Help Me Decide

[kuttlewug 28]

First job this summer and I'm making a good amount of money about $200 a week(part time.) I will have over $1,000 by summers end and I'm debating what to get by end of summer. I do want a PC that can run games well because the one of have now doesn't cut it really. Maybe I heard wrong but I guess you can build a fairly good PC for under or around $1000? I'm worried though because I've never built a computer before and don't know much of anything about parts and all that.(Or how the computer is put together in the first place) Rather not spend the extra money having parts shipped to me or if anybody knows a good gaming computer and where to get it to fit my budget and not break the bank that would be great to hear.

On the other hand I've wanted a PS3 since it was first announced. That was what now three years ago?(been waiting a long time) Two games that come to my mind are ratchet and clank and god of war. Played them on ps2 and I'll really want to play their PS3 games. Plenty of others I want to play too just can't think of them all.

Either of these would cost about the same around $1000 or less. I need the ps3 itself then a new T.V. spend about $200 of that, just a 20 inch LCD is good nothing too fancy and then some games.

Help me decide won't you? I lean more towards the PS3 personally but I want to hear what other people think.

[Miyari 33]

I'd go with the PC personally, but that's mainly because I don't use my PS3 for anything more than an overglorified Blu-Ray player. The only game I'm exceptionally excited for is MAG, though I know I'd much rather play it on PC were it possible. :/

[kuttlewug 28]

PC gaming is fun and I wish I had a good PC so if you Miyari or anyone else knows where and how much I can buy a gaming PC for..? I think buying one is better than letting my loose to try and build one that would be a disaster I'm sure of it.

[+Henry Spencer 117]

I love the PS3, but if your main focus is PC games, you should use the money to pick up a better PC.

Or, perhaps you could put it in an account and let it build up some interest? That way you can continue to build up some money working while you're also gaining money thanks to interest. After a while, you'll be able to get both!

[kuttlewug 28]

Oh I'd love to get both trust me I need one or the other though I need something new. Empire total war for PC looks really good. Thats one I'd like to see myself playing on my shiny new PC. I want TF2 to run well and not lag when the action heats up on screen D:<

[h3gi 5]

A PS3 would be nice to have; there are some exclusives that I really feel the urge to play. But generally I feel like a better PC is more useful. And you don't need more than $700 for a good computer, unless you're also replacing peripherals (monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc.). My advice is to ask a friend who knows what he's doing pick parts out for you and balance them out so you don't have any bottlenecks with your price range, or if you want I could pick them out for you.

And remember, if you have a good computer, a PS3 will be free in a couple of years anyway.

[You suck and have no life 203]

i would personally spend that 1000 bucks on a mid level shimano ultegra road bike

[Oww My Nose 19]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/core-2-overclock,2146.html - prices may have gone down since then, if not

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/overclock-e5200-radeon,2144.html

and a guide on how to build a computer (it's actually very easy) http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/how-to-tech/build-a-computer.htm

[kuttlewug 28]

Well looking around I found a PC that looks alright not a bad price at all. I know next to nothing about parts but the tech specs on this seem ok to me. Maybe if I knew what to look for what makes a PC good for gaming it would be easier. Still worried I'll buy the parts to build a PC and something will break or I'll put it together and the thing won't even turn on. Dunno tell me what you all think of that one and it looks to have a lot of expansion slots so I'm thinking if this looks good I can upgrade it at some point if I want or need to.

[Oww My Nose 19]

from what i've read, the graphics card won't be too great at online gaming. what it actually does is use the CPU to render graphics, which basically slows down the CPU (very bad for games that are very processor defendant, like TF2)

other than that, the computer looks fine, and there's an expansion slot to fit another graphics card (say an ATI Radeon 4850 HD). there might be a problem with the power supply not putting out enough power though, but i'm sure it'll be ok

[Spartan_0214 18]

If you're gonna go with HP, I'd recommend buying straight from their site. A lot of times, you can get free upgrades and it's usually cheaper than retail.

[boywonder03 2]

Well I build a budget gaming computer for my girlfriend and it only cost like $600 to have an "updated" computer.

