I just started playing MWO on my bootcamp'd 13-inch 2012 Macbook Pro. Go ahead and cringe, because yes, it's as rough as it sounds.
So, now that I have my own job and can dish out cash in the ways that I see fit I've decided to look into getting a platform that's dedicated to PC games. I had been playing SW:TOR on the same machine, and I think now would be a reasonable time to just a completely separate machine.
So my question is this: if I were willing to spend somewhere between 500-800 bucks on a gaming set up, where should I start? Usually I'd lean towards buying some pre-made, basic gaming system from HP or Dell or what have you. As you may imagine, my knowledge of computer systems and how they work is rudimentary at best.
Are there any viable systems out there in my price range that I should be considering before bypassing them altogether? Keep in mind that I am not looking for a monstrous/top of the line gaming system that pumps out the latest games at ridiculous framerates with no performance issues whatsoever. I want something that can play games like MWO or SWTOR at decent/med-high graphics with ease, and a big monitor so I don't have to squint every time I aim at something.
I'm looking at the upcoming console releases (Xbox One + PS4) for other games that I may want to play that would require better computers for performance, but it wouldn't hurt if the system I eventually got did have the capabilities of running some of the newer, more requirement-heavy games that come out at med/low settings....but that's a secondary thought.
If there aren't stock PC systems that are worth the price, should I look at DIY/custom setups that I would build on my own? The concept is pretty daunting as I have no real experience doing so. But I've loved video games since I was a kid, and I welcome the challenge + time/effort it would take to learn how to put everything together (as long as there are some guides/instructions out there for me to follow, or else I'm pretty lost). Also, would it be cost-effective alternative to an already-built system?
So, to recap: Im looking to get a decent/good PC gaming system (won't be using it for anything else) for 500-800 bucks, and I don't know if I should be looking for stock ones or if I should build my own. Whichever it is, any suggestions as to where I should look first? If there really isn't anything available for either in that price range, I guess I should just save up some more, so that's not TOTALLY out of the question.
That being said, I'm not about that whole delayed gratification thing, so we'll see.
Thanks!
P.S: If I sound completely lost/noobish, that's because I am. So feel free to point out where I'm mistaken/misled...I'd rather learn now then do something stupid after I've committed financially.
EDIT: I would've posted in the other PC building thread -> http://mwomercs.com/...a-new-pc-ideas/
But a) didn't really want to hijack that

c) Equipment was a bit too pricey at this point.
Edited by Tankopotomus, 02 July 2013 - 05:07 PM.