Custom Gaming Computer?

[Lep]

Sick of my computer, it's been repaired already and today I woke up and all the wierd programs the guy added aren't working, my graphics card doesn't work anymore and sleep/hibernate aren't available anymore. Been working for about 3 months but since I can't figure out how to fix any of it from randomly not working today, I'd rather start from scratch. It costed 150$ the first time so I'm not doing it again. My guess is that it probably did something stupid to itself while I was at the hospital all day yesterday

 

My screen is fine, nothing wrong with it - it's an Acer screen.

If I was to buy a store brand computer tower, what one should I buy? The one I've been using is Gateway. I simply want to buy a store brand computer tower and buy any other accessories such as graphics cards and stuff to make it a nice gaming computer that can once again have the option for Anti Aliasing and run RuneScape easily on high settings.

 

I'd prefer something around a 500$ budget or less if possible... I CAN go higher but I'd rather not if I don't need to.

 

I have 0 experience in this field so can anyone help out? Make a list or something?

[Undo]

Windows XP is good for me. :)

 

However, it doesn't last too long. :(

[ElkNight]

Windows XP is good for me. :)

 

However, it doesn't last too long. :(

What....?

[jasignhagj]

Assuming you have the screen and a copy of XP, you could easily build something that will play new games on at least low setting, and RS perfectly.

 

Do you have any preferences between Intel/AMD or Nvidia/Ati?

 

EDIT - Im not quite sure if you plan to gut your current case and rebuild inside it (Probably a bad Idea - prebuilt comp. cases are made to perfectly fit the parts that they come with) or get a new case.

[jasignhagj]

All prices are Canadian.

 

My linkAMD Athlon II X2 255 Regor 3.1GHz - 69.99

BIOSTAR A770E ATX AMD Motherboard - 69.99

Kingston HyperX 2GB (2 x 1GB) x 2 - $98.98

MSI N250GTS TwinFrozr 1G OC GeForce GTS 250 - $159.99

Seagate Barracuda 7200rpm 1TB HD - $79.99

 

Comes out to 478.94, not including case, OS or DVD Drive.

 

Any ATX size case should work for this build. Look for one with front USB ports, as the MoBo only comes with 4.

For the disk drive, you can just loot one from your current computer, or buy one (DVD burners are only $30)

I assume you already have XP, otherwise that will set you back a bit.

 

This build Should give you some good gaming power without breaking your wallet. AMD CPUs aren't my favourite, but they are good for cheaper builds. The motherboard has lots of room for expansion cards (Sound, USB, etc...), but can only fit one Graphics card, so you wont be able to use SLI linking. Kingston is a reliable brand for RAM, and XP can only take 4gb (unless you somehow came upon the 64 bit version). The graphics card gives good power for the price, and should allow you to run near-every game on at least low settings. The hard drive is 7200 rpm, so it will give you good speed and near unlimited storage with 1TB of space.

 

With the case, this computer will be under $550 (Before tax/shipping). Only way to go cheaper is to get a smaller HD or wait for sales (Newegg is the best priced online store IMO, but amazon.ca might have some better deals.

[OldJoe]

^So where's the power supply?

All 32bit OS' are limited to 3.5-ish gb, unless it's extended. And never use XP64 unless it's for a specific reason.

And i'm too tired to link a build myself, but i'd go straight for 4gb ram. And i'd get the 4850 instead: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125236 50$ cheaper.

Edit: Dude, you know GTS250 is quite powerful despite it's age right? I can play Crysis on medium setting 1440x900 with 4670, Assassins Creed (1&2) on high settings etc etc without lag.

[jasignhagj]

Power supply is... er... :wall: The list did seem short for some reason. Although he may find a case that comes with a small PSU built in. That is 4gb of ram, Its 2 sets of 2x1gb sticks.

 

If you can afford it, go for the 250 GTS, If not, take the $50 you save on the other card and buy a PSU. You wont need anything more that 500w

[Sbrideau]

Windows XP is good for me. :)

 

However, it doesn't last too long. :(

What....?

 

Means the support for XP will stop soon.

[jasignhagj]

I don't think they'll pull the plug on XP too soon, iirc more people use XP than Vista and Win7 combined.

[Sbrideau]

Yep, but most people still run on very old computers and might upgrade soon.

[OldJoe]

Power supply is... er... :wall: The list did seem short for some reason. Although he may find a case that comes with a small PSU built in. That is 4gb of ram, Its 2 sets of 2x1gb sticks.

 

If you can afford it, go for the 250 GTS, If not, take the $50 you save on the other card and buy a PSU. You wont need anything more that 500w

Lol, 4850 and GTS250 perform the same, but 50$ difference!

I just noticed now the x2, sorry.

But i'd go 2x2gb instead of 4x1gb. http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211447 x2=83$

 

PSU: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371029 -47$

Case: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119115 - 41.50$ (i don't know if an older case will be used, just posting this if that's not the case)

 

So pick this:

Trolslayer - Mobo, cpu, harddrive,

Me: Graphics card, power supply, ram and case.

=495$