Looking for a cheap gaming PC

[latino666]

I'm looking at this Gateway GT5220 . I won't need to buy a monitor because I got one for free from work. An old Dell 19 inch CRT that works good. Now since this PC comes with a PCI-E slot I can upgrade the graphics. I was looking at the 7900gs which are ~159 after MIR.

The only "newer" game I will play right now CoD2. I play mostly WoW, CoD1 and CoD: UO.

So is this a good way of going for a cheap gaming PC? Is there a better option that I am overlooking?

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[pkme2]

That is a nice basic computer for entry level users. Its nice to do window apps but seriously limited by video card to play any decent games.
Check this AT Link first. http://www.anandtech.com/guides/

 

[LouPoir]

Dell has the same machine - $503 shipped - no rebates.

I would upgrade the video if you plan on medium end gaming.

Lou

 

[Gautama2]

7600gs or 7600gt would be great for you.

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

I would just build your own. I can give you some suggestions, but first I need to know:
1) What is your target budget and maximum budget?
2) Do you already have a copy of Windows XP you can use, or do you need one?
3) Do you already have a mouse/keyboard/speakers/printer/etc.? If not, what do you need?
4) Do you have any *internal* components you can potentially reuse (IE, hard disk, case, power supply, DVD drive, etc.)?

If you answer those four questions, I'm sure we can come up with something nice.

 

[chrisrod01]

Originally posted by: LouPoir
Dell has the same machine - $503 shipped - no rebates.

I would upgrade the video if you plan on medium end gaming.

Lou

Whats the link for the dell ??

 

[latino666]

Originally posted by: hurtstotalktoyou
I would just build your own. I can give you some suggestions, but first I need to know:
1) What is your target budget and maximum budget?
2) Do you already have a copy of Windows XP you can use, or do you need one?
3) Do you already have a mouse/keyboard/speakers/printer/etc.? If not, what do you need?
4) Do you have any *internal* components you can potentially reuse (IE, hard disk, case, power supply, DVD drive, etc.)?

If you answer those four questions, I'm sure we can come up with something nice.

1. As cheap as it could get. With going into a Sempron, Pentium D machine.

2. I have one but it does not have SP2 on it.

3. Monitor and some ccraptastic speakers work gave me.

4. IDE HDD only. WD 40GB 8MB cache 7200RPM


I'm just going to use this for a year until I could build a freaking bad ass system. I can't miss any more time in WoW since my guild is moving fast in end game raids.

Gautama2 I was looking at the 7600's as well.

 

[latino666]

Originally posted by: chrisrod01

Originally posted by: LouPoir
Dell has the same machine - $503 shipped - no rebates.

I would upgrade the video if you plan on medium end gaming.

Lou

Whats the link for the dell ??

I'm going to dell's website to see if I can find it. I'll link it if I do

EDIT: Getting no sleep is bad

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

Okay, here's what I'd do:

1) Keep your speakers. You can replace them later if necessary.
2) Keep your monitor. A 19" CRT sounds nice. You probably won't need to replace that for years.
3) Keep your Windows XP copy. You can download or order SP2 for free if you need it.
4) Keep your 40GB hard disk. It will get you by, and you can always upgrade down the line.

FROM NEWEGG, GET:
5) *Either* the NEC 7170A-0B OEM, Samsung SH-S182M/BEBN OEM, Philips PHM-165P6S retail or the Lite-on SHM-165H6S retail. The drives themselves are pretty much the same: They all burn the seven recordable formats, and they all do it so fast you probably wouldn't notice a speed difference between any of them. Here's the differences: NEC, no lightscribe, no software; Samsung, with lightscribe, no software; Philips, no lightscribe, with Nero; Lite-on, with lightscribe, with Nero and WinDVD. The four drives are only about $7 apart, so make sure you get the drive with all the features you need.
6) Rosewill R5717-P BK. This is a nice-looking computer case with front USB & audio ports as well as an included 120mm cooling fan. It will work very well for you when you upgrade.
7) Sony MPF920 Black. A floppy drive is very useful for BIOS updates and ferrying small files between PCs. It should last you many, many years.
8) Zonet ZFM5620-MT. I highly recommend you buy a 56K modem like this one and keep an AOL disc handy (you can find the latter free online or from your local Best Buy). That way, if your high-speed net ever goes down, you can log in for a "free trial" and still have at least some internet access.
9) FSP Group ATX400-PA. This is overkill for what you'd get now, but you can keep it when you upgrade to dual core. It's a nice PSU for a cheap price.
10) SpecResearch KB-558BB/P. This is just a cheapie keyboard & optical mouse combo. You may or may not want to upgrade later on.
11) Corsair VS512MB667D2. This is only 512MB DDR2-667, but you'll be able to keep it when you upgrade (presumably to 2GB) later on.
12) ASUS P5LD2 R2.0. This, like the PSU I recommended, is overkill for what you're getting now, but it has all the features you'll need for a Core 2 Duo system later on. It's a great overclocker, has four DDR2 slots and 6 PCI/PCIe slots. In other words, it should last you for a couple of years.
13) Intel Celeron D 331 retail. Though it only runs at 2.66 GHz, you should be able to bump it up to close to 4 GHz with the ASUS board. It's cheap, and it should get you by till you're ready to upgrade to a Core 2 Duo.

TOTAL (with NEC): $354.23
with Samsung: $356.72
with Philips: $357.22
with Lite-on: $360.72