Buying a Gaming Computer
IF you're thinking about getting your hands on a PC than does more than manage Microsoft Word documents and the occasional spreadsheet, this guide is for you. Here we look at how to build or buy a gaming computer that will deliver hours of fun, while still being capable of all of the boring work stuff.
A good gaming PC will cost more than a simple machine for work, but there is an upside. You'll be able to work and play with the one machine and the latest games are truly mind-boggling. The visual marvels of current hi-tech titles like World In Conflict, Bioshock and Neverwinter Nights 2 would have been unthinkable just five years ago. Even though it's expensive to keep your PC at the forefront of technology, the pay-off is one hell of a ride.
PCs can be cool
PC games deliver more varied and challenging experiences than any other form of electronic entertainment. The interface of a PC – a keyboard and mouse, rather than a simple joypad – really opens up the game world and gives you the ability to interact with the environment in countless ways. Consoles might be delivering more titles, but some of the best games only really work on a computer.
When it comes to online and multiplayer games, those on the PC are always going to be light-years ahead of those on a console – look at the success of the massively multiplayer game World Of Warcraft, which has taken the world by storm and almost become a way of life for some players. PC games also have more complex designs and deliver a more cerebral challenge that can help you learn skills that are useful in other spheres of life (assuming you stop playing for long enough!). The fact that your favourite toy also lets you do some online shopping and hammer out work documents is just a bonus.
Power to play?
At the moment, Windows Vista is starting to impact both home users and game developers. Vista features new game-based tools, with the Direct X10 code being the most significant. With this in mind, it makes sense to make sure your gaming computer will support Vista and include as many bells and whistles as possible.
Ensure that your games machine will handle Windows Vista as a minimum. For this you’ll need two gigabytes (2Gb) of memory (RAM). A decent graphics card with 512Mb of memory and a larger-than-average monitor wouldn't go astray either. A DVD drive is essential and a hard drive of 200Gb or more will provide plenty of storage space. If some speakers or headphones are thrown in, that's even better. At the moment you can find a computer that will suit these needs for under $2000.
When looking at machines, make sure you are comfortable with the technology if you are not getting the computer assembled for you. You can save a lot of money selecting parts yourself, but unless you can assemble your own PC and install all of the software, a package from a reputable dealer will be a much better option.
A good rule of thumb when buying a PC is to look for a something that manages your needs. Having found that, indulge in a little future-proofing and buy a machine that is just a little bit more powerful in terms of core elements like the central processing unit (CPU) and graphics card.
Specifications
As of late 2007, a machine with specifications similar to the following would deliver plenty of gaming goodness for several years and set you back less than $2000.
AMD AM2 940 Pin Sempron, Athlon64 or AMD Athlon64 x2 Dual Core Processor
ASUS M2N-X Nvidia Chipset -Multi-Layers Socket AM2 940 Motherboard
AMD COOLING FAN & HEATSINK
250GB 7200rpm Ultra DMA 100 (ATA-100) Enhanced Cached IDE Dual Channel Hard Disk Drive
2GB DDR2 800 Memory - DDR2 6400 High Speed RAM With EPROM
512MB Nvidia 7600GS 16x 3D PCI-E Video Display Card - 512MB 128 Bit Blaze High Speed 2D/3D Video Card
19” Acer AL1916WD 5ms Wide Screen DVI A grade LCD Monitor
1.44MB 31/2” High Density Floppy Disk Drive
Network Card (Integrated)
Dual Layer DVD RW Drive - Enhanced Cached ATAPI IDE CD-ROM
ASUS “6 Channel” AC97 Digital Audio Stereo Plug & Play Sound Card(Integrated)
1200W PMPO Sub-Woofer 2.1 Channel Powered Amplified Shielded Speakers System
SHAW” 550Watt. Deluxe (AMD XP Support)ATX (Full Depth Size) Medium Tower Case-Thermal Fan Speed Controller
Keyboard & Ergonomic Optical Mouse |
