Gaming PC for a 12 year old

[aphex]

Friend's kid is currently playing WoW on a 5-6 year old computer, integrated graphics, overheats constantly... I'm actually surprized it runs, but it does, albiet slowly. She is contemplating buying a new system for him for the holidays.

Would prefer to stay under $800, the cheaper the better. He dosen't need the best of the best, just something decent to last a few more years.

Bestbuy has a Gateway Package for $749;

Gateway E6300 Desktop - LINK - Specs: C2D E6300, 2gb RAM, 230gb HD, DVD-RW, Vista Home, Geforce 7500 LE (Integrated)

Also includes Gateway 19" LCD & Multifunction Printer

Obviously the integrated graphics isn't the ideal situation for a gaming system. I'm sure it's a HELL of alot better than the integrated on his current system, but what relatively cheap graphics card do you recommend as an upgrade to this one?

Overall?

 

[CPA]

This guy has a E6750 system with a 7800GT for $525

Otherwise, you can probably pick up a used 7800GT from FS/FT for under $70-80.

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: CPA
This guy has a E6750 system with a 7800GT for $525

Otherwise, you can probably pick up a used 7800GT from FS/FT for under $70-80.

Good find, unfortunately right now she wants to stick to either local or dell for the warranty and financing options... Thanks for the help!

 

[coloumb]

That computer should be able to handle WoW as long as you're not playing it at an insane resolutions and uber-high graphics settings.

 

[videogames101]

Originally posted by: coloumb
That computer should be able to handle WoW as long as you're not playing it at an insane resolutions and uber-high graphics settings.

hell, i have every setting in wow maxed at 1680x1050 with 8xaf and 4xAA with the rig below, you don't need much at all to run it.

 

[aphex]

so you guys think it should be fine even w/ integrated?

 

[aphex]

Actually, just found an Acer for an excellent price ($489 including printer and 19" LCD), even has a free pci express x16 slot

Intel Pentium Dual Core E2140
? Burns DVDs and CDs
? 250GB hard drive
? 1GB of DDR2 memory
? Windows Vista Home Premium

 

[chizow]

Ya I'd definitely make sure you have a free PCI-E x16 if you go with an OEM box. An integrated GPU would probably be OK for WoW, but even then you could get much better visuals and performance with a decent $100-$150 card.

That Acer looks ok too, but keep in mind that E2140 will only run at 1.6GHz stock and it'll show. Also, may want to get at least 2GB in there especially if you're running Vista. If the LCD/OS wasn't thrown in, I think you could do better with a BYOB/DIY but I can understand you want support included. Then again, if you look at the support on those, 1 year really isn't that good.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Dell and HP's online store let you upgrade the graphics, it would be nice to have that done by the vendor so there are no warranty or support hassles.

Does he need a monitor too?

Without any coupon hunting or looking for the cheapest model, a Dell with A64 X2-5000+, Vista Home Premium, 2GB, 8600 GT, no monitor goes for $829.

 

[Xavier434]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Dell and HP's online store let you upgrade the graphics, it would be nice to have that done by the vendor so there are no warranty or support hassles.

Does he need a monitor too?

Without any coupon hunting or looking for the cheapest model, a Dell with A64 X2-5000+, Vista Home Premium, 2GB, 8600 GT, no monitor goes for $829.

My sister needed a new computer very recently and this is the same computer I put together for her. She also plays WoW. It should run like a champ and it will also support games that he may want in the future for quite some time. You can lower the price of this computer by reducing the quality of the video card. All of the cards offered at Dell right now should allow WoW to run smoothly at max settings. Do not go below 2GB memory. This is due to Vista. Also, make sure to buy the 3 year warranty.

 

[Jules]

Originally posted by: aphex
Friend's kid is currently playing WoW on a 5-6 year old computer, integrated graphics, overheats constantly... I'm actually surprized it runs, but it does, albiet slowly. She is contemplating buying a new system for him for the holidays.

Would prefer to stay under $800, the cheaper the better. He dosen't need the best of the best, just something decent to last a few more years.

Bestbuy has a Gateway Package for $749;

Gateway E6300 Desktop - LINK - Specs: C2D E6300, 2gb RAM, 230gb HD, DVD-RW, Vista Home, Geforce 7500 LE (Integrated)

Also includes Gateway 19" LCD & Multifunction Printer

Obviously the integrated graphics isn't the ideal situation for a gaming system. I'm sure it's a HELL of alot better than the integrated on his current system, but what relatively cheap graphics card do you recommend as an upgrade to this one?

Overall?

You should wait on some Dell deals. I also wanted to get a computer for gaming but i wanted it under 800 bucks and i ended up getting a Vostro 400, e4500, 2GB ram, 250GB HD, DVDRW, Win Xp, 8300GS and a 20" Widescreen for $500 shipped. I wanted to get a better video card for my Computer so i went to best buy and got me a 8800GT for $216.99. So i ended up spending about $720 on all this and im pretty happy with it.

 

[aka1nas]

Originally posted by: aphex
Actually, just found an Acer for an excellent price ($489 including printer and 19" LCD), even has a free pci express x16 slot

Intel Pentium Dual Core E2140
? Burns DVDs and CDs
? 250GB hard drive
? 1GB of DDR2 memory
? Windows Vista Home Premium

That's not bad at all, though you should toss in at least another GB of RAM(2GB kits are dirt cheap right now) and get a decent mid-range video card.

 

[BladeVenom]

Originally posted by: aphex
so you guys think it should be fine even w/ integrated?

Not if he wants to play any modern games. I think the HD2850 offers the best bang for the buck for new video cards.

 

[Bateluer]

Search the Dell Outlet

Particularly among the Dimensions and Inspiron systems. I believe they both have PCIe x16 slots, allowing a superior video card to be installed. Depending on how lucky you are, you could easily get an HD3850 into one of these systems for under 500.

 

[CKent]

This is not a "Loelz just bild ur own!1!!" post, just a comment on pricing - I recently built a rig for $475, cannibalizing some parts from my old PC. I've figured that if I had to buy everything, I would have spent about $800-$900. And it runs circles around the one you listed in the OP for about the same price. See sig. Again, I'm not saying build your own (especially for a friend, which would obligate you to be tech support) - just giving you an idea of what you should expect for that price range.

 

[aphex]

ok, we ended up snagging the dell vostro deal from today...

$680 shipped w/ tax

Core 2 Duo (E4500)
2 GB DDR2 667 Mhz (2 DIMMs)
80 GB SATA HDD
16x DVD+/-RW
256mb nVidia GeForce 8600gt
Windows Vista Basic
1-yr economy service plan (includes next-day business onsite service)
Dell E207WFP 20" Widescreen Flat Panel LCD

 

[CKent]

Originally posted by: aphex
ok, we ended up snagging the dell vostro deal from today...

$680 shipped w/ tax

Core 2 Duo (E4500)
2 GB DDR2 667 Mhz (2 DIMMs)
80 GB SATA HDD
16x DVD+/-RW
256mb nVidia GeForce 8600gt
Windows Vista Basic
1-yr economy service plan (includes next-day business onsite service)
Dell E207WFP 20" Widescreen Flat Panel LCD

Not too shabby, nice buy

 

[xboxist]

WoW is an exception to most modern games (although I guess it IS 3 years old now...). Unless you're sure this kid will have no interest in playing other games over the next couple of years, you're going to want to get something above an integrated graphics card.