Computer (And games)
 

For Christmas, I was supposed to get a computer, but instead I just got $1000 and I have to go find the computer myself... So, being illiterate in the computer world, anyone have suggestions for me? Note that I can go above the budget a little bit, and the computer is all for games...

(Don't ask me what I have right now, since I forgot all the info crap on it, and due to a freezing thing, windows files were deleted so some things don't work right)

And add any games you think I should get

E-machines are actually pretty good, but you should definately get your own video card so you don't have to use the On board video (which will eat up to 64 Megs of memory that you'll need.) Your own sound card wouldn't hurt either. I recommend a GeForce 3, it'll work with 99% of games, and it's not too expensive.

As for games: Warcraft 3 if your into Real Time Strategy, just got it, I love it.

Disciples 2: Just got it in a 6 pack of games (2 of which were the expansion packs for it) Strategy, not real time, excellent. You level up your troops...pure fun.

Halo: If you don't already have it on the X-box, might as well get it on the computer. It's pretty fun in multiplayer. (Note: From experiences on X-box.)

Half life uber pack thingy - Dunno the actual name, but it has Blue Shift, Half Life the original, Counterstrike, and um...like two others.

That's all I can think of.

you must be thinking of the half life platinum pack 2. that's the one that has Half life game of the year edition, Blue shift, Counterstrike, Opposing force, and Team Fortress Classic.

Half Life Platinum pack 1 doesn't have blueshift so if you just want the multiplayer halflifes, go for pack 1.

If you're illiterate in the computer world, I suggest going to alienware.com. IMO, they put together the best systems for gaming. But if it's too far out of your price range, just go to dell.com and customize a system. It's easy and cheap.

Games...depends on what you're looking for...RPGs? Strategy? First person shooter?

I can't seem to find the customize thing at dell.com... When I do, what are the most important parts needed for good gaming?

And any online multiplayer game that isn't pay per month, just suggest it...

Minimum: System: 40 GB hard drive, 256 MB RAM, 32 MB video card, 24X CD, sound card.

Most of Dell's standard configurations close to this are right around $1000, so you're probably gonna have to settle for the minimum.

Anything from Blizzard. They all offer free online play.

in my opinion, hard drive space, memory, and processing power are the most important things. as for the video card, it just has to be desent enough to play games but if you wan to go with very nice graphics, then go with a 256MB video card

Dell's good, but I heard they fix it so that you can onl use their components to upgrade. Alienware and Falcon Northwest produce rocking game machines, but their price could exceed the GNP of most Third World countries.

As for games, I recommend a few oldies but goodies... plus they're cheap!

Fallout
Fallout 2
Planescape: Torment.

If you like RPGs, then for games I would recommend looking for the Baldur's gate + Tales of the Sword Coast pack, then the Baldur's Gate 2 + Throne of Bhaal pack. You can probably get both for about 40 - 60 dollars total, and those are both awsome games that will last you a long time. On the computer front, E-Machines is cheap, but you have to be careful of their hardware. I have an E-Machine, and while it runs most of my games fine, their are quite a few that work fine on my second older computer that are messed up and/or won't work on my E-Machines computer.

Go here and scroll down a bit to a green buttom that says "Customize it". Go through and make sure you select a 64mb GeForce 4 graphics card, 512mb RAM, 80gb hard drive, and it should come to about $1,330, not bad for everything it comes with, and definitely looking cheap compared to something like this.