Searching for a gaming desktop

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MareneCorp wrote on 2013-08-05 18:31

I don't know crap about computers but I'm looking for basically something that has a graphics card that can run, say, Vindictus on decent settings (Normal-High?) - Of course this will be expanded to whether I can run most games on similar settings. I'm also aiming for a RAM that can handle above 4GB, a quad-core processor, a CPU strong enough to stop a charging rhino, WINDOWS 7, all for a budget of around $1000.
I'm looking for multiple suggestions, and I'd prefer it to be available in your average computer store, as of right now custom-building a computer is not an easy option for me.
Also, just in case you missed the title, desktops please :) I don't settle for some pansy craptops.
Compass wrote on 2013-08-06 04:06

[Insert the typical "Why isn't building an option?" question here]

Also do you live near Yonkers or Long Island, if not can you go to one of these places?
Mentosftw wrote on 2013-08-06 04:22

I feel more appreciation out of my computer from building it myself.

Plus there's none of this preinstalled crap that you get from prebuilts and you more or less know quite a bit about each part that you put into your computer.
Mentosftw wrote on 2013-08-06 04:22

I feel more appreciation out of my computer from building it myself.

Plus there's none of this preinstalled crap that you get from prebuilts and you more or less know quite a bit about each part that you put into your computer.
Chockeh wrote on 2013-08-06 04:31

You might want to consider paying someone to build the computer for you.
Mentosftw wrote on 2013-08-06 04:37

Not to mention it's actually cheaper and you end up with a better computer since you'll place more dollar emphasis on the parts you need to splurge on.

I just feel sad when you find a prebuilt with a i7 core and a terrible graphics card in it with a ton of memory and ram.

Generally you can just aim for the best graphics card you can get your hands on, an i5, 8gb ram and 1-2tb of memory.

Later on you if you want to upgrade your comp, throw a new cooling fan on your cpu (since the stock one is horrible) or get a SSD if you want.

I suggest cooling since it really helps to extend the life of your parts. Not to mention you can overclock if you want to (not like you'd see too much of a difference nowadays as compared to a decade ago).
RebeccaBlack wrote on 2013-08-06 05:15

I disagree with so much of that.

Computers have shit GPUs because unless someone specifically wants to play video games, they won't see any benefit from it. There are a few other exceptions with professional programs but that's an even more uncommon thing to do. So there's no point in making them unless they target gamers.

Stock fans are fine and people don't really need to overclock. There are substantial gains from doing so but it's not required. I think the difference is hugely noticeable, at least with the Intel CPUs. So in the end, I guess it depends on what's "good enough" for the person. As for extending the lifespan... meh, I dunno. CPUs last a really long time. I'd bet on most other things going out first which would result in a new computer anyway at some point. It'd almost certainly be obsolete by then anyway.

A small SSD is fine for this build, but it's a luxury at the same time.

And don't think that just because everyone tells you that you have to build a computer that you really have to. People are always going to pressure you into doing that but if it's not your thing, then it is what it is. There are plenty of good prebuilt computers, they just often have less ideal parts. Getting one built for you is a bit more expensive, but comes with better parts.
Aubog007 wrote on 2013-08-06 06:53

One thing to note, be wary of cheaper end power supplies, some douchebag who built one of my old computers skimped out on that.

Well the store went bankrupt and my computer went "boom"

Was a graduation gift 8 years ago.

The new one i built which has all of your specs x3-4 and a great vid card ran me 1k to build.
Compass wrote on 2013-08-06 07:26

Quote from RebeccaBlack;1132131:
I disagree with so much of that.

Computers have shit GPUs because unless someone specifically wants to play video games, they won't see any benefit from it. There are a few other exceptions with professional programs but that's an even more uncommon thing to do. So there's no point in making them unless they target gamers.

Most prebuilt gaming desktops have shit GPUs for the price point.

Quote from RebeccaBlack;1132131:
A small SSD is fine for this build, but it's a luxury at the same time.

Since when are SSDs luxuries above the $800 price range?

Quote from RebeccaBlack;1132131:
And don't think that just because everyone tells you that you have to build a computer that you really have to. People are always going to pressure you into doing that but if it's not your thing, then it is what it is. There are plenty of good prebuilt computers, they just often have less ideal parts. Getting one built for you is a bit more expensive, but comes with better parts.

So you're saying that MareneCorp should 200-300 more dollars on a less than ideal computer for the prince range?

Computer hardware is constantly changing, MareneCorp should get the most bang out of his money. He shouldn't have to settle for computer that comes with less than ideals parts for the price range seeing on how it won't last long.

