Hello all,

My laptop isn't cutting it for gaming anymore, and my computer is so dated it isn't funny. So...I need a decent gaming rig for around $1,000.

I was looking at a Asus laptop for $1200 on Newegg ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834230028 )

I was also looking at this stand alone computer ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229269 )

Im not sure I want to build....it's been about 8 yrs since I helped build my computer, and Im on the edge as far as should I/shouldn't I build.

If I could build and spend considerably less money, then I will, but Ive been out of the game too long to know what to get & what goes with what (mobo+cpu, etc).


Any and all help is appreciated!


Thank you

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227378
This is going to be nearly as good, for over almost $250 less money. The CPU is going to perform about the same for gaming since most games won't really use the Hyperthreading in the i7. And the 6870 is on par with the GTX 560. The hard drive is only 1TB.

I also like that this system uses a full sized ATX motherboard, gives you more flexibility to add extra cards later.

Be careful about the power supplies. The may say 700 or 800 watts. But you should treat them like 500 or 600 watt PSU because they are very cheap. So not recommended that you add a second video card to these types of systems unless you replace the power supply first.

Ravyn, you are the bomb! I was literally going to PM you to get your thoughts on what I should get.

Let me take a look at this further!

My old CRT monitor isn't going to work with this- not because the monitor is bad (the picture is fine!), but because we moved and I no longer have room for something as bulky as a CRT.

I looked at Newegg and found this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236052


Looking at http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227378, I am trying to see what else I will need.


Aside from a monitor, I will also need a wireless adapter as this is going into our Master bedroom rather than the living room where the router is located. The highest rated adapter on Newegg is http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833704045. Hopefully there won't be any issues with Win 7 or the motherboard, as one of the reviewers is having an issue with it.

I have a sound system & subwoofer. All I plan on doing is playing games on this thing...will the on-board sound adapter be adequate?


Thoughts?

Does it make sense to spend the extra $100 on http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227382

Is it worth the money to go from an i5 core from the previous system discussed to a i7 core?

This system also has double the ram. The video card is NVidia though...how are they doing these days? Years ago, they were head to head with ATI.

The specs according to a user review are:

Motherboard: ASRock P67 Pro SE
Video card: Sparkle GTX560(PCI-E)2048mb
Power supply:Xion 700 Watt
DVD R/W Drive: LiteOn IHAS124
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 9YP154-304
Memory: 16GB Adata DDR3 1333 (4x4gB)


Thoughts?

Regarding the i5 vs i7 systems.

That i7 system looks pretty decent for only $100 more. Looking at these both closely I'd say it comes down your opinion on the cases.

The i7 and 16GB RAM probably not going to do that much to improve performance. But for only $100 I'd probably go for it. However I I don't really like the case that comes with the i7 system, it looks cheaper. It's smaller, has room for fewer fans, fewer hard drives, and the baby blue accents are a bit ugly.

But cases are really subjective. Someone else may like the case being smaller and the looks.

I like the i5 case, because it has two 120mm fans in top, has 8 drive bays divided into two pairs of 4 bays each cooled by a 120mm fan. So this has room for 6 fans. While the other case is limited to 3 fans and 5 drive bays. The i5 case also has some interesting LED lighting in the front which may or may not turn someone off.

It's close though. Both systems are nice. If you like the i7's smaller case, then I'd say it's worth the extra $100.

I haven't really looked at monitors in a while. I tend to just stick with Dell. But I hear good things about ASUS. And the reviews seem good.

Just a quick thing about monitors. There are basically three types of panels. TN, MVA, and IPS. TN are the cheapest and most common monitor panel. They have very fast response times, but if you look at the from off angles the picture fades badly. It's not a problem if you are sitting infront of the monitor really. Contrast on these monitors is acceptable, but less than other panel types.

IPS are the most expensive, have very good colors, contrast, and viewing angles. They are a bit slower, but these days fast enough that it's a non issue. These monitors usually cost 3 times as much as a TN monitor.

MVA (also PVA) are the middle child. Better quality than TN, less than IPS. And cost about twice as much as TN and less than IPS.

Sadly manufactures usually don't call attention to what kind of panel the monitor uses. You'll have to do some research. But the price usually is a big clue.

The ASUS is definitely a TN at that price. And most people find these completely suitable for gaming and everyday use.

I got nothing on the wireless USB network adapter. My house has LAN wiring throughout. I can wire an ethernet jack in my bathroom if needed.

http://www.overstock.com/Electronics/Asus-VS248H-P-24-LED-LCD-Monitor-16-9-2-ms/6052677/product.html

I recommend this monitor. Just got it for Christmas, and it is one of the top rated monitors on Newegg.

 

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I dislike the look of the case as well, if it wasn't for one of the reviewers to state that it didn't look as bad IRL compared to the picture, I wouldn't have given it another thought.

Is the extra $100 for the additional RAM, the processor and the Geforce card? Is the graphics card essentially the same as the Radeon?

Did any of the parts/manufacturers listed cause you any heartburn? Some I had never heard of, such as the maker of the gfx card.