So, I am going to get a Gaming PC. Thought I'd never say that again.

[JMW IV]

my current thought on this is to buy a stock Desktop from like Walmart or Staples some crap, that has a really good processor, and then upgrade it manually with parts(RAM, Graphics card, etc.)

I know enough about building computers to add parts to a machine, but not enough to build a machine from scratch.

so, what price range am I looking at here, I'm not ready to buy just yet, I have to put the money aside first.

basically, I want a PC that can run most MMORPGs on Max or Near-Max settings with no problem, while also running Raptr and/or Steam in the background.

ballpark dollar figure for what I will need to save up, for a Desktop?

[Slateman]

What games do you want to play with it?

[JMW IV]

What games do you want to play with it?

Neverwinter, Planetside 2, Wildstar, maybe Elder Scrolls Online, and Camelot Unchained down the road.

pretty much strictly MMORPGs.

[Slateman]

Are you ever going to want to leave your house but still play these games? Also, what's your budget?

[Frau Mau]

Are you ever going to want to leave your house but still play these games? Also, what's your budget?

Well, you'll save a lot on clothes.

[JMW IV]

Are you ever going to want to leave your house but still play these games? Also, what's your budget?

I'm not sure I want a laptop, if thats what you are asking. I have a laptop, and it never leaves my house. I'm thinking a Desktop will be cheaper, and laptops aren't really upgradeable.

i think sometime down the road i will get a tablet if i need to travel or anything.

overall, I'm not sure of my budget, I'm going to set however much money I need aside for this, so that I can make sure i get a computer that I'll be happy with making simple upgrades to (like swapping out a graphics card) for a few years at least.

[HalfSmokes]

I'd seriously consider building one from scratch- if you're junking parts, the you're just wasting money, and if you end up getting a box with a decent processor, you may be junking expensive (but not top of the line parts).

[Copecwby20]

[JMW IV]

I'd seriously consider building one from scratch- if you're junking parts, the you're just wasting money, and if you end up getting a box with a decent processor, you may be junking expensive (but not top of the line parts).

if I knew how to build one from scratch, I'd do it. but i actually want a computer that works, so I don't trust myself to do it.

[Nathan]

if I knew how to build one from scratch, I'd do it. but i actually want a computer that works, so I don't trust myself to do it.

It's incredibly simple.  Just plug the parts into the slot they fit in.  I'm pretty sure cmd never built a PC in his life before the one he built around the time I did my last build.

As for buying one from Walmart or whatever then upgrading, the biggest problem there is that you won't be getting a good processor most likely, and the power supply is probably going to be the bare minimum to run what's in there.  Adding a discrete GPU could be way too much for it to handle.

Is your budget going to be tower only or will you need k/d/m as well?

[HalfSmokes]

I don't know if things have changed, but when I used to build my own, getting a tower that can easily accommodate multiple fans was a nice by product

[Nathan]

Here's a 10 minute slapped-together list for kind of an idea.  I didn't really look to maximize performance/dollar or anything, just throwing parts together to get an idea.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU:  Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler:  Xigmatek Dark Knight II SD1283 Night Hawk Edition 89.5 CFM  CPU Cooler  ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard:  MSI Z77A-G43 Gaming ATX  LGA1155 Motherboard  ($104.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory:  G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory  ($66.99 @ Newegg)
Storage:  Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($64.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card:  EVGA GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card  ($187.99 @ Newegg)
Case:  Antec GX700 ATX Mid Tower Case  ($49.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply:  Corsair Enthusiast 850W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply  ($86.25 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive:  Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer  ($14.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System:  Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)  ($89.94 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $906.09
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-06-05 15:42 EDT-0400)