Computers & Electronics

Would you buy a slightly used Gaming PC?

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  • Nov 10th, 2011 9:10 pm
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Jr. Member
User avatar
Aug 17, 2004
120 posts
2 upvotes

Would you buy a slightly used Gaming PC?

RFDers,

Just looking for some opinions. I have been out of the computer game market for a while and have been looking to get back in with these new, amazing games out these days. I loved BF2 back in the day and would like to play the new one, except there is no way my machine would handle it.

Here are the specs of my system:

Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 5000+ 2.61ghz
2 gigs ram
Dell 22" 1680x1050 monitor
GT240 graphics card
only thing that is slightly newer is a 1.5TB HD.

My priorities have really changed since I have a one year old daughter, etc. Don't really game that much anymore so I don't want to invest in a $1000 system.

What would be the most economical build/way to play BF3 without breaking the bank? I really want to sneak in some gaming once she goes to sleep but I won't be able to sell it to my wife to spend too much cashola.

Is it worth it to buy a slightly used gaming rig? upgrade the parts of my current system?

Advice..

Cheers.
K
14 replies
Deal Addict
Mar 27, 2003
1542 posts
986 upvotes
Vancouver
Console gaming won't be the same as a PC, but that's probably your next best alternative. Grab an Xbox 360 + BF3 and call it a day. It'll cost you a fraction of what the PC costs and best of all, requires no upgrades (ie. ram, cpu etc.).
Sr. Member
User avatar
Feb 28, 2007
716 posts
37 upvotes
those specs arent going to run up to date games. buy a console.
Jr. Member
User avatar
Aug 17, 2004
120 posts
2 upvotes
I have a PS3 but I am not a fan of FPS on consoles. It's on the computer or not at all.
Deal Addict
Feb 11, 2005
4250 posts
460 upvotes
Rip out the hard drive and sell the rest of the computer or part it all out then use that to upgrade.

You can build a half decent gaming computer for probably 5-600 so assuming you can get 150-200ish it's not that expensive...
Deal Fanatic
User avatar
Dec 29, 2005
6239 posts
164 upvotes
If you salvaged a few parts from your current rig you could assemble something like what I had for roughly $500 that will run BF3 at high/ultra @+50fps. What kind of PSU do you have right now? I put this together in just a few minutes.. parts could (and should) be swapped to save you a bit of extra coin.. but it'll give you a general sense. [all from NCIX.com]

http://postimage.org/image/50k08tzlx/

My current rig: AMD 1100T/Giga 990 XA-UD5/16gb Corsair XMS3/ATi 5870 Eyefinity6 2gb/TX 750w, I get 50+ while recording w/ Fraps @1920x1080 full size. Not too bad..

http://postimage.org/image/67yhvjdnl/
RFD's Resident Ol' School Rap Guru
No, you're not entitled to your own opinion, you're only entitled to what you can argue for.
Otherwise, don't start.


*VESTAX* PMC-05PROIII Battle Mixer for sale!!
Deal Addict
Sep 13, 2011
1894 posts
1584 upvotes
Québec
You dont need to run the game at High, you can go with medium and disable shadow and AA.
It will still look good and you wont need a 1000 $ pc.

BF3 is better on the pc platform than on console, so I would not what other told you.
Deal Addict
User avatar
Jan 21, 2010
3373 posts
129 upvotes
Scarborough, ON
You're in luck OP.

memory is so damn cheap these days and you don't need to buy a new HDD so you can build a $500 BF3 gaming PC.

2x2GB 1600 RAM = 25-30 bucks.
processor = $114 to $120 bucks = Intel i3 2100
Intel = $70-80 buck ASUS H61 chipset motherboard

total so far = 30 + 120 + 80 = $230 + tax = 262
use the remainder for a video card = $240
reuse your old case, reuse your old optical drive (if you need one). reuse hdd, reuse monitor, reuse keyboard, etc.

$60 for BF3 though. LOL.

