Budget Gaming/Business Computer

[notorious]

It's time to replace a computer I built back in 2003 for Half-Life 2.

I need a new computer, preferably a build, that will run today's games passibly. I will also run Works and Quickbooks Pro.


I would like to use my old hard drive which is a measly 30 gb 7200rpm so that I can still use XP, and use an external HD for storage. If new games won't run on XP, I don't want to waste money on an operating system if I can buy a ready built computer that includes it.


My two options:

1. Build from scratch but use old XP op system

2. Buy normal desktop but upgrade the graphics card


Side question: Is AMD or Intel better for gaming?

I like Tigerdirect or Newegg unless there is another trustworthy place out there.

Any suggestions are welcome. Thank You.

[notorious]

How about this:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...26128&CatId=14

All that it needs is HD, Vid Card, and new power supply with my old case.

[Jenson71]

Originally Posted by Frosty

I'm in the same boat as I need to upgrade one of my computers. I don't play games on it but my boys do and they have been bitching about how they can only play older games on it.

I have a nice case and new 500W power supply, so I just want to get a mobo, processor, ram, video card and maybe a hard drive (500G in there now). What is the best bang for the buck processor these days?

COOLEST MOM EVER

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by Literature

COOLEST MOM EVER

[Jenson71]

Originally Posted by Frosty

I thought you were getting a new computer so your sons could play new computer games. That's cool.

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by Literature

I thought you were getting a new computer so your sons could play new computer games. That's cool.

I am. I was at the "Mom" comment.

[notorious]

[Jenson71]

Originally Posted by Frosty

I am. I was at the "Mom" comment.

Oh. I thought that was you in your avatar picture there.

[Jenson71]

I feel really awkward about some things now.

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by Literature

Oh. I thought that was you in your avatar picture there.

No, that's the boys' mom, who isn't real excited about spending money to upgrade a computer that "works fine". She's kind of a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" type.

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by Frosty

No, that's the boys' mom, who isn't real excited about spending money to upgrade a computer that "works fine". She's kind of a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" type.

Mom's not nearly as cool as dad.

[Buehler445]

Dump works. Now. Excel, Word, Outlook. Seriously.

[Braincase]

Originally Posted by Saulbadguy

Get one that has "Chip's Challenge" pre-installed.

Screw that... Leisure Suit Larry!

[Braincase]

Originally Posted by Buehler445

Dump works. Now. Excel, Word, Outlook. Seriously.

Today, you really need to move to Office 2010 at a minimum if you must use Microsoft Apps. Otherwise, take a look at a SkyDrive and an Office365 account, or consider the Google solution.

[Saulbadguy]

Originally Posted by Braincase

Today, you really need to move to Office 2010 at a minimum if you must use Microsoft Apps. Otherwise, take a look at a SkyDrive and an Office365 account, or consider the Google solution.

+1 for Skydrive. Love it.

[hometeam]

There are no good games that can fit on a 30gb HDD, especially some old slow POS one. In fact, you could build an excellent system, throw your old HDD in it, and get terrible, terrible performance with your HD as the bottleneck.

Build yourself a new computer. If your going budget, get your self a bargain case and mobo, i5 2500k, 560ti, 8gb cheap ram, bargain PSU, and at LEAST a 1tb HDD. KABAM done deal.