Gaming PC Advice

bb239605 · 11-28-2011, 10:10 PM

Looking to get myself a new gaming PC. I prefer a desktop, and am willing to spend 1.5k total (i need a monitor also). I dont have any computer right now, and since i spend most of my PC time playing games I was hoping to get some advice.

I havent bought a computer in a long time, and with the release of Skyrim and the imminent release of Star Wars: The Old Republic i want something that can crank these out on ultra graphics settings. (I also have SC II and will being playing Diablo III).

Anyway, I was looking at a CyberPower BlackPearl, but i havent bought a PC in a while so I am slightly unsure as to what to get.

**dezman** · 11-29-2011, 02:49 AM

Gamer Xtreme SSD-K from cyberpower looks good. 1300 without monitor should be right in your price range. You could also go with a cheaper model and upgrade your video card or go with multiple cards. Whatever you choose just dont skimp on the following and you'll be good: Video Card(s), RAM, Power Supply, Motherboard.
Find a site that lets you costomize your computer. Its good to know exactly whats going into it.

CHefJohnboyardee · 11-29-2011, 04:34 AM

Or build one. If you can brew and can play PC Vid-Games you can build a PC...

Save some money!

**wfowlks** · 11-29-2011, 04:40 AM

Building a computer is rediculously easy. If you have a Costco membership I recommend the zt systems because they are a good price. But if you want extreme gaming be ready to drop 1500 on a desktop

**nukinfuts29** · 11-29-2011, 04:47 AM

Build it yourself. A true gaming machine needs to at least meet my two basic criteria:

AMD powered
Water Cooled

**Homercidal** · 11-29-2011, 12:26 PM

You are going to get a lot of different opinions. No matter if you buy or build, for gaming you will need:

VIDEO CARD(S)
RAM
CPU
PSU

The PSU is the lifeline of a computer. Without ample, clean power a computer can be flaky, stop working, or become damaged. It doesn't seem as important at first glance as the other components, but it's the first thing I shop for in a system. I've had to replace PLENTY of shtty Power Supplies in otherwise decent systems over the years.

Video cards: You can save money by buying a single very good card and likely it will play most of the games out there fully cranked. SLI cards are going to be more expensive, not just because you have to buy two of them, but because you also have to get an SLI board to put them in.

I'd think about buying a single very good card and then upgrade that in a couple of years when the prices drop.

Something else that might be important to think about is a Solid State Hard Drive. Keeping the OS and the Game directories on a SSD is a fantastic way of speeding up a gaming experience. Load times for both are a fraction of what a SATA drive will do.

They are expensive, and not nearly as big yet, but the speed is impressive.

If it were me, I'd build a system and run a single very nice video card and buy an SSD and a SATA drive for data and backup. I'd get as much RAM as I can cram in there and a CPU that isn't outrageous in price (I like to hit the sweet spot on price vs performance). Power it all with a highly rated high power PSU and a nice case (I have been liking Cooler Master for relatively inexpensive, yet nicely featured cases), and a nice 23" or larger Widescreen Monitor with HDMI inputs. Or two, if you have the desktop space!

Fritobandito · 11-30-2011, 03:21 AM

I would consider waiting until next year. The 600 series cards will be out during the first quarter of next year from what I've read. I'm planning on rebuilding my computer with some new parts then.

BenVanned · 11-30-2011, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nukinfuts29

Build it yourself. A true gaming machine needs to at least meet my two basic criteria:

AMD powered
Water Cooled

Agreed. AMD, As much RAM as you can get, SLI ready Mobo, 2 of the best graphics cards you can get. Water cooling is only a novelty.. Just make sure you have plenty of fans. As far as monitor goes, get yourself a 32 inch LCD, LED, Or plasma with a high refresh rate since you will be sitting so close to it.

**nukinfuts29** · 11-30-2011, 05:13 AM

As an OCF member and lifetime nerd I have had more than my share of debates so rlly not looking for another, but water cooling is hardly a novelty. Is it for everyone? Absolutely not. Are kits lame? You betcha. Can custom made high performance water systems be dismissed? No way ;-)

Sent from my Galaxy S 4G using Home Brew Talk for Android

pointerDixie214 · 11-30-2011, 06:49 AM

My advice? Go outside.

But if you still want to play video games instead (I was there once) I would build my own system. I consider myself computer stupid, but I built my own once and it was super easy. Put the hardware crap together (worked on cars all through college, putting a computer together was easy) myself and invited a software guru nerd friend over to install the software and formatting crap in exchange for beer and I was on my way.

Then 6 months later I got a kayak and a mountain bike and that computer has collected dust ever since (7 years ago).