Good computer for a noob?

[SmokeGnome]

Well, I figure that as long as I've decided to step into the world of computer gaming, and for the fact that I'm taking VR next year and have been fooling around with blender for quite sometime, I need to get a better computer.

 

I won't be able to help much, seeing that I don't know much about computers, but what better way to learn. The one I have now runs on windows xp, and has a, uh, AMD Athlon processor xp. It can't even handle civilization 3.

 

We can get Macs out of the way right now, I don't want to go near one. I have about 600 dollars to give un-reluctantly with a roughly 200 dollar buffer zone before we get to my savings. I have high doubts that this couldn't get me anything real good to handle all the things I want, but there is always hope.

 

-I need to handle pretty much every game by valve, especially gmod.

-I would also need to handle designing software, including blender, scrypting software, and everything in that area.

 

I'm looking at best buy, and wondering: Which processor is better, Intel, or amd? And which base brand would be good, HP, Gateway, Dell, acer...

 

I imagine that Lynix is the best operating platform, but would windows 7 work just fine?

 

Give me crap, give me critism, give me tips, give me what I want, give me whatever I need to be a better geek.

[alphabetagamma]

We can get Macs out of the way right now, I don't want to go near one. I have about 600 dollars to give un-reluctantly with a roughly 200 dollar buffer zone before we get to my savings. I have high doubts that this couldn't get me anything real good to handle all the things I want, but there is always hope.

If you want to get something nice, 600-800 dollars isn't bad, but I would suggest you buy the parts and build it yourself. If you don't know how you should find someone who does, it's not very complicated when you get down to it I would suggest though that you wait until Black Friday/Boxing day sales. You can get a lot more for less. As well as saving money both Intel and AMD are releasing new processors in a few months, they both are predicted to have a lot more power for a lower cost.

-I need to handle pretty much every game by valve, especially gmod.

You're thinking of a video card, which (if you want something really nice) can cost you +$300 if you don't wait for a sale. Valve games aren't graphically demanding compared to most new games though. Gmod on the other hand is a performance disaster for me, if you really like Gmod and/or have a lot of addons, I'd suggest a solid state drive

I imagine that Lynix is the best operating platform, but would windows 7 work just fine?

I would go with windows any day.

Give me crap, give me critism, give me tips, give me what I want, give me whatever I need to be a better geek.

No one but BTGbullseye will give you crap (hopefully) but even he isn't that bad, he just wants -rep

[BTGBullseye]

Give me crap, give me critism, give me tips, give me what I want, give me whatever I need to be a better geek.

No one but BTGbullseye will give you crap (hopefully) but even he isn't that bad, he just wants -rep

True.

 

@SmokeGnome: I'll see what I can do as far as designing a build for you, just need to know what country you're in.

[Song]

I imagine that Lynix is the best operating platform, but would windows 7 work just fine?

 

If you want it for gaming then windows is your choice.

For working (mostly only geek stuff though ) linux is your friend.

 

I also would advise you to build it yourself. The single parts are mostly cheaper

then pre build and as alphabetagamma wrote, if you have someone who would

do it for you, ask him/her to help you out a bit.

 

Other then that, I can only say that there are tons of articles on the wide

internet about the newest, best and best price-performance hardware and also

how to assemble it all. Just pick a computer or gaming related magazine, they

all have at least one of those articles.

[Luis]

Some forums users can build you a nice computer for that budget, I'd be happy to. You'd have to ensamble it though.. It's pretty easy using sites like amazon that offer free shipping.

[SmokeGnome]

Um, I'm from the U.S., but I'm a little bit shaky on the build your own computer. Perhaps I will just upgrade the graphics/video card. Maybe I should wait another couple months and then see.

[Luis]

Post your system specifications... According to your post it isn't even worth upgrading just the graphics card, the rest of the system is gonna bottleneck it.

[alphabetagamma]

Perhaps I will just upgrade the graphics/video card.

Depending on your current computer, that could be: not possible if your power supply can't handle it or if there's no more space in your case (no rhyme intended), a bad idea if your video card is too new compared to the rest of your computer and it's capabilities are limited and/or your computer is slow otherwise, or a good alternative to a brand new computer. Post your system and power supply specs.

