Need feedback on my chosen PC

Temp.sgk · 24 Jun 2013 at 22:14

Just pointing out that I am new to all these kind of stuff, I'm not really tech savvy. I also have absolutely no clue how to dismantle my PC and overclock etc, if that isn't embarrasing enough

At the moment, I want to buy a prebuilt PC that can run anything on very high settings (e.g planetside2, arma2, newer titles). I have chosen this

For graphics card I have chosen the KFA2 Geforce GTX 660 2048mb GDDR5 simply because I think its good and I kind of understand nvidia.
The rest, I chose windows 8, segate 1TB hard drive,, 5.1 sound card, windows 8. I also chose a Bitfenix Shinobi USB3.0 Case because I think there won't be any LED lights and maybe the fan won't be too loud? 0_0 To sum it up, it cost a total of 850 pounds including vat.

So Uhmm is my choice good? My choice is also because I want a PC that can last 5 years.
(I created this topic so I hope I don't have any doubts when I purchase, because 850 pounds is quite a lot)

This is the link, if anyone didn't read properly. Its big and clear now. http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FS-247-OE

Icet · 25 Jun 2013 at 02:17

Bit hard to say if it's good or not, you've just told us what the graphics card and the case is. Need to know what the processor is and how much ram it has.

The GTX 660 will certainly play the games you mention at high settings, but be aware that it's the lower end of the last generation of Nvidia cards, so to get playable frames you'll have to start turning down the settings on newer games within 6-12 months.

Akagi · 25 Jun 2013 at 03:54

Icet said:
Bit hard to say if it's good or not, you've just told us what the graphics card and the case is. Need to know what the processor is and how much ram it has.

The GTX 660 will certainly play the games you mention at high settings, but be aware that it's the lower end of the last generation of Nvidia cards, so to get playable frames you'll have to start turning down the settings on newer games within 6-12 months.

You already have to turn down the settings on newer games with a 660 (I found this with Crysis 3, Metro 2033, Metro Last Light, Grid 2, Far Cry 3 and so on) it is still a good card for the price of course

Also he linked a bre-built system you donut

Temp.sgk · 25 Jun 2013 at 06:34

Really? But still can play on at least ultra high? or just high settings? What is usually the frames per seconds would be good.
Just to clarify again, I want to know if spending 850 pounds for this system is a bargain or is there other options for it to be cheaper but even better. Or am I being naive and saying this system should play everything on high.

Akagi · 25 Jun 2013 at 06:58

As a rough guide, I can play mainstream titles such as Borderlands 2 completely maxed out with full PhysX and get 60 to 100fps. On Crysis 3 (which is one of the more extreme of the examples I listed) I play on a mixture of high and very high with moderate AA and AF. (and it is still incredibly beautiful). And get 50 to 70 fps.

Brand spanking new 'mainstream' titles like Tomb Raider 2013, Grid 2 and Bioshock Infinite, I play with the settings close to maxed out, but toned down a tad to get a solid 60fps. (all 1080P)

This is with a GTX660 overclocked to 1140MHz on the core and 6400MHz on the memory.

The setup you have specced is certainly solid, but you could get far more for your money if you ask plenty of questions, read plenty of reviews and watch a few videos, and and then with the assistance of us friendly folk on here - custom build a PC

Temp.sgk · 25 Jun 2013 at 07:03

Oh yeah, if its solid that's good to hear. About your rough guide, is your specs very similar to the specs in my link? Also At the moment busy reseaching on many other deals available, researching which card, cpu chip is best.

I chose intel because I think intel its at a better price, anyway still researching. Also about overclocking because I never understood overclocking before.

Akagi · 25 Jun 2013 at 07:18

The CPU is an i5 2500K @ 4.6GHz (which is about the same performance wise as an i5 3570K @ 4.4GHz) same amount of RAM, same kind of GPU except mine is a self-overclocked MSI variant.

Heres something I knocked together quickly, apologies, I forgot to budget for an operating system

I have heard that you can get a code for a trial which lasts a few months though, after which you have to buy an activation key.

YOUR BASKET
1 x MSI HD 7950 Twin Frozr III Boost Edition 3072MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card **NEW REVISION** £239.99
1 x Intel Core i5-4670K 3.40GHz (Haswell) Socket LGA1150 Processor - Retail with FREE Grid 2 PC Game £194.99
1 x Gigabyte Z87-D3HP Intel Z87 (Socket 1150) DDR3 ATX Motherboard £109.99
1 x Toshiba SSD HG5D Series THNSNH 7mm 128GB Solid State Hard Drive - (THNSNH128GCST) £89.99
1 x BitFenix Shinobi USB3.0 Gaming Windowed Case - Black £59.99
1 x Toshiba (7K1000.D) 1TB SATA 6GB/s 32MB Cache - OEM (DT01ACA100) HDD £53.99
1 x XFX Pro 550W Core Edition '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £49.99
1 x Patriot Intel Extreme Masters 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (PVI38G160C9K) £49.99
Total : £869.44 (includes shipping : £17.10).

The AMD GPU offers better value for money over the NVIDIA (feels like blasphemy to say it as I am an NVIDIA guy through and through, but the simple fact of the matter is, if you don't mind not having PhysX, and you dont need CUDA processing power, and don't want to fold, then it makes sense to buy an AMD card)

GTX660 vs HD7950 Boost Ed. http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/783?vs=856

It's worth noting that to overclock the above spec, you would need an aftermarket cooler to keep the temps in check. I haven't included one in the spec because the stock cooler is fine for running the CPU non-overclocked to start off with, and it would have taken it tremendously over budget.

Icet · 25 Jun 2013 at 07:52

acme15 said:
Also he linked a bre-built system you donut

He just edited it in mate, didn't have it originally.

To the OP - honestly mate, if you're spending a grand on something, do your research and learn what things do. I just ordered a system after spending 4 years out the loop with technology, and it took me at least a week of solid research to work out exactly what I should be getting for my strict budget.

You need to look at processors. Look at benchmarks for current ones based on what you use a computer for (games).

Then you need to look at graphics cards benchmarks based around the games you want to play and the resolution of the monitor you have.

You've also added a soundcard to your build - you don't need that.

Not having a go or anything mate, but you're clearly spending a lot of money on something you haven't really looked into.

Temp.sgk · 25 Jun 2013 at 08:08

True, I'm doing a lot of research and the link Acme gave me really makes it so much easier to compare stuff. http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/783?vs=856

yeah I added a soundcard, but why I don't need that? Explain please. Anything helps.

edit: Also I did have the link in originally, I just made it more noticeable. So people who didn't read properly can easily see it.

Temp.sgk · 26 Jun 2013 at 10:55

So I finally finalised my choice. I'm going with what I originally chosen, but chose the cooler master- lite dominator case because of good cooling for price ratio and ditching the sound card.

Total is 820 GBP.

acme15 proprosal does sound good, however I have very little knowledge of how to build a PC from scratch, and will take a lot of time to learn. Also I've experimented on another bundle using the AMD 7950, however it really is a 100GBP more expensive card than the Nvidia 660 GTX and on top of that the CPU is worse than the i5 according to benchmarks.

quassimodem · 26 Jun 2013 at 12:24

I was looking at this one also, but am favouring now to go for a Haswell system