Comuter sources

[Arrgruff]

Okay, as many may know, my home pc (a laptop I've had for 5 years) is dying a slow miserable death. Rather than dumping dough into getting a new hd, I thought I'd spend a few hundred on a desktop that can handle a 3D card so I can play some of the newer games.

While I'm not computer illeterate, I'm no guru and It's been a long time since I shopped for a pc. Even this laptop was a gift, so in effect it's been 10 years since I've actively searched. I'm woefully out of date on technology.

So, long story short, I'm hoping for feedback on good products and sources. I don't need a top of the line gaming system, just something that will handle 3D graphics. Essentially, I want a bare-bones type system. sound, 3D, enough of a processor and RAM to handle the average game, a CDrom, and a network card.

I'm also curious what the consensus on the best OS would be for a comp that's primarily for gaming.

So, that's the problem... RELEASE THE GEEKS!!

[Damieux]

If you want to play games, then I think you should spend the extra money to get a computer. In my experience, commuters lose too much time riding trains or being stuck in traffic.

[Saaban]

When I built my computer I got most of my parts from Zip Zoom Fly mostly cause I love the free second day shipping. I paid a little extra in overall costs but I diden't have to wait a week and a half.

They have some decent barebone systems to choose from. Alot of motherboards have built in network cards that work fine and opens a slot for other things. Same with sound. Which frees up the money to choose a better processor, RAM and Video card.


As for OS's I hate XP with a passion. A friend of mine has it installed and I cringe everytime I sit as his computer. I like my Win2k much better. Though I wish i had a copy Win98 so I could play some of my older games.

[Pyrosama]

Originally posted by Arrgruff

So, long story short, I'm hoping for feedback on good products and sources. I don't need a top of the line gaming system, just something that will handle 3D graphics. Essentially, I want a bare-bones type system. sound, 3D, enough of a processor and RAM to handle the average game, a CDrom, and a network card.

If you shop at a place like Circuit City, they will tell you what to look for in a desktop dependent upon what your needs are. If you want a desktop that will perform with the latest games, then go with the pentium 4 or athlon processor. Go with the standard 512 meg in RAM and at least 64 meg in video (mostly recommend 128). To me, that's bare bones. I'm not sure how much they have improved since I last shopped. If you notice a tremendous price difference between a 128 meg RAM and 512 meg RAM system, go with the 128 meg and upgrade the memory yourself (I think it's like $35-$40 and takes a whole 30 seconds to pop in the chip).

The CD/DVD combo drives are nice, but you'll probably pay between $150 - $200 more for the writeable DVD. If the latest specs are far better and cheaper than the basics I mentioned (total system around $850) then sorry, it's been a short while since I looked at desktops.

I know folks like to crap on Compaq, but they do have the most affordable package with the latest specs. I've had compaqs in the past (still have two) that never zonked out on me.

Originally posted by Arrgruff

I'm also curious what the consensus on the best OS would be for a comp that's primarily for gaming.

Windows is the best platform for pc gaming, but that's only because it's so popular and it's what developers choose as their development environment I suppose. I have XP and Linux. I can never find any decent games to run on my Linux box.

A lady at my work says that her Windows ME has more problems with games than she ever had with Win 98. I've never had problems with XP except with devices and having to update drivers...never with games.