So, I was playing Minecraft the other day, and I started to hear a bunch of weird little sounds coming from laptop. Turns out, this laptop isn't gonna last much longer. So I started doing some research on different gaming PCs and came up with a few that are in my price range. I listed them below:
Digital Storm Crusader - AMD Phenom II X6 1075T (3.0GHz) (6 Core) (6 MB Cache) AM3 Socket, 8GB DDR3 1600MHz Digital Storm Certified Performance Series, 500GB Western Digital Caviar (7200 RPM) (16MB Cache), 1x NVIDIA GeForce GT 520 1GB (Includes PhysX Technology), Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Cyberpowerpc Gamer Ultra GUA120 - dual core AMD Athlon X2 260 processor, AMD Radeon HD 6450, 4GB of DDR3 system memory and 500GB HDD
Now, I have some criteria that must be met. It has to be $1,000 or under, it has to run the Sims 3 and Minecraft (not at the same time, of course), and be able to run at least one Firefox window in the background while I'm playing Minecraft. Oh, and I also use Photoshop often, but I don't know if that would make a huge difference. I know this is a lot to ask for, especially considering my budget, but it is what I'd like to see. And I will take suggestions :smile.gif:
Bottom line, the best solution is to build your own. If you don't know how, you can follow online guides or buy all the parts and have your local tech shop assemble it.
This way saves you a lot of money (unless the tech place is asking for a ton of cash) and you know exactly what you're getting. Another cool thing is the different cases you can choose from, some with LED lights, etc. If I'm looking for parts and stuff usually the best place to go is here, they have daily deals on just about anything you can think of. They also have packages that are preset, so if you don't feel like choosing out your own parts you can just order them and it's a bit cheaper than buying a stock built computer.
Building a computer can be a lot of fun if you know what you're doing. Make sure you ask someone that knows what parts to get if you have no idea, or post what you find here and I or someone else can give you suggestions.
EDIT: I have an Alienware M11x. I can run Minecraft at about 40-80 FPS on high settings, 3D stuff on Photoshop (though it can get slow sometimes, expected for most PCs), and The Sims 3 just fine. These are really nice and have cool customizable LEDs, though it's more expensive than a machine with the same specs if you would build a tower. Great alternative if you want something soon. The big downsides are the screen size (which I fixed with a 32" TV and an HDMI cable) and the stock processor. If I remember correctly, you can get a better processor, but that's pushing your price limit. The stock processor runs 1.3 GHz, 1.7 Overclocked. It'll get you through what you want to do right now, but in the future it won't support games very well. The only thing I can't play right now is the Battlefield 3 Beta, for obvious reasons.
NEVER get an alienware. The price is for all the flash with no water cooling. Build your own pc. It's not complicated, it's just plug and play. That's until you get to trouble shooting, where a bit of patience and computer know how comes into hand. Building a rig can be cheaper then a store bought system, it will typically have up to date hardware, and none of the annoying OEM drivers from the computer's creator.
But tangle, the system was built by a pro! Who cares! The pro as in machines, install your crap half the time and it comes with nothing good. Unless you are talking about alienware, they do give you real gpu's... but they typically aren't that great, and it's entirely overpriced. Lan-party wise... it's only good for those who are fooled by looks.
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Why hello there sir... look into my eyes, and then... you shall see... the end. ~ Quote from Enderman.
Configurators? Blah... they typically aren't the most trusted sources. Really it depends on what you want from your gaming system. If you want it only for gaming, then you can go under five hundred dollars at newegg. If you want water cooling in the same system then 700.
Now, if you are doing more then just gaming then only you know exactly what you want.
Each part will give the system it's personality.
Weak multi-core CPU, two gigs of ram with a decent GPU = Gaming.
Moderate multi-core CPU, with four gigs of ram with a crappy GPU or onboard graphics = Daily Task.
SUPER AMAZING I7 990x Extreme CPU, with Max amount of ram a motherboard will allow, plus a three Nvidia 590s or three Radeon 6990s = If you don't have a reason to justify this besides gaming or daily task then why?!
