Is it possible to find a good gaming PC I can play games and online games like WOW without breaking the bank? A tower for 600 or less?
I need a good  
 
graphics card like nVidia GeForce 7600gt or gs?
 
at leaste 1 GB RAM or more
 
Don't give a hoot about Vista, unless I can run it preinstalled well and at leaste Home Premium. May just reinstall my XP
 
Processor:Anthlon 64 (2.2 GHz), No Pentium/Do I need  core 2 dual or can I even afford it?
 
I'm an oder mom 56 with a 20 yr. old and 16. We play the Wii and game together so I am not that computer literate (be a bit specific here but I can navaigate the web well) or I would build my own. I can install wireless cards, video and sound upgrade cards, never did RAM before and my present system is deff. not PCI Express, H_ _ _, I don't even know if it's PCI or the other type A?? expansion. Guess  I feel the need for tech support-preferably in ENGLISH please. My present Dell could be upgraded, but by the time I do that I might as well buy new. I have a 15" LCD which is ok,  
Dell OPTIPLEX GX260
Intel (R)
Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.66GHz
512MB of RM
I know it BlOWS!

You could build something like this.
 
Case http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6811129155
MOBO http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6813131042
Video Card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130062
CPU http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6819103735
RAM http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6820134114
Floppy http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6821104101
HDD http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6822148140
DVD Burner http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6827106042
 
This comes to about $622 plus shipping.  You could save about $20 or so on a smaller hard drive and $30 or $40 with a different case, although for the money Antic has a good Power Supply.  Could save with this case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811147030
 
Putting it together is easy, pretty much everything only plugs in one way and ASUS gives good directions, you can go to their site for this board and check out the manual.

OK- you really got me goin now-maybe I can build it myself?! Thank you for being soo specific in your siting everything for me. I copied it down and am looking into it. Thanks for all your work and time  
 
Still wish I could find a prebuilt to suite my needs under 600. Yea right...

You can get a dual core Dell pretty much set up as the one above for less than $600 without the monitor and it includes Windows Vista Premium.  It's a Dimension E 521.   I configured it with onboard graphics because the video cards they offer aren't worth the money meaning you'd have to add $100 plus with rebate for a 7600 GT.  You could get the one configured above with OEM version of XP, which right now is a better choice than Vista, for the same price.
 
http://configure.us.dell.com/dells [...] WBA3&s=dhs
 
As with just about everyone on this site, at $600 or so I think you're much better off building.  You know you will have quality parts, you'll be able to easily upgrade when you want, you'll have beter warranty on the parts, you'll have the confidence to fix problems or upgrade yourself saving a lot of money in the future, you'll gain Geek cred and new level of cool with your kids and  their friends (for me it's my grandkids), and when friends and family have computer problems, they'll come to you, a definite mixed blessing, I've made it know I work for beer.  Near the bottom of the newegg page for the motherboard there is a link to the ASUS web page for the particular board.  Go to the page and download the manual, will just come up as a Acrobat Reader page and read through the instructions and see if you think you can follow them.  It'll take you less than 3 hours the first time, by the 3rd time you'll be down to an hour to put it together.  What takes time is installing Windows and your programs and copying files over to the new machine.  If you run into problems, there is plenty of help on this site.  If you're thinking your too old to start building, I was older than you when I built my first computer and yes it's scary the first time you build one but so are most things that are worthwhile the first time you do it.  It's is also difficult to really screw up if you follow the directions unless you do something stupid, like making adjustments with a hammer.  The only tools you'll need are a smaller phillips head screwdriver, small flat head, and needle nose plier.  You can get a small computer tool set for about $15 to $20, which is a good idea.

g-paw your the best I'm in NE now, but orig. a NORSK from WIS. so I can relate to the workin for beer part, ha! I must admit I only drink champagne and wine now .  
 
I am going to do it! I will go through all you've suggested and do it myself. I'm actually gettin kinda excited about it. I am a retired art teacher so I have jewlry making tools which will do just fine!
 
I think I'll give this present dell to my son for homework and internet. What keyboad,monitor and wireless mouse can U suggest?  
 
