Build a gaming PC or buy one?

[sohum]

What about buying that computer but also buying an upgraded graphics card and changing it out myself?

I'm currently on a 2.0 Hhz, 1 gig of Ram and a 256 mb gpu so anything is an upgrade.

Pre-built machines typically have cases that are very tightly assembled which means it will be kinda difficult to swap out parts (not impossible, but not easy either).

I've had my parents only ever purchase HP pre-built desktops in the past and the result has always been okay. The machines run well when they are new but problems inevitably occur (probably comes down to how they use the machine, tbh). If you're going with a pre-built machine, you're going to have to deal with cheaper hardware components (except for the processor of course), which may fail earlier.

sohum added 4 Minutes and 57 Seconds later...

I think it was an HP, it's at the Best buy on Parmer and 35.

I've not had a great experience with that Best Buy. They quoted me $250+ to replace the fan for my laptop, whereas the fan itself was available from resellers at < $25. They also basically stole $85 from me to "diagnose" the problem whereas I had already told them exactly what was wrong (the fan/heat sink assembly was broken).

So I've made a decision not to spend any more money on their franchise. If I need to purchase some thing tech related, I now go to Fry's. Even though they charge a large margin (compared to online retailers), at least they don't try and steal my dough.

 

[pcfan123]

I'm also factoring in that by the time I pay for a copy of Windows and all the other crap I need like CD drive, CD burner, DVD burner etc it will cost me about the same as a prebuilt from a retailer.

Also since I don't even know how to put a computer together and install windows I'm leaning more towards buying a pre-built. I have a good friend who is a whiz with computers but he just moved out of state, if he was around I would deffo have built one and had him put it together

 

[AngryPixel]

Why don't you play around with your old PC. My first PC was pre-built. I experimented it as if i'm a Alien and my PC is the human that i have just abducted. There were crashes BSOD's (Blue Screen Of Death). After 3 years with that PC, I learned a lot.
Then when i upgraded i was able to built my PC myself.

 

[Chewie]

I'd say get a AMD 5850 at the very least, or the [more preferably] AMD 6870 depending on how supply is. You won't regret buying these for at least 2-3 years to come!

The 6870 has just come out and may be a bit too high pricewise I'm thinking. The 5850 or even the 5770 should be fine I think and are cheaper. I've got a 4850 and it still runs good, it's supposed to be the best graphics cards in that price range

 

[AngryPixel]

In ATI card, if you want best price/performance ratio, then you better stay a step behind. I bought the 4850 when 4890 X2 were launched and its still running pretty awesome for me. Now that 6000+ series has been launched, your best bet would be 5850

 

[Chewie]

In ATI card, if you want best price/performance ratio, then you better stay a step behind. I bought the 4850 when 4890 X2 were launched and its still running pretty awesome for me. Now that 6000+ series has been launched, your best bet would be 5850

The 6870 is actually about the same price as the 5850 I think

 

[pcfan123]

Chewie have you ever run flight sim on your card? 2004 or fsx either one

 

[Chewie]

Nah haven't run any of those type of games.

 

[Kshitiz_Indian]

The 6870 is actually about the same price as the 5850 I think

Which is why I added it in there with the [more preferably] prefix, because I knew there might be supply problems!

 

[Zaxotes]

if you would buy a new one, go for alienware pc, specified for gaming.
if you wanna build it, do what i did! have a 19'/21' monitor, 5.1/7.1 ch surround speaker system (with woofers/subwoofers/etc) a logitech gaming keyboard and gaming mouse (if you prefer analogue controller, prefer some good ones).
and CPU specification...
RAM: 2GB X2 (Dual)
HDD: 1.5/1 TB (I bought a seagate one)
MoBo: Dunnow what you choose, i bought an asus windows 7 ready one, suppporting AMD phenom II X4, an LE.
Processor: I never suggest an Intel one! (if you still want it, buy Intel Core i7 Extreme, THE BLACK ONE, built for gaming)
if AMD, buy PHENOM II X4 ( i bought it, now hexacore (Phenom II X6) has been unveiled)
and cabinet, go for ATX, any good brand with som good connectivities ( I have 7 USB Slots, 3 Multiple card slots)

 

[Chewie]

if you would buy a new one, go for alienware pc, specified for gaming.
if you wanna build it, do what i did! have a 19'/21' monitor, 5.1/7.1 ch surround speaker system (with woofers/subwoofers/etc) a logitech gaming keyboard and gaming mouse (if you prefer analogue controller, prefer some good ones).
and CPU specification...
RAM: 2GB X2 (Dual)
HDD: 1.5/1 TB (I bought a seagate one)
MoBo: Dunnow what you choose, i bought an asus windows 7 ready one, suppporting AMD phenom II X4, an LE.
Processor: I never suggest an Intel one! (if you still want it, buy Intel Core i7 Extreme, THE BLACK ONE, built for gaming)
if AMD, buy PHENOM II X4 ( i bought it, now hexacore (Phenom II X6) has been unveiled)
and cabinet, go for ATX, any good brand with som good connectivities ( I have 7 USB Slots, 3 Multiple card slots)

Alienware is much to expensive for Mark most likely.

Intel processors are better at the high end than AMD but there's not really that much difference at the mid-range to lower end.

 

[Zaxotes]

^ i feel AMD Phenom II X4 is better than Intel Core i3/i5.
and I forgot to tell about video card.
Go for an ATI RADEON, preferably HD, 512 MB. that would be better.
I have and ATI Radeon HD 1GB Card.

 

[Chewie]

^ i feel AMD Phenom II X4 is better than Intel Core i3/i5.
and I forgot to tell about video card.
Go for an ATI RADEON, preferably HD, 512 MB. that would be better.
I have and ATI Radeon HD 1GB Card.

He shouldn't be looking at an i3 in the first place. The core i5 is probably on par with the Phenom x4.

And your video card suggestion isn't useful at all... It's not the memory that matters as much as the actual card itself

 

[Cricketman]

I've always thought that Intel was far superior to AMD. That's why Intel PCs usually cost more than AMD ones, even if all the other stats are the same.

Correct me if i'm wrong.

 

[Chewie]

I've always thought that Intel was far superior to AMD. That's why Intel PCs usually cost more than AMD ones, even if all the other stats are the same.

Correct me if i'm wrong.

Intel pcs have better high end processors in my opinion, but AMD does have cheaper ones - their 6-core processor is much cheaper than Intel's offerings. Personally, i wouldn't go with an AMD processor, but that's because I don't know much about them.