How to upgrade my PC for gaming?

000000blue · 21 Jan 2013 at 22:05

Hi,

Anyone help an old granny and her grandson get started in PC gaming please?

He is wanting to play games like DayZ and COD4 (I have no idea why, and I'm guessing they are totally age inappropriate, lol).

He has an HP Compaq P6107uk, operating system Windows XP, but apparently needs to upgrade that with various bits? What would he need to buy please? And is Amazon the best place to buy from? It seems quite a simple process to add things?

Or should he buy a new one, if that would be cheaper/easier/better? We've seen Cyberpower dual attack elite gaming pc on ****** at £399.99.

Help and advice (in layman's terms please, as we are both completely clueless) very much appreciated.

000000blue · 21 Jan 2013 at 22:25

Hi thanks.

£399 would be his max. He's only 15. xxxxx have recommended a 4gb memory upgrade at £45.59, but surely he would need a faster processor and graphics card too?

xxxxx suggested he buys new at £369.99 - Currently xxxxxx cheapest Gaming PC representing excellent value for money. It features an Intel Pentium G620 processor based on the highly reliable ASUS P8B75-M LX motherboard. Games are powered by a superb value for money, Nvidia GeForce GT640 1GB graphics card. Backed up with 4GB of DDR3 Corsair XMS3 RAM, a Seagate Barracuda 500GB Hard drive and the very stable Corsair CX 430W Power supply this machine will satisfy your games needs. We have implemented the Hemera into a bargain based Xigmatek Asgard Case for your viewing pleasure.

Or, as I mentioned in my original post, there is the Cyberpower dual attack elite...

Would hate for him to spend all his money on an upgrade and then find that he needed a new pc after all.

000000blue · 21 Jan 2013 at 22:33

I guess it comes down to what he would need for DayZ and COD4? And, of course, his school work must be a priority as he has GCSEs next year...

000000blue · 21 Jan 2013 at 22:34

Would the Cyberpower be any better?

000000blue · 21 Jan 2013 at 22:38

Yes. And we did price an OS, I think it was about £90 from memory

000000blue · 21 Jan 2013 at 22:46

So no point simply upgrading his HP Compaq P6107uk (operating system Windows XP) with a 4 core processor and a graphics card - job done??

000000blue · 21 Jan 2013 at 22:47

Yes, they do come with an OS

000000blue · 21 Jan 2013 at 22:55

Great. But then we would have to find someone to piece it together... Would that be expensive do you think? And could any PC repair guy do it?

000000blue · 21 Jan 2013 at 23:11

Will do. Thanks everyone. Very helpful.

000000blue · 21 Jan 2013 at 23:24

I've posted over there to see.

But, if it's way over budget what are your thoughts on the Dell Alienware X51 which is on offer at £599.

Good old grandma would have to find the difference...

000000blue · 21 Jan 2013 at 23:43

Thank you. Everyone has been so helpful here.