Added U to my buddy list if U don't mind-Here we go... 8) kat

I like Logitech for a mouse and always get the least expensive optical, I don't play games so as long as the mouse works I'm fine with it.  I also use a $15 to $20 keyboard.  I have a Samsung SyncMaster 740B, 17", and a 940B, 19" and my wife has a 940B as well so I guess I'd recommend a Samsung.  Giveng your son the old Dell is a great idea given kids tend to quickly end up with spy/virus infested machines.  My one grandaughter that lives with us had to re-install Windows after getting nasty viruses a couple times and she became much more security conscience.  You can get a wireless router and card for $80 or less so he can get on the net.  If you need a copy of Windows, I'd suggest OEM XP, $90 at newegg.  In fact, I'd suggest you get everything at newegg.  Very good prices and excellent service.  If you have a digital camcorder, I would suggest a motherboard with onboard firewire, which is the best connection for camcorders.  Let me know if you do and I can recommend a couple of mobos.  
For the memory given budget constraints I'd suggest Kingston, good and inexpensive.  Once you choose the mobo go to the Kingston website and enter the mobo model and they will tell you what memory will work.  Also suggest before buying to post your build to ensure compatibility.  If you have specific questions, feel free to PM me or just continue this thread.

I agree with g-paw....... I've been building for 10 years or so & wouldn't do it any other way...... Here's a build link that I sent to my cousin this morning.... It covers most of the basics... The picking & choosing parts is better handled here IMO.... I do some things differently, but that comes from a lot of building knowledge.......
 
g-paw.... Sounds like my Family... I do the building & they buy me the Coors beer....  

I go for the more expensive beer than I usually buy for myself, preferably Bass.  Nice guide, I generally just follow the manual that comes with the mobo when I need to reference something, e.g., front case connections and memory.  KrazyKat may not get too many calls given she drinks champaigne unless she  is will to settle for cheap wine  

OK, I'll put something together in the next few and U tell me if it's compatable, and no way am I interested in cheap anything, just wish I had the $ to pay for what I do like The only x I have a beer these days is a couple good German Octoberfests in the Fall.
 
I play games alot so I am going to forgo the floppy and upgrade the monitor if I can save some bucks on the tower. kat

Floppys are $6 or $7 and when you need them, you really need them.  Start with the CPU.  Check out these charts and focus on the things you'll do, e.g., games.  Create an account on newgg.com and while you're checking these charts, check newegg for prices.  Intel is faster than AMD but I've found AMD is less expensive and a better choice with a budger around $600 to $700, my builds are usually in this price range.  Once you decide on the CPU, the next thing is to decide on a mobo and then the memory.  Put together you're ideal machine in a newegg wish list and then you can bring it back to reality.  I'd price both an AMD and Intel system.  For me, choosing the parts are the most fun followed by the build itself.  Software is a necessary evil.     Remember, you can always upgrade the components.  E.g., I've gotten a couple machines with onboard video, office/work computers and later bought a video card.  Given you're a gamer this won't likely work for you but to save money you could get a lower level video card that will get you through for a while and then upgrade.

I've been reading and researching for a few days now and was pretty excited by this first building, but just spoke to my older bro who has owned a lot of computers and he suggest buying an HP and switching out graphics card. He insists if anything goes wrong it's on me as no one honors warrenties because they'll say I did something wrong and I am foolishly throwing $ away. He also said I could not build one any cheaper after good rebates from BB or CC. I was down and then a Korean grad student working for my husband said the same thing and he rebuilds computors all the time. :?  
 
I at leaste feel I know soooo much more than 3 days ago, and can go out armed with great info, but feeling a bit skimish on the first build.  
 
Not sure how to proceed accept to gain more knowledge. I sure don't want to waste anyones time here and I'm sooo greatful for all your support and expertise.   Thank you all so much, kat

I would disagree with your brother regarding warranties.  If you buy from a good company, e.g., mobo from ASUS or MSI, there are no problems, I've had to send boards back in the past, you get an RMA number, which takes 5 minutes or less and ship it back.  And this is true of other parts.  More often than not the parts are warranted for more than an HP or Dell unless you pay to extend the warranty, a waste of money.  E.g., mobo warranted for 3 years and memory warranted for life.  newegg also offers their own warranty, e.g., 30 day refund on mobo and 1 year replacement.  As long as there is no physical damage, these companies will honor the warranty and physical damage is very unlikely if you avoid hammers.    
 
A couple of years ago I put together a spread sheet of the cost of a build vs buying a Dell.  At around $1000 the build was about 20% to 25% less.  Around $800 or so it was around 15% and at your budget around 8% to 10%, given discounts today it may be different.  If your buying a $400 to $500 machine with monitor, he's right.  Much above this it is break even or savings.  But building is not just about saving money.  When you build you know the quality of every piece going into the machine.  You are not getting top grade pieces in a cheap HP, Dell, or whatever.  In addition, these name brands are difficult to upgrade because of proprietary issues.  Not sure if they still do but at one time Dell reversed the swring on their Power Supplies so it was difficult and expensive to replace them.  Finally, you build because you enjoy it and when it's done you take pride in your own creation, it's is really your machine.
 
