Buying New Rig, Max $400. Help?

[Groxkiller585]

Ok, So I've decided to get a new computer rig, and I only have 400 to spend on it, the lesser the better but 400 is the max.

So what would work best for video games, modelling, and heavy useage, and preferbably the cheapest price? Also what graphics card would be best to buy, I need something other than Integrated Graphics that I have. (which astonishingly works pretty well with the exeption of HDR but suffers from huge lag...)

Basiclly, what is best out of:

OS (vista, 7, NOT mac)

Graphics card/GPU (ATI, etc.)

CPU (Intel, etc.)

and preferbably has alot of RAM.

[Dr. Delta]

Ok, So I've decided to get a new computer rig, and I only have 400 to spend on it, the lesser the better but 400 is the max.

So what would work best for video games, modelling, and heavy useage, and preferbably the cheapest price? Also what graphics card would be best to buy, I need something other than Integrated Graphics that I have. (which astonishingly works pretty well with the exeption of HDR but suffers from huge lag...)

Basiclly, what is best out of:

OS (vista, 7, NOT mac)

Graphics card/GPU (ATI, etc.)

CPU (Intel, etc.)

and preferbably has alot of RAM.

400 what? dollars?

well, 400 isn't a lot

You would have to pirate windows (you can't afford it if you only are going to spend 400), go for an ati videocard and an amd cpu and stick with ddr2 ram; also i guess you'll need to use your old cd/dvd drive/hard drive, case, screen, keyboard, mouse and headset/speakers.

What you will buy new then would be your cpu, gpu, ram, motherboard and psu. And I wish you good luck getting a 'best for video games, modelling, and heavy useage'-rig for 400..

[whiffen]

400? You could probably get something like this.

[Groxkiller585]

Well despite your comments on how it's not possibul I already found a new rig setup I like for around $400.

Hopefully I can buy it soon and ditch this labtop.

EDIT: Also I didn't mean I WANTED the best, I meant what IS the best you can get for $400. I'm content without HDR.

EDIT2: also thanks for suggesting anyway.

[MrTwoVideoCards]

Get ready to buy a shitty pc dawg. I'd at least go with 800$ if I could.

[Corigami]

I really think it would be best if you waited a while longer and saved up for something decent. $400 is not realistic for a gaming and modeling rig. For something you plan on using "heavily," this really is not something you want to cheap out on.

It would really help to know what components you will keep from your old rig, salvaging the hard drives, monitor, speakers, keyboard, mouse, and even the case could end up saving you hundreds of dollars.

[Plague]

He is using a laptop.

But I agree, get maybe a tiny bit closer to 1k and then get something a little more worthwhile.

[ROFLhacks]

This is just about as good as it gets for $400...

cpu http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103903

dvd drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136168

hdd http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152244

mobo http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130290

gpu http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102855

psu http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817101047

ram http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144262

Just throw in a cheap case or use the box it all comes in. But you should at least try and get $600.

hope it helps

[Groxkiller585]

Look, my labtop get all I need done how I want it to be done, it just lags.

So, PC will basiclly cull most of the lag.

[Gary]

You making this computer or buying a pre-built one?

[Groxkiller585]

You making this computer or buying a pre-built one?

I could go with both options. I know how to put one together and obviously could buy a prefitted one (though rechecking my money it would be wise to wait a bit longer.)

[MayheM]

If you are limited to 400 dollars because that's all you have saved I would honestly say, keep saving. Buying a machine for $400 would be a waste of money. I understand how frustrating it can be to have an older machine and how it seems like you can not take it any more. But you should never rush into purchasing a new machine especially if you are limited on funds. You may be able to hit up some people on here and buy parts from people. I have two GTX295s I may be able to part with. I see them going for about 150 to 200 each used. But to be honest I really think it is a good idea to hold off.

Hope I don't sound like an ass, I have been in your shoes and wish I had saved and gotten something better rather than rushed into a purchase. How bad is your rig now?

[Groxkiller585]

If you are limited to 400 dollars because that's all you have saved I would honestly say, keep saving. Buying a machine for $400 would be a waste of money. I understand how frustrating it can be to have an older machine and how it seems like you can not take it any more. But you should never rush into purchasing a new machine especially if you are limited on funds. You may be able to hit up some people on here and buy parts from people. I have two GTX295s I may be able to part with. I see them going for about 150 to 200 each used. But to be honest I really think it is a good idea to hold off.

Hope I don't sound like an ass, I have been in your shoes and wish I had saved and gotten something better rather than rushed into a purchase. How bad is your rig now?

Don't worry, you don't sound like an ass.

Well first off it's a labtop. Major pain.

Secondly my graphics are integrated. Extreme lag. (surprisingly good quality though, I get everything exept HDR...)

TBH the only thing I really need is a graphics card as i'm sure integrated graphics is why it lags so bad, but I don't think you can exchange GC's(or in this case add one) on a labtop. If you can it will be a major pain to disassemble.
the rig I looked up has an nvidia card, which I've heard is a decent card. Is it?

[MayheM]

Just found this, you could look for external video card. I found this when I was looking for docking stations that I remember a friend of mine used to upgrade his video on his laptop a while ago.

Here is a link to the vidock site.
http://www.villageinstruments.com/tiki-index.php?page=ViDock

I am not totally sure if your laptop will work with this, but it is worth looking at...

this video is also a bit more detailed about how it works. It shows a before and after with the vidock


This plus a decent card from newegg would be a good solution for you problem. It would also come in right around your price point.

[Gary]

Ha, I was just about to post that but decided not to, because I am pretty sure that thing cost more then his entire budget.