My son needs help purchasing a computer for gaming

Hallett · #1 08-11-2007, 08:49 PM

Hi, would appreciate any help I can get, I hate it when my son asks me stuff I don't know, but I had the bright idea of turning to you folks.

We live in Canada, so some of the stores and brands might be different, but basically he is trying to decide whether to just go and buy a Dell, or head to Best Buy, either way buying a brand name off the rack computer, or assemble one himself.

He has done a bit of work, and found this for about $800 CAD, which is about his budget... little bugger wants me to pay taxes for his birthday present:

Processor: Intel core 2 duo E4500 dual core
Motherboard: Intel d946GZIS
Memory: Corsair PC2-5300 2GB
Power Supply: Sparkle Power SPI ATX 400PN @ 400W
Video Card: Geoforce 760GS 400MHZ PCI-E 256MB
Heat Sink: Apparently he does not know if he needs one ??
Hard Drive: Hitachi Deskstar T7K500 250GB Sata2

Apparently this comes with Vista, though he can get Windows XP for another $20.

HELP!!!!

funkyworms · #2 08-11-2007, 09:25 PM

What kind of games does he play? Does he need a monitor?

Hallett · #3 08-11-2007, 09:37 PM

He has a monitor, though he wants to buy a better one in a month or two...he is 18, and has a job, but the monitor he has will last until a later paycheck.

He plays MMO and RPG... Whatever in hell that is... I may have to start playing less poker, and watching what he is doing more.

SirFelixCat · #4 08-11-2007, 10:32 PM

Might I suggest anandtech.com forums. Much more knowledgeable computer people over there than the vast majority here.

Good luck!

Capitan23 · #5 08-12-2007, 12:13 AM

I heard that buying kids a treadmill instead of a computer leads to a healthier lifestyle.

mindstatez · #6 08-12-2007, 12:14 AM

He's fine if he's only playing MMO and RPG. But that rig won't be good enough to really enjoy playing highly graphical FPS' - first person shooters. But yeah for Guild Wars/WOW type games it's fine, the 2g of RAM is key.

Hallett · #7 08-12-2007, 03:07 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I heard that buying kids a treadmill instead of a computer leads to a healthier lifestyle.

[/ QUOTE ]

You missed the part where he has a job and is buying his own computer. Thanks for showing that the newest generation can't freakin' read. Would I be happier if he just ran outside and played football or baseball with his buddies (soccer and tennis are for faggy euros OBVIOUSLY)..not really. His dime, he can do what he wants.

Hallett · #8 08-12-2007, 03:07 AM

Thank you very much, I appreciate it greatly.

Hallett · #9 08-12-2007, 03:10 AM

[ QUOTE ]
He's fine if he's only playing MMO and RPG. But that rig won't be good enough to really enjoy playing highly graphical FPS' - first person shooters. But yeah for Guild Wars/WOW type games it's fine, the 2g of RAM is key.

[/ QUOTE ]

Apparently he wants to do some FPS as well, what part of that list should he change?

Shoe Lace · #10 08-12-2007, 05:58 AM

Is this pre-built from some place or did he put together a list of parts?

If it's separate parts then I'd consider a different motherboard, video card, hard drive, and power supply.

The 7600gs is a fair bit weaker than the 7600gt (notice the "gs" and "gt"). Especially so if you're running semi-new games. The price however is pretty much the same, so you might as well find the 7600gt if you can.

A 7600gt will be fine to game on unless he's playing the very latest games and has to run them at high quality.

I run a similar machine (e6420 with a 7600gt) and games in the Quake 4 era run amazingly well at 1280x1024 or lower.

Btw if you are buying the parts from a site the processor should come with a stock heatsink/fan combo.

Edit: If your son is putting it together himself make sure he gets a case too.