$1000 for a gaming computer and monitor?

[MrCanadian]

Is it possible to buy / create a gaming computer for $1000 (monitor included) that will be futureproof for the next couple of years in regards to running games at full settings at a resolution of 1024 x 768? If it is possible, are there system / parts recommendations?

Interesting in hearing your suggestions thoughts, guys - thanks

Moving to General Hardware, you may get more responses there. PC Gaming Mod Oak

 

[nick1985]

Post this in the general hardware section of the forums.

 

[HamburgerBoy]

Probably not since we're at the beginning of a new generation of graphics. Is there a $1000 computer (with monitor) that could even play Crysis at full settings and 1024x768, let alone whatever will be out two years later?

 

[IEC]

Originally posted by: MrCanadian
Is it possible to buy / create a gaming computer for $1000 (monitor included) that will be futureproof for the next couple of years in regards to running games at full settings at a resolution of 1024 x 768? If it is possible, are there system / parts recommendations?

Interesting in hearing your suggestions thoughts, guys - thanks

The computer gods laugh at your naivete.

No computer is ever "futureproof".

That said, a good mid-range bang-for-the-buck system will use:

ABIT IP35-E Motherboard ($70AR)
Intel Q6600 Quad Core 2.4GHz ($265)
2x1GB DDR2-800MHz RAM ($60-$70)
Radeon 2900 Pro (soon to be released, $200?)/8800GTS 320MB (maybe around $250 by then)
Other parts ($200-$300)
Monitor ($150-$250 19"-20" LCD)

 

[Ruptga]

Originally posted by: Spartan Niner

Originally posted by: MrCanadian
Is it possible to buy / create a gaming computer for $1000 (monitor included) that will be futureproof for the next couple of years in regards to running games at full settings at a resolution of 1024 x 768? If it is possible, are there system / parts recommendations?

Interesting in hearing your suggestions thoughts, guys - thanks

The computer gods laugh at your naivete.

No computer is ever "futureproof".

That said, a good mid-range bang-for-the-buck system will use:

ABIT IP35-E Motherboard ($70AR)
Intel Q6600 Quad Core 2.4GHz ($265)
2x1GB DDR2-800MHz RAM ($60-$70)
Radeon 2900 Pro (soon to be released, $200?)/8800GTS 320MB (maybe around $250 by then)
Other parts ($200-$300)
Monitor ($150-$250 19"-20" LCD)

Quad core is midrange already? :Q

Anyway, the 2900pro has just been announced. I don't know when we'll see it in the States, but it seems it's available in Europe.

 

[you2]

Drop the quad core and save $100-$150.

 

[ConstipatedVigilante]

Quad core is definitely going to be nice to have, but if you're mainly gaming, then a decent dual core should be fine - and it will save $100 or so that can go towards a video card/monitor.

I do know what you mean by future-proofing for the next 2 years or so, though. I got my PC almost 2 years ago now and it's definitely held its own. My 6800 can still run the latest games at medium-ish settings on 1024x768, but it's time for an upgrade. Likewise, I'll need to get a dual core at some point. The most important thing when building a PC is getting a decent motherboard, though - buying one that becomes obsolete after a year due to an underutilized socket or fading technology (e.g., buying an AGP mobo 2-3 years ago) would be terrible.

 

[Sniper82]

If you stick with 1024 x 768 and ain't a frames per second wh*re then I think $1000 computer will easily last you two years. I say get a 8800GTS 320mb,C2D and o/c it some,2-4gb memory since its so cheap. Those 3 things are gonna make or break the computer for games, nothing else matters aside from making sure the HD is 7200RPM(or more but not needed).

 

[mb]

Shoot, if you spent $5,000 on a computer today, it still wouldn't be futureproof.

 

[foolfromhell]

Originally posted by: Spartan Niner

Originally posted by: MrCanadian
Is it possible to buy / create a gaming computer for $1000 (monitor included) that will be futureproof for the next couple of years in regards to running games at full settings at a resolution of 1024 x 768? If it is possible, are there system / parts recommendations?

Interesting in hearing your suggestions thoughts, guys - thanks

The computer gods laugh at your naivete.

No computer is ever "futureproof".

