Good *cheap* gaming PC's?

ribenagirl

Hi all,

Your advice and help would be greatly appreciated by a dim girl who took 2 years to figure out how to use the internet.... ;D

I'm looking to buy a new PC which is good value and suitable for mid-level gaming. I was all fired up to get one of the cheap Dells, but got a bit confused about the tecchy stuff. I am not a 'heavy' gamer, but have been known to dabble in online multi-player games so would need something that would cope - my current PC wheezes now every time I run Sims 2.... :-X

However, I don't know what I should be looking for in terms of specification, and that makes it really hard to know what sort of computer I need and how much to pay for it. :-/

I would really appreciate any advice or suggestions, (a) in terms of what specifications you would recommend for processors, video card, etc, and (b) if you happen to know of any good deals, especially Dell ones!

Many thanks

Boohbah

Hello ribenagirl.

I certainly wouldn't recommend dell, especially for a gaming machine.

You'll get expert advice and all the help you require if you visit Exiled Gamers and put your question there. In technical advice.

There a very friendly lot.

http://www.exiled-gamers.co.uk/forum/

ribenagirl

Thanks Boohbah - off there now  ;D

john-boi

For decent gaming the processor,graphics card and memory are most important.

Lots of these low priced PC's such as dell have poor graphics cards that won't stand up to any gaming..

I would suggest looking for an AMD 64 based system with at least 512mb of memory and a decent graphics card at least a 9800pro or one of the new generation of cards.Beware of cut down verions of these such as X300 or SE versions as they are poor.

As an example of what would be ok look at this

http://www.meshcomputers.com/updated/review_feb05_mat643000nyx.htm

This is good system and something comparable may be available cheaper.If you already have a monitor you can save their.Another 512mb of RAM is only £50 from crucial that really is the only thing I would change for that price.The 9800pro is not this years greatest card but consequently it is not over £200 but it will play all the latest games no problem.

I must admit I build my own PC's now as I can get exactly what I want and I know the PC inside out and I am not powerless if it goes wrong.

ribenagirl

Thanks John-boi, for the very helpful advice I feel I am getting a grip now on what level of components I need, I'm going to go away and get our local shop to price up building one for me with those specs ;D

john-boi

Just a thought,

Your local PC shop may try and cut corners/price and offer a sub standard graphics card (particuarly if you look ignorant on all stuff PC)avoid the FX5200 FX5600 and 5700le's like the plague.Don't go for less than an ati 9600XT or a 5900XT preferably the better 9800 pro's but these are hard to get hold of now.

If you like post up the specs they offer and If I pass through here again I can give you some feedback

ribenagirl

After reading your last post, J-B, I have decided to give it a go and build my own ;D I've been into PC World and copied down the specs of a few upper-end multi-media PC's, worked out what bits I *don't* need (e.g.TV tuner) and what bits I *do* need (processor, motherboard, videocard, Windows upgrade) and what bits I can re-use (casing, memory - I think).

I've found a couple of very good websites on the net which talk you through what the various components do, and what to look out for, and how to put it all together - I'm seeing it as a bit of a challenge

Thanks once more for the tips on the videocards - it's a little bewildering out there if you don't have a lot of experience! ;D

StrikeEagle

Might be worth posting what u intend to buy here, just to double check it's the right stuff to buy.

Take your time and you'll find building a pc is very easy.

bring1t

I too am looking to build my own PC and to save me from making any mistakes it would be useful if someone could post here a list of their "recommended" components for a sub £500 desktop to be used for mid range gaming like the original poster.

Thanks,

opportunity_cost

I'd suggest having a look through here

Some specs ideas here and here

It's also recommended you get a few opinions on whatever cpu/motherboard/video card/other component you're looking to buy. for that the best thing to do is to search Google Groups for newsgroups posts.

For the pc building itself use the BYOPC guides at 1 2 3