System reqs for up and coming games and graphics cards?

[magemofo]

Hi guys. So the hard drive in my computer just became corrupted or something and I lost all my data. Since my computer was pretty old anyway, I figured it was a good excuse to get a new one. There are a couple things I want to know before I buy the computer though.

I'm 17 and school's about to start so I absolutely NEED to get a computer right now. I like to game, but my parents only allow me to over the summer, when it can't interfere with my schoolwork. So I guess what I'm asking is, what's a good computer to get now that will support the newest DX11 graphics cards and games next year?

Recommendations on a CPU, RAM, and power supply would be awesome.

I'm thinking about getting a computer with an Intel Pentium Dual-Core E5200 2.5Ghz CPU, 4 gigs of RAM, and 250watt power supply. I have heard though that CPUs with something in the E7xxx or E8xxx would be better, and that I would need around a 500watt power supply for some of the better video cards. Any suggestions would be great, thanks!

 

[red1776]

Hi magemofo,
can you tell us a little more about what you want from this machine/ like what res do you want to game at, what is your budget, do you want to overclock, do you do any video editing or rendering, etc. actually if you supply the answers to these questions https://www.techspot.com/vb/topic119618.html it will help us get you better recommendations

 

[magemofo]

Hi magemofo,
can you tell us a little more about what you want from this machine/ like what res do you want to game at, what is your budget, do you want to overclock, do you do any video editing or rendering, etc. actually if you supply the answers to these questions https://www.techspot.com/vb/topic119618.html it will help us get you better recommendations

Ok um well by gaming I mean mostly WoW at 1680x1050 res. I do some, and I can't put enough emphasis on that, some (not a lot) video editing with Vegas Pro when school projects call for it, my budget I would say is up to $700, and I have no idea what overclocking is, honestly. Also, I don't want the absolute BEST gaming computer, just something to run games at around say 20-40 fps consistently. Thanks~!

 

[red1776]

This configuration is $575 and will handle whatever you throw at it. wow @ 1680 x 1050, and the triple core x3 720 out performs the intel dual cores. you didn't mention if you needed a monitor, so if you your interested in this configuration, and need a monitor as well for $700, let me know i can trim it down to allow for that.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649 cpu
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128376 MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227298 mem
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003 PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150337 gfx
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148445 hd
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042 case

 

[Ruthe]

Just 2 cents worth, here. I think Magemofo is looking for a pre-built machine. I might suggest a notebook. You might look at Lenovo or Toshiba, Dell or Gateway. There are pretty good ones for $700 and even under. Try going to those manufacturer's sites and see if you can do a seach on each one for gaming machines. That would work for desktops as well. Also, look at some << reviews! >> like ComputerShopper.com, ZDNet.com, pcWorld.com. If that's what you're looking for (pre-built), come back and get opinions if you need them.

 

[red1776]

aha Ruth,
this made me think magemofo was looking to build

Recommendations on a CPU, RAM, and power supply would be awesome.

oopps! well if thats the case, let us know more like Ruth said, and you will get some good suggestions

 

[magemofo]

Heh, I probably should have specified which I wanted. Right now I'm looking to buy a prebuilt; I don't have enough time to dabble in the do-it-yourself business. Only thing is, I realize that prebuilt computers come with crappy integrated graphics and often only 250-300 watt power supplies, which I'm willing to upgrade myself. Otherwise, I would like to get the rest of the computer prebuilt .

Thanks again!

Edit: Right now I'm looking at two hp comps:
http://www.shopping.hp.com/store/product/product_detail/NP192AA%23ABA?
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...4933&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN

Both $600 pcs which I'm very comfortable with spending. My primary concern is one has a dual core and one has a quad core. Since many games don't utilize all four cores, I suspect that the stronger dual core would be better for gaming, but as I will also be using the computer for schoolwork and whatnot, a quad core would help with multitasking, video rendering and the like. Help picking one would be great

Also, other recommendations would be awesome if these two are just kind of eh

 

[Ruthe]

No harm, no foul. I really can't help very much in deciding, don't know enough about CPU workings. But Red is greater than excellent. And I've seen a lot of good machines in that price range. Although, I just am not happy with HP. I seem to remember they tweak stuff so you have no generic options. True?

