Am I ready for PC gaming?

So, I wanted to expand my gaming options, as I only have 1 current gen console this year. It gets all the platformers and niche games, but for mainstream games, like Batman AA, the system doesn't have a port. I am trying to get into PC gaming, but I don't know if my system is capable of any decent gaming. I reckon that everything would be fine, except the graphics chip, which is quite old.

Intel Core 2 Duo e6420 2.13ghz
2GB DDR2
GeForce 8600GT
320GB HD
TSST Corp DVD drive

The biggest problem? I'm running Linux. If steam comes out on Linux, then I'm gold. I'm not a big shooter fan, but some games are just must play (Bioshock, HL2, Deux Ex). Remember, I have not played a SINGLE PC game. I'll probably mostly buy things like Mass Effect, Assassins Creed, Prince of Persia.

If you wanna game on a PC, you need Windows.

Your processor could be okay if you were to overclock it, but dual cores are fading fast. Your video card, while old, has a decent amount of power. Most games to be released within the past year or so though will bring it to its knees. I'm not saying it wont run newer games, but you'd definitely have to turn all the eye candy off and probably run at a low resolution.

That said, none of this matters if you're running Linux. Even if Steam were to be brought over, you'd most likely only be able to play Valve games and some random indie games that support the OS.

My advice, get a copy of Windows 7 (how you go about that is your business) and upgrade your processor to a decent quad (a Phenom or a Q series would work wonders) and pick up a new video card (you can get a nice Radeon 4850 now for under $100). You'd also probably want to get another 2GB's of RAM just to be on the safe side.

You're a long way off from being able to play pc games with what you have. It would probably be more cost and time effective to just buy a new pc that has Windows 7 already loaded. Or go to craigslist and find a used gaming pc from someone who has already upgraded.

An easy, lower cost way to get into pc gaming with something new would be:
A) buy this pc: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Dell+-+...ssor/9698845.p?id=1218153428517&skuId=9698845
and then
B) install this video card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131334

This is just an example of what you can do. It will get you started and play most new games on at least medium settings. Or if you are capable of it, build one from scratch.

[quote name='SEH']My advice, get a copy of Windows 7 (how you go about that is your business) and upgrade your processor to a decent quad (a Phenom or a Q series would work wonders) and pick up a new video card (you can get a nice Radeon 4850 now for under $100). You'd also probably want to get another 2GB's of RAM just to be on the safe side.[/QUOTE]

He's got an intel so unless he feels like buying a whole new MoBo, his processor options are a tad limited.

OP, if you're on the cheaps I'd suggest upping to a better dual core like this one. If you're looking for a quad core it would honestly be less expensive to replace your mobo and get a PHenom II quad core as LGA775 (Your processor chipset) quads are rather expensive.

As for video cards, on the lower end this 4670 has treated me very well on my secondary system but if you're springing for a higher end card, this 5770 is on sale with coupon code EMCYTNX62 (150 total)

Other than that, you need Windows and I think your RAM is fine. If you didn't want to upgrade though, your computer still should handle most lower level modern games and most games from 4+ years ago well enough.

Durr...not sure why I suggested a Phenom. Yeah, he may be somewhat limited, but his mobo is a socket 775, so he can still get something decent. I'd definitely recommend a quad over another dual core. Most games coming out now make much better use of a quad, and some downright require them. I'd go with a Q series (something like a Q8300 if you're on a tight budget).

Don't Forget the Video Card, especially with the existing CPU, Nvidia 8800GT is like bare-minimum these days. I run Nvidia GTS 250 and run any game I have tried (Bad Company 2, GRID, Mass Effect(s)) well at 1050 resolution and even some games I had ran at 1080P on a different LCD well...and Matched visually Current Gen Consoles. I think somebody mentioned ATI 5770 great card for the price, just keep in mind as you most likely well know Linux and GNOME Loves Nvidia not as much love for ATI.

Both the 250/260 nvidia and ATi 5770 for the money are great gaming cards. I believe I have seen maybe NEWEGG had MSI Twin FROZER 250GTS 512meg version for 70$ yesterday?????

No matter what Vid Card you would buy you could sell the 8600 for 20~30$ depending on Specs..I would be interested in buying it for one of my spare development boxes...that has linux sometimes on it.

[quote name='SEH']Durr...not sure why I suggested a Phenom. Yeah, he may be somewhat limited, but his mobo is a socket 775, so he can still get something decent. I'd definitely recommend a quad over another dual core. Most games coming out now make much better use of a quad, and some downright require them. I'd go with a Q series (something like a Q8300 if you're on a tight budget).[/QUOTE]

Considering the cheapest quad is nearly 200 and only 2.2 ghz or so, I'd say it's not worth the cost to upgrade to that when you could go 3.2ghz Phenom II quad + new MoBo for nearly the same price or a bit more for a lower tier i7.

You can get a Q8300 that's clocked at 2.5ghz for $150 on Newegg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115207&Tpk=q8300

Is there a reason you want to stick with Linux? Or do you want to delve into Windows?

Linux does have a lot of games but most of them are freeware and/or indie games with a few exceptions. Check out my sig for some free games. Linux games are scattered throughout the list.

Many of the browser based games are compatible with Linux also.

Also what is your budget for possible upgrades?

Well, the main problem is that you're running Linux. Better switch to windows, unless you want to run pc games on vm, which will be slow as hell with your specs. By the way, according to your specs, you won't be able to run most of the game that came out in the last couple of years smoothly. Sure you could turn down all effects and graphics, but that would make the game ugly as hell so why bother right? But the games you listed can be run on the hardware you listed, so I guess it's no biggie. Have fun!

Wanna stick to Linux? Have you looked into Cedega or Wine (Wine did get a recent update on OpenGL handling, right?). Aside from that, Windows seems to be the way to go, since a lot of mainstream games, especially the ones you mentioned, are massive DirectX whores. Barring that, you're current setup seems to be alright with running a lot of the modern games in medium or low settings. Upgrade that vid card, and you might have a bit of promise. As for the CPU and RAM... definately update that ram to the motherboard's max, and if you could find a decent dual core 2.4ghz+, then go for it. Then again, you might be better off buying a new mobo+cpu+gpu+ram and make that your PC Gaming machine. Just a thought.

If you have some knowledge of computer you should just buy the parts you need instead of buying a whole computer. It's a waste of money if you can do it yourself.

Then you have to look at the prices if its cheaper to upgrade and stick to Intel or buy maybe more parts but switch to AMD.

One of the reasons I like AMD is that even when there are new cpu's you can most of the times just update your bios and then replace your old cpu with the new. Intel launches a new socket so its kind of a bitch imo.

Also check your PSU if its a good brand and have decent power you might want to keep it.

And get a Quad cpu imo.

Get Windows XP and your set. I am running a computer with lower specs and I game on every Source engine game fine, I can even run games like Gears of War or Bioshock at medium settings. Mass Effect I only get a max of about 15-20 frames though. Older games from last gen like Doom 3 or Unreal Tournament 2004 I can run on max settings easily. Your PC should be able to run games fine as long as your resolution is not too high. I run all my games at 1280x1024.

AMD Athlon 64 3200+ 2.00Ghz (yes that is a single core)
1GB DDR
EVGA GeForce 7800GS (Using a AGP 8x port)
Creative Sound Card (improves frames a little)
320GB HD Maxtor
Sony CD and DVD Drive

No. I simply do not have any extra money to spend now. I have a copy of XP left over from an old Dell Dimension, and I guess that is legit because that computer is now trashed. If I was to consider another gpu, it would have to be a NVIDIA, because of my usage of Linux.

you'll only be able to run games from past years.and few new games.