# I need a gaming computer for an Xmas gift **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [October 31, 2012, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-gaming-computer-for-an-xmas-gift/639425 "2012-10-31T12:48:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![jacobsta811](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jacobsta811/32/2893_2.png) [@jacobsta811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jacobsta811)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2012, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-gaming-computer-for-an-xmas-gift/639425/21 "2012-11-01T02:35:27Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > okay, that looks promising. I don’t want to be a pest, but I don’t know much about computer innards. Which of the things on that page do I need, which would be nice, and which would be a waste of resources? The default configuration isn’t bad as is. I would upgrade to the A10-5800k, to 8gb of RAM (2x4gb sticks), and maybe to the Corsair 430watt power supply (which is 80+ certified, the generic/no names aren’t - will save you money in the long run). Then just add your choice of Windows 7 Home Premium or Windows 8 Non-Pro (same price). That brings it to $646 and all that is needed is to add a monitor - which can run you anywhere from $75-$125 for the cheapest decent one, depending on resolution (I would go for the cheapest 1920x1080 that is at least 20", personally). Check [slickdeals.net](http://slickdeals.net) and [fatwallet.com](http://fatwallet.com) and search for monitor to see what kind of deals you can get. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2012, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-gaming-computer-for-an-xmas-gift/639425/22 "2012-11-01T13:45:42Z")
Thank you to everyone who responded. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2012, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-gaming-computer-for-an-xmas-gift/639425/23 "2012-11-01T20:24:10Z")
Moving thread from IMHO to Game Room. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2012, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-gaming-computer-for-an-xmas-gift/639425/24 "2012-11-01T20:36:27Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > I don’t want to build one. I want to buy something off the shelf. Is there anything out there in the $500 to $700 range that will be suitable? My ~7 year old Gateway Phenom died not too long ago so I dipped into our savings and bought a HP Pavilion HPE in that price range. The dedicated video card (GeForce GT 620) is a bit on the low side but works nicely. [Here’s the same model for $660](http://www.ecrater.com/p/15809380/hp-pavilion-hpe-h8-1230-pc?gps=1). ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-gaming-computer-for-an-xmas-gift/639425/25 "2012-11-11T18:15:34Z")
I don’t know if you’re still in the looking phase or currently in the gift-wrapping phase but this [offer from NewEgg](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227441&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=1312731&SID=) is a very good one (although a hundred bucks more than you were looking to spend). It’s about a hundred bucks over the cost of the components but that saves you the assembly hassles and gets you the single-source warranty. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-gaming-computer-for-an-xmas-gift/639425.md?page=1)