Gaming What price would this cost me?

[dlf]

Was wondering if I could get a possible price for this. I'd personally would rather buy a prebuilt computer instead of buying the parts and trying to assemble myself (even with help). If I do assemble, EVERY part should come from Newegg or Tiger (or you all can suggest other good sites)

Hardware

- USB 2.0 speeds that are minimum of 40 MB a second (If not more)
- USB 3.0 speeds that are at lest 300+ MB/s
- Windows Experience Index of at lest 5.0 (minimum)*
- Firewire (and or eSata port) --- because I have a external hardrive that has both along with USB
- At lest a solid terabyte (as in one WHOLE terabyte useable)
- Has either a VGA or DVI port (current monitor I have has both)
- Multicard reader (although I mainly need SD and Memory Pro Stick Duo)
- Able to use a PS3 controller AND A XBOX 360 controller (and it if possible all of Wii's main controllers)

Software

- Windows 7 Ultimate (64 bit)
- May run Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit and or XP as well as Ult 7 64 bit.
- May run folding@[member='home bussiness'](although I use my PS3 for that when I'm not using it)
- Able to run most games from DOS era on, probably high settings
- Will use steam
-- Elder Scrolls
-- Portal 1 & 2
-- Batman Arkham (Asylum/City)
-- Sonic Generations
-- Quake
-- Wolfenstein (3D)
-- Commander keen
and others
- Will use CD/DVD's of the games I have:
-- Warcraft 2 - Tides of Darkness & Beyond the Dark Portal
-- Warcraft 3 - Reign of Chaos & Frozen Throne
-- Diablo 1 - 3 (when it comes out)
-- The Sims 1 - And all expansions
-- The Sims 2 (probably)
-- Simcity 4000 & Rushhour
- May use emulation (to run up to the PS2/Wii)

What I would like (MISC)

- It able to fit a somewhat small desk (although I guess I could put it under)
- If I DO put this under and I get a new monitor I guess I could have both in use either by use of new computer or one for my laptop

What I don't need

- Speakers (already have two)
- A monitor (@ this time)
- Dual GPU's (though that could change . . . . . )
- OVERCLOCKED, NOR NEEDING A COOLING SYSTEM OTHER THAN A FEW FANS
- Alienware . . . . . .

* - My current (slimline)'s lowest is 2.6 (graphics), than game graphics (3.0), processor/RAM are 4.7 & primary hardisk is 5.6 . . . My current computer can play Warcrafts, SimCity & TS1.

That's all I can think of the moment. Max budget, If possible within 1200 - 1500. Also suggest parts, Also I WILL WAIT until hard drive prices come down and a few months probably. Though I already have a PS3 to play blu-rays, I guess a blu-ray drive in this could be useful, lest to make BR backups of the system.

 

[Tom Bombadildo]

Wow...well your budget is certainly not the problem. Also a note, don't base your performance requirements on the Windows Index...most of the time it's pretty wrong.


Anyways, for getting the maximum specs at the lowest cost I suggest building your own PC. Intel i7 CPU, 8GB DDR3 RAM, 1TB HDD, around a 100GB SSD for Windows 7 install, you could go SLI with a graphics card but ehh...go for either a GTX 550TI + if you want a NVIDIA GPU or a RADEON 6850...I think...for AMD GPU. Unfortunately I can't link you to any specific items as I'm using my tablet ATM but if someone else doesn't, I'll try and provide Newegg links for you...

 

[marcus134]

Also I WILL WAIT until hard drive prices come down and a few months probably.

Why don't you come back when you'll be ready to purchase your hardware because, by the time hdd's price come back, gpu, cpu and motherboards line-up will have completely changed and any recommendation made today won't be valid.

btw, if you're ready to spend up to 1.5k on a tower, current hdd's price won't really be detrimental to your build ( especially when considering that most of the stuff you listed isn't demanding at all for current computers).

 

[dlf]

I don't need the latest tech, just something newer that can play most current games (and future games) without problems. As for the budget that was because with I thought it might have cost that much, but from gamefaqs, to neowin it seems a bit for than half a grand will work fine.

 

[Sicklyboy]

LolAlienware. Good thing you don't want it, I remember when they used to be good. Then they got bought out by Dell. Dell anything is bad.


Yeah at the performance index though, my PC has the guys to blow it all out of the water, but is ALWAYS held back at a 5.9 because of SATA 3's r/w speed. Has been on every single computer I've tested, whether its a SSD or HDD, regardless of brand. Never go by it. Benchmark it with 3DMark or something.

I don't need the latest tech, just something newer that can play most current games (and future games) without problems. As for the budget that was because with I thought it might have cost that much, but from gamefaqs, to neowin it seems a bit for than half a grand will work fine.

