Gaming Computer Recommendations Please

S

Sickness

New Member
Hi everyone, I'm looking into buying a new gaming computer. The Computer I have now has some problems, and is somewhat slow on the new games coming out such as Star Trek Online. I want a computer that is under $1000, and can last me a good 5-10 years. What do you guys recommend?

PS: Forgive me if I posted this in the wrong section. :P




Here are my computer specs:

Motherboard: Antec Sonata II
OS: Windows XP Service Pack 3
Processor: AMD Athlon™ 64 Processor 3800+, MMX, 3DNow, ~2.4GHz
Memory: 3072MB RAM
Hard Drive: 1 TB
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy
 
5-10 years is really pushing it for a gaming computer, generally they only last a few years before new games will start to run too poorly. Have you thought about upgrading your current one? Getting a new CPU, motherboard, and video card will help out quite a bit.
 
Come to think of it, those 3 things are mainly what I want to upgrade. Thank you for making me realize that :P. I know for sure I want a Quad Core CPU. What kind of Processor, Graphics Card, and Motherboard do you recommend?
 
Sickness said:
Come to think of it, those 3 things are mainly what I want to upgrade. Thank you for making me realize that :P. I know for sure I want a Quad Core CPU. What kind of Processor, Graphics Card, and Motherboard do you recommend?
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Depends if you want to stick with the DDR2 you have, or if you can afford to upgrade the RAM as well, since both AMD and Intel now use DDR3 as the standard. I would say an Intel i7 920, x58 motherboard, 4-6GB of DDR3, and perhaps an ATI 5870. Of course it depends on your budget.
 
Would the DDR2 still work on the new x58 motherboard? Also, I think $289 for the core is to much for me, so I was wondering what you think about this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037&cm_re=intel_e8400-_-19-115-037-_-Product or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727

Also, what kind of x58 motherboard do you recommend? I'm also looking at purchasing a new tower. Would all of these be compatible with this?: http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10011772


Sorry for my 10,000 questions, I'm a noob at computers :)
 
Sickness said:
Hmm, well my motherboard right now has been working fine, I don't think I need to update it. I think I'm leaning towards buying a new CPU and a new graphics card. The i7 is a bit to much for me, so I found this CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727 What do you think about it?

Also, what kind of NVIDIA Graphics card do you recommend?
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That's an AM3 CPU, you would need a motherboard upgrade to support it. The best you could do is a dual-core X2 series, which are quite a few years old.
 
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Sickness said:
I have a ASUSTeK Computer INC. A8N-SLI Premium 1.02 motherboard, would this duel core support it? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037&cm_re=intel_e8400-_-19-115-037-_-Product

EDIT: Wait, my motherboard only supports AMD Athlon CPU's. I found this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103687&nm_mc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r&cm_mmc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r-_-Processors+-+Desktops-_-AMD-_-19103687

What do you guys think about it?
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Again, that is an AM3-based CPU. Your current motherboard only works with socket 939 processors, however they have been discontinued for a while. It would be better to get a new motherboard and processor.
 
Here's an option $538 incl. shipping

CPU $166 ($10 promotional gift card w/ purchase)
AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Quad-Core 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103674

MB $85
ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO AM3 AMD 785G HDMI ATX (16GB max DDR3 1800 dual channel)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131398

RAM $145
Kingston HyperX 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1800 (PC3 14400)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104135

VIDEO $140 (double lifetime warranty)
XFX GS250XYDFC GeForce GTS 250 512MB Core Edition 256-bit GDDR3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150357


Keep your 1TB HDD, and your Case (looks like it's got good air flow and it's quiet). BTW is your PSU Antec 450W? anyone know if this will suffice? I think so..

