Beginning Gaming Desktop/Laptop

vinisapphire

Reputable
Aug 12, 2014
2
0
4,510
So I've been looking around for quite awhile to try and find a nice gaming desktop or laptop capable of running things like TERA: The Rising, Age of Wushu, and Raiderz with high specs, along with less taxing things like Civilization 5 and the Sims games on high graphics, but I think I'm more confused now than when I started out.

I just want something that can run the above listed games, as well as games similar to them, and that's all I want. I don't want anything fancy that comes with a whole bunch of stuff that I won't even begin to know how to use, or a bunch of complicated features or hardware pieces that I won't use. I also want something that I can buy new hardware parts and install them relatively easily should I require more RAM, or a new video card. A friend pointed me towards Alienware, but I don't want to break my bank. I'm budgeting around a max of $1000 for a desktop or laptop. Not a single dollar above that. Definitely not $50 over that. I'm going to have trouble scraping together enough for the budget as it is.

If anyone can help with this, I'd be very grateful.
 

thespaceduck

Honorable
Sep 24, 2012
125
0
10,710
Hello

-The above mentioned games can be run on really budget systems or integrated graphics.
-That means you get a laptop with a 820m or a 740m and you are good to go (~5-600$). Or if you want a desktop, just build one around 450$ and thats it. ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGrvRItaCDY )
-This also means that you should revisit your friendship with your "friend". Alienware is the opposite of what you need.

Kudos,
Albert
 
The perfect gaming PC, capable of running games of much higher requirements like BF4, CoD Ghosts, FC3 on high-ultra at solid 50-60FPS, in your budget:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 Extreme3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($51.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 280X 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($289.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($70.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($15.63 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1042.52

I hope you weren't including a Monitor and peripherals in the budget.

 

thespaceduck

Honorable
Sep 24, 2012
125
0
10,710


Not in the intended category and not in the budget. But why sweat the little things.
 
How's that PC not in the intended category? Gaming is the category intended and a powerful gaming PC it is.

Choose a Non-OC version, the 4590, and a H97, and you're in the budget. This combo is as powerful in terms of games he wishes to play.

I believe $1000 is the budget with $50 extra max, and that i5 deserves the extra $50 if doesn't wish to upgrade anytime in the near future due to its OC-ability.
 
Including 24" monitor, windows, mouse, keyboard

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($193.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock B85M Pro4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($76.50 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($55.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 270X 2GB Dual-X Video Card ($174.80 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 220 ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ TigerDirect)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($68.99 @ Mwave)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($15.63 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) ($92.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: BenQ GL2460HM 60Hz 24.0" Monitor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($27.68 @ NCIX US)
Total: $951.53
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-12 07:17 EDT-0400
 
Solution


Not quite



Also, I don't think you should be pointing a non-enthusiast towards overclocking.
 

thespaceduck

Honorable
Sep 24, 2012
125
0
10,710


"I'm budgeting around a max of $1000 for a desktop or laptop. Not a single dollar above that. Definitely not $50 over that. I'm going to have trouble scraping together enough for the budget as it is."
 


Upgrade the MoBo to H97 and it'd be a very good build :)
 

vinisapphire

Reputable
Aug 12, 2014
2
0
4,510
One more question guys, how feasible would it be to run Ubuntu as the OS instead of Windows? Would I still be able to run most of my games, or would I need to run Windows in a VM?
 


Most games will run on ubuntu, linux, windows...

But I know some have issues. Not sure which ones though, I'm a windows man myself