Suggestions

[kirreb]

I need your help:
I'm thinking about buying the following PC from HP's website. I'm not ready to build my own computer yet, so please don't give me that advice. I need it for some basic gaming, web surfing, and edit pictures etc. Do you think this cpu, video card... will be sufficient for my needs?

Processor: Intel Pentium 4 520 w/HT Technology (2.8GHz)
Memory: 1 GB DDR / PC3200 (2 DIMM)
Hard Drive: 160GB 7200 rpm SATA Hard Drive
CD Drive: 48x max HP CD-Writer Drive (48x32x48x)
Front Productivity Ports: 2 USB 2.0, 1 Firewire ports + WinDVD
Graphics Card: 128MB DDR ATI Radeon X300 SE with TV-Out
Sound Card: Integrated Intel High Definition Audio
Speakers: Altec-Lansing VS2121 2.1 Speakers
Keyboard and Mouse: HP Internet Keyboard, HP Scroller Mouse

[pentachris]

Overall, I would say yes, this will prolly suit your needs. But...

What games are you looking at playing? The video card may need an upgrade soon if you want to keep up with the latest titles.

I don't know how much HP charges to add a DVD burner, but they're getting very inexpensive now. You can add that later, of course.

And welcome to the forums. :)

[kirreb]

Thanks, I've changed my mind about building my own. An old roomate of mine said he's gonna help me. So you think I'll be alright if I get a 256mb video card? The games I'm gonna play are mostly sports games; Tiger Woods, NHL etc. but I would like to have the picture quality somewhere between medium and high without having the game lagging.

[rik148755]

That set up above will easily deal with games such as TW2005 and less, I do agree your graphics card will be a problem. It may be worth not paying as much on a large harddrive or choosing IDE over SATA / Less memory (If money is an issue)

Else keep them specs and just get a better card :)

[pentachris]

So you think I'll be alright if I get a 256mb video card?

It's not just the card's memory, it's the card as a whole. What's your budget for the card? Will your motherboard have PCI-E?

[kirreb]

I'm looking to spend $150-$200 on my video card, is PCI-E a lot more expensive?