Cheap Gaming Desktops?

[PSY]

Okay, this is NOT meant to be a rant. =P I really am looking for advice in this thread.

ANYWAY. My wonderful boyfriend shows me how to play some of his computer games from time to time. A few weeks ago, I played TF2... and was hooked. xD His roommate was showing me how to snipe correctly and all that jazz, and we all had a great time.

Well, it turns out my boyfriend had created a Steam account for me several months ago, and had slowly been adding games to it. This past weekend, he gave me the username/password. <3 I downloaded TF2, was STOKED OUT OF MY MIND and couldn't WAIT to play with my boyfriend and his roommate...

And it wouldn't work. I mean, I could get on, but the graphics were horrible. It laaaaaaaaaagged, too. After doing some research, I've concluded that my laptop's Mobile Intel 965 Express Chipset was NOT meant for gaming. D= I've been able to play games like Shaiya in the past, but apparently, I can't play Steam games. It doesn't recognize my video card. =(

So now I pretty much have to get another computer, just to play video games, because I can't upgrade the video card in my laptop. =/ I want to get the cheapest thing possible... which means a desktop, right? I don't really know where to start. I mean, I'm going to ask my boyfriend for help, since he built his own, but I'd like to hear your guys' opinions. Any good websites out there, if I want to go with a pre-made computer? If so, what model(s) would you recommend? Video cards? Windows version (I currently have XP)?

And... am I completely out of my mind for not wanting to spend more than, say, $500 (tax & S+H included) for a decent desktop gaming computer? xD I already have the monitor, keyboard, and mouse (my laptop has a docking station, so it pretty much is already treated like a desktop computer), so all I really need is the computer itself. My boyfriend spent around $1000 for his, but that was for the monitor and extra stuff that I don't think I'll need. =P

[captain_obvious]

http://www1.maximumpc.com/article/fe...647?page=1%2C1

I don't know if the link works or not, but there was an article in Maximum PC a few months ago about building a cheap gaming pc with windows 7 for $650. I would also see if you or your bf knows a college student who is studying anything IT related because the college might have a program where IT students could get a legit copy of windows for free. If that's possible, then you could shave off about $150 from your costs.

[Singing to the starlight]

Your boyfriend making it would probably be the best. The problem with cheap gaming computers is that in a year they won't run the new games that come out. I'm also struggling buying a gaming pc myself, stupid lack of monies.

[King Of Iron Fist]

http://computers.toptenreviews.com/gaming/
this will help you
or u can choose a
video card with 1 gb memory or 512 mb
processor core 2 duo or i3 (3.00 ghz recommended ) or 2.50 ghz
ram more then 2 gb
and hard disk 160gb , 180gb, 320gb
in this configuation u can play games

[Alrex]

Yeah, get your bf to custom make one for you

You can save a LOT of money

NEVER buy already built computers from bestbuy or something.

[Union Of V]

As everyone has said, build it yourself and you'll end up with a pretty mean rig. Just in case your boyfriend's like a lot of the gamers I come across, tell him to build an AMD-ATI rig. You'll save money, even if he hates it

[David]

Get your boyfriend to build you one. You should buy all your parts over the internet, its cheaper than buying them from a shop.

[ThrashAttack]

This is why i think the Pc is the worst Gaming Platform

[Union Of V]

Originally Posted by ThrashAttack

This is why i think the Pc is the worst Gaming Platform

£400 = better graphics. And you can use it as a PC

[J4K3]

Gaming PC's you get what you pay for.. Dell XPS are cheap(ish) mass produced pc's.. Ive got an allienware A51.. Its perfect. Building your own custom would work too..

[ThrashAttack]

£400 = better graphics. And you can use it as a PC

I do agree that you get more out of them, but i think ill just stick with my ol 360 and xbl

[Union Of V]

Originally Posted by ThrashAttack

I do agree that you get more out of them, but i think ill just stick with my ol 360 and xbl

And you have every reason to, just try not to puch the "fact" that PC's are inferior. Many people simply don't know enough about gaming to dismiss your opinion.

[Power Cosmic]

Ayye, I mean, I like PCs the most gaming-wise. And they've got the most versatility, more value for money and stuff, but yes, they can be a bit more complicated.
I actually remember reading somewhere about how we should be buying young children who want to play games PCs, since then if something goes wrong, they figure out how to fix it themselves and learn basic IT skills. Hell, that's actually how I started getting interesting in computers, when one day back in the day, this game I wanted to play was asking me for something called 'Direct X7" >.>. .

Anyways, in answer to the OP, I'm agreeing with Basil here, if you have a boyfriend who makes his own rigs, take advantage of that resource . Advise him to get an AMD processor/graphics, it'll probably be cheaper than an Intel/Nvidia, and would satisfy your requirements. Also, I have to applaud your taste in games ^_^

[PSY]

Sorry for the late reply, guys. D= It's been a busy couple of days. =P

Thank you so much for your input! =) I fiddled around with some settings (ex. lowering video quality, changing launch options for Steam), but nothing seems to make TF2 run better. SOME Steam games ARE running on my laptop, but they're very simple ones. =( Oh well, at least they'll keep me busy until I can save up the money to buy the parts for a sick desktop computer. xD

I will definitely take advantage of my boyfriend. <3 He's an electric engineering and computer science major, so I'm almost certain that I can get a free copy of Windows 7. =D I'll also pass along your recommendations for AMD and the other specifications. To be honest, the biggest problem is the graphics card... my laptop has 2 GB of RAM and plenty of space, as well as a Duo 2 processor, so everything else is more-or-less up for the challenge. =/

I've heard about how quickly pre-made desktop computers can go out-of-date, so I'll definitely try to steer clear of that option. I don't mind waiting a few weeks for him to get around to building the darned thing, if it means I get the best deal for my buck. =O

I loooooove TF2! xD Seriously cannot wait to play that game. <3 Janos, do you have it as well? We should totally become friends on Steam! Haha.

Thanks again to everyone for your help! <333 Feel free to close this thread, I'll post again if I need more help from you awesome techies. =D

[Power Cosmic]

Na, I don't have it myself, just played it at various mates' and stuff.
Also, yay for steam friendness ^^.

Thread closed since the OP's question is anwered =)