Need Desktop for Gaming!

[Mes Tarrant]

(Whoaaaa I haven't been on in a while and just noticed some new features, SWEET!!) Alright well what better place than here to come off as a complete NERD but... I don't play too many video games, mostly because I don't have time, but I really, really, REALLY want to play Dragon Age: Origins. Oh. My god. I haven't wanted a video game like this since I was 12. I know it's out for PS3, XBox 360, and PC, but it seems like the PC version is best. Plus I could use a good PC for tons of other things, so I wouldn't be getting it JUST for this... I'm pretty poor, so I'm looking for something around $1000 or less. I've only ever owned laptops and am used to the portability, so if there's a PC out there that is also ... relatively... not HUGE... that would be a plus. I'm mainly concerned about transporting it in airplanes as I tend to move from country to country every year or so. Er. Thanks. Also, if anyone has advice on how to upgrade PCs (say to be able to play a new game one or two years down the line, I'd rather not buy a new PC too often)... that would be sweet. Sorry for being a dork and a newb at the same time.

[slayer]

$1000 should be a good budget if you buy your own parts. But then you'd have to put it together. If you have any friends or someone you know that can put it together for free then they'll probably do it so long as you provide the parts. First off, you'll either want Windows XP or Windows 7. I'm using XP and I don't know anything about Windows 7 so I can't really help you there. A difference between XP and 7 is that XP can only use up to DirectX 9 while I think Windows 7 can use up to DirectX 11 (but you will need a graphics card that can go that high. You'll most likely be able to find a decent one for about $100). Basically, directX determines how good the graphics are. The lower the DX, the lower the graphical settings. Might sound confusing. But I guess it's a start... As for the parts you'll need, I'm not sure. I know a place that people post their list of items they bought for their computer I can look through. Will post something later. Edit: You really won't need a beast of a computer anyways. My computer is about 6 years old and the only new thing about it is my Geforce 8800GTS graphics card. I can run Half-Life 2 Episode 2 at the highest settings with no lag.

[Kraftwerk]

Well, Let me tell you what I have, and what you'll need (This is for a so-so gaming machine. I'm not an expert, but hey) What I have: 4 Gigabytes of RAM (Anything less, and your computer will run slow, anything more and the price starts going up) 2.1 GHZ Quad Core processor (Extreme overkill here) Nvidia 9500 GT (Perfect low budget graphics card) 500 GB harddrive (Enough space to last me a long while) What you needMinimum) 4 Gigabytes of RAM (Read above) Dual Core, 2.5 GHZ proccesor or above (Just enough power to play just about any game) Nvidia 8600 (I'd recommend a 9500) My computer works pretty well for me, but it needs a little more ram. Any PC with those specs or higher, should be able to play any game at a smooth frame rate. My PC cost me 800 dollars total (Thats with a monitor) Hope this helped!

[slayer]

If you already have a computer, then you might just want to upgrade that instead of going all out on a new computer. Check to make sure your computer has a PCI-E slot first though...I think most graphics cards need those now.

[Kraftwerk]

If you already have a computer, then you might just want to upgrade that instead of going all out on a new computer. Check to make sure your computer has a PCI-E slot first though...I think most graphics cards need those now. Almost all graphics cards need that now. Whats your computers current specs?

[Mes Tarrant]

Okay thanks for the advice, I really appreciate the details and in a language I can understand heh. I don't know of anyone who knows how to assemble computers, so that's out at the moment. And no I don't own a PC, have always had laptops. I'm still a little bit torn between getting a PC or just getting a console... siiighhhh... if only both were equally portable.

[slayer]

Okay thanks for the advice, I really appreciate the details and in a language I can understand heh. I don't know of anyone who knows how to assemble computers, so that's out at the moment. And no I don't own a PC, have always had laptops. I'm still a little bit torn between getting a PC or just getting a console... siiighhhh... if only both were equally portable. Console is the easy man's way out. PC can give you SO much more, plus it's probably best to get one of those anyways. You could always buy a PC carrying kit >_> LAN PARTIES! :V

[Mes Tarrant]

EEEEE! I'm glad you said that, I'm pretty much fishing for people to convince me to get the PC.

[Mes Tarrant]

BTW is it possible to use like a console controller instead of a keyboard on PC?

[slayer]

BTW is it possible to use like a console controller instead of a keyboard on PC? Of course! I believe most Window 7 PCs come with built-in technology to use Microsoft wireless controllers and what not. But if you play any first person shooters (I highly recommend the Half-Life series) then you must, and I mean must, play with a keyboard and a mouse. Edit: Also the PC Carrying case was a semi-joke. You can get one, but it's still going to be some what heavy but it should hold your mouse, keyboard, the pc, cords, and other accessories, but it won't carry the monitor.

[ninja9578]

Yes, you can use a console controller for a PC game, lots of geeks have them. I would recommend getting one of more tech-savy friends to help you build a computer. You shouldn't just go buy parts. Parts have to match in speed and registry size.

[Marvo]

Seeing as you don't really know anybody who's tech savy, I suggest you get a built computer. Try to find some computer shops around you, and show us what they got for sale. Usually there's actually some really good deals available. Kaftwerk, 4GB RAM is plenty enough. If anything you need a better CPU and a graphicscard. Quadcores are good, but games are still strugling with using the full capacity of multicore processors. Mes, if you are about to buy your own parts, I suggest the following brands: AMD - Phenom CPU ATi - Graphics Card Corsair/Kingston - RAM ASUS - Motherboard Corsair - Powersupply LG/Samsung - Monitor

[khh]

AMD - Phenom CPU ATi - Graphics Card Corsair/Kingston - RAM ASUS - Motherboard Corsair - Powersupply LG/Samsung - Monitor LG/Samsung aren't the only ones with good monitors.

[Marvo]

Of course they are not, but I certainly like them, so that's why I included them in my post. AMD, ATi and ASUS are not the only ones with good CPUs, GFX cards or motherboards either. They got some good prices though.

[Taosaur]

You might check out cyberpowerpc.com to get a feel for your options. I doubt they deliver to S. Korea, but their "configurator" is good for catching up on what components are available and what different builds might cost you. For the actual purchase, I'll second the suggestion to check out owner-operated computer shops in your area, and/or look for online services that let you choose the components and build the computer for you. I got my PC from cyberpowerpc.com a little over a year ago, and had a good experience there, though I've heard RMAs with them are a nightmare if anything doesn't work.

[khh]

I don't really get why people are saying you need a tech savy friend to build a computer. Both me and friends of mine have just gotten the parts and done it, without having any prior knowledge or experience. It isn't very hard.

[Marvo]

I don't really get why people are saying you need a tech savy friend to build a computer. Both me and friends of mine have just gotten the parts and done it, without having any prior knowledge or experience. It isn't very hard. While this is true, you have to keep in mind, that messing up a piece of hardware can be very very easy. You don't run these kind of risks if you buy a complete computer. Some hardware vendors also offer to put the computer together for you, on a fee of maybe $50.