I need some PC purchase advice

[D_987]

http://www.wired2fire.co.uk/build.php?systype=15&fsb=40

Hmm - what about something like this?

 

[pigeon_of_doom]

http://www.wired2fire.co.uk/build.php?systype=15&fsb=40

Hmm - what about something like this?

Personally, I don't really like custom build sites like that. Aren't there any computer hardware stores in your area? If you spoke to someone working in a decent PC hardware store to decide on components, order them from the web and then get them to build it for a fee (should be bout 40-80 quid) then that may work out. You'd save more than that amount, and can avoid having to pay for an OS, saving even more and should be able to get a decent monitor.

 

[kawligia]

For the love of GOD, don't buy a name brand PC like Dell. Those things are complete and total SHIT. They use crappy parts that are anything but a "long-term" investment and it will be overloaded with bullshit programs you don't need to want.

Find a local PC store in your area, give them the specs you want from the recommendations here, and have them put it together for you. You will thank me later.

 

[D_987]

http://www.wired2fire.co.uk/build.php?systype=15&fsb=40

Hmm - what about something like this?

http://www.meshcomputers.com/Default.aspx?PAGE=PRODUCTVIEWPAGE&USG=PRODUCT&ENT=PRODUCT&KEY=560668&utm_source=homepage&utm_medium=online&utm_content=9950_HD_p1&utm_campaign=panel1
These guys are the best for pricing, unless you want to make a PC yourself.
Have fun customising the models to your requirements!

http://www.meshcomputers.com/Default.aspx?PAGE=PRODUCTCONFIGPAGE&USG=PRODUCT&ENT=PRODUCT&KEY=490053&UTM_SOURCE=homepage&UTM_MEDIUM=online&UTM_CONTENT=9950_HD_p1&UTM_CAMPAIGN=panel1

Costs £14 more, but you get a 22" monitor, keyboard and mouse, but only the 4850, not the 4870 (not sure how big/litte a difference that would make). And you get an AMD quad core.

Or this one:
http://www.meshcomputers.com/Default.aspx?PAGE=PRODUCTCONFIGPAGE&USG=PRODUCT&ENT=PRODUCT&KEY=497697&UTM_SOURCE=homepage&UTM_MEDIUM=online&UTM_CONTENT=9950_HD_p1&UTM_CAMPAIGN=panel1
Identical GPU with twice the memory, and a quadcore processor (Intel), and £15 cheaper
But no monitor or keyboard, just a base unit.

I wasn't so much asking about buying it from there - but are the specs good enough?

 

[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.

I'm getting my parts from a wholesaler (who I assume have the latest updates for their parts), so I shouldn't have any trouble.

Shouldn't.

Just read the back of the drive to verify the firmware version before you install it.

What firmware is good, and what is bad?

SN05 and SN15 are bad, SN06 and SN16 are good.

 

[D_987]

Find a local PC store in your area, give them the specs you want from the recommendations here, and have them put it together for you. You will thank me later.

Thats the plan =)

 

[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?

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.

I'm getting my parts from a wholesaler (who I assume have the latest updates for their parts), so I shouldn't have any trouble.

Shouldn't.

Just read the back of the drive to verify the firmware version before you install it.

What firmware is good, and what is bad?

SN05 and SN15 are bad, SN06 and SN16 are good.

Thank you very much for your help.

 

[jasoncyrus]

Tbh to make a decent rig that'll run crysis AND future things (like Prototype etc) you'll need to spend about a grand rather than £600.

 

[D_987]

Tbh to make a decent rig that'll run crysis AND future things (like Prototype etc) you'll need to spend about a grand rather than £600.

Its ok saying that; but I'd like to see you back up the statement...

 

[D_987]

.

It all adds up. If you're wanting to run Crysis extremly high to the envy of all others your looking at closely to ?2,000 or more.

Well if you read my original post you'd find thats not my intention at all...

In my world "without to much trouble" means it should at least be minimum requirements.

 

[jasoncyrus]

Very well then, for a decent sstem that'll last 3 years and upwards...assuming you download things etc and very much into gaming and want the best quality for reasonable money.

24" monitor, because in the long run its worth it (i have one it makes crysis look sssoooooo good) http://www.ebuyer.com/product/159782 £152.58 and thats CHEAP. mine was £312.

Antec 1200 gaming case for awesome cooling. http://www.ebuyer.com/product/143852

£136.99 there but you can get the for £100. You want this not only for the size, the fans and the psu, but also for the case design and removable washable filters.

(so £252.58 so far...)

2x dvd RAM drives because we all know 2 drives are vital. http://www.ebuyer.com/product/101321

£15 each so £30

(£282.58)

processor fan to keep things frosty. http://www.ebuyer.com/product/105994

Artic coolers are immesely good for a fan based cooling system. I have this in mine and it works briliantly. £14.86

(£297.44)

Decent graphics card. http://www.ebuyer.com/product/139641

I've got an 8800GTS aswell, works very nicely and plays crysis well enough. £195.73

(£493.17)

main program drive. http://www.ebuyer.com/product/164274 500 gigs works nicely for all those fat games. £40

(£533.17)

Backupdrive for storage incase it goes tits up and you lose all your downloads etc. http://www.ebuyer.com/product/164282 £60

(£593.17)

processor: quad core http://www.ebuyer.com/product/164969 Decent enough.

motherboard: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/145747 bundle deal with processor £224.12 for both together.