Then you can just over clock everything :-)

[JonasV 9]

Yeah, about 3 months ago I spent less than $600 and replaced everything except the CD/DVD drives and case. So for $1000 you should be able to get significantly better hardware than I did. If you decide to go with a name brand I would take HP over Dell (crap components) or Sony (massive markup) any day. One thing you should understand, however, if you buy from one of those companies expect about $200 or so of markup in that price bracket. In otherwords you could get ~$200 worth of better gear if you put it together yourself.

As others have said don't buy anything from a chain store, if you decide to buy a HP/Dell/Sony/AW buy it direct from them and customize it yourself.

EDIT:

I wouldn't buy anything less than a Geforce 250 for graphics if you want it to last. Other option is to take a crappy card and as long as it has PCI-e slot get an eVGA 260 GTS for like 200 bucks and slot it in.

Edited July 21, 2009 by JonasV

[h3gi 5]

I know next to nothing about parts but the tech specs on this seem ok to me.

$189.98 3.1 GHz dual core CPU with ASUS M4N78 Pro (GeForce 8300) ATX mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.211675

$72.49 ($52.49 after $20 MIR) 700W PSU @ 85% efficiency http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341019

$71.99 ($51.99 after $20 MIR) 4GB (2 x 2GB) 1066 RAM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227289

$79.99 ($59.99 after $20 MIR) GeForce 9600 1GB GPU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150340

$12.99 68-in-1 Card Reader w/ USB 2.0 Port http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820300608

$74.99 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Hard Drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

$19.99 DVD Drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106275

And then find a case you like. This comes to $522.42 before mail in rebates, and it's already MUCH better than the computer you're looking at. Keep in mind this includes a Graphics Card, which your pre-built does NOT. The Radeon 3200 is on-board memory, meaning it just tells your CPU how to render stuff more efficiently. If you want a gaming computer at all, you will NEED a separate, physical graphics card unless all you're playing is StarCraft.

Edited July 21, 2009 by h3gi

[Mana 3,867]

Buy a Japanese sword or an AR-15 (Keg recommended me this). Or Both.

Here's a pretty one with a dragon, also cheap:

http://www.swordnarmory.com/Hand-Forged-Japanese-Katana-Sword-Mother-of-Pearl-p/ss-801bk.htm

Then there's also crossbows and bows if you would like to go medieval.

Also axes.

[+Henry Spencer 117]

I'd rather get a Mosin-Nagant.

[You suck and have no life 203]

You should never ask people what you want. Forums are generally never places for answers to serious questions and advice. You should do research yourself. I am sure Tom's hardware provide top builds for every budget almost on a monthly basis.

[Dashuu 11]

Hey Pod, send me a PM. Designing PCs is kind of what I do for a living. I'd be happy to help. If you decide to go with the PC that is.

[kuttlewug 28]

Buy a Japanese sword or an AR-15 (Keg recommended me this). Or Both.

Here's a pretty one with a dragon, also cheap:

http://www.swordnarm...-p/ss-801bk.htm

Then there's also crossbows and bows if you would like to go medieval.

Also axes.

Hmmm may just have to pick up a battle axe instead. Then I can use that to rob the store and get a PS3 and nice PC!

@yousuck I know this but I know the people here know more about computers then I do so I wanted to see what kind of cost there would be in building a PC for myself. That and people here aren't going to bullshit me about prices and stuff like a retailer might.

[Spartan_0214 18]

The reason I went with HP was because I wanted a laptop for college and I did not want to build a laptop. If I were to build a desktop, I would definitely buy the parts and put it together. Second option would be to buy something from HP. NewEgg, I hear, has good prices, but it isn't very user-friendly. You have to know exactly what you want.

[Rydawg 14]

For 1k you can build a decent gaming computer and buy a ps3. If you want further help PM or e-mail me. I've built about 20 computers in the last 12 months ranging from 300 bucks to 3k

[Shin Gouki 1]

Or you could buy 1000 Junior Bacon Cheeseburgers..

[You suck and have no life 203]

For 1k you can build a decent gaming computer and buy a ps3. If you want further help PM or e-mail me. I've built about 20 computers in the last 12 months ranging from 300 bucks to 3k

what are you, a sweat shop employee from dell?

[Oww My Nose 19]

Or you could buy 1000 Junior Bacon Cheeseburgers..

[James Tyrgglidaar Quall 69 0]

cocaine. buy low, sell high. then go to college for business with your profit. then become an economist.