Posts by Jacob Chase2

Tiger, I really appreciate the help... I'll be sure to reach back out in about two months once I'm actually ready to pull the trigger on the purchase 🙂

Hello everyone, please excuse me for starting a new thread, but I am truly in need of some guidance and haven't been able to find any recent discussions covering this exact topic...
So, here is the situation: in about two months, I’m planning to pick up a laptop specifically for "gaming." I put that in quotes because I’m not looking to become a pro esports player or anything extreme; my main focus would just be playing League of Legends and Grand Theft Auto V (ideally on the highest settings possible 😁).
Now, I won't be running games 24/7. My schedule is a bit unconventional—I might jump on for a bit around 3:00 AM, then maybe a little after 1:00 PM, and finally an hour or two in the evening. I know that sounds a little eccentric, but that's my routine. Regarding the budget, I was thinking about putting about $1667 (MAX $550) toward this. I am open to both brand-new machines or even a used one—if I can find a high-quality, relatively recent model for that price, why wouldn't I? If I go the route of a brand-new laptop, I realize I shouldn't expect much more than an i5 processor paired with a 940m graphics card (I've heard that combo is decent for gaming). My big question is: can an i5 and a 940m actually handle those specific games on medium to high settings? Also, I am currently a sophomore in high school, and I really want this machine to last me at least another 3 or 4 years. Thank you all in advance! 🙂
P.S. If anyone could share some helpful links (including listings from eBay or Craigslist 🙂), I would be extremely grateful.

EDIT: Is it actually possible to find something better than this http://www.bestbuy.com/not...52618/product/

Much appreciated, thank you very much👍

Alright, could someone please help clear up my confusion? I'm looking for some advice on how to connect my PC to the router without using a direct Ethernet cable.

Greetings, everyone. I am starting a fresh thread here because I haven't been able to locate a discussion similar to my current situation...
I am looking to put together an Electronic Arts-focused configuration with a budget of $1167. I have placed "Electronic Arts" in quotation marks because the machine would actually be used about 60-70% of the time for lighter titles—things like Counter-Strike or League of Legends. To be perfectly honest, I don't quite grasp the intricacies of hardware assembly, so I believe it would be most prudent if all the components were sourced from a single reputable company that offers full assembly services. Furthermore, I will need a monitor and various peripherals, though those costs must remain separate from the initial $1167 budget. On a secondary note, does anyone here have any firsthand experience regarding those USB Wi-Fi adapters? My router is located on the far side of the house, making the prospect of running cables through every room quite daunting. Ultimately, I am wondering if it is feasible to secure a setup within this price range that can run these specific games without any lagging issues and remains reliable for several years to come. Thank you all in advance! 🙂

I realize I might sound a bit indecisive here... but a new "dilemma" has cropped up. Since I'm heading off to college in about a year, I’ve realized a laptop is going to be much more practical for me than a desktop setup. Is this specific model actually any good? What kind of drawbacks should I look out for (aside from the obvious fact that I'll need to install Windows on it myself)?
Please, feel free to throw some of your own laptop recommendations my way as well!

How about something like this?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/windows-software-listing-example

What kind of Windows are we even talking about here? For instance, what’s the current going rate for a license for Windows 7-ice or maybe Windows 8?

I think this build from Grace Kern looks pretty solid, but I’m wondering—is there anything else I need to pick up besides those specific components?
By the way, what operating system is he running on that setup?

Adam Moore3 said:You don't need to build the computer yourself; the shop will put the components together for you for free, so you'll get everything pre-assembled. Gaming and Mac just don't mix. Honestly, gaming and Mac just don't go together at all. 😬 That thing you linked costs $1833 and it's total garbage for that kind of money. An i3 and a 250X graphics card for $1833! That's insane; whoever put that up for sale deserves 🙂 That's a build from $1167, maybe even less. Either way, just grab the one they have pre-built; it's the best value, way better than those custom builds or a Mac, whatever you plan on using it for—plus, the store will assemble it for free and even offer free delivery. 🙂

IS 4GB ENOUGH FOR GAMING?

I'm still pretty new to all of this, so I honestly have no idea how to actually put a computer together myself...
Is it actually worth my money to pick up an iMac 21.5?
And by the way, why wouldn't I just go with that PC (Microsoft) I linked earlier?? It comes with 8 GB of RAM, and I'm really not sure if 4 GB would be enough to run something like CS:GO or similar games...

Robert Rodriguez2 said:You missed the biggest part: how are you paying, cash or card? And do you actually need a monitor?

I'll be paying in cash, and no, I don't need a monitor...

Please forgive my intrusion with yet another new thread... I find myself in need of a new computer. My primary goal is gaming, though I am also considering dipping my toes into photo editing and perhaps some entry-level game development. I am currently torn between picking up an iMac 21.5 or one of these two options:
1. http://www.bestbuy.com/pro...de=INDOMINATOR
2.http://www.newegg.com/pc---ready-to-use-desktop-computer-retargeting

Furthermore, I would truly appreciate some guidance on what specific hardware details I should be scrutinizing during the purchasing process. I am also quite curious about the fundamental differences between using a Mac versus a Windows machine—specifically regarding software availability. For instance, are games like CS:GO free to play, or even compatible with a Mac? Lastly, if anyone could recommend a reliable mouse and keyboard suited for these activities, I would be immensely grateful.