Looking For A Decent Gaming PC

[Jobz]

So for the past couple of years I've missed out on quite a few PC games that I've wanted because this ancient Think Pad of mine can't run them. I've been wanting a new PC for a while and now that I finally have a job that pays a decent amount I can potentially save enough money to get myself one.

This isn't something I'm jumping into obviously, it's going to take a few months of careful consideration and saving, but for right now, I do have a rough idea of the specs I want, and how much money I'm willing to spend.

I have more or less decided against buying parts and building my own, not because I don't know how to (I've done it before, worked as a computer tech for two summers) but because I'm not completely computer literate, and I could very well end up ordering a motherboard and processor that aren't compatible because I won't know the difference. The other thing I'm worried about it adding the processor and applying the heat sink because that I've never done before. (Adding memory, VGA cards, sound cards, HDs and CD drives is all easy stuff).

So I'm looking for something pre-built but not outrageously expensive. At the moment my estimated budget is $1500, I don't need a monitor because my Samsung TV can be used as one, so that's not necessary. So far I've come up with one computer in price range that seems to me to be a decent buy, I wanted to know what you all thought of it. Is it a good PC for the price, will it run most games on good settings? Also, if you all have any suggestions of other PCs or maybe parts I could buy that are compatible so I could build it myself, I'd be greatly appreciative. Anyway, here are the specs for the PC I've been looking at.

HP d5000z Series - Total cost: $1,409.99

Operating system - Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
Processor - AMD Phenom(TM) 9750 quad-core processor (2.4GHz)
Memory- 6GB DDR2-800MHz dual channel SDRAM (2x2048,2x1024)
Graphics card - 1GB NVIDIA GeForce 9800GT, 2 DVI, HDMI adapter
Hard drive - 500GB 7200 rpm SATA 3Gb/s hard drive
Networking - No additional (Ethernet LAN port on system board)
Primary CD/DVD drive - LightScribe 16X max. DVD+/-R/RW SuperMulti drive
Front Productivity Ports - 15-in-1 memory card reader, 2 USB, 1394, audio
TV & entertainment experience - No TV Tuner w/remote control
Sound Card - Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer
Productivity software - Microsoft(R) Works 9.0
Security software - Norton Internet Security(TM) 2008 - 15 month (I plan on replacing this ASAP)
Keyboard and Mouse - HP keyboard and HP optical mouse (Replacing this as well)

 

[Jamanticus]

You could replace that 9800GT with, say, a 280..... graphics card, that is....
I dunno- it seems all-around good to me, although quad-core processors are still more of a novelty than a practical device at the present time.

EDIT: what kind of case does it have? With all that high-end stuff, you might want to get something like a Coolermaster

 

[Jobz]

You could replace that 9800GT with, say, a 280..... graphics card, that is....
I dunno- it seems all-around good to me, although quad-core processors are still more of a novelty than a practical device at the present time.

EDIT: what kind of case does it have? With all that high-end stuff, you might want to get something like a Coolermaster

Whatever sort of case comes standard with HP computers, I assume it has enough ventilation and cooling ability to keep itself from overheating.

 

[Aries_Split]

LOLOLOLOLOLOL

No.

Just...no. Build it yourself. This is a terrible gaming rig for the price.

The operating system is good, but the Processor is just fail for gaming.
Phenoms were NOT designed for games, and you won't get much bang for the buck. Go for an Intel Q6600 or a WolfDale 3.0GHz.

The memory is also fail for gaming. You do not want to have differing amounts of memory in sticks like that, it will bottleneck terribly. Just stick with a tried and true 2x2048. If your worried about performence, get 1066Mhz instead of 800Mhz.

The Graphics card is decent, but you can get a better card for the price. The 4850,4870, and 9800GX2 are all better alternatives within that price range.

The harddrive isn't exactly made for gaming, but it's serviceable I suppose. If you wanna really speed up them load times, your gonna want to get yourself a 10,000 RPM hard drive, or if you the cash, two of em. Slap those babies in RAID 0 and you'll boot faster, and load faster than any other kid on the block.

The DVD/CD drive does what it should, no comment.

2 USB ports seems rather low, but it'll do.

Soundcard's fine, but there are better alternatives.

Norton is fail, use NOD32.

I'm concerned about the fact they don't list the motherboard.

If you want to build one yourself, let me know and tell me how much your looking to spend. I can whip you up a list of parts ready to order from newegg.

If you really are scared of doing it yourself, just go with the Warhead PC.

For $700 bucks, your getting a mean machine. Although your spending an extra 100 for assembly.

You could replace that 9800GT with, say, a 280..... graphics card, that is....
I dunno- it seems all-around good to me, although quad-core processors are still more of a novelty than a practical device at the present time.

EDIT: what kind of case does it have? With all that high-end stuff, you might want to get something like a Coolermaster

LOLOLOLOL
No.

The 280 is made of AIDS and fail. The 9800GX2 and 4870 outclass in every area, ESPECIALLY price.

