Inherited machine - how to convert to gaming pc?

monkey_boy

monkey_boy

monkey_boy

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Hi All,

I have inherited a machine that was being used as a low-end server. I think it's got the base for being a decent beginner's gaming PC.

What I want to do:
Play some decent FPS, maybe some driving games or GTA or something. Play on a single 1080p screen

What I have:
Coolermaster Silencio 450 Mid Tower Case
Netzteil Cougar S 550 PSU
Intel Core i5 3570 (non-k version)
2 x 4gb Kingston Value DDR3 RAM CL9 (kvr1333d3n9/4g)
1TB HDD
Gigabyte GA-B75M-D3H Motherboard

I was imagining that a graphics card and SSD would be a good start, but I'm no further on than that so any help would be appreciated.
 
No idea what the PSU is like. Quick google just brings up german links, so cant be bothered to investigate further than that to be honest.

Asuming the PSU is ok, then chuck a used 7950 in it, and you have yourself a "decent beginer's gaming PC" IMO. (could go a used 290 if your feeling baller, but PSU is going definitely suspect then IMO)

As you say, a SSD would be a nice touch, but isnt going to make it any more or less a gaming PC, just a much nicer PC to use.

Even if the PSU turns out to be junk, its still worth the outlay to replace it with a decent one IMO as the rest of it is fine.
 
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Theres a 560 GTX available on members market - would this be a reasonable bet. PCIe 2.0 rather than the 7850's PCI 3.0 is the only difference I see.
 
It was 'as little as possible' but reasonable I figure £100 for an sad and hopefully less for a GPU. As far as GPUs go i'm talking out of my backside already so am happy to be guided to get the best value out of what will be pretty much a free PC.
 
YOUR BASKET
1 x Crucial BX100 250GB SSD SATA 6Gbps 7mm Solid State Drive (CT250BX100SSD1) £74.99
Total : £83.69 (includes shipping : £7.25 Ex.VAT).


This is a great value SSD


As for a gpu,i highly reccomend checking the graphics card section of the clearance lines every day or so and try and grab a bargain there.

A b-grade 7950/280x/770/285 for under £100 is quite likely.Or looking the members market obviously
 
A B-Grade or or mm gpu is your best bet for a graphics card. A 7850 would be perfect for your build initially and the addition of an SSD would be good but I would save it until later for cost purposes and get a good quality PSU for piece of mind. But, similar to the above, I have never heard of that manufacturer either.
 
Spend the entire budget on a GPU. An SSD would be a good system upgrade but not offer the best 'bang-per-buck' upgrade to turn that machine into a gaming pc. Stick with the HDD you already have

Something like a 280X or 960 GTX would be a step in the right direction.
 
Don't worry about SSD at the moment, use your budget for graphics card.

Once you have purchased a GPU your stuck with it (until you sell it), so while your spending get a good one, I would look at something at least R9 290 performance. It's the old saying buy cheap buy twice!

Then when you have more budget buy an SSD.

I would look at that PSU, as you may need to invest in something better.

MrMD, is totally correct always look for bargains on clearance or special offer.
 
Might I ask exactly what the budget is? I don't have MM access so the following recommendations are new cards. For the £100 mark I'd go with a 750ti. For a £150ish budget, the 960 is a good bet, maybe the 280x if one doesn't mind spending more. Unfortunately, there's no more 290s so I can't give a good recommendation for £200.

Most of all, I recommend waiting till the R9 3XX series launches in a few weeks, see what they have to offer. Same advice I gave my brother who has a graphics card budget of £150.
 
Spend your money on a used graphics card and you should be good to go!
SSD you can pick at a later time. Picked mine up at £22 during the black friday sales...
 
280x is basically a 7970, so it's marginally faster, but wouldn't exactly make a huge difference. If a 7950 can be had significantly cheaper, get that. If a 280x is only 20 quid more, get that.
 
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