Gaming PC/laptop under $700

[RabidTreeFrog]

I desperately need a new computer, and i finally have some money to spend. The new computer has to be under or around 700 US dollars,  be able to play today's games,( World of Warcraft, Source Engine games, Orange Box) and have decent enough specs so I wont have to upgrade for a few (3-5) years. Is there anything like this?

[Captain Ben]

go to a computer shop and tell them what you want and make a decision there

YOU WILL LEARN NOTHING HERE

NOTHING

[Lapis Lazuli]

if you can build your own pc, use newegg.com

[Graham]

You could drop $500 on a prebuilt system that just needs a video card and ram upgrade. You won't be playing crysis but it could do.

[Clawbug]

C2D E7200 @ $140
HD4850 @ $220
IP35-E @ $150
and 2 GB of DDR2 @ $65.

Then add some $100 for a case and other peripheals if you need them. (prices aren't so accurate, roughly translated from my image of finnish euro prices)

[Mangled*]

† is right, if you're looking to save money you'll want to go for a pre-built home PC.

Ideally you want something with a great processor, especially since games coming out these days are becoming increasingly heavier on the CPU. Go for around 3.0ghz or higher. (nothing lower than that if you want to be playing brand new games coming out in the next few years)

If you want to save a little money, you can just use your current monitor for it (perhaps only temporarily until you have a little more money to buy a nice one)

Decide what version of Windows you'll be wanting for it. XP or Vista. They both have their perks and flaws. All games in the next for years will be developed primarily for Vista and using DX10, so it's probably a safer bet to go with it, despite the fact that it essentially leeches 500mb from your RAM without a good reason for doing so. XP will run games slightly better, but you won't be getting DX10. Vista is actually cheaper than XP (because Microsoft want everybody to use Vista).

Don't bother with getting a laptop, they have their limitations and if it's a good one it will most likely end up being stolen.

[ds dude]

A lot of people think they need a super graphics card to play source engine games and WoW.

Well, if you only want to play those kind of games then go cheap and get a nVidia Geforce 6800 GT or something. You don't need to go high end to play source games and WoW.

EDIT:If your one of those people that only bought an intense graphics card just to see if they can get everything on high settings, well.. thats just dumb.

In my opinion.

[PapaSurf]

Alright, disregard everything mangled just said.

You're not going to find a laptop like that for under $700.  Laptops are generally more expensive while delivering comparably worse performance than a pc.  Also, from personal experience, even if you could buy a laptop that cheap, you're going to regret it later when the shoddy quality and poor manufacturing causes your keyboard to break or your monitor to die prematurely.

Buying a pre-built home pc is generally NOT going to save you money if you're planning on building a gaming rig.  Since you're going to end up upgrading certain aspects of it anyways, in the end you'll lose out money on everything except the OS (but more on that later).  The ceapest, albeit more risky and difficult way, is to buy the parts yourself and build your own PC.  If possible, have a friend who is knowledgeable in the area do it for you, if you're unsure. 

It might be cheaper to buy premade and upgrade, but once again, you'll lose out when considering future expansion upgrading, as premade pc's are generally crap if you want to do things like overclock, or add more/faster RAM.  PSUs can also become a problem, especially with bigger graphics cards.

Games coming out these dies rely far less on the CPU and much more on the GPU.  Granted, you don't want to be running a Pentium 4, but an Athlon x2 or a low-end Core 2 duo or even a Pentium D will be fine.
The major part you want for gaming is going to be the video card.  Since you mentioned Orange Box, that's going to be the most system taxing game.  I'd recommend nothing less than a 9600 gt, which aren't that expensive ($140 US at a glance).

[JupiterShadow]

You can always get one secondhand from ebay or something.

