Getting Started on iRacing: Need Help!

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SUfan21

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MStall41
Well guys, I finally decided to take the plunge and join iRacing. I am selling off my PS3 and ~8-9 games, so I figure I will get somewhere around $150-200dollars for it all which is going to be funnelled into a new gaming computer. The trouble is, I am absolutely clueless when it comes to computer specs and such so I have absolutely no idea how I should go about building this new computer. My plan is to hook the computer into a 40" HD TV and play on there.

I am looking to spend $300-600 for this new PC, and I would prefer it be a laptop if possible. I DO NOT want to assemble it myself and I plan to have Geek Squad help/assemble whatever configuration I decide upon. I am not looking for max performance, this rig will only be used for iRacing and I just want something that will let the game run smoothly and look decent. I am willing to buy and install the graphics card seperately if necessary.

So whoever has expertise, please speak up, lol :D
 
Ok, I wouldn't advice a laptop, they run way too hot, not very upgradeable, are generally more expensive overall and performace will never be on pair with a desktop. When I got my PC I had the same budget you do, one of the members on this site helped me out and pointed me towards the right direction. I ended up buying a refurb HP from Newegg, upgraded video card and power supply. The total cost of it all was no more than $600 and the PC can run every graphic setting on high with no problems at all!
Look on their site for a good starting platform get a few upgrades and you're set!
 
It's so easy to assemble it, honestly a 5 year old can do it.

Laptops are crap for gaming, you want to build a desktop system.

I suggest spending 700$ on a computer, that is the sweet spot where your computer turns into a mid-performance gaming computer.

Here is a nice build:
965 BE
haf 922
500gb hard drive
win 7 64 bit oem
4gb ram
amd 970 chipset motherboard (am3+)
antec bp 550 power supply
sapphire 6850 graphics card

The best price/performance pc's are custom built. Those hp's you see at best buy or on newegg, they have nice cpu's and nice hard drives, but they usually skim the **** out of the power supply, graphics card and motherboard.
 
The issue I have with a desktop is that I have some space concerns. Would it be possible to just buy a Tower, and then just get a keyboard/mouse/GPU seperately?
 
You don't need to get a full tower, a mid or even a micro tower will do fine! Just make sure to have good cooling and you're set!
 
You guys have been a great help! I am going to head over to Best Buy sometime this week and see if they can hook me up with something comprable to what you guys are suggesting. I truly can not wait to join iRacing and look forward to seeing you guys on the track :D
 
SUfan21
You guys have been a great help! I am going to head over to Best Buy sometime this week and see if they can hook me up with something comprable to what you guys are suggesting. I truly can not wait to join iRacing and look forward to seeing you guys on the track :D
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Please not BestBuy! Check them out on Newegg! BestBuy is gonna rip you off!
 
Best buy is a bunch of ********! They rip you off and there geek squad is a joke! Build your own computer! It's not hard at all!
 
Here you go, this setup will run on high settings all day long with no issues whatsoever:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883157332

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131448

You can even run triple screens with that Video card if you want!

Edit: You will need a bigger power supply to run the Video card:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020

There you go! That setup will have you smiling all day long with everything set on high fro iRacing!
 
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SUfan21
Well guys, I finally decided to take the plunge and join iRacing. I am selling off my PS3 and ~8-9 games, so I figure I will get somewhere around $150-200dollars for it all which is going to be funnelled into a new gaming computer. The trouble is, I am absolutely clueless when it comes to computer specs and such so I have absolutely no idea how I should go about building this new computer. My plan is to hook the computer into a 40" HD TV and play on there.

I am looking to spend $300-600 for this new PC, and I would prefer it be a laptop if possible. I DO NOT want to assemble it myself and I plan to have Geek Squad help/assemble whatever configuration I decide upon. I am not looking for max performance, this rig will only be used for iRacing and I just want something that will let the game run smoothly and look decent. I am willing to buy and install the graphics card seperately if necessary.

So whoever has expertise, please speak up, lol :D
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Awesome! Hope to see you on the track soon.

yeah, just buy a good rig from a reliable source.
Building a rig is easy but IME it can be a real PITA if you have to troubleshoot something.

Do you have a wheel? If not, the logitech DFGT seems to be quite popular and not too expensive.
 
I really hope the OP saw the links we gave him and didn't wake up and immediately head into BesBuy!
 
Haha, I haven't pulled the trigger on anything yet. I think I am going to go through and order that great looking setup on Newegg posted on here and have a knowledgeable buddy of mine help set me up. Massive thanks to all those who contributed their help.

