Looking for Mid-range gaming computer

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Blackbird.

Blackbird.

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I've had this hp pavilion a610y for awhile now and it's done what I wanted as far as basic school needs. On the side I like to game with it but being very old and not all that high-end when it was first introduced it can barely muster gaming. I play BF2 and have all my settings to low and 800x600 resolution and only 50% draw distance and still lags really bad especially when alot of open buildings are around, objects, and such. (It's an nVidia GeForce FX 5200; 256mb; PCI) Sounds pathetic huh, I know. No, my computer does not support anything greater than PCI. So I've been pondering on getting a new, custom-built, desktop PC for mainly light gaming so now the question. Can anyone show me a list of computer parts from a site (like newegg) that would create a decent gaming computer. I don't want a full blown behemoth that can play on all high smoothly while also running a ton of other programs in the background. I just want a computer that can handle at the least medium graphics smoothly, because when I game I have everything closed except maybe ventrilo in the future. Now as far as budgets go I wouldn't really want to go much more then $500 but I don't know how prices go in association with the capability of a custom built computer so any insight on what I could get with $300 or $500 would be great. :)

EDIT: If you need more information on what i'm looking for ask. And if i'm completely off about the price tell me what i'll need to pay up to get what i'm asking for.
 
Please any information would be useful, as little as what kind of money i'm looking at putting out for a mid-range gaming computer would be useful.
 
Well, if you want a mid-range gaming computer, 500 is pretty optimistic. I would say a rig that'll run most games today smoothly will run you around $800-900. Or, if you don't need a monitor, around $600-700.
 
Seanman
Well, if you want a mid-range gaming computer, 500 is pretty optimistic. I would say a rig that'll run most games today smoothly will run you around $800-900. Or, if you don't need a monitor, around $600-700.
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Yeah, do you need a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and/or speakers?

Since you want to keep it cheap, I guess single-core is OK?
 
ROAD_DOGG33J
Yeah, do you need a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and/or speakers?

Since you want to keep it cheap, I guess single-core is OK?
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Nope just need a computer, I have the monitor, keyboard, mouse, and speakers.

I guess? I don't know if that's good or not I do want it cheap but I also want it to work. As long as it performs well for gaming, and will last awhile.
 
Core 2's are cheap now. There are good motherboards and RAM is ridiculously cheap now too. Video cards are decent now too. Just peep Newegg if you have time, or PM me if you want me to make you a PC for a decent price.
 
Omnis
Get an iMac.
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This is a joke.. Right?

PLmatt91
Core 2's are cheap now. There are good motherboards and RAM is ridiculously cheap now too. Video cards are decent now too. Just peep Newegg if you have time, or PM me if you want me to make you a PC for a decent price.
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Core 2s are still too expensive for his budget.

Here's what I was able to put together. It'll run you between $400 and $500, depending on how you configure it, but for a 'gaming' system this is really the lowest you'll be able to go. That aside, it actually isn't a bad computer for the price.

I didn't include the price of an OS. I am assuming you might have a copy on an old computer you're not going to use anymore or something like that. If not, plan on about $100-$120 more for whatever OS you decide to go with.

All prices include shipping

Case:
  • RAIDMAX Astro
  • I realize it isn't the most awesome case around, but with a decent included PSU and good build quality, it fits into the build well.
  • $54.98
Motherboard:
  • Biostar TForce TF7025-M2
  • The only downside to this motherboard is that it's a Micro ATX motherboard - Thing is though, it has 4x ram slots, which is generally the largest problem with mATX boards. It has a fairly decent feature set, including: SATA (RAID 0/1/0+1/5), 4 RAM slots, Onboard 8-channel audio, onboard gigabyte-LAN.
  • $66.32
Processor:
  • AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+
  • For a dual core processor, you really can't go wrong for the price. It should be fast enough for your needs, and you can always upgrade to a faster AM2 CPU. It's also retail, so it comes with a stock HSF, which should be enough for you.
  • $65.99
Memory:
  • Wintec AmpX 1GB DDR2 800 PC2 6400 (x2, for 2GB RAM)
  • Anyone who hasn't heard of Wintec Ampo should give them a try. Absolutely wonderful memory for the price - I've used it countless times. Never had a problem.
  • $99.96
Video:
  • MSI nVidia 8600GT
  • Not an uber-gaming video card for sure, but it'll play recent and new games at decent settings smoothly. Also has a pimp cooler.
  • $121.32
Hard Drive:
  • Western Digital Caviar SE16 250GB
  • 250GB, 7200RPM, 16MB Cache, SATA3.0. WD drives are generally quiet in my experience as well (with the exception of Raptors).
  • $64.99
Optical Drive:
Total: $506.93

You could trim off about $50 by reducing it to 1GB of RAM, though I wouldn't recommend it. Like I said, it doesn't include an OS. :guilty: Hopefully you have one you can use though.