[MY_FIREMAN_IS_HUGE]

try this:

case: 26.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147068

PSU: $39.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...C-PRICEGRABBER

MOBO: $54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813135069

CPU: $77.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103210

GPU: $160
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814134037

memory: $50
http://www.siliconassets.com/category_s/157.htm

=$409

add a lcd or something for 150-200 bucks if u need one, other wise I'd get the new HD 4850 ati radeon card for like 200 bucks. and a dif case if u dont like that one, that leaves enough money to get some games? or all the 700 bucks for the pc otherwise u can look for a bit tad better hardware.( like a quad core, or like get a new mobo 780i  sli mode maybe with 2 8800 gts? if u have enoguh cash  )
or just find some person whos selling one on craigslist in ur local area or ebay.

[The Geologist]

...none of those links work, except for the last one.  Just an F.Y.I.

[shantec]

Well, if i would have 700 dollars, i would make myself a pretty good computer.
If you know how to, you should buy the parts and assemble them by urself.
Cheaper, well... not easier but at least betterer

But you should collect sum moar money, for better computer!

[RabidTreeFrog]

Update: I'm probably buying a never-been-used custom built off of my friend's dad for around $600. I'll fill you in with details when I sort it all out.

[Mangled*]

Find out the specs and report back here before you buy it. Obviously.

We don't want you buying a 2 year old office computer for $600 now, do we?

[Shadow G-Unit]

Work, get more money...about $400 - $500 more and get yourself a nice Alienware.

[Keron Cyst]

These are probably not specifically for gaming, but they're decent deals going on right now. I filtered out deals that are far above your budget but I included really good ones at the top (bolded):

• HP Pavilion dv9920us 17" Widescreen Notebook Computer With AMD Turionâ„¢ 64 X2 Dual-Core Mobile Technology TL-60 for $749.99 (after 2 mail-in savings)
  
• HP Pavilion dv2940se 14.1" Widescreen Notebook Computer With AMD Turionâ„¢ X2 Dual-Core Mobile Processor TL-62 for $749.99 (after 2 mail-in savings)
  
• Dell Vostro 200 Intel Dual Core 1.8GHz Slim Desktop with 20" LCD for $399 + free shipping
  
• Sony VAIO Core 2 Duo 2GHz 15" Widescreen Laptop for $750 + free shipping
  
• Satellite P205-S7476 17" Notebook PC for $649
  
• Dell Vostro 1000 Sempron 2GHz 15" Laptop for $399 + free shipping, "loaded" for $479
  
• Dell OptiPlex 330 Intel Dual Core 1.8GHz Desktop PC with 19" LCD for $469 + free shipping (choose "Dell 19 inch E198WFP Widescreen Flat Panel, Analog")
  
• Dell Vostro 200 Intel Dual Core 1.8GHz Desktop PC for $299 + $30 s&h (select "Intel Pentium Dual-Core E2160 (1.80GHz, 1MB L2 Cache, 800FSB)" )
  
• HP Pavilion dv2911us Core 2 Duo 1.83GHz 14" Widescreen Laptop for $650 after rebate + free shipping

Hurry before they go bad.

- edit: for the Dells, other than the ones where a selection is suggested, just go straight to "Buy now" or "Add to cart" or whatever. Or customize them to your liking, I guess...

[Mangled*]

Make sure you check articles and reviews around the web about components listed in those deals if you are going to get one. Often a deal may seem great but it may have one or two very inferior components that are with it (often sound cards and graphics cards if it's a Dell)

[MY_FIREMAN_IS_HUGE]

...none of those links work, except for the last one. Just an F.Y.I.

God damnit! This always happens every single fuckin time! What the hell is wrong with NewEgg, Or is it my computer? D:

[Scorpian]

Work, get more money...about $400 - $500 more and get yourself a nice Alienware.

HAHAHHAHA ALIENWARE.

WOW I'M BUYING AN EXPENSIVE DELL THAT PLAYS THE GAEMS

You're going to need about 2000 more if you want an alienware.

PS don't get an alienware

[Graham]

Also check pawn shops, my buddy found an sweet alienware tower for like $50 cause the shop owner had no idea what he had.