need some comp buying help, as I am a simpleton

[Thumbs]

hey guys, my brother and some uruz are going to play this game so i think i am in as well.

With that said, i will need to buy a new PC and could use some help.

Couple things.
1. I am incredibly lazy and a noob at computers, so I am looking for a turn-key purchase.
2. I have a good monitor and kickin bose speaker set up.
3. I would like input on a single purchase that i can make to get everything else (like on techbargain etc).
4. would a laptop be viable?
5. i have no more than $1000 bucks to spend

i as thinking 4 gig ram, 8800 card and such, but that is the limit of my tech ability.

any input would be swell :)

btw...i will go underdog realm, so look for Thumbs McGirk (v2.) coming soon!

[Jalec]

Shopping CartQty.Product DescriptionSavingsTotal Price1
SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223F - OEM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151171)Item #: N82E16827151171 Return Policy: Standard Return Policy (http://www.newegg.com/HelpInfo/ReturnPolicy.aspx#1)
$26.99 1

Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129024)Item #: N82E16811129024 Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy (http://www.newegg.com/HelpInfo/ReturnPolicy.aspx#2) -$50.00 Instant
$149.99 $99.99 1

Seagate Barracuda ES.2 ST3250310NS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148309)Item #: N82E16822148309 Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy (http://www.newegg.com/HelpInfo/ReturnPolicy.aspx#2)
$79.99 1

EVGA 01G-P3-N816-AR GeForce 8800GT AKIMBO 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130351)Item #: N82E16814130351 Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy (http://www.newegg.com/HelpInfo/ReturnPolicy.aspx#3) -$30.00 Instant
$30.00 Mail-in Rebate (http://images10.newegg.com/UploadFilesForNewegg/rebate/SH/EVGA9MIRsAug1Aug3108jh28.pdf)
$219.99 $189.99 2

OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Micron D9 Chip Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2RPR10662GK - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227191)Item #: N82E16820227191 Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy (http://www.newegg.com/HelpInfo/ReturnPolicy.aspx#22) -$5.00 Instant
$40.00 Mail-in Rebate (http://images10.newegg.com/UploadFilesForNewegg/rebate/SH/OCZ11MIRsAug17Aug3108jh28.pdf)
$171.98 $161.98 ($80.99 each) 1

ASUS P5E LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131219)Item #: N82E16813131219 Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy (http://www.newegg.com/HelpInfo/ReturnPolicy.aspx#3)
$224.99 1

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400 - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037)Item #: N82E16819115037 Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy (http://www.newegg.com/HelpInfo/ReturnPolicy.aspx#5)
$169.99

Subtotal:$953.92Calculate Shipping


As a side note i would go with the ATI 4870 over the 8800 GT. ITs considerably more expensive But there is some fat here you can trim. the motherboard is also crossfire ready so you could throw another 4870 in there later down the road and get some serious performance increases. Let me know if you want anything changed. feel free to IM me at jalecc if you have any questions.

[Vadokri]

Here are my reqs for what you should buy :)

1)CD/DvD $24 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106263

2)Case $80 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147104

3)CPU $170 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

4)HDD $70 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152098

5)RAM 4gigs $45 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227269

6)MB $140 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131299

7)GPU $100 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130334

8)PS $80 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171023

This is excluding monitor and sound card since you have monitor and the MB has onboard sound. The total is $710 and this is before you submit all your rebates. I didn't add up the rebates but i'm sure you can knock off about $100 or more in rebates. Anyhow these are my choices for your budget. I hope I helped out :).

[Rardac]

Don't you need to factor in the cost of an operating system as well? (assuming an old one isn't 'recycled')

[Jalec]

so long as he has XP now it shouldnt be an issue.