(£817.29 oh look we've shot right over £600)

RAM: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/142387 I *think* that one works with it, 2am so forgive me if its the wrong type. We'll need 4 gigs because prototype by itself needs 2 gigs to run (according to the box and we wanna be able to point at the box and laugh in a superior manner) £35.64

(£852.93)

power supply: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/151287 we want one with a bit of grunt for further expansion in the future, so we'll go with a 750 watt. £31.05

(£883.98)

soundcard: (optional since oboard sound is pretty decent these days) http://www.ebuyer.com/product/121761 Soundblaster didnt let me down before so we'll go with it this time, £37

(£920.98)

mouse: standard MS optical (because you honestly dont need anything more complex unless you're a gaming addict with OCD) http://www.ebuyer.com/product/106194 £14.82

(£935.80)

keyboard: same reasoning as the mouse. http://www.ebuyer.com/product/160332 £9.78

(£945.58)

Headphones/earphones (because you dont need speakers really) I'd give you a link to mine since they are epic quality..but they are discontinued -.- fuckers. But in reality it's your hearing not mine so its personal choice/trial and error.

So lets say about £15 for a decent set.

(£960.58)

Mic: Since you'll probably be using TS, vent or some other communication program you'll need a decent mic. a USB mic works wonders and has a huge range. http://www.ebuyer.com/product/54130 £16.42

(£977)

network card: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/83820 since you need it for interwebs...£10.84

(£987.84)

OS: since we've got 4 gigs of ram we're gonna need 64 bit windows. http://www.ebuyer.com/product/123067 £82.31

(£1070.15)

USB Hub: Becase we all know how annoying it can be to wrestle with cable at the back of our rig especially when we have lots of usb devices. http://www.ebuyer.com/product/130521 £5.85

(£1076)

Thats all i can think of just now so i've probably missed something. But add on the prce of cables, shipping and it'll take you over the £1100 mark.

As my brother once said, if you are going to build a system, build one that'll LAST. I'd say 3-5 years before you cant play the newest games is a pretty good deal right?

 

[RicoADF]

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

If you want to game, DONT get a laptop. They are twice the price for a less capable system. Get a decent desktop.

 

[AlphaOmega]

Tbh to make a decent rig that'll run crysis AND future things (like Prototype etc) you'll need to spend about a grand rather than £600.

Not True, Prototype runs very lightly and without any accesouries you can have a decent system for 800euro's

 

[Cocal]

Do what I did,
I took my old 2004 Dell PC and just upgraded it. Came up to be about 400-500 Dollars.
I keep'd the same Motherboard and everything, just got up to 3 gigs of ram, a new ATI Radeon 4960 ( or something like that) HD graphic card and a new power supply. Now I can run any game out there full graphic 100-120 FPS no lag.

 

[jasoncyrus]

Tbh to make a decent rig that'll run crysis AND future things (like Prototype etc) you'll need to spend about a grand rather than £600.

Not True, Prototype runs very lightly and without any accesouries you can have a decent system for 800euro's

If you'd read my post properly I said a decen system that will last 3-5 YEARS not 3-5 MONTHS.

And true prototype can run very lightly however as i also said in my post we are going with the method of looking at the box specs and knowing we are over the basic needs of that game so it plays and looks GOOD. Not the best but above average.

We are going for a gaming system with the ability to play mp3s, and movies and various other tidbits of video along with running 3 messengers, crysis andthe usually background progs all at the same time. If its a game with a window mode, then various web pages and conversation windows open aswell and not have stutter.

 

[AlphaOmega]

I have a core2duo,3gig ram,8800gt and I can max Prototype, thats what I ment with prototype being light.

You can get a basic i7 core + mobo, 8gigs ram and one of the latest vidcard for under 800 euro's. stuff like a harddrives etc you can salvage. Let me whip up something.

 

[jasoncyrus]

I have a core2duo,3gig ram,8800gt and I can max Prototype, thats what I ment with prototype being light.

You can get a basic i7 core + mobo, 8gigs ram and one of the latest vidcard for under 800 euro's. stuff like a harddrives etc you can salvage. Let me whip up something.

Ok clearly you did not get the point of my post at all. I wasnt talking upgrades I was talking a whole new RIG. Because after 3-5 years games start to get pretty hefty file size wise. With this spec he'll be SORTED for the next 3-5 years, depending on hardware and software advancements.

So instead of arguing about salvage and how cheap it can be feel free to properly read things and actually think about why it's been posted. -.- Sheesh.

If he simply upgrades then he'll need to upgrade again pretty soon (within a year). We're going for a long term solution.

 

[AlphaOmega]

I looked over the fact he had a laptop, does that give you the right to act like a scumbag?
I read/misread he allready has a desktop, less being a dickweed.

 

[InProgress]

- get a very good power supply which should be about 750W or higher

also make sure you get a decent monitor or it will al be for nothing, I'd recommend something like this http://www.ebuyer.com/product/152944

At the setup you put, a 750 would be a big overkill...You can do just as well with a 600-650W power supply. It's not like you're going to shove 2 i7s in it and 2 HD4850x2 in it.

 

[Daveman]

- get a very good power supply which should be about 750W or higher

also make sure you get a decent monitor or it will al be for nothing, I'd recommend something like this http://www.ebuyer.com/product/152944

At the setup you put, a 750 would be a big overkill...You can do just as well with a 600-650W power supply. It's not like you're going to shove 2 i7s in it and 2 HD4850x2 in it.

Yeah it would work, but if you mod it it's nice to have a lot of surplus wattage.