Edit - and yeah, around 600$ will get you something that will run most stuff at decent settings no problem. I built a rig for my friends sister - she didn't want a gaming PC because she isn't big into gaming, but does play minecraft. She ended up getting an AMD FX cpu (3.8ghz), Biostar mobo, 650watt PSU, 500GB HDD, 8GB ram, and some EVGA GeForce 460. The vid card was the weakest part of the build, but was still acceptable. In all it cost around $550 USD, and I would put some of that stuff in my PC and be satisfied (like the CPU and RAM).

But in my PC I am running a AMD Phenom II X4 944 Black (3.2ghz pushed to 3.75), a watercooler for it *can't get the damn thing to go higher even with it), 600w PSU, 3x 1TB HDDs, MSI 790FX-GD70 mobo, 3x2GB Mushkin Enhanced DDR3 RAM (don't ask about the odd number... DDR3 ram used to be fucking expensive (I paid $100 for that, whereas 2x4 is $40 now. bullshit)). My favorite part is my EVGA GeForce 560Ti SC, which is $250. Half the cost of my friend's sister's pc... but this rig has handled everything I've thrown at it on ultra.

To put things into perspective, my old 8800GT OC, with the rest of the same specs listed above, could handle most games a year or two old on ultra, and most current stuff on high or medium. Video card is going to be the most expensive thing for the performance.

 

[Midna]

Wow...well your budget is certainly not the problem. Also a note, don't base your performance requirements on the Windows Index...most of the time it's pretty wrong.


Anyways, for getting the maximum specs at the lowest cost I suggest building your own PC. Intel i7 CPU, 8GB DDR3 RAM, 1TB HDD, around a 100GB SSD for Windows 7 install, you could go SLI with a graphics card but ehh...go for either a GTX 550TI + if you want a NVIDIA GPU or a RADEON 6850...I think...for AMD GPU. Unfortunately I can't link you to any specific items as I'm using my tablet ATM but if someone else doesn't, I'll try and provide Newegg links for you...

I'm confused. This doesn't seem like coherent advice to me. You recommend an i7, which is overpriced and bears next to no benefits for any gamer. You also recommend SLI, an option for mad enthusiasts... or, alternatively, some cheap budget cards.

Yeah I don't like this advice at all. OP, for what you want to have, you will NOT need a budget at that level.

It is slightly problematic that you want a prebuild though. Ignoring the fact that they overcharge you like a bitch, it will probably be hard to find a computer that has both appropriate specs and all the special options you describe. Given how specific your needs are, I would highly recommend a custom build.

This is a good resource for balancing your budget, OP. Give it a look.
https://tinyurl.com/falconguide

Edit: And SSDs are not a great option for your boot drive unless you are mad concerned about your boot time. If you do use one, it's a better idea to store things like games with high load times. Windows is fine on a 7200rpm HDD.

 

[Originality]

Also I WILL WAIT until hard drive prices come down and a few months probably.

Why don't you come back when you'll be ready to purchase your hardware because, by the time hdd's price come back, gpu, cpu and motherboards line-up will have completely changed and any recommendation made today won't be valid.

btw, if you're ready to spend up to 1.5k on a tower, current hdd's price won't really be detrimental to your build ( especially when considering that most of the stuff you listed isn't demanding at all for current computers).

Waiting around 2 years? The prices aren't high because of a simple supply shortage, it's because the factories and warehouses in Thailand got flooded. That scale of damage will reportedly take around 2 years to recover. Of course, that's assuming nobody discovers some new way to make them on the cheap during that time.

Btw, regarding SSDs, they are coming down in price. For £150, I got a 120GB SSD which is enough to put Windows and all my commonly used apps on and still have space for half a dozen games. It's not just about boot times, it's also about all my apps running much faster. And because I waited long enough for the prices to come down this far so that it becomes affordable for me.

 

[qlum]

If you want wii emulation on heavy games like super mario galaxy 2 at least get a 2500k and some decent cooling to over clock it even if you do you won't always get max speed on that game most other 3d wii games don't require that much but are still very demanding. For the less heavy 2d wii games you are not required much. I assume the situation for the ps2 emulation is a little less heavy than the wii but still quite heavy.

 

[Pyrmon]

Part list permalink / Part price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus M5A88-V EVO ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($117.00 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($48.49 @ Amazon)
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black 1.5TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($159.00 @ B&H)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 6850 1GB Video Card ($141.97 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: OCZ 550W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Microcenter)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-222AB DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $676.42
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated 2012-03-02 00:04 EST-0500)

This build should meet your needs and more. You'll still need to add a case, but I'll leave that up to you as it's mostly just aesthetics.
I threw this build in two minutes and it's late. So it may not be the best performance/price, but it should get you an idea.