I'm buying a new gaming rig and can only spend up to a max of $1,100.

Which specs would you guys recommend to be able to handle a majority of the games out there?

Also I'm comparing some computers right now, but I really don't know much about them except bigger number is better. So are any of these computers good?


This one

Two

Three

Four

Five

Are any of these worth the costs?

 

Build a computer, you'll be glad you did.

Also, does $1100 include the monitor?

 

This...

... and I think so

 

do not know how to build. If you can offer any instructions, i will do it.

 

First buy the parts.

(Buy these or something you like better):

motherboard $135
memory (RAM) $50
processor (CPU) $165
graphics card $220
hard drive $55

Those are the important parts, and they should be adequate for pretty much any game you want to play (and I wouldn't suggest going much more "budget" if you're serious about building a gaming rig).

You'll also need a case, power supply (PSU), optical drive (CD/DVD-ROM/RW), keyboard, mouse, and monitor. (And an operating system). You'll probably also want speakers or headphones.

After you find parts you like, spend the whatever money you have left upgrading your PSU and monitor.

 

Remember that for the set up Nuk is talking about you are going to need a full tower case. Take a look at this beauty. Also, with the system you are running you will need a higher end Power Supply. I went with 800 Watt for my system, but you could work with a 650 to 700, I'd think.

EDIT: oh, and you will also have to think about your operating system, as well as extra USB ports.

 

Has anyone had good luck with Alienware computers?

Number 4 does look good with the bundled 20" Wide screen Monitor and the 3 in one printer.

 

Alienware: For people with more money than sense.

Seriously, you're paying easily a 25% markup compared to the same bits and pieces bought separately. If you don't have the skills yourself to build your own, then identify the alpha neckbeard among your circle of friends and ply him with promises of shouting lunch for him if he whacks it together for you.

 

Alienware: doubling Dell's prices for half the service! Get yours today!

 

Alienware: inspiring clever one-liners since '08.

Seriously though, extra coin for a fucking weird PC case - that's about it. If you're into that sort of thing then groovy. Otherwise, just wait longer, save up s'more money, and drop the "budget" talk like Nuk said.

 

I've heard horrible stories of Alienware customer service.

I'd recommend building a computer over Alienware. Really, it's just like a really expensive lego set. A really expensive, fragile lego set that reacts to static electricity. :awesome

 

The main benefit of Alienware is the fancy cooling - all the other stuff is pretty easy to set up yourself.

Also remember when you're picking out your processor, RAM and motherboard to make sure that they're compatible with each other.

 

Fancy cooling costs about $100. Really fancy cooling, i.e. water cooling, the most insane you can get setup would be under $1000 for an insane setup and would destroy any retail bought Computer cooling system by a large margin.

Build the comp, look up some guides on the net and find some parts within your budget and post them here you you will get feedback whether certain ones will work with one another etc and if anything is out of order.

Do not buy a computer unless you really want the warrenty.

 

Don't water cool.

It's a hassle (a really expensive hassle), and it's not even remotely necessary unless you're seriously overclocking your rig.

 

Thanks guys. I'm looking up stuff right now and asking people for info. I'll post when I have a list of materials.