Any suggestions for prebuilts in two ranges 1)under $1,000.00 and 2)under $2,000.00 to run PvP on GW and GW2?
Please no comments in the line of "Dont Buy Pre-Built"
T
Pre-Built Computer Recommends
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I won't give any specific recommendations, but just read a few of the other threads on here about building a system to get an idea of what should be included.
There's little point in giving specific recommendations, because I don't know where you live, what computers are available to you, what you want, etc.
But, generally speaking, for either price range, I'd give a few general guidelines.
- most modern cpus are more than capable of handling almost anything you throw at them, so it doesn't matter which brand you get (AMD or Intel). You need to google test scores for various processors to make a choice between like-priced systems, but the differences are usually small. However, look for a system with a new cpu - Phenom, Core 2, Core i7 instead of an older Athlon or Pentium.
- RAM is cheapish these days - get at least 3gig
- Again, google GPUs (graphics chips/cards) to get relative test scores, but in the long run, try to get something with a newer GPU - ATI 38xx, 48xx or nVidia 9xxx or GTX 260/280. Don't get anything with on-board graphics.
- Hard drive size or speed doesn't really matter. Only worry about it when trying to decide when all else is equal. All newer hard drives are plenty big enough and fast enough, and if you find yourself running out of HD space later on, you can always add another hard drive (internal or external).
- Same thing with optical drives, keyboard, mouse etc. Get whatever you like the sound of.
- The specifics of the motherboard don't really matter, except perhaps on the very low end ($500). And again, no on-board video only. (Some systems may have on-board plus a separate card.)
- Sound - frankly speaking, on-board sound is fine for most purposes.
And, try to stay away from low end cheap stuff. The closest thing I'd come to a recommendation is to say - check out Gateway, they have some nice stuff at good prices (but so do others.)
There's little point in giving specific recommendations, because I don't know where you live, what computers are available to you, what you want, etc.
But, generally speaking, for either price range, I'd give a few general guidelines.
- most modern cpus are more than capable of handling almost anything you throw at them, so it doesn't matter which brand you get (AMD or Intel). You need to google test scores for various processors to make a choice between like-priced systems, but the differences are usually small. However, look for a system with a new cpu - Phenom, Core 2, Core i7 instead of an older Athlon or Pentium.
- RAM is cheapish these days - get at least 3gig
- Again, google GPUs (graphics chips/cards) to get relative test scores, but in the long run, try to get something with a newer GPU - ATI 38xx, 48xx or nVidia 9xxx or GTX 260/280. Don't get anything with on-board graphics.
- Hard drive size or speed doesn't really matter. Only worry about it when trying to decide when all else is equal. All newer hard drives are plenty big enough and fast enough, and if you find yourself running out of HD space later on, you can always add another hard drive (internal or external).
- Same thing with optical drives, keyboard, mouse etc. Get whatever you like the sound of.
- The specifics of the motherboard don't really matter, except perhaps on the very low end ($500). And again, no on-board video only. (Some systems may have on-board plus a separate card.)
- Sound - frankly speaking, on-board sound is fine for most purposes.
And, try to stay away from low end cheap stuff. The closest thing I'd come to a recommendation is to say - check out Gateway, they have some nice stuff at good prices (but so do others.)
I will assume you live in the United States and can buy from Newegg.
Under $1000
Open Box: CyberpowerPC Gamer Ultra 9214
CyberpowerPC Gamer Ultra 7512
iBUYPOWER Gamer Extreme 931E
The first model - "CyberpowerPC Gamer Ultra 9214" - would perform best in games as it has the fastest video card, however it is an open box product.
Under $2000
iBUYPOWER Gamer Supreme 962i
Great CPU: Core i7 920 (just released)
Great amount and speed of memory too: 6GB DDR3 1333 (can't comment on quality though)
Great video card: nvidia GTX260.
Great chipset: X58 (although I'm not sure on the board itself)
It looked like the best under $2000 PC on newegg: the others had weaker graphics/video cards and/or Core 2 Quads. Core 2 Quad aint slow, but Core i7 is newer and quicker.
All of those PCs would play Guild Wars on max settings. All the PCs with a GTX260 would play Guild Wars 2 on max settings. The 9800GT PCs would play Guild Wars easily, but maybe not everything max.
Under $1000
Open Box: CyberpowerPC Gamer Ultra 9214
CyberpowerPC Gamer Ultra 7512
iBUYPOWER Gamer Extreme 931E
The first model - "CyberpowerPC Gamer Ultra 9214" - would perform best in games as it has the fastest video card, however it is an open box product.
Under $2000
iBUYPOWER Gamer Supreme 962i
Great CPU: Core i7 920 (just released)
Great amount and speed of memory too: 6GB DDR3 1333 (can't comment on quality though)
Great video card: nvidia GTX260.
Great chipset: X58 (although I'm not sure on the board itself)
It looked like the best under $2000 PC on newegg: the others had weaker graphics/video cards and/or Core 2 Quads. Core 2 Quad aint slow, but Core i7 is newer and quicker.
All of those PCs would play Guild Wars on max settings. All the PCs with a GTX260 would play Guild Wars 2 on max settings. The 9800GT PCs would play Guild Wars easily, but maybe not everything max.
Hehe - I just replaced my in-laws E-Machine with a custom built desktop. They had 2 E-Machines in the last 3 years... the second was even more craptastic than the first and the are both dead as a door nail now. 
www.cyberpowerpc.com & www.alienware.com might be good bets for you to check out.
www.cyberpowerpc.com & www.alienware.com might be good bets for you to check out.
Under $1000
Smart G31 Gaming System
Under $2000
Savvy P45 Gaming System
Configure according to Quaker's advice. Also, the iBUYPOWER Gamer Supreme 962i that Evil Genius linked looks like a great deal.
Smart G31 Gaming System
Under $2000
Savvy P45 Gaming System
Configure according to Quaker's advice. Also, the iBUYPOWER Gamer Supreme 962i that Evil Genius linked looks like a great deal.
My first PC was pre-built but it sprung to building the whole thing myself very fast.
My suggest after doing this already is to get something that does not come with an OS and use your own or purchase it yourself. This drops the price significantly (they have to pay for the license) which allows you to get a nicer machine.
I orginially got mine with a PSU, CPU, Mobo, and Case the rest I added.
I would also advise against 64 bit OS the drivers are all premature it seems especially on GPU's (I suffered a lot on my old 1950Pro and even more on crossfire setups).
pink
My suggest after doing this already is to get something that does not come with an OS and use your own or purchase it yourself. This drops the price significantly (they have to pay for the license) which allows you to get a nicer machine.
I orginially got mine with a PSU, CPU, Mobo, and Case the rest I added.
I would also advise against 64 bit OS the drivers are all premature it seems especially on GPU's (I suffered a lot on my old 1950Pro and even more on crossfire setups).
pink