New computer advice...

[Boomhauer]

So, I'm hoping to be replacing my computer next week. My laptop is a couple of years old, and with a keyboard wearing out and battery dieing, it's coming to the point where it will be mainly useful as a desktop machine, hooked up to a keyboard and mouse. I'm going to give it to my mom, because she has need of a newer computer that is good for office applications and web surfing...

So, I'm on the market for a new computer. Seems like stuff completely turns upside down everytime I turn my back, so I'm kind of lost.

I'm hoping to do this under 1K, if that's possible. I want to play stuff like Fallout 3 and the new Grand Theft Auto IV when it's eventually released for PC...

One of the things that confuses me is that while games are still listed for specs for a Pentium 4...what's the equivilent of specs for a dual core processor? Say a game is rated for minimum system requirements of 3.4 GHZ Pentium 4, what's the equivilant for a dual core processor? I've liked my dual core laptop...


(Yes, I know some of you will say "Buy a console" but I'd have to buy a TV to go along with it...we don't have a TV worth a damn in our house...and I prefer mouse and keyboard when it comes to FPS)

[Brad Johnson]

A fast and cheap laptop?

HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!

Three words ... Don't Smoke Crack.

Brad

[Boomhauer]

A fast and[i/] cheap laptop?

HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!

Three words ... Don't Smoke Crack.

Brad

I forgot to say I want this one to be a desktop. Bought a laptop last time cause I'd thought I needed it for school, then discovered things weren't what they seemed...

I'm not stupid.

[Brad Johnson]

Okay... how about "Buy A Console"?



Brad

p.s. Not a bad idea, actually.  And with a PS3 you get Blu-Ray to boot.

[Gewehr98]

IIRC, you can run Ubuntu Linux on an Xbox console... 

[Boomhauer]

Yeah, but what about the "Red ring of death" with the Xbox 360? What problems does the Playstation 3 have? (I also don't really care about the Blueray player)

What about my flightsims? At least I can play X-Plane and Microsoft FSX on a PC...not so much on a console...gotta have something to kind of satisfy my thirst when I cannot afford or don't have the time to fly...

[AZRedhawk44]

If it's a dual-core or better AMD Athlon, or a Core 2 Duo or better Intel, don't worry about the CPU speed.  It's plenty for what you'll need.

Focus on the video card, entirely.

For ATI Radeons... get a 3800 or better card.  And no, a 4600 is not better than a 3800.  Keep the "hundreds" digit at least at the 800 level.  This indicates the performance level of the GPU and Ram on the board. 

I don't know or follow Nvidia cards, but they follow the same rule with the "hundreds" place as ATI does.  A 7900 will blow away an 8600.

Never get any computer that shares system RAM as video RAM.  Slow, slow, slow.  Never get any computer that mentions the video card is "integrated" or "on board."  Never get any computer that has the video connector (DVI or VGA) anywhere near the keyboard socket on the back of the motherboard of the computer.

Your best bet to actually get a decent computer is to build it yourself.  It will cost a little more and won't come with a bunch of free software... and you'll thank yourself for that.  The vaporware won't be on your system to slow it down or harrass you to buy something.  The power supply will actually be sufficient to run everything inside it.

You willing to build, or are you looking for a turn-key box from Dell or Gateway?

[Boomhauer]

You willing to build, or are you looking for a turn-key box from Dell or Gateway?

That is one of my dilemmas. I can probably physically put something together...but to make all the pieces work together is a problem that I will probably have (replacing and upgrading components in the past has been an issue for me). Plus, I haven't any idea what components to get. If ya'll can help me with that...that'd be great.

Never get any computer that shares system RAM as video RAM.  Slow, slow, slow.  Never get any computer that mentions the video card is "integrated" or "on board."  Never get any computer that has the video connector (DVI or VGA) anywhere near the keyboard socket on the back of the motherboard of the computer.

I definitely knew that. Separate video card(s) is the only way to go...

I'm also considering water cooling...

[grislyatoms]

Yeah, but what about the "Red ring of death" with the Xbox 360? What problems does the Playstation 3 have? (I also don't really care about the Blueray player)

I repaired my "Red Ring of Death" out-of-warranty 360 with this kit/tutorial, a drill, and a few hand tools. Been running it a couple months now, no problems. (Doesn't excuse Microsoft's crappy QC, but still)

http://www.llamma.com/xbox360/repair/ring_of_light_x-clamp_fix.htm

It took me an hour and a half or so, would have gone much quicker if I had know the trick to getting the x-clamps loose.

[Marvin Dao]

I'd skip watercooling unless you're planning to do some major overclocking. Modern heat sinks and fans for processors and video cards can do quiet just as well as watercooling at significantly less cost.

[Calumus]

Do you have any friends around that can help you build it if you go the home built way?  You can get a decent system from Dell then upgrade some parts. The biggest problem is that you won't be able overclock at all. As long as you're not all thumbs building a pc isn't really that hard, just take your time. If you decide to try a do it yourself here are some things to get you started.      http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115036                http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128337
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184          http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185074     
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151027             http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130370   
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042             http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

Now you can pick out a moniter and have some fun. This system will play any game on the market, and that cpu will overclock to close to 4Ghz with out too much of an issue. You can use the onboard sound on that mobo without an issue. Cheers,
Shawn