I need some PC purchase advice

[D_987]

I am looking to buy a gaming PC - one that, without to much trouble should be able to run Crysis. That's right you PC elitists - you win!

My main reasoning behind this is the fact I enjoy modding games, creating levels with SDK etc... However, my current laptop is incredibly slow when doing so and often crashes when running the program. It can barely run Team Fortress 2...

My main problem is the fact I know nothing about PC's and their requirements as I have never really played games on PC. As such I am asking for the PC enthusiasts among The Escapist to offer some advise. Yes, I am looking for a dedicated gaming PC - EDIT : I have a budget of around £500 - £600 I am looking for either desktop or laptop - I'm not bothered which to be honest.

(You can say more than just answer these questions; these are just some points I'd like addressing)

. What are the key "things" (such as graphics card maybe?) I should look for.
. Any particular make or brand?
. Any examples - I am looking for a long term investment
. Any other questions I should be asking?

I know your probably thinking I should find a website for this - the truth being many of the sites I have checked out give different views on the subject. That and its best to hear from real people as opposed to sites that may well be owned by a company...

 

[The Infamous Scamola]

Yeah, I'm looking for something similar too, mainly to play Empire: Total War. Anybody have any suggestions?

 

[evilgenius134]

If you don't wish the hassle you could look into buying a pre-built PC. These are generally loaded with unneccesary programs that give windows a bad name. Generally are overpriced and are severly underpowered unless you really fork out for a 'gamer' PC.

For building a PC its not too hard. Get a 70/100£$ Motherboard. This price range will nearly gaurantee it has the stuff you need. You have to look at the other pieces you are getting to determine the Motherboard.

Ensure you get half decent RAM. With a 64bit OS get 4GB of 1066MHz DDR2 RAM for the best price/performance ratio.

The CPU for price/performance is a Intel Core 2 7400/8400. The later ones are very expensive for the performance and unless you really want them i would say settle for a Core 2 Duo 8400.

For Graphics you can't really go wrong. ATI have better performance while nVidia have better drivers. I would suggest a Radeon 4870 or a GeForce 260 since they are modern cards which are now very cheap.
For a cheaper price a Radeon 4770 or a GeForce 9800 will suffice for any game at medium quality.

For a case jsut get a case that can fit your Motherboard, this will generally be a ATX sized case and these also fixed mATX boards incase you get one of those. Most cases do well in cooling and it may boil down to looks.

If there are any Computer nerds who are bearable talk to them. They will have a much better clue to what to buy and will repeat what i say. And they may have experience putting it together if you aren't confident putting on thermal paste or breaking something.

Search for the latest Models of componenets and go one down, this will give you a similar performance to the high end and save you a bit.

If you are UK based www.lambda-tek.com has a computer building program and are so far the cheapest in the UK for parts. For US i heard Newegg are the thing to go to.

 

[Azhrarn-101]

For a powersupply (assuming your case doesn't come with one, and most don't) you really can't go wrong with a Corsair or Seasonic. (The corsairs are basically rebranded seasonics anyway)
For a Core2Duo or Core2Quad with a ATI HD4870 a 600W power supply should be plenty unless you intend to add a dozen or so harddrives.

 

[Sewblon]

Toms Hardware is reliable for this sort of thing. Also, avoid Seagate products I spent 3 months fixing the firmware issues with their harddrives.

 

[D_987]

One thing - I have no idea how to set-up a computer and would not want to break anything - sure it maybe cheaper; but it may cost more if I break it. Are there any UK sites that offer to create custom computers and dispatch them?

 

[KenzS]

If you're looking for a gaming laptop I suggest the Toshiba Qosmio. It's Toshiba's high-end gaming brand of laptops.
They're a tad expensive, Mine was $1600.. but I can't complain about it's 18.5" screen and harmon/kardon speakers.

Gateway probably has the best price for quality, I used to have a really good one. $800, and could play Gears of War, WoW, and Cod4.

 

[D_987]

If you're looking for a gaming laptop I suggest the Toshiba Qosmio. It's Toshiba's high-end gaming brand of laptops.
They're a tad expensive, Mine was $1600.. but I can't complain about it's 18.5" screen and harmon/kardon speakers.

Gateway probably has the best price for quality, I used to have a really good one. $800, and could play Gears of War, WoW, and Cod4.

Are you able to update the system - I know you can't in most laptops.

 

[Lord Krunk]

Toms Hardware is reliable for this sort of thing. Also, avoid Seagate products I spent 3 months fixing the firmware issues with their harddrives.

Ah, pardon my ineptitude but what's a firmware issue?

I need to know because my new computer parts (which I'm getting this week) includes a Seagate hard drive.

 

[KenzS]

Are you able to update the system - I know you can't in most laptops.

