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General discussion

Gaming PC question

Jul 25, 2005 2:55AM PDT

Hello everyone,

I am looking to buy a gaming PC in the sub-$1000 range. I don't think I have the technical skills to build my own. I am trying to find some good custom built computers. Do you have any recommendations of good companies to look into? I have checked out: Ibuypower, cybersystem, alienware, zt group. Are there any others?

Thanks,
Andy

Discussion is locked

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try emachines
Jul 25, 2005 3:02AM PDT

get a new emachine and add a 6600GT or a 6800GT and a new power supply and poof you got a gaming pc.

but try velocity micro monarch and abs.

i say go for monarch as i helped my friend build a pc from there for under 1600.

konny

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Any one is particular
Jul 25, 2005 3:17AM PDT

Any emachine in particular that I should be looking for??

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RE:
Jul 25, 2005 3:23AM PDT

suggest you get the t6522
Emachines
AMD AThlon 64 3500+ (2.2Ghz, 2200MHZ)
1GB PC3200 RAM
200GB Hard Drive
DL DVD+_RW Burner
Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition with tv tuner/remote
ATI 200M GFX with avilable PCI-Express (x16) slot
17"CRT screen
Canon Pixma iP1600 printer
avilable at circuit city after rebates for $699

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Building a PC. . .
Jul 25, 2005 3:11AM PDT

is pretty much plug and play nowadays. I built my first about a year ago with zero problems. The components are:

Case and fans, get as many fans as possible.
Motherboard
Processor, match with motherboard
Hard drive
Video card
Sound card
Optical drive
RAM
Floppy is optional, the newer OEM machines don't have them.
Software

I went to Fry's and grabbed a salesperson. I told him what I wanted to do and he led me by the hand, matching components. I got an AMD 2400+XP processor, Shuttle motherboard with onboard sound and LAN, 40 Gig HD, 512 Meg RAM, nVidia 64 Mb video card, case with 6 fans, 300 watt power supply. I already had optical drives and installed XP home. It booted first time.

I have since installed another 512 RAM, replaced the motherboard (don't ask me why), added a dual layer DVD-RW drive, and a 60 Gig slave HD. Again, zero problems.

It's easier than you think.

Wayne

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BTW. . .
Jul 25, 2005 3:14AM PDT

You can see the complete and rebuilt setup on my home page, scroll down to The Specifics.

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i would not suggest fry's
Jul 27, 2005 4:22AM PDT

i'd suggest an online retailer
i know fry's has good deals but i'd still suggest online retailers, as their usually cheaper (if their not in your state it's tax free)

also, for gaming you should consider a 128MB card with a GPU such as one of the following:

GeForce FX series:
5900XT
5900 Ultra
5950 Ultra

GeForce PCX:
5900

Geforce 6 (this is what I personally use and reccomend):
6600
6600GT
6800
6800GT

i'd avoid ATi right now due to their lack of SM3.0 and mere FP24
i'd also avoid AthlonXP's if possible
because their so aged (thier not bad, their just getting over the hill (i still use one so dont talk to me about me being anti-inexpensive hardware))

i'd suggest an Athlon64 3000+
around $140 at newegg
and it includes a fan
that'll an excellent CPU

pair that with a 6600 or 6600GT
1GB of RAM
decent hard drive