time to replace the cave man 70GB...

Time to go visit YouTube...

 

[biostud]

Do I need to buy an OS, or does it come installed on the hardware? I run XP home now, I don't need anything bigger than that.

yes you need to buy an OS, and you need to buy win7 x64 home premium. XP is dead.

win7 x64 has better support for modern hardware and is faster than win xp. (4+ gb ram, SSD trim, Directx11 etc.)

 

[Chapbass]

Jeepers... you guys have me almost convinced to build my own...

OK, more dumb questions...

Do I need to buy an OS, or does it come installed on the hardware? I run XP home now, I don't need anything bigger than that.

Is the Nvidia as good/better than the Radeon?

How about wireless connectivity to my router?

I wouldn't carry anything over from my current computer, and the hard drive? I think it's time to replace the cave man 70GB...

Time to go visit YouTube...

Welcome to AT Charlie! I think building your own is incredibly rewarding, and if you run into any trouble, thats what we're all for! By simply signing up and posting here you're going to learn a ton more and build a MUCH better machine that 95% of the people that build their first computer end up with.

I totally agree with biostud, get yourself a copy of Windows 7 Home Premium (x64 = 64 bit). It is a much updated operating system, and XP is really starting to show its age.

If you do end up deciding to go with a build your own (or heck, even a prebuilt), be sure to list out all of your parts on here before hitting the buy button. Theres often great ways to save money, and you make sure all of your parts are compatible.

Don't be afraid to ask questions! I don't post nearly as often as many of the General Hardware ATers, but I think I speak for everyone in saying that we try to be as helpful as possible, especially if the person in need is genuinely trying to learn.

 

[ultimatebob]

If you want to look into a laptop that does double duty for $1k. Look at the Lenovo y570 at the lenovo store. It's often marked down to 999

I7 processor
1G graphics switchable when you aren't gaming
8 G of RAM
750G HD
64G SSD
HDMI out
BluRay Drive
JBL speakers and surround sound.

I hope that you had better luck than I did. I got myself a Dell XPS 15 "Gaming" laptop, and was depressed by the results. I thought that the GeForce 540M with 1 GB of memory would do OK, but I can't get most newer games to run work a damn unless I run them at 720p and of the native 1080p screen resolution.

 

[dclive]

I suggest going to Dell (read on slick deals or the deals site here) and grabbing an i5 (Sandy Bridge) from them (basically that's an i5 with a four-digit model number after it, like I5/2415) - and then slapping in a higher end graphics card of your choice, like a $99 nVidia 460.

You should be able to do that for around $650 total. I wouldn't suggest spending much more; diminishing returns hits hard once you get much higher.

I don't suggest buying a "gaming PC" as that will then give you an ugly case and very little else. Dell's standard models are fine; just slap in the upgraded graphics card and you'll be all set.

 

[jacktesterson]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Dell+-+X...&skuId=3152075


$799 for i7 2600 and 1GB 6770 Video card, 1.5TB Hard Drive, 8GB Ram and Wireless N built in... Windows 7 included.

 

[dclive]

It's OK. If you're gaming at 1680x1200 or lower it's fine. If you're doing more, it's wiser (and probably wiser anyway) to buy a cheaper Dell with i5/2500 (some sort of Sandy Bridge i5) and slap a better graphics card in there that you find on Slickdeals or some other deals website - it'll cost less and game faster.

 

[jacktesterson]

It's OK. If you're gaming at 1680x1200 or lower it's fine. If you're doing more, it's wiser (and probably wiser anyway) to buy a cheaper Dell with i5/2500 (some sort of Sandy Bridge i5) and slap a better graphics card in there that you find on Slickdeals or some other deals website - it'll cost less and game faster.

I don't think were talking a hardcore gaming rig here. The 6770 is capable of any game at 1080p... Just may need some settings turned down.

I do agree the 2500 would be better if could find one with a $100 spent more on the card.

BF3 on Medium vs Ultra... yeah it's not that noticeable if your not looking for it.

 

[Smoblikat]

Dell XPS, Ibuypower, Alienware. HP Elite.......these are some of the higher end pre-built gaming capable computers.

 

[dclive]

They're ALL gaming capable. Dell has a deal with an i5 that's perfect for OP at $439-ish; slap in a decent gaming graphics card for $100 and he's done at a significantly cheaper price point.

 

[ChippyUK]

Just remember, if you don't buy from a complete PC from a manufacturer, each part will have it's own warranty. As long as you're happy with doing the troubleshooting/bringing it to a PC repair shop then this is fine but you can't expect one-day turnarounds if anything goes wrong.

If this is a business critical system then I'd spend more money on buying the warranty to cover yourself rather than game support (or spend more money to get a gaming class system with the support!).