Pre-built gaming systems

esk1mooo · 27 Jan 2012 at 16:13

Hello folks,

Appreciate I'm not a regular forum poster and if nobody can be arsed to reply...fair enough haha.

I've been looking at the gaming systems on the OC website, and frankly it has been too long since i've looked at any gaming hardware specs so am a little out of sync. (last pc I had was an amd 6400 3.2 i think, geforce 5900ultra AGP, 512mb ram...) Cool eh?

Anyway, just wondered which of the pre-built systems you would recommend is best value for money and is most future proof? As i've never been any good with dinosaurs..the tyrannosaur or monliath (something like that) looked promising?

I'm thinking around £1500

Thanks in advanced for any advice given.

Ben

Stoner81 · 27 Jan 2012 at 16:21

You are better of building it yourself than buying a pre-built one.

Stoner81.

Cliste · 27 Jan 2012 at 16:22

Would you not consider getting the parts and building it yourself?

esk1mooo · 27 Jan 2012 at 16:29

Yes, I have considered it. I built my last one. I just thought it may have been a better idea to buy one pre-built and ready to rock, and have less problems with it in the long run? (Maybe I'm being lazy)

Would you suggest that it's still better value to buy separate parts and build it then?

Then that way I'm definitely out of touch with all the hardware haha.

Ben

P.S , Are the bundles worth it, or buying each individually?

CuteTurtle · 27 Jan 2012 at 16:30

Build it yourself.

Cliste · 27 Jan 2012 at 16:36

Build it yourself. It's generally cheaper, more fun and you get a sense of accomplishment when you finish the build.

You can have anything you want really (within budget).

Are the bundles worth it? Simple answer: Compared to building on your own, no.

This site has a great community for dishing out help with building computers, so whatever problems you had with your last build, you shouldn't really get them again if you ask questions here.

esk1mooo · 27 Jan 2012 at 16:40

I guess you're right Cliste, thanks.

Sorry for the confusion, I meant the mobo, ram, processor bundles - and then build it myself from there? -

Next step I guess is to get looking through everything again then ha..

Any advice on decent mobos? I've also been advised Intel is the way forward for gaming?

CuteTurtle · 27 Jan 2012 at 16:41

esk1mooo said:
I guess you're right Cliste, thanks.

Sorry for the confusion, I meant the mobo, ram, processor bundles - and then build it myself from there? -

Next step I guess is to get looking through everything again then ha..

Any advice on decent mobos? I've also been advised Intel is the way forward for gaming?

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-364-GI

& yeah, get an i5.

Cliste · 27 Jan 2012 at 16:45

Ah I see. Well, I had considered a bundle for my build but was told that the RAM usually isn't up to scratch with the rest of the gear.

At your budget though, you could build a great computer.

bluDawg · 27 Jan 2012 at 16:55

CuteTurtle said:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-364-GI

& yeah, get an i5.

yep this, i5 or a bulldozer from amd

Stoner81 · 27 Jan 2012 at 16:55

Cliste said:
At your budget though, you could build a great computer.

Epic more like

Stoner81.

esk1mooo · 28 Jan 2012 at 13:08

Cliste said:
Ah I see. Well, I had considered a bundle for my build but was told that the RAM usually isn't up to scratch with the rest of the gear.

At your budget though, you could build a great computer.

OKay thanks. I'll avoid it.

esk1mooo · 28 Jan 2012 at 13:09

CuteTurtle said:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-364-GI

& yeah, get an i5.

Why would you advise i5 over i7? Is i7 not much better??

jamesfreddie · 28 Jan 2012 at 13:11

esk1mooo said:
Why would you advise i5 over i7? Is i7 not much better??

The i7 is better but there is no advantage in games. Only for video rendering

esk1mooo · 28 Jan 2012 at 13:18

Right okay. Won't need it for that then ha, i5 it is!

johngaz1 · 28 Jan 2012 at 13:19

definatly build your own computer. I already ordered the parts for my own first build and can't wait. The amount of money I saved is insane, and the sheer fun factor of it shall be immence

Ary101 · 28 Jan 2012 at 13:21

^^ yer the i7 has hyperthreading, which makes it more ideal for such things as video ediitings etc. Thats why people recommend i5 in terms of games because there isn't much difference in terms of performance and you save money.

esk1mooo · 28 Jan 2012 at 13:50

Okay, this is what I have so far... what do you think?

Gigabyte Z68AP-D3 Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard [GA-Z68AP-D3]

Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail [BX80623I52500K]

G.Skill RipJawsZ 16GB (4x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual/Quad Channel Kit (F3-12800CL9Q-16GBZL) [F3-12800CL9Q-16GBZL]

Corsair Dominator 16GB (4x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C7 1600MHz Dual/Quad Channel Kit (CMP16GX3M4X1600C7) [CMP16GX3M4X1600C7]

Corsair Professional Series AX1200 High Performance 1200W Modular '80 Plus Gold' Power Supply (CMPSU-1200AXUK) [CMPSU-1200AXUK]

MSI ATI Radeon HD 6970 2048MB Twin Frozr III GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics
MSI ATI Radeon HD 6970 2048MB Twin Frozr III GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics

I could do with advice on which RAM would be best?
Also, I'm a bit clueless with hard drives, heatsinks and fans etc.. any help on which should I go for?

jamesfreddie · 28 Jan 2012 at 13:56

esk1mooo said:
Okay, this is what I have so far... what do you think?

Gigabyte Z68AP-D3 Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard [GA-Z68AP-D3]

Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail [BX80623I52500K]

G.Skill RipJawsZ 16GB (4x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual/Quad Channel Kit (F3-12800CL9Q-16GBZL) [F3-12800CL9Q-16GBZL]

Corsair Dominator 16GB (4x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C7 1600MHz Dual/Quad Channel Kit (CMP16GX3M4X1600C7) [CMP16GX3M4X1600C7]

Corsair Professional Series AX1200 High Performance 1200W Modular '80 Plus Gold' Power Supply (CMPSU-1200AXUK) [CMPSU-1200AXUK]

MSI ATI Radeon HD 6970 2048MB Twin Frozr III GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics
MSI ATI Radeon HD 6970 2048MB Twin Frozr III GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics

I could do with advice on which RAM would be best?
Also, I'm a bit clueless with hard drives, heatsinks and fans etc.. any help on which should I go for?

1) You wont need a 1200W PSU. A 850W will do.

2) I would look at this ram: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-112-KS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1517 because it is LP.

3) This cooler: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-001-GD&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=1395

4) What size HDD do you need?

esk1mooo · 28 Jan 2012 at 14:02

Thanks for that, i've amended with your reccomendations

It doesn't need to be that big, I rarely download lots of films and games etc. 250GB would be more than enough...priority for me is speed I guess.

EDIT: and you were right in buying individually, i'm getting all excited ahha!