£500 system for basic gaming

Problem Child

Problem Child

Problem Child

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My sister wants a new computer for some basic gaming Sim3 stuff like that (probably more eventually) for around £500. Going off a couple of threads I've seen (http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18289939) for similar prices here's what i spec'd up. Already have monitor, case, dvd drive, and wireless card.

i3 system:
i3-2120 3.3GHz £100
MSI 6850 1GB £90
Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB SATA 6Gb/s £58
Gigabyte H61MA motherboard £48
OCZ 550W power supply £47
GeIL 8GB ram £38
windows 7 64bit £80

Total: £461

OR possibly i5 system:
i5 3570k 3.4GHz £181
MSI 6850 1GB £90
Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB SATA 6Gb/s £58
Gigabyte Z77 £80
OCZ 550W power supply £47
GeIL 8GB ram £38
windows 7 64bit £80

Total: £571

Think the i3 system is more in budget although i think the i5 would be a nice spec, is there anyway to bring the cost down like use the Gigabyte H61MA motherboard with the i5 processor or is that not a good option? Any cheaper Hard drives possibly i couldn't see?

I was also looking at prebuilt systems on overclockers and maybe looking at the option of adding a better graphics card to them insetad of building as you get the windows 8 £15 upgrade with the pre built systems was my thinking.

Advice please? Looking at getting the parts later in the week if is all ok! :)
 
not a good option to use a "K" processor with an h61 mobo due to not being able to overclock it.

from the sort of gaming you mentioned the 2120 should be more than enough.

if the gaming is likely to increase to higher spec games then the i5 setup would be the way to go, plus it would help boost the power of the 6850 as well.
 
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mp260767 said:
not a good option to use a "K" processor with an h61 mobo due to not being able to overclock it.

from the sort of gaming you mentioned the 2120 should be more than enough.

if the gaming is likely to increase to higher spec games then the i5 setup would be the way to go, plus it would help boost the power of the 6850 as well.
Click to expand...

Ok well not looking at overclocking to be honest just wanted to see if it was compatible as a cheaper option, i understand what you mean though theres always the option to overclock later with that better mobo.

Orcvader said:
Is the case ATX or mATX?
Click to expand...

I've got a couple of pics of the case was a case i saw a lot but while back now can't remember whether it was ATX or mATX but is good size.

http://s18.postimage.org/p5v4c2dhj/cases.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Y71JN.jpg
 
You could always go with the i5 setup, use the onboard GPU for a while (I did and it ran SW:TOR ok), then add a proper graphics card in a month or two. Going with the i5 ensures the system will be functional for longer as new games come out.
 
if your sister can wait a bit there has been mention of some new ivybridge i3's being released with pretty decent onboard graphics so it might be worth waiting to see what price they are.

and fair enough about the overclocking, i'd go i3 and h61.
 
mp260767 said:
if your sister can wait a bit there has been mention of some new ivybridge i3's being released with pretty decent onboard graphics so it might be worth waiting to see what price they are.

and fair enough about the overclocking, i'd go i3 and h61.
Click to expand...

thanks for the help, thanks for mentioning about the new ivy bridge i3's, maybe worth waiting to see what price they are, news stories said they should have been announced yesturday though so must be a delay.
 
No point getting an i5, I'm playing BF3 on high with a 6850 and a 955BE @ 3.7 at 1080p res. I sincerely doubt that she would need any more power than that.
 
 
olivier renault said:
First build looks sensible


YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i3-2120 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £99.95
1 x MSI HD 6850 OC 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £89.99
1 x Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-Bit - OEM (GFC-02050) £79.98
1 x MSI Z77A-G43 Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £77.99
1 x Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB SATA 6Gb/s 16MB Cache - OEM (WD5000AAKX) £57.98
1 x OCZ ZS Series 550W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £46.98
1 x GeIL Dragon 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C11 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (GD38GB1600C11DC) £37.99
Total : £502.86 (includes shipping : £10.00).



You can spec a 3570K if you have the budget for it. But the rest imo should be the minimum to aim at.
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Thats a nice spec actually, the mobo looks nice but do you think it's necessary, there's not going to be any over clocking or anything too serious use i wouldn't have thought. Guessing it's because could always put in a better processor at a later date?
 
Problem Child said:
Thats a nice spec actually, the mobo looks nice but do you think it's necessary, there's not going to be any over clocking or anything too serious use i wouldn't have thought. Guessing it's because could always put in a better processor at a later date?
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's the idea.

For gaming, a good CPU is a good thing, as much as a good graphics card.
 
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Is this prebuilt any good with 8gb ram? http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FS-270-OK

thinking i get the windows 8 upgrade for not a lot later on compared to having to fork out again for another copy if i self built (with i suppose a few better parts). better parts if i self build but that does come with a new case pre assembled. Thoughts? thinking of building tomorrow (i live local) or ordering that tonight maybe?
 
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