N3O Age Of Empires and Starcraft 2 Clan

Hi everyone! I know I haven't been on ESO too much lately. Last week I managed a couple games and they were awesome. I thought I would have more time this week, but alas the work gods have not been cooperative. Plus summer has just been exhausting with family visits, gatherings, getaways, blah blah blah. I just want it all to end so I can board myself up in my office and play AOE from morning to night, stopping only to work out, eat, drink and sleep an hour or two

Nonetheless, I am hatching a compelling new plan. I need a place to spend the money I'm making, so why not build a mega new computer? (I don't save; I live ::/ ) AOE isn't really a graphics-heavy (or even CPU-heavy) application anymore, but I want to really go whole-hog on a new machine. After all, I've totally maxed out my current frame, a pathetic Gateway from 2004. The PSU sits on top of the case because it can't fit in the machine itself! So naturally I want something comfortable enough to hold all the modern amenities. For the record, I have an 800-watt PSU already, so I'd like to save some cash on that, at least.

Does anyone have any suggestions about good gaming PCs? I checked a few sites out yesterday. It looks like you can get a decent model for about $1300, but that includes a monitor, which I don't need. And what do you think about graphics cards and memory? Should I get dual video cards? Or is one enough? How much RAM should I have? What kind of motherboard is best? Remember, you're talking to a tech novice here. If you had some cash to play with and you could customize, what would you buy and where would you go?

All suggestions are welcome. I will keep you updated as my new machine begins to take shape!

Build yer own.....shop on Newegg.com for parts.

Seriously, if you can do Legos, or erector sets, you can build your own pretty easily. And if you can scavenge parts from the old one (like the PSU and CD/DVD drive(s)), then you save some there.

A few simple questions first:

What do you NOT need? You listed monitor, but what about - keyboard, mouse, hard drive, OS, case, etc.

Make a list of all the components you require, your needs from the computer you want to build, and then we can establish the range of parts suitable for your budget.

You better get it ready for MW2

Do what Rascal said build your own it cheeper more fun and you get what you want.

I assume you have a monitor, keyboard, mouse and that dreaded 800w psu - everything else is presumably junk! What resolution does the monitor allow and what is your budget. We can then build your dream PC for you ... well we'll choose the biuts and you stick them together ... takes lots of pretty before/after pictures while you're at it!!

This is a fantastic thread since i'm planning to get a new comp on x-mas .

No prob Huggy, i can even help u with shops here

Build an alienware gamer computer...

Would be great to see someone put together a basic matrix:

You the man = X video card + Y Motherboard + Z Ram + etc.
You almost the man = fill in the blank
We'll still play with you, but wish you spent the bucks = fill in the blank
Gendarme class = don't go here.

I'm just kidding Gendarme!

[quote=""36drew""]Build an alienware gamer computer... [/quote]

alienware are the best gaming comps atm... if u got a lot of cash

Well, if you have £10,000 to spare then you could get yourself what is one the best comercialy available PC's on the market:

I give you...... The Great White

This system really rocks, but costs a bomb!!!

Thanks for the responses, guys! I've looked at the Alienware models and they are pretty darn expensive. Still, they are flat-out awesome, too. I like the "Build-your-own" approach and I think I can get all the stuff Alienware offers by cobbling the pieces together myself.

Here's the stuff I can keep:

1. 800 Watt Power Supply (almost brand new)

2. 21-inch Samsung Monitor

3.Wireless Keyboard

4. Wireless Mouse

I think I can replace everything else. And I want to really pimp out the graphics and ram capabilities.

This is going to be fun! In the end, my uhlans might move faster

Case? Operating System?

[quote=""StrokeyBlofeld""]Case? Operating System?[/quote]

I can replace both of those. I have Windows XP now and a very small case. I need a new one to fit all the goodies in.

Do your comparison shopping, Newegg.com & TigerDirect.com are good places to find deals and comparison shop prices.

Also look at Slickdeals.net. They have more than tech deals, there are some good tech deals there too.