Building a gaming rig. (with the optional spell-check-function)

[mikejet]

So I always hear it's cheaper to build your own PC than to buy one. I want to build a gaming rig that will be able to play WoW and D3 coming out.

I have never tried to build a computer before. I don't know the price range to expect. I would be able to put the computer together but not how to set everything up.

What's a good price range to expect?

Should I buy part by part or save up and buy everything at once?

What kind of specs should I aim for?

*Wow I fail at spelling*

[xtop]

buy a cheap quad core dell and throw in a good video card.

[mikejet]

Originally Posted by xtop

buy a cheap quad core dell and throw in a good video card.

Instead of building from scratch? I haven't looked into videos cards for a while. Whats a decent one?

[xtop]

Originally Posted by mikejet

Instead of building from scratch? I haven't looked into videos cards for a while. Whats a decent one?

i only say do it that way because of how expensive a motherboard and quad core is going to run you. especially when you can get a quad core dell for under 500.

but i mean..if you're going all out gaming, for sure build it yourself

as for cardes..i have no idea, i haven't kept up since my computer still has agp

[xtop]

here's why its hard to build your own these days (unless you you want overclocking and all that fun stuff)

* Intel Core i7-920 Processor(8MB L2 Cache, 2.66GHz)
* Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium Edition SP1, 64-Bit
* 3GB Tri-Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1066MHz - 3 DIMMs
* 500GB - 7200RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache
* Dual Drives: 16x DVD-ROM Drive + 16x DVD+/-RW w/ dbl layer write capability
* 22 inch SX2210 Widescreen Flat Panel with Webcam
* ATI Radeon HD 3450 256MB
* Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
* Dell USB Consumer Multimedia Keyboard
* Dell Premium Laser Mouse
* 19 in 1 Media Card Reader
* McAfee SecurityCenter with anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, 15-months
* 2Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis

$790 with free shipping. that deal is over, but they happen all the time.

[jkwest]

yeah...I run WoW on a laptop...given, its not running at the highest settings, but, I can play on the toilet...

you don't need the best comp for that game...D3..thats another story.

[xtop]

eh i bet d3 won't be all that bad. blizzard games usually aren't

[mikejet]

Originally Posted by jkwest

yeah...I run WoW on a laptop...given, its not running at the highest settings, but, I can play on the toilet...

you don't need the best comp for that game...D3..thats another story.

Should I play WoW? My current laptop can run it...I just don't have people to play with.

[jkwest]

Originally Posted by mikejet

Should I play WoW? My current laptop can run it...I just don't have people to play with.

I play it casually...like, I haven't logged on in a week...but, my character is at lvl 80 and has decent gear...I can raid in endgame stuff, but, I'm not addicted(any more ).

I'd play with ya! Start a new character even! I think WoW is one of the best games ever made, seriously.

[supersix4]

Originally Posted by xtop

i only say do it that way because of how expensive a motherboard and quad core is going to run you. especially when you can get a quad core dell for under 500.

but i mean..if you're going all out gaming, for sure build it yourself

as for cardes..i have no idea, i haven't kept up since my computer still has agp

yeah I stopped like 8 mo's after the 7800 gtx's I did one last $4000 and thats really been it. I just didn't feel like pouring money into new ram, new hd's, new chips, new mobos, new vid cards, every 6-12mo.

but newegg and microcenter are usually right around the price point that things are going for...

[mikejet]

Originally Posted by supersix4

yeah I stopped like 8 mo's after the 7800 gtx's I did one last $4000 and thats really been it. I just didn't feel like pouring money into new ram, new hd's, new chips, new mobos, new vid cards, every 6-12mo.

but newegg and microcenter are usually right around the price point that things are going for...

I use Tigerdirect for somethings so I might go through them. My work offers a discount program with CDW and HP.

[brettallica]

You could probably build your own PC for $500/$600 that blows the doors off of the off-the-shelf computers that you get from Dell, HP, etc. The thing with the big manufacturers, though, is their stuff is backed by warranties and guarantees. Home-built PCs aren't. You also have compatibility issues to consider when piecing together your home-built; some hardware might not work with other hardware...then you've got a mess on your hands, and an expensive one at that. Dells and so forth come out of the box ready to rock and fully working as-is (using that term loosely, of course).

That being said, I'm all for home-built PCs. There's just a lot to consider before jumping into it.

[b0bby]

Originally Posted by jkwest

yeah...I run WoW on a laptop...given, its not running at the highest settings, but, I can play on the toilet...

you don't need the best comp for that game...D3..thats another story.

lol i do the same. play wow on a notebook and on the toilet. my notebook was like 500 bucks from last xmas time and it runs wow with medium settings at 60fps. i have a dedicated gaming pc with a quad core 4gb ram nvidia 260 that runs max settings at 165ish fps (vertical sync off). its up to you but like someone else mentioned, u dont need a beast machine to play wow. id say if you are getting 30fps constantly at a decent enough quality setting then you are good to go.

for something like wow raiding i actually dont like max settings because with all the spells being casted and things being shown on the screen its way too much going on for my liking. i actually prefer playing at lower settings.

[jkwest]

LOL...I was kidding about the toilet...I've considered it, just never really done it.

[b0bby]

Originally Posted by jkwest

LOL...I was kidding about the toilet...I've considered it, just never really done it.

i wasn't. except it gets a tad hot but its a great time to get 1-2 daily quests done. i play it everywhere around the house.

[silversnake]

Mike,

newegg.com is your friend.

If you really want a great PC , I would say about 1250 - 1500. If you really want high end than it's going to be closer to 2000$.

Dell definitely does have good deals for "cheaper" though if you aren't willing to spend that much money.

[jkwest]

Originally Posted by b0bby

i wasn't. except it gets a tad hot but its a great time to get 1-2 daily quests done. i play it everywhere around the house.

I take it to the back deck the most...I love playing WoW outside...

[brettallica]

Make sure it has spelchcke. (had to do it )

[bhampton]

I think it used to be cheaper to build than to buy but that's visa versa now.

I built PCs for many years in the 90's but now you can get loaded complete systems with software for $500 or so and it's pretty hard to beat that buying the stuff on your own.

(I imagine....)


-Brian

[mikejet]

Damnit...I was looking through Newegg and they have a great price on the Canon G10 that I want.....

Might end up with a new digital camera before I get a new comp.