 

[red1776]

that is true Ruthe, HP likes to protect its customers from themselves! LOL they have a habit of taking the motherboards and locking them, so as not to have very many Bios options. on the other hand, if your not much of a tweaker, or overclocker, it may not make a difference to you.(it would drive me nuts) lol. but as far as the build quality for a prebuilt machine i rather like the HP's over many of the others. the quad core option would handle the level of gaming you describe magemofo, and would do very well for your Video work as well. and the E7400 machine would easily handle the gaming as well, just not as fast in the video/multitasking. The only thing i would say is that they are both integrated graphics which is all but useless for gaming. so i would plan on ordering a Graphics card to fill that PCIE slot in either machine, you can get a discreet card that will make you happy playing Wow all the way up for 75$. I will find a couple more options for you to look at. hope that was of some help

 

[magemofo]

Alright thanks red, you're awesome I think I'll go with the quad core to future proof my computer a little more, so I can use it for hopefully 2-3years. And yeah I realize that's the downside to all those non-gaming prebuilt computers, the dreaded integrated which is good for the 2D stuff and nothing else. I dont even know why they bother. but anyway thanks a bunch for the help red, you're my favorite forum poster now

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

I would recommend this system instead.

Just change the video card to the GT 220, and you should be set. You get a free Windows 7 upgrade and a significantly more powerful system compared to the HP. More details on the Windows 7 upgrade here.

 

[red1776]

Hi again magemofo,
okay as promised here is another option i will add to the great machine Moiz posted. This would be a price point deal then. it has a Phenom x4 9750 for multi tasking. it is eligible for a windows 7 free upgrade. it would handle your gaming as well. it sounds like you were looking into processors, so here is a review of the x4 9750 if you want to have a look. i also linked a graphic card that would meet your gaming needs as well. so the whole thing comes to $500.
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellst...c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&kc=desktops_great_deals
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125244
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cpus/2008/04/11/amd_phenom_x4_9850_9750_and_9550_b3_cpus/1

 

[magemofo]

Oh cool guys, those are even better! I just have a question. On the one Rage listed, you can pick some different video cards. I know I don't need it, but if I picked the ATI 4850 one, which has a 450 watt minimum power requirement, how would that work on the system? The power supply is only 350 watts, with no option to upgrade, at least not in their customization process. Would the card still work with that little power? It's weird because I don't think Dell would allow that option if the card wasn't compatible with the system.

I'm also thinking about yours too red. 500 bucks for a nice system is a can't-beat price. Well I got some mulling over to do now. Gonna go sleep on it I think

 

[red1776]

Oh cool guys, those are even better! I just have a question. On the one Rage listed, you can pick some different video cards. I know I don't need it, but if I picked the ATI 4850 one, which has a 450 watt minimum power requirement,

that's a great question, because the 4850 needs a 450w as it draws 130W/9.3A at peak itself. the price for the option (120$) does not reflect a PSU upgrade, and there is not a 350W psu out there that has a 6 pin connector (needed for the 4850) i guess i would make a call on that because you cant run a HD 4850 on a 350W psu.
maybe Moiz knows if they upgrade the PSU when you order the 4850

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

Dell conservatively rates their power supplies but still, I wouldn't risk running a 4850 on one. It is odd that they allow you to upgrade to an HD 4850 in the first place.

 

[magemofo]

Would the 9800GT run ok? Because that still has a power req of 400w which is still above what the included power supply can provide.

Edit: I just called Dell, and they said that in the year this thing's been out there have been no problems so...When I asked them about the specifics that was all they could say; and I quote "It should work." Not exactly reassuring but...

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

The 9800GT has much lower power requirements than the 4850. It should be fine IMO.

If you want to play it safe, get the Dell system Greg recommended, and buy your own PSU and card. A good combo would be the Corsair 400CX and the HD 4770.

 

[red1776]

Hey Moiz,
is this true today?
http://www.easydesksoftware.com/news/news21.htm

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

Dell left behind proprietarily-wired PSU's with the Dimension 4600 I believe. I'm not completely sure though. raybay will probably know for sure.