Best computer under $1k to play computer games on?

[imported_Tomato]

Any recommendations? Thanks.

 

[Vortex22]

Build it yourself? Or are you buying a prebuilt one?

 

[DevilsAdvocate]

You can build a hell of a lot of PC for that little cashish.

 

[imported_Tomato]

Originally posted by: Vortex22
Build it yourself? Or are you buying a prebuilt one?

Prebuilt preferable, but if necessary (and significantly cheaper/better), build it.

 

[imported_Tomato]

Originally posted by: DevilsAdvocate
You can build a hell of a lot of PC for that little cashish.

Where would you recommend starting out? Thanks...

 

[BigJ]

There are many threads about budget gaming boxes in General Hardware, CPU Processors and Overclocking, and the other technical forums we have here at Anandtech. There is a world outside of OT

EDIT:
For example here
Suggestions for a 900 dollar gaming rig

 

[brunswickite]

2.8 proc = 200
512mb ram = 100
120 HD = 100
mobom = 100
9800pro = 200
case/psu = 100
optical drives/soundcard = 100

total = 900

rough estimateion on priceing.. but generally in the ball park

 

[apac]

Originally posted by: Tomato

Originally posted by: DevilsAdvocate
You can build a hell of a lot of PC for that little cashish.

Where would you recommend starting out? Thanks...

Can't go wrong with Newegg. I assume you know what parts you need.

 

[brxndxn]

Build your own..

You can build a hell of a computer for $1000.

Just don't make the dumb purchases that a lot of 'tweakers' like to do. More ram with slower timings is usually faster than less ram with faster timings. Faster timings are a rip-off, imo.

Also, same goes with hard drive. You're not gonna get a slow framerate if the hard drive is slow - you'll just have longer loading times. Why buy a 74GB 10,000rpm hard drive for $200 when you can get a 200GB 7200rpm hard drive for $140?

Same goes with CPU.. Buy a mid-range CPU. They're usually 1/3 as much as the high-end cpus. And, they're usually 9/10 as fast.

Graphics card.. buy a $200 graphics card. Don't blow $400 on a card that's only 10% faster than a $200 card.

 

[3chordcharlie]

how about by reading here:
Text

and then here:Text

sorry - not to be abrupt - there's just a lot of good information already available. Most of Anandtech's guides are pretty 'gamer-friendly' too. They should be helpful.

 

[imported_Tomato]

Awesome, thanks for the info.

 

[neovan]

I just built my cousin a computer for under $600 w/o monitor. I got parts from newegg and at fry's. she frickin gave me a $100 for doing it which I will then in turn buy her a monitor since she refuses to take it back.

 

[jpeyton]

HADOUKEN!!!

AMD Athlon 64 2800+ $184

Chaintech VNF3-250 - $80.99

Hitachi 160GB SATA - $96

Corsair Value Select 512MB PC3200 CAS2.5 - $84

NEC 8X DVD +/- RW - $67.99

PNY GeForce 6800GT 256MB - $339.67

Antec SLK-2650 BQE w/ PSU - $79

Thermaltake Silent Boost K8 - $24.99

Arctic Silver Ceramique - $3.99

SATA Cable - $1.99

IDE Round Cable - $2.30

TOTAL: $964.92

 

[jpeyton]

BTW, I haven't met a 6800GT that won't O/C to Ultra spec.

 

[nick1985]

post in the GH forum, then i will help you.

 

[imported_Tomato]

Originally posted by: nick1985
post in the GH forum, then i will help you.

Why not here?

All great suggestions, will do more price research and then post results, thank you all.

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: nick1985
post in the GH forum, then i will help you.

Why is that an enticing offer? Or am I missing something?

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: Tomato

Originally posted by: nick1985
post in the GH forum, then i will help you.

Why not here?

All great suggestions, will do more price research and then post results, thank you all.

Because this really is a GH topic. In the past similar topics to yours have been moved there by the mods.

 

[aircooled]

Personally I build my own, but if you want a pre-built, just get any known brand name (Dell, HP etc) with the right specs... (3 gig-ish processor, 512 or more RAM and the largest hard drive you can get with a high end video card).

 

[brunswickite]

the mod will move this, and then i will get that dumb email from at moderator saying the thread was moved.

 

[RossMAN]

PC only or do you need a monitor as well?

 

[BigJ]

Also, a good idea may be to sit on your money and wait for a Dell deal to pop up, because they often have killer deals for the main parts. You might just have to throw in a better vid card and a monitor, but they usually have pretty good deals on the systems besides that.

 

[imported_Tomato]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
PC only or do you need a monitor as well?

Need both, but PC = #1 priority.

Sorry if I posted in the wrong forum... OT posters have been quite knowledgable/helpful as well.

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
HADOUKEN!!!

AMD Athlon 64 2800+ $184

Chaintech VNF3-250 - $80.99

Hitachi 160GB SATA - $96

Corsair Value Select 512MB PC3200 CAS2.5 - $84

NEC 8X DVD +/- RW - $67.99

PNY GeForce 6800GT 256MB - $339.67

Antec SLK-2650 BQE w/ PSU - $79

Thermaltake Silent Boost K8 - $24.99

Arctic Silver Ceramique - $3.99

SATA Cable - $1.99

IDE Round Cable - $2.30

TOTAL: $964.92

This is a really good one. Don't forget at newegg right now you can get a chain tech mobo for free and half life lowering this price signifigantly. I would throw in a 19" diamondtron for NEC and be just a hair over $1000.

 

[TuxDave]

I think if you build a Dell 4600, you can get it under $1000 and it'll be pretty fast for games.