Certainly, if you're more comfortable buying off the shelf, you should do it and you didn't waste anyone's time with your post.  If you learned something, it was not a waste of time.  I certainly don't have a problem with someone wanting to buy rather than build, people should spend their money the way they see fit.  On the other hand, I do have a problem with people that slam building especially when it appears the information they base their opinion on is faulty.  Unless it's self destructive or hurts others, I think people should be encouraged to try new things.  
 
Regardless of buying or building I'd suggest the minimum specs for what you want to do would be:  A Dual core CPU at least a 6300 Intel or AMD 3800, unless you build and plan on upgrading the CPU within 6 months, at least 1 GB of RAM with the likelihood of adding another GB in a year or so, minimally a 160 GB hard drive, given you game at least a 7600GT video card or the ATI equivalent, a DVD burner, at least 6 UDB ports, and an internal Floppy, as previously mentioned, when you need a Floppy, you really need it usually because it's the only way to boot the machine.  If you are buying, post the specs and I'm sure you'll get good feedback.  Good luck in whatever you decide

Your brother neglects one very important bit of knowledge that he should pass on to you then...... HP is only selling machines with Vista on them..... Vista is to new & not up to gaming (driver wise) yet....... Oh you can game on Vista, but performance is down right now....  
 
Most of the things that you've been told here are for a XP system, that's where you can get in cheap & stable.... Step up to Vista & your going to need at least 2 gigs of RAM, which adds costs..... The hardware isn't as stable with Vista yet... It may take 6 months for Vista to become a fast, more viable OS than XP..... But right now OEM builders like HP are struggling to get a machine up with Vista...... It'll be awhile before you see a optmised Vista & a machine to run it on....  
 
For someone new, I wouldn't call you a early innovator... Vista is for early innovators right now.....  
 
I believe Dell is the only OEM selling a XP machine at this time, although I could be wrong on that......

Good points.  In addition, many of the driver problems with Vista seem to be with the video drivers and she'll want to upgrade the video card buying off the shelf.

You're right that's why I am trying to bump up to 1000 for a 2GB system and I am also considring an imac. They just don't have many options. What I want only comes in a 24" LCD which drives the cost out of my league. They have the better ram and graphics cards I found out last night by taking a peek.  
 
Still undecided, but am willing to spend 1000 now because I can't get a decent gaming system for less and it's hard at that price too. I do like to be able to upgrade to DX10 card when it comes out. Oh toooo much to know I just want to play WOW and do video and digital photos.

If you're willing to build, you could put together an AMD dual core 3800 with 2GB of RAM, 7600GT GPU, and plenty of storage including a copy of Windows XP for less than $900 without the monitor.  You can get a good 17" LCD for less than $175 while a 19" would likely be a bit above $200.  This would be fine for capturing, rendering and burning videos, I used this machine to do it.  I really don't know how processor intensive WOW is but I would think the X2 3800 would work, but others would have to confirm.  For little less than $1000 you could go with the Intel 6300 again without the monitor.  If you don't need a copy of XP, you save $90.  The other possibility would be to go with 1GB of memory and a single core CPU adding another GIG of RAM when you had the money and in 6 months or so upgrade to a dual core CPU.  This is clearly an advantage to building in that it allows for easy upgrades, which means after your initial investments you don't have to lay out big chunks of money.  Depending on how soon your birthday is a GIG of RAM would make a nice present and a new CPU would be nice to find under the Christmas tree.  I've suggested computer parts for out anniversary but my wife didn't really go for it, problem being married to a non geek.  

For gaming..... [cough] Now I'm outta here....

The imac I'm looking at would be fine for what my games are I think. I only like WOW online and games should be fine for 1 GB RAM. I just saw one for the first time today at it's real purty! It runs about 40% better perfomance because of the virus software U don't need. I donno, I think I'd be happy with it and I get a 150 off due to Educational rebate. I know they come out with the Leopard OS in 2 mos, but Vista is a rip off of the present Tiger OS anyway and the performance is fine not slow like a PC ith vista. kate

I really don't know about macs but I would question the notion you don't need an antivirus program.  I've seen enough articles on mac vulnerabilities to suggest that while they may be more secure than Windows butr they are not 100% absolutely secure.  That's not to say don't buy one, just investigate their security issues and security software needed.