Simviation Forums

I've recently realised that my current funds are going to allow me to purchase a new system.  I have, for awhile now, not been able to fly because my current system is lacking in just about every way for gaming.

So I am trying to buy a new computer.

I need help.

I have never tried to buy a computer before, but I know how to put one together, so I am going to buy it piece by piece and assemble it myself (a daunting task) and I need a little guidance as to where I should find deals that will help me accomplish this.

I'm working with about 500 american, but I would like to spend as little as possible.

Any help is greatly appreciated . . .

   $500 huh? That's a pretty strict budget. What's your current specs right now. And what kind of performence would you like, (if that's not the broadest range )? The first thing you'll want to do is check out is here. This is the best place to buy your parts. High praise from everyone, good prices, and fast shipping. Once you post your specs, I'll help you some more.

Whoop, nevermind. When posting, it doesn't show sigs...

So first off, you're going to need a lot of parts, and $500 may not be enough. I'll try though.

Video Card- You're going to want to stick to 128MB of memory. I'm not sure if you want Nvidia or ATI, so I'll do both. ATI- Go for the 9600 Pro or the 9800 pro. Nvidia- Try for the 5900 XT, about $200.

Memory- You have good memory, but try to get to a Gig of RAM. 512MB cost around $90 for good prices ones.

Processor- Again, intel or AMD. Intel- try for Pentium 4: 2.6 GHz around $100. AMD- 2800, around $100 as well. Also, AMD has lots of numbers and priceranges. If 2800 is too much, try 2700, 2600, 2500, ect. Cheaper and cheaper.

Sound Card- You have to get a Creative Audigy 2, or 5.1. Try for a 2 though.

Drives- Always get Lite-on drives. 52x burner and reader is really good right now. They're about 30, $35 a piece.

Motherboard- Toughy. I can't really help you out in this category. You can always get the one I'm getting, the K8V SE Delux. It's compatible with pretty much everything at this point. But it's $123, so hopefully somebody else could help you here.

Floppy Drive- 1.44MB, 3.5 inch. Sony's a good brand, but find whoever you like. They're about $10 a piece.

Hard Drive- If you're going to be playing lots of games, go for atleast a 80 GB Hard Drive. And you must go with Seagate!

Case- The final touch. Find a nice shiny case for yourself. Be aware of the cooling and PSU it contains. You want the PSU (Power Supply Unit) to be atleast 350 Watts. And cooling to have atleast 2 fans, if not more. They're a huge range of case pricing, so find one you like.

That's it! You owe for writing this much!
* Passes out *

Whoa!  That's a lot of effort you put into that little schpiel, but alas, the point is moot.

I went out today and on my way home I realized instead of getting a computer that is just gonna keep me inside all darn day and night, I should be out getting more exercise.  So I went to my local bike shop and PRESTO!  I have a new bike.

So thank you very much, but I think I've found something that I can do with my time that will further my body, but maybe someday in the future (a few months maybe) I will be able to really afford a new computer.

Good for you

>:(  *sigh* oh well...  ;)  Hopefully somebody else can use this.

If anyone should decide to try building a gaming system for $500, it's not impossible.

The ScreenSavers on TechTV recently had an article on their website (albeit the OLD and much better website) that chronicled the very task of building a gaming rig for under $500.

They succeeded with quite a monster for $475 or so.  

So it isn't out of the question!

A Simming PC can be built on a budget, but it needs very high spec core components, there is just no way around that, if you think there is, you only fool yourself.

You need the most powerful CPU you can afford, on a budget, this is going to be an AMD CPU, unless you can "find" a second hand 2.8gig P4 lying around.

There are bargains on mainboards, no-one throws out a decent mainboard, so this will have to be purchased new.

A 512mb stick of RAM is an essential first step, no getting around that one.

The video card is a killer, it's the single highest priced component if you are serious about a high spec machine.
It doesn't matter if it's an EL CHEAPO brand, it's still gonna hurt the pocket. If you have a freind who's throwing out their 9800XT for a shiny latest card, well... we can dream!

Sure it's possible to build a cheap gamer. But I assure anyone, $500 is pushing the limit to breaking point.

I priced an AMD 64bit machine today, and ordered one for a freind. I did it for the very cheapest price possible with 5 years experience of researching out the best deal possible. The upshot was $1250 US dollars for basic rig and monitor, no software, no peripherals.

For him, it was $1864 Australian dollars delivered to his door. For me, I'm down the cost of a few Long distance calls.

I challenge anyone to make a comparable system cheaper, Dealers excepted.

Going to a 64bit system only added about $200 to the total cost by the way, and was about the same price as a 32bit P4 rig would have been.

This was supplied today from one of the cheapest online stores in this country.

2 x 512M PC3200 DDR RAM Kingston

Here's my stuff, it's really cheap, even with the BRAND SPANKIN NEW X800 XT Platinum Edition! That isn't out yet...

My stuff...

512x2 XMS Extreme Corsair Memory------

I think you misread my post Anagnos, I actually did it for $1312 US dollars at todays exchange rate, with the graphics card, DVD burner and monitor, and it's not a wish list, by the time you read this it will probably be delivered.

I'm getting this in Australia, where things are comparitively more expensive, I imagine in the US I'd be able to do quite a bit better, but alas, I'm not.

Don't know where your going to get the money for that beauty Anagnos. I'm still looking for some improvements to my aging machine. I'll probably just get an Athlon XP2000+ which is the highest my current board will take. There was one on an eBay Store for $50US.

No, it's the same rig, The low price is in US dollars, the high price is what my freind actually went to the bank and paid in Ozzie dollars for his new PC, delivered.

Where did you order them from?

From here in Australia: www.umart.com.au