How to find a good gaming PC?

[Big Max]

Recently I've been saving up to get myself a good PC as my current computer is terrible and I would like to get more involved with some PC gaming. However, I have absolute zero experience with finding the best PC for my money and was hoping to get some friendly advice.

Basically I want to know how you would go about finding a good PC, I was also wondering whether it would be cheaper to buy in parts and build it up or buy a pre-built one.

PS: Just incase it affects anything, I'm in the UK.

 

[insectoid]

I would seriously think about building one, if you're not confident enough to build it yourself, pay someone else to do it. Pre-built is always more expensive.

 

[MorsePacific]

To make it really easy, I'm going to just write a list of steps.

1. Determine your budget
2. Research what you don't know
3. Visit Newegg.com
4. Choose your parts
5. Order them
6. Put it together

It's as simple as that. I would never buy pre-built, but that's personal choice.

 

[Fayathon]

I'd suggest finding someone to build you a custom computer, and build it specifically for gaming.

 

[huckleberryhound]

Recently I've been saving up to get myself a good PC as my current computer is terrible and I would like to get more involved with some PC gaming. However, I have absolute zero experience with finding the best PC for my money and was hoping to get some friendly advice.

Basically I want to know how you would go about finding a good PC, I was also wondering whether it would be cheaper to buy in parts and build it up or buy a pre-built one.

PS: Just incase it affects anything, I'm in the UK.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk


i got mine from here....


http://www.custompc.ie/

 

[ravensshade]

To make it really easy, I'm going to just write a list of steps.

1. Determine your budget
2. Research what you don't know
3. Visit Newegg.com
4. Choose your parts
5. Order them
6. Put it together

It's as simple as that. I would never buy pre-built, but that's personal choice.

hmmm it can be cheaper to just go to a local computer store to get the parts then ordering them from newegg. Buying in part is definately the way to go

 

[huckleberryhound]

To make it really easy, I'm going to just write a list of steps.

1. Determine your budget
2. Research what you don't know
3. Visit Newegg.com
4. Choose your parts
5. Order them
6. Put it together

It's as simple as that. I would never buy pre-built, but that's personal choice.

hmmm it can be cheaper to just go to a local computer store to get the parts then ordering them from newegg. Buying in part is definately the way to go

Having done both, i would have to disagree. If you buy your own and you fuck it up,it's your own problem. If you get prebuilt, you have a warantee. For the uninitiated, i'd deffo go for a decent prebuilt machine...from the right provider.

 

[Zacharine]

The best option is building one. You can easily save 200 US dollars or more. I myself build a new comp on christmas, compared to pre-builds, I saved around 300? (around 350 US dollars).

However, what you should require from a gaming package these days is:

RAM: at least 2 GB of DDR3 (preferably 4 GB), 1333 MHz or greater. DDR2 memory is outdated, do not buy under any circumstances a pre-build package with this. If the memory specs are not displayed, ask. Many retailer do not mention these, in order to clear warehouses of outdated hardware.

HDD: 250 GB will do, 500GB or more is recommended. 1TB is more than enough. Make sure it's a SATA hard-drive, IDE tech is outdated.

CPU: For a gaming rig, the number of cores is less important than the individual performance of said cores. That said, never go for anything less than a double core. On Intel, try to find the i5 series, on AMD you go for the Phenom II family of processors. Both represent pretty much the latest gen level in technology and will serve quite nicely your gaming needs for at least a few years easily without complaint. A mid-level processor form either of these families should serve for 5 years or more easily.

GPU: On a gaming rig, this is the most important part. However, these are a multitude and will be discussed more at following articles:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-graphics-card,2521.html?xtmc=the_best_gaming_graphics_cards_for_the_money__2010&xtcr=2

Also look here for more info on CPUs: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gaming-cpu,2520.html

In general regarding CPUs, Intel chipsets perform better, but at higher costs. AMD-based chipsets performs adequately to good, at much lower costs.

Also read:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/build-balanced-platform,2469.html

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/balanced-gaming-pc,2477.html

 

[Big Max]

Hmmm, looks like I'm gonna have to look more into building up the computer myself. Would there happen to be an easy well to find out the compatibility of the pieces?

snip

Thanks for the links, time for some light reading.

 

[Zacharine]

Hmmm, looks like I'm gonna have to look more into building up the computer myself. Would there happen to be an easy well to find out the compatibility of the pieces?

snip

Thanks for the links, time for some light reading.

