Hi, Graalians.

I don't like my computer. I've maintained very good care of it since I've had it over the span of about 2 years and haven't put too many excess files on it (still have 330 GB/400 GB), yet it is one of the worst computers I've used in terms of performance. Here are the specs I've pulled up:

Spoiler

That's right, a whole 1.6 GB of usable RAM. It gets an inconstant cap of 30 FPS on League of Legends - and yes, I run the application on high priority via Task Manager. Without high priority, it gets 18 MAX. Most people I know are able to run the same game, with the same background processes (music, Skype) at a constant, undisrupted 60 FPS. Load times for them are about 12 seconds, while mine runs up to 3 minutes. Even when I run only the game, I strain to get just 32 FPS. Oh, and running DayZ on all low graphic settings gets me a whole 3 FPS.

So, I'm not asking for much. I'm looking for decent gaming computers, and I'm looking at below $500 (at the very most). I don't need anything too powerful that's going to be able to run Crysis 62's most powerful graphic settings at a clean, undistorted 80 FPS while running 6 instances of iTunes and Call of Duty 21: Mission Impossible in the background. All I need is something that can cleanly run less power-hungry games like Counter-Strike: Source and League of Legends, with a good amount of RAM left for some music and/or Skype.

Few last notes:
- Yes, my graphic card drivers are up to date.
- Yes, I clean my computer of excess files every month or so and run regular virus tests with MalwareBytes and Norton 360.
- Yes, it seems like I just need a new graphics card from what I'm saying, but my computer still can't handle Skype and iTunes with Firefox without one of the three performing slowly.
- No, I'm not a computer expert when it comes to technical specifications.  

Minecraft at 12 FPS without high prority.
TF2 at 7.
My computer can't even run canyourunit.com and it randomly shuts off.
It's only 7 months old.
._.

But yeah, I guess you could ask /g/.  

I get 4. On DayZ. Running very low textures/models/graphics. Get away from me.  

1) Build your own
2) desktops get way more bang for buck

Most desktops you buy aren't built for gaming and tend to have integrated graphics(gpu on the motherboard itself, rather than dedicated). If they ARE gaming-capable they have a much higher pricetag.

I built my PC for $300, and while it wasn't even a beast then it has been more than capable over the years and even now that it's quite aged. And the good thing about building your own PC is as the years go by you can just upgrade specific components as you have the money/desire and keep it going powerful for a long time. Also if your HDD(hard drive) is any good from your current PC you can swap it out and use it on your new one to save a penny(HDD's are still a bit pricy since the floods over there).

Also post your results instead from start -> run > 'dxdiag'

(ps Day Z is apparently notorious for being an inefficient game and even lagging down the better PCs. It's not a very good game to run as a benchmark. Neither is Minecraft, since Minecraft relies much more on CPU/ram than GPU, and most games don't stress CPU/ram that much and instead put most of it on the GPU).  

I'm not too sure about building my own computer, despite the advantages; not sure parents want to go through the hassle of buying separate components to build a computer. My dad didn't even want to buy an iPhone screen repair kit. And yeah, I've been looking for desktops, since I won't be looking to be PC gaming in school/trips/etc and could use the extra cost-efficiency.

I've been considering this one: http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/C..._Configurator/

Would it satisfy my needs as stated in the OP?  

Iphone screen repair kit and build your own rig are two totally different things.

You can order everything you need on Newegg and have it all come in one tidy package(well multiple packages, all comes together though). And for $500 you WOULD have a PC that ran Crysis 2 at full framerate and high settings.  

The point is, my parents aren't the biggest fans of construction and separate components. Seeing that cost-efficient custom-built computers that are $500 can run Crysis 2 on full framerate, I'm assuming there are computers around that price range that can run simpler games like Counter-Strike. Can you point me towards one?

Also, the link I posted earlier seems to be pre-custom made and configured, and is $475. Would you recommend it?  

uh it's a alright computer, if you want a really good PC, I'd go for Alienware or Cyberpower, like the one you said  

Don't go for Alienware :/  

If you want a better computer, but don't want to build one, you can get a laptop with a okay graphics card for $600. By okay graphics, I mean you can play BF3 on low settings, minecraft on high, etc. You'd bet more bang for your buck by building one, but if you really can't this is an option. If you're interested, I could send you a link to an example of one.  

Posted by Dusty

Don't go for Alienware :/

I won't. After a while I've learned to not look towards mass-popular/mainstream brands whose products (Alienware, Beats by Dre, SteelSeries/Astro/Tritton headphones) are usually just aesthetically appealing and apparently approved by big names, which I guess is enough to drive people to buy one.

Anyway, I think I'm gonna go with the link I posted. It seems promising enough for my needs, and isn't over-the-top Alienware-Transformers hybrid looking. If anyone has any alternatives, I'm still open for suggestions.

EDIT
Forgot, here are the specs for the computer. This good enough for the games I mentioned?

CPU: Intel® Core™ i3-2120 3.30 GHz 3M Intel Smart Cache LGA1155
HDD: 500GB SATA-III 3.0Gb/s 16MB Cache 7200RPM HDD (Single Drive)
MEMORY: 4GB (2GBx2) DDR3/1600MHz Dual Channel Memory (Corsair or Major Brand)
MOTHERBOARD: [CrossFireX] GIGABYTE GA-B75M-D3H Intel B75 Chipset DDR3 mATX Mainboard w/ 7.1 HD Audio, HDMI, GbLAN, USB 3.0, SATA-III, 2x Gen2 PCIe x16 & PCI
SOUND: HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIO
VIDEO: None, or On-Board 16X PCIe Shared 128MB Integrated 3D Graphics Video Card

 

See that's the problem. No video/onboard integrated means you won't be able to play any games, regardless of the rest of the specs.  

I can buy a GPU along with the computer. Which do you think I should go for?  

Maybe, but I doubt the stock PSU would be able to manage it so you're probably gonna have to upgrade that. As for suggestions I don't know, wait for someone more knowledgeable to stumble in and recommend a good budget graphics card.  

Alright. Thank you for your help, its much appreciated.