PARTS
Generally the CPU can be very weak, but not so weak that the GPU horribly outpaces it. The CPU only needs to be a dual or quad core at max. Anything higher then you will be able to do some serious multi-tasking. Heck a Intel Core Duo, and a Anthalon x2 kicks butt still in games, and that thing made back in 2002. Minecraft will depend on this the most however. [Also, read installation tutorials... the warranty only covers electrical damage, not stupidity. Not calling you dumb, but I had classmates take a hammer to a CPU because they could not figure out how to install it properly in the socket.]
The GPU is what renders your games the most. You do not want to buy a GPU that outpaces your CPU dramatically because the system will only run as fast as your slowest part. This is the same vise-versa. MOST games will depend on this item the most however. Remember Nvidia is highly proprietorial based so it's technologies released specifically for the card will hardly ever be used in games.
Ram, this DOES NOT make your system faster, it just increases the threshold of the program size you can load. Typically if your system is dragging behind, it means your core needs an upgrade. Very rarely will it be the case that ram is suddenly a bottle neck. You can make what is called a ram disk if your system uses IDE hard drives to improve performance, just be sure to move files off this disk into the hard drive before shutting down.
Motherboard, not the speed problems but can have a huge impact over system compatibility. All motherboards have some kind of hard ware limit. You may only have a max of 2tb hard drives as a boot disk, you have some kind of ram limit, normally 32gigs today, your CPU socket varies (Very important, otherwise you will buy the wrong CPU. This is labled very vibrantly on the internet over all cpu pages.)
Heatsinks: blah... your computer creates heat... like humans it don't like it... especially the hardware because some of it is pure gold.
SUPER AMAZING I7 990x Extreme CPU, with Max amount of ram a motherboard will allow, plus a three Nvidia 590s or three Radeon 6990s = If you don't have a reason to justify this besides gaming or daily task then why?!
Implying a 990x is better than a 2600k for gaming.
SUPER AMAZING I7 990x Extreme CPU, with Max amount of ram a motherboard will allow, plus a three Nvidia 590s or three Radeon 6990s = If you don't have a reason to justify this besides gaming or daily task then why?!
The i5 2500k/i7 2600k is better for gaming than the i7 9xx in terms of price (Hell, the i5 is better than ALL the i7s in terms of price:performance).
The ~8 FPS boost is nowhere near worth the extra $110, and unless you're using programs that can take advantage of the extra threads (like Maya) you are wasting horsepower and money.
I beg to differ, if you are looking for a bang for buck, look into the dual cores or the quad cores of AMD.
Intel is typically insanely expensive, and you are not going to notice anything different past 40fps, which is considered real time on computers.
Oh, rule of thumb ram wise.
For every REAL core, you will need at least two gigs of ram, if the computer is expected to multi-task without a problem.
Notice how I did not say gaming, but multi-tasking. The reason behind this rule of thumb is that processors have gotten so fast now, that ram can actually bottle neck you if you do not have enough. Gaming wise, this does not matter because a game will use the cores to process chopped up data, unlike multiple different programs.
This rule of thumb only applies to HEC, Workstations, Graphic Designers, Music Developers, ect.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Why hello there sir... look into my eyes, and then... you shall see... the end. ~ Quote from Enderman.
Like I said... multi-taskers... which does not always mean gaming >.<. For all we know, in the near future he may become a whiz in Flash, or 3D where the ram does matter.
But yes, nothing will go over four on it's own. Unless you are running vista... then may god help you.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Why hello there sir... look into my eyes, and then... you shall see... the end. ~ Quote from Enderman.
Like I said... multi-taskers... which does not always mean gaming >.<. For all we know, in the near future he may become a whiz in Flash, or 3D where the ram does matter.
But yes, nothing will go over four on it's own. Unless you are running vista... then may god help you.
Well maybe someday he will want a render farm so he could get quad gtx 590.
You don't recomend parts based on what they might need them for if they say the build is for gaming you give parts for gaming plus its not like its hard to throw in some extra ram should some day he need it.
A render farm does not need that GPU... but anyways... my hardware recommendations. Which also counts as my final post for tonight because of regulations! I will not get to detailed with the parts because these can easily be found, and really some of this stuff has no real impact over system performance. I just don't recommend skimping out on the PSU or you will be hugging your dresser crying like I was my first time building a system when I thought a fifteen dollar PSU would be quite friendly with my parts. Not really... but I was infuriated.
