Help with buying my first gaming PC.

seanio01

seanio01

seanio01

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Joined
3 Mar 2016
Posts
2
Hello,

I would like to purchase a PC for gaming. I have no idea what to buy. I'm not looking to build even though I've read that it can be cheaper to do so.

I'd like to be able to play games like rise of the tomb raider and quantum break if that's going to be on PC. And also be able to upgrade when necessary with relative ease.

Budget wise I'm thinking around £800 - £1200

Any advise would be appreciated.

Thanks.
 
My basket at Overclockers UK:
  • 1 x Titan Pandemic - Gaming PC For The Division - Intel Core i5 6400, GTX 970 4GB = £984.98
    • Memory:Team Group Elite 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 PC4-19200C16 2400MHz Dual Channel Kit - Black (TPKD416GM2400HC16D
    • Primary Drive:Samsung 250GB 850 EVO SSD 2.5" SATA 6Gbps 32 Layer 3D V-NAND Solid State Drive (MZ-75E250B/EU)
    • Secondary Drive:Seagate 2TB 7200RPM SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache HDD - OEM (ST2000DM001)
    • Operating System:Microsoft Windows 10 64-Bit DVD - OEM (MS-KW9-00139)
    • Security Software:ESET Smart Security - Trial Key
    • Warranty:OcUK Standard System Warranty - 3 Year (24 Month C&R + 12 Month Labour)
    • Build Time:Standard Build Systems - Dispatched within 7 working days

Total: £999.08
(includes shipping: £14.10)
​

My basket at Overclockers UK:
  • 1 x OcUK Tech Labs Skylake Z170 Micro ATX Gaming PC Configurator = £1,180.78
    • Processor:Intel Core i5-6600K 3.9GHz (Skylake) Socket LGA1151 Processor - Retail
    • CPU Cooler:Alpenföhn Brocken ECO CPU Cooler - 120 mm
    • Motherboard:Asus Z170M-Plus Intel Z170 (Socket 1151) DDR4 Micro ATX Motherboard
    • Case:Phanteks Enthoo Evolv Micro-ATX Case - Gun Metal
    • M.2 Solid State Drive **For Operating System If Selected**:Unwanted
    • Solid State Drive:Samsung 120GB 850 EVO SSD 2.5" SATA 6Gbps 32 Layer 3D V-NAND Solid State Drive (MZ-75E120B/EU
    • Mechanical Hard Drive:Seagate 1TB 7200RPM SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache HDD - OEM (ST1000DM003)
    • Optical Drive **Please Check Chassis Support**:Unwanted
    • Graphics Card:PowerColor Radeon R9 NANO 4096MB HBM PCI-Express Graphics Card
    • Power Supply:Super Flower Golden Green HX 650W "80 Plus Gold" Power Supply - Black
    • Sound / Network Card:Unwanted
    • USB Network Adapter:Unwanted
    • Case Lighting:Unwanted
    • Operating System:Microsoft Windows 10 64-Bit DVD - OEM (MS-KW9-00139)
    • Security Software:Unwanted
    • Keyboard:Unwanted
    • Mouse:Unwanted
    • Monitor:Unwanted
    • Gaming Headset:Unwanted
    • Speakers:Unwanted
    • Gaming Chair:Unwanted
    • Memory:Team Group Elite 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 PC4-19200C16 2400MHz Dual Channel Kit - Black (TPKD416GM2400HC16D
    • Build Time:Standard Build Systems - Dispatched within 7 working days

Total: £1,180.78
(includes shipping: £0.00)
​
 
I would say look at intel Core i5-6400 for the processor and for the gpu look at the nvidia GeForce GTX 970 maby the 980 if you have enough that should last
Joshua
 
^^ that is a very good point as you have plenty of prebuilt options, but like the 2 i listed they are bundled with windows 10 anyways :)
 
Yeah, I'm unsure if buying a pre built usually comes with a monitor. And does the type of monitor matter greatly?

Sucks being a newb to this grr
 
seanio01 said:
Yeah, I'm unsure if buying a pre built usually comes with a monitor. And does the type of monitor matter greatly?

Sucks being a newb to this grr
Click to expand...

they dont unless they say they do :)
you could plug it into a tv thats what i do, but then im a lazy desk hater!
 
Doesn't look as good on a TV as it does on a monitor.

Best thing to do is find a monitor,keyboard, mouse speakers and then see what you have left over for the rig.

Can't go wrong with anything Logitech (speakers,keyboard and mouse) my speakers were £25 and there decent
 
seanio01 said:
Yeah, I'm unsure if buying a pre built usually comes with a monitor. And does the type of monitor matter greatly?

Sucks being a newb to this grr
Click to expand...

Not 'greatly'. I'd stick to IPS personally. Go check out panels at your biggest local computer retailer, pickup model numbers that look good to you and take time to look at reviews and prices (don't get suckered into buying anything on the spot). Basically, shop around. TNs are OK, can be dirt cheap, but can look 'meh'. Also, matte finish (duller), or reflective (deeper colours) can make a difference. I prefer matte, no reflections.

Same for mice, keyboard, mouse pads (this can just be whatever, £5, or something decent for £10 like QCK). You can get by with cheap stuff, but look around.

For pre-built towers, you don't need to do that. Specs, components, and provenance (good reputable online retailers) ought to be enough.

Keep in mind that prebuilds with monitors and peripherals tend to skimp on those.

So, get a tower from a good online shop like here, find a 24'' screen and peripherals that look decent (say Coolermaster Storm Devastator bundle), and you should be OK.

As for the tower, the ballpark is i5 with a GTX970, z170, 8-16GB ram (16 preferred), a 2TB hard drive, and a 250GB SSD for windows and your favourite games. That's about a grand.
 
Last edited:
koooowweeee said:
Doesn't look as good on a TV as it does on a monitor.

Best thing to do is find a monitor,keyboard, mouse speakers and then see what you have left over for the rig.

Can't go wrong with anything Logitech (speakers,keyboard and mouse) my speakers were £25 and there decent
Click to expand...

i dont agree :)
if you want to use the pc at a desk maybe sure

but if you already have a good tv it lets u spend more on the pc so!
 
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