HELP! Need computer component buying advice!
I love my current machine, she's served me well, but she's not spiffy enough to run Oblivion (except on the very lowest setting 640x480 and WINDOWED), and Vanguard (not at all).
It's a Crazy Kenny/CCW machine that I had built back in 2003 or 2004 while I was in nursing school. Star Wars Galaxies online had come out that summer(was that '03?), I can't recall the exact specs on the board, but I know it's got an Athlon processor that runs at 1.2 gHz. I can't recall the exact type of RAM either, but I've got 1 GB. The sound is an SBlive value. Video is and NVIDIA GeForce FX 5600 with 256 mb video ram. Back when I got it, it was a great value, I think I got it for around $650(just the tower), with XP as an OS.
I'm going to be buying a new box when I get back to Columbus the first week of July.
Unfortunately, my knowledge of hardware/slots/etc is WAY behind the times. Gary, Rich, whomever, help me out here.
1. BUILDERS: Should I run from CCW? (I know you're gonna say yes, but hey, they build a solid box for a reasonable price)
2. ONLINE: Should I buy at newegg.com?(best prices, but I dunno what to get, and I want someone else to take responsibility for the build and loading the OS)
3. OS: Can I get a box loaded with XP still? I'm not sure I wanna take on Vista this early in the game.
4. RAM: What type is good/best now? I think mine is a pair of DDR 512s, but I forget.
5. VIDEO: What type of slot do you want for your video? AGP used to be the best, now I hear it's EPCI or something else? I know I'm gonna need directX 9.0c compatible, v2.0 pixel/shading compatibility, etc. I think hat means I'll need a 6000 series or better NVIDIA, but I'm not positive.
6. HARD DRIVE: 7200 rpm hard drive, or is there better? I have a 500GB external I just bought, but I'm gonna be loading several space-hog MMOs and RTS on. 40GB is not enough, 80GB is probably ok, but if there's a great value on something larger, fantastic.
7. MOTHERBOARD & PROCESSOR: What's a good motherboard that doesnt have a ton of onboard crap sucking up resources for a decent price? I presume most new ones have USB 2.0 slots.
I hear Intel Duo Core is the way to go now. It's no longer as simple as a straight GHz rating... I'm not sure what I need but Vanguard suggest 3.0 GHz or higher. (I'm guessing that's a single processor).
8. DVD-ROM: I just upgraded the old box with a Sony CRX320AE for 50ish bucks.
anything special here someone recommends? I don't plan to use it much other than for loading games, but /shrug.
SO - here's the big main question/challenge/etc:
I want either a whiz-bang gaming laptop for under $1300, or a great gaming desktop (just the tower, as small as possible without getting into weird boards) for under $900. What components would you get, and where from? As mentioned before, I don't mind spending a little extra for someone else doing the build, loading the OS, and giving me some sort of warranty.
I of course don't need the BEST, but I want VERY GOOD that's gonna last me another 4-5 years.
On a side note, my entire CD collection and MP3s are now sampled down to my 500GB external drive at 256k.
P.S. NO RICH, I'M NOT LOADING LINUX/UNIX. :)
P.S.S. NO GARY, I'M NOT GONNA OVERCLOCK. :)
It's a Crazy Kenny/CCW machine that I had built back in 2003 or 2004 while I was in nursing school. Star Wars Galaxies online had come out that summer(was that '03?), I can't recall the exact specs on the board, but I know it's got an Athlon processor that runs at 1.2 gHz. I can't recall the exact type of RAM either, but I've got 1 GB. The sound is an SBlive value. Video is and NVIDIA GeForce FX 5600 with 256 mb video ram. Back when I got it, it was a great value, I think I got it for around $650(just the tower), with XP as an OS.
I'm going to be buying a new box when I get back to Columbus the first week of July.
Unfortunately, my knowledge of hardware/slots/etc is WAY behind the times. Gary, Rich, whomever, help me out here.
1. BUILDERS: Should I run from CCW? (I know you're gonna say yes, but hey, they build a solid box for a reasonable price)
2. ONLINE: Should I buy at newegg.com?(best prices, but I dunno what to get, and I want someone else to take responsibility for the build and loading the OS)
3. OS: Can I get a box loaded with XP still? I'm not sure I wanna take on Vista this early in the game.
4. RAM: What type is good/best now? I think mine is a pair of DDR 512s, but I forget.
5. VIDEO: What type of slot do you want for your video? AGP used to be the best, now I hear it's EPCI or something else? I know I'm gonna need directX 9.0c compatible, v2.0 pixel/shading compatibility, etc. I think hat means I'll need a 6000 series or better NVIDIA, but I'm not positive.
6. HARD DRIVE: 7200 rpm hard drive, or is there better? I have a 500GB external I just bought, but I'm gonna be loading several space-hog MMOs and RTS on. 40GB is not enough, 80GB is probably ok, but if there's a great value on something larger, fantastic.
7. MOTHERBOARD & PROCESSOR: What's a good motherboard that doesnt have a ton of onboard crap sucking up resources for a decent price? I presume most new ones have USB 2.0 slots.
I hear Intel Duo Core is the way to go now. It's no longer as simple as a straight GHz rating... I'm not sure what I need but Vanguard suggest 3.0 GHz or higher. (I'm guessing that's a single processor).
8. DVD-ROM: I just upgraded the old box with a Sony CRX320AE for 50ish bucks.
anything special here someone recommends? I don't plan to use it much other than for loading games, but /shrug.
SO - here's the big main question/challenge/etc:
I want either a whiz-bang gaming laptop for under $1300, or a great gaming desktop (just the tower, as small as possible without getting into weird boards) for under $900. What components would you get, and where from? As mentioned before, I don't mind spending a little extra for someone else doing the build, loading the OS, and giving me some sort of warranty.
I of course don't need the BEST, but I want VERY GOOD that's gonna last me another 4-5 years.
On a side note, my entire CD collection and MP3s are now sampled down to my 500GB external drive at 256k.
P.S. NO RICH, I'M NOT LOADING LINUX/UNIX. :)
P.S.S. NO GARY, I'M NOT GONNA OVERCLOCK. :)