inexpensive gaming system.
June 28, 2010 5:33 PM Subscribe
I am trying to build a computer and need some help, as I have not built one before.
I am thinking of getting this bare bones system. I assume that in addition to the system set that is being sold, I will also need to get a graphics card, a cooling fan, an operating system, and a monitor. I already have the peripherals and USB wireless card.
The goal for the system is to be able to play TF2 and Left 4 Dead type games in addition to being useful for web browsing and some word processing. So my questions are:
Do all those components work together?
Do I need to purchase something that I have omitted, like some sort of sound card, networking card, etc. ? (I plan on getting a DVD drive from an older computer)
Is there a cheaper way to get a system that will play the games I have mentioned?
(I know a similar question has already been asked, but that was 3 years ago and technology changes fast.)
I am thinking of getting this bare bones system. I assume that in addition to the system set that is being sold, I will also need to get a graphics card, a cooling fan, an operating system, and a monitor. I already have the peripherals and USB wireless card.
The goal for the system is to be able to play TF2 and Left 4 Dead type games in addition to being useful for web browsing and some word processing. So my questions are:
Do all those components work together?
Do I need to purchase something that I have omitted, like some sort of sound card, networking card, etc. ? (I plan on getting a DVD drive from an older computer)
Is there a cheaper way to get a system that will play the games I have mentioned?
(I know a similar question has already been asked, but that was 3 years ago and technology changes fast.)
Oh, and yes, everything looks like it fits together as far as part compatibility.
posted by deezil at 5:49 PM on June 28, 2010
posted by deezil at 5:49 PM on June 28, 2010
If you're happy with regular two-channel audio (ie, right and left speakers), that motherboard will provide it automagically. (And you can always open the case back up and add a dedicated soundcard later if you want better sound quality or more channels. Personally I find the two-speaker output to be plenty.)
posted by Blue Jello Elf at 5:52 PM on June 28, 2010
posted by Blue Jello Elf at 5:52 PM on June 28, 2010
Wireless is very laggy for online gaming, try to run ethernet.
Also a good router is important for online gaming.
For the amount you're paying for everything, you may want to look at Dell's gaming machines. Sometimes in the summer you can even get free monitors.
BTW, if you're thinking cheap monitors, you might be able to get last year's decent LCD tvs for less than a decent monitor. They're much bigger for the same price and generally have a good picture.
posted by reklus at 5:55 PM on June 28, 2010
Also a good router is important for online gaming.
For the amount you're paying for everything, you may want to look at Dell's gaming machines. Sometimes in the summer you can even get free monitors.
BTW, if you're thinking cheap monitors, you might be able to get last year's decent LCD tvs for less than a decent monitor. They're much bigger for the same price and generally have a good picture.
posted by reklus at 5:55 PM on June 28, 2010
Best answer: I would avoid that bare bones system. Biostar makes crap motherboards, Hitachi makes crap hard drives, and I don't even want to imagine what grade the capacitors on the included power supply are. Also, the RAM that comes with that system is a generation old and is not upgradable to DDR3 RAM, and the processor is a couple of generations old.
If you don't mind spending a little more money, I would go with something like this: motherboard, processor, RAM, case/power supply, and hard drive. An XFX 4670 graphics card is also going to give you the performance you need to play the games you listed at a very reasonable price. With this setup, you shouldn't need to purchase any additional cooling fans unless you're not going to have the computer sitting out in the open or if you don't have AC on in the summer.
To answer the rest of your question, the bare bones system you've linked to does have compatible components. If you do decide to go with the budget bare bones system you linked to, I would still consider using the graphics card I mentioned.
My experience, by the way, is as a computer technician who regularly specs out and builds custom systems.
posted by GnomeChompsky at 6:00 PM on June 28, 2010 [2 favorites]
If you don't mind spending a little more money, I would go with something like this: motherboard, processor, RAM, case/power supply, and hard drive. An XFX 4670 graphics card is also going to give you the performance you need to play the games you listed at a very reasonable price. With this setup, you shouldn't need to purchase any additional cooling fans unless you're not going to have the computer sitting out in the open or if you don't have AC on in the summer.
