I NEED A COMPUTER

[Magus]

It's been like 4 years since I bought this hunka junk so I'm in the market for a new one.

Problem is, I'M A DUMMY and I haven't kept up on new tech or anything.

SO I HEAR YOU GUYS USE COMPUTERS. What do you suggest?

I'm looking for a desktop that's FAST and will be able to play Team Fortress 2 and Starcraft 2 and all those other neat games.

SO UHHHHHH where should i look lol

[Magus]

Re: I NEED A COMPUTER

WAIT NEVERMIND

LAPTOPS VS. DESKTOPS

ROUND ONE

FIGHT

[IRC]

Re: I NEED A COMPUTER

I perfer the mouse of a desktop but these days you can get laptops that are powerful enough to double as a desktop. Just keep all your peripheals for your current set up and buy a 80gb laptop if you want something that you can take with you.

I don't know a laptop could handle Starcraft 2 though so maybe you should go desktop for that.

[thetruecoolness]

Re: I NEED A COMPUTER

Custom built, that's the way to go . Other than that I have no idea, I've always built my own desktop, because it's pretty easy and if you know what you're looking for you can get all quality parts and still save some money. Of course I get Windows for free through my job so I don't have to worry about buying that.

[Magus]

Re: I NEED A COMPUTER

I think that's what I'll be doing, getting a speedy, fat desktop, since I'll be staying put for a while.

I figure all you dudes have lots of experiences with different brands, judging by the Laptops vs. Desktops topic.

So what do you guys recommend?

What should I steer clear of?

[John Mora]

Re: I NEED A COMPUTER

If you want it for gaming, don't get a laptop. It's next to impossible to upgrade graphics cards.

[thetruecoolness]

Re: I NEED A COMPUTER

Once I build my new computer this weekend I can give you the list if you're interested in building your own, once I make sure it all fits in the minicase (well about half the size of a mid tower).

[Sezjeuric]

Re: I NEED A COMPUTER

What should I steer clear of?

CANADA!

[IRC]

Re: I NEED A COMPUTER

Eh, I with with a dell because it was $700. Although I've alwayse heard that they cram it with everything they possibly can and slow you down the only thing I couldn't get rid of was something called iDevil. But it's version 6.66 so I figured I'd keep it. I think it does something with spam mail.

[Magus]

Re: I NEED A COMPUTER

Once I build my new computer this weekend I can give you the list if you're interested in building your own, once I make sure it all fits in the minicase (well about half the size of a mid tower).

The list? Whucha mean?

CANADA!

HONK HONK.

[Caciss]

Re: I NEED A COMPUTER

According to the Blizzard mission statement, Starcraft isn't as big on graphical complexity as some other recent strategy games. For that reason, it's already running as smoothly as butter in high resolution, likely 1680x1050 on widescreen monitors on the demo machines here. (Admittedly, those machines have beefy, two-slot video cards--likely GeForce 8800s--and a massive amount of memory because all four DIMM slots are visibly filled.) However, don't take that as a negative; this is a beautiful game. The units and terrain were already showing off as much detail as you would want out of a strategy game like this one. Signature Blizzard touches, such as a highly polished interface and animated unit portraits--now in full 3D, also rounded out the impressive presentation. Look for new video of the game to hit GameSpot during BlizzCon to get a new look at the game for yourself.

But really, I don't know much about computer hardware.

[Sezjeuric]

Re: I NEED A COMPUTER

HONK HONK.

Well, we DO have our own breed of geese. Our dollar coin is even called the Loonie. Jeeze, for someone who hates Canada so much, you sure do know a lot.

On the topic, I use a laptop, Karr uses a desktop. I don't have a problem with storage as I am not hardcore into games like the rest of you, although I have thousands of pictures on here. Mobility is a HUGE plus.

[Alex]

Re: I NEED A COMPUTER

Starcraft 2 is being developed for OS X.

[thetruecoolness]

Re: I NEED A COMPUTER

The list? Whucha mean?

The parts I went with, though I wasn't really going for an top of the line system it should still be pretty fast.

But if you do want to learn about what parts to get, or what's new www.anandtech.com is a pretty good place. Especially their buyers guides http://www.anandtech.com/guides/showdoc.aspx?i=2973. Though this is if you want to go the custom route, which means not a whole lot of bundled software, but also not all the crap that comes with most premades either, plus going custom is typically easier to upgrade. As for which is cheaper that depends, if you go really low end typically premades are going to be cheaper while at the highend a custom made system can save you up to half. Though if you pick out the parts yourself or have someone help you, you ensure you get quality parts throughout (as premades typicall skimp somewhere normally on power supplies and memory, and sometimes video).