New PC

[Azure_Angel]

It's time for me to venture out into the world and buy a new PC to replace my laptop. I'm in love with my mac... But fangirlism asid, it's not built for gaming. So I was wondering if you guys knew of some inexpensive PC's (laptop or desktop) that would be able to play most games out there today.

[Didzo]

It's time for me to venture out into the world and buy a new PC to replace my laptop. I'm in love with my mac... But fangirlism asid, it's not built for gaming. So I was wondering if you guys knew of some inexpensive PC's (laptop or desktop) that would be able to play most games out there today.

1) Budget?

2) Inexpensive "gaming" laptops don't exist

[Azure_Angel]

[quote author=Azure_Angel link=topic=6429.msg249454#msg249454 date=1342065597]
It's time for me to venture out into the world and buy a new PC to replace my laptop. I'm in love with my mac... But fangirlism asid, it's not built for gaming. So I was wondering if you guys knew of some inexpensive PC's (laptop or desktop) that would be able to play most games out there today.

1) Budget?

2) Inexpensive "gaming" laptops don't exist
[/quote]

I'd say below $1,500. That's why I also said laptop or desktop. :p

[Mission Difficult]

[quote author=Didzo link=topic=6429.msg249460#msg249460 date=1342068799]
[quote author=Azure_Angel link=topic=6429.msg249454#msg249454 date=1342065597]
It's time for me to venture out into the world and buy a new PC to replace my laptop. I'm in love with my mac... But fangirlism asid, it's not built for gaming. So I was wondering if you guys knew of some inexpensive PC's (laptop or desktop) that would be able to play most games out there today.

1) Budget?

2) Inexpensive "gaming" laptops don't exist
[/quote]

I'd say below $1,500. That's why I also said laptop or desktop. :p
[/quote]

For $1500 you could build a top of the line gaming desktop. i7 3770k, GTX 670, SSD, etc...

[Ianki]

[quote author=Azure_Angel link=topic=6429.msg249478#msg249478 date=1342111336]
[quote author=Didzo link=topic=6429.msg249460#msg249460 date=1342068799]
[quote author=Azure_Angel link=topic=6429.msg249454#msg249454 date=1342065597]
It's time for me to venture out into the world and buy a new PC to replace my laptop. I'm in love with my mac... But fangirlism asid, it's not built for gaming. So I was wondering if you guys knew of some inexpensive PC's (laptop or desktop) that would be able to play most games out there today.

1) Budget?

2) Inexpensive "gaming" laptops don't exist
[/quote]

I'd say below $1,500. That's why I also said laptop or desktop. :p
[/quote]

For $1500 you could build a top of the line gaming desktop. i7 3770k, GTX 670, SSD, etc...
[/quote]

I just built a great computer for 800 minus the hdd and powersupply that i already had, you'll be fine building one yourself with that budget.  Post here, or reddit r/buildapc with the budget you want and you'll be hand delivered a good component list

[Didzo]

Do you need any peripherals for a desktop and do you have any hardware laying around that you could use?

You do video editing and stuff so you could get a whole lot of RAM for not much money in your desktop, even though you already have a mac for that.

[StolenToast]

If you are going to spend $1500 there is no reason not to build.  Mine cost about that and it plays absolutely everything, and I didn't even go big on the graphics.

reddit will probably tell you to get an Asrock mobo, but I'm not sure about those...

[KarthXLR]

Since you're into film like I am, will you be planning to use it for any sort of editing?

[Azure_Angel]

I wasn't looking to build. I don't have the time or patience right now to do that. $1,500 is my cap, I'd like to keep it under a grand though. Sorry for not being so specific in the OP, I didn't have much time to sit down and plan things until this morning.

Since you're into film like I am, will you be planning to use it for any sort of editing?

[color=blue]God no, I'm a FCP girl, and I already have Avid and Premier Pro on my mac. It's a pure gaming machine I'm looking for.

[Versus]

i think it took me less than 8 hours to do it when i was barely 15 with absolutely no experience and minimal directions outside of the various manuals, so you can definitely do it

or you can hire someone to do it for you, it's not hard work, and having someone else build it for you is cheaper/better value than buying a prebuilt

[KarthXLR]

If you're coming to us asking for a good pre-built you're probably not going to get a good answer. Custom-builds are retardedly easy, stronger, and much cheaper than any pre-builts.

[StolenToast]

If you have a good computer nerd friend they will probably do it for free.  I designed AND built my best friend's gaming PC for him for free, because its honestly just fun to do.

The hardest part of building a PC is picking the parts, and when you've got other people doing that for you all thats left is basically an afternoon puzzle. 

[Didzo]

This is what I came up with for the $1500 limit.



