New to PC gaming

[Gojira Prime]

Well i am new to PC gaming and I'm looking for a PC to buy. As of now im playing on a mid grade laptop (I think) and i would like to get a desktop to play PS2. Problem is that I have no idea what ia m looking for. So if anyone knows of some desktops for 600-850$ that can play PS2 on med to high settings plz send a link or two my way.

[Rbstr]

This is cross-post in reference to the computer you posted in the other thread:
Not a particularly good buy. If we're talking no other options but to buy something premade:
The only AMD CPU worth buying in a gaming PC is that FX-4100 ($50 cheaper than that 6-core), but it still gets beat by an Intel i3 2120.
That graphics card is pretty low on the totem pole. Have a look here: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html
as far as ibuypower: Use that $50 saved on the CPU (and an extra 10 from doping the liquid cooling too) to upgrade to the AMD 6870. The next best/cheapest upgrade is to the AMD 7850 for $155.

Best option? Put together a computer yourself.

[Gojira Prime]

lol well like I said I have no idea what I'm looking for, so I have no idea how to put one together. If you know a good build plz share

[Rbstr]

We have a sticky about recommendation threads. Please fill it out.

[Bags]

Guide I followed to build:
P1: Gaming PC Build instructions (Step by Step) Part 1 - YouTube
P2: Gaming PC Build instructions (Step by Step) Part 2 - YouTube

Newegg's guide: Newegg TV: How To Build a Computer - Part 2 - The Build - YouTube


Answer these questions and someone will put together a part list for you:

1. Are you building this computer yourself or having one built for you (Like HP, Alienware, or even a small shop)?

2. What is your budget and does that include shipping/taxes?

3. Where do you live (Please list town, state, and country)?

4. What do you need this computer to do (like gaming, Photoshop, and so on)?

5. What parts will you need for the computer? List what parts specifically, saying you need everything will not do.

6. Are you reusing any parts for this computer? If so say what parts (make and model).

7. What kind of monitor/resolution do you have or want to get to use for the computer?

8. Do you have already have a OS or do you need one? What OS is that?

9. What are you looking for the motherboard to have feature wise? Like SLI, Crossfire, Firewire, USB 3.0, Sata 6.0 Gb/s, and so on.

10. Any plans to overclock the CPU or GPU?

11. What time kind of time frame are you planning on ordering these parts?

[Gojira Prime]

1. Are you building this computer yourself or having one built for you (Like HP, Alienware, or even a small shop)?
Would like to buy but I can try to build one if it is really that much cheaper.

2. What is your budget and does that include shipping/taxes?
500-800$ with shipping and taxes

3. Where do you live (Please list town, state, and country)?
Tomball, Texas

4. What do you need this computer to do (like gaming, Photoshop, and so on)?
This machine will only serve to play PS2

5. What parts will you need for the computer? List what parts specifically, saying you need everything will not do.
everything

6. Are you reusing any parts for this computer? If so say what parts (make and model).
no

7. What kind of monitor/resolution do you have or want to get to use for the computer?
max resolution most likely 22inch

8. Do you have already have a OS or do you need one? What OS is that?
need one

9. What are you looking for the motherboard to have feature wise? Like SLI, Crossfire, Firewire, USB 3.0, Sata 6.0 Gb/s, and so on.
USB 3.0

10. Any plans to overclock the CPU or GPU?
no

11. What time kind of time frame are you planning on ordering these parts?
will buy in Setember

[Rbstr]

Dude, that purple is eyecancer.

22inch isn't a resolution. Go to your display settings and find out what the resolution is, if you already have the monitor. It'll be 800x600 or 1680x1080 or something in that style. The physical size doesn't matter, it's the number of pixels.

List what parts specifically, saying you need everything will not do.
everything
So Keyboard, mouse, headphones, speakers, monitor too? Be specific. If you need all of these things it will have a huge impact on the rest of the system.

[Vancha]

You can learn a lot about computers in a month.

[Minigun]

You can learn a lot about computers in a month.

This.

Just doing my own research and from the helpful information from these guys I learned a bunch of things. I am in no way an expert now but i definitely have the general understanding and knowledge down now.

It only goes up from here.

Building is definitely the way to go but you have to have the want.

[Duskguy]

it wa build my own computer as i have not bothered with PCs in around 5 years and was so far out of date it would be safer to bang my head against a wall.

http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/
builds computers to your specifications for reasonable prices.

they are also having a back to school sale on a few items such as the gamer dragon which is on sale for $700. http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/Gamer_Dragon/

i based my build off of that and got a decent gaming rig that has space to spare to upgrade. and it still only cost me $800 plus shipping.
made a thread asking about possible upgrades and whether i should bother in the following thread. but in relevance to this thread, i have the specs of the computer listed which may help you in building/ buying a computer.
http://www.planetside-universe.com/showthread.php?t=46758

now of course it would be cheaper to build it yourself, but you would have to have the time and dedcation to search out the best performance to price for each piece and look into finding the cheapest price for the pieces you decide on. and then once you get them you need to of course take the time to assemble the rig, and test it to make sure the pieces all work correctly with each other.

edit: i did not buy a monitor, speakers, a mouse (freebie), keyboard(freebie), or wireless card for the $800 and went with basic components i can replace or add to later to lower the cost. example: my video card has lots of room at upgrading (additional card) or replacing for a better card. my selected case has room for a bigger powersupply and the motherboard supports upto 32 gigs while i will be running only 8 and likely over clocking them a little. i will also need to buy around $20-$40 worth of cables to hook my pc to my tv and headphones