Re: Need help buying a new computer

Carole Clark wrote:
I'm ready to buy a new computer but need some help. I like to play role playing games so I know I'll need a decent machine. It's been a long time since I bought a rpg since my computer wasn't good enough to run Oblivion, HOMM5(?) or Gothic 3...the 3 games I was most looking forward to at the time. I don't even know what's come out since then. Anyway, I sure could use some help with what mother board, video card, sound card etc. to get. And I was trying to read about dual core, quad core, found out you can have more than one video card....and boy! did I get confused! It seems like now that I'm getting up there in age, a lot of that stuff is just going right over my head. I've saved up a little over $1500. So if anyone could help me out a little, I'd sure appreciate it.

Hey Carole...

I followed the other replies here, and found that you are indeed looking to buy a PC, not build it, so thought I would throw in my suggestions. I know you had mentioned going to Best Buy to see what they can do, and typically you will spend a little more there than you would online, but you have the option of being able to see & touch & try (usually) the model you are looking for prior to purchase, so sometimes that is worth the little extra. Plus, if they are close to you, that will be where you would bring the unit if you have any hardware or support issues, so for some there is a comfort zone with that situation.

However, if you know of any smaller private computer shops nearby that have been around for a while, you can often go in and talk with them to see what they can do for you. You will typically get a little more personal attention, and be talking to someone who really knows the computers, not just what the specification card for the product says... And those smaller shops are much more likely to be able to build or modify the PC to match exactly what you are looking for. Just be sure it's someone who has been around a while, and doesn't look like they're going to up and disappear on you in a month, because they will be your support...

And if you are looking online, I've had friends who had good luck with both ibuypower.com <http://www.ibuypower.com> and cyberpowerpc.com <http://www.cyberpowerpc.com> in the past. And there is something to be said for the Dell XPS computers, they aren't super flashy but tend to be solid and reliable, and I've had decent luck with Dell's support (both private and corporate) - I've had a Dell XPS 400 for almost 4 years, and with nothing more than a graphics card update in all that time, it plays all but the latest cutting edge stuff. Anyhow, if nothing else, some sites to browse to get an idea of what you can get for how much...

The main thing to consider when going into this purchase is longevity and use... As a general guideline, you want at least a dual-core processor, not less than 2 gigabytes of RAM, I would say at least 200 gigabytes of hard drive space (make that at least 500 if you do lots of music files, digital pictures, etc), a good power supply (probably 500 Watts or so) and a decent graphics card. The suggestions for graphics cards that the other guys gave you are very well thought out, and would fit nicely in what you are looking for. Don't worry about the dual graphics card thing, that's typically more gimmicky than useful, and really only the geeks (like me) who like to push the envelope to get screaming video quality at eye-bleeding frame rates will ever use it. In actuality, many of the video card companies are making those dual card options less of an issue, by coming out with more and more graphics cards that are actually 2 cards in 1, without the fuss of the second card. Just be careful when choosing the video card you want, that the power supply is adequate to keep up - if you are buying online, or from a small shop, they should automatically know what is needed and make sure you are covered.

If you do a little research and find some you think look good, don't hesitate to post the specifications and ask for opinions on price and performance. We've got alot of very knowledgeable folks that frequent this group, so you'd be able to get some very unbiased opinions... Plus you might even find someone with hands-on experience with the particular equipment you are considering, and get some insight you might otherwise have missed.

Good luck!

--
~ CoinSpin
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