Is it cost-feasible to build a barebones if you have to buy an OS?

The kits start around $200, with a few additional items needed.

But buying a new version of Windows seems to be a deal killer.

I'd only be wanting to use it for a couple games (older Call of Duty and Medal of Honor) and basic internet use.

Thanks.

 

My opinion, a built PC is better than any bought PC. You're looking at 100-200$ for the OS, search the net and find the deal.

 

I'm wondering if the newer Video cards will run the older games. The COD game requires a 3-D capable card. Does this card look compatible?

MSI R4350-MD1GD3H/LP Radeon HD 4350 Video Card
Experience cutting-edge graphics performance with the MSI R4350-MD1GD3H/LP Radeon HD 4350 Video Card. The MSI R4350-MD1GD3H/LP Radeon HD 4350 Video Card is loaded with groundbreaking technologies to give you high quality visuals for enhanced computing, gaming and multimedia experience. The RADEON HD 4350 comes with 1GB of DDR3 memory which speeds up your system's graphics processing. Its DirectX 10.1 support backs up this video card's astounding visual performance and allows you to play the latest games with added realism. This video card utilizes a PCI-Express 2.0 (x16) Interface to ensure a reliable connection to the motherboard, providing an uninterrupted performance. Upgrade your system now with the MSI R4350-MD1GD3H/LP Radeon HD 4350 Video Card.

What It Is And Why You Need It:

* RADEON HD 4350; accelerates graphics processing for superb visual performance
* DirectX 10.1 support; lets you play games with enhanced graphics
* PCI-Express 2.0 (x16) Interface; guarantees an uninterrupted connection between the GPU and the motherboard
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The game requirements are:

Call of Duty 2 Minimum System Requirements
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Call of Duty 2 Minimum System Requirements

* 3D hardware accelerator card required - 100% DirectX 9.0c compatible 64MB hardware accelerator video card and the latest drivers*
* English version of Microsoft Windows 2000/XP
* Pentium IV 1.4GHz or AMD Athlon XP 1700+ processor or higher
* 256MB RAM (512MB RAM recommended)
* 100% DirectX 9.0c compatible 16-bit sound card and latest drivers
* 100% Windows 2000/XP compatible mouse, keyboard and latest drivers
* 4.0GB of uncompressed free hard disk space (plus 600MB for Windows 2000/XP swap file)
* 8x speed CD-ROM or 2x DVD-ROM drive


Multi-player Requirements

* Internet (TCP/IP) and LAN (TCP/IP) play supported
* Internet play requires broadband connection and latest drivers
* LAN play requires network interface card and latest drivers


Important Notice: *Some 3D accelerator cards with the chipset listed here may not be compatible with the 3D acceleration features utilized by Call of Duty. Please refer to your hardware manufacturer for 100% DirectX 9.0c compatibility.

Supported Chipsets

* ATI Radeon 8500
* ATI Radeon 9000
* ATI Radeon 9200
* ATI Radeon 9500
* ATI Radeon 9600
* ATI Radeon 9700
* ATI Radeon 9800
* ATI Radeon X300
* ATI Radeon X550
* ATI Radeon X600
* ATI Radeon X700
* ATI Radeon X800
* ATI Radeon X850
* nVidia GeForce 2 Ultra
* All nVidia GeForce 3/Ti Series
* All nVidia GeForce 4/Ti Series
* All nVidia GeForce FX Series
* All nVidia GeForce 6 Series
* Recommend nVidia GeForce 7 Series or higher
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I'm thinking it should be, but I can't really be sure. I'm just assuming.

 

Practically any card will run call of duty 2 or medal of honor,I easily ran call of duty 2 maxed out on a 6800GT so if you check this list,it was even playable on my 5700 FX.

http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/mid_range_gpus.html

Any card you find that scores roughly 150 points or above in passmark should easily max it out,my 6800gt scores 183 the Radeon you linked to scores 180 so you should be fine.

You will run into problems running older games on newer operating systems and hardware,all hardware should be backwards compatible as a rule but each game is different and may not run for a variety of reasons. There are often work around's posted all over the internet for each game.

The speed of your internet in controlled mainly by the speed of your broadband connection so isn't really a factor in choosing a computer.

If your looking at spending $200 on a new computer you really will be scraping the bottom of the barrel with regard to quality,for that kind of money you must be sure it will even accept a video card and has a power supply capable of powering one.

If you can link to the deal your looking at and post which operating system you wish to purchase I'm sure someone in the US can point you to a good deal

 

Here is the deal I saw. I'm not that attached to it, I just always start shopping at the bottom because my computing requirements are very low end.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5643734&Sku=B69-0620

I'm thinking Windows 7.

I'm aware of the OS conflicts. This is what I found. These are the games I would like to play and the Win 7 systems they work with. Might be a problem.

Windows 7 Game Compatibility List

Working (64-bit) ONLY!

* Call of Duty 2
* Medal of Honor: Airborne
.................................................................................


Working (32-bit) ONLY!


* Medal Of Honor: Pacific Assault (Directors Edition)


Working (64-bit) ONLY!

* Call of Duty 2
.......................................................................................................
Working (32-bit) ONLY!

* Medal Of Honor: Pacific Assault (Directors Edition)
....................................................................................................

 

For what you want that deal appears fine to me.

Don't expect to play any modern games though at any where near decent frame rates. It only has a 450watt power supply also so upgrading the video card far beyond the the HD 4350 will be a stretch without upgrading the power supply so something to keep in mind.

So your looking at around $300 in total with windows 7 home premium 64 bit OEM "$90 at tiger direct which is cheaper than new egg" which seems like about the right price.

Stick around for other replies I don't live in the US so I don't know who has the best deals ATM and-

Buying a new computer that you have to spend time building and in the end will only play 7 year old games for any price seems pretty pointless to me but I spent more than $300 dollars on my hard drive so I obviously have a problem:-D

Happy bargain hunting!

 

Thanks Rikky.

I know it's no powerhouse, but those are the only games I enjoy playing (WW2 genre) and not even on-line.

If there was any particular shortcoming in that system, what would you say it was? I'm not opposed to a minor upgrade if it would pay off later? The video card, power supply? The setup seemed to get good reviews and I believe there is 'safety in numbers'.

I've never built one myself before but it looks like a great learning experience. I haven't used a desktop in years but would like a backup to my notebook.

Thanks.

 

As far as I'm concerned the whole thing if weak for gaming:-D But for $200 it's hard to argue against it and it will do what you want of it to.

Once you start wanting more from a complete bundle or pre built and are already thinking of upgrading various components then you shouldn't get it. instead get a cpu,motherboard,memory combo and put it in an old case then choose a decent power supply and video card separately,it will cost more but you get what you pay for.

I can only repeat what I've said,it looks like a good deal and will do what you want it to but it's a full new computer for $200,none of the components will be high performance or great quality.If you would like a computer that does more than play games from 5-6 years ago then don't get this with the hope of upgrading it,spend more on the foundation,namely faster cpu and more powerful power supply,these will allow you to first make use and then make the most of a more powerful video card.

 

Yes.

Lots to think about here.

Thanks.