Alrighty, my computer has gone completely kaput. I need some advice on what to get, so please help me out if you can!

Here are my guidelines/restrictions/wants:

I don't want to put out more than $2000 on a computer (optimally, it would be a lot less).

I need to have good enough graphics/speed, ect. to play some good video games. Optimally, I'd like to have a computer good enough to play BGIII when it comes out.

I want a PC. It's what I'm used to, and I really don't want a Mac.

I don't really care about writing DVDs, ect. I just like to use my computer to go online and play some games.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

[ 01-12-2005, 11:56 AM: Message edited by: Klorox ]

Klorox, with $1,200 to $1,500 you can build a great computer for that much money! My suggestion is to do the research and have someone build you one. I refuse to buy a Dell, Gateway, etc., because I like doing the research, making sure I get what I want. Do you have someone who can build you one?

For starters get yourself a GOOD power supply. So many people skip this essential part thinking all power supplies are the same. Not! Antec is one such company that has a proven track record. There are a few others. By the way, don't go below 400w power supplies at this point and if you can get more than please do so.

> Samsung makes highly reputable monitors.

> The CPU market (AMD, Intel) and especially the Graphics cards, along with motherboards are all over the place. So many to choose from, so many opinions on what is better and why, ad naseum. That is why I said to take time a research.

> Look up AnandTech.com, FiringSquad.com, and TomsHardware.com and join one or all three community forums and place your question there. Trust me, you'll get all kinds of advice.

> If I am not mistaking, Firing Squad has a sticky post on how to build a gtaming rig for certain costs.

Hope this helps.

How do I do research on computers? I have very limited internet access now that I don't have the capabilities from home.

What about tech support if something goes wrong on a home-built computer? I really don't know much about computers, which is why I'm asking here.

I'd recommend getting a 64-bit processor. When games and software begin to be made in 64-bit, you don't want to have to face buying a new processor.

Well, I'm not sure about US prices, but you could probably get yourself an Athlon 64 Socket 939 3200, 480W Tagan PSU (one of the best out there), a 200gb Seagate Barracuda HDD, 1gb of PC3200 low latency RAM (try the Crucial Ballistix range) XFX Geforce 6800gt and a DVD Rewriter (they do come in handy)

If you PM me a website you would buy from then I could price one up for you no problems.

I just bought a great computer from CyberPowerPC.com They have great configurators that are fun to play with and seem decently priced. Good place to start comparison shopping.

You may want to buy locally if you want the easiest tech support. Your options here range from mom-n-pop computer shops to big box retailers like Best buy or CompUSA. If it goes wrong you can drive the computer in and talk to a real person. Some places offer extra warranties with tech support that include house calls that probably cost alot extra.I do my own tech support though, so I haven't shopped for it.

All of the big PC magazines have product and component reviews online. Also check out Tom's Hardware.com.

[ 01-12-2005, 05:23 PM: Message edited by: Chewbacca ]

Does that price come with monitor btw?

I just had a quick play around and came up with this. If you were willing to spend a little more (getting nearer to your $2000) then you could buy yourself an Athlon 64 FX55-the best gaming CPU available)

System Summary
# X-BLADE Medium Tower Case 450 W (BLACK)
# (939-pin) AMD ATHLON64 3500+ CPU w/ Hyper Transport Technology
# ABIT AV8 VIA K8T800 MAINBOARD
# 1GB (512MBx2) PC3200 DDR400 Memory (Corsair_XMS)
# Western Digital 200GB 7200RPM ATA 100 8MB Special Editon
# Western Digital 200GB 7200RPM ATA 100 8MB Special Editon
# NVIDIA GF 6800 GT 256MB 8XAGP
# NONE - CD/DVD
# NEC 3500A 16X DVD+-RW DRIVE DUAL LAYER (BEIGE)
# NONE - MONITOR
# 3D WAVE ON-BOARD 5.1 SOUND CARD
Price: $1573.00

[ 01-12-2005, 05:33 PM: Message edited by: RoSs_bg2_rox ]

How about this?
Alienware Inferno Case, with 500W power supply
AMD Athlon 64 3200+
ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe
2x 1 GB Corsair @ 533 MHz(held down at 400)
Seagate Barracuda 250 GB 7200 MB(main) S-ATA
Seagate 80 GB(back-up, maybe even a drawer for this one) S-ATA
2x GeForce FX 6600 GT PCI-Express
Any DVD Burner(unbelieveably handy)
Any 17"+ monitor

There, this should come for about 1800$ tops, and it's really the incarnation of power. You won't need a new one for the next 2 years minimum!

BoB that is the sort of system I would go for, but they didn't offer all of those parts on that site. I would probably change the 2 hard drives to two 200gb Seagate Barracuda's, and then set it up with RAID 0 and a decent RAID controller. Also, I would probably add a A64 3500+ (make sure it is socket 939 Winchester rather than Newcastle.

I wasa trying to save money on the non-essentials. And a 3500+ is really not essential, and in no way better than a 3200+. And for HDDs, well with 8 internal and 2 external S-ATA ports, I think there's plenty o room for improvement, without additional RAID controllers.