Advice Needed

[Tarkus]

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 But, unfortunately my current setup is obsolete and doesn’t have the graphics or whatever it takes to operate the game.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]

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]

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]

Heres a nice setup:

CPU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115005 - $191.00
RAM – http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145034 - $274.00
Mobo - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131045 - $179.99
GPU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150202 - $189.99
HDD - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148139 - $94.99
Case - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811119068 - $49.99
PSU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817182017 - $54.99

Total - $1035


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