Both of my computers are nearing end of life and I am looking to replace with one computer to do everything I need it to do. Obviously, the most taxing will be gaming. I'd like one that will last awhile and not be obsolete in a few years.

Realistically does anyone know how much I will need to get a decent gaming computer? I'm in over my head trying to choose the right parts on websites that will build for you. Are there any places that you all recommend?

Thank you!

Staples they are always helpful that's where i purchased my computer hope i was of some help . Dianne

You came to the right place for suggestions Sheriff. I am sure Draclvr and Jenny to name a few will be able to help erect a machine that will last you into the next decade. I am excited to see what you end up with. Bet (get it) it will be a beast and lightning fast.

I haven't bought a new computer recently, but I'm considering getting one from ecollegepc.com in the next year or so.

I'd be getting a Zen 2 type processor and a Radeon video card with 8 GB video memory.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen_2

I think AMD's Zen 2 processors are superior to current Intel.
The Radeon is more my personal preference.
(also Nvidia needs the competition to keep them in line)
flotsam uses a Radeon and he is able to play all the review games.

I'd want at least 16 GB system memory.

I'd want a DVD drive in the computer.

I'll want at least 1 TB of hard drive space, and may want two drives.

Draclvr has helped other people select computers so she'll probably be able to help more than I can.

Jenny, thank you! I purchased my last gaming computer from ecollege 8 years ago. It has been a workhorse for sure and still plays what I throw at it! I got overwhelmed trying to build one and how to pick a good base to start with. I'm just feeling lost. My hubby is an IT Director and programmer but he doesn't game so what he thinks is a beast of a machine for an office doesn't help me any. I'm trying to get one for under 1500 delivered, tax and all maximum and not sure if that is realistic. I also don't want it to sound like an airplane taking off like my old alienware did. It was horrible!

Thanks, greyfuss! I'm not sure if my budget will get me a beast. I'm hoping it will be something that lets me load a game or multitask without worrying about overloading it.
And yes, Jenny, Drac and others are wonderful!

diane, thanks! If possible I'd like to not get a computer loaded with bloatware. My work computer that I bought at Best Buy was so full of junk I just wanted to scrap it and just start from scratch. Custom computers come nice and clean. I'm glad Staples has been helpful by you.

I bought a computer from ecollege pc 4 months ago but I started building it probably 5 or 6 months prior to that. I would also get overwhelmed looking at things and trying to decide, so then I would take a break from it. I paid quite a bit more than you are hoping to spend but I'm sure I went overboard on some things.

Good luck!

Oh, yeah, stay away from the stores unless you enjoy spending hours getting rid of bloatware!

So, I played with the configurator for awhile. I'm with Jenny... for 16 GB RAM and a DVD drive. I would highly recommend a 1 TB SSD. I switched to a Samsung EVO and it's so fast and smooth, I don't think I could ever go back to a regular hard drive. I'm not as familiar with the AMD video cards, so you would have to do a little research on those. I didn't see any of the AMD Zen 2 cards listed though.

Here is one that I put together. The last build I did with my grandson, I was so impressed with the ASUS motherboard, so I grabbed one of those. I know you play some of the FPS games, so you for sure want to get as much "oompf" as you can. This was $1579. I'd definitely want to put a better power supply with this one, but it's a start to play around with. You could back off from the Samsung EVO SSD to a Crucial M.2 SSD and save $40 to put towards a better power supply for instance.

Intel Core i7 9700 3.0Ghz (4.7Ghz Turbo) 12MB Cache Eight-Core
Stock Intel LGA1151 Heatsink and Fan
GIGABYTE Z390 AORUS Pro Wifi (Intel Z390, HDMI, 3xPCI-E, 2xM.2, 6xSATA, 4xDDR4, Wifi)
16GB (8GBx2) Crucial DDR4 2666Mhz Memory Lifetime Warranty
1TB SAMSUNG 860 EVO Series MZ-76E1T0B/AM SATA3 SSD
8GB GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER GDDR6 PCI-E HDMI/DP (Major Brand)
Microsoft Windows 10 Home 64bit (Includes DVD + COA + Install)
Fractal Design Focus G Black (2 5.25, 2 3.5) 2 Fans, Audio/USB 3.0
500watt EVGA 500 BR 100-BR-0500-K1 80 PLUS CERTIFIED
Onboard 1Gbit LAN included
Onboard HD 7.1 Sound included
Wires and Cables ran behind case and tied up for maximum airflow
3 Year Parts and Labor Warranty
Ready to ship within 5 to 7 Business Days

The AMD Zen 2 is a processor, not a card.

On the ecollege site https://www.ecollegepc.com/
The computer in the middle (labelled AMD gaming series) has
an AMD Ryzen 3700X 4.4Ghz 8-Core processor.

The 3700X model is a Zen 2.
The Wikipedia page at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen_2
lists other Zen 2 models.
I think all the processors listed by ecollege for their "AMD gaming series" are Zen 2 processors. I'd probably choose either the 3700X or the 3800X.

oldbroad, I spent a small fortune on my Alienware (before purchased by Dell) and could not have been more disappointed. I promised to never do that again. My last two were a third of the cost and a lot less issues with great performance. How are you liking yours?

