Computer Hope

Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: Hawk6eye6 on September 01, 2008, 09:38:03 AM

Title: Cheap, good gaming computer
Post by: Hawk6eye6 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 (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)
 
Title: Re: Cheap, good gaming computer
Post by: Calum 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?
Title: Re: Cheap, good gaming computer
Post by: Hawk6eye6 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.
Title: Re: Cheap, good gaming computer
Post by: Calum 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?
Title: Re: Cheap, good gaming computer
Post by: Hawk6eye6 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.
Title: Re: Cheap, good gaming computer
Post by: Calum 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.