• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Friend of mine has $2,000 to spend on a gaming system..

N

Noobtastic

Banned
My friend wants to spend $2,000 max (the cheaper the better) on a gaming computer. He's told me several times that building is out of the question, so please don't recommend it.


The budget would include monitor and operating system, in addition to input devices like keyboard/mouse/speakers, etc..


Preferred games: WoW, Battlefield, other MMORPG's.



Also - cyberpower and ibuypower are NOT an option. Their customer service and hardware reliability is utter crap. Being that this is my friends first system, I sincerely doubt he would have the knowledge to combat any errors in the final build.


The computer would be bought online, and the monitor (estimated $200) at a local store.



Suggestions and advice will be GREATLY appreciated.



(also, if you recommend dell or alienware, be specific.) 😀

 
Well, shop online with these specs in mind
Graphics: Anything over a 7300 or X1300 will get the job done for most monitors. Hunt for a 7600, X1600, 8600 or better
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2 GHz or better, AMD X2 2.2GHz or better
RAM: Since you are buying it from the vendor (silly idea) Only get 2GB, which should more than sate the needs of Vista or XP Pro even when gaming.
Hard Drive: However much he thinks he needs, get the next step up unless he plans on, or is willing to buy another hard drive and install it himself. So, if he things he needs 160, get the 250.

That should do it, anything else is up to him, things like warranty, optical drives, card readers, wireless, that is all secondary. I know you said to be specific, but honestly, my 1.83GHz Core Duo with Intel Integrated runs WoW, so that isnt exactly the most hungry of games, and you didnt specify which Battlefield.
 
He wants to run BF2, BF2142, WoW, Everquest, any other graphics hungry games..


Minimum GPU: 7900GS or X1980pro.


I honestly believe he is capable of building a computer, or at least ordering parts from newegg and then paying someone to build it...but I don't want to be responsible if something f**ks up. e.g, "Damn*t noob, this is all you're fault. You told me to buy these parts and now half of them are lemons. B@stard!!!"

I just want to give him some recommendations or suggestions that doesn't directly implicate myself. : )

I might tell him to buy parts individually if I end up having a good experience at PC club (they will be building my PC) but again...


I think 2,000 bucks including monitor should be more than enough to buy a screaming retail machine....right?

 
Dell XPS series

For the $2000 price range you get an E6320 cpu, a 8600 series GPU and a good 20" widescreen monitor


Dell is impossible to beat price wize in the budget work or internet box catergory, but for a gaming machine you can build a much better system for less money.
 
2000? wtf! you should get a voodoo PC! They're price ownz all! once i tried to make the most expensive system possible on their site and it was like over 30000 (yeah, thirty thousand) bucks! 30000 owns the crap out of 2000 so voodoo is where you should go.

seriously though, he should have someone build it. vendors put the cheapest possible (well, usually) parts in unless you pay too much money for speedier ram etc.
 
something along the lines of a Dell XPS (starting at $999) then change settings to C2Q Q6600, no monitor, and add a 8800gtx. comes out to $2009 before shipping

thats utter crap for no monitor and $2000

if u build your own you can get something off the top of my head like
high end 2 x PCIx16 MB
Q6600
4 x 1gb DDR2 800
8800gtx
X-Fi sound
150gb Raptor + 320gb 7200.10
Lian Li case
PC P&C PSU or Corsair PSU
 
Originally posted by: S7EXEN
vendors put the cheapest possible (well, usually) parts in unless you pay too much money for speedier ram etc.
Click to expand...

That's not really true. I have worked on tons of Dell systems and they use some good quality components. As far as hard drives, all the ones I have worked on this year have been Samsung, Western Digital, and a lot of Seagates.

As for memory, the vast majority of it is Samsung, Infineon, and Nanya. They have no reason to use memory meant for overclocking.

Optical drives are mostly Phillips and Sony/NEC DVD burners. Usually CDRW/DVD combo drives are Toshiba, as well as DVD-ROM drives.

Case designs are superb. They use Intel chipsets for all Intel-based systems. 965P for XPS 410, and 975X for Precision 390's. They also use quality power supplies in most of their systems.

The bottom line is that they have a reason not to use POS parts. The more computers that break down, the more money they have to spend living up to their warranties. And not just telephone support, but living up to on-site service.
 
he's either very smart or very lucky..

hurry to compusa and get their acer quadcore deal (check hotdeal forum)
$700 for awesome CPU, will leave plenty for awesome 32" monitor from westinghouse & other peripherals
 
Dude, you're getting an overpriced Dell.

Recently pricing out homebuilt systems vs. Dell systems, he could save easily $500 if he built a system equivalent to anything he could get from Dell for $2000.

Hey, if I built his computer for him, would he give me the extra $500? 😕

If for some silly reason he's adamant about not building, just go to Dell. They'll overcharge you, but not as much as the other builders will.
 
Originally posted by: KungFused
Dude, you're getting an overpriced Dell.

Recently pricing out homebuilt systems vs. Dell systems, he could save easily $500 if he built a system equivalent to anything he could get from Dell for $2000.

Hey, if I built his computer for him, would he give me the extra $500? 😕

If for some silly reason he's adamant about not building, just go to Dell. They'll overcharge you, but not as much as the other builders will.
Click to expand...

Are you offering an on-site warranty? 😀
 
Hmm... On-site would be difficult. But I promise to speak fluent English if he calls for tech support and not default to "Reformat your hard drive" for every problem! 😛
 
Originally posted by: Scouzer
So your friend is an idiot then?
Click to expand...


😀 😀 😀 pretty much huh....

i second the dell notion. might as well go to a box store and talk a salesman down to an affordable price. coming to a enthusiast forum and asking for cute little prefabbed products just doesnt make a lot of sense really.
 
its not ridiculous to order a $2000 gaming PC from... some people that aren't comfortable building their own PC or that they don't want to bother their friend to build it for them and have to call and bother them every time for service. Dell, on the other hand doesn't mind you calling for service.

if you think about it.. for most of us, we wouldn't know how to add or change anything in our vehicles. if we wanted a higher end exhaust system or if we wanted to add a in-dash dvd-navigation system in our cars.. some of us might feel more comfortable asking some tech place to install it if they offer some warranty service.
 
1) Ask him to give you the $2000 to "buy him his retail PC"
2) Buy the parts and what not for $1250 and build it yourself
3) Slap a $.25 sticker on it that says Dell
4) Pocket $749.75
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top