- Jul 2, 2013
- 29
- 0
- 10,540
Hey everyone!
This is my first post (yay!). A friend recommended that I post this question on Tom's Hardware for expert advice.
So my situation is that I want to build a new computer to replace my 6 year old laptop (this will be my first build). I had originally finished picking out my parts for a total cost of around $700, not including a monitor, but then it turned out that my parents would not end up subsidizing my purchase, and I only have around $350 saved up from my job.
Approximate Purchase Date: Within a week or two from July 2, 2013. The timing is somewhat flexible though, since I want to catch any big sales (like Newegg's 4th of July Sale) to get the cheapest prices possible. Do you guys know of any sales or discounts that usually take place around summer time?
Budget Range: (e.g.: 300-400) $350 after rebates, and after shipping. I already have a copy of Windows, and a spare mouse and keyboard. I also have an old 10-year-old Dell monitor, which I might be able to reuse (if that is a good idea).
System Usage from Most to Least Important: I want to get at least 60 fps in Call of Duty 4, my favorite game of all time. I barely lasted 6 years getting 20 fps on my old laptop with every setting set to the lowest possible lol. I originally wanted this computer to be a gaming PC, but I realize that I won't be able to get much with a $350 budget. Other than gaming, I most often use my computer for surfing the internet, scripting in Wolfram Mathematica (a statistical programming interface similar to Matlab), editing video, and watching movies.
Are you buying a monitor: As I mentioned before, I have a 10-year-old Dell monitor I might be able to reuse, but I don't know if that is a good idea or not (I am pretty sure the screen is an LCD,and it has significantly faded over the years).
Parts to Upgrade: N/A
Do you need to buy OS: Nope
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: At this point, I would be happy if I got parts from a random site in China lol (albeit the shipping would go way over my budget).
I do care about the quality of my parts though. I would like all my parts to be from solid brands, if that is possible.
Location: Boston, MA, USA. There is a Microcenter that I know about which is really close to my apartment in Cambridge.
Parts Preferences: no preference i guess. I would like all my parts to be from reputable brands, if possible. I don't want to deal with any failures on a first build.
Overclocking: Maybe, if I can get a processor that can easily be overclocked.
SLI or Crossfire: Sure!
Your Monitor Resolution: The old Dell monitor that I might be able to use has a standard aspect ratio (that's how old it is lol), and definitely has less pixels than 1024x768
Additional Comments: As I mentioned before, I would like CoD4 to be playable.
And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: My old laptop is too slow
;-(
Thanks in advance for your help. I really appreciate it!
This is my first post (yay!). A friend recommended that I post this question on Tom's Hardware for expert advice.
So my situation is that I want to build a new computer to replace my 6 year old laptop (this will be my first build). I had originally finished picking out my parts for a total cost of around $700, not including a monitor, but then it turned out that my parents would not end up subsidizing my purchase, and I only have around $350 saved up from my job.
Approximate Purchase Date: Within a week or two from July 2, 2013. The timing is somewhat flexible though, since I want to catch any big sales (like Newegg's 4th of July Sale) to get the cheapest prices possible. Do you guys know of any sales or discounts that usually take place around summer time?
Budget Range: (e.g.: 300-400) $350 after rebates, and after shipping. I already have a copy of Windows, and a spare mouse and keyboard. I also have an old 10-year-old Dell monitor, which I might be able to reuse (if that is a good idea).
System Usage from Most to Least Important: I want to get at least 60 fps in Call of Duty 4, my favorite game of all time. I barely lasted 6 years getting 20 fps on my old laptop with every setting set to the lowest possible lol. I originally wanted this computer to be a gaming PC, but I realize that I won't be able to get much with a $350 budget. Other than gaming, I most often use my computer for surfing the internet, scripting in Wolfram Mathematica (a statistical programming interface similar to Matlab), editing video, and watching movies.
Are you buying a monitor: As I mentioned before, I have a 10-year-old Dell monitor I might be able to reuse, but I don't know if that is a good idea or not (I am pretty sure the screen is an LCD,and it has significantly faded over the years).
Parts to Upgrade: N/A
Do you need to buy OS: Nope
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: At this point, I would be happy if I got parts from a random site in China lol (albeit the shipping would go way over my budget).
I do care about the quality of my parts though. I would like all my parts to be from solid brands, if that is possible.
Location: Boston, MA, USA. There is a Microcenter that I know about which is really close to my apartment in Cambridge.
Parts Preferences: no preference i guess. I would like all my parts to be from reputable brands, if possible. I don't want to deal with any failures on a first build.
Overclocking: Maybe, if I can get a processor that can easily be overclocked.
SLI or Crossfire: Sure!
Your Monitor Resolution: The old Dell monitor that I might be able to use has a standard aspect ratio (that's how old it is lol), and definitely has less pixels than 1024x768
Additional Comments: As I mentioned before, I would like CoD4 to be playable.
And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: My old laptop is too slow
;-(
Thanks in advance for your help. I really appreciate it!
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