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Author Topic: Cheap, good gaming computer  (Read 4180 times)

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Hawk6eye6

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    Cheap, good gaming computer
    « on: September 01, 2008, 09:38:03 AM »
    I am currently looking for a new gaming computer, with a very small budget of $500. A friend of mine reccommended this computer:http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4016612&csid=ITD&body=QA#tabs I would like to get your imput on this computer, as well as any reccommendations over this one.

      The specs: Specifications
     
    Form Factor:   microATX
    Processor Speed:   E2200 / 2.20GHz
    Memory Size:   2 x 1024MB
    Capacity (GB):   160
    GPU/VPU:   NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT
    Form Factor:   ATX Mid-Tower
    Processor Interface:   Socket 775
    Memory Speed:   800MHz PC6400
    Processor Interface:   Socket 775
    RAMDAC:   Dual 400 MHz
    Interface:   Serial ATA-300
     
     
       Compatible Motherboards:   ATX
        Micro ATX
    Processors Supported:   Intel Pentium 4 LGA775
    Intel Pentium D 8xx
    Intel Core 2 Duo, Intel Core 2 Extreme, Intel Pentium D 9xx, Intel Core 2 Quad, Intel Celeron D 4XX
    Processor Class:   Pentium Dual Core
    Memory CAS Latency:   4-4-4-15
    Fill Rate per Second:   8.64 Billion pixels
    Memory Type:   Dual Channel DDR2
    Processor Core:   Allendale
    Spindle Speed (RPM):   7200
    Side Panel Type:   Vented
    Front Side Bus:   1333MHz
    Cache Size:   1MB
    Buffer Memory:   8MB
    Pins:   240
    Bus Speed:   800MHz
    Power Supply:   450 Watt
     
     
       Additional Technologies:   Enhanced Halt State
        Dual-Core
        Enhanced Intel Speedstep
        IntelŪ EM64T
        Execute Disable Bit
        IntelŪ Thermal Monitor 2
     
     
       Additional Features:   DirectX 10
        OpenGL 2.0
        SLI Ready
        HDTV Ready
        RoHS Compliant
    Average Seek (msec):   <8.9
    Average Latency (msec):   4.2
    Material:   Steel
    Architecture:   65 nm
    Track-to-Track Seek Time (typical read, ms):   2.0
    Wattage:   65W
    Full Stroke Seek Time (normal seek):   21.0
    Core Stepping:   M0
    Maximum Resolution:   2560 x 1600 (Digital)
    Fan:   Not Included
    Maximum External Transfer Rate (Mbits/sec):   300
    Data Transfer Rate on Serial ATA:   Up to 3000 Mb/sec
    Northbridge:   NVIDIA nForce 630i
    Video Memory:   256MB
    External 5.25" Drive Bays:   4
    Southbridge:   NVIDIA GeForce 7100
    Memory Type:   GDDR3
    Bytes Per Sector:   512
    Core Clock:   620 MHz
    External 3.5" Drive Bays:   1
    Memory Interface:   128-bit
    Internal 3.5" Drive Bays:   5
    Memory Clock:   1600 MHz
    Shader Clock:   1355 MHz
    Expansion Slots:   7
    Stream Processors:   32
    Memory Bandwidth:   22.4GB/sec.
    Number of Slots:   2
    Interface Type:   PCI Express
    Front USB Ports:   2
    Number of Pins:   240-Pin
    Interface Speed:   x16
    Maximum Memory Supported:   4GB
    Connector(s):   Dual DVI (Dual Link)
        HDTV/S-Video
     
    Front Audio Ports:   2
    Memory Supported:   800MHz DDR2
    Multiple Monitors Support:   Yes
    Temperature, Operating (°C):   5 to 55
    Channels:   8 Channels
    Temperature, Nonoperating (°C):   -40 to 65
    Shock, Operating: 2 msec (Gs):   65
    Shock, Nonoperating: 2 msec (Gs):   350
    120mm Fan Ports:   2
    120mm Fans Included:   None
    Video Chipset:   Integrated VGA Engine in Chipset
     
     
       Type:   OEM
    Dimensions:   1.028" x 5.787" x 4.0"
    Supported Devices:   2
    Hard Drive Types:   ATA/100
    USB Version:   2.0
    USB Data Transfer Rates:   480Mbps
    LAN Type:   10/100/1000Mbps Gigabit
    Port Type:   RJ-45
    PCI Slots:   2
    PCI Express X1 Slots:   1
    PCI Express X16 Slots:   1
    PS/2 Keyboard Connectors:   1
    PS/2 Mouse Connectors:   1
    USB Ports:   10
    USB Rear Panel Ports:   4
    USB Onboard Headers:   3 - (expandable to 6 USB ports)
    LAN Ports:   1
    Audio Out Jacks:   2   
    Line In Jacks:   1
    Microphone Jacks:   1
    Center Audio Jacks:   1
    Subwoofer Audio Out Jacks:   1
    IDE Headers:   1
    FDD Headers:   1
    Serial ATA Headers:   4
    ATX Power Connectors:   1 24-Pin Connector
    PC Power Connectors:   1 - 8 Pin
    Fan Connectors:   2 x Chassis
    1 x CPU
    S/PDIF Connectors:   1 - Coaxial
    HDMI Ports:   1
    VGA Ports:   1
    Length:   9.600 in. (24.5 cm)
    Width:   9.600 in. (24.5 cm)
     

    Calum

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    Re: Cheap, good gaming computer
    « Reply #1 on: September 01, 2008, 10:24:07 AM »
    Welcome to the forum.
    What kind of games do you plan on playing?
    Do you already have a keyboard, mouse, monitor, and operating system?
    And what's your computer knowledge like, would you be able to build a computer yourself?

    Hawk6eye6

      Topic Starter


      Starter

      Re: Cheap, good gaming computer
      « Reply #2 on: September 01, 2008, 06:11:56 PM »
      Thanks! My computer knowledge is rather small, but i am in the process of learning. My friend knows a LOT more than I do, and he often advises me. He has customized computers for a few other friends, and he has offered to help me. As for gaming, I plan on playing some more graphically advanced games than I do now. Currently i have a GeForce 7400 and am able to play most games at a low setting. I'm not planning on playing Crisis on high settings, but I would like to play World in Conflict and Company of Heroes at higher settings. I would like to play Mass Effect as well. I do not have a keyboard yet, and could use a better monitor, but i have a mouse and OS.

      Calum

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      • Egghead

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      Re: Cheap, good gaming computer
      « Reply #3 on: September 02, 2008, 02:45:37 AM »
      Whilst that computer isn't great by today's standards, it would give you a good performance increase over that 7400.
      I don't think you'll get any better for the price.
      However, you might be better upgrading your build - can you tell us the rest of your specs?

      Hawk6eye6

        Topic Starter


        Starter

        Re: Cheap, good gaming computer
        « Reply #4 on: September 02, 2008, 09:53:34 AM »
        The Processor is 2.2 ghz, and I can't tell the power supply. This may not be the greatest machine available, but im just looking for something better than what i have now. My current build is a laptop, so upgrading is near impossible. This would be my first real desktop. As for the 8600 video card, i will probably end up buying an 8800 to replace it.

        Calum

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        Re: Cheap, good gaming computer
        « Reply #5 on: September 02, 2008, 10:12:08 AM »
        Oh, it's a laptop . . . I should've guessed from the video card.
        You're right, you can always upgrade the card later on.
        By all means then, go for that deal.
        Let us know.