For approximately the past four years, gaming has been a steady hobby of mine that has undoubtedly been a big part of my life. It has helped me develop new friendships and gain better social interactivity with old ones. However, as more is revealed about the next generation of console hardware and the Wii U now being given an official release date, I am developing a great disliking towards the increasingly "casual" approach that console manufacturers (Nintendo, Sony & Microsoft) are taking. Also, whilst graphics don't determine how good a particular game might be, the aged technology within consoles is seriously holding back innovation - limiting not just graphics. Recently, I discovered Steam and fallen in love with their daily sales. I also love not requiring discs to play my games and the general fact that, besides the initial cost to build a PC, the costs are actually less than console gaming contrary to possible believe. For example, Borderlands 2 was only ￡25 GBP at release for PC compared to ￡40 GBP for Xbox 360. Plus, unlike consoles, PCs only need upgrading once a year or so once you have the initial machine. However, I am only young and, whilst my knowledge of computers is pretty expansive, I have no idea about what sort of specification I'll need to play all the latest titles on at least medium with a solid FPS. I don't have an awful lot of money either, which is obviously an issue. Consequently, can anyone here recommend a decent PC to build/buy ready-built for around ￡500 GBP or less. If you are from the USA or abroad, ￡500 GBP is equivalent to around $810 USD. But, when it comes to calculating costs, remember that here in the UK we pay 20% extra for VAT taxes.

If you don't need to buy another monitor, 800 bucks can get you a pretty good machine.

I don't need a monitor. I have a mouse, but it isn't of a gaming quality, and I also need a keyboard.

I'm not the right guy to ask about specs and such. I just want to welcome you to greener pastures. Welcome!

I think so too. I mean, many of the most innovative games of this last year or so seem to be PC exclusives - initially at least. Minecraft, Day Z, and most of the amazing indie scene are all PC exclusive. This combined with cheaper prices just make it a win/win scenario.

I think I'll be in the market soon for a modern PC as well, so I'll probably be asking this same question at some point in the near future. That being said though, this kind of topic gets repeated enough that we almost need to make a consolidated "computer build feedback" thread, or stick with the http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1413621-the-community-tech-thread-no-120/ thread.

The tech thread is a good place to check out. Give them a description of what you want the PC to do, what parts you might already have (like a monitor, or a keyboard), and a budget, and they can provide various options. Plus, links to all sorts of useful resources.

Yes please do use this thread. I just gave a prebuilt suggestion for another member from the UK...it is a prebuilt site. May want to have a look.

But it would be nice to know what else is needed other than the tower. Your budget will be more tough if you need things like Windows OS disc, monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, etc...