I generally don't play PC games, but not because I don't want to ... I simply can't. I have one computer in my house, and I'm using it to write these words. This, email, and Twitter are about all its good for.
That's one of the reasons we brought Jonathan Ross on board as our dedicated PC games writer. Jonathan's playing Demigod this week for a preview which should run this Friday, and after seeing the above video, I'm crazy jealous. Why? Because it looks sick.
Developed by Gas Powered Games, Demigod is an interesting mix of action, role-playing game, and real-time strategy, all of which is right up my alley. You know in Weird Science howGary and Wyatt throw a bunch of stuff into a pot to make the perfect woman, and it turns out to be Kelly LeBrock? Well Gas Powered Games did that, only with games and with me in mind. And it doesn't have that lip thing that Lebrock had going on. Thanks, guys.
So now I just need to go buy a gaming PC. Any suggestions that won't break my bank?
Build, don't get a prebuilt, and you can get better-than-console graphics for the same price as one. It's only the really high-end stuff that'll leave you pennyless (Like, go 8800GTX, perhaps? Good card, 2 generations old, not that expensive anymore)
If your current PC is quite old, you'd be better rebuilding completely, rather than upgrading - your motherboard might not be compatible.
A custom built PC will get you the best bang for your buck. People make pc gaming sound more expensive than it really is. You don't have to have the new top end expensive parts to be able to play games.
Absolutely, what he said. You could reasonably go a little higher end on the graphics card department without breaking the bank, but you really need to build it yourself to get the best bang for the buck.
The best way to build (for me, at least) is to come up with a concrete dollar amount you're willing to spend, and not a penny more. That way, you can work with and prioritize what components you get so you get the most performance for your dollar.
If you really want help, though, give us your specs and the amount you want to spend, and I've no doubt the suggestions will start rolling in.
Oh, and don't be like me and get a quad core at 2.39 ghz. At that point just get a dual core with at least 2.6, as some older games can't read more than one processor anyway. I can run Unreal Tournament 3 better than I can Doom 3. But I have a placeholder 8600 in there so hopefully that'll change when I get my new card.
Nick, I took advantage of some of the clearances all of the Staples stores in DC have on desktop PCs. I nabbed an insanely cheap pre-built computer this way and added a graphics card for a grand total of around $300. It's certainly possible to get into PC gaming cheap if you keep your eyes open. This is my first gaming PC (I'm a Mac user) and I've been loving it--much to the chagrin of my already enormous backlog of games and work.
Build your own. By far the best way to go. Just think about what you want then post a blog, I'm sure the community will help out, they certainly came through for me. Now I feel like I can help people.
a word of advice - never buy the top of the line video cards, get the mid to upper mid range.
I'm a pretty heavy user and here's my cycle of hardware rotation:
case > 10 years
chipset/mobo/memory = 5 years
CD/DVD Burner drives > 5 years
Hard drives = 2 years
Graphics card = 3-5 years
I don't know quite why but I am heavily abusive on hard drives, part of it could be the defragging every night and the fact that the machines are on 24/7
Agreeing with the build suggestions. For $700 you can get a Quad core, 4GB of Ram, a Geforce 9800, and a good hardware base for that. Getting someone to build it for you could run from a quarter of the machine's price to lunch and a dose of flattery depending on who you know.
Building a computer is like Lego for grown-ups, except when you're done your creation can run pretty much every modern PC game on medium if not high settings.
To be honest it's completely reasonable to build a computer that'll run almost anything out today at good resolutions for under $600. Heck, if you're a bit adverse to building buying a $400-$500 pre-built that you can upgrade and putting in a $150-$200 video card will suffice.
Seriously, it doesn't cost that much to make a viable gaming PC. Sure you can spend several grand, but once you get over $800 you're well into the realm of diminishing returns.
do what I did for my bedroom PC. Get a core 2 duo with 3gb ram and no video card from dell. Costs 350ish. Then get a 1 gb radeon 4670 from newegg for $75 (they don't need external power!). You will be able to run any game well on a 19" monitor or smaller (1440x900 res). Under 500 with tax/shipping and you can play anything that isn't on a giant monitor.
Build your own only if you want to spend a lot more. At about $800 or so is when homebuilt is cheaper than prebuilt plus videocard from newegg.
ill pass on the game, but i also need a new rig, i think my pc is finally 100% outdated and dead, leaving me with only with this macbook, although this lappy is loaded with a full library of retro roms im pretty fond of.
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Contest:
1:20 PM on 03.05.2009
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If your current PC is quite old, you'd be better rebuilding completely, rather than upgrading - your motherboard might not be compatible.
If you're going to build a computer do it now while the economy is still shit. Parts are dirt cheap!
Absolutely, what he said. You could reasonably go a little higher end on the graphics card department without breaking the bank, but you really need to build it yourself to get the best bang for the buck.
The best way to build (for me, at least) is to come up with a concrete dollar amount you're willing to spend, and not a penny more. That way, you can work with and prioritize what components you get so you get the most performance for your dollar.
If you really want help, though, give us your specs and the amount you want to spend, and I've no doubt the suggestions will start rolling in.
a word of advice - never buy the top of the line video cards, get the mid to upper mid range.
I'm a pretty heavy user and here's my cycle of hardware rotation:
case > 10 years
chipset/mobo/memory = 5 years
CD/DVD Burner drives > 5 years
Hard drives = 2 years
Graphics card = 3-5 years
I don't know quite why but I am heavily abusive on hard drives, part of it could be the defragging every night and the fact that the machines are on 24/7
Also, I'm not a PC guy, but build your own, don't buy a pre-built one, that's the way to go.
http://www.viddler.com/explore/Joystiq/videos/552/
Regardless, definitely looks like an interesting game.
Also, the video isn't working. :(
Seriously, it doesn't cost that much to make a viable gaming PC. Sure you can spend several grand, but once you get over $800 you're well into the realm of diminishing returns.
that's just the configuration I did a copuple months ago - it's working out great
FF3 on XP SP3 BTW.
Build your own only if you want to spend a lot more. At about $800 or so is when homebuilt is cheaper than prebuilt plus videocard from newegg.