$500 rig for lotro

morningwould

Hey guys,

Brand new here and not a gamer who needs much in the ways of graphics. In fact I've been running a 5 year old base line, stock dell with god knows what of a graphics card until it died about an hour ago. I have a few questions that I was hoping you guys could help me out with:

 

1. First, my dell just shut off and won't do anything now but turn on. It isn't sending anything to the monitor, not even a blue screen. And when I turn it on, the motherboard(i did look inside to confirm this) gives about 5 buzzes. The computer then just stays on and sits there.

Is it safe to say that its time I move on?

 

2. If it is time for me to move on, I need a new computer.  I don't have the knowledge, time or drive to make my own computer so I need a plug and play rig. I'm also cheap and want something that will do all the basic computing stuff and a few other requirements:

a. play lotro with some decent graphics.

b. be able to handle a 22"+ inch monitor at some point. I'm happy with my 19" one right now, but in case I get frisky and upgrade.

c. Be ready to go with minimal hardware changes from my end.

d. Be reliable. I've had no problems with two dells that lasted me about 10 years.

I'm not very knowledgeable so I'm not really paying attention to the processor since I'm sure any of the AMDs or intels are way better than my pentium 4. I also figured that 4+ gigs is enough. And I also figure that most graphics cards are better than the stock one I'm rocking from 5 years ago.

So i found these in a brief search using the brands you guys have been recommending. Any suggestions? Any of these I should be avoiding?

http://www.frys.com/product/6138899

http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/Gamer_Ultra_7500/

http://www.frys.com/product/6103079?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883147106

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883147104

 

Thanks guys, you're the best.

Cleffy

I would not recommend any of the ones on Newegg.  The ones below $500 lack the graphics power.  The other 3 have a decent graphics performance.  I would like to recommend the CyberPowerPC, but its video card needs to have a 6 or above for its second number (HD x6xx).  The reason is for ATI, things above 6 means its a discrete solution meant for gaming.  4 and 5 mean its a discrete solution for multimedia, and 1~3 mean its an IGP solution below the capabilities of the discrete solutions.  Hope that wasn't too confusing.  I also have a hard time recommending HP or Compaq or Dell due to shody quality.