New Computer

[JethroTuller]

This is my first post in CAG forums, and actually my first post for a website like this ever, so hello!

I will be graduating from college in 1 week and will be making an investment in a new computer. I have a Dell laptop now that's gotten pretty beat up through the wear and tear of college and was thinking about possibly switching to a Mac laptop.

I know that after I graduate I'm going to want to purchase games like Starcraft II, maybe Age of Conan, etc - some pretty graphic heavy games. Should I be looking to put my money into some type of PC desktop or will I be able to make the switch to Mac and continue to play these types of games?

Mac laptop v. PC laptop v. PC desktop v. Mac desktop
~I want to play graphic heavy videogames
~I love laptops and being able to bring the computer anywhere/play games on it in bed at times, etc
~I hate that my Dell laptop now has no memory is really slow and think that switching to Mac will make it a more longterm investment (although when I first got it I was able to play WoW comfortably on it)

Love the podcast,
JethroTuller

[the3rdkey]

~I want to play graphic heavy videogames



You need a desktop PC.

[vihit]

although when I first got it I was able to play WoW comfortably on it


If you could play WoW on your notebook initially, but now it struggles with it, that's more of an indication of the maintenance of the computer, i.e. hard drive defragging, making sure your security software (anti-virus, anti-spyware, etc.) are up-to-date, and drivers/patches updated.

I agree with the3rdkey. You need a desktop if you want to do some graphics-intensive gaming. You could get a notebook that will be able to play games decently, but the price for one would be a lot more than a comparably configured desktop.

[JethroTuller]

I haven't really followed computer games as much as I did in high school so I'm not sure if games like Starcraft II / Age of Conan are going to be playable on a Mac.

If I were to make the desktop pc investment is there a type/brand/configuration/memory amount/etc I should get? I'm not looking to spend too much money (considering I don't have much), but I would like it to be able to run the latest games.

Thanks for responding so quickly,
JethroTuller

[plasticbathmonki]

What are the specs of your current laptop? Even though I've had some significant issues with Dell notebooks in the past (random BSoD and memory dumps), a laptop that is only a few years old should be adequate enough to use for most needs.

I have a MacBook now (which I love), so please take this to heart: if you want a gamer's machine, don't buy a MacBook. While there are games that can run on a Mac, it's simply not a gamers machine. Besides, with all this "Games for Windows" nonsense, you'll need a Vista-runnning PC eventually.

[DrFoo]

I would recommend building your own desktop since it can save you ridiculous amounts of money, but if you need a laptop you can get a HP or Dell with a Core 2 Duo and Geforce 8600m for about $800 on their websites which could even run Crysis on medium settings. I'm just against macs because you will end up paying a lot more for the brand name (and of course they can't play games well).

[Sideswiper]

Look around for computer builds around the internet.

This thread over at NewEgg is good.
http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/172986.aspx

Following are some of my suggestions.

Vista Ultimate 64 bit
e8400 or q6600 Intel CPU
evga 750i motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188026&Tpk=750i%2bftw
Two 8800GTS(G92) graphics cards http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127325
4gb DDR2 800 memory http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227284
Power supply http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

Also:
A case
CPU cooling
DVD drive (maybe 2)
Hard drive (maybe 2)

[p00ndawg]

if you're not into pc building this hands down is one of the better values on the market.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8772768&type=product&id=1204331806567

you'll be able to run just about everything on the market more or less on high and above.

and its not severely over priced either.

Its backordered, but there are plenty to be had if you use the find in my area feature. A buddy of mine got this one last week. He loves it to death.

[Capn Stabby]

For the case, I'd go for an Antec 900, HP Blackbird or P180B for cooling/convenience/looks, etc.

They run in the $100+ range, but sometimes you can get them for cheaper.


Actually, I'm not entirely sure if you can buy the Blackbird case separately, but I'd like to think you can. Dunno

[vihit]

For the case, I'd go for an Antec 900, HP Blackbird or P180B for cooling/convenience/looks, etc.

They run in the $100+ range, but sometimes you can get them for cheaper.


Actually, I'm not entirely sure if you can buy the Blackbird case separately, but I'd like to think you can. Dunno

The case for the HP Blackbird is not available to purchase separately.

[Richard Longfellow]

I'm not looking to spend too much money (considering I don't have much)

Thanks for responding so quickly,
JethroTuller

How much? Need to know that before making a lot of hardware recommendations.