Mentos nails it when he was talking about prebuilt gaming computers, I've seen computers that come with an i7-4770, 12GB of ram, 2TB hard drives and an Intel HD 4000 with a 300w PSU.
RebeccaBlack wrote on 2013-08-06 09:13

Quote from Compass;1132151:
Most prebuilt gaming desktops have shit GPUs for the price point.

It's debatable. It's kinda somewhat true but not really. Most people just want to run games, not get 60 FPS on the highest settings.

Since when are SSDs luxuries above the $800 price range?
Since always, and they will be for a long time. Their usefulness of overblown. It saves some startup time. It makes a few things move a little faster. For the most part, you don't really need them. I don't even have them and I pretty much exclusively use higher end parts in my builds (going to get a few GTX 770 4GBs soonish for an SLI setup, in fact). It's nice, but it's overrated for a gamer. Saves a few minutes with startup? Wonderful. Saves 3 seconds while loading a big map? Great. But that doesn't actually mean much of anything and it isn't worth an extra $100. It's amusing to play with and draw comparisons with, that's it.

So you're saying that MareneCorp should 200-300 more dollars on a less than ideal computer for the prince range?
Prebuilts aren't really like that anymore. They can be good deals for the prices.

Computer hardware is constantly changing, MareneCorp should get the most bang out of his money. He shouldn't have to settle for computer that comes with less than ideals parts for the price range seeing on how it won't last long.
Are you positive? It should last like 4 years :l Longer if he keeps playing the same games. He's not trying to stay at 60 FPS, he's trying to make games playable.

Mentos nails it when he was talking about prebuilt gaming computers, I've seen computers that come with an i7-4770, 12GB of ram, 2TB hard drives and an Intel HD 4000 with a 300w PSU.
I didn't say anything about inappropriate PSUs. Picking an appropriate PSU is no different from picking an appropriate CPU. Just because some people don't know better at the time (and it's easy to understand why) doesn't mean no one can ever make prebuilt computers with acceptable PSUs.

Some people just don't like to build computers. Just because some people do doesn't mean everyone should try to force him. He already told you he doesn't want to, at this point people just aren't listening to enforce their opinions. This may be done with good intentions, but it's not what he's requested.
ikamiru wrote on 2013-08-06 09:33

I really like the prebuilds of Dell especially since the customer support is really good.
I have had to call Dell a couple of times for the company I work for.
They pretty much try to help you as fast as possible (as long as you are in the warranty).

You can build your own pc here

Good thing about pre-build pc's is the warranty for the whole build not for parts.

Then again I'm am a person who would prefer custom-build pc's mostly because I like to think of it as my own creation.
Compass wrote on 2013-08-06 09:45

Quote from RebeccaBlack;1132194:
It's debatable. It's kinda somewhat true but not really. Most people just want to run games, not get 60 FPS on the highest settings.

I don't get why anyone would want to get a lesser video card when they have the chance of getting a better one.

Quote from RebeccaBlack;1132194:
Since always, and they will be for a long time. Their usefulness of overblown. It saves some startup time. It makes a few things move a little faster. For the most part, you don't really need them. I don't even have them and I pretty much exclusively use higher end parts in my builds (going to get a few GTX 770 4GBs soonish for an SLI setup, in fact). It's nice, but it's overrated for a gamer. Saves a few minutes with startup? Wonderful. Saves 3 seconds while loading a big map? Great. But that doesn't actually mean much of anything and it isn't worth an extra $100. It's amusing to play with and draw comparisons with, that's it.

So basically you're saying "Well HDDs get the job done , there's no reason to get an SSD"?
:V That's hypocritical since you're going to do a SLI build

Quote from RebeccaBlack;1132194:
Prebuilts aren't really like that anymore. They can be good deals for the prices.

But
You are
So
wrong

Quote from RebeccaBlack;1132194:
Are you positive? It should last like 4 years :l Longer if he keeps playing the same games. He's not trying to stay at 60 FPS, he's trying to make games playable.

I didn't mean it like his computer wouldn't last a year, I meant he should settle for the best parts in his price range because the better parts last longer.

Quote from RebeccaBlack;1132194:
I didn't say anything about inappropriate PSUs. Picking an appropriate PSU is no different from picking an appropriate CPU. Just because some people don't know better at the time (and it's easy to understand why) doesn't mean no one can ever make prebuilt computers with acceptable PSUs.

If MareneCorp is buying a pre-built, he doesn't have a choice of picking a PSU. Also I was talking about overpriced computers with shitty specs in response to your "plenty of good prebuilt computers" comment.

Quote from RebeccaBlack;1132194:
Some people just don't like to build computers. Just because some people do doesn't mean everyone should try to force him. He already told you he doesn't want to, at this point people just aren't listening to enforce their opinions. This may be done with good intentions, but it's not what he's requested.