Drac, that is awesome! That helps a lot! I don't mind spending a few extra dollars if it's worth it in the long run.
Is onboard sound ok or does it cause issues? Is it worth getting a sound card?

So far, so good Ana, but 4 months is a very short time. I'm still making payments and I sure hope the computer and all it's parts lasts at least 7 years.

I was undecided about a sound card but went for the cheapest one they had.

Sorry, Jenny! I read right past that! Thanks for the clarification.

Ana, I've done it both ways with sound. The on-board sound in the newer motherboards is really excellent. I have a higher end Creative sound card and I simply can't tell the difference between it and my on-board sound. And I have a pretty good "ear" for good sound. In my experience, it's more important to have really good speakers. Rosaboobie got a REALLY high end sound card in her build and by mistake was using her on-board sound and never even knew it!

Thank you all so much! I will milk my computers as long as I can and save up a few more dollars. My max was 1500 but was hoping for less but I'll figure I need at least 1600-1700 to get something built to last. I am saving all the info and will come back with what I decided on and post for critique before I push the order button. I really appreciate all the input! I've been lost and afraid I'm making the wrong decisions.

Ana

I agree with Draclvr about the sound card. Sound quality on modern motherboards is very good and it's more important to get good speakers. The last time I got a sound card I was able to hear a difference between the onboard and the SoundBlaster X-Fi, but it was slight and I had to listen for it. The biggest difference was that the X-Fi sound card had more volume and more software to tweak sound settings and enhancements with. The volume is mainly only a concern if you're using headphones.

Anyway, if you have money to spare, a sound card that has something like Creative Alchemy software can have some really nice sound enhancements -- which is great if you're playing a game that takes advantage of them. But if you're trying to save money, a sound card is not a priority.

If you're curious about Creative Alchemy, there's a video that covers it here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLj9obfMppk

And a sound card is always something you can add later on down the road.

And my advise/advice ? is to look at the stuff a little at a time to avoid becoming overwhelmed with it. Take as much time as you can to figure it out while you save up a few more dollars

Quite true. Personally , I use my sound card as a dac & eq . I use high ohm impedience headphones , & a headphone amp (pure aural bliss !! 🙂) . I could tell the sound difference , so I went that way . Alchemy hasn't been a thing since Vista . Very few games made use of the tech , & Windows tweaked the audio stack for Win 7 . Not really anything wrong with onboard sound , & for those that use it . Personally speaking , I wanted more from what I was hearing .

Thanks, all! I haven't had speakers in over ten years but I have great headphones. Many times I don't play with sound at all because I find it annoying and I despise music background in games. I do like sound in eerie games (like Dark Fall: Ghost Vigil) or cutesy games with animated voices (like Little Misfortune). I was more concerned of a game having issues with onboard sound but it doesn't sound like that is an issue anymore.

I'm ready to order!

How does this sound?

Intel Gaming Series Configurator : Intel Core i7 9700k 3.6Ghz (4.9Ghz Turbo) 12MB Cache Eight-Core |
Noctua NH-U12S 120mm Fan Quiet |
GIGABYTE Z390 AORUS Pro Wifi (Intel Z390, HDMI, 3xPCI-E, 2xM.2, 6xSATA, 4xDDR4, Wifi) |
16GB (8GBx2) Crucial DDR4 2666Mhz Memory Lifetime Warranty |
1TB SAMSUNG 860 EVO Series MZ-76E1T0B/AM SATA3 SSD |
24X LG SATA Dual Layer DVD /-RW/CDRW |
8GB GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER GDDR6 PCI-E HDMI/DP (Major Brand) |
Microsoft Windows 10 Home 64bit (Includes DVD + COA + Install) |
Be Quiet PURE BASE 600 Silent Window (2 5.25, 5 3.5) 2 Fans, Audio/USB 3.0 |
850watt CORSAIR RM850 Modular 80 PLUS GOLD CERTIFIED |
Onboard 1Gbit LAN included |
Onboard HD 7.1 Sound included |
3 Port IEEE1394 Firewire Card |
Wires and Cables ran behind case and tied up for maximum airflow |
3 Year Parts and Labor Warranty |
Standard processing time: Ready to ship within 5 to 7 Business Days
$1867

It looks OK specs-wise as long as you're OK with 1 TB storage space. 1 TB is plenty for a lot of people but it depends on how much stuff you store on your drive -- whether you store huge games with huge game installers, whether you store HD movies, etc.

If 1 TB is enough then go for it.

Thanks for posting, BrownEyedTigre. Nice to see what you have chosen

It looks like an absolutely awesome computer! I also upgraded to a 1 TB Samsung Evo SSD and I love it. Don't think I could go back to a regular HDD.

Click on BUY for that bad boy!

It looks like a great computer to me, Ana!

We too have a computer from ecollege that is still working, eight years later!

I would take that SSD drive but also put a HDD drive. I like lots of storage space!

Even though I have a lot of huge - like 30 and 40 GB - RPG and shooter games, dozens of adventure games and even more casual games, hundreds of photos on my computer I still am only using about 40% of my 1 TB drive. I have an 1 TB exterior drive if there is something I want to keep there.

I have two 1TB drives on my Win 7 and both are almost full!