So, i have recently been realizing my laptop is getting old, running with less 'swag', crashing more often, etc. I then thought about buying a gaming laptop/desktop to run some new games coming out in the future. I have a budget of £500-600 and was wondering what laptops/desktops would be good and within my price range. I've done some research (looked on alienware, dell, amazon) and i decided to post here to see if you lovely people could give me some ideas/specifications onto what to get. If you could also post saying what some good specifications i should look for. A aim is to be able to handle Skyrim on high-quality fully boosted without any issues. So a good graphics card. So... Any ideas?
thats around 950$, right? http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Core-i5-3570K-Quad-Core-Processor/dp/B007SZ0E1K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1353105837&sr=8-2&keywords=i5 3550 ----i5 3570k - 220$ http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-CrossFireX-DispayPort-Motherboard-GA-Z77X-UD3H/dp/B007R21JJK/ref=sr_1_13?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1353105890&sr=1-13&keywords=lga 1155 motherboard - 1155 motherboard, 150$ - looks pretty good for the price (i'd go for a rampage IV extreme, but thats around 300$-400$) [Or you can save like 80$ and get a cheaper mobo like this one http://www.amazon.com/MSI-Computer-...6329&sr=1-2&keywords=lga+1155+motherboard+z77 ) http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengeance-Desktop-Memory-CMZ16GX3M2A1600C10/dp/B006EWUO22/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1353105960&sr=1-5&keywords=1600mhz ddr3 --- 16gb ddr3 1600mhz, corsair --- 72$ http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Professional-Watt-Modular-HX650/dp/B0090I9VX0/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1353106026&sr=1-1&keywords=corsair hx650 - corsair PSU, i have a hx1000, it handle the load very well... 650w is enough for this setup ---- 111$ for hd... you can get a 1tb one for 80$, and later on get a SSD for OS .. Motherboard+CPU+Ram+PSU = 553$ so ~400$ left for HD, case and DVD Driver (you need one? got none laying around?) So, since you need a good GPU, i'd say get a cheeap case, and have like 300~left for the gpu, and grab a gtx 660ti. Like this one: http://www.amazon.com/MSI-Overvoltage-N660TI-PE-2GD5/dp/B008SBX6GI/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1353106159&sr=1-1&keywords=gtx 660 ti (it's from MSI, got a pro cooler, and it's -cheap- compared to stock one) If you have other components lying around (dvd, case, and HD) you can easily get that config ^^ Or you can also sell your current laptop and get more money to buy dvd writer, case, hd... Just my idea with ~1k$ i'd try to get this config, as I have some parts lying around here ~Luc
keep your opinion to yourself, its mine say anything you want about yours. Try Dell dany non expensive, good customer service, and great for minecraft
I'm using a dell laptop currently. It isn't super great for gaming, but it gets the job done more than adequately. Dell is good for service, but besides that, you could use your money a bit more wisely in my opinion. If you know stuff about computers (or want to start learning/know someone who does), I'd look at building one or getting an ASUS laptop. I paid close to 2k for my laptop almost 4 years ago and its pretty outdated. You can't upgrade much on it either. The ASUS is 500-800 dollars cheaper and it has better hardware and specs, but I can't speak for the service. I've had 4 HDD failures, 2 Memory failures, and a MOBO failure on this laptop in its first 2 years, but that was when it was under warranty, and Dell had it fixed within a day (either on-site or next-day delivery). However, this is just with laptops. I don't have much desktop experience, but I do know they are much more customize-able. I'd shoot for something with a near-2 ghz Quad-core Processor and a decent hard drive (bigger isn't always best - especially from the manufacturer... buy aftermarket if you must), with the capability to install your own graphics card (make sure this can be done, as some pc's don't have space with their setup), I'd also do no less than 4gb of ram, with capability to upgrade. That should run around 5-600 USD from Dell. Use the rest to invest in a graphics card and upgrade from there. As for monitors, etc, remember you don't have to buy big from the start, and you might can find a nice package deal from someone. I also have a cheap acer desktop that can do medial tasks, but it wouldn't be hard at all to upgrade. It's so old, it has a pentium in it, but at 3ghz, it makes a great pc for backups and "common" usage. Whatever you decide to get, remember to keep it clean from the dell/windows add-ons. That will just clog it up. And make sure you are happy with the OS.
I do not reccommend alienware at all danny. Customer service is horrid and they charge alot more then other brands. Considering you know someone that can build computers i'd reccommend hopping on a site such as newegg.com and checking out some pc's there. Get his opinion on them for the value. Also i am not really a fan of dell, but thats just cause i prefer to build my own XD
Too lazy to build my own computer, plus I know nothing about that kind of stuff.. I am getting the new iMac for the holidays this year, they seem awesome for gaming. My friends old mac still runs minecraft with all high settings at around 90 fps
Get a desktop/build your own. It will be cheaper and better than an overpriced laptop. Provided the games are made available for mac.
Dannylb, this is what I'll be getting once I save the funds for it... great deal and pretty good performance for a starting kit. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7455572&CatId=332
If I were to go with a laptop now, I wouldn't hesitate to buy an ASUS now. Go to their site, or look at tigerdirect.com (I'd promote newegg, but they are cluttered with the holidays and whatnot).
Honestly if you wanted to get the most out of your money you should done this back on black friday/cyber monday and in relation to your question here are a bunch of other threads on the exact same topic. http://www.minecraftserver.com/forum/threads/considering-buying-a-new-computer.4830/ http://www.minecraftserver.com/forum/threads/since-everyone-is-building-their-own-pcs.4861/ http://www.minecraftserver.com/forum/threads/i-need-a-high-performance-gamer-laptop.5744/ http://www.minecraftserver.com/forum/threads/whats-your-gaming-setup.4756/
Try to get Windows XP on it, it runs amazingly and never seems to crash. Specifically the 32 bit version. You could get the 64 bit version, but a few people I know say it doesn't run as well.
mmm i might save for dat its $619.99 so that means its £385.0152 and that's around £114 cheaper than the pc i was going to save for