This might come in handy:

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/274745-13-step-step-guide-building

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/257075-13-guide-choosing-parts

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/273518-13-homebuilt-buying-guide

Also, their forums are comprehensive and you can, after creating an account, post your own new build for evaluation by the local experts. If there are any real issues with your chosen build, they can and will suggest changes. I have so far found the site to be an invaluable source of knowledge in all things PC hardware.

 

[shini]

About the compatibility of the pieces, aside from checking online, when you talk to the vendor they will most likely have experience with the pieces they sell. That is why I always bought all parts (except peripherals) from the same vendor - saves hassles in case of problems. They also assembled the parts I bought initially, and I only had to add whatever upgrades I made later.

I'd go for a 1TB hdd (well, I already did) because hdds don't get outdated like other PC components and since 1 TB hdd is actually cheaper than 2 500GB hdd ones (logical, but doesn't always happen) you save money in the long run. If money is an issue at the moment, you could always keep the hdd you currently have and add a new hdd after you save enough.

 

[Big Max]

This might come in handy:

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/274745-13-step-step-guide-building

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/257075-13-guide-choosing-parts

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/273518-13-homebuilt-buying-guide

Also, their forums are comprehensive and you can, after creating an account, post your own new build for evaluation by the local experts. If there are any real issues with your chosen build, they can and will suggest changes. I have so far found the site to be an invaluable source of knowledge in all things PC hardware.

Thanks you very much for your help, I'll probably make an account on there soon.

 

[Zacharine]

This might come in handy:

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/274745-13-step-step-guide-building

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/257075-13-guide-choosing-parts

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/273518-13-homebuilt-buying-guide

Also, their forums are comprehensive and you can, after creating an account, post your own new build for evaluation by the local experts. If there are any real issues with your chosen build, they can and will suggest changes. I have so far found the site to be an invaluable source of knowledge in all things PC hardware.

Thanks you very much for your help, I'll probably make an account on there soon.

You are welcome.

When it comes down to building your own PC, knowledge is power. There is an element of risk involved, but you can easily save money and customize the PC for your particular budget and needs. Hope everything works out for you, no matter if you choose to buy a pre-build or build one yourself.

 

[Earthmonger]

3. Visit Newegg.com
4. Choose your parts
5. Order them

I commend the effort. Unfortunately our friend here lives in the UK, and Newegg doesn't do international. There is no monster like Newegg in the UK. About all that comes close is Scan, but even that's a third of the inventory of Newegg (and far less friendly about returns).

If you haven't guessed it, I miss Newegg. Norway here. The parts for my last build came from all over the world, because the local shops only sell 'tourist' PC parts.

 

[Jamash]

I got my gaming PC from http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/ and I couldn't be happier with my choice, they have excellent customer service and I haven't had any problems with my custom gaming rig.

It's a good compromise between between building your own PC and buying a ready made PC. You choose exactly what parts you want, but they assemble and test it for you, and give you a 1 year warranty.

I suggest having a look at their site when you know a bit more about what components you want and how much you want to spend, or even just have a play around on their website now and try building a couple of PCs to get some ideas about what you could afford, even if you don't buy one from there it's still quite fun having a play around and building fantasy PCs.

 

[Abedeus]

To make it really easy, I'm going to just write a list of steps.

1. Determine your budget
2. Research what you don't know
3. Visit Newegg.com
4. Choose your parts
5. Order them
6. Put it together

It's as simple as that. I would never buy pre-built, but that's personal choice.

hmmm it can be cheaper to just go to a local computer store to get the parts then ordering them from newegg. Buying in part is definately the way to go

Having done both, i would have to disagree. If you buy your own and you fuck it up,it's your own problem. If you get prebuilt, you have a warantee. For the uninitiated, i'd deffo go for a decent prebuilt machine...from the right provider.

Oxymoron. No such thing as decent and prebuilt at the same time. They all suck, always.

 

[The Wooster]

You can 'buy' a good pc from the internet. I recommend Tiger Direct.

However if you want to 'find' a PC I would suggest dumpsters, junk yards, other people's houses, schools etc.

 

[Woodsey]

Build it yourself or get a shop to build it for you.

Don't buy pre-built.

 

[Actual]

http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/

As you're English I was going to suggest these too. I usually build mine myself but if you're not confident to do that, these guys will do it for you for a reasonable price. They also do some great testing before sending it to you to ensure everything's working perfectly.

 

[Baggie]

Building it yourself is definately cheaper, and some crazy people (Like me) thoroughly enjoy the experience. It's not that hard, but if you don't think you can do it there's probably someone you know in RL that can help build it.