Advice on computer choice for gaming

[geekminxen]

We're debating getting a new system but have a very limited budget (yeah, I know, who doesn't). Currently looking at these:

 

 

Asus Essentio Desktop / AMD Phenom™ II X6 Processor / 8GB Memory / 1TB Hard Drive / ATI Radeon 3000, $560

 

Asus Essentio Desktop / AMD Phenom™ II X6 Processor / 8GB Memory / 1TB Hard Drive / ATI 6450, $620

 

Asus Essentio Desktop / Intel® Core™ i7 Processor / 8GB Memory / 1TB Hard Drive / NVIDIA GT 530, $850

 

 

My goal is to be able to play FO3 and FNV with higher definition and less stuttering than our poor current computer (it's ancient and it tries, but...). NO stuttering would be really nice.

 

So main questions are: is the ATI 6450 worth $60 more than the Radeon? And is the i7/530 worth $200 more than either of them?

 

Thanks for any input!

[Illiad86]

Yes, the 6450 is worth more than the 3000 (which one 3450 or something??), the 3000 series is a few generations old now. The 6000 series are the newest ones, have better VRAM and use less power.

 

The i7 is better than the AMD chips...but if you want to save $200, I'd go with the Phenom II x6. The i7 is a quad core, but Intel's chips are a bit better than AMDs. I can't say much about Intel, as I haven't owned one of their chips since the Pentium IV days lol.

 

Problem is, those graphics cards are very low end, they are the cheapest ones you can get pretty much. FO3 and FO:NV will run on them...but not very well IMO. Those cards are really meant for use in Home Theater PCs. Other than it being a separate card and not using your computer's RAM, they're not much better than the current on board video that comes on most motherboards these days.

[Iv000]

As Illiad86 said, If yo have the money go with Intel, even though I always recommend AMD.

Those GPU's are low end, if I may I recommend you get a 6850/6870. They are quite cheap and can play everything on max.

 

Also I don't recommend buying the computer as a whole, but in parts and then you assemble him or let someone do it for you.

In this case, the PC has a great CPU but a very bad GPU. That's only a marketing trick.

 

If you really want to buy one of those, go for the second one with the 6450.

[Illiad86]

I always recommend AMD myself :thumbsup: That 2nd one seems nice, but like he said, you should buy separate parts, most pre-built computers aren't that great. I looked on their website, I'm surprised ASUS would be so vague on what their parts are. I can't tell you if it's really that great. A lot of pre-built computers come with very poor power supplies or they give you very slow parts for too much of a price.

 

BTW, where are you buying this from?

Edited September 3, 2011 by Illiad86

[N3C14R]

What model i7 is it? 920, 875k, 2600k?

 

But for now, I'd go with the X6 + HD6450.

[geekminxen]

Thank you all VERY much for your consideration and input! I've seen two of these machines at a local Best Buy, but better than that, we have a tiny computer store, independently owned, down Main Street from us. I will check there and see if he can do custom builds like you suggest, or if we decide to go with a pre-built Asus, if he can order it in for us.

 

Thanks a LOT! :)

[Fonger]

Thank you all VERY much for your consideration and input! I've seen two of these machines at a local Best Buy,

in that case - go shopping

 

http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/

 

http://www.ibuypower.com/

[Harryjose]

6450 worth more than 3000,as 3000 is little older one...

[samadchaz]

Better is to leave the prebuild. Buy Different Parts and build your own :)

[Erik005]

Ask the man in the little computer store to build a gaming PC for you, suggest the guy to build the computer together so you can learn from him.