 

[Jobz]

My advice is highly biased, but I'd drop the quad core for a Core2Duo, drop Vista for XP Pro, and thus also drop to 4GB ram.

But that's just me, the official Escapist Vista Hater.

As to it being a prebuilt, fat chance. At least, I say that based on what prebuilts are like locally, but I have yet to see an off-the-shelf system with more than 4GB ram, a quad core, or any 8800/9800 series graphics cards. But why go with prebuilt anyways? There has to be a decent custom builder local to you, and custom =/= more expensive these days. In fact, my PC was much cheaper custom than if I tried to get any of this as a stock item.

I hate Vista myself, problem is if you buy pre-built from HP or Dell they all come pre-loaded with Vista. I would probably re-format and replace it with XP as soon as I could though.

If you want to build one yourself, let me know and tell me how much your looking to spend. I can whip you up a list of parts ready to order from newegg.

If you really are scared of doing it yourself, just go with the Warhead PC.

For $700 bucks, your getting a mean machine. Although your spending an extra 100 for assembly.

To be honest I would rather do it myself, like I said I know how to do it. Only thing I'm worried about fucking up is the processor and the heat sink. Also, where can one purchase the Warhead PC, are they even available yet?

 

[Jobz]

EDIT: Sorry about the double post.

 

[cleverlymadeup]

don't buy from dell or hp if you want a gaming rig

custom build it on your own, dell and hp are famous for having non-upgradable motherboards.

i'd say go asus parts all the way, might pay a bit more but well worth it and go with nvidia, ati is frustrating

 

[Aries_Split]

If you want to build one yourself, let me know and tell me how much your looking to spend. I can whip you up a list of parts ready to order from newegg.

If you really are scared of doing it yourself, just go with the Warhead PC.

For $700 bucks, your getting a mean machine. Although your spending an extra 100 for assembly.

To be honest I would rather do it myself, like I said I know how to do it. Only thing I'm worried about fucking up is the processor and the heat sink. Also, where can one purchase the Warhead PC, are they even available yet?

Now that I think about it, don't buy the warhead. It's lacking in core areas.

 

[Jamanticus]

.................................
LOLOLOLOL
No.

The 280 is made of AIDS and fail. The 9800GX2 and 4870 outclass in every area, ESPECIALLY price.

What is your opinion of the 8800GTX, my good sir? How long before it becomes obsolete.... as an SLI setup?.........

EDIT: The reason I ask is because I have an SLI setup of 2 8800GTX's and I wanted to know when I should just move on to another card

 

[Midicow]

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=10679328&WishListTitle=sevsashu

$1,462.88

without shipping..

Can definitely be refined to be cheaper.

and is upgradable (except to neilheim )

 

[Aries_Split]

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=10679328&WishListTitle=sevsashu

$1,462.88

without shipping..

Can definitely be refined to be cheaper.

and is upgradable (except to neilheim )

...There is a 750 watt power supply for a 4870?

What.The.Fuck?

 

[Midicow]

+3.3V@30A,+5V@28A,+12V@60A,
[email protected],[email protected]

Guess you could spend extra $$ and get http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139007

only 20 more amps, spread across two rails instead of one.

Great for future upgrades in-case you decide to splurge and get two 4870x2s eh?

+ those corsairs are practically server grade, and come with a 5 year guarantee.

That fan already comes with far too much MX-1 or AS5 applied, just squish it on there and clamp the screw thingies in.

 

[meatloaf231]

I would want a completely new machine, but then I would probably have to use Vista, and nobody wants that. I guess I'm stuck upgrading it in pieces. Oh well, it's cheaper this way anyhows.

 

[Midicow]

Vista 64 is still quite a bit more stable and supported then xp64..

So really unless you want to break out cedega/wine and a handy copy of a 64-bit Linux kernel.. there's really no point to using more than 4 gigs of ram is there?

 

[Dys]

don't buy from dell or hp if you want a gaming rig

custom build it on your own, dell and hp are famous for having non-upgradable motherboards.

i'd say go asus parts all the way, might pay a bit more but well worth it and go with nvidia, ati is frustrating

Complete opposite to what I'd recomend.
I built my younger brother a computer earlier this year, uniform Asus (wanted the motherboard and could afford to keep it uniform).
Its had TWO 8800GTSs die, so now I feel committed to telling anyone who'll listen to STAY THE HELL AWAY from g80 chip Asus VGAs (or better yet Asus VGAs in general).
Could just be bad luck, but you know, "lightning doesn't strike twice?" and ever other graphics card I've put in works flawlessly (other than the 2600Xt he has put in at the moment, everything is default clocks etc...the 2600 came pre overclocked).

 

[Jobz]

If you do go with nVidia, see if you can get your hands on the 8800GTS (g92) made by EVGA or XFX. You'll get performance very close to the 9800GTX (+/- 2%), for less. The price difference has been dropping though, so if they're close go with the 9800.

