New desktop PC (somewhat for gaming)

[mgoblue]

I have a laptop which is pretty good for now (only 2 years old, and I got a good one), but my desktop that I use for streaming stuff to PS3/360, itunes for my iPod, torrents, stuff like that is from 2003 and needs replacing (it's soooo slow lol).

I'd like to get a decent desktop that could play some games (Starcraft 2, for one) pretty well, but don't want to break the bank for a top of the line gaming pc.

I'd rather not build it myself (done it before, just don't want to spend the time and energy), so something from NewEgg or some site like that would be better.

Any input? It's been a while since I've looked into desktops, so I have no idea on what would be a good buy. My price range is variable, just rather not go too expensive (but if it really made sense I could be convinced).

Thanks for your help!

[mgoblue]

Re: New desktop PC (somewhat for gaming)

Gateway FX6831-01
Price $1,299
CPU 2.8GHz Intel Core i7 860
Motherboard chipset Intel H57
Memory 8GB 1,333MHz DDR3 SDRAM
Graphics 1GB ATI Radeon HD 5850
Hard drives 1.5TB 7,200rpm
Optical drive dual-layer DVD burner
Networking Gigabit Ethernet
Operating system Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)


How does this look for that price? Anything I should look for otherwise component wise (video card, etc)? I may look through NewEgg to see if there are any cheaper options with similar specs, but am wondering if you think this would be decent so I have somewhere to start.

[ODogg]

Re: New desktop PC (somewhat for gaming)

Here is where I bought my PC. If you're tech-savvy guy when it comes to PCs you can pick out all your own parts at this site: http://avadirect.com/

If not, or you need some help in choosing peripherals, then give them a call and tell them what you want and they will help you out. This is where I bought my PC from. They are HONEST and will tell you if you're wasting your money on something. I called them with the intent on spending $2200 for my system and ended up spending $1400.

Speaking of which, the same system from Dell would have run me $2000 and from Gateway $1900. They DESTROYED Gateway and Dell in their pricing. They also offer a 3 year warranty on all systems that does not cost extra. I had to use the warranty twice for minor issues and both times they fixed the PC and sent it back to me within 10 days. I did have to cover the shipping there but everything else was covered.

Check out their ratings on the net if you need more proof. I would highly recommend this place if you're someone who wants a great deal, lots of customizable options, a great warranty and is a knowledgeable person but one doesn't want to build the PC himself.

[ODogg]

Re: New desktop PC (somewhat for gaming)

P.S. I even had a minor issue with my system that I complained about in my review of them on the net and it got back to the owner, he called me himself and offered immediate action to fix it (I was missing the custom screw for the back of my case on one side). I had a full set of even nicer screws a couple of days later. Great customer service, just unbelievable in this day and age.

Oh and all of their tech support and workers are ENGLISH speaking and non-accented people (or at least they were last time I talked to them a year ago). They are based out of Ohio (somewhere up in Akron/Canton area. My system has been stable and runs great, plays any game since I bought it, no crashes.

[BooShay]

Re: New desktop PC (somewhat for gaming)

Buy an alienware and call it a day...lol

[ODogg]

Re: New desktop PC (somewhat for gaming)

Nah, Alienware is overpriced junk since Dell took it over. Read some user reviews around the net.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: New desktop PC (somewhat for gaming)

Hell yeah alienware is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy over priced.

[mgoblue]

Re: New desktop PC (somewhat for gaming)

Thanks ODogg, I'll check it out!

[BrianFifaFan]

Re: New desktop PC (somewhat for gaming)

Gateway FX6831-01
Price $1,299
CPU 2.8GHz Intel Core i7 860
Motherboard chipset Intel H57
Memory 8GB 1,333MHz DDR3 SDRAM
Graphics 1GB ATI Radeon HD 5850
Hard drives 1.5TB 7,200rpm
Optical drive dual-layer DVD burner
Networking Gigabit Ethernet
Operating system Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)


How does this look for that price? Anything I should look for otherwise component wise (video card, etc)? I may look through NewEgg to see if there are any cheaper options with similar specs, but am wondering if you think this would be decent so I have somewhere to start.

Mine was $1000 and comes with a Blu-Ray. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...7&Tpk=hpe-250f It's pretty good for gaming. Nice all-around PC. I'm pleased.

[Pokes]

Re: New desktop PC (somewhat for gaming)

What I did was get an average PC and just put a kick *** videocard in it. Cost me about $800.

[mgoblue]

Re: New desktop PC (somewhat for gaming)

Mine was $1000 and comes with a Blu-Ray. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...7&Tpk=hpe-250f It's pretty good for gaming. Nice all-around PC. I'm pleased.

Wow, that looks awesome, I may have to pull the trigger after a little more research.

Thanks a lot for the link, looks like exactly what I'd want, plus a blu-ray drive to boot...

Good mem card, and I can always upgrade that in the future if needed.

I'll probably end up with this, solid specs at a great price.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: New desktop PC (somewhat for gaming)

What I did was get an average PC and just put a kick *** videocard in it. Cost me about $800.

The thing about that though is you got to make sure you know the power supply wattage and the motherboard type. Because nothing is worse then buying a kick butt graphics card just to find out the power supply is too weak to run it.

[BrianFifaFan]

Re: New desktop PC (somewhat for gaming)

Wow, that looks awesome, I may have to pull the trigger after a little more research.

Thanks a lot for the link, looks like exactly what I'd want, plus a blu-ray drive to boot...

Good mem card, and I can always upgrade that in the future if needed.

I'll probably end up with this, solid specs at a great price.

Glad you like it! So do I, Big Time! Seriously, for the buck , it's just great all around. Got some bloatware, but nothing really bad. The PSU is weakish, 460 watt. But it runs the 5770 with no problem. HP has a AMD 6-core for around the same price point, but this the better deal.... Hope this helps, Brian

[mgoblue]

Re: New desktop PC (somewhat for gaming)

Glad you like it! So do I, Big Time! Seriously, for the buck , it's just great all around. Got some bloatware, but nothing really bad. The PSU is weakish, 460 watt. But it runs the 5770 with no problem. HP has a AMD 6-core for around the same price point, but this the better deal.... Hope this helps, Brian

Yeah, I can upgrade the PSU or Vid card later, but this should last me a while...Most other ones are more expensive anyways so this is good to get me going...

[mrpotatohead5]

Re: New desktop PC (somewhat for gaming)

Always be careful with the prebuilts though, they normally have OEM motherboards and some parts in it that really restrict upgrading and if you want warranty you'll lose it if you want to upgrade.

Both computers listed link wise are solid, but both have some major short comings if you were to upgrade down the road, I still prefer building one because there is so much money that can be saved and to me the time that it takes to assemble is worth it compared to overpaying for a standard desktop.

Whatever way you go though towards gaming the prebuilts are going to give you the processor needed but probably won't allow overclocking to get the processor to its potential and handicap you in the graphics card. The prebuilts normally don't have great airflow and really show high temps under load as well which will be very obvious when gaming.

Post back what you end up deciding on and if you want to do some deep research or ask some computer nuts you can check out overclock.net for a plethora of information and a community to computers like the community here is to sports games.