Sorry it isn't about games per se, but what they get played on...

Christmas is coming and b/f is dropping MASSIVE hints that he'd like a PC for christmas as his other one is too old.  Now I'm no techie, hence the post....

Anybody know where I can get a decent Games PC, he plays lots of MMORPG's?, and needs really good graphics apparently, I was thinking about getting a Dell or going to PC World, but someone has said that neither are that good, and it may be better to get it from a "specialist", or local company (I live in Bucks),

So if anyone has any advice/suggestions or works for a company that buils them! It would be appreciated.  Similarily if anyone can even suggest a decent it would help as I haven't got a clue what all these different processors and things mean, and when I try and configure one at Dell I click on everything and the PC that was originally £00 turns out to be about £2000!

As for budget, I was thinking up to £1000, but obviously would like to spend a whole lot less!

Samantha

The reason purchasing a computer confuses people is because of the amount of pros and cons to every option. If you want a computer purely for running games then you have to look for a specialised product, not usually provided by a high-street name. It's usually cheaper to get one built by someone who knows what they are doing. Don't accept the usual b.s. from mates that reckon they could cause they've played the Doom series from start to finish, a lot of gamers know a lot about computers but wouldn't have the first clue about building one. Finding someone who can competently do this is a difficult task, so it's only really an option for people with friends with that experience, else you end up with months of making phonecalls to that person wondering why aspects of the computer don't seem to work properly. However, at the end of it you have a completely customised product designed for your needs.

Well known companies such as Dell or PCWorld are going to be slightly more expensive, but the final computer won't be anywhere near as good (as a rule). With Dell, you really need to know what you are ordering as everything is done online, meaning there is nobody to help you buy the machine. PCWorld can talk you through the products available, but from experience I find the workers in high-street stores completely inept at their jobs. However, with both you have the option of professional support, insurance and warranty on the machines you buy. I brought my PC from a high street store, and I am very happy with it, especially since I've upgraded it, but I did have the IT knowledge to be able to bypass the clueless acne covered sales person.

Simply put, only you know which option you can take, so I'm sorry if that's not helpful. I do have one idea for you though. To give you an idea for the specs your b/f's computer will need, grab a few of his game boxes and write down the game requirements on the side. Alternately copy the specs off the following games: World of Warcraft (cause it's the most common MMORPG out there and so I guess he plays it), Half-Life 2 (cause it's requirements are excellent), and Doom 3 (or Quake 4 because they are very demanding on graphics and sound cards). Then take these requirements to whoever is supplying your computer and make sure that this is the criteria that you adhere to. If you do go to a high-street supplier, don't be afraid to haggle prices because regardless of what they tell you there will always be someone who has the authority to lower them for you, and remember that a display model always sells for lower than the boxed ones despite the fact that they don't advertise this and they are the same product.

I hope both of you have a very merry Christmas.

I've just remembered - you're boring, and I've got legs!

A good place to look (the place I got mine from) is:

www.scan.co.uk

 I've managed to put together a machine for £1100 that is pretty good (not the best, but not far off) from their website. It basically a game PC, so its got twin graphics cards, dual core processor and 2 gig of ram, and may be the kin of thing he's after.

hope that helps.

You do have to have some know-how though, just make sure the motherboard supports all the cards etc, and don't overlook anything - I spent 1100 and forgot to buy screws!!

What sort of area of the country are you in ?

I know someone who would be happy to build a machine to what ever spec's you want and/or give advice as to whats needed.

Cheers