How to Build a Kick-ass $800 Gaming PC

[NJ5]

Squilliam said:

NJ5 said:

ZenfoldorVGI said:
Yeah, and PC gaming is the best and for everyone!

Seriously, if you don't have at least 2 years experience building rigs, plus a full-time job, then don't even bother with PC-HD gaming.

I have all of those things, but I just don't have the time, patience, or luck to put that much effort into it.

I let Squilliam find me a prebuilt 400$ PC that I added a card on, and it runs HD games well enough for me to realize I'd rather be playing them on a console.

That said, 800 dollars is a cheap gaming rig, according to most entheusiasts....and people argue that PC gaming pwns all.

You know what PC gaming is exactly like? The NeoGeo.

Actually PC gaming can be more affordable (or about the same, depending on which console) than console gaming. Consider that most people need a PC at home anyway, so they can just buy one with slightly higher specs in order to play most games released for a few years.

Consider as well that PC games are cheaper than PS3/360 console games.

 

The PC my mom uses to surf the net.

• AMD Sempron 1.6ghz (Lulz single core)
• 512 mb ram
• Geforce 5200 GPU
• 80GB HDD
• 22" Phillips LCD monitor
• Windows XP

That monitor costs more than the computer!

She'll keep that for a couple more years and upgrade it to the cheapest computer she can find. Most people follow that exact same path, the only reason she hasn't upgraded is because I keep the machine clean.

Your standard computer is now COMPLETELY different to the computer you'd play games on.

 

That is not a recent computer in any way.

For 200 € (including 20% tax) you can get a pre-built 2.2 GHz Sempron with 2 GB RAM and an on-board graphics card. That's the cheapest computer I can find right now at some online stores. Obviously a good enough computer for web browsing and office applications.

If you spend 200-250 more €, you can instead get a Core Duo with 4 GB RAM and a 8600 GS OEM card (perhaps even a better one, this was a really quick search). With that setup, I bet you'll be able to play many new games for years to come. Obviously not at the highest settings, which give better graphics than consoles can make anyway.