If you really wanted, you could go cheaper, I just don't see a system much cheaper running games very well. This system has (as configured) 2GB of memory, 250GB HD, 8600GT, dual core processor.. It's really not bad. 👍
 
Thank you so much for the list, Burnout, and thank you everyone else for your input. I looked at the list that you had put together, Burnout, and I like what I see and I can trust that what you say it will run smoothly on decent settings like I requested. If you know anything about BF2 you can use medium settings as a benchmark for "decent settings" for me but from what I can see I can tell it's going to be enough. Now as far as putting this thing together... I have no idea how to do it. Is it easy to figure out myself with a little guidance or should I let someone that knows how to do it build it?
 
Yeah, that list looks pretty okay. I tried making something a little upscale, but it came out to $506 + $68 shipping without a HDD, DVD drive, and only 1 gig of ram.

These two motherboards also look good:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138026
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128034

RO_JA
Now as far as putting this thing together... I have no idea how to do it. Is it easy to figure out myself with a little guidance or should I let someone that knows how to do it build it?
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It should be easy enough.

Here's a place to start:
http://www.tomshardware.com/2006/12/14/how-to-build-a-pc-part-3/
 
ROAD_DOGG33J
It should be easy enough.

Here's a place to start:
http://www.tomshardware.com/2006/12/14/how-to-build-a-pc-part-3/
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Okay, i'll read up on it but... even installing my video card a couple years ago it took me awhile to do since i'm not all that savvy with hardware, or anything internal for that matter.

EDIT: Well I read up on it and while most of it made sense... the thermal paste part of installing the CPU and all the power connectors to the motherboard and the PSU confused the hell out of me. :(
 
RO_JA
Okay, i'll read up on it but... even installing my video card a couple years ago it took me awhile to do since i'm not all that savvy with hardware, or anything internal for that matter.

EDIT: Well I read up on it and while most of it made sense... the thermal paste part of installing the CPU and all the power connectors to the motherboard and the PSU confused the hell out of me. :(
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It's simple enough when you have the components infront of you.. You honestly could overcomplicate it by looking at diagrams on the internet.

Here's the good news - Certain plugs only fit in certain places (you honestly would 9/10 times have to cut a plug up to make it fit somewhere it wasn't supposed to go). The only area it can get tricky is installing things like USB headers and front panel connectors on the motherboard; fortunately diagrams are in the motherboard manuals, and all of the pins have writing on them. Just take your time, follow the instructions and everything will come out well.

The thermal past is also fairly simple. Since you'll be using the retail HSF, it already has either a predetermined amount of paste on the buttom. All you'll have to do is lay it on top and close the clip. Again, it'll be easier and make more sense once you have the components infront of you.
 
Ah so the processor already has paste pre-prepared so I don't have to deal with it? Well that's good, and although they say that people over-exagerate the ESD i'm still going to get paranoid about discharging myself before I touch a component.

Oh and the whole "master" and "slave" thing with the drives confused me as well. :indiff:
 
RO_JA
Ah so the processor already has paste pre-prepared so I don't have to deal with it? Well that's good, and although they say that people over-exagerate the ESD i'm still going to get paranoid about discharging myself before I touch a component.
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http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16899339002

Or, like you suggested, just discharge yourself on a grounded metal object throughout the build.

RO_JA
Oh and the whole "master" and "slave" thing with the drives confused me as well. :indiff:
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This is hardly an issue anymore, particularly for your system. Because SATA is used for the hard drive, the only IDE device that would need to be selected is the optical drive, and generally they come preconfigured to be the master (if not it's a simple matter of switching a jumper over two pins). You then just plug the end plug on the IDE cable into the drive and plug the opposite end to the motherboard.
 
Please don't get AMD.

