Need a new (less expensive) computer (and want BF3)

I own a G73 with the 460M. It's not anywhere near as fast as my 2-3year old AMD quad core black edition 3.4gig running dual 8800gts overclocked editions.

And you can buy that set up for less than the G73 right now. Ebay and newegg are your friends. Building it yourself is easy. Chances are you know someone who can help you in trade for a 6 pack of suds.

 

It's even tougher with big hands - I get so frustrated sometimes.

Needle nose pliers (with caution) are my tool of choice for those.

Fink

 

^ ^ This.

Hell, OP, if you have FaceTime I'd be more than happy to walk you through it.

Fink

 

I used a hammer

 

I prefer to use my bare hands...



Fink

 

Lifehacker did a pretty nice write up on how to build one not too long ago

http://lifehacker.com/5828747/how-to-build-a-computer-from-scratch-the-complete-guide

 

me too

 

I have a PS3 for gaming. Our computer is 5 years old and starting to make noise so it's time for a new one. I just figured if we're getting a new one I might as well get one that will run the new games coming out. I've heard BF3 on a high end computer looks phenomenal as will Skyrim I'm sure.

Thanks for all the comments guys, I wasn't expecting this many. After reading through them I think I will take a crack at building my own. I think I'll read up on it for a few weeks and then build it.

 

good choice. now just a few tips from what I learned. I would go for the I5 2500K intel processor. thats the one I got and it is awesome, especially since so many people have good luck overclocking it (I don't plan on doing that for reliability reasons). You can go for the i7 but I dont think its worth the price increase. Also for gaming, go for a high end graphics card. (spend over 200 on this part). Also for the hard drive spring for a western digital caviar black in whatever size you need (its fast/high quality).

Also I would go for a motherboard that is SLI/Crossfire ready (that is when you have 2 graphics cards running at once). Other than that, just make sure all the parts are compatible and enjoy.

Here's a list of all the parts you will need:
CPU
Motherboard
Hard drive
Case
Power supply
DVD drive (the cheapest one you can find, mine was $20)
OS (windows 7 home edition is a good one)
Graphics card

Take a look at tomshardware.com. you can post up the build you are planning and they will help you out.

I am a computer noob so if I missed anything someone please let me know.

 

I have a G73 with the radeon 5870.
It might handle BF3 but only on medium settings.
Great laptop and my fav purchase this year by far.

 

You can build a computer that will play anything out there for less than $700 easy.

 

Curious what your windows experience index is with your 460m over my 5870.
Running 8 gig of ram at 3.0ghz. I'm pulling a 5.9 with my lowest being my HDD. Everything else is 7.3.

 

get a ssd

my hard disc score is 7.9.

 

I own both the ati and nvidia versions, and yes the index scores are awesome except for the stock hdd. But my points I made in my 2nd post are still valid, all the biased laptop haters don't know how to work it, And a good laptop won't lower clock speed to keep the temp down, most newer ones come with multi ranged rpm fans so if it gets on the hot side it can auto adjust or you can set it yourself. I haven't played a game (besides crysis, which I've not played) that my g73 didn't run smooth on.

 

Lol I mean I'm not a laptop hater...I just don't see the point in a gaming one over a desktop. I've gamed on a laptop before and I had the screen burn out, of all things, in just over a year. I'll stick to my desktop, which is a breeze to add components to, and allows for watercooling components and multiple fans. I think I have 8 or so, not counting the ones on my intercooler =D

 

good choice you'll have fun doing it too! Just dont cheap on the power supply or motherboard. For the graphics card I would go with an HD 6950 or a GTX 560ti. either of those will run BF3 and Skyrim Beautifully.

 

dont get me wrong i love desktops, and if i didnt move around so much id prolly own one over my asus. but someone wanted these so here you go:

This is my G73 with nvidia chip set:



here is my g73 with ati chip set:

 

Also building a computer is scary at first then it's quite simple, find out if you like Intel or AMD, just google 'intel vs amd' and youll get 1 hundred billion results, then you need to find out if you are an nvidia guy or an ati guy. that will be the back bone of the system.

 

Right because you never have to upgrade your console...? I don't know of many Super Nintendos that will play Forza...

 

Props to you on the laptop if it serves your needs. I would consider a laptop if I didn't already have one for school...I almost exclusively use my desktop for gaming and photo-editing.