CPU: Anthalon 4x... or a Phenom II X4/X2. Intel? I3
Motherboard: Anything AMD or AMD 3 compatible. Or what ever intel motherboard that supports I3 (Pay attention to your CPU socket type. Remember, this has no real role over speed, unless you have an IDE over a sata II or III)
RAM: 2x 2gig DDR3 Gskill 1333
GPU: Radeon 6850 your choice of brand.
PSU: Meh... your choice... preferably anything that can pump around 550watts with a 80broze.
Case: your choice, nothing fancy for the love of god.
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Green 500gigs. I don't recommend Seagate for the use of glass platters.
Like FiveLeafClover said... Legos man. But not just any legos. I am talking about size specific legos, with different weights that require balance kind of legos!
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Why hello there sir... look into my eyes, and then... you shall see... the end. ~ Quote from Enderman.
Digital Storm Crusader - AMD Phenom II X6 1075T (3.0GHz) (6 Core) (6 MB Cache) AM3 Socket, 8GB DDR3 1600MHz Digital Storm Certified Performance Series, 500GB Western Digital Caviar (7200 RPM) (16MB Cache), 1x NVIDIA GeForce GT 520 1GB (Includes PhysX Technology), Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
2011 Mage - AMD FX-6100 CPU (6x 3.30GHz/6MB L2 Cache), 8 GB [2 GB X4] DDR3-1600 Memory Module, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti - 1GB, 1 TB HARD DRIVE -- 32M Cache, 7200 RPM, 6.0Gb/s
Cyberpowerpc Gamer Ultra GUA120 - dual core AMD Athlon X2 260 processor, AMD Radeon HD 6450, 4GB of DDR3 system memory and 500GB HDD
Now, I have some criteria that must be met. It has to be $1,000 or under, it has to run the Sims 3 and Minecraft (not at the same time, of course), and be able to run at least one Firefox window in the background while I'm playing Minecraft. Oh, and I also use Photoshop often, but I don't know if that would make a huge difference. I know this is a lot to ask for, especially considering my budget, but it is what I'd like to see. And I will take suggestions :smile.gif:
This way saves you a lot of money (unless the tech place is asking for a ton of cash) and you know exactly what you're getting. Another cool thing is the different cases you can choose from, some with LED lights, etc. If I'm looking for parts and stuff usually the best place to go is here, they have daily deals on just about anything you can think of. They also have packages that are preset, so if you don't feel like choosing out your own parts you can just order them and it's a bit cheaper than buying a stock built computer.
Building a computer can be a lot of fun if you know what you're doing. Make sure you ask someone that knows what parts to get if you have no idea, or post what you find here and I or someone else can give you suggestions.
EDIT: I have an Alienware M11x. I can run Minecraft at about 40-80 FPS on high settings, 3D stuff on Photoshop (though it can get slow sometimes, expected for most PCs), and The Sims 3 just fine. These are really nice and have cool customizable LEDs, though it's more expensive than a machine with the same specs if you would build a tower. Great alternative if you want something soon. The big downsides are the screen size (which I fixed with a 32" TV and an HDMI cable) and the stock processor. If I remember correctly, you can get a better processor, but that's pushing your price limit. The stock processor runs 1.3 GHz, 1.7 Overclocked. It'll get you through what you want to do right now, but in the future it won't support games very well. The only thing I can't play right now is the Battlefield 3 Beta, for obvious reasons.
........
ಠ_ಠ
I learn from my mistakes.
Alas you are only one of few. :sad.gif:
But tangle, the system was built by a pro! Who cares! The pro as in machines, install your crap half the time and it comes with nothing good. Unless you are talking about alienware, they do give you real gpu's... but they typically aren't that great, and it's entirely overpriced. Lan-party wise... it's only good for those who are fooled by looks.
We here at the forums will do the hardest part: selecting the parts.
use the configurators and build your own, can make a comp for around $700 that can get 70+ on most games
i5-4690K @4.6GHz ~ ASRock Z97X Fatal1ty Killer ~ EKWB Supremacy MX ~ Watercooled SLI STRIX 970s
Project RedShift
Now, if you are doing more then just gaming then only you know exactly what you want.
