Inexpensive gaming rig

[Cheesebeast]

I am looking at purchasing a gaming system for my brother for $599. I am going to upgrade the video card later but I wanted to know if this was a good deal or not. Click the link below for the specs...

http://www.planetcomputers.com/ProductC...ewPrd.asp?idcategory=58&idproduct=1009

 

[necine]

You can build a system for under 800 with much better specs then that.

 

[bocamojo]

Not too bad I guess. However, most folks on this board build their own PC's. If you think you can put one together, you could build a better PC for the same money.

 

[bocamojo]

I built an Athlon 64 3000+ system with an ATI All In Wonder 9800, 80GB 7200 RPM SATA drive, 512MB DDR400 memory, 16xDVD burner, 7in1 card reader/floppy combo, etc. for 600, so you can definitely build a decent gaming system for that amount of money, if you want to.

 

[Cheesebeast]

I don't really know anything about building PCs. I just want something with a warranty in case my brother has any problems. I was thinking about putting a X700 in it. Will this play World of Warcraft?

 

[Cheesebeast]

Maybe I should go with an AGP board to save some cash???

 

[necine]

Yeah, it'll play it. You should just get a Dell. For that amount you could get a pretty nice system and then throw a X800XL in.

 

[bocamojo]

Agree on the Dell recommendation. If you're going to buy a system, that would be the way to go.

 

[Cheesebeast]

Okay I will check Dell out and do some price comparisons with the one from Planet Computers.

 

[Cheesebeast]

It looks like the Dell PC comes with the integrated intel graphics 900 controller. I have read that the ATI integrated graphics is better than the intel because it supports pixel shading. The one at planet computers has the ATI instead of the Intel. I want something he can at least play games on until i get him a better graphics card.

 

[Nnyan]

Just using Newegg I was able to quickly put together this system (prices rounded up) for $632.

$ 84.00 FOXCONN NF4K8MC-RS Motherboard
$146.00 AMD A64 3000+ 90nm Winchester
$ 92.00 (2) TwinMos 512MB PC-3200 Ram
$ 77.50 Maxtor 120GB 7200RPM 8mb Cache Hard Drive
$116.00 Albatron GeForce 6600 128mb
$ 52.00 NEC 16X ND-3520A DVD Burner Black
$ 54.00 Athenatech A602 Case /w 350w PS
$ 10.00 NEC Black Floppy Drive

Foxconn is a basic mobo with very modest overclocking but stable and cheap, search the net for reviews.
The 6600 will give you comprable performance to a 9800 Pro, you get a bigger 120mb HD, 1GB of RAM. Overall a decent little system if you do not plan to do substantial Over Clocking (board tops out at about 223 FSB).

 

[necine]

I'm telling you, don't take the quick and easy. Get a dell. WOW!!! never thought I'd say that. You should get one of the deals where they have a PCI-E system for like 500 that comes with an X300. Look on eBay or somethan.

 

[Mutilator]

Seems like everybody always says you can build a system for less.... gives you some prices on parts... but always leave out the Operating System. Software isn't cheap and not everybody has a copy laying around.

With that being said if you want cheap and performance you can't really beat Dell these days. Especially if you visit rage3d.com and look at their deals section.
Example:
HOT! DellSB - Dimension 4700 with 2.8Ghz P4 520 HT, 512MB DDR2 SDRAM, 40GB S-ATA HD, and 48x CD-RW for $549 after Rebate with FREE Shipping plus FREE 19" LCD Monitor!

 

[imported_Kensai]

PCI-E VGAs are actually cheaper than their AGP counterparts.

 

[Cheesebeast]

Other than the fact that I HATE waiting for rebate checks the Dell one isn't a bad deal. Does anybody think though that I should go with the ATI on board graphics like the Planet Computers one? I have heard bad things about the intel integrated graphics.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Cheesebeast
Other than the fact that I HATE waiting for rebate checks the Dell one isn't a bad deal. Does anybody think though that I should go with the ATI on board graphics like the Planet Computers one? I have heard bad things about the intel integrated graphics.

Gaming rig and integrated graphics don't mix

It's going to be crappy either way.

Make sure if you get a dell, it has an AGP or PCI-e slot though for upgrading the videocard if you don't get one right away.

 

[justly]

Take that planet computer and upgrade to a Athlon 64 3200+, 16x DVD+/-RW + a 48x CD-ROM, 160 GB hard drive, eliminate shipping cost, at a price $20 cheaper (after a $50 rebate) and you have the new E-machine T6212 at CompUSA.

link

 

[bocamojo]

Originally posted by: Cheesebeast
Other than the fact that I HATE waiting for rebate checks the Dell one isn't a bad deal. Does anybody think though that I should go with the ATI on board graphics like the Planet Computers one? I have heard bad things about the intel integrated graphics.

Onboard graphics are "irrelevant". Do not make your purchase based on this, as you already know you must get a decent video card if you're going to use this as a gaming system.