Need thoughts on new PC please

Mr.Withersnap · 19 Feb 2015 at 11:02

Hi all, sorry to start yet another ‘how I chews computers good’ thread, but I really want some advice before forking out for a new PC.

I have a partitioned 2011 iMac (i5, Radeon HD8800M I think), but it’s GPU really doesn’t cut the mustard for me when it comes to games anymore. Evolve, HZN1, inevitably Overwatch – all the games I’m excited to try, I can’t run. I’m looking, therefore, to get a dedicated PC gaming box.

My assumption is that the best option value-wise is to buy something mid-range, as a bottom-end PC would presumably need to be upgraded sooner/wouldn’t be able to run my desired games that well anyway.

I don't trust myself to build one, so prefab it is. I was looking at http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FS-023-OG with an i5 4440 and the GTX 7750Ti option. Leaving out an optical drive (I’ll install windows off a flash drive, and I download all my games anyway) it comes to 555.59 inc. VAT.

Bang for buck, or misfire?

Also, is there a Can You RUN It for hypothetical rigs ie. you put the parts in a form and it gives you results based on those?

stulid · 19 Feb 2015 at 11:31

Hi and welcome.

Are you sure you cannot build one yourself as that means you get maximum bang per buck.

Or OCUK can build up one for around £60 to a spec I can suggest.

What parts do you need? tower/OS/keyboard/mouse etc, is small preferable to you or would an ATX tower be ok?

What is your budget for this PC?

Also, is there a Can You RUN It for hypothetical rigs ie. you put the parts in a form and it gives you results based on those?

Not really, there are sites that you can compare one CPU vs another in situations or a GFX vs another GFX card to see a rough performance measurement, but you just have to take my expert judgement on it.

Mr.Withersnap · 19 Feb 2015 at 12:05

stulid said:
Hi and welcome.

Are you sure you cannot build one yourself as that means you get maximum bang per buck.

Or OCUK can build up one for around £60 to a spec I can suggest.

What parts do you need? tower/OS/keyboard/mouse etc, is small preferable to you or would an ATX tower be ok?

What is your budget for this PC?
[snip]

Thanks for the detailed reply.

I wasn't aware I could put one together on OC and be charged a construction fee; I'll look into that. Looking to spend somewhere between £500 and £600. £650 top. That's my budget - if what I want for it is unrealistic I'll save some more.

I'm getting it in addition to a Mac, so I need tower, innards and OS. Size doesn't matter, I don't plan to lug it around too much. Keyboard and mouse I already have. Screen I can get second-hand.

Processor-wise I'd like to a least match the i5 in my Mac (would hate to go for a graphics upgrade only for my CPU to slow me down later). As for graphics I'm open to suggestions within that budget. I'll be using it more or less only for gaming, so I don't need a huge HD.

Thoughts?

stulid · 19 Feb 2015 at 12:32

YOUR BASKET
1 x Asus H81M-K Intel Core i5 DIY Micro ATX Motherboard, CPU & RAM Bundle £228.97
1 x MSI AMD Radeon R9 285 Gaming Edition 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £145.99
1 x SK Hynix 256GB SSD SH910A SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Drive (HFS256G32MNB-2201A) £84.98
1 x Microsoft Windows 8.1 64-Bit DVD - OEM (WN7-00614) £77.99
1 x SuperFlower Golden Green HX 550W "80 Plus Gold" Power Supply - Black £49.99
1 x Xigmatek Echo Midi-Tower - Black £23.99
Total : £626.02 (includes shipping : £11.75).

One option for you.

A big SSD instead of a large HDD as it will make the overall experience nicer as the PC is more nippy and resoponsive, you can add a HDD later if you need more storage.

There is also a Bgrade R9 280 gfx card that can save some more money - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BG-428-GI

Mr.Withersnap · 19 Feb 2015 at 13:32

Wow. That looks nice. Moe power in the graphics than I expected. You're tempting me to DIY it, I've gotta say.

Mr.Withersnap · 31 Mar 2015 at 11:04

stulid said:
YOUR BASKET
1 x Asus H81M-K Intel Core i5 DIY Micro ATX Motherboard, CPU & RAM Bundle £228.97
1 x MSI AMD Radeon R9 285 Gaming Edition 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £145.99
1 x SK Hynix 256GB SSD SH910A SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Drive (HFS256G32MNB-2201A) £84.98
1 x Microsoft Windows 8.1 64-Bit DVD - OEM (WN7-00614) £77.99
1 x SuperFlower Golden Green HX 550W "80 Plus Gold" Power Supply - Black £49.99
1 x Xigmatek Echo Midi-Tower - Black £23.99
Total : £626.02 (includes shipping : £11.75).

One option for you.

A big SSD instead of a large HDD as it will make the overall experience nicer as the PC is more nippy and resoponsive, you can add a HDD later if you need more storage.

There is also a Bgrade R9 280 gfx card that can save some more money - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BG-428-GI

Can't PM you, so sorry for the bump. Just wanted to say this PC has been up and running for a month or so now and I couldn't be happier. My mate is now also buying one for me to build for him. Thanks dude, folks like you make the internet awesome.

stulid · 31 Mar 2015 at 11:08

Mr.Withersnap said:
Can't PM you, so sorry for the bump. Just wanted to say this PC has been up and running for a month or so now and I couldn't be happier. My mate is now also buying one for me to build for him. Thanks dude, folks like you make the internet awesome.

Quoted for truth

Glad you're happy.