WAR Machine

[Aristio]

Currently, I'm trying to find a new MMO to replace my dying interest in FFXI. I realy don't like WoW, but WAR has sparked my interest. But, in like of switching over to the MMO, my old laptop I fear will not meet the requirements for the game. I currently own a Toshiba Satelite P205D. I have looked at the laptop sticky, but I want an old fashioned desktop right now. Are there any good desktops that will run WAR fine, but nothing like Crysis. A little less then a grand would be in ballpark. I'm also currently looking to build my own PC, so any advice would be helpful. I'm not a very big tech buff, so just put it simple for me.

[Cephius]

First of all, your avatar keeps distracting me from reading your post lol D:

Second, just a thought but if you don't like WoW.... WAR is a very, very similar game. But anyway, that's not the point here.

If you want just a normal run of the mill desktop, it's cheap to build, though with dropping prices it's almost as cost-effective to just buy a desktop from Dell or HP. It really depends how comfortable you are building your own PC. There are a bunch of threads on here with sample builds, if you want to build one, look over them. Pick out a build that you think works for you, and post it here so we can offer suggestions.

Otherwise, I'd recommend something like the Dell XPS 420.

[Olo401]

WAR is similar to WoW in gameplay and fighting style, but that's really about it. WoW can't compete on graphics or richness of the gameplay since it's a much older game, and the PvP in WAR is some of the best and most intense I've ever seen. Because of that, you will probably want a machine that can handle hundreds of players on your screen along with all the animation that they bring. You should be able to do that for under a grand without a problem (assuming you have your own copy of Windows).

Give me a few minutes and I'll throw together a parts list for ya.

Edit: Here we go.. I made two builds with the same parts (including dual HDD for running RAID 0), but to be fair I made one with the new AMD Phenom II x4 and one with an Intel Core 2 Quad (i7 would be too much $$):

AMD Build
Intel Build

Both total to under $950 (before shipping), and there's a chunk of mail-in rebates to help take the edge off.

[Aro]

I know this guess thrown around a lot, but I still don't get it

Anyone care to explain

AMD Vs. Intel?

I always hear AMD better for short usage and Intel better for 9hr+ game times

EDIT: Also wondering about Nvidia Vs Raedeon

[Aristio]

First off, thank you both for your replies. Ceph, that looks like a good computer if I don't feel like building my own rig. Olo, I'm not too sure about the difference between Intel and AMD. Can you explain the difference? I don't have my own copy of Windows as well, but I'm willing to pay for it. Is Vista still horrible as I remember it when it came out, or has it improved? If you don't recomend Vista, can you point me out a good one? And my avatar is made of win.

[Olo401]

On the most basic level - will it do what you want it to? Yes. Both will work fine with WAR.

After that it gets quite a bit technical.. Basically, Intel's CPUs are constructed better and faster on the circuit level, and since we're in the age of multi-core Intel also has better communication and collaboration between the cores on its CPUs. Even with AMD's new Phenom II offering (which I included in the build here) they can only compete with the low end of Intel's C2 Quads that have been out for at least a year.

For an OS, either go with a copy of XP Pro/Media or Vista Home Premium. You could use the Win7 beta, but it's a beta.