£500 gaming PC

spud17

I know nothing about gaming requirements.

I've been asked to help spec a gaming type PC, he self built his current machine about 5 years back.

Obviously things have moved on and he's finding he can't play modern games, but doesn't know where to start regarding a new pc.

It will be used for 'strategy' type games, whatever they are.

Budget is £500 (ish) without OS.

I've found another thread from December as a start, it has the following link,

http://www.dinopc.com/shop/pc/configurePrd.asp?idproduct=766

The above includes OS for £525.

Is 8GB ram really necessary and is the GPU suitable.

This will be all new and not looking to reuse any old parts.

spakkker

I don't game either, but - http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-radeon-hd-6870-radeon-hd-6850,2782.html

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gaming-cpu-core-i3-2100-phenom-ii-x6-1075t,2859-10.html

Don't forget DDR3 ram is much lower priced than ddr2 4GB~£30 - http://www.ebuyer.com/store/Components/cat/Memory---PC/subcat/DDR3-1333MHz

It seems hard to believe that people use same old tech for eg. 5 years - it's been obsolete for, say, 3 years !!

Edit - could buy a decent gpu 1st, if he has pci-e slot, and see how that looks - if no good use in new build.

Lawpf2001

Tbh I would recommend posting this on a dedicated PC forum. I often visit and contribute at overclock.net.

As you have done here state uses, cost and what you have now (as some parts could be re-used).

banger9365

try this http://www.overclockers.co.uk/syscon_int.php?prodid=FS-283-OK

Toxteth_OGrady

This article may be helpful:

http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/systems/how_to_build_a_600_gaming_pc/1

spud17

Cheers people,

RussJK, if he's my son, then I really did start early, .

He's said he'd like to stick with AMD, so I'd looked back and found the 955 and Asus M4A87TD on the other thread.

This is DDR3 and also part usb 3.

Add in a Samsung F3 1Tb, plus DVD rewriter.

Just for starters, from ebuyer

AMD 955 + Asus M4A87TD + 2x2GB ram + 1TB Samsung + DVD rewriter + PSU (Corsair 500w?) is approximately £315.

Any further suggestions for case, PSU or better GPU than the ati 5770?

spakkker

I'd just use an £11 case for starters and then think about the wisdom of spending £100 or £200 on a case.
The trouble with graphics is the spend a bit more and get even more performance scenario.

See post #12 -about possible 1080p viewing.
http://www.overclock.net/ati/928739-phenom-x4-955-bottleneck-hd5770-2.html

jayme1

I really wouldnt stick to AMD, brand loyalty is pointless in the computer industry.

the following can play WoW at full settings at 1080p, and also can play crysis at maximum settings, 4AA at 1080p, therefore it should be more than enough for any strategy games you mate throws at it.

Sapphire HD 6850 1GB Toxic Graphics Card
£157.92

Intel Core i3-540 Dual Core Processor
£91.31

Xigmatek Asgard ATX Mid Tower Case
£27.74

Asus P7H55-M Pro Socket 1156 Motherboard
£82.07

Kingston 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1600MHz HyperX XMP Kit for Sandybridge
£38.62

600W OCZ ModXStream Pro Modular Power Supply
£63.17

Akasa 80mm Ultra Quiet
£5.59

LiteOn IHAS124-19 24x DVDRW
£11.96 500GB Western Digital Caviar Blue 3.5" Hard Disk Drive
£30.25


Total: £508.63

spud17

Great stuff jayme1.

Exactly the sort of suggestion I was looking for.

After a bit more searching, is it correct that a good dual core (i3 etc) will be better than an equivalent quad core for gaming?

I'll pass on all the links and advice tomorrow at work.

Lil306

Better late than never, whilst Intel are better in out and out performance. AMD is best bang for buck until Sandy Bridge is cheaper.

This is just a random spec you can use, I built a PC for 400 minus O/S and graphics. You can save money if needed by reusing any old components (HDD usually)

Windows 7 Home Prem - 110
Corsair 1600MHz Dual Channel 4GB - 40
500w PSU - (novatech powerstation 500w modular - these things rule)
Case - 30 (coolermaster elite 335)
CPU - 70 (athlon x4 6400)
Gigabyte UD3 Ma770T MB - 60 (or w/e you prefer)
WD 150GB Velociraptor - 90
ATI Radeon 5770 or Graphics Card of choice - 100/150
2TB HDD - 60

Total : 600