Inexpensive PC for mild-gamer

Giygas

Hey everyone!  I'm not a huge gamer, but I do occasionally enjoy the usual 3D MMORPG.  I use my computer for mostly the internet, email, MS Word, etc, simple stuff like that.  It's about time for me to buy a new computer, and I'm pretty thrifty. 

If I want to keep up with most mainstream games (Not mad crazy good-looking ones, just the average ones), what is the least expensive stuff I should get in terms of graphics cards, video cards, etc?

Katashi-kun

Seriously just go buy a PC off the shelf at Wal-Mart for what $400.  It'll play WoW and ummm....well it'll do everything else u mentioned!

 

Otherwise goto Newegg.com and look at their pre-built PCs or surf through their stock and check out the low-end packages u can built urself!

TedDanson

Originally posted by Giygas


Hey everyone!  I'm not a huge gamer, but I do occasionally enjoy the usual 3D MMORPG.  I use my computer for mostly the internet, email, MS Word, etc, simple stuff like that.  It's about time for me to buy a new computer, and I'm pretty thrifty. 
If I want to keep up with most mainstream games (Not mad crazy good-looking ones, just the average ones), what is the least expensive stuff I should get in terms of graphics cards, video cards, etc?

AVAdirect.com

Go there and build yourself on with all the crap you want, and none of the crap you don't. I built my computer there over a year ago and I've never been happier with a computer. They don't charge markups on the parts either so its pretty affordable. I priced a computer out for my girlfriend for $1100 that would play anything available today.

csthao

i've recently built a custom PC from tigerdirect.com...

its a 2.4 intel quad core (motherboard was $150 CPU $100 ) with 2gigs of ram ($25 each) a 600 watt power supply ($20)  and 160gig hard drive ($70) 250gig external hard drive ($80) and a 8600 256mb geforce vid card ($70)  a 5 button gaming mouse ($30) for about 550-600 dollars...it was a pretty nice deal imo...

Giygas

Good advice.  Now, I know about RAM and hard drive and monitors and sound and all that, but I don't really know anything about graphics cards, etc, like what's bad, normal, and what's good.

So if I was going to go the build my own computer route, what graphics stuff do I need?

elvenangel

Depends on the OS if you go with Vista look at an Nvidia Series 8 or 9 or equiv card.   The 8800 is considered the best of the best, the 8600 isn't bad for the cash and the 9600 is a step above the 8600 but still not as good as the 8800.     If your going with XP you can still use any of those cards but a Series 7 Card if your not looking for anything super serious is still considered a pretty good card.   

CleffyII

For Mid-range Graphics that can play any mmo out right now, in the Sub $200 range it would be the ATI HD3870, HD3850, or the Nvidia 9600.  When looking at graphics cards, make sure the second number is 6 or above.  Anything less and the card probably isn't even worth buying.

Also don't get a $20 power supply.  That thing is an accident ready to annihalate your whole PC.

Hairysun

I have built numerous systems using parts purchased at www.tigerdirect.com and www.newegg.com both are great sites and never had a problem with... well.... anything.  Great prices, quality products and fast shipping.

This might help with your graphics card.....it all depends on how much you want to spend.

http://www.tomshardware.com/2008/03/05/the_best_gaming_graphics/

 

~Hairysun~

 

Giygas

Great!  Thanks a lot guys!  I'm new to this forum too so it's nice to be welcomed.