What are good specs for a gaming PC?

Jaimes

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    • Seen Jan 15, 2011
    My laptop is pretty suck.. no worse than that.. considering what I paid for it, it can't do crap.
    It can play a handful of good games.. given that they came out around 5 years ago ¬_¬
    It has a 30GB HD & 512mb RAM.. not bad.. but it did cost about £800...($1600) and the graphics card is lame.


    So basically I want a better PC/laptop for the sole purpose of pwning noobs. I'd rather get one with Vista Home Premium, so I reckon 4+GB would be ideal and also a HD of at least 250GB so I can actually store some music and films on it.

    Then it comes to the processor, motherboard, graphics card and type of chip... lol wut?
    No seriously, I have no idea which of these are the more recent, faster or the better designed for entertainment. I was wondering if anyone here knows what specs are good to have?
    Whenever I look at auctions ("Intel CORE 2 QUAD Q6600 9.6Ghz Power PC with nVidia GeForce 7 Series 512MB TC graphics") telling me specs.. they make no sense whatsoever.

    Thanks
     
    Ok well, this is my field. <3

    1:RAM-3gbs DDR2 800 RAM is the best(Because 4gbs isn't supported in XP or Vista 32bit) you'll get unless you want a server and you'll need Vista 64bit edition to run 4Gbs, which isn't good for Gaming at all. Vista Home 32bit Addition allows up to 3Gbs RAM and runs like a charm(I have it) and also your motherboard needs to support 4Gbs of RAM.

    2:HDD-Try get either a Western Digital or Seagate 250-500Gb Hard Drive if you want best reliability and space for all your Data.

    3:Processor-(I know I'll be criticized on this)AMD Athlon 64x2(Dual Core) is your absolute best bet for gaming, I know this because I've personally experienced it vs's Intel and I go on a outside School computer course which the people are all Intel freaks and say AMD is your best bet for gaming. I'd highly highly highly recommend AMD for speed, reliability and power.Also Quad core is more sever based, not really good for home use.Try get 2.0ghz+.

    4:Mother Board-(I might get criticized on this one too)-Gigabyte, FoxCon or BioStar are probably your best bet as they're the best system resource wise. I'd Highly Recommend Gigabyte, rated number 1 in the world too.

    5:Graphics Card-Either go for a ATI X800 or nVidia 8800 series are your best bet for graphics and performance.

    Ask if you need anymore help. :3
     
    Last edited:
    I pretty much agree with Tsugaru on everything, but I'd put down that a 17" or larger screen would be very helpful, as well as a comfortable mouse like a trackpad or upright. if you plan on storing movies and stuff on it, & you've got a little extra cha-ching, then go for a remote reciever. I know from experience that those come in very handy with media center.
     
    Yayz. thanks for the recommendations Tsugaru- they're very specific and handy. ^^

    Concerning the RAM though I assumed that moar would be better (and have seen it on some XPS machines). Is Vista 64bt really that bad? I've heard it's faster, but can't run old programs (I'm not really into retros so this doesn't sound too bad).
    Wouldn't future releases of drivers and updates improve 64bit? Won't eventually 64bit be 'the standard' for future PCs later? I'm hoping for this PC to last a long time :P

    Thanks for the AMD suggestion. Are there any drawbacks in getting a processor with the most ridiculously large speed I can find?

    Concerning a graphics card, I've already been checking out some of the Nvidia ones (since a lot of games seem to require something along those lines). Just a thought, but wouldn't a greater number release be better (and probably more expensive) than a predecessor? also wouldn't a more powerful release be more compatible with games that are yet to be released?
    For example wouldn't Nvidia 9800 > Nvidia 8800.


    kekeke course I'll get a massive screen XD.
    Thanks for the help - I'm really learning a lot about this. Massively appreciated ^_^
     
    In my opinion you shoudl go with an ASUS mobo. Socket AM2, with the processor Tsugaru recommended and if you can get the cash, you should get an SLI board.

    And concerning the video card, that isn't necessarily true. i.e. A GeForce 7800 can be better than an 8300.
     
    Jaimes said:
    Yayz. thanks for the recommendations Tsugaru- they're very specific and handy. ^^

    Concerning the RAM though I assumed that moar would be better (and have seen it on some XPS machines). Is Vista 64bt really that bad? I've heard it's faster, but can't run old programs (I'm not really into retros so this doesn't sound too bad).
    Wouldn't future releases of drivers and updates improve 64bit? Won't eventually 64bit be 'the standard' for future PCs later? I'm hoping for this PC to last a long time :P

    Vista 64-bit is just as good as the 32-bit, however the real problem is that 32-bit is still the mainstream, being that it is pretty much the bulk of the market. this being the case software makers may make things for 64-bit, but their main focus is still on 32-bit. I've got a 64-bit version of WinXP Pro, and to be honest it runs most programs, however I ran into problems when I tried to install Norton Antivirus, It couldn't be installed on the x64 arcitecture. so it's not really the x64 that's bad, it's that it currenty isn't fully supported.

    Thanks for the AMD suggestion. Are there any drawbacks in getting a processor with the most ridiculously large speed I can find?

    the only drawback I see is possibly not having an adequate cooling system. If you're getting the system made for you then I wouldn;t worry too much. just make sure where you are puting it is well ventilated.

    Concerning a graphics card, I've already been checking out some of the Nvidia ones (since a lot of games seem to require something along those lines). Just a thought, but wouldn't a greater number release be better (and probably more expensive) than a predecessor? also wouldn't a more powerful release be more compatible with games that are yet to be released?
    For example wouldn't Nvidia 9800 > Nvidia 8800.

    I would think so

    kekeke course I'll get a massive screen XD.
    Thanks for the help - I'm really learning a lot about this. Massively appreciated ^_^
    Click to expand...

