Any suggestions?

[Sugayon]

Alright I wanna hear it. What type of computer, what I need, and the cost of a good computer that I can use while away at college. Things I need it to be able to do - play games. Let me know, PLX, I know rosuav can help me, but I want everyones input! I appreciate it!

[Rosuav]

Really, it all depends what games. I could put you together an el cheapo desktop machine that'll run basic Win XP or 2K and handle a MUD client - cost you <$100, maybe $50 or less. But that won't handle graphical games very well.

For 3D graphics, you'll be wanting a decent video card, a decent amount of memory, and so on. Probably a Pentium-4 would be the best balance between cost and performance - dual core is still pretty pricey.

Chances are you can get hold of a fairly inexpensive desktop machine on the secondhand market somewhere. I'd advise you to buy from someone who gives a warranty (at very least a 30-day warranty against total component death - which is different from Total Component Fatigue), and if at all possible, a small business where the owner knows about computers - not a big department store that's more into selling than into computers.

For modern graphical games, look up the specs of the game(s) you want to play. Add 50% to the RAM requirement, crank the hard disk requirement up as far as your budget will allow, and don't try to skimp on the video card memory. Go secondhand and it won't set you back too far, but you really do get what you pay for.

Things worth paying for:
* Decent-spec mobo and CPU. Also governs what sort of memory you get.
* Memory. One of the few areas where you can almost always just throw in some more to improve performance.
* Hard disk. You WILL use a lot. They get a lot cheaper over time though (once 40GB-80GB disks came out, 10GB disks became almost trash for some reason), so there'll probably be a decent size for practically nothing.
* Video card - only if you're playing graphical games. For Windows itself, and for mudding, onboard video is far and away the best option.
* Service. If you can guarantee that you'll have after-sales service, that's worth a bit of a surcharge. Also, if someone else installs Windows for you, that'll save you a lot of trouble - shouldn't cost you much, as anyone who's into that sort of thing will have some kind of imaging setup.

Scout around locally for secondhand computer dealers. In all probability you'll find someone who's trustworthy and has what you want!

[Leshrak]

This base system starts at $649, includes:
- Athlon x2 3800,

- 19" LCD (can be removed to take $180 off the final price if you have a monitor)

- all accessories (keyboard, mouse),

- 1gb DDR2 ram (upgradable, you should probably go with at least 2GB if you want to stay current with games over the next year or two--- you can probably find a cheaper upgrade on the internet though),

- 160gb 7200 rpm drive

- 16x dvd rw

- Integrated GeForce 6150 video (not great, but upgradable to a 256mb Radeon x1300 pro for $100, although same deal as before, it'll probably be cheaper to upgrade off the internet)

- Integrated 7.1 channel surround (shouldn't need upgraded)

If I was in the market for a PC, I would definitely consider this system. Free shipping, and no hassle of putting all the stuff together (I enjoy it though)

If ordering, you might want to select "No Trial Software Installed" under the "Photos, Music & More" section.
I built the system on the site, took off the monitor and upgraded to 2GB and the 256MB video card, final price is $699. If you leave it on the base options, no monitor, the price is $469. That's pretty damn cheap for a PC that includes decent components AND a WinXP license (and a $10 upgrade to Vista when it's launched).

If you'd rather buy the parts separately and build it yourself, I'd recommend (from personal experience) buying Corsair or OCZ mid-high quality RAM (Not the cheap stuff, although the cheap stuff is about equal to other brands).
I personally like Nvidia cards over Radeon as Radeon drivers have a tendancy to fail and not work properly without coercing... Nvidia keeps a list of driver updates on their site, with all previous drivers available for download.

Also, I've always had Western Digital hard drives- and don't skimp on the motherboard, as Rosuav said. Hope this helps!

[Aristotle]

Do not get an ATI.

Their cards are good, but their drivers are atrocious and will cause you no end of headaches.

[Leshrak]

Originally posted by Aristotle
Do not get an ATI.

Their cards are good, but their drivers are atrocious and will cause you no end of headaches.

Absolutely. My only problem is I'm not sure if it would be possible to put a different vid card in that PC... dunno if they use a proprietary mobo without a PCI-E slot or something.

However, if the PC comes with the card and drivers pre-installed and included on their driver's disc, would it really be that much of a problem?

[Savaric]

I don't recommend anymore than 40 or 80 gb of disk space. I've had a 40 gb one for years and not even come close to filling it. Maybe some people do but they oughta just back their up stuff more.

What kind of games do you plan on playing? That obviously affects your decision the most. A laptop or a desktop? I'd probably want a laptop if I was actually staying on campus. Laptops aren't as powerful as desktops though and you pay more for the premium laptops.

Congratulations on going to college. May I ask your major?

[Rosuav]

Originally posted by Leshrak
This base system starts at $649, includes:

Don't know where I missed it, but I can't find your URL?

DVD-RW seems a tad over-spec for a basic gaming machine, unless you need to make DVD backups. If it's possible to downgrade that, could probably save a good few dollars.

If you're looking at getting a laptop, you'll either have to stick with a lesser video card, or you'll be up for several grand for a brand new laptop. Modern 3D graphical games and secondhand laptops don't mix. Also, laptop keyboards aren't nearly as good as desktop ones (though they've improved MASSIVELY since the first laptop I ever set fingers on!), so you'd probably be looking at an external keyboard if you want to mud from a laptop.

It all comes down to requirements, again.

[Kerrida]

Originally posted by Savaric
I don't recommend anymore than 40 or 80 gb of disk space. I've had a 40 gb one for years and not even come close to filling it. Maybe some people do but they oughta just back their up stuff more.

I can fill one fast, and that's just with the programs I used. Granted it is mostly games, but things like Visual Studio, 3d modelling programs, video editting, photo editting.. Dual booting with Linux... HD space can be eaten up fast.

Now if all you need is space for documents and such, then yeah, 40gb will serve you nicely.

Originally posted by Savaric
I don't recommend anymore than 40 or 80 gb of disk space. I've had a 40 gb one for years and not even come close to filling it. Maybe some people do but they oughta just back their up stuff more.

Hell! I've got way over 40GB in my music folder alone. I ripped every single CD I own on to my machine before leaving for University as a lot of them are special bonus editions & the like so aren't easily replaced.

Personally I'd say use 80GB as the jump-off point and then asses how much more music/videos/games that need full install and then run without the disc, etc.

[Pyryth]

Originally posted by bolarithai
Personally I'd say use 80GB as the jump-off point and then asses how much more music/videos/games that need full install and then run without the disc, etc.

I realize this was probably just a typo, but still.... funny. It's amazing how one little 's' can totally change what you mean to say.