Each part will give the system it's personality.
Weak multi-core CPU, two gigs of ram with a decent GPU = Gaming.
Moderate multi-core CPU, with four gigs of ram with a crappy GPU or onboard graphics = Daily Task.
SUPER AMAZING I7 990x Extreme CPU, with Max amount of ram a motherboard will allow, plus a three Nvidia 590s or three Radeon 6990s = If you don't have a reason to justify this besides gaming or daily task then why?!
PARTS
Generally the CPU can be very weak, but not so weak that the GPU horribly outpaces it. The CPU only needs to be a dual or quad core at max. Anything higher then you will be able to do some serious multi-tasking. Heck a Intel Core Duo, and a Anthalon x2 kicks butt still in games, and that thing made back in 2002. Minecraft will depend on this the most however. [Also, read installation tutorials... the warranty only covers electrical damage, not stupidity. Not calling you dumb, but I had classmates take a hammer to a CPU because they could not figure out how to install it properly in the socket.]
The GPU is what renders your games the most. You do not want to buy a GPU that outpaces your CPU dramatically because the system will only run as fast as your slowest part. This is the same vise-versa. MOST games will depend on this item the most however. Remember Nvidia is highly proprietorial based so it's technologies released specifically for the card will hardly ever be used in games.
Ram, this DOES NOT make your system faster, it just increases the threshold of the program size you can load. Typically if your system is dragging behind, it means your core needs an upgrade. Very rarely will it be the case that ram is suddenly a bottle neck. You can make what is called a ram disk if your system uses IDE hard drives to improve performance, just be sure to move files off this disk into the hard drive before shutting down.
Motherboard, not the speed problems but can have a huge impact over system compatibility. All motherboards have some kind of hard ware limit. You may only have a max of 2tb hard drives as a boot disk, you have some kind of ram limit, normally 32gigs today, your CPU socket varies (Very important, otherwise you will buy the wrong CPU. This is labled very vibrantly on the internet over all cpu pages.)
Heatsinks: blah... your computer creates heat... like humans it don't like it... especially the hardware because some of it is pure gold.
Implying a 990x is better than a 2600k for gaming.
The i5 2500k/i7 2600k is better for gaming than the i7 9xx in terms of price (Hell, the i5 is better than ALL the i7s in terms of price:performance).
The ~8 FPS boost is nowhere near worth the extra $110, and unless you're using programs that can take advantage of the extra threads (like Maya) you are wasting horsepower and money.
Intel is typically insanely expensive, and you are not going to notice anything different past 40fps, which is considered real time on computers.
Oh, rule of thumb ram wise.
For every REAL core, you will need at least two gigs of ram, if the computer is expected to multi-task without a problem.
WRONGWRONGWRONG
The most you really need at this point for gaming is 4GB.
Notice how I did not say gaming, but multi-tasking. The reason behind this rule of thumb is that processors have gotten so fast now, that ram can actually bottle neck you if you do not have enough. Gaming wise, this does not matter because a game will use the cores to process chopped up data, unlike multiple different programs.
This rule of thumb only applies to HEC, Workstations, Graphic Designers, Music Developers, ect.
But yes, nothing will go over four on it's own. Unless you are running vista... then may god help you.
Well maybe someday he will want a render farm so he could get quad gtx 590.
You don't recomend parts based on what they might need them for if they say the build is for gaming you give parts for gaming plus its not like its hard to throw in some extra ram should some day he need it.
CPU: Anthalon 4x... or a Phenom II X4/X2. Intel? I3
Motherboard: Anything AMD or AMD 3 compatible. Or what ever intel motherboard that supports I3 (Pay attention to your CPU socket type. Remember, this has no real role over speed, unless you have an IDE over a sata II or III)
RAM: 2x 2gig DDR3 Gskill 1333
GPU: Radeon 6850 your choice of brand.
PSU: Meh... your choice... preferably anything that can pump around 550watts with a 80broze.
Case: your choice, nothing fancy for the love of god.
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Green 500gigs. I don't recommend Seagate for the use of glass platters.