Since when was I pressuring him? I just asked a question why he doesn't want a custom built computer.
If he was going to respond that he was scared of building it himself I would of said that Micro Center can him help with that issue, if not I was going to link him to this desktop which is why I asked him if he could to Yonkers or Long Island to go to a Micro Center store, but apparently asking him a simple quest and responding to you is all of a sudden forcing him.
ikamiru wrote on 2013-08-06 09:52

@Compass And RebeccaBlack
You guys aren't helping him at all you are just fighting with each other.

Why don't you both come up with a build show it to him and let him choose.
Then he has a preconfigured-custom-build PC.
I don't even know.

@Compass
I do agree that an SSD is really usefull especially when loading large games.
Even though I wouldn't take one that is too big because it is mostly used for only OS or Rendering programs (for the readers under us who aren't specialized in IT)
Compass wrote on 2013-08-06 10:03

Quote from ikamiru;1132213:
@Compass And RebeccaBlack
You guys aren't helping him at all you are just fighting with each other.

Why don't you both come up with a build show it to him and let him choose.
Then he has a preconfigured-custom-build PC.
I don't even know.

I'm sorry Rebecca is just....UGH

Also I already linked a desktop, he wants a prebuilt from a retail store. I can't really recommended him sites like iBuyPower or CyberPowerPC since he wants it from retail.

Quote from ikamiru;1132213:
@Compass
I do agree that an SSD is really usefull especially when loading large games.
Even though I wouldn't take one that is too big because it is mostly used for only OS or Rendering programs (for the readers under us who aren't specialized in IT)

Exactly. God damn you get me.
RebeccaBlack wrote on 2013-08-06 10:12

Quote from Compass;1132209:
I don't get why anyone would want to get a lesser video card when they have the chance of getting a better one.

Because there are other parts that matter for gaming, too.

So basically you're saying "Well HDDs get the job done , there's no reason to get an SSD"?
:V That's hypocritical since you're going to do a SLI build
Are you serious? An SLI setup can get over 60 (or 120, depending on your goals and monitor) FPS which makes a game substantially smoother during actual gameplay, which a gamer will be doing most of the time, leading them to do way better than they would at a lower, potentially unstable framerate. The benefit of tons of GPU power is especially important as is tons of CPU power. An SSD does practically nothing in real life gaming situations other than saving a couple minutes at startup (if people even restart their computers... I do, but I turn it on first thing in the morning way before I need it). It also can save a few seconds on loading time in an ideal situations and make a couple things a tiny bit snappier, but it doesn't actually matter because we're typically talking about fractions of a second here. I'm not saying fractions of a second don't matter, but they're not worth $100 that could be better spent on practically anything else. It's just sort of the popular thing to buy right now. In terms of real usefulness, it's about as useful as buying RAM sticks at a higher than usual frequency. It's a fun little toy, but it doesn't really do anything for gaming.

But
You are
So
wrong

I don't even have to look at those because bad prebuilts being created does not preclude good prebuilts being created at all. It would actually be borderline preposterous to state that good deals cannot exist anywhere from anyone ever, especially considering bigger companies can often buy parts in bulk far cheaper than we could ever get them.

I didn't mean it like his computer wouldn't last a year, I meant he should settle for the best parts in his price range because the better parts last longer.
If he gets a decent prebuilt for $1K he's good for a long time. While he could get a slightly better computer (or a more customized computer, rather) from building it himself, it won't really last much longer at all. This is because the margin isn't really as big as it used to be. It hasn't been for some years now.

If MareneCorp is buying a pre-built, he doesn't have a choice of picking a PSU. Also I was talking about overpriced computers with shitty specs in response to your "plenty of good prebuilt computers" comment.
Well he doesn't have a choice of the GPU, CPU, HDD or anything else either. It all comes in a bundle. I'm just saying targeting one part is irrelevant. There are overpriced computers but there's overpriced everything. That doesn't mean no one can make anything good and sell it for a reasonable price.

Since when was I pressuring him? I just asked a question why he doesn't want a custom built computer.
I was talking about everyone, actually. Practically every single post told him to build on his own and this wasn't the question he asked. People have ignored the question in favor of giving their response.

If he was going to respond that he was scared of building it himself I would of said that Micro Center can him help with that issue, if not I was going to link him to this desktop which is why I asked him if he could to Yonkers or Long Island to go to a Micro Center store, but apparently asking him a simple quest and responding to you is all of a sudden forcing him.
Everything I say isn't about you. If I was talking to you specifically I would address you specifically when saying this stuff. You know I'm really not one to evade the point in conversations. That's why I said "people" and all, because looking back, every single person said (or implied) he should build his own rather than addressing the question. I'd be lying to say it doesn't bother me when people do this which I why I said something.

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