I am thinking about building a PC. I do not have a way to build one yet, but I may be able to get one built by someone I know. I'd like to know what parts I will need to run Oblivion and Fallout 3 at max settings. My price range is $300-$500 CAD as of right now. Maxing out Oblivion is my main objective as I do not own Fallout 3 PC right now. I heard someone here say it cost them $495 to build a PC capable of Maxing Oblivion. I need a list of parts, a monitor and speakers are not needed I have a HDTV and a Dell 19' Inch widescreen monitor that I can use. I just need to build the tower. I'm focusing it on Oblivion, but maxing Fallout 3, Left4Dead, etc. would be nice. Thank you.

That is very little to spend considering that you are in Canada. You're gonna need to spend at least $500 CAD for something worthwhile for this game. Here's a list of components....

CASE+PSU: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129065
CPU: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103903
MOBO: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157176
RAM: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231190
HDD: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181
GPU: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102855
OS: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754
DVD: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

That runs up to about $560 CAD. If it turns out you won't be needing a dvd drive or an operating system, some bucks will be saved, You can get the video card instead:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150467&cm_re=radeon_5670-_-14-150-467-_-Product

Thanks, I forgot about the operating system. I will probably get 7 or XP. I will need a DVD drive for sure not sure if the dell's DVD drive would be compatible. Since my monitor only offers up to 1440 x 900 wouldn't the part be cheaper to max that resolution? I am only looking to oblivion and it's mods, other games would be nice as long as it doesn't cost too much money. I can go over $500, but as of right now not that much over. I'm looking for the cheapest parts possible that will run oblivion on max settings with no lag. I will look into those parts you listed, I will probably end up getting them. I will raise my budget to $300 - $600 CAD.

Besides the case and GPU I have the exact same system as above. My GPU is a bit better (HD 5670) and my case is the Antec Two Hundred. My wife on the other hand still has the 4670 in her system (so basically the same as above) We both max the game easily. I am able to add a few more mods (RAEVWD being the major one) but the game still looks great on her system. 1440x900 with AAx4 and AFx16 plus Bloom (don't like HDR).

I really can't see you doing much better than that for the money, and if FO3 (which runs even better) and Oblivion are your main concerns, I believe the above is your system!!!

I know it is the best choice for me but I currently am unemployed and a college student living with his parents(moving to downstairs apartment when finished next year) and this computer is a xmas gift that I get to pick out and that is the set pricing range by my parents. If I get a job I will be more open to going more expensive because I can then help them pay for it. As of right now i'm stuck with around $500 CAD i'm thinking about getting a alienware laptop if i can find employment. I choose a laptop because I can take it to school and on trips. I will still be building a pc also, if I can pay 4 it myself.

Alienware really is the last place to look for a notebook.....

Remember, by Xmas time deals may be better. Prices do change all lthe time, so might want to request again for a build later on when the time to buy gets a lot closer. I thouht you were buying soon....

I am just looking for parts right now. I'm making a list for when I plan to buy. I figured Alienware would be the best option for gaming PCs. What is the best option? Please no $8000 chuck norris computers.

What other parts do you have already -- ie. speakers, case, Keyboard, Mouse, HDD, DVD player, Powersupply, etc. -- when trying to build on a low budget all of those things can make a difference and allow the available funds to be used for better pieces if you have some already that can be used even if only for awhile until more funds can be saved for replacements.

Alienware is the one of the worst, mainly due to price. Stay far away from them. Building a PC yourself is much better, or if it must be a laptop, then go with Asus or Toshiba makes some pretty good ones. Its more based on the specs on the inside then a brand name.

For gaming PCs? Definitely not. For gaming notebooks, rarely. They do once in a blue moon have a decent notebook at a decent price through their website, but it doesn't last very long and again....rarely. For notebooks, Asus has been on their game with notebooks. Toshiba, Lenovo, MSI, and Gateway also sometimes have decent options. Acer and HP are ones to typically avoid...they load tons of bloatware, have cheap components, and Acer has terrible customer support. Sony is just overpriced.

But as mentioned, it will come down to the hardware inside of the noteobok

Any good gaming laptops in the price range of $500-$1500?

Well yea, there are plenty...

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+Laptop+/+Intel%26%23174%3B+Core%26%23153%3B+i7+Processor+/+17.3%22+Display+/+6GB+Memory+/+640GB+Hard+Drive+-+Black/1257894.p?id=1218243761956&skuId=1257894
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834114796
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6646271&CatId=4938
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834152196
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220700

So all those can run Oblivion on max? I'm really interested in that $949 Toshiba.

Vanilla Oblivion should be no problem....with texture hogging mods, it's a try and see scenario.

Thats excellent, I never use graphics mods anyway. Most of the mods I use are made with textures that were already in the game or are just new spells. If I do notice FPS drops with mods I will just lower the settings a bit.