With Core 2 Duo out right now and the price cuts coming up for the 22nd, the E6300 and E6400 will be close to your budget. Trust me, you don't want Amd with what Intel offers now.
 
PLmatt91
Please don't get AMD.

With Core 2 Duo out right now and the price cuts coming up for the 22nd, the E6300 and E6400 will be close to your budget. Trust me, you don't want Amd with what Intel offers now.
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In the value segment, the price cuts on July 22nd will bring the cheapest Core 2 you can get to... $112 or so, which will be an E4400. Now, at nearly twice the price lets see the performance difference:

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So, while the Core 2 E4400 is slightly faster, is it worth twice the price (heck, the E6300 isn't even that much faster)? You really ought to keep in mind the price ranger, PLmatt. Don't get me wrong though, I own several Core 2 systems, and with a larger budget I would definitely go for a Core 2, just not in this application.

I will say, if he plans on overclocking he will get better results out of a Core 2, but I just don't think he'll be doing that.
 
The iMac suggestion isn't too far fetched if he had that much money to spend. The processors are plenty fast enough and a 256mb 7600GT with boot camp installed, I don't see why "mid range gaming" isn't possible.
 
Integra Type R
The iMac suggestion isn't too far fetched if he had that much money to spend. The processors are plenty fast enough and a 256mb 7600GT with boot camp installed, I don't see why "mid range gaming" isn't possible.
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..I don't know how Steve Jobs does it. To get someone to look me in the face and say "A $1,500 iMac wouldn't be bad for gaming," when I just quoted a system for far less which would absolutely play games better.. It amazes me.
 
Plus, won't custom built computers always be cheaper then buying a brand.

EDIT: Also to save costs what would you think about me taking out the secondary drive in my old computer in substitution of the samsung or is it really worth the $35 for a new secondary drive?
 
Burnout
..I don't know how Steve Jobs does it. To get someone to look me in the face and say "A $1,500 iMac wouldn't be bad for gaming," when I just quoted a system for far less which would absolutely play games better.. It amazes me.
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I was just validating Omnis' statement by saying that an iMac can be used for mid ranged gaming.
 
RO_JA
Plus, won't custom built computers always be cheaper then buying a brand.

EDIT: Also to save costs what would you think about me taking out the secondary drive in my old computer in substitution of the samsung or is it really worth the $35 for a new secondary drive?
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I personally would think the $35 is worth it to have a fast new drive for the computer, but you could totally substitute it.

Integra Type R
I was just validating Omnis' statement by saying that an iMac can be used for mid ranged gaming.
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The 7600GT isn't even available except for in the 24" iMac, and with the upgrade to the card it's $2,125. Do you know what kind of gaming computer you could build for that much?
 
Burnout
I personally would think the $35 is worth it to have a fast new drive for the computer, but you could totally substitute it.
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True, I think i've been having problems with the old secondary drive anyway.

Burnout
The 7600GT isn't even available except for in the 24" iMac, and with the upgrade to the card it's $2,125. Do you know what kind of gaming computer you could build for that much?
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I mean I think macs are alright but... to get a nice graphics card like the 7600GT are they forcing you, practically, to buy the huge 24" mac just to get that video card? If so that sucks.
 
Burnout
The 7600GT isn't even available except for in the 24" iMac, and with the upgrade to the card it's $2,125. Do you know what kind of gaming computer you could build for that much?
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A very nice one I assume. I havn't followed hardware pricing in a long time. When I think mid range gaming, I think of running new to new-ish games on medium settings to the low end of high settings comfortably. I think of the hardware and what it is capable of doing. Everyone knows that you are paying a premium for a Mac, but stat wise, like I've been saying, an iMac is just fine for mid range gaming.
 
RO_JA
Plus, won't custom built computers always be cheaper then buying a brand.
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Usually, yes. Anytime you are looking for performance you will probably save money doing it yourself. But there is no way you can get an okay budget PC built cheaper than Dell or HP will gladly do for you.

When I built my PC [around $1900-2000 including shipping ($90..ouch), monitor and surround sound] I could not get something that would equal it for at least $2500, maybe more. That was without a monitor and surround sound. ;)
 
Burnout
The 7600GT isn't even available except for in the 24" iMac, and with the upgrade to the card it's $2,125. Do you know what kind of gaming computer you could build for that much?
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:lol:

Yes, going with parts and building it yourself will always be the cheapest route.
 

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