Best Cheap computer for gaming!!?

Question

I just was wondering what is the best desktop computer out there for gaming that is fairly cheap? I was thinking about buying a really cheap <$500 computer but then adding a good video card.

Also what is the best processer and video card out there for gaming?
I assume more Ghz is better, right?
What does Ram do for me?

Answer 1

GHz means little in processor benchmark speeds.
Intel processors are currently the fastest. Core 2 extreme is fastest , followed by Quad core, and Core 2 Duo.

Ram:
Faster RAM is better
XP get 1 GB, Vista get 2GB
Ram is about $40-$50 per GB

Best Processor see charts:
CPU gaming performance charts:
http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu_2007.html

CPU Benchmarks
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/index.php

Most <$500 computers will need their power supply replaced with a larger one when you upgrade to a high end gaming card.

For inexpensive computers check

Dell outlet (only vista home premium; 2 GB; dual processor)
http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnlineSales/topics/global.aspx/arb/online/en/InventorySearch?c=us&cs=22&l=en&s=dfh

Circuit city
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Compaq-Presario-Desktop-PC-SR5152NX/sem/rpsm/oid/184443/catOid/-12962/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

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Video Cards:

See graphics card gaming performance charts:
http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics.html
http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=399&type=expert&pid=1

Only get DirectX10 compatible cards.

Take a look at the major difference in picture quality between the two DirectX versions here. You must have Vista to use DirectX 10.
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/pcs/directx-9-vs-directx-10-worth-upgrading-to-vista-for-243099.php

8800 Ultra $580 to $900
Probably is the best video card for serious gaming.
Per Mfr. requires a minimum recommended power supply 500 Watt with +12 Volt current rating of 34 Amps and two available 6-pin Molex hard drive power dongles

8600 GTS $159
About half the speed of the 8800Ultra but still very good.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=8600GTs&x=16&y=27
Minimum of a 350 Watt power supply with a +12 Volt current rating of 18 Amps . An available 6 pin PCI-E power connector


If you have XP or Vista software, consider building one.

Choose only components rated 5 stars with a lot of reviews at newegg.com. Read all the reviews.
http://www.newegg.com/
http://www.tigerdirect.com/

Get a motherboard that can support Core 2 extreme, Quad core, and Core 2 Duo to allow upgrading later. You can probably afford to build a system with the Core 2 Duo, 1.8GHz +; 1-2 GB RAM; 250+GB SATA II Hard drive; 18-20X CD/DVD burner; Power supply ; and Case for $500.

Answer 2

The rule for gaming machines is to buy the best that you can afford. This means doing some preliminary research and shopping. "Best" and "cheap" are both relative terms. It all depends on how much money you have available to spend and what games you want to play. Everything has to be compatible with everything else. The selection of the motherboard is the key to selecting the other components. Everything has to connect to it and you have to have a quality power supply unit with enough capacity to provide clean, stable power to everything inside the case as well as any USB periphreals you may have. You also have to have adequate case ventilation and fans to dissipate the heat.

The next thing to consider is the CPU. Because AMD processors must be built differently from Intel's, it can be difficult to do direct comparisons; especially if simply based on GHz. Both make good processors. AMD's processors are usually less expensive for more power even though the GHz rating may be less. The CPU must be compatible with the motherboard. As with any other components, faster is usually better for gaming and more expensive.

Buying a good video card also depends on compatibility with the computer motherboard connector slot (AGP or PCI-e). Decent ones start off at around $150 and go up to over $600. Major video card manufacturers primarily use either nVidia or ATI GPU chips. Again, it just depends on what you can afford and what you want play.

RAM (Random Access Memory) are the memory chips that make things work. Without RAM your computer will not work - period. Faster memory chips with more capacity (up to a point) is best for gaming. However, you need to know what the motherboard can handle before you buy more.

Don't overlook the operating system either. You will most likely have to buy another copy of Windows or Linux or whatever you use on the new machine unless it comes with one because of license restrictions. At this time I would recommend Windows XP over Vista. At least until the first service pack for Vista is released sometime next year.

For around $500 you can get a fairly basic off-the-shelf machine from Dell, Gateway, HP and others that will handle most of the current games. Check out the specifications for each one before you lay out the money. From there prices go up rapidly to several thousand dollars for a high-end gaming machine with all the bells and whistles that involves. The next generation of games coming out soon will have steeper system requirements.

You might want to consider buying a refurbished machine from one of those big three companies to get more bang for your buck. Check out their online outlet stores to see what is available. The major brands' refurbished/remanufactured systems usually carry the same warranties as new ones but cost less. They may have some cosmetic defects such as scratched or dented cases, but are certified to be in working condition.

Or, you might want to consider building a system yourself. It is not all that difficult.

Answer 3

hmm going to be a tough feat, yet not impossible. you will could build one your self, detect a technically prone buddy, or discover one 2nd hand someplace and improve it a sprint. do you like a computer screen, KB, mouse & audio device? terrific guess is to bypass AMD.. for destiny upgrading, plus extra reasonable, extra into GPU BTW fees are from MSY.. (australian save, sells stuff extremely inexpensive) AMD AM3 x2 255 3.10Ghz Althlon II twin center $sixty 3 ASUS M4N68-T motherboard $fifty 9 4GB DDR3 RAM kit $sixty six Thermaltake V3 Case Black version with 450W PSU $seventy 3 ASUS Geforce 240 $60 0.5TB hdd - $50 Samsung DVD RW - $23 entire $394 Edit this element would be waiting to play maximum video games very nicely, I at the instant have a 220 (lesser type) put in in a gadget right here (twin center @ 2.6) and my sister is enjoying Mafia2 on it (1280p) at ~17 FPS (medium textures, x16 antistropic, Vsync on) As others have stated, you ought to get a 2nd hand laptop of a few gaming fanatic, inexpensive and not precisely crappy.

Answer 4

there is no such thing as a cheap gaming computer, i was looking at a $950 processor the other day and video cards like the 8800GTX are a few hundred dollars. gaming comps are at bare minimum $1500 if you actually game

Answer 5

Here's a cheap one you could build.
http://arstechnica.com/guides/buyer/guide-200704.ars
Since processors are cheaper now, you could consider a faster one. Then buy at least a 8800GTS.