Can I also suggest Windows 7 Home 64
$105 incl. shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754

All together $643 incl. shipping. maybe someone can help bring that down a tad with some suggestions

If you overclock (do you?), get a heatsink and add optional case fans
 
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Lol the cover that protects the discs and what-not on the Sonata II broke off... It's served me for 3 years and it's a damn good case, but I think its time for a new one. :P

After 2 hours of searching, I found these. I don't know if like the MB you found is better then the one I found, etc..., so tell me what you think:


Case $94.99
NZXT CS-NT-ZERO-2 Zero 2 SERIES ATX
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10011772

MB $109.99
ASUS M4N72-E AM3/AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA nForce 750a SLI ATX AMD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131367&nm_mc=OTC-Channel&cm_mmc=OTC-channel-_-Motherboards+-+AMD-_-ASUS-_-13131367&srccode=cii_7240466&cpncode=25-3157719&DEPA=0&refer=channel&CMP=OTC-

VIDEO $92.99
GeForce 9800 GT 512MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500113&nm_mc=OTC-Channel&cm_mmc=OTC-channel-_-Video+Cards-_-Zotac-_-14500113&srccode=cii_7240466&cpncode=23-9906979&DEPA=0&refer=channel&CMP=OTC-

CPU $60.99
AMD Athlon II X2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103687&nm_mc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r&cm_mmc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r-_-Processors+-+Desktops-_-AMD-_-19103687


It all comes out to $368.93 including shipping. For the RAM, I think I'm gonna stick with the DDR2. I'm not sure if the DDR2 is compatible with the ASUS NVIDIA nForce though. What do you think?


And to answer your questions, I believe my PSU is over 400. I took out the Antec PSU because I thought it was one of the reasons my computer kept crashing. And I don't overclock, I'm afraid I'll screw up. :P
 
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Sickness said:
Case $94.99
NZXT CS-NT-ZERO-2 Zero 2 SERIES ATX
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10011772

MB $109.99
ASUS M4N72-E AM3/AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA nForce 750a SLI ATX AMD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131367&nm_mc=OTC-Channel&cm_mmc=OTC-channel-_-Motherboards+-+AMD-_-ASUS-_-13131367&srccode=cii_7240466&cpncode=25-3157719&DEPA=0&refer=channel&CMP=OTC-

VIDEO $92.99
GeForce 9800 GT 512MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500113&nm_mc=OTC-Channel&cm_mmc=OTC-channel-_-Video+Cards-_-Zotac-_-14500113&srccode=cii_7240466&cpncode=23-9906979&DEPA=0&refer=channel&CMP=OTC-

CPU $60.99
AMD Athlon II X2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103687&nm_mc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r&cm_mmc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r-_-Processors+-+Desktops-_-AMD-_-19103687
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good job on those parts for price.

try this GPU, same price considering shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130535

I trust EVGA, I don't know Zotac products

*note: that video card will not last even close to 5 years, a little more $ like the GTS 250 in my op will go farther for not too much more price. even a good 9800 GTX if you can find one

DDR2 will be fine on that board
 
Why are you guys recommending him this stuff? with $1000 he could do a major upgrade to an i7 which beats phenom ii x4's...
 
linkin93 said:
Why are you guys recommending him this stuff? with $1000 he could do a major upgrade to an i7 which beats phenom ii x4's...
Click to expand...

Macbook suggested that I get the i7. I don't have the money for it at the moment, so I'm probably gonna go with AMD Athlon II X2.
 
Ok I think this will be my last question concerning this. I found this other tower, which has great reviews, and looks amazing.

Would this tower be compatible with all of these things?: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4540656&Sku=A406-1117

Here's what I'm going to be purchasing:


MB $109.99
ASUS M4N72-E AM3/AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA nForce 750a SLI ATX AMD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131367&nm_mc=OTC-Channel&cm_mmc=OTC-channel-_-Motherboards+-+AMD-_-ASUS-_-13131367&srccode=cii_7240466&cpncode=25-3157719&DEPA=0&refer=channel&CMP=OTC-

VIDEO $100
EVGA GeForce 9800 GT 512MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130535

CPU $60.99
AMD Athlon II X2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103687&nm_mc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r&cm_mmc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r-_-Processors+-+Desktops-_-AMD-_-19103687
 
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