 

And dang it Luis! Why'd ya have to post just as I was about to?

[SmokeGnome]

You misunderstood me. I meant buy a new computer, then upgrade the graphics card instead of building a new one. There's NO way a graphics card would help my computer now,it's just too old.

[BTGBullseye]

You misunderstood me. I meant buy a new computer, then upgrade the graphics card instead of building a new one. There's NO way a graphics card would help my computer now,it's just too old.

Don't ever buy a new computer then upgrade the video card, it's pointless and usually far more expensive.

 

You're in the US, so I can make a decent build for you using Newegg. I'll post the links to the parts shortly, then all you would need to do is assemble. (assembly is extremely easy, as is installing Win7)

[BTGBullseye]

If you're wanting to game, this is about the least expensive you can get for a 'gaming' system... (any lower than this, and you're not gaming)

 

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133094

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157254

Video Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162052

Power Supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152035

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115076

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231308

Hard Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136794

DVD Burner: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118040

Operating System: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986

 

Total price comes to about $750... That includes S&H and tax.

 

Just use the monitor, keyboard, and mouse you're using now, or if you want I can find new ones for you.

[Luis]

The PC BTGBullseye built is very well... Personally I'd invest a bit more in the case, a bit less in the CPU and a bit more in the GPU. When I get back home I'll give you my proposition

[alphabetagamma]

If you're wanting to game, this is about the least expensive you can get for a 'gaming' system... (any lower than this, and you're not gaming)

 

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133094

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157254

Video Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162052

Power Supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152035

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115076

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231308

Hard Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136794

DVD Burner: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118040

Operating System: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986

 

Total price comes to about $750... That includes S&H and tax.

 

Just use the monitor, keyboard, and mouse you're using now, or if you want I can find new ones for you.

[BTGBullseye]

Personally I'd invest a bit more in the case

As would I. This is the best budget case I'd recommend for his price range though: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133179

 

a bit less in the CPU

Not possible without seriously reducing performance... The i5-2300 is the least expensive quad-core out there.

 

and a bit more in the GPU.

So would I, but it's hard to beat a GTX 465's performance for only $130. (I'm trying to stay as close to his budget as I can)

[SmokeGnome]

Well, It's a bit much to understand, but I will look into this build your own - computer more. Thanks, I'll consider this as an one of my options.

 

And as in gaming, I mean ordinary, games, and not graphical wonders. I didn't know if that's what you meant by 'gaming'.

 

So, have you personally built your own computers? Do all the parts need to be specifically fit into the case?

[alphabetagamma]

So, have you personally built your own computers?

My friend helped me my first time but I could easily do it on my own now.

Do all the parts need to be specifically fit into the case?

Parts are highly standardized, there a few different types of some parts that have to be compatible like your CPU your motherboard, but most of the time the parts are standard. It's a lot easier than people would make you think.

[BTGBullseye]

I've built computers from scratch several times... Only laptops are difficult to mess with yourself.

 

What do you consider 'ordinary' games, and 'graphical wonders'?

 

The design I did will allow you to play any game currently out at minimum settings with 30 FPS or better. I did not design a system I would ever consider for gaming myself, this is scraping the bottom of the pile here.

[SmokeGnome]

Um, ordinary games would be civilization, red alert, half life's... Um, graphical wonders would be, well, um, I can't think of any examples. Games that have subscription costs and people spend every waking minute of every day playing them.

 

I've given the build-your-own more thought. I know that I won't be able to do this on my own. But I think I'll give it a shot, maybe get some more help, find a guide....

[BTGBullseye]

Um, ordinary games would be civilization, red alert, half life's... Um, graphical wonders would be, well, um, I can't think of any examples. Games that have subscription costs and people spend every waking minute of every day playing them.

Then my design is a perfect fit for you.

 

I've given the build-your-own more thought. I know that I won't be able to do this on my own. But I think I'll give it a shot, maybe get some more help, find a guide....

Here are a few ok guides to start the process:

 

Install the motherboard and CPU

Install your RAM

Install the hard drive and DVD drive

 

Don't hesitate to ask here for help...

[SmokeGnome]

Thanks! One more quick question... Would Windows 7 come with it?