Advice Needed

Tarkus · 12-29-2006, 07:57 PM

I will be replacing my home computer in the next couple of months. Right now I’m trying to do my homework so I can make some informed decisions. Its primary use will be the internet, downloading music, burning CDs, gaming, and to a lesser extent, word processing and other miscellaneous uses. I’m not a hardcore gamer. But, I do enjoy flight simulators. For instance, I have the MS Combat Flight Simulator 3. But, unfortunately my current setup is obsolete and doesn’t have the graphics or whatever it takes to operate the game. I would like to keep the budget within $1200. Can you give some guidance on the best CPU, graphics card, etc. within this budget and any other suggestions you can think of? Also, outside of upgrading the memory, I have no experience in building a computer. What are the pros and cons of building it yourself as opposed to having it done? Is building it yourself something recommended for a novice?

Current system:

CPU: Intel Celeron ~700MHz
MOBO: I have no idea
GPU: Don’t know that either, but it sucks
HD: About 11 GB
RAM: 319 MB
OS: MS Me 4.90.3000

Thanks in advance

nffc10 · 12-29-2006, 10:25 PM

Firstly, building a computer yourself is 99 times out of 100 cheaper. I think that you will find building a computer yourself is fairly easy, most of the hardware you buy comes with instalation manuals nowdays anyway. okay, because you will probably be doing more multi tasking than gaming i would get an Intel Core 2 Duo Processor (around $230), in terms of graphics, if all your going to be playing is MSFS3, i would get a Sapphire x1900gt (around $150) or a GeForce7900gt (around $280). They will run that flight simulator game with no problem and let you surf the net etc. with ease.

chuckn0rris · 12-29-2006, 10:30 PM

If you really DON'T want to build it yourself, just buy the parts, pay your local computer store $30 and they will build it for you.

joeswm8 · 12-30-2006, 12:10 AM

Heres a nice setup:

CPU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115005 - $191.00
RAM – http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145034 - $274.00
Mobo - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131045 - $179.99
GPU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150202 - $189.99
HDD - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148139 - $94.99
Case - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119068 - $49.99
PSU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817182017 - $54.99

Total - $1035

get a 80mm and 120mm case fan and a nice new monitor, OS and you are set

12-29-2006, 07:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
Tarkus New Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1	Advice Needed I will be replacing my home computer in the next couple of months. Right now I’m trying to do my homework so I can make some informed decisions. Its primary use will be the internet, downloading music, burning CDs, gaming, and to a lesser extent, word processing and other miscellaneous uses. I’m not a hardcore gamer. But, I do enjoy flight simulators. For instance, I have the MS Combat Flight Simulator 3. But, unfortunately my current setup is obsolete and doesn’t have the graphics or whatever it takes to operate the game. I would like to keep the budget within $1200. Can you give some guidance on the best CPU, graphics card, etc. within this budget and any other suggestions you can think of? Also, outside of upgrading the memory, I have no experience in building a computer. What are the pros and cons of building it yourself as opposed to having it done? Is building it yourself something recommended for a novice? Current system: CPU: Intel Celeron ~700MHz MOBO: I have no idea GPU: Don’t know that either, but it sucks HD: About 11 GB RAM: 319 MB OS: MS Me 4.90.3000 Thanks in advance

12-29-2006, 10:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
nffc10 Diamond Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Nottingham Age: 18 Posts: 1,659	Firstly, building a computer yourself is 99 times out of 100 cheaper. I think that you will find building a computer yourself is fairly easy, most of the hardware you buy comes with instalation manuals nowdays anyway. okay, because you will probably be doing more multi tasking than gaming i would get an Intel Core 2 Duo Processor (around $230), in terms of graphics, if all your going to be playing is MSFS3, i would get a Sapphire x1900gt (around $150) or a GeForce7900gt (around $280). They will run that flight simulator game with no problem and let you surf the net etc. with ease. __________________ Amd Athlon 64 X2 6000+ @ 3.31GHz Asrock AM2NF3 VSTA 2gb Corsair XMS2 PC5400 Sapphire X800XL 256MB AGP 80GB Maxtor Hard Drive OCZ StealthXtreme 600W PSU Pictures - 1 2 3 http://www.treasuretrooper.com/438654

12-30-2006, 12:10 AM	#4 (permalink)
joeswm8 Diamond Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: IL Age: 16 Posts: 1,543	Heres a nice setup: CPU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115005 - $191.00 RAM – http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145034 - $274.00 Mobo - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131045 - $179.99 GPU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150202 - $189.99 HDD - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148139 - $94.99 Case - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119068 - $49.99 PSU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817182017 - $54.99 Total - $1035 get a 80mm and 120mm case fan and a nice new monitor, OS and you are set __________________ Free Online Games ---New Computer---Server Build --X2 3800+@2.5---E6600@3.4 XFX 7900GS Extreme---eVga 7600GS--- ------2GB G.Skill DDR2-800---4GB Corsair DDR2-800 Biostar TForce 550MCP---eVga 680i-------- ------WD 160GB HDD---2x74GB Raptors -----------------Rosewill 550W---OCZ 700W GameXStream Centurion 5---P180B

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12-29-2006, 10:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
chuckn0rris Bronze Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 38	If you really DON'T want to build it yourself, just buy the parts, pay your local computer store $30 and they will build it for you.