That said, a good mid-range bang-for-the-buck system will use:

ABIT IP35-E Motherboard ($70AR)
Intel Q6600 Quad Core 2.4GHz ($265)
2x1GB DDR2-800MHz RAM ($60-$70)
Radeon 2900 Pro (soon to be released, $200?)/8800GTS 320MB (maybe around $250 by then)
Other parts ($200-$300)
Monitor ($150-$250 19"-20" LCD)

I bought a e6600 Dual core for $300 and 2GB DDR2-800 RAM for $300 in November.

WTF? Prices have dropped so much!

 

[IEC]

Originally posted by: foolfromhell

Originally posted by: Spartan Niner

Originally posted by: MrCanadian
Is it possible to buy / create a gaming computer for $1000 (monitor included) that will be futureproof for the next couple of years in regards to running games at full settings at a resolution of 1024 x 768? If it is possible, are there system / parts recommendations?

Interesting in hearing your suggestions thoughts, guys - thanks

The computer gods laugh at your naivete.

No computer is ever "futureproof".

That said, a good mid-range bang-for-the-buck system will use:

ABIT IP35-E Motherboard ($70AR)
Intel Q6600 Quad Core 2.4GHz ($265)
2x1GB DDR2-800MHz RAM ($60-$70)
Radeon 2900 Pro (soon to be released, $200?)/8800GTS 320MB (maybe around $250 by then)
Other parts ($200-$300)
Monitor ($150-$250 19"-20" LCD)

I bought a e6600 Dual core for $300 and 2GB DDR2-800 RAM for $300 in November.

WTF? Prices have dropped so much!

Exactly why I'm recommending a quad-core - I currently have a C2D Allendale, but if I ever upgrade my processor it will definitely be a quad or higher

Although understandably you could always buy the E6750 dual core for $167 @ Fry's and use the $100 savings to buy the 8800GTS 320MB and maybe some other slightly better parts. At the moment a E6750 will do better, but within the next year I imagine there will be several games that run better on quad-cores (actually, Supreme Commander already is multi-core ready and runs better on quads).

 

[samduhman]

It all comes down to how much eye candy you want. I know people who built gaming systems 3 years ago and are still happy with their boxes. Now if they want Crysis and/or directx 10 games its going to cost them to upgrade.

Check out Toms Hardware. They just did gaming system build for $500. Its not much but gives you an idea of a entry lvl gaming rig. If you already had a monitor a $1000 gaming pc would be easy to do. PC hardware (except for videocard) is drastically cheaper than it used to cost years ago. Even so you should be able to put together a nice mid range. Just wait for the next gen nvidia video card to be released (in Nov. last I heard) then get a 8800GTS once the price drops.

toms $500 gaming rig

 

[Slugbait]

Consider a CRT over LCD. Especially if you go Sony, you'll have deeper blacks. And lately it's hard to find a garage sale that doesn't have a working 19-21" CRT sitting on the lawn for $30 or less (or even free...)

 

[efektz2008]

Im in the same situation.

Details here.

I agree with the future proof statement. It can't be done. At the rate that games are being developed. It's hard to find a card that would be cost effective for running at an ideal frame rates / resolutions.

Cpu's on the other hand. An avid gamer like myself can use a solid core 2 duo. But just having a quad is that much better.

This all just boils down just like buying a brand new/used car. The real question is, what's its purpose to the end user and how much are they willing to spend.

 

[Rage3kMoiz]

Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - Retail - $192.99
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail - $129.99
OCZ Platinum Revision 2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail - $51.99 after $40 rebate
Leadtek WinFast PX8800 GTS TDH GeForce 8800GTS 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail - $339.99 after $30 rebate
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM - $69.99
Pioneer Black 18X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 10X DVD+R DL 18X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 40X CD-R 32X CD-RW 40X CD-ROM 2MB Cache E-IDE/ ATAPI DVD Burner - OEM - $29.99
COOLER MASTER eXtreme Power RP-650-PCAR ATX from factor 12V V2.01 650W Power Supply 115/230 V Safety Nemko, TUV, cUL, CE, BSMI, FCC, CCC - Retail - $39.99 after $40 rebate
NZXT LEXA BlackLine Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail - $99.99

Grand Total = $991 inclusive of shipping

Not a bad system to have around. Most gaming builds about 2 years from now will be quite similar.

Edit: That is, unless I forgot to take something into account yet again...

 

[LOUISSSSS]

spend a portion of that budget for a new monitor please. dont tell me ur using a 15 or 17in...