Sooooo, ya. I know. Before I get into this please don't say "I told you so". I am not getting a PC desktop because I now think Macs are crap. I am getting one due to other stuff. My dad's Mac finally gave up it's life after many years... He took mine over after I just got it. I don't have much money. I just spent what I had with my 16th B-Day on clothes, school supplies, and a computer chair. I am not to familier with PCs. I just need some advice on what to choose. What I am looking for in meh new PC: A desktop (no built in display) At least 8GB RAM (4 is fine if I can upgrade later) at least 400GB HDD or SSD Able to record MC at 40 FPS A decent graphics card. Maybe play COD or BF3 at minimum graphics or medium... (A 500MB+ graphics card would work) A pre-built desktop. USB 2.0 minimum Windows 7 CPU isn't a big thing. Just something decent. I honestly don't know squat about CPU stuff... I really want to chase animation and film making as a career. I mostly use Premiere Pro and Blender 3D for my stuff. I have realized that these specific programs aren't very 'mac friendly'. To sum it up I need Good RAM, reliable, under 525$, able to play video games (low graphics). And of course render movies and no major over heating problems... the only video game I plan to play are BF3, Minecraft, and BF4. Any help would be great. I was thinking Lenovo, I have heard good things about them in general. Here is what I had in mind: http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/desktops/thinkcentre/m-series-towers/m78/ All I need with the computer is a keyboard. If it does not come with one, no loss
I would probably recommend browsing EBay or your local computer store if a pre built is what you're after. PCs aren't like Macs, we don't have a single manufacturer with a universal store to browse, although I'm guessing that from the link you've already realised this. I'll just work through the list so you know what is what with it all. A desktop (no built in display) - Do not go with "all-in-one-computers", nuff said. RAM - These are the sticks of PCB in the computer. 4gb then upgrading should be your path to go, seeing as these people are charging $160 to make it 8gb; RAM is literally one of the cheapest components in the PC and are a piece of cake to install yourself. You'll save a fair bit of money if you DIY, again, refer to local computer store. It should also be worth noting at this point, that computer stores can and will charge you for installing components like a stick of RAM. Not that much to say on the storage front, 500gb seems to be the norm for cheaper computers. A decent graphics card. This is where the money saved on RAM should go, I would recommend going for at least a gig minimum. Trust me, it'll be better in the long run and you'll spend less time worrying about the minimum specs on the back of game boxes. Unless you're playing Crysis. USB 2.0 minimum. You would have to be searching really hard to buy a prebuilt PC with 1.0; the newer ones ship with 3.0 now, so you may get lucky. Windows 7. Same as the USB thing, most if not all PC will sell with 7 or 8. CPU, looking at the one you have in the link, it's a dual core; now while that's not too shabby and alright for your needs; they have the quad-core for only $30 more, this may be something you want to consider... All in all, my advice is to browse around. and deffs check out your local PC stores. EDIT: Also don't go with integrated graphics, they're there to make your background look pretty and not to play games. Always have a dedicated GPU.
And as Sharq said, DIY is generally cheaper (and also pretty easy, just stick the right plug in the right hole and you're good to go)
wow, you really helped me out bud Thanks! The advice you have given me is muy muy importante! I have been scouring components. I think you might be right. DIY seems pretty good. I have found a good tutorial for a 400$ Gaming set up. Still debating though. I wouldn't mind making one. Any one have any ideas on how long they usually take to make (I am a little impatient )? My guess is that making a smallish computer shouldn't take more than 3 days when I have all the parts.
ehh once you have all the COMPATIBLE parts. Then it takes given you know what your doing 2hrs. Not including drivers and such.
Install the drivers from the disk before you go to the interwebs for the latest version. It saves roughly 3000000000 headaches. #Experience (Finding the right drivers on the web can be a pain)
So here is what I am thinking: Honestly, I am fine playing BF3 - BF4 with 720p and medium to low graphics... I just need to know how this will fare with Minecraft... What FPS with vanilla Minecraft (fast + far)