VeeshanVault

I don't know the first thing about computers. A long time ago I knew what was fast and what wasn't, but I'm completely lost now. I want to buy something that's very fast, but I don't want to go overboard and spend a huge amount of money. I've gone and looked around at several websites but it sucks when you can't put things into perspective. If I want to get a dependable computer that can run EQ, will be able to run EQ2, WoW, and any other new games at nice speeds, what should I be looking for? Any suggestions as to what I need to accomplish that and even a direct link to a desktop that fits what I'm looking for would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

It's all about how much you have to spend.

What is your budget first of all?

Then you have to look at getting the most speed for your buck.

In your case you want on-line games....ones that have a real high demand on systems.

Can you even build your own system? Or are you looking for a pre-built machine?

Are you going to keep your old machine? If not, can you scrap any parts from it? Like your network card, sound card, extra hard drive space, monitor, keyboard, mouse, floppy, CD, speakers...maybe the case? Maybe a DVD? Maybe a CD-R or DVD-R?

I mean the monitor alone can save you $100's...provided your not on a crappy 15" and have more like a 19" or so...

I assume you will want a new motherboard, video card, CPU, and ram....the rest you may already have...

I'd get a GeForce4 Ti-4200 or better for the video card...it's one of the most important parts, but it's also one that get's upgraded the most....so you might not want the top-end card, but just close to it. Because you might get a new card next year.

For the ram, I'd get some of the best out there, and a gig of it...I'm not sure you will want to do it in one chip or 2x512 chips. But I'd go with PC3700 probably, that seems to be the fastest....why? Because your more likely to upgrade the CPU then the ram in you upgrade in the near future, and you might be able to re-use the ram, and if you don't...you can always stick it in your friends machine...the price difference on ram for type is not that big, it's size that really drives the cost.

I don't know much about motherboards....but I would get one thats likely to last, and fairly new, again the price on these doesn't go that high, and you want to ability to potentialy get a bigger CPU in there later. I'm not sure you want a RAID card or not, I have never done that...but SCSI is supossedly faster.

CPU well I'd do something between 2.4 and 2.8Ghz atm...they go to 3.0Ghz and maybe higher...but just looking at pricewatch and just normal pricing over the last 10 years, you don't buy the best chip, the premium for the best chip is just too high. For example on pricewatch 2.8Ghz is $346 but 3.0Ghz is $506....that's too steep, you can buy a 4.0Ghz next year for $200 and if you bought the right MB and Ram maybe just plop it right in there...

Also if you buy a new HD I'd suggest keeping in mind the drive speed, RPM's, seek times etc....that's usually a bottle neck.

go to dell or gateway if you know dick about computers...buy one of those...

and every two years when a new game comes out...buy a new one.

Ok I found a computer that I think looks good, could you all tell me what you think?

http://www.gateway.com/home/prod/hm_700 ... tail.shtml

Does it have all the things needed to run games smoothly and pretty much anything else that I'd want to do?

I know I sound like such a newbie but before I shell out this kind of cash I want to make sure it'll be worth it.

sure that'll work for a while...you'll have to upgrade ram and a video card at some point as computer games more more insane...but that's decent.

You could do it yourself for cheaper, but since you aren't knowledgeable, I wouldn't suggest it.