[Jack06]

Hi guys
It's been a while since I last splashed out on a computer and it was in Australia which has markedly different products and prices,but now reside back in the UK and am in the market for the best gaming desktop I can get for the money.
My budget is approx £1500 including everything, monitor, keyboard, 2.1 sound.
I know you guys probably get lots of these posts so would be thrilled if at the very least you can point me in the right direction in terms of buying a pc.
Have decided that the dual processor league can't be a bad thing and like the idea of having 2GB as a bare minimum for RAM.
Games I'm interested in are FPS i.e Call of Duty 4 and i know in this day and age it's silly to get something that would not be upgradeable, can anyone help?
I'm at your mercy guys!
Cheers in advance
Jack

[Insomnia]

Well, to begin with it would be helpful for you to answer a couple of questions...

1. Do you enjoy playing games on full graphical settings, including AF (Anisotropic Filtering) and AA (Anti-Aliasing)?

2. Do you want to buy a large monitor (22"inches or over)?

3. What other activities do you think you'll use your computer for?

4. Do you want a programmable keyboard and/or mouse?

5. Will you be using Windows XP, or Windows Vista?

6. Do you want to be able to support future hardware updates?

7. Is a quiet and cool computer an important thing to you?

8. Do you think you might overclock your computer?

Just answer these few questions and we'll start working out what hardware is best for you. With your money you should be able to get a top of the line computer for even less then 1500pds.

[alex]

Just to add to that (rather good post) Jack; Build yourself or pre-built?

[Jack06]

Originally Posted by Insomnia Well, to begin with it would be helpful for you to answer a couple of questions... 1. Do you enjoy playing games on full graphical settings, including AF (Anisotropic Filtering) and AA (Anti-Aliasing)? 2. Do you want to buy a large monitor (22"inches or over)? 3. What other activities do you think you'll use your computer for? 4. Do you want a programmable keyboard and/or mouse? 5. Will you be using Windows XP, or Windows Vista? 6. Do you want to be able to support future hardware updates? 7. Is a quiet and cool computer an important thing to you? 8. Do you think you might overclock your computer? Just answer these few questions and we'll start working out what hardware is best for you. With your money you should be able to get a top of the line computer for even less then 1500pds.

Hi Insomnia
First of all thanks for such a prompt reply!

1) I've never had top range computers so have never tried playing games on full detail (except older games) but it would be nice to have the option of playing in high detail but not a necessity if it means I can upgrade other parts of my computer.

2) Yes

3) It would primarily be a gaming machine and watching the odd movie

4) Not bothered about programmable, a multimedia keyboard would be nice but as I said I can upgrade these things later if it means getting more bang.

5) This is a sticky point, I realise vista is more resource hungry, but if I don't upgrade to vista will I get left behind?

6) Yes, I would like to hang onto this computer for a while as although it isn't high end i'd like to be able to upgrade bits and pieces here and there.

7) Quiet isn't hugely important as I can put it under the desk, an efficient computer that isn't 'struggling' or 'running hot' is more important to me.

8) Another sticky subject, I understand how overclocking works but have no idea how to do it, or maintain i.e idea running temperatures.

Thanks again for such a prompt reply!

Cheers Jack

[Jack06]

Originally Posted by alex Just to add to that (rather good post) Jack; Build yourself or pre-built?

Hi Alex
How are ya?
I think I was last looking at a gaming laptop but came around to the desktop,
I'm not completely confident on building myself but am happy to get custom built

[Insomnia]

Hmmmmm.

Well, you've got money a'plenty and the help of the good people here at the Computer Forums! Even so, we do need to quickly ask: you are going to be building this computer, right?

It is probably recommended to build one, as you can get a lot more for you dollar (or pound) but there is a greater chance of having random problems or errors. It's up to you to decide, and once your done we'll begin!

[Jack06]

hey mate
hmmm, just to be safe i'll see what I can get custom built, after all what good is a computer if the only game i can play is ctrl+alt+delete

[alex]

Not bad thanks.

Anyway, This is rather a good buy. X6800 performance, 8800gts card, AC7 and AC5 t.i.m. Just add the o.s of your choice to the build.

Add on (see further down the page) a Samsung 22" 226 or 20" 206 monitor. £200-£220)

Then a G15 keyboard. (£55)

And you're well within budget with a superb gaming build.

Speakers: Couldn't see them listed on the build page but go for Logitech X530's. Around £35. Great 2.1 speaker setup.

If you're not so 'up' on upgrading the o.s down the line then go for Vista now. SP1 has an imminent release date apparantly. I'd recommend Premium 32bit.

[Jack06]

WOW nice job Alex
I was looking at the alienware line of computers and thought I might not get such a good build for the money, but that computer really hits the spot, have you had much experience with overclockers UK?
The reviews seem to say it all, a reliable and professional company.

[Insomnia]

Well, I guess you can go with a pre-built but I would still recommend to build yourself.

As for the "Ultima OC" it seems ok, but it wouldn't be able to run newer games for very long. I guess you could just pop out the GTS, sell it, and get an 8800GTX or two. With the release of Nvidia's new 9 series GPU's later this month (9800) you could expect the prices of the 8800 to fall. Or, if you're daring enough you could just get the 9800 when it comes out.

[Jack06]

Hi insominia
How do you mean it wouldn't be able to play the newer games for very long?
I am completely clueless when it comes to video cards, but i'm not the sort of person that would run out and buy the newest game, I usually wait until it dies down a bit.
Would it play games like half life 2 on full detail or battlefield 2142?

[Insomnia]

Yes, but with a little difficulty. Games such as the revolutionary Crysis, Oblivion, Call of Duty 4 etc would run reasonably well on an 8800GTS, but you wouldn't be playing very smoothly.

If you searched around, bargained, and built yourself, you would be able to get a PC with identical specs for probably 100-300 pounds cheaper.

Just have a quick search around on Google at the differences between Nvidia's (or ATi's) graphics card range. Find out how well they run your favourite games and then take it from there.

[Jack06]

hey mate
yer I know what your saying, i guess I don't feel confident enough to build a computer from scratch. My understandings are in mechanics and cars, but not computers and so if it will play the new games, even on say medium quality then that's great, but I know that if I build it myself I will have a lot of heartache and god forbid break something!
Do you know of any similiar pre-built rigs?

[Insomnia]

I'll go have a look for some, and post back in a while :).

[Insomnia]

Well, I'm not 100% sure but www.digitalstormonline.com seems to have good prices and computers. I'm just not sure where they ship to... if you could find out somehow that would be great because I can't seem to find it.