Advice on 2nd Gaming computer for my home?

[Guest]

Hi everyone. I'm planning on buying a second computer for the home (setting
up 2 computer home network for a broadband connection) using Windows Xp
again. Should I go for XP Home or Pro? I know some people will suggest
building my own computer, but I'm really not that computer savvy. I was
wondering if anybody had any links to fair, trustworthy companies or
businesses that would customize a decent, moderately priced gaming PC for me
(w/ flat monitor)? Preferrably, with great warranties, prices and customer
service (preferrably ones that don't outsource out of America and speak
english- like Dell does) other than Gateway, HP, etc.? Does CompUSA or
Bestbuy customize gaming PC's for you?
Summed up, I'm looking for new computer decently priced for mainly gaming,
internet and the usual casual personal computing, etc. As far as specifics on
the computer- I'm looking into getting an Athlon chip (not sure which one
would be best, but I'd really like to stay away from Intel), an Nvidea
Graphics Card, and Creative Sound card of some sort (no surround sound or
anything like that, I mean 2 speakers are fine to me- at tops 4?). The games
I mainly play are the Sims 2 (big memory hog) some of the newer FPS games,
but I don't really get into the on-line gaming too much. I'd like a nice
DVDs/CDs recorder, maybe 1 GB of RAM, and the Hard Drive.. I dunno, 80 or 160
GB? Does anyone have any advice on what kind of chip, sound card, brand of
computer etc., I should get into?
Thank you so much in advance- I def. a newbie at this stuff.
Jeff

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Hi everyone. I'm planning on buying a second computer for the home
(setting up 2 computer home network for a broadband connection) using
Windows Xp again. Should I go for XP Home or Pro? I

For almost anyone who has to ask this question, the answer is XP Home.

XP Professional and XP Home are exactly the same in all respects, except
that Professional has a few features (mostly related to networking and
security) missing from Home. For most (but not all) home users, even those
with a home network, these features aren't needed, would never be used, and
buying Professional instead of Home is a waste of money.

For details go to
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_home_pro.asp

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/whichxp.asp

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/choosing2.asp

Also note one other point not mentioned on any of those sites: Professional
allows ten concurrent network connections, and Home only five.

know some people
will suggest building my own computer, but I'm really not that
computer savvy.

I hardly ever recommend it. Building a computer is easy, but troubleshooting
it if it doesn't work van be much harder. Unless you're a hobbyist who
enjoys that sort of thing, I think it's worth paying someone else to do it.

I was wondering if anybody had any links to fair,
trustworthy companies or businesses that would customize a decent,
moderately priced gaming PC for me (w/ flat monitor)? Preferrably,
with great warranties, prices and customer service (preferrably ones
that don't outsource out of America and speak english- like Dell
does) other than Gateway, HP, etc.? Does CompUSA or Bestbuy customize
gaming PC's for you?

I think places like like CompUSA and Best Buy are among the worst possible
places to buy a computer. If I were in your shoes, I would start with Dell's
web site, and see what they can do. Get a price for the configuration you
want, and then try small local builders near you to see if they can do
better or even match the price.

 

[Malke]

Hi everyone. I'm planning on buying a second computer for the home
(setting up 2 computer home network for a broadband connection) using
Windows Xp again. Should I go for XP Home or Pro? I know some people
will suggest building my own computer, but I'm really not that
computer savvy. I was wondering if anybody had any links to fair,
trustworthy companies or businesses that would customize a decent,
moderately priced gaming PC for me (w/ flat monitor)? Preferrably,
with great warranties, prices and customer service (preferrably ones
that don't outsource out of America and speak english- like Dell does)
other than Gateway, HP, etc.? Does CompUSA or Bestbuy customize gaming
PC's for you? Summed up, I'm looking for new computer decently priced
for mainly gaming, internet and the usual casual personal computing,
etc. As far as specifics on the computer- I'm looking into getting an
Athlon chip (not sure which one would be best, but I'd really like to
stay away from Intel), an Nvidea Graphics Card, and Creative Sound
card of some sort (no surround sound or anything like that, I mean 2
speakers are fine to me- at tops 4?). The games I mainly play are the
Sims 2 (big memory hog) some of the newer FPS games, but I don't
really get into the on-line gaming too much. I'd like a nice DVDs/CDs
recorder, maybe 1 GB of RAM, and the Hard Drive.. I dunno, 80 or 160
GB? Does anyone have any advice on what kind of chip, sound card,
brand of computer etc., I should get into? Thank you so much in
advance- I def. a newbie at this stuff. Jeff

If you don't need the ability to set advanced permissions and join a
domain, there is no reason to get XP Pro. This has nothing to do with
gaming. Here is a comparison between the versions of XP to help you:

Five Editions of Windows XP Compared -
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/evaluation/compare.mspx

For more information about gaming computers, I'd look for reviews on
some of sites such as Gamespot, Tom's Hardware, Gamers.com, even
Slashdot.

Malke

 

[antioch]

Join a few gaming forums - they nearly always show their 'rigs' with full
specs. Let them know what games you intend to play - you will get so much
advice you may not know what to do with it.
As I cannot tell, which country are you in.
Rgds
Antioch

 

[Guest]

Hello,
Visit http://www.morelpc.com/
A small good builder of gaming machines.
This will give you some idea concerning "gaming machines".

Look to the near future concerning operating systems and the hardware needs
of the new operating systems. Purchase the system that will be able to use
all the features of a new operating system.

If you are buying soon then WindowsXP Home is a good choice, you will be
able to upgrade.

take care.
beamish.

 

[Guest]

Thank you all for helping me out here. I appreciate all the advice you guys
have given me. Thank you so much!