[Jalec]

Here are my reqs for what you should buy :)

1)CD/DvD $24 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106263

2)Case $80 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147104

3)CPU $170 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

4)HDD $70 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152098

5)RAM 4gigs $45 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227269

6)MB $140 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131299

7)GPU $100 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130334

8)PS $80 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171023

This is excluding monitor and sound card since you have monitor and the MB has onboard sound. The total is $710 and this is before you submit all your rebates. I didn't add up the rebates but i'm sure you can knock off about $100 or more in rebates. Anyhow these are my choices for your budget. I hope I helped out :).


Alot of bad posts about that p45 chip. ive also had a friend of mine tell me a couple problems he has had.

[Thumbs]

Thanks for the kind replies guys :)

As it stands, I am looking for a kinda of one-stop-shop rather than buying the pieces and building (I will end up with a $1000 toaster).

Does anyone know if I can just get a Dell cheap and if so what I would want in it?

[Vadokri]

I agree Jalec that I too read a lot of bad reviews however if OC'n isn't your main concern the P45 hits the spot price wise and reliability. After purchasing that same board myself and OC'n I'd have to completely disagree w/many reviewers. Where the P45 chip comes into play and really nails it is when coupled with a 45nm cpu. The P45 isn't the best but it's a great overall chip. If you compare it price wise to P35 or even 38's it really hits home. My motto when buying is don't knock it till you try it :). Unless of course she is just plain and simple HOT HOT HOT HOT :).

[Wazdakka]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8878841&type=product&id=1210379087904

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8891684&type=product&id=1214611180474

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229046

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229047


Just some quick ones there.

[Thumbs]

Thanks Waz :)

That really helps. Gives me an idea of what to look for in addition to these.

[Torlan]

Thanks for the kind replies guys :)

As it stands, I am looking for a kinda of one-stop-shop rather than buying the pieces and building (I will end up with a $1000 toaster).

Does anyone know if I can just get a Dell cheap and if so what I would want in it?

well if you want top the line as far as buying (Building is better, but you are apparently a lazy bum).

http://www.alienware.com/products/aurora-desktop.aspx?SysCode=PC-AURORA-R5&SubCode=SKU-DEFAULT

or

for Dell
http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/xpsdt_630?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

Now I must go kill myself for suggesting any of that (I hate not building PCs, only ever by my lap tops and hate that as it is).

[Jalec]

LOL agreed torlan. I hate dell with every fiber of my being.

[Aoann]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229047 If i wasn't going to build one, i'd go with this. If I can build one, anyone can though :D

[Isak]

If you're not going to build, find the place with the best customer support and buy from there.

[Rardac]

Here's another link/site that had PC builds specifically for WAR. I know! I know! It doesn't answer Thumbs' question, but it might be helpful to others:

http://thegreenskin.com/2008/08/19/guide-build-a-warhammer-online-pc/

[Caere]

Thumbs,

from Waz's post,

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8878841&type=product&id=1210379087904

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8891684&type=product&id=1214611180474

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229046

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229047


Both of the NewEgg systems have 65nm chips. The new 45nm chips result in incredible reductions in power consumption. The Bestbuy systems have 45nm chips but they are overpriced.

If it were me, I'd get the list of parts that Vadokri suggested, take all the boxes down to a local small computer shop and pay them $100 to put it together. You'd get a less expensive or more powerful or both, system than any of those packaged ones.

Learning a little about computers can go a long way.


/cheers

Caere

~Eldritch, Hib. Percival
~Magus, Warhammer

Note: The 45nm technology reduces power consumption, which increases system stability through lower temperatures. You can pretty much add devices and new cards with no care about power for the next while here. It also means that overclocking cpus and gpus is very, very easy to do with the stock fans and cooling pipes, and thanks to the 45nm chips, overclocking popularity is expected to go through the roof. It's actually pretty easy with the tools these days, all of which are free.

Hey, when that Dwarf IB with has quad 9850 AMD gets lost in the slideshow, I'll be wiping the floor with him and my e8400 4gHz oc'd wrymbeast :eek:

[Isoke]

If you are purchasing a pre-built system, I found a real gem of a company. I don't build computers. But I want to know I am getting excellent quality and customer service, so when I decided to upgrade this year I had to do a lot of searching.