Why EVGA or XFX? So far, they've received very good marks for reliability, and if something does go wrong, reports are that their customer support is excellent.

 

[SenseOfTumour]

I'm not talking high end gaming rig, but I bought a fairly budget machine, added a new graphics card and 2gb of memory for like £70, and it's working like a machine £200 dearer. For 10 minutes work.

I'd maybe look into a lesser machine with a good mobo and processor, and then get the bits you're comfortable with installing seperately.

And hell yes, get NOD32 security suite, not Norton, it may end up being maybe $5 more, but it won't slowly eat your system from the inside, then start on your very soul.

Oh also I have an Acer machine and it's horribly non-upgradeable, I'd avoid Acer too. (he says after saying how he upgraded it, was a lot more work than it should have been is all).

My mom got Norton and now I got her on NOD32, despite her insisting she should stick to a 'big name' and she's now so much happier, because her pc responds more quickly, and doesn't keep bugging her, NOD32 tends to just get on with it and leave you the hell alone.

As for Vista, I tried formatting and going to XP, and half my systems hardware just didnt have xp drivers, its a conspiracy, damn you, Acer! (tho I'm used to Vista now and its not so bad really, tho the 'fade to black - are you sure?' windows bug me still.

 

[GeeDave]

Phenoms were NOT designed for games

I wasn't aware that any processor was designed for games? In fact, on the topic of "gaming hardware", quite a lot of game development studios are often working on games that later get dubbed as being 'designed for alienware PC's" or "built to run on ATI"... yet at no point in the development stage are the developers ever given these bits of hardware to actually test the game out on. Because games will generally just tend to run on any PC so long as you've got a decent rig, regardless of brands. This isn't an hypothesis, it happens.

*lots of skipped posts later*

Echoing what SenseOfTumour is saying, definitely stay away from Norton. They are the Black Mesa to PC's, and they profit because it's people like our mothers who quite simply don't know any better, and it shitting comes installed on everything anyways.

And on the topic of your Acer machine (SenseOfTumour), it's quite common in a lot of modern releases (ie, machines that come with vista) that there are no XP drivers available for the hardware. I thought to myself that it simply couldn't be possible, and bought myself an Asus lappy a few months back with every intent of formatting Vista off of it. But endless searching for all the XP bits and bobs that i'd need came up short, and I was stuck with Vista.

On the plus side, I quite like it... once you remove all the default crap it's really quite nice, although still eats up a shit load of RAM for doing absolutely fuck all.

Anywho, back to the issue at hand. If you're not fully comfortable with building your own rig... then just buy one pre-built. Seriously... ignore the jack-heads that think you're a n00b for doing so, all that matters is what's inside. And if you just so happen to spend that little bit more for the security and reassurance that it will either work, or you can easily get it refunded/replaced... then so be it! I always build my own machines and I often think about just how much hassle it would be if one little thing went wrong, i'd have to test each and every component myself, find the faulty one, make sure it was still in guarantee and then send it back. It's just not worth it. Pay the extra money.

 

[Danny Ocean]

On the plus side, I quite like it... once you remove all the default crap it's really quite nice, although still eats up a shit load of RAM for doing absolutely fuck all.

Vista 64 is amazing for vastly improved 64-bit software/hardware support.

Then again, most people here don't run programs that could even utilize more than 2 gigs of memory.

We get it eggo, you run Vista 64 with your oct-core system and 8GB of ram, now please stop trying to sell it to us if we don't need it!

 

[Quel0]

Instead of telling you what to get, let me say what I've had good and bad luck with recent hardware...

I've been building PC's since 1994, some countless amount for friends and family and as a business for a little. Yikes... 14 years =/

I have never had to RMA something twice in a row for the same product until I came across the 780i based motherboard chipset by nvidia. In fact, I can't remember the last product I had to return as defective... maybe a zip drive. So started my frustration with nvidia... not to say my love for intel has ever been too cozy (or VIA, SiS, etc...)

NV video cards never gave me a problem and prior NV chipsets have been great especially the nForce4 series.

My only advice to you is to avoid the fanbois and only build a system for what you want it to do. The truth being that higher tech graphic games are often written with crayons and sparklers. Look up reviews on respectable websites and see if they benchmark the game you enjoy... google the game and the card together and you're more than likely to read a forum post about someone's experience.

Also, SLI/CF can be a pain... only deal with it if you like pain... (I do) Also SLI is tricky... you're stuck with that painful 7 series chipset. Which is why I went from:

780i XFX SLI motherboard
corsair ddr2 1066
XFX 9800 GTX
C2D E3110 "wolfdale"

to

x48 intel
Corsair ddr3 1333
4870
C2D E3110 "wolfdale"

all because of the restrictions NV has put on SLI

one more thing... quad cores dont outperform a dual core in any current games... (yes i know someone's going to post an obscure reference to the exception) You're better off going with more brute force per core.