New PC Build Advice

j88kln

Hi,

I currently have an Xbox One that I only use to watch films on, therefore I am looking to build a PC and connect it to my TV to replace the Xbox and give me a few more options.

I will be mainly using it for the following -

- Playing Football Manager 21 (and future versions)

- Watching DVD's (yes I own a few that the kids watch)

- Watching downloaded films

- Browsing the internet

Football Manager 21 has the following minimum specifications (however I would like to build something better to future proof it) -

Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
OS: Windows 7 (SP1), 8/8.1, 10 (Update 1903/May 2019 or later) – 64-bit
Processor: Intel Core 2 or AMD Athlon 64 – 1.8 GHz +
Memory: 4 GB RAM
Graphics: Intel GMA X4500, NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT or AMD/ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650 – 256MB VRAM
DirectX: Version 11
Storage: 7 GB available space

My budget would be approx £400-450 (I would be buying the components over a couple of months)

I have started to look for some components and have come up with the following so far (which I am more than happy to change if need be) -

Case - https://www.overclockers.co.uk/kolink-kla-002-midi-tower-case-black-ca-03e-kk.html

Case Fans - https://www.overclockers.co.uk/arctic-cooling-f12-silent-fan-120mm-fg-046-ar.html

PSU - https://www.overclockers.co.uk/kolink-enclave-500w-80-plus-gold-modular-power-supply-ca-049-kk.html

CPU - https://www.overclockers.co.uk/intel-core-i5-10400f-2.90ghz-comet-lake-socket-lga1200-processor-retail-cp-680-in.html

I am very confused when it comes to the CPU and motherboard so any help in this area will be very welcome.

The graphics card is one I am not sure of either so would like some help with if possible.

Any help and advice is much appreciated

[Deleted User]

If you are set on building it around the components you have listed, I'd suggest you are going to struggle to get in the £450 budget and you are never going to get "future proof" for that budget even if such a thing existed.

https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/

The above website is a great place for putting together a self build, it will check the components are compatible, calculate power supply requirements and find the cheapest supplier - for example the CPU you have linked is cheaper elsewhere - I've swapped some components to try to get in your budget but kept the CPU as it is very good price for performance, unfortunately you will be skimping on all the other components as that CPU is at odds with your low-end budget.

Intel i5-10400F - £130
Motherboard - Gigabyte H410M £63
GeForce GT 1030 DDR4 £73 - which is a bit outdated,1650 would be good but £££
RAM say  2x4GB Crucial £38
SSD Crucial MX500 250GB £38
PSU Cooler Master NWE 400W £30
Case Thermaltake Versa H15 £40
Keyboard / Mouse - £20
DVD drive £15 (really should get a Blu-ray for £50)

£447 total

You haven't said if you need Wifi - not included in the above price and also add the price of Windows 10 as well - both will push you over budget.

You could skip the separate graphics card and get the i5-10400 instead and use the Intel UHD630 graphics which is ok for Football manager and 4K streaming and maybe add a graphics card in a year later when prices are hopefully more reasonable. 


A pre-built might offer better value in your price range or try building around an i3 or Ryzen 3 which are more suited to a low end budget.

Langtang

[Deleted User] said:

https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/

Awesome site, thanks for the link.

getmore4less

Start with the prebuilts packages from the games builders.
Then see if you can get close.

Something like(a touch over)

https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/ryzen-5-4650g-16gb-ram-480gb-ssd-vega-system-ps475-from-palicomp-3763029

Build around 3400G Vega 11 will be cheaper.

https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/3400g-vega-machine-with-16gb-ram-and-500gb-nvme-ps35500-from-palicomp-3755053


GPU add-on later if prices get sensible.

Neil_Jones

The concept of future proofing does not exist in computer builds, it's technically out of date as soon as you buy it, there are always new things coming around the corner.  As games get more advanced your hand is forced if you want to play them properly.

Game minimum specs are what they are for a reason - it'll work.  It might not look pretty and may be a bit laggy, but it'll work.  That spiel is just to maximise sales, nobody would buy anything if games said they only worked on the latest and greatest hardware.  You don't have this issue on consoles and Macbooks because the hardware is all the same.

Bear in mind if you're going to use a TV as a monitor - it'll work but everything will be much much smaller.  So expect to either sit right in front of it when playing, whack font sizes up in game or use the zoom options in Windows, which will give you less real estate to use.

ann_droid

Hi
Look at 
Cyberpower Systems
PaliComp

Copy / Emulate one of their systems, that way you get 'compatible' parts, and don't forget to price in a copy of Windows 11.
I assume a screen is already available.