I went with Puget Custom Computers. They gave me great advice, pointed out component choices that allowed me to spend less and still get exactly what I wanted, and have been incredibly responsive to any questions I've had after receiving my system. I mean they respond within hours, even on weekends.

Sorry to babble about them, but they're really head and shoulders above your "Alienware/Dell" type companies. Here's their resellerrating.com feedback compared to Dell, Alienware, and Gateway: http://www.pugetsystems.com/ratings.php

With a budget of $1000 and not wanting to build your own system, you will have to make some careful choices. Believe it or not, even if you don't go with Puget, you can go to their forums and ask for advice. They're extremely helpful even if you don't turn out to be a customer of theirs this time around. They're building good will and word of mouth support. Anyway, here are their forums: http://forums.pugetsystems.com/

Hope it was OK to post this here. Delete if I'm not supposed to be singing the praises of one company over another!

Oh. I've also had 2-3 friends who had pretty tight budgets and were really happy with system purchases from tigerdirect.com.

[Wazdakka]

I looked at your links. Puget seems to be a nice company but, well, I used their website to "custom build" the computer that I built for around $1400.00. It was twice as much from them. That's a heavy markup for labor and support.

[Aoann]

Derail split to here (http://www.ravensofwar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=659)

[IvarrWolfsong]

I have an Alienware and I have never had a problem. I heard that they have a buggy reputation and that their customer service is infamously bad. My Area 51 7800 has worked like a charm.

The computer has been great for gaming. I feel like I am actually ahead of the curve for once :)

[Dall dies to much]

here is a stupid trick...

buy a ghetto dell box.. just be sure it has a PCI-E 16x slot on the mother board...

get it home, rip out the piece of crap PSU, slap in a good one... install good video card.. bang.. gaming box. (ok, it sounds easier then it is ;) )

barring that....Alienware = dell --- Dell = alienware. Good Ol' Alienware Sold out a couple years ago :P the owner took the cash and stock options and ran for it :)

so did canadian Voodoo PC... they sold out to HP

here is my USA recomended List of boutique System builders:

http://www.maingear.com/ (http://www.maingear.com/)
http://www.pugetsystems.com/ (http://www.pugetsystems.com/)
http://www.velocitymicro.com/ (http://www.velocitymicro.com/)

also... if you are looking to burn cash..

www.falcon-nw.com (http://www.falcon-nw.com) (the granddaddy of all the boutique builders.. they were doing hardocre gaming systems back when 3dfx was teh shit)

for the gamer on the semi cheap!
www.dell.com (http://www.dell.com)
www.alienware.com (http://www.alienware.com)
www.HP.com (http://www.HP.com) (voodoo gaming) ---> www.voodoopc.com (http://www.voodoopc.com) OR http://h20435.www2.hp.com/#/MACHINE/

for the gamer looking to save between 400 and 1000 bucks

www.newegg.com (http://www.newegg.com)
www.tigerdirect.com (http://www.tigerdirect.com)
www.performance-pc.com (http://www.performance-pc.com)
www.zipzoomfly.com (http://www.zipzoomfly.com)
www.amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com)

there are these two also: (some horror stories, some good stories) YMMV
www.ibuypower.com (http://www.ibuypower.com)
http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/

[Gisli]

Here are my reqs for what you should buy :)

1)CD/DvD $24 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106263

2)Case $80 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147104

3)CPU $170 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

4)HDD $70 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152098

5)RAM 4gigs $45 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227269

6)MB $140 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131299

7)GPU $100 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130334

8)PS $80 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171023

This is excluding monitor and sound card since you have monitor and the MB has onboard sound. The total is $710 and this is before you submit all your rebates. I didn't add up the rebates but i'm sure you can knock off about $100 or more in rebates. Anyhow these are my choices for your budget. I hope I helped out :).

