Would like opinions on my future gaming PC.

[Conall]

Within the next few months I will be buying a new pre-built gaming PC, and would like everyones opinions on the one I've chosen.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227041

What I really want this PC to do is run older games perfectly, and it certainly looks like it could.

I've been stuck with a HP Pavilion 512w for years, and obviously I'm not able to play many games nor install very many new parts, and as such I don't know much about current video cards, processors and such.

So I'd like to ask if I could run the following games;
Black & White 2
Battlefield 2
Civilization 4
Empire Earth 2
Farcry
The Sims 2
Age of Empires 3

With all graphics settings at their maximum, at a constant 60fps+ on this computer.

Thanks in advance.

 

[pbmaster]

For those games, that PC will run them perfectly on max.

 

[Conall]

Excellent.

Ah, that sounds great.
Thanks for the reply.

One more quick question, how easy would it be to install Windows XP after reformating that PC?
I have no interest in Vista..

 

[nguyenpeter76]

if looking for prebuild, you should look at the dell xps 420 because for $1149, you get a q6600 processor, 3gb 667mhz ram, 320gb harddrive, 8800gt, dual burner optical drive, and a quiet system. i myself have a xps420 but with a hd 2400 pro graphics card because ill upgrade it later. if you do choose to get the xps 420, go find a dell place to buy it from cause i went to a kiosk at a mall and got $100 off.

 

[PaulieG]

if looking for prebuild, you should look at the dell xps 420 because for $1149, you get a q6600 processor, 3gb 667mhz ram, 320gb harddrive, 8800gt, dual burner optical drive, and a quiet system. i myself have a xps420 but with a hd 2400 pro graphics card because ill upgrade it later. if you do choose to get the xps 420, go find a dell place to buy it from cause i went to a kiosk at a mall and got $100 off.

Well, the Dell is NOT a good idea since the crappy motherboard has a locked bios, which means no ability to tweak the system if you want to. If you have to buy something prebuilt, the ibuypower looks decent for what it is, as you can play with the bios and you can run SLI later if you want to.

 

[hat]

byopc

 

[PaulieG]

byopc

the voice of reason...

 

[JrRacinFan]

Conall, hate to say this but most of those I can run medium @ 1024x768. Farcry I can max @ 1280x1024 averages ~50fps. That just gives you a little insight on how much more powerful it is than mine.

 

[hat]

the voice of reason...

what do you mean?

 

[JrRacinFan]

LMAO, I think he means not everybody may want to build their own.

 

[Conall]

I know it'd be cheaper to build it myself, but I've never done that before and I am terrified I'd screw something up.
I don't want to take that chance.

Yes yes, I've heard all the "It's like legos!", "Even a baby could do it!", etc.

 

[Dia01]

I know it'd be cheaper to build it myself, but I've never done that before and I am terrified I'd screw something up.
I don't want to take that chance.

Yes yes, I've heard all the "It's like legos!", "Even a baby could do it!", etc.

What exactly are you terrified about, I find the hardest part is getting the software and drivers just right. Hardware is pretty easy.

 

[Conall]

The fear comes from the fact that this is something totally unknown to me.
I'd have absolutely no idea what I was doing.
What if I installed something wrong? What if I damaged a part/parts with static?

With this pre-built, the most I could screw up is the XP installation.
But it comes with a recovery DVD, so even that isn't a problem.

 

[Triprift]

The fear comes from the fact that this is something totally unknown to me.
I'd have absolutely no idea what I was doing.
What if I installed something wrong? What if I damaged a part/parts with static?

With this pre-built, the most I could screw up is the XP installation.
But it comes with a recovery DVD, so even that isn't a problem.

yeah i hear ya i was the same when i got back into puting this year if it wasnt for a couple of my mates who are wizzes with puters id of been stuffed. As long as your happy paying a bit more you can get yourself an excellent gaming rig and over time youll get confidence to have a go at upgrades.

 

[hat]

Just use an old table and put all your parts on that. It's impossible to install anything wrong. If something ins't going in, check the line-ups, you're doing it wrong! It's very straightforward.

 

[3991vhtes]

Conall, I have to agree w/ hat.

byopc is very simple. Just look for guides, they're all over the web. They'll show you everything.

If you don't want to DIY, I think that rig you linked to would be a good choice.

 

[Conall]

Hmm.. If it really isn't as risky as I thought, maybe I will build my own..
I'll look into it.

 

[Conall]

Wow, it really would be cheaper!
I can build a PC with similar specs to the machine in the link I posted, but with a E6850 processor for about $100 less.
You know, I think I will build this myself after all.

Take a look at these parts, and tell me what you think.
http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/wishlist/PublicWishDetail.asp?WishListNumber=5234685

Would all of those parts fit in that case?
And could someone also recommend a good cheap sound card?

 

[hat]

I think you'll want more than 500 watts bud
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

Aside from that, yes I do believe it will fit.

 

[3991vhtes]

500 watts seems fair enough for that setup

 

[Conall]

I don't think I need 650watts, and I'm not paying $160 for a power supply.

 

[3991vhtes]

I'd stick with the PSU you originally chose, Connall

 

[JrRacinFan]

500W may be enough, but IMO you also are getting a better motherboard.

EDIT: Also I don't know about that RAM, you may be able to find better for cheaper.

 

[Conall]

I found a 550watt for only a little more.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817103941

I'll buy that instead.

 

[Conall]

What RAM would you recommend, then?
I was recommended this particular type by someone on another board.
This is what he said about it;
"D9 chips are the best. Fast RAM, and great timings, with tons of room to overclock."