spec me cheap solution

Fantom · 10 Jan 2011 at 13:16

Hi all

I havent long upgraded my pc and have some components. I would like to build my brother a semi-decent gaming machine.

He has the figure of ~£300 in his head, the lower the better really.

I have an Asus P5K-E, a couple sticks of 2GB DDR2, a 7600GT, psu and a couple 500gb drives for raiding up. Would be in need of a case and CPU, not much else?

Do I;

A: Build this into a system using the money
B: Start from scratch with an I3 build or similar?

Thanks
James

Darkpilgrim · 10 Jan 2011 at 13:35

Get a second hand Q6600 £60-70 and 2 more GB ram £30 and a cheap case £30
Then get a GTX460

What psu do you have and which ram ?

Fantom · 10 Jan 2011 at 13:52

Hi,

Thanks for the reply, Not sure on make of ram but I was thinking 4GB might be enough for a bit, the psu should be fine think its around 400w

How do you think it would handle games with a Q6600 and a 7600gt as it stands?

Darkpilgrim · 10 Jan 2011 at 14:10

Depends a lot on what games realy,older games should be no problem newer games GFX might hold you back a bit.If i was you I would get on MM or Fleabay pick up a good G0 Q6600 see what happens you can always add a new card later if needed

cmndr_andi · 10 Jan 2011 at 14:20

The 7600GT is not capable of playing modern games well (and won't meet the minimum requirements of many).

As darkpilgrim mentioned, a graphics card like a GTX 460 or HD 5770 would be a good investment. However, you need a half-decent PSU to run this level of graphics, could you tell us the make and model of the PSU?

Also as mentioned above - a Q6600/6700 (G0 stepping) second hand would be an ideal CPU. They are well priced (£70-80), can handle modern games and overclock well (especially in a P35 board).

As for a case suggestion - this is a good one.