I also went on iBUYPOWER and built a computer with as close to the parts I selected on newegg as I could, and, well, the price came out to $1561. They also have a better cooling system and a "free" $50 headset bundled in with it, and a standard 3 year warranty.

So either I'm doing something wrong with my part picking, or the prebuilt price premium is very small when looking at these particular parts. Note that I didn't try too hard at finding combo deals or going for the cheapest components I could.

Input, please.

[Didzo]

Alright, is a $420 Graphics card really necessary?  :-X

[StolenToast]

This is what I came up with for the $1500 limit.

I also went on iBUYPOWER and built a computer with as close to the parts I selected on newegg as I could, and, well, the price came out to $1561. They also have a better cooling system and a "free" $50 headset bundled in with it, and a standard 3 year warranty.

So either I'm doing something wrong with my part picking, or the prebuilt price premium is very small when looking at these particular parts.

Input, please.

Rosewill power supplies make me nervous.  They might be good, but you also might wanna spring for a Corsair or PC Power and Cooling just to be safe.

Also I think that if you were to pick out any one item it should be the case.  Its what you are going to live with and look at for a very long time, and there are lots of different features you should consider. 
http://www.antec.com/
http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/
http://www.coolermaster.com/

[rumsfald]

I strongly recommend learning to build your own PC. There's tons of online resources, lots of helpful friendly people here. Most folks I know have been somewhat nervous to build their own system, but then report a feeling of satisfaction and greater control after the first build.

also, a Jedi doesn't just buy a lightsaber in Mordor.

[Didzo]

[quote author=Didzo link=topic=6429.msg249531#msg249531 date=1342130467]
This is what I came up with for the $1500 limit.

I also went on iBUYPOWER and built a computer with as close to the parts I selected on newegg as I could, and, well, the price came out to $1561. They also have a better cooling system and a "free" $50 headset bundled in with it, and a standard 3 year warranty.

So either I'm doing something wrong with my part picking, or the prebuilt price premium is very small when looking at these particular parts.

Input, please.

Rosewill power supplies make me nervous.  They might be good, but you also might wanna spring for a Corsair or PC Power and Cooling just to be safe.

Also I think that if you were to pick out any one item it should be the case.  Its what you are going to live with and look at for a very long time, and there are lots of different features you should consider.  
http://www.antec.com/
http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/
http://www.coolermaster.com/
[/quote]

I picked the case because it has USB 3.0 and adequate cooling. But mostly because it looks cool.

Corsair or thermaltake might be safer bets than a Rosewill PSU, but the reviews on this one are fairly positive and it's certified.

Updated list with a more reasonable CPU, mobo, and video card. There should still be plenty of room to shave off money if needed.

[Mission Difficult]

If you do end up building your own, I suggest you buy your motherboard from Amazon or a local retailer that's cool about returns. That way if you happen to bend any pins you can return it or swap it for a new one, assuming you tell them it came like that. I've received a few motherboards with bent pins, Newegg won't help, and manufacturers will charge you more than the price of the board to fix. You shouldn't have any trouble though as long as you follow the instructions on the socket cover.

[StolenToast]

[quote author=StolenToast link=topic=6429.msg249534#msg249534 date=1342131099]
[quote author=Didzo link=topic=6429.msg249531#msg249531 date=1342130467]
This is what I came up with for the $1500 limit.

I also went on iBUYPOWER and built a computer with as close to the parts I selected on newegg as I could, and, well, the price came out to $1561. They also have a better cooling system and a "free" $50 headset bundled in with it, and a standard 3 year warranty.

So either I'm doing something wrong with my part picking, or the prebuilt price premium is very small when looking at these particular parts.

Input, please.

Rosewill power supplies make me nervous.  They might be good, but you also might wanna spring for a Corsair or PC Power and Cooling just to be safe.

Also I think that if you were to pick out any one item it should be the case.  Its what you are going to live with and look at for a very long time, and there are lots of different features you should consider.  
http://www.antec.com/
http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/
http://www.coolermaster.com/
[/quote]

I picked the case because it has USB 3.0 and adequate cooling. But mostly because it looks cool.

[/quote]
I meant Azure should choose the case. 

If you do end up building your own, I suggest you buy your motherboard from Amazon or a local retailer that's cool about returns.

Everyone should have a Microcenter nearby

I would suggest that if you don't already have one get a nice big slick monitor so you can see the amazing games you will play from now on.  Or you can just come in under budget and ahead.

or spend it all on the steam sale...

[Azure_Angel]

Well I guess I'll go ahead and put some time aside to build a computer. Spoke to a former co-worker today, and it looks like I won't be doing much traveling this year. I'll start shopping once the Steam Sale has destroyed my purse. Oh, and I'd like to get it under a grand.