- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
Build one.
Build one to run better, to run cooler, to be cheaper, and to be clean of bloatware that manufacturers pile into their systems. [H]ard|OCP ordered a Dell XPS 600 and was shocked at how slow it was for the components it contained. In addition, they couldn't play Quake 4 among several other games that Dell's propietary safeguard system deemed 'unsafe'.
Even if you're completely clueless when it comes to building pc's, you can do it and walk away happy. You'll have a machine that you've built yourself, that you can customize, and you can continually revamp.
The question is how much can you spend?
I just built a sweet system for a friend for under $800 - it runs all games at medium to high settings.
What I'd suggest if you're on a tight budget:
* AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Venice core [socket 939] - $155
* Chaintech VNF4 [socket 939 motherboard] - $56
* 2x512MB PQi Turbo DDR400 [184-pin] - $75
* 160GB Maxtor Diamondmax10 [SATA Hard Drive] - $80
* Any DVD-burner - $50
* eVGA 6800GS 256MB [PCI-express graphics card] - $170
* Full/Mid-tower ATX Case [aluminum is lighter but more expensive] with a 400watt or better PSU - $50-$100
Total cost would be about $650, give or take a bit. What do you get with that? A pretty powerful system. The processor can overclock very well, even with AMD's stock heatsink, and the graphics card will last you a long time. I wouldn't go lower than a 6800GS right now, considering the next generation of games will demand HDR, SM3, and other effects that older cards won't be able to handle.
Where to buy? NewEgg, ZipZoomFly, Monarch Computers, etc.
Installation? Piece of cake. Mount the drives, mount the mobo, mount the CPU/heatsink, connect wires, and install Windows.
Operating System? You'd probably want to buy Windows XP or see if your old pc had an OS disk [be careful - it might have all of those pre-loaded programs].
Too expensive? Then tell us and maybe we can cut some corners.
Monitor? Use the one from your old system. Same goes for keyboard/mouse.
[Edited on 1/21/2006]