To answer the rest of your question, the bare bones system you've linked to does have compatible components. If you do decide to go with the budget bare bones system you linked to, I would still consider using the graphics card I mentioned.
My experience, by the way, is as a computer technician who regularly specs out and builds custom systems.
posted by GnomeChompsky at 6:00 PM on June 28, 2010 [2 favorites]
Also, I'd be wary of Dell's (or HP/Compaq's) cheaper gaming machines. A lot of the components included in them aren't very high grade, and you may be stuck with a steep repair bill or buying a new computer within a year and a half. My experience with newer desktops is you're lucky if they last much beyond their warranty period (of one year).
posted by GnomeChompsky at 6:03 PM on June 28, 2010
posted by GnomeChompsky at 6:03 PM on June 28, 2010
Ars Technica, offers a guide to building a Budget Box (October 2009) for less than $800. This setup includes everything you need.
posted by axismundi at 6:19 PM on June 28, 2010
posted by axismundi at 6:19 PM on June 28, 2010
I built a computer for the first time this spring. I didn't know anything about it beforehand, but I trusted the advice of some folks here and folks who know more about computers than I do, and it worked out great!
I spent about eight hundy like axismundi mentioned. Ars Technica's budget box is always pretty good, or so I hear.
posted by solipsophistocracy at 8:15 PM on June 28, 2010
I spent about eight hundy like axismundi mentioned. Ars Technica's budget box is always pretty good, or so I hear.
posted by solipsophistocracy at 8:15 PM on June 28, 2010
Whoops, sorry. I cut the part out of the middle that actually had information in it:
All of the advice I got said not to buy a bare bones system, but rather to assemble the best deals I could find on different combinations of compatible parts from NewEgg. If you don't know someone to help you through the process, I'd be glad to offer as much insight as I can (though I'm still pretty green).
posted by solipsophistocracy at 8:17 PM on June 28, 2010
All of the advice I got said not to buy a bare bones system, but rather to assemble the best deals I could find on different combinations of compatible parts from NewEgg. If you don't know someone to help you through the process, I'd be glad to offer as much insight as I can (though I'm still pretty green).
posted by solipsophistocracy at 8:17 PM on June 28, 2010
The site looks kinda cheesy, but I followed the instructions on My Super Pc and built my own computer. I'd never built one before, and am (still) not that handy, but I had no trouble. Oh, and I also used to read the budget box recommendations on Ars Technica.
Good Luck
posted by claytonius maximus at 9:43 PM on June 28, 2010
Good Luck
posted by claytonius maximus at 9:43 PM on June 28, 2010
Definitely stay away from Biostar. If you have a Fry's around you, you can get much better deals by looking at their weekly ads.
posted by wongcorgi at 7:12 AM on June 29, 2010
posted by wongcorgi at 7:12 AM on June 29, 2010
Strangely enough, 3 year old technology handles those particular games fine at 1920x1200 on a 24" LCD.
My CPU of now four years old (Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4ghz). Video card is coming up on the 2 year mark (ATI HD 4870).
If you're not in a rush, watch slickdeals.net for hot deals on various components as well as this thread for recent pricing on components.
posted by liquoredonlife at 10:19 AM on June 29, 2010
My CPU of now four years old (Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4ghz). Video card is coming up on the 2 year mark (ATI HD 4870).
If you're not in a rush, watch slickdeals.net for hot deals on various components as well as this thread for recent pricing on components.
posted by liquoredonlife at 10:19 AM on June 29, 2010
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Sound card and NIC are on the motherboard, so don't need those.
If you're getting a DVD drive from another computer, that should be fine.
posted by deezil at 5:48 PM on June 28, 2010