dead computer- how much for a step up

kaptainmarc

kaptainmarc

kaptainmarc

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in the process of buying my first home and computer dies on me. :(

original spec

Clarkdale i5 650
4 gb generic ram
crappy dell mobo
GTX 460
1tb harddrive


I want it too be quicker than it was originally, with SSD and would like good upgradeability options.
no need for screen/ keyboard/mouse/OS
would like to be able to run GW2 in top settings, and play BF4. machine also gets used for light photoshopping

I can re use my case but it may be too small for todays GFX cards its a CM storm scout (280mm GFX will squeeze in)

what build would you recommend? keep the cost low with the machine still out performing my old one.

your help is greatly appreciated
 
On the cheapest end we could go with an i3 to keep CPU performance fairly similar to now but with better graphics and going to 8GB RAM, reusing your current HDD as mass-storage with an SSD for OS only:

YOUR BASKET
1 x Sapphire Radeon R7 265 Dual-X 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £109.99
1 x Intel Core i3-4130 3.40GHz (Haswell) Socket LGA1150 Processor - Retail £89.99
1 x Gigabyte Z97P-D3 Intel Z97 (Socket 1150) DDR3 ATX Motherboard £61.99
1 x Crucial MX100 128GB SATA 2.5” 7mm SSD + 9.5mm Adapter (CT128MX100SSD1) £54.98
1 x SuperFlower Golden Green HX 550W "80 Plus Gold" Power Supply - Black £53.99
1 x TeamGroup Elite Black 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C11 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (TPKD38G1600HC11DC01) £53.99
Total : £434.53 (includes shipping : £8.00).




A significantly faster option depending on budget might be:

YOUR BASKET
1 x GALAX GeForce GTX 970 4096MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card - OEM (97NPH6DT6XTZ) £254.99
1 x Intel Core i5-4690K 3.50GHz (Devil's Canyon) Socket LGA1150 Processor - Retail £179.99
1 x Gigabyte Z97-D3H Intel Z97 (Socket 1150) DDR3 ATX Motherboard £83.99
1 x G.Skill TridentX 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-19200C10 2400MHz Dual Channel Kit (F3-2400C10D-8GTX) £79.99
1 x Crucial MX100 256GB SATA 2.5” 7mm SSD + 9.5mm Adapter (CT256MX100SSD1) £74.99
1 x SuperFlower Golden Green HX 550W "80 Plus Gold" Power Supply - Black £53.99
1 x Alpenföhn Brocken 2 CPU Cooler £34.00
Total : £771.53 (includes shipping : £8.00).




This is much faster in every way and can be overclocked easily, but obviously is a fair bit more expensive. The larger SSD would let you install a couple of favourite games as well as the OS with the rest going on your HDD.

Personally this is about the limit I'd look to in your situation, as beyond this diminishing returns really start to kick in. Between these two price points are loads of options though, so a budget idea would be very helpful :)

Both builds need a case - it's is personal preference though (I've not checked out if these bits will fit the CM Storm).
 
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I didn't state a budget as I wasn't sure how much I would need to spend too get what I was after.

I think around 600 pounds may be a sweet spot money wise, as long as I can play games with decent graphics and high fps I would be happy.
 
gw2 is quite demanding on graphics :) and CPU

DO NOT BUY AMD PROCESSOR

im an avid GW2 player myself changed recently ftom the AMD fx8350 to the intel i7 4790k that along with gw2 recent intel optimisation im seing hugher fps increases. 100%+ in FPS in a lot of situations.
 
 
pigeonguyuk said:
gw2 is quite demanding on graphics :) and CPU

DO NOT BUY AMD PROCESSOR

im an avid GW2 player myself changed recently ftom the AMD fx8350 to the intel i7 4790k that along with gw2 recent intel optimisation im seing hugher fps increases. 100%+ in FPS in a lot of situations.
Click to expand...

Same here.....as I'm sure you're aware GW2 isn't very well optimised for gpu use and relies heavily on cpu power (it's not as bad as it was at launch, but still needs improving). If you want to run it at any decent fps, go for an i5 (there doesn't appear to be any boost using an i7 over an i5, but you might want to consider one depending on what else you want to use the computer for). Steer clear of i3 and amd in general. I'm planning on going from phenom 960t to a 4690k at the end of the year and am looking forward to seeing tequatl and jormag's claw as a video rather than a slideshow....
 
From what i've read on here, the general view is that it's better to get a good gpu to go with an ok cpu.

Saying that, if I had the money right now, i'd buy an i5K or i7K bundle instantly.
 
yeah I understand that, however its easier for me to swap out the GFX card later than fart around with mobo/cpu

what would you guys suggest for an i5K build with cheaper GFX that in 4-5 months I would swap out.

if I cant run games straight away I would live with this, however not having a PC is miserable
 
If you need the pc (non-gaming) in the meantime you could always run it using onboard graphics - fine for normal use and some games will run on low settings too.

Also, I totally forgot to look at bundles when making the specs above, worth checking in the bundles section cause there may be cost savings to be made :)
 
billysielu said:
Wait for 960 to come out. Should be later in the month. Defo go i5 over i3.
Click to expand...

960 what? sorry I'm not clued up on what's coming out

I think I will go on board graphics for now so I at least have a machine for checking banking and generic internet tasks/browsing and get a GFX card in a few months

so any suggestions for
around the 500 mark

mobo
CPU
ssd
power supply
ram
 
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YOUR BASKET
1 x Gigabyte Z97X-SLI - Devils Canyon Core i5 4690K Bundle **£14 Saving** £258.58
1 x G.Skill TridentX 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-19200C10 2400MHz Dual Channel Kit (F3-2400C10D-8GTX) £79.99
1 x Crucial MX100 256GB SATA 2.5” 7mm SSD + 9.5mm Adapter (CT256MX100SSD1) £74.99
1 x SuperFlower Golden Green HX 550W "80 Plus Gold" Power Supply - Black £53.99
1 x Alpenföhn Brocken 2 CPU Cooler £34.00
Total : £501.54



Used a Mobo/CPU bundle to keep the cost down slightly. Added a CPU cooler too so you can clock it up a bit if you'd like :) feel free to downgrade it or use the stock intel one if you're not interested in doing that. Even at stock speeds this'll help keep it cool and quiet though :)
 
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yeah i think it does, i think my cpu/mobo was running out of life and now my powersupply has just given up

so was planning on sticking in the 460 to tide me over
 
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