You can upgrade most of the hardware. But you can't upgrade the video card, it's attached to the motherboard like most laptops. Gaming laptops should always have the best video cards though.

 

[Sewblon]

Toms Hardware is reliable for this sort of thing. Also, avoid Seagate products I spent 3 months fixing the firmware issues with their harddrives.

Ah, pardon my ineptitude but what's a firmware issue?

I need to know because my new computer parts (which I'm getting this week) includes a Seagate hard drive.

Firmware is the programing inherent in the drive itself. The SNO5 and SN15 versions of the barracudas firmware caused them to die at random and require flashing. I finally got it all fixed last night and it wasn't pleasant.

 

[D_987]

Are you able to update the system - I know you can't in most laptops.

You can upgrade most of the hardware. But you can't upgrade the video card, it's attached to the motherboard like most laptops. Gaming laptops should always have the best video cards though.

Interesting - anyone else think the laptop in question would make a good investment?

 

[Lord Krunk]

Toms Hardware is reliable for this sort of thing. Also, avoid Seagate products I spent 3 months fixing the firmware issues with their harddrives.

Ah, pardon my ineptitude but what's a firmware issue?

I need to know because my new computer parts (which I'm getting this week) includes a Seagate hard drive.

Firmware is the programing inherent in the drive itself. The SNO5 and SN15 versions of the barracudas firmware caused them to die at random and require flashing. I finally got it all fixed last night and it wasn't pleasant.

Will that be an issue for me, or was it just a one-off in your case?

 

[KenzS]

Are you able to update the system - I know you can't in most laptops.

You can upgrade most of the hardware. But you can't upgrade the video card, it's attached to the motherboard like most laptops. Gaming laptops should always have the best video cards though.

Interesting - anyone else think the laptop in question would make a good investment?

Toshiba Qosmio was the one. There's a few different models.

http://laptops.toshiba.com/laptops/qosmio

EDIT: That's the X305 model

 

[Zombie_Fish]

Key things to look for for games are graphics, memory and sound cards. Other things like speed and disc space is also fairly important for games but those are the main ones.

 

[Syntax Error]

Are you able to update the system - I know you can't in most laptops.

You can upgrade most of the hardware. But you can't upgrade the video card, it's attached to the motherboard like most laptops. Gaming laptops should always have the best video cards though.

Interesting - anyone else think the laptop in question would make a good investment?

It's been said time and again: If you have any plans to upgrade in the future, you need a desktop. The only time you're likely to buy a totally new desktop is if there's a better processor you want but it's not supported by your current motherboard. Even then you'd only really need to buy a new motherboard and salvage things from the older desktop to get things running again (barring compatibility issues of course).

 

[D_987]

Are you able to update the system - I know you can't in most laptops.

You can upgrade most of the hardware. But you can't upgrade the video card, it's attached to the motherboard like most laptops. Gaming laptops should always have the best video cards though.

Interesting - anyone else think the laptop in question would make a good investment?

It's been said time and again: If you have any plans to upgrade in the future, you need a desktop. The only time you're likely to buy a totally new desktop is if there's a better processor you want but it's not supported by your current motherboard. Even then you'd only really need to buy a new motherboard and salvage things from the older desktop to get things running again (barring compatibility issues of course).

Ok - as I said I know nothing about computers - what would you suggest?

 

[fix-the-spade]

If anyone recognizes it, you remember Eggo.

The incredible self destructing man!

Anyway, it's interesting how close gaming PC's are getting to work stations these days, just a lot cheaper.


Slight thread derailment: What does everyone think of Falcon Northwest? I've been looking at one of their DRX laptops to replace my old (2004) workstation pc...

 

[Sewblon]

Toms Hardware is reliable for this sort of thing. Also, avoid Seagate products I spent 3 months fixing the firmware issues with their harddrives.

Ah, pardon my ineptitude but what's a firmware issue?

I need to know because my new computer parts (which I'm getting this week) includes a Seagate hard drive.

Firmware is the programing inherent in the drive itself. The SNO5 and SN15 versions of the barracudas firmware caused them to die at random and require flashing. I finally got it all fixed last night and it wasn't pleasant.

Will that be an issue for me, or was it just a one-off in your case?

It affects all the drives with either the SN05 or SN15 firmware, but if you get either you can return it in exchange for a drive with updated firmware without the problem, if you have a warranty and contact Seagate tech support.

 

[vampirekid.13]

If you don't wish the hassle you could look into buying a pre-built PC. These are generally loaded with unneccesary programs that give windows a bad name.

windows needs no help getting a bad name. it can get one all by itself just fine, dont blame freeware for a bad OS.

altho i agree with the rest of ur post, make ur own pc, its not hard to plug stuff in adapters on a motherboard. hehe.