Computard seeks guidance on a gaming build!

Jenkinio

Jenkinio

Jenkinio

Associate
Joined
21 Feb 2011
Posts
128
Hi Peeps,

Unfortunately, I know so little about computers that I can't even come to you with a proposed build, so perhaps you kind souls could help me if I give you my intentions? (I'm not lazy, just ill-informed, honest!)

The sole purpose of the machine will be gaming, so I'm looking to optimise as much as possible all aspects affecting the performance for games. I have about £700 to spend, but could probably push that up a tad, if the increase gives a marked performance benefit.

I'm starting with nothing but a mouse (I currently have a lappy), so I need the whole works, keyboard, screen, and erm, other stuff.

Could I save on costs by using a free Linux OS? I presume this would be enough for me if I'm just running games??

I will mainly be using this for World of Warcraft, but I would like to have a machine that's capable of running more demanding titles at high graphics settings, if possible. Not sure what the latest benchmark would be, but I presume it would be something like Black Ops. Could I get a machine for £700 that could run that well?

Thanks in advance for any wisdom you can impart.
If I'm missing any vital info please advise.

Jenks
 
Hey,

Most games need Windows to run and will not run on Linux at all.

I would also recommend that you look at building an intel platform as they out perform AMD considerably (even though AMD are starting to get their act together).

Stelly
 
You can play World of Warcraft in Linux through WINE, however when I did I had graphical issues in which my drivers were not recognised very well and it actually limited me to the lowest video settings. I also had major mouse issues, which I assume was because my Razor mouse wasn't very well supported either and I had to resort to keyboard turning because it was that bad.

However for things such as Black Ops, I don't think that you can play this via WINE yet.
 
Intel Core i5-2500 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £169.99

Gigabyte GeForce GTX 460 OC 768MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £124.99

Samsung B2230H 21.5" Widescreen LCD Monitor - Glossy Black £119.99


Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit - OEM (GFC-00599) £79.99

MSI H67MA-E45 Intel H67 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Micro-ATX Motherboard - (Sandybridge) £79.99

Coolermaster Elite 430 Windowed Case - Black (with 500w Elite Power PSU) £64.33

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1TB SATA-II 32MB Cache - OEM 1yr Warranty (ST31000528AS) £37.99

GeIL 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz VALUE PLUS Dual Channel (GVP34GB1600C9DC) £35.99

Logitech Deluxe USB Keyboard (Black) - OEM (967738-0120) £7.99

Sub Total : £601.05
Shipping cost assumes delivery to UK Mainland with:
DPD Next Day Parcel
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : £12.50
VAT is being charged at 20.00% VAT : £122.71
Total : £736.26
 
Jenkinio said:
Many thanks to all. This is really useful.

Lemin, is there any merit to me spending a bit more on the GPU and getting, say 1GB?

Thanks
Click to expand...

To be honest, it depends on the resolution that you will be gaming at, but a 460 should be good enough... I take it that you have never built a system before? Have you thought of looking at OcUK's prebuilt systems?

Stelly
 
Stelly said:
To be honest, it depends on the resolution that you will be gaming at, but a 460 should be good enough... I take it that you have never built a system before? Have you thought of looking at OcUK's prebuilt systems?

Stelly
Click to expand...

I've never built a system before but I have a friend who has - I'm confident that they can do a good job.

In the build above, just so I'm clear, does the processor include integrated cooling? I don't need to buy any separate cooling system?
 
Retail CPUs come with Intels stock cooler.

You may want to consider upgrading that to a more butch cooler for overclocking purposes (if you're not familiar with overclocking, its basically running your CPU at faster than stock speed that can potentially give quite a big performance boost for little extra money).

I'd seriously conside looking at OCUKs pre-built systems as they are also pre-overclocked, so you get a lot of bang for your buck.
 
Evil-I said:
Retail CPUs come with Intels stock cooler.

You may want to consider upgrading that to a more butch cooler for overclocking purposes (if you're not familiar with overclocking, its basically running your CPU at faster than stock speed that can potentially give quite a big performance boost for little extra money).

I'd seriously conside looking at OCUKs pre-built systems as they are also pre-overclocked, so you get a lot of bang for your buck.
Click to expand...

Pre-built and overclocked does sound very tempting....

Found this http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FS-237-OK&groupid=43&catid=1444&subcat=1712

"Titan Xenomorph" Intel Core i3 550 3.20GHz @ 4.20GHz DDR3 System - V2.0

How would this stack-up against the build proposed above?
Is there a better bundle?

Thanks
 
Jenkinio said:
Many thanks to all. This is really useful.

Lemin, is there any merit to me spending a bit more on the GPU and getting, say 1GB?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Simple answer: yes.

It's a gaming pc.. you should look to get the best graphics card you can afford. a 460 768mb should be enough, but it's always nice to have more than you need. After a while games will come out that demand more power, and you won't have to ugrade as soon if you get something more powerful.
 
I think I may build myself, using the spec from Lemin. It may be slightly slower than the prebuilt overclocked bundles, but I can always look to overclock in the future (if I'm feeling brave!).

What would I need in order to get wifi connectivity?
 
im currently using a heavily overclocked 460 786mb version to play games at 1900x1200 it really is a good card
 
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