Where to get a decent prebuilt gaming PC

Sonikku

Lifer
Jun 23, 2005
15,886
4,886
136
Hey AAT faithful. I was doing research for a friend using a 5 year old machine looking for something beefier for playing WoW. His machine runs it, just about anything will. But with some 7fps, minimal quality settings and an ancient system and aging motherboard with no upgrade path, he's looking for something new. Not just something that will "run" WoW, but something that could chew up and spit out Warcraft upwards downwards and sideways with high resolutions and maxed quality settings without ever dipping below 50-60 fps be it in Dalaran prime Time or a 25 man rain while the sparks are going off.

He's not able to build his own machine and I know that will be a hindrance versus picking ones own parts and assembling them personally. But are there any preassembled machines out there, that for $800-1000 could accomplish the above? Or a website that allows you to semi-choose your own parts and assembles them for a fee that could make a middle end machine capable of getting the job done? Any help here would be greatly appreciated. ;)
 

JonnyDough

Member
May 7, 2007
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Have him buy a system like this if all he cares about is playing WOW for the next year or two:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/app...&body=MAIN#detailspecs

and then throw in his own video card like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814140095

Tell him to go to AMD.com and get the latest drivers for his video card, and also to see if he can find the latest BIOS for his motherboard. He can probably call SystemMax or email them for more info on BIOS updates.

Total cost: about $400. This machine will play about any current games on decent settings.
 

Writers Coin

Junior Member
Mar 28, 2009
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JonnyDough: Total newbie here but I noticed that the video card and system you recommended don't seem to be compatible in the power dept. The card says it requires a minimum of 400W and the system shows its 300W. Will that work?

I ask because a system I'm looking at is also 350W and the card I want says it needs a minimum of 450W. What gives?
 

WaitingForNehalem

Platinum Member
Aug 24, 2008
2,497
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Originally posted by: JonnyDough
Originally posted by: WaitingForNehalem
dell or hp plus videocard/powersupply from newegg.

http://configure.us.dell.com/d...esktop-studioxps-435mt

Horrible advice.

I went ahead and configured a basic i7 system from that link without any extras except the 4670 card (which was $70) and the price came to $869.00.

Let's see...$400 without a monitor or $869 without a monitor...for playing WOW. Hmm...

YOU DON'T CONFIGURE. Buy it as a base and add in the rest from newegg. Dell's [rices are rediculous.
 

JonnyDough

Member
May 7, 2007
46
0
0
Toss in a $50 PSU then. Anyone can swap a PSU. WaitingForNehalem, he doesn't need a $889 system to play WOW. A $400-500 system will work just fine for a couple of years to come. The link you posted here was for configuration. Regardless, Dell is crap! You get a Windows disc that is tied to your motherboard, you get a lack of PCI headers, India tech support, and deception. Why on earth would you ever recommend a Dell on an enthusiast site?
 

bamacre

Lifer
Jul 1, 2004
21,029
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Originally posted by: JonnyDough
Toss in a $50 PSU then. Anyone can swap a PSU. WaitingForNehalem, he doesn't need a $889 system to play WOW. A $400-500 system will work just fine for a couple of years to come. The link you posted here was for configuration. Regardless, Dell is crap! You get a Windows disc that is tied to your motherboard, you get a lack of PCI headers, India tech support, and deception. Why on earth would you ever recommend a Dell on an enthusiast site?

You obviously don't know much about Dell. ;)

I've built many computers in my day, and right now I'm using a refurb'd Dell XPS 410 that I bought 16 months ago and upgraded myself. Runs like a champ, and cost me less than building one.
 

JonnyDough

Member
May 7, 2007
46
0
0
You're looking at about the same price for those Dell systems from what I see. They're also scratched and dented, used, and I'm telling you that your OS is tied to the mobo. Why on earth would anyone buy a Dell? I sure as hell wouldn't.
 

Denithor

Diamond Member
Apr 11, 2004
6,298
23
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HP d5200t

Buy it just like it sits, $800.

Add a Corsair 650TX ($80AR) and a Radeon 4850 ($120AR) and you're done.

That's enough CPU/RAM/PSU to handle his gaming needs for probably the next three or so years, perhaps with a GPU upgrade at some point (which could stretch it to five years).
 

bamacre

Lifer
Jul 1, 2004
21,029
2
61
Originally posted by: Denithor
HP d5200t

Buy it just like it sits, $800.

Add a Corsair 650TX ($80AR) and a Radeon 4850 ($120AR) and you're done.

That's enough CPU/RAM/PSU to handle his gaming needs for probably the next three or so years, perhaps with a GPU upgrade at some point (which could stretch it to five years).

Why would he need to change out the PSU?
 

fourdegrees11

Senior member
Mar 9, 2009
441
1
81
www.ibuypower.com complete build for $999 (free shipping)

http://www.ibuypower.com/ibp/s...figurator.aspx?mid=335

AMD Phenom? II X4 920 CPU
MSI DKA790GX AMD 790GX CrossFire Chipset MB
4GB DDR2-800 Memory
500GB SATA-II 7200 RPM HDD
16x DVD-ROM
20x Double Layer DVD+/-RW
ATI Radeon HD 4850 512MB Video
7.1 Channel 3D Surround Sound
iBUYPOWER Subwoofer Speakers
10/100/1000 Network LAN
Coolermaster HAF 932 Full Tower Gaming Case
Windows VISTA Home Premium
 

Hacp

Lifer
Jun 8, 2005
13,923
2
81
It depends if you want support or not. If the machine goes broke, who's going to help fix it? You? For 800-1000 including monitor, there are very few places that will provide good support+good prices.

Also, is he a student?
 

JonnyDough

Member
May 7, 2007
46
0
0
Originally posted by: Hacp
It depends if you want support or not. If the machine goes broke, who's going to help fix it? You? For 800-1000 including monitor, there are very few places that will provide good support+good prices.
Let's see, do I want to pay $200 for arguing with tech support guy in India whether my comp needs fixed with a moron who can barely speak English over the phone or...

Do I want to take it to a knowledgeable local shop where I can learn a little about my PC and increase local commerce...

Hmm.

Furthermore, I cringe that I mention this, but have you ever hear of Geek Squad? Just about any minor city has a Best Buy. (excuse me now while I go wash my fingers out with soap)

Many problems can be trouble shot with a quick search on the net.

Furthermore, he has a friend who builds his own PCs...
 

JonnyDough

Member
May 7, 2007
46
0
0
It's way overkill for WOW though if that's all he wants to do. That'll run the next two generation of games from Blizzard. LOL