The only way to build a game machine yourself these days is to go buy an issue of PC Gamer magazine and turn to the Hard Stuff section. There, you'll find cheap, medium, and dream system components listed. You usually can't go wrong building their medium system. Sometimes you may want to get the video card listed in the Dream system, but only get one of them - not the two card SLI config they usually list.
The reason I can't just tell you what it says is because of the video cards, which are your primary concern for gaming. The models change all the time, and the model numbers mean absolutely nothing (higher numbers are sometimes inferior cards). I can't disagree with db that economically it would be cheaper to find a good system on sale. But building your own custom system has many advantages, not the least of which is gaining a familiarity with (and losing one's fear of) computer components. On Wed, Jan 14, 2009 at 9:05 AM, <trac...@aol.com> wrote: > I have a daughter that has become intrigued by online gaming. In order to > further her interest, bond with her and (hopefully) to save some money, we > want to make a family project of building a gaming computer for her. > We have Comcast Cable as an ISP. I have built a computer before > (for the office) but the details of a gaming computer needs are a bit arcane > for > me. We think that we can keep the monitor (LCD) she has. > I am under the impression that we start with a case and a power > supply (400W or better). After that, I think that the component parts of > MoBo, > CPU, hard drive, graphics card and operating system need to be picked as to > best compatibility. This is where my knowledge begins to lack. > Can anyone give me a flowchart process for picking the parts and > assembly that would be a good jumping off point for this project? > I know that you can always spend more money but I would like to see > options and places that we can cut corners. > I work in the entertainment business(on the audio side) and often > have to suggest upgrades to PA systems for musicians to get the most bang for > their buck. My general rule of thumb is to buy the best equipment you can > afford that is the human contact point (Best microphones, best speaker > cabinets). Is there such a "rule of thumb" in the gaming computer world? ************************************************************************* ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *************************************************************************
