Pre-built mid-level gaming PC

[PHiZ]

Hello, a friend is in the market to purchase a mid-level gaming PC. I do not have time to build it for her, and I am looking for recommendations where to purchase online. This is funny because I have always built my own computers, so I have no idea how to go about purchasing a pre-built system.

My intuition is that I want to avoid OEM computer manufactures (Dell/Sony/Alienware). I want someone to build a PC with off the shelf components...


1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Mid level gaming. Spore, The Sims, many some first person shooters.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
$1000-$1200 hopefully with a flatscreen.

3) Where do you live?
New York City

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
Case, power supply, all internals, monitor. Not worried about keyboard/mouse can get those anywhere.

6) Will you be overclocking?
No.

7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
19in. low refresh, need to purchase.

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
One month.

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
Onboard surround sound. No exotic needs here.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?
No.

Thanks in advance.
-PHiZ

 

[engiNURD]

You'll probably need a higher budget for a boutique builder, and you should ask a mod to move this into the Computers & Gadgets Subforum instead of GenHard.

If she can't afford anything higher, you'll most likely have to settle for Dell, which actually isn't a bad thing. I saw a Studio XPS for around $1k yesterday. Check gotapex.com for dell deals, or slickdeals, bensbargains, etc.

http://bensbargains.net/deal/94516/

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellst...=CJ&cid=24471&lid=566643&acd=10495476-404255-
Dell Home has the Studio XPS Desktop configured with Blu-Ray BD-ROM + DVD+/-RW Dual Drives, Dell S2309W 23" Widescreen LCD Monitor, Radeon HD 4670 512MB to reach $1399 - 20% off coupon code $98LK5FHTK2NW$ [Exp 2/28] = $1095 with free shipping.

# Intel Core i7-920 (8MB L2 Cache, 2.66GHz), 3GB Tri-Channel DDR3
# 500GB SATA Hard Drive, BD-ROM, 16x DVD+-RW, 512MB ATI Radeon HD 4670
# Dell USB Keyboard & Laser Mouse, 7.1ch Audio, Vista Home Premium