Which version of the OS would you order? Obviously 64 bit, but I'm a bit unsure about whether there is any point to Home Premium over Home Basic? And New Egg lists OEM versions and "home" versions... does it really matter?

[Wazdakka]

Which version of the OS would you order? Obviously 64 bit, but I'm a bit unsure about whether there is any point to Home Premium over Home Basic? And New Egg lists OEM versions and "home" versions... does it really matter?

I'd go with home premium. Ultimate has too much, basic maybe too little.


OEM means you are allowed to have it on one computer ever. It could mean difficult reinstalls in the future, because you have to get a permission code from microsoft. That's why it's so cheap. I used an OEM edition of XP for many years, and had to call for a code whenever i had to install. This was not much of a hardship but that is something to think about.


Oh, and if you can I'd make sure that I get my ram in 2gb sticks as suggested, because there may come a day when you want 8. I have 8 and right now in game, with vent and some other stuff open, vista uses half. that would skyrocket if Mythic allowed WAR to use more than two. Otherwise the system recommended is darn close to mine now, which is eating WAR up nicely.

Also, I would avoid the 9600 gts though it's a perfectly good card for it's price range. Prices have really dropped on the 9800s. Finally, that motherboard is a crossfire motherboard. I'd get a radeon card with that just in case someday you want to add a second, cheap card or get an nvidia board like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131232 or this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188026.

If you are never going to use two video cards OR raid two hard drives, I'd get this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128337 $89

I'm gonna just post my whole system here for anyone interested. It's the first time in my life that I've had a system optimal for the things I am playing.

Video Card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130374 $310 after rebate

Memory http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227269 2 of these $100 after rebate

CPU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037 $169

Cooler http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134 $25

Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188024 $239, and I paid too much for this. Don't need 3-way SLI.

DvD burners Two at $30 each, don't care which ones. Mine are a phillips and a Mad Dog. You don't need two unless you burn dvds. Even then it's optional.

Hard Drives Two of these: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136033 at $150 each (I got em for half that on ebay at different times) and a generic $350 gb drive for storage. the Raptors are faster in WAR. Once during testing a guy and I repeatedly zoned into Altdorf first. I asked him and yep, he has raptors. I would not spend the money on them again though.

PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371001 $109 rock-steady and quiet

Case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129154 $135 looks and feels luxurious, silences fans inside, cleanable filters, hard to work in.

Keyboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126034&Tpk=logitech%20g15 $80.00 I have the old one with more programmable keys and blue lights. Either way the best thing is that you can see who is talking in vent without using any screen space.

Mouse http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104076 $45 Great feeling mouse, wouldn't play without the adjustable resolution any more, and it's programmable. I strafe and tab target from the mouse.

Game pad http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826169019&Tpk=n52te $70 and totally worth it. Put all your best keys under your left hand, second most-used keys and macros on the g15.

Pet: Cockatiel. Companionable but undemanding. Change shirts a lot. Sleeps on my shoulder while I play.

[Vadokri]

Gisli I'd personally go w/this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488

This is Home Premium Vista 64

If you go w/64 I'd recommend you get 8gigs of memory here is the set I bought two of for just a little over a hundred for 8gigs

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184

you spend 170 roughly turn in rebates and end up spending 124 for 8 gigs. once again great product and performance for your money.

If you end up putting together a new system and decide on vista 64 and need help stripping down vista to give it that extra gusto for gamin just let me know and I'll walk you through on vent :)

vadokri

[Gisli]

Vadokri -- Thanks! I might take you up on that Vista-stripping offer. :)

Right now, I'm looking into getting a machine put together for me at http://www.avadirect.com since I'm not feeling inclined to put it together myself. But I might just buy the pieces and do it. It depends in part if I can get them to adjust a few things for me. My brother has bought from them, and been quite happy. They seem pretty flexible.