New Computer: Most Bang for Buck?
 

I have around $800 and I want a decent computer for gaming. It must come assembled and be able to hook up to my cable modem. If not, I might just go to Fry's or some shit, but I hear they're not really reliable(?).

Any ideas on specs or where to get it? Just looking for the most bang for my buck.

Thanks.

Haha, so I did not see Tilted Computers. Viva la TFP!

Pre-built gaming computer for 800 will come lacking -- graphics and audio are the expensive parts. Do you already have a monitor? Care alot about sound?

I already have a monitor and sound isn't as important as graphics. I'll probably take care of it later.

A full system for $800? Sure, if you go to Aldi or walmart.com

Your money will go waaaay farther if you build your own.

Case, 30 bucks. don't waste your money on a poser aluminum one. Add a not-store-brand supply for another $30, and a fan or two for $7 each.

You should be able to find a decent motherboard for around $80, with on-board sound (you'll disable it) and ethernet.

Usefully decent processor, $130-180.
Heatsink w/ fan (if you don't get a retail chip), $15
512mb DDR memory, $40

A matched pair of IDE disks, about 80 each.
Promise FastTrak RAID controller, $90

Generic GeForce 4 video card, 64mb DDR, $120 or less.
Creative SoundBlaster Live, now down to around $40
Floppy drive, $20
CD-ROM, $30

That comes to around $800...All else you need to add is an OS (probably recycled from the machine you're replacing), and a pizza and a six-pack of dew to give your friendly neighborhood geek to put it together for you. :)

If Aldi still has their Medion PC available, it's $699, has a 2.66GHz P4 and pre-loaded WinXP Pro, and it's accessorized nicely as a media workstation. Just add a faster video card...

I have gone this route and had several cheap PSU die on me. They start acting very flakey and cause random reboots and then sometimes they just no longer boot. I would spend a few more dollars on a name-brand PSU. Maybe not a 550 watt Enermax or Antech but something quality that puts out a steady stream of power.

I highly recommend ABS. I have built my own for 3 years, and decided to go with them when I got tired of doing it. I couldn't be happier with my new rig. It was the only place I could get what I wanted cheaper than I could build it.

I barely reconfigured this model, and it should treat you right.

Allied 400watt PSU
AMD 2400+
512 Crucial RAM (PC2100 DDR)
80GB Western Digital Hard Drive
Geforce FX 5200 64MB Video
Onboard Sound
Lite-On 52x CD burner
Windows XP home

all for only $734

Not to shabby at all. By the way, you may not of heard of Lite-On, but they supply some big names like plextor and others. If you want to make sure you can trust them, check out reseller ratings. Good luck, hope you find something you like.

okay thats what i got

I never realized how much differences there are in cases until the last one I bought! You cannot hear this thing run at all and I'm running seven fans. Only drawback I've seen is that it weighs a ton - maybe that's why it's so quiet.


http://images1.newegg.com/productima...129-115-09.JPG

ANTEC Performance PLUS Model PLUS1080AMG- with Antec Original TRUE 430W P4 Power Supply ATX12V Retail
Specifications:
Case type: SOHO File Server
Case Color: Antec Metalic Gray
Case Dimensions: 20.6" x 8.1" x 18.6" (H/W/D)
Drive bays: 10
Front accesible 4x 5.25, 2x 3.5" Internal 4x 3.5"
Expansion Slots: 3 Short 4 Full Length
2 Rear Standard Fans 1 Side fan
Washable Air Filter in front Model#: PLUS1080AMG
Intel Approved Chassis for 3.06Ghz

build it, you can build a pretty damn good gaming pc for that.

i built my gaming pc for about 500

Most bang for the buck?, Hmm, wanna say ram, but, vid card. Yeah, that's it. a vid card with ram. It lets the proccesser do its thing, while it does it's thing.

The_Dude, I hate to appear snooty, but, unless you are playing pong in 3d, 500.00 is not a gaming machine. :rolleyes:

Or, you have some juice with the manufacturers.

Part of the reason that case Lquor Dealer is so heavy is that its huge, mine will only fit beside my desk. Its chocked with goodies tho, so thats ok

that aldi computer is a steal but no monitor (great computer saw one at my local aldi's the other day)

Buying a computer without a monitor is not so bad. A monitor is like speakers. What works for you might not work for the other person.

Try Alienware computers.

dell $699
P4 2.53Ghz 128MB RAM 60G drive 17inch monitor, 64mb ddr geforce mx ,16x dvd rom, 5.1 audio, HK speakers, windowx XP, 2 year warranty, plus 2 year at home service.

http://www.dell.com/us/en/dhs/offers..._special61.htm