I do have a DFGT that I got in January for GT5, so I'm all set as far as that goes :D
 
SUfan21
Haha, I haven't pulled the trigger on anything yet. I think I am going to go through and order that great looking setup on Newegg posted on here and have a knowledgeable buddy of mine help set me up. Massive thanks to all those who contributed their help.

I do have a DFGT that I got in January for GT5, so I'm all set as far as that goes :D
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Good stuff! The DFGT will do fine, you might want to score some G25/27 pedals down the road to get a better brake pedal!
VINCE__
Lol! Thats too funny Jav. Surely he look ya'lls advice.
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I'm glad he did! When it comes down to PCs you gotta watch out for those brand names and mega stores! They'll rip you off in a heart beat!
 
Never buy from bestbuy! They're a retail store that inflates the **** out of products!

I only buy stuff from bestbuy like tv's and such because we know the gm (general manager) and he gives us ridiculous discounts (lower then online prices).

Have fun racing!
 
I agree always try and get pc stuff online instead of at best buy. Way more for your money. You can also look at ibuypower gaming pc's on new egg. I got one from there about 8 months ago for iracing and it runs it great. I also upgraded to the sapphire 6850 graphics card mentioned earlier in the thread. It's the best bang for your buck card. It was a pretty noticeable upgrade from the 5560 or whatever it was I got with my pc. I run almost everything on high settings except some of the smaller minor stuff and still get 100 + fps on night tracks with a full grid of cars even more on day tracks with less cars. One of the main reasons I got that one so I can run 3 monitors. Very good card for the money and the install is simple takes about 5 minutes.
 
I bought a desktop for iracing at bestbuy about a month ago. I upgraded the graphics card, power supply, and after a warranty, taxes etc. and norton i think i spent about $900. (i know i probably overpaid but i have a best buy a mile from my house). The pc works well, i use a 50" plasma tv with it.

I looked at laptops but an entry level model that would handle iracing at best buy was about $1200+.

Just make sure you have a good graphics card in your pc and make sure your power supply<(very important!) has enough watts to handle the graphics card.
 
Yeah nobody buys anything from bestbuy, thats why they will go bellyup like Circuit City, then you will never be able to see or hold anything in person before you buy it. All online only :-(
 
lemansfanatic
Yeah nobody buys anything from bestbuy, thats why they will go bellyup like Circuit City, then you will never be able to see or hold anything in person before you buy it. All online only :-(
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Plenty of people go get ripped off at Best Buy. But as far as computer stuff goes, I really don't care about holding a piece of silicon before its "mine". So, go save money online.
 
I really need a Newegg or Tiger Direct in my town. As much crap as I buy they could pay the light bills. Seriously though BestBuy is a joke. They have nothing in stock "to put your hands on". Did my research and found out doing your own build is the way to go. Or having a PC outlet build it for you, if'in your sceered.
 
Eric.
Plenty of people go get ripped off at Best Buy. But as far as computer stuff goes, I really don't care about holding a piece of silicon before its "mine". So, go save money online.
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Nobody ever got ripped off at New Egg or Tiger Direct? if you believe that, I have an island in Montana I'd like to sell you! I am willing to pay a little extra to talk to an actual person who can provide direct in person customer service. I have had great experience with Bestbuy, and I think just because their pricing strategy is not able to match NewEgg they get a bad rap. I agree about the Geeksquad however, there are cheaper local computer repair options. I have bought items from NewEgg before, but my next ultrabook will most likely come from Bestbuy.
 
lemansfanatic
Nobody ever got ripped off at New Egg or Tiger Direct? if you believe that, I have an island in Montana I'd like to sell you! I am willing to pay a little extra to talk to an actual person who can provide direct in person customer service. I have had great experience with Bestbuy, and I think just because their pricing strategy is not able to match NewEgg they get a bad rap. I agree about the Geeksquad however, there are cheaper local computer repair options. I have bought items from NewEgg before, but my next ultrabook will most likely come from Bestbuy.
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I have worked in the warehouse first at Circuit City and currently at HH Gregg and a friend of mine from CC went to do the same at Best Buy. From this experience I can tell you first hand that none of the salesmen at any of these large stores knows the first thing about practical use of the products they sell. All they know are the specs written on the box, and sometimes not even that. This amount of information can be found just as quickly, and more reliably, all across the web. If you want to speak to a knowledgeable salesperson before you spend a bunch of money I can completely understand that but please don't expect that person to be working any of these 3 companies or any where like them.
 
If your going to one of the big box stores looking for expert advice I agree its a waste of time. If you already done your research online and know what your after the big box store are just fine. Might be a slight increase in the price, but most places will price match. Its cheaper to build your own most everyone knows that, but for whatever the reason some choose to buy them already assembled. As long as its has simaliar components to a diy system it will perform just as well.
 

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