Desktop $400 or below

[Heavy's]

So I've been scavenging for a new desktop computer for playing TF2 on, I just want one that can play it smoothly. I can't really put together computers either. Help.



SORRY, i mean a desktop in the title.


This is kinda a done thread, I just need to get the $$$$, I don't really care if you post more desktop suggestions

*Edit*FoBoT*Moderator*
edited topic title to match OP

 

[ultimatebob]

I hate playing FPS games on a laptop... the screen is too small, and trying to aim on a touchpad sucks. You could get a lot more for your money if you got a used desktop instead.

But, if you're sure that you want a laptop...

Any new $400 laptop is going to have integrated graphics, which will not play TF2 well. You would be better off getting a used laptop with discrete graphics instead.

I'm thinking that a used Dell XPS 15 L501X would be a nice find if you could find one for under $450.

 

[xapo99]

Those 15 and 17 inch Arrandale era XPS's are really nice solid laptops with the best speakers i've heard on any laptop. The 17's have dual drive bays and if you can find one with a 435m they overclock like crazy and don't get very hot, as the cooling setup is brilliant.

 

[Magic Carpet]

I like this laptop. It may not play games on highest settings but at 1366x768 it should give you smooth frame rates. Good build quality, low heat output. Built to last.

 

[Heavy's]

I hate playing FPS games on a laptop... the screen is too small, and trying to aim on a touchpad sucks. You could get a lot more for your money if you got a used desktop instead.

But, if you're sure that you want a laptop...

Any new $400 laptop is going to have integrated graphics, which will not play TF2 well. You would be better off getting a used laptop with discrete graphics instead.

I'm thinking that a used Dell XPS 15 L501X would be a nice find if you could find one for under $450.

I meant a desk-top, sorry.

 

[sgrinavi]

TF2 does not require a very robust system.... But you will need discrete graphics and the best processor you can find with your money.

I did a search on ebay and there were quite a few used systems in your price range that would fit the bill.

I hate playing FPS games on a laptop... the screen is too small, and trying to aim on a touchpad sucks. You could get a lot more for your money if you got a used desktop instead.

But, if you're sure that you want a laptop...

You can plug a mouse into a USB port on a lappy and most, if not all, have a variety of options to hookup external displays....

 

[Heavy's]

TF2 does not require a very robust system.... But you will need discrete graphics and the best processor you can find with your money.

I did a search on ebay and there were quite a few used systems in your price range that would fit the bill.



You can plug a mouse into a USB port on a lappy and most, if not all, have a variety of options to hookup external displays....

I don't do eBay brah, but thanks

 

[Magic Carpet]

Desktop... why not assemble one yourself? It's become easier, than you think.

Processor. $50
Mainboard. $105
System case. $55
Power supply. $60
Memory. $43
Video Card. $125

Okay, a bit more than 400

 

[Heavy's]

Desktop... why not assemble one yourself? It's become easier, than you think.

I've actually watched videos and it does look really easy, but I just want a pre built desktop, do you know if there's a site where you pick the parts and someone makes it for you?

 

[Magic Carpet]

I've actually watched videos and it does look really easy, but I just want a pre built desktop, do you know if there's a site where you pick the parts and someone makes it for you?

No idea, but a quick google gave me this.

Do-It-Yourself

 

[Heavy's]

No idea, but a quick google gave me this.

Do-It-Yourself

Can u tell me a good vid on how to assemble a desktop, preferably a vid from neweggtv?

 

[Heavy's]

I'm just gonna build it with magic carpets stuff he suggested cause its easy

 

[Magic Carpet]

That's a good start. You can, of course, go for a better processor (like this) but this Celly should be enough for TF2 and for what's it worth... is a very good value for $50. You could always upgrade it later down the road, when you have the need to play newer games. The board is capable and the power supply will serve you for a good while and is likely to live through another build. PM me if you need help with anything specific. Good luck

 

[sgrinavi]

Dont forget to add an OS and TIM to your budget.

 

[Magic Carpet]

TIM to your budget.

For the low-power, locked processor stock TIM is adequate enough. I would leave it as is.

 

[Heavy's]

I saw on the neweggtv vid on how to build it that he had quite alot of cables, those come with right?

 

[sgrinavi]

I saw on the neweggtv vid on how to build it that he had quite alot of cables, those come with right?

Ya, You should be fine, you really don't need that many for the simple system you're building. Be sure not to skip in the anti-static precautions, keep everything clean, double check your connections, then check again.

I don't know if the newegg video tells you this, but I assemble my CPU, video & memory components to the main board outside the case then boot to the BIOS. That way if something is FUBAR it makes it easier to diagnose and replace.

 

[sm625]

I think the new ivy bridge i3-3225 is going to be able to run TF2 flawlessly. I'd wait for it if you can. You should not even need a video card. In fact you might even want to get the laptop version. I dont know what the chip will be called, but sandy bridge pentium notebooks are very cheap. Their replacements will be even faster for about the same price. Easily under $400.

 

[Magic Carpet]

I saw on the neweggtv vid on how to build it that he had quite alot of cables, those come with right?

The board comes with 2 SATA cables and that case has plenty of screws. You would only need a Philips screwdriver.

If you haven't bought it yet, here's another option for you:

If you can get somebody to drive to Microcenter and get this processor instead, you would be able to play TF2 with the means of on-die graphics and hence not requiring a discrete video card.

This how it works:

Celly G530 $50 + Radeon 7770 $125 = $175

i5 3570K $189.99 + Fuel = ???

For the additional $, you get a much better processor and the option to upgrade to a discrete card later, down the road. I would choose this route, personally. Newegg has it for $229.99, though. If you're tight with the budget, let me know and we could revise memory/power supply options.

 

[alyarb]

http://www.newegg.com/Special/ShellS...5-_-06192012_1