Sell off your other parts piece by piece.
Deal Fanatic
User avatar
Dec 29, 2005
6239 posts
164 upvotes
crowTrobot wrote: You're in luck OP.

memory is so damn cheap these days and you don't need to buy a new HDD so you can build a $500 BF3 gaming PC.

2x2GB 1600 RAM = 25-30 bucks.
processor = $114 to $120 bucks = Intel i3 2100
Intel = $60 buck ASUS H61 chipset motherboard

total so far = 30 + 120 + 60 = $210 + tax = 240
use the remainder for a video card = $260
reuse your old case, reuse your old optical drive (if you need one).

$60 for BF3 though. LOL.
Not sure a dual core would stand up in BF3? :confused: AMD is always the better option when on a budget.
RFD's Resident Ol' School Rap Guru
No, you're not entitled to your own opinion, you're only entitled to what you can argue for.
Otherwise, don't start.


*VESTAX* PMC-05PROIII Battle Mixer for sale!!
Deal Addict
User avatar
Jan 21, 2010
3373 posts
129 upvotes
Scarborough, ON
MkmBandit wrote: Not sure a dual core would stand up in BF3? :confused: AMD is always the better option when on a budget.

i3 2100 beats x4 955 (same price, $114 to $120) single or threaded, especially games.

edit:
I forgot his power supply lol.

If you don't count the tax, you can still get a $500 build.
Banned
Apr 15, 2006
4572 posts
126 upvotes
Chatham
crowTrobot wrote: You're in luck OP.

memory is so damn cheap these days and you don't need to buy a new HDD so you can build a $500 BF3 gaming PC.

2x2GB 1600 RAM = 25-30 bucks.
processor = $114 to $120 bucks = Intel i3 2100
Intel = $70-80 buck ASUS H61 chipset motherboard

total so far = 30 + 120 + 80 = $230 + tax = 262
use the remainder for a video card = $240
reuse your old case, reuse your old optical drive (if you need one). reuse hdd, reuse monitor, reuse keyboard, etc.

$60 for BF3 though. LOL.

Sell off your other parts piece by piece.


I doubt he would spend $700
Banned
Apr 15, 2006
4572 posts
126 upvotes
Chatham
MkmBandit wrote: Not sure a dual core would stand up in BF3? :confused: AMD is always the better option when on a budget.

You dont know what you're talking about. In budget gaming i3 2100 actually is the BEST cpu. Gaming isnt that very threaded application
Deal Fanatic
User avatar
Dec 29, 2005
6239 posts
164 upvotes
jetway1212 wrote: You dont know what you're talking about. In budget gaming i3 2100 actually is the BEST cpu. Gaming isnt that very threaded application

I actually do know what I'm talking about, both myself and crowTrobot have valid arguments going. Most all newer games will favor the 955, especially if you OC the hell out of it, and that would be more apparent in games like Witcher 2 and Battlefield 3 which are designed to be heavily threaded apps.

Please do not discredit others without posting a reason why. "Gaming isn't that very threaded application" is not specific enough. Maybe yesterday's games, but not tomorrow's.... ;)
RFD's Resident Ol' School Rap Guru
No, you're not entitled to your own opinion, you're only entitled to what you can argue for.
Otherwise, don't start.


*VESTAX* PMC-05PROIII Battle Mixer for sale!!
Deal Addict
User avatar
Sep 27, 2008
3803 posts
635 upvotes
Leuven
I am currently using a used rig that I bought almost 2 years ago. I got a pretty good deal for $700 I got a phenom x4 3.2ghz, 4 gigs of ram, 1000 watt psu, gtx 285, 23inch LG monitor, logitech g15 keyboard, logitech g5 mouse, and the case is a Thermaltake Tai-Chi with watercooling (the case is pretty ridiculously big but whatever!), and a decent motherboard.

There definitely are good deals out there if you are looking. I got mine for a good price because the guy was moving soon and needed money for a car so didn't have the time to part it out. I haven't had any problems with the system since I got it except for needing to screw down a couple fans.

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