Budget desktop

[Slotten]

hey, im forgetting the laptop idea, and now im wondering, since desktops are so much cheaper, and also alot more powerful, whats a good gaming desktop that wont run me up much more than two grand? I want to be able to play especially Half life 2 and doom 3, if thats possible

[Zxian]

With two thousand, you can get yourself a pretty tricked out system.

My recommendations:

Athlon64 3200+
1 GB PC3200 RAM (decent Brand)
7200 RPM HD
ATI X700/X800 Video Card

Just make sure that you get a power supply that can handle all of that and more (450W or more).

As for sound cards, I don't know all that much about them. SoundBlaster is a good brand that I've heard many good reviews.

If you're really hardcore, go for a CRT monitor. They have better response times and generally look better than LCDs, but at the price of space. Although a good 19" LCD monitor will rack up a nice price tag nowadays... your choice.

If you're even more hardcore, look into either the Raptor HDs or a RAID configuration. More pricey, but an increase in performance.

Logitech Mouse and Keyboard - MX500/MX510 are really excellent mice. They fit the hand really well and have the highest resolution of any optical mice out there (save the MX1000).

Logitech Speakers - They're the best 5.1 speakers out there. You don't need to go with the 400W system, that's just extreme.


If you're talking about USD, then you should have plenty to spare after you're done with all of that.

Just make sure that you find a good company to buy parts from. Don't buy retail, since you're going to be paying retail prices.

Cheers!


EDIT - I hadn't seen your previous post... As a student in university, I can say that having a laptop makes life a whole lot nicer. If you're doing anything science/engineering related, then I would definately recommend getting a low-end laptop and then a mid-range desktop instead of just a high-end desktop. The mobile computing is really nice to have.

[prs4u]

I went to PC World to buy my desktop PC and paid about £1200 it was a very high spec. and it saved me making my own and all the difficulties of compatibility.

Click here

I was going to go for a laptop but the thought of a laptop on my lap for hours on end put me off.

My Spec: 400GB HD (7200RPM SATA), 1gb RAM, Processor 3.4Ghz, 256mb Graphics (ATI) card reader, built in wireless, network card, modem, firewire port, wireless keyboard and mouse, TV output - all the inputs and outputs I'll need for a few years, 19" LCD etc etc.

[Flyfsh]

I play HL2 with my system. It runs good. It didnt cost anywhere near 2000.