Solve : Need advice on buying a (pre-packaged) "Gaming" Computer.?

1.	Solve : Need advice on buying a (pre-packaged) "Gaming" Computer.?
Answer» Hi folks, first time for me to these forums. Just found them while reading some computer reviews, hope I can get some help here before I take the financial plunge. I've finally decided to turn in my old clunker , Dell Dimension 4550, Intel Pentium 4 2.66 GHZ, 1 GB RAM, GeForce FX 5500 (VGA). It was trustworthy and held together through some hard times and good games (though I probably would have been better off had it not been able to run World of Warcraft ). While I can say that I've cracked open a few computer cases in my time to "fiddle around" and plug in some "gizmos," I'd much rather get a package rather than buy it piecemeal. Putting together my own PC isn't something I want to tackle. I don't have my heart set on running any certain game at the moment (heck, I'm playing Baldur's Gate 1 from 1998), but I wouldn't mind trying Elder Scrolls: Oblivion, Mass Effect, and Mirror's Edge to name a few. I know just for laughs I tried Oblivion on my current "rig" and it ran like a power point slide show I'd say $1500 is my price range, give or take a few hundred. After spooking around a bit I found these two computers that, to my UNTRAINED eyes, look decent. Was hoping to get some educated feedback on them. http://www.gateway.com/systems/product/529668284.php Gateway Intel® Core™ i7-920 Processor Microsoft® Windows Vista® Home Premium (64-bit) with SP1 9GB DDR3 SDRAM Memory NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 260 Graphics with 896MB Discrete Video Memory 750GB SATA hard drive 750W Power Supply $1,279.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227146 iBUYPOWER Intel Core i7 920 Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit 6GB DDR3 1333 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 285 1GB Video Card 1TB SATAII 800W Power Supply $1,279.99 What do you think? Any other suggestions? Also, on a semi-related TOPIC, if/when I get a new computer, I'll also pick up a new monitor to replace the 15" screen housed in a giant box which is currently taking up half of my computer desk. What should I look for in a monitor? If my knowledge of computer hardware is limited, my knowledge of monitors is nonexistent.I like that second one. Much better then the gateway. Quote from: computeruler on July 24, 2009, 04:45:04 PM I like that second one. Much better then the gateway. Seconded Really, I dont think your going to find a better computer for that price anywhere I guess http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227146 is promising so far. I've talked to a few people that have shopped at New Egg and were satisfied customers, so I'm not too wary of that. The user reviews are pretty darn good, the only complaints being that the dvd drive power cord is unplugged upon arrival, causing some initial confusion (Thankfully my limited computer prowess should be sufficient in plugging in a cord) And overheating when overclocked is an issue (but room available for more fans). I've never dabbled with overclocking, wouldn't even know where to begin or if it is worthwhile, so not an issue for me. The customer reviews make it sound easy to do, and the addition of a back fan also simple, so maybe that could give me something to PLAY around with later on.Yes newegg is the bestestestest site for computer stuff. Of course it will overheat when overclocked, because it has a stock fan.If you pick machine #2 i see no reason to overclock... But to each his own. Carry on...Overclocking is funnnn. Im going to be doing it soon! Quote from: computeruler on July 25, 2009, 09:52:02 AM Overclocking is funnnn. Im going to be doing it soon! Overclocking is pointless. you get extra heat for reduced stability. Wow, that's a fair trade.

Answer»

Hi folks, first time for me to these forums. Just found them while reading some computer reviews, hope I can get some help here before I take the financial plunge.

I've finally decided to turn in my old clunker , Dell Dimension 4550, Intel Pentium 4 2.66 GHZ, 1 GB RAM, GeForce FX 5500 (VGA). It was trustworthy and held together through some hard times and good games (though I probably would have been better off had it not been able to run World of Warcraft ). While I can say that I've cracked open a few computer cases in my time to "fiddle around" and plug in some "gizmos," I'd much rather get a package rather than buy it piecemeal. Putting together my own PC isn't something I want to tackle.

I don't have my heart set on running any certain game at the moment (heck, I'm playing Baldur's Gate 1 from 1998), but I wouldn't mind trying Elder Scrolls: Oblivion, Mass Effect, and Mirror's Edge to name a few. I know just for laughs I tried Oblivion on my current "rig" and it ran like a power point slide show

I'd say $1500 is my price range, give or take a few hundred. After spooking around a bit I found these two computers that, to my UNTRAINED eyes, look decent. Was hoping to get some educated feedback on them.

http://www.gateway.com/systems/product/529668284.php
Gateway
Intel® Core™ i7-920 Processor
Microsoft® Windows Vista® Home Premium (64-bit) with SP1
9GB DDR3 SDRAM Memory
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 260 Graphics with 896MB Discrete Video Memory
750GB SATA hard drive
750W Power Supply
$1,279.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227146
iBUYPOWER
Intel Core i7 920
Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit
6GB DDR3 1333
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 285 1GB Video Card
1TB SATAII
800W Power Supply
$1,279.99

What do you think? Any other suggestions?
Also, on a semi-related TOPIC, if/when I get a new computer, I'll also pick up a new monitor to replace the 15" screen housed in a giant box which is currently taking up half of my computer desk. What should I look for in a monitor? If my knowledge of computer hardware is limited, my knowledge of monitors is nonexistent.I like that second one. Much better then the gateway. Quote from: computeruler on July 24, 2009, 04:45:04 PM

I like that second one. Much better then the gateway.

Seconded Really, I dont think your going to find a better computer for that price anywhere I guess http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227146 is promising so far. I've talked to a few people that have shopped at New Egg and were satisfied customers, so I'm not too wary of that.

The user reviews are pretty darn good, the only complaints being that the dvd drive power cord is unplugged upon arrival, causing some initial confusion (Thankfully my limited computer prowess should be sufficient in plugging in a cord)

And overheating when overclocked is an issue (but room available for more fans). I've never dabbled with overclocking, wouldn't even know where to begin or if it is worthwhile, so not an issue for me. The customer reviews make it sound easy to do, and the addition of a back fan also simple, so maybe that could give me something to PLAY around with later on.Yes newegg is the bestestestest site for computer stuff. Of course it will overheat when overclocked, because it has a stock fan.If you pick machine #2 i see no reason to overclock...

But to each his own.

Carry on...Overclocking is funnnn. Im going to be doing it soon! Quote from: computeruler on July 25, 2009, 09:52:02 AM

Overclocking is funnnn. Im going to be doing it soon!

Overclocking is pointless. you get extra heat for reduced stability. Wow, that's a fair trade.

Solve : Need advice on buying a (pre-packaged) "Gaming" Computer.?

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