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Getting a game machine for cheap?

S

spidey07

No Lifer
I haven't kept up with the "budget" end of gaming but here's my thought for a friend that doesn't want to spend a bunch of money on a machine strictly for gaming.

My thought was to find a great deal on a dell complete with everything and maybe toss a video card in there? My friend knows how to turn on a computer and click stuff.

Can anybody recommend a system with the intent purpose on playing Q4, FEAR and HL2 at good frame-rates and quality? (1024x768, visual goodies enabled, complet system with monitor and sound) in the realm of 5-600 bucks. We're not looking for mind blowing stuff here, just maintain playability with no stutters on current/future games.

thanks in advance...I really want to help this guy out but am out of the game so to speak.
 
6800GS with a cheap Opteron or 3000/3200+ AMD 939 proc and 1GB RAM would probably be the best bet.
6600GT might not really cut it graphics wise. Or you could see what comes of the 7800GS.
 
Go to anandtechs "buyers guides". Pick something really low-end then slap a decent 3D accelerator in it.

OR......
Buy something cheap from eMachines and slap a 3D accelerator in it. I know a lot of foks hate eMachines, bit for 600 bucks you cant be picky.
You could try seeing if alienware or VooDoo have some really low-end gaming machines right now.

EDIT: I take it back. The cheapest alienware has is $598 and thats if you replace the P4 with a Celeron D and use the intel graphics.
EDIT 2: Forget VooDoo. The cheapest they have is 900 and thats an office computer.
Cant forget ABS. They have a mediocre little system for $499. http://www.abspc.com/app/config.asp?mono=1923#top
All you need is a good video card.
 
NEW IDEA!
I just found ABS's do it yourself page.
I made a decent little gaming rig for $446. The problem is it doesnt include an OS, monitor, keyboard or mouse.

However, for a hundred bucks more you can upgrade it from a mid-range game machine to pretty darn good.

http://www.abspc.com/diy/Config.asp?Section=201000&layout=CB

EDIT AGAIN: I just realized something. You said you wanted a machine for 600 bucks, that will play Quake 4 and FEAR at 1024x768 with all eye-candy turned on AND you want decent frame rates ALONG WITH: a monitor, speakers, mouse and keyboard.
I'm sorry for wasting your time and mine, but the answer is: Xbox 360.
Because thats the only way you can do it for so cheap.
 
Originally posted by: shortylickens
NEW IDEA!
I just found ABS's do it yourself page.
I made a decent little gaming rig for $446. The problem is it doesnt include an OS, monitor, keyboard or mouse.

However, for a hundred bucks more you can upgrade it from a mid-range game machine to pretty darn good.

http://www.abspc.com/diy/Config.asp?Section=201000&layout=CB

EDIT AGAIN: I just realized something. You said you wanted a machine for 600 bucks, that will play Quake 4 and FEAR at 1024x768 with all eye-candy turned on AND you want decent frame rates ALONG WITH: a monitor, speakers, mouse and keyboard.
I'm sorry for wasting your time and mine, but the answer is: Xbox 360.
Because thats the only way you can do it for so cheap.
Click to expand...

Unless he already has a decent tv, he will end up paying around a grand for an xbox 360 set-up ($400 for xbox + $600 for tv)
 
Yeah, that's the rub.

600 bucks for everything. computer, speakers, monitor, keyboard/mouse....the whole package. We have stuff we can throw together. He doesn't and he's on a strict budget.

Good point on the xbox, I'm enjoying mine and he is a big xbox fan. but I feel my fellow friend who hasn't played the FPS on a decent computer has now had a taste and wants more.

There has to be a way to get a deal on a cheap computer system and slap a video card and do "OK".

I know that most of this board and myself want supeior performance - but this is my boy and he just can't swing it so we're going for the "complete computer and slap a video card in it"

Its hard actually.
 
Hmmmm...
I'll give you a free 15" CRT, speakers, monitor, CD-ROM drive, keyboard and case if you pick 'em up from my house. (Ever been to wisconsin? 🙂 )
The 6800GS looks nice; I've also heard nice things about the x800GT. A 3200+ Venice-core processor is pretty fast and can OC well; a good Asus or Biostar board can be had for 75$. 1GB of RAM can be had for about 90$.
Breakdown:
170$-x800GTO
150$-A64 3200+ (2ghz, 512kb cache)
75$-Decent motherboard of your choice.
40$-Decent power supply of your choice
90$-1GB Corsair Value Select DDR400
60$-Segate Barracuda 80GB HDD (SATA, 8mb, 7200RPM)
Free! (providing you can get 'em)-Mouse, keyboard, case, monitor.
Total: 585$

I might get a setup similar to this myself.

EDIT:
Keep an eye out on the curb. If you can spot an old, dilapitated computer, snag it; you can gut it and use the case only.
Plastic boxes or tubs (I.E; tupperware imitations sold at Dollar General for 3$) make acceptable computer cases, with a bit of work. Just cut a hole for the PSU and for the ports coming off the motherboard, and a few holes for fans. Not elegant, but it will work, and because it's plastic, you don't have to worry about things shorting out. (Putting the motherboard brackets on a metal plate is a good idea, though.)
Dollar Tree carries mice for 1$.
You can get keyboards from CompUSA for about 13$.
Chances are, there are at least four forum members within 20 miles of either of your houses. Of these, at least one is likely to have an old CRT he'll sell you.
Also, if you can get a PC with S-Video out (or you get a VGA->RGB component video, which is used on most high-definition TV's) he can just use his TV as a monitor.

Further edit:
After rebate, most places around here sell a setup not unlike this for 400$ or so.
AMD Sempron 3100+ (AMD64 core)
256mb RAM
120GB hard drive
Unichrome graphics
15" CRT
DVD player and/or CD burner
etc. etc. etc.
You can get them in several flavors; I prefer Compaq. The 3100+ is a decent processor for gaming; with a 512mb RAM upgrade (50$ or so from Newegg; I reccomend Corsair Value Select) and a decent video card (150$ or so) you could get a decent setup. Not fancy, but it will run games pretty well.
On the other hand, adding the graphics card voids the warranty, and the rebates are a pain in the keister. And, of course, the motherboard, RAM, and HDD will be slow as could be.
 
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