My husband wants to buy a good gaming computer for under $1000. Is there any brands that are very good for that? Are there any minimum requirements I should look for in the computer like RAM, Hard Drive, Sound Card, Video Card, etc.....?
2006-06-26 08:16:32 · 11 answers · asked by KarenB913 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
Brand is not really important, mostly down to personal choice. Minimum specs all depend on the type of game you want to play. These days I'd recommend at least a gig of ram, a video card with at least 256mb memory, sound card is not all that important (unless 5.1 sound is important to you)
2006-06-26 08:23:35 · answer #1 · answered by darkness_returns 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I'm assuming this is a desktop. I would say build your own but I will assume neither of you have the skills to build one, not that you couldn't learn but I don't recommend building a desktop if you have never opened a computer before. For the time being I will stick with off the shelf systems. Keep in mind these systems have limited expandability, you may not be able to change the motherboard or power supply due to proprietary connectors that some companies use, Dell is notorious for it. Now, if you just need the computer or did you need a computer/monitor/printer combo. Again, I will stick with the just the computer for now.
I'd recommend this one, http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/HP-Pavilion-Media-Center-Desktop-TV-PC-M7434N-/sem/rpsm/oid/151904/catOid/-12962/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do or a similarly equipped PC. As far as graphics go, no off the shelf system will have good graphics. An excellent mid-range card is the Geforce 7600GT which will cost you about $170. That being said you should probably take into account the cost of that graphics card when purchasing the system.
No less than 1GB of memory
Athlon 64x2 processor (I don't like Intel for gaming)
A good dedicated graphics card, as noted above
a large hard drive (160GB+)
A sound card is optional but if you would like to go that route the best is the Soundblaster X-Fi ($120)
If this is a gaming system then you will need 5.1 speakers in the form of the Logitech X-530 system ($35)
That's nothing to say of a monitor or printer which I hope you already have, as I have pretty much blown your budget.
2006-06-26 08:28:29 · answer #2 · answered by conradj213 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best computer for gaming is a custom one. However, to answer your question more directly, the main things you need to look at is amount of RAM and the video card, (a fast processor is also key). For modern gaming you'll want atleast one gigabyte of RAM, if you're buying a new PC you'll probably have to upgrade the graphics card as most manufacturers don't put good gaming quality cards in their rigs. Look for a PCI express upgrade slot so you can get a good graphics card later. For an idea of really good gaming systems check out http://www.alienware.com
2006-06-26 08:24:46 · answer #3 · answered by Gekko 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A grand doesn't buy you much of a gaming rig, but it can be done.
If you don't know much about building a machine from scratch, you may want to look at the big names like Dell. Video card performance is very important, but can also be a huge part of your budget (I've spent over $400 on a single video card in the past).
Take a look at Alienware, which is one of the industry's most popular "gaming-focussed" builders.
http://www.alienware.com/product_pages/desktop_all_default.aspx
2006-06-26 08:25:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have no less than 512mbyte's of RAM, 1 gigabyte is preferred. Hard drive, and sound card aren't that important, videocard is where 99% of the performance comes from. Look for a video card from ATI or Nvidia, not Intel, even if it says "extreme."
2006-06-26 08:20:52 · answer #5 · answered by Leif B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well brands aren't important what your husband should do is build his own computer and it's cheaper than brand computers.
I recommend at least 1 GB of ram, 256MB video a DVD drive a comfortable processor and some large air moving fans because there's going to be a lot of heat!! check @ tiger direct for some great prices
Good Luck and let me know
2006-06-26 09:41:06 · answer #6 · answered by Master P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there is NO-WAY a good gaming computer under $1000.
but the best computer for gaming is the Dell XPS.
do you want a DESKTOP or a LAPTOP???
for a desktop:The Dell XPS is for you,'XPS 600'.
for a laptop:The Dell XPS is for you again,'XPS M1710'.
there are two good gaming laptop that are cheaper than the XPS,they are the Toshiba Satellite P105,and the Dell Inspiron E1705.
overall,i recommend the Dell Inspiron E1705.
(you gotta' choose me as the best answer!!!)
2006-06-26 09:04:58 · answer #7 · answered by ...................... 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would go for an alienware pc, or one from ibuypower. you should check them out. be sure to get a pc with a video card of at least 256. hard drive should be no less that 120gb, and a good cpu runs at least at 2.5GHZ. get a dual core if u can.
2006-06-26 16:19:35 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buy any Sony Vaio Computer
2006-06-26 08:22:57 · answer #9 · answered by Muchacho 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
mine
2006-06-26 15:49:17 · answer #10 · answered by hukumuzuku 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