First steps into PC gaming

Stuuip

Stuuip

Stuuip

Associate
Joined
25 Jun 2016
Posts
8
Hi,

After contemplating buying a new ps4, I've decided to get involved with PC gaming as I've read PC's are a lot better!

Was wondering if anyone can give me some experienced advise!?

My current PC is;

Dell optiplex 3010
Processor: Intel core i3-3220
Cpu @ 3.30GHz
RAM: 4Gb
System type: 32-bit, 64-based processor
Windows 10

Bog standard as you can see!

Can I just buy 8gb RAM, a good graphics card with a HD port and maybe a new processor? Then build the rest of the pc up as I go along?
Should I build from scratch?

I want to play on my living room 55" HD 3D TV (if that helps)

Sorry I'm new to all this but very willing to get involved!

Thanks,

Stu
 
The main thing that will help with gaming is the graphics card, which is relatively simple to just slot in. But if you have the slim case you won't have the space for it, and the power supply is also in question, some of the more power full graphics cards need a bunch of extra power.

So it may be that a new case and power supply are needed on top of the graphics card.

CPUs of that generation are still fine for gaming, but you'll prob have to hunt around for a second hand LGA1155 i5 or i7 if you want more performance.

Also if you don't have, an SSD to run your operating system, and other regularly used programs can massively speed up boot and loading times.

:)

Welcome to the forum btw :)
 
Ok nice one! Thanks for the reply. I've done some research but you've put it into perspective starshock. It doesn't sound like it's too much work either!?
I have an old-ish Antec 620 Continuous power that I pawned from work that might come in handy.
LewisRaz- I was thinking to spend about £150-£200 initially then add and upgrade better components as I go..? Wasn't sure whether to save up around 400-500 and buy everything new though?

With what I have, would I be able to set something up that performs better that a ps4 for less or around about the same sort of price a ps4 costs?

Thanks again!
 
My basket at Overclockers UK:

Total: £179.88
(includes shipping: £9.90)
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This plus your old power supply should easily outstrip a ps4. Though its worth noting that older PSUs can cause problems, and even explode, so its worth being wary of it.

My basket at Overclockers UK:

Total: £56.69
(includes shipping: £8.70)
​


​
If you can stretch to it, an SSD like this with your OS in it would also help speed everything along.

On the subject of stretching your budget, the AMD RX480 graphic card is coming out on Wednesday and it should be about £200ish, though prices could go up with the current market chaos. It would definitely do everything you want. But also in the wake of it we may see some price drops in mid rage cards like the 960

Final thought, its worth looking at how your power supply is mounted in the Dell, I know some companies will use non standard mounting, making it difficult to swap out. So that means it might be easier to get a cheap case and move your motherboard into it, there are some functional ones on here at around the £25 mark. :)
 
Awesome! Thanks for your help. Going to put some orders in next week! You've been a massive help. Will probably go for a new case, use my Antec 620, AMD RX480, an ssd, and the RAM you advised on.

Thanks again.. Wish me luck lol
 
Wow.. I've been going through stuff I took from my shop which we closed last week and have 3 of these:
2gb-amd-firepro-w600-pcie-30-(x16)-128-bit-gddr5-memory-6x-mini-displayport-full-height-half-length

Can I use this for building a gaming PC?
 
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My basket at Overclockers UK:

Total: £158.21
(includes shipping: £12.30)
​

better than what you have and fits in with the £150ish budget(basically a whole new system for your upgrade money), but if you can wait to get 450-500 rig then you will get much better
 
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I think the discrete graphics card option would offer much better gaming performance, And the graphics card could be re-used if you do go for a full system refresh down the line. :)
 
Stuuip said:
Hi,

After contemplating buying a new ps4, I've decided to get involved with PC gaming as I've read PC's are a lot better!

Was wondering if anyone can give me some experienced advise!?

My current PC is;

Dell optiplex 3010
Processor: Intel core i3-3220
Cpu @ 3.30GHz
RAM: 4Gb
System type: 32-bit, 64-based processor
Windows 10

Bog standard as you can see!

Can I just buy 8gb RAM, a good graphics card with a HD port and maybe a new processor? Then build the rest of the pc up as I go along?
Should I build from scratch?

I want to play on my living room 55" HD 3D TV (if that helps)

Sorry I'm new to all this but very willing to get involved!

Thanks,

Stu
Click to expand...

I think your first step should be 64bit windows too ;)
 
Ok thanks, I didn't know that
Should Windows upgrade to 64bit for free or do I need to download it again?

*solved - I researched it
 
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I would go for a 64bit O/S add more ram, SSD and a graphics card then once you have more funds get a nice motherboard and CPU bundle.

I wouldnt bother upgrading to an AMD CPU at the moment as with youre budget I personally dont think you would see much gains with a budget AMD chip from what you have at the moment.


also on another thought.. make sure youre mother board will fit in a standard tower as Dell boards some times wont fit in a standard ATX tower.
 
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Okay.. So I've installed new RAM (my 1st easiest step).
Now I want to upgrade to 64bit but it will wipe my PC of all the programs and files!? - correct me if I'm wrong.
I'm not bothered about the files as they are backed up anyways. But is there any way of "backing up" my programs to save me all the hassle of downloading and installing each one..?

Thanks again. So glad I found this forum!
 
Stuuip said:
Okay.. So I've installed new RAM (my 1st easiest step).
Now I want to upgrade to 64bit but it will wipe my PC of all the programs and files!? - correct me if I'm wrong.
I'm not bothered about the files as they are backed up anyways. But is there any way of "backing up" my programs to save me all the hassle of downloading and installing each one..?

Thanks again. So glad I found this forum!
Click to expand...

There are ways but most of the time it is better to start clean. Games from steam/origin/blizzard are easy enough to save if you want. Just back them up to another drive and then tell the programs where they are installed or drag them back to the default folders afterwards :)
 
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