Help.(Buying Computer)

[|| Stealth ||]

Hi i'm a Console gamer and I want to expand to the Pc Games.. I want to play different varieties of games so i need to get a new computer.. I'm open to either Desktop or Laptop. I want to get a BrandName one like. (Dell, Hp, Compaq, Gateway Etc. I was wonering if anyone knew what the best one to get would be. I want it to be fast for everyday computing and for it to be able to play up to date games.!
-Thanks.

[street1 (RIP)]

Read this for a laptop---->HERE

[Calum]

What's your budget?
If you have no objections to a desktop, I'd say go for one instead of a laptop, they're more powerful for the same price and much more upgradeable, also easier to troubleshoot.

[|| Stealth ||]

My budget is from $1000-$1600Canadian.

[tinfed2]

go for ram, and video card ,if you get a video card, a geforce 7800 gt.
Plus don't buy a brand name computer, get a clone easier to upgrade.

[Calum]

If you're comfortable with it, I recommend building your own.
You can get exactly what you want, and it'll be cheaper.
The downside is that you have to know what you're doing or you'll fry something.
Read the GPU FAQ (FAQ section, under hardware) for a starter on graphics cards knowledge (a little out of date, haven't added the rest of the 8 series yet).
What sort of games do you play?

[patio]

Plus don't buy a brand name computer, get a clone easier to upgrade.

This is not completely accurate...

[|| Stealth ||]

I'm wanting to start playing WOW and some newer FPS. And I like to try and play some new RTS Games.

[Calum]

What FPS games in particular?
And what RTS games?
Some need much more muscle than others.

[|| Stealth ||]

-BF2142
-BF2
-Counter-Strike
-Half-Life 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-Star Wars Empire At War
-Command and Conquer
-LOTOR BFME2
-Warcraft 3
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-World of Warcraft

[Calum]

Go for at least a 7600GT class GPU or higher if possible, try for a Core 2 Duo CPU and at least 1Gb of RAM.
A 7900 class or 8 series card such as the 8600GTS would give much better video performance.
A faster CPU would help, but not so much in games.
More RAM would aid multitasking and make games load faster, 2Gb is a good sweet spot if you have cash left over, if not then it's easy and fairly cheap to upgrade.
That gives you a good starting point, what else do you need help with?

[eaglestrike7339]

Try a build-your-own. 1 Grand will get you an entry level Core 2 Duo build, using an asus p5b vanilla and 2 gigs of ram. Throw in a 7900GS is you can afford it, otherwise the recomended 7600GT. Below is one of the builds i planned, though never executed. It is all compatible, though you can up the proc to a E6600 if it pleases ya, and add hard disk space.


(I am basicly giving a parts list of what the guy above me said)
I am assuming you are in canada, which newegg does not ship to. Overclockers.co.uk will ship there, and those prices are somewhat similar.




Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 Allendale 1.8GHz 2M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - Retail    $119.00     $119.00    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115013
         
ASUS P5B LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail    $119.99     $119.99    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131030
         
Kingston 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail    $89.99     $89.99    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134046
         
Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600JS 160GB SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive    $52.99     $52.99    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144415
         
LITE-ON Black 18X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 18X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM IDE DVD Burner - Retail    $29.99     $29.99    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106043
         
NEC Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive Model FD1231H-302 - OEM    $6.99     $6.99    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16821152005
         
         
         
         
         
EVGA 256-P2-N541-T2 GeForce 7600GS 256MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail    $69.99     $69.99    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130075
         
XCLIO GOODPOWER 500W ATX12V 500W Power Supply 115/230 V UL, CUL, TUV, CB, VDE, FIMKO, DEMKO, NEMKO, SEMKO - Retail    $49.99     $49.99    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817189005
         
            
         
Microsoft Windows XP Home Sp2b 1pk - OEM    $89.99     $89.99    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116056
         
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel, SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail    $49.99     $49.99    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147037
         
         
    $678.91     $678.91    


Stay with XP ftm, Vista is still to unstable w/o SP1.

This is just a guideline. Feel free to use it, upgrade it (especially the vid card), or pitch it all together.