    Bolded in the quote Check it! ^^
     
    Jaimes said:
    Yayz. thanks for the recommendations Tsugaru- they're very specific and handy. ^^

    Concerning the RAM though I assumed that moar would be better (and have seen it on some XPS machines). Is Vista 64bt really that bad? I've heard it's faster, but can't run old programs (I'm not really into retros so this doesn't sound too bad).
    Wouldn't future releases of drivers and updates improve 64bit? Won't eventually 64bit be 'the standard' for future PCs later? I'm hoping for this PC to last a long time :P

    Like Gerri said, not many programs can run, thus not many games can run either, so your best bet is still 3Gbs RAM with Vista 32 bit.

    Thanks for the AMD suggestion. Are there any drawbacks in getting a processor with the most ridiculously large speed I can find?

    Like Gerri said, you just need a decent cooling system, I've got a case modded PC that I bought and built up, it has 3 fans, all with noise dampeners which really help. When I run my PC the whole day, the CPU starts off at about 90 degrees and goes to about 100-110 which isn't bad.

    Concerning a graphics card, I've already been checking out some of the Nvidia ones (since a lot of games seem to require something along those lines). Just a thought, but wouldn't a greater number release be better (and probably more expensive) than a predecessor? also wouldn't a more powerful release be more compatible with games that are yet to be released?
    For example wouldn't Nvidia 9800 > Nvidia 8800.

    That's in most cases right, yeah, it's just that I was trying to bring your overall price down and give you the best bang for your buck as I've got a 7300GT nVidia card and it's awesome, so anything over 7300 should be amazing .You'd also find ATI graphics card is your best bet for AMD as it's made for AMD and it's suppose to have better performance than nVidia as I saw on AMD's site.Then again that could be AMD's way of getting more customers.

    Anyway, just because a game says it needs a nVidia card doesn't mean it wont run without one, I asure you that it'd work, it's just nVidia's way of getting more customers by saying that the game needs a nVidia card to run.


    kekeke course I'll get a massive screen XD.
    Thanks for the help - I'm really learning a lot about this. Massively appreciated ^_^
    Click to expand...

    Check the above, I added in some unneeded info. XD
     
    Ok, I have a gaming machine right now, and I've cut my teeth hard. Heres what I can tell you.

    Processor: Dual, Tri, or Quad?
    Dual Core - INTEL, INTEL, INTEL. If your building a dual core processor'ed machine, they have AMD on the run.
    Tri core - Not recommended, I think the tech needs some more time to mature.
    Quad - AMD or Intel. Q6600 is a superior processor at a superior price. AMD 9000's series are well priced and positioned.

    MotherBoard - I'm neutral here, I have a Gigabyte and they screwed up AMD Phenom for me, so I'm currently not fond of them. If your going AMD, make sure you get the newest 790 chipset so you can run Phenom, even if you go dual core. I am not familiar with current Intel chipsets.

    HDD - I run the Raptor, a 10,000 RPM 150GB monster. But a good quality 500GB product from Seygate or Western-Digital would do you justice.

    Graphics Card - Right now 8800 512MB Models are really hot from NVidia. I have to recommend Nvidia due to there superiority. ATI I have run their products, and am not particularly fond of.

    RAM - RAM is really getting to the point that quality is equally good. Watch your clear rates, for a gaming machine higher is better. I would also say, do not cheap out on ram. I run Kingston with no problems, Corsair and Crucial are good companies also, but can be a tad pricier.
     
    Jaimes said:
    Yayz. thanks for the recommendations Tsugaru- they're very specific and handy. ^^

    Concerning the RAM though I assumed that moar would be better (and have seen it on some XPS machines). Is Vista 64bt really that bad? I've heard it's faster, but can't run old programs (I'm not really into retros so this doesn't sound too bad).
    Wouldn't future releases of drivers and updates improve 64bit? Won't eventually 64bit be 'the standard' for future PCs later? I'm hoping for this PC to last a long time :P
    Click to expand...

    I've been using Vista x64 on my main rig for a month now, on a Core 2 Duo E6850 (3ghz) with 4gb of ram. Runs everything I've chucked at it fine, even Streets of Sim City from way back when! Granted all I play is OpenTTD, and Roller Coast Tycoon..

    I guess I was lucky as HP provided all the drivers for x64 for my computer, other wise if you can't get the drivers theres no point.

    And yes, you are correct: 64bit will be the future. Just the migration from 32bit --> 64bit will be more drawn out than last time (16bit --> 32bit).
     
    Humm, well there's a lot of good opinions so far. [:

    I'd go with this though...

    CPU: Q6600 (this baby can easily OC to 3Ghz on air)

    CPU cooling: I personally use a Zalman 9700, I recommend you get it.

    Motherboard: evga nFORCE 780i SLI

    RAM: Crucial Ballistix DDR2 1066 (4 gigs)

    HDD: Get a WD Raptor, 150gig model, and then buy a big arse 500 gig for a storage drive.

    Soundcard: X-Fi XtremeGamer (yes a quality sound card makes a difference)

    PSU (power supply): Thermaltake Toughpower 1000 watts

    Case: Thermaltake Armor Series VA8000BWS (FTW!)

    Video Card: ...

    Okay the last one is tough to say, I mean an nvidia 8800GT isn't bad, or even in SLI is nice. An nvidia 8800GTS G92 is cool too... but if you want best...

    GeForce 9800 GX2

    Anyway, it's ultimately up to your budget on what you can buy, check around for more info on sites like overclock.net.
     
    I think most Windows XP machines will do, the exact one depends what you want to play and on what settings...

    Now, Vista you want? I've only ever heard complaints about Vista's lack of compatability with games, so I wouldn't go there; but since I've never used Vista myself, I haven't really got any say over what OS you should use.
     
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