Noob advice needed, pre build - would you rate this?

hightower1

Hi All,


Very sick of the console scene being driven into the muck by motion controls and casual BS and am looking for advice on picking up a pre built gaming PC.

Im heading stateside in 2 weeks and am considering picking up this: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+Essentio+Desktop+-+8GB+Memory+-+1TB+Hard+Drive/6699862.p?id=1218786214592&skuId=6699862#tab=overview

Basically I want to replace my 360 and use this HDMI up to my 32inch flatscreen. Im happy with the i7 in there and the connections on it seem good but video card wise and overall would you rate this? What kind of graphical level could I expect on current games with it? Med / High / ultra?

Any advice greatly appreciated. I bow to the PC gamings master race knowledge :D Cheers.

AlmightyCushion

The graphics card is a pile of poo. You could upgrade it yourself, but you may have to upgrade the power supply as well. i7s are overkill for gaming, i5s are where it's at.

IrishMetalhead

first off don't blame you mate, i play on xbox aswell as on pc but i'm completely sick of the lack of games coming out and the comunity is just getting worse.

that comp might play games at low to mid (mid if your lucky), gaming is heavily dependent on the graphics card and the graphics card in that system isn't really designd for gaming and an i7 for gaming is a complete pointless expense because it will offer no benifts over an i5 for games.
what you want to look for it an i5 with a good graphics card but sad to say it's near impossible to find a well balanced machine for gaming pre-built.
if you have famly of friends in the states waiting for you, you could order a comp from a system builder in the states and have it shipped to them so you can just take it home with you after your visit, would that be a option for you? we can spec you out something if it is.

RoverZT

If you want a pre built one, Ankermann are fairly decent and competitive

400 euro, for the price ain't bad will play games low to medium

http://www.ankermann-edv.de/PC-Laptop/ANKERMANN-PC-Systems/AMD-AM3-6-Core-FX-Series/ANKERMANN-PC-%5CAufruest-PC%5C-mit-FX-4100-4x3-60-GHz-|-Grafikada::9993.html

• AMD FX-Series FX-4100, 4x 3.60GHz, boxed (FD4100WMGUSBX)
• AM3+ ASUS M5A78L-M/USB3, 760G (90-MIBG70-G0EAY00Z)
• AMD Club 3D Radeon HD 6770, 1GB GDDR5, VGA, DVI, HDMI
• 8192MB Corsair Vengeance Low Profile 1600MHz CL9-9-9-24 (CML4GX3
• Cooler Master GX-Lite Series 600W ATX 2.3 (RS-600-ASAB/RS-600-AC
• Case A-Dis ELITE 905

600 euro, good little machine gaming.

http://www.ankermann-edv.de/PC-Laptop/ANKERMANN-PC-Systems/INTEL-Core-i5/ANKERMANN-PC-i5-2500K-4x3-30GHz-|-NVIDIA-GeForce-GTX-550Ti-2GB::9909.html

• Intel Core i5-2500K, 4x 3.30GHz, boxed (BX80623I52500K)
• 1155 ASUS P8B75-M, B75 (90-MIBIB0-G0EAY0DZ)
• NVIDIA Gigabyte GeForce GTX 650 OC, 2GB GDDR5, VGA, 2x DVI, HDMI
• 8192MB DDR3 Dual Channel 1333MHz KINGSTON (PC3-10600)
• Seagate Barracuda 7200 1000GB SATA 6Gb/s (ST1000DM003)
• 24x SATA-II DVD Brenner Multi Fromat Dual Layer (Black)
• Cooler Master GX Series 80PLUS Bronze 450W ATX 2.3 (RS-450-ACAA-
• Case A-Dis ELITE 905

750 euro, very powerful machine, one of the best graphics cards money can buy.

This PC would be my choice.

http://www.ankermann-edv.de/PC-Laptop/ANKERMANN-PC-Systems/INTEL-Core-i5/ANKERMANN-PC-Intel-Core-i5-3570K-4x3-40-GHz-|-Zotac-GeForce-GT::9916.html

• Intel Core -Ivy Bridge- i5-3570K, 4x 3.40GHz, boxed (BX80637I535
• 1155 ASUS P8B75-M, B75 (90-MIBIB0-G0EAY0DZ)
• NVIDIA EVGA GeForce GTX 670, 2GB GDDR5, 2x DVI, HDMI, DisplayPor
• 8192MB DDR3 Dual Channel 1333MHz KINGSTON (PC3-10600)
• Seagate Barracuda 7200 1000GB SATA 6Gb/s (ST1000DM003)
• 24x SATA-II DVD Brenner Multi Fromat Dual Layer (Black)
• be quiet! System Power 80Plus 550W ATX 2.2 (S6-SYS-UA-550W/BN091
• Case A-Dis ELITE 905

IrishMetalhead

tbh i think it's still better and cheaper to buy from hardwareversand and pay the €20 assembly service because those machines from ankermann seem fairly dear and unbalanced because the €400 comp would be faster in games than the €600 comp because the 7770 is faster than a 650 plus i'd be very weary of the cheap cases there using either they could be quite flimsy, hot or loud etc

Edit: also all those don't come with a copy of windows either

ShadowHearth

Best buy? OP, you in US? You could use a lot of good US websites to build it yourself.

I would just recommend to fill in form and then build spaced pc yourself. Cheaper, better, upgradable.

IrishMetalhead

he said he's visiting the states soon and was thinking about picking up a pre-built machine while he was over ther

hightower1

Thanks so far for all the replies, really help full stuff. The missus is 'merican so heading over in two weeks thats why the idea popped to mind for US sites.

So at least now I know my initial option was a POS .... anyone wanna recommend a build from hardwareversand?

Would need it assembled. Budget up to 800eur.
Dont need mouse, keyboard or monitor (just yet).
Intended use would be on HDMI to tv running FPS and 3rd person games as high as they'll go!

uncle_sam_ie

The only thing I would get if I was in the States would be a good laptop other than that buy the components here. If you need to RMA stuff you'll be better off.

Edit,
Was thinking, you could buy the CPU out there and save a bit of money on the build. A CPU would be the one thing that is easy to RMA, if you needed to which I doubt. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504 (176 euro)

IrishMetalhead

Here's a fantastic machine for that budget, including services for assembly and software installation, even included a decent gaming mouse (a Logitech G5 rebrand so it's incredibly cheap)

Item|Price
Intel Core i5-3450 Box, LGA1155|€170.41
ASRock B75 Pro3, Sockel 1155, ATX|€68.24
8GB-Kit G.Skill PC3-10667U CL9|€27.29
MSI R7850-1GD5/OC, 1024MB DDR5, PCI-Express|€161.85
Samsung SH-224BB bare schwarz|€18.16
Toshiba DT01ACA Series 1TB, SATA 6Gb/s|€62.97
BitFenix Shinobi Midi-Tower USB 3.0 black, ohne Netzteil|€54.05
Super-Flower Amazon 80Plus 550W|€54.03
MS Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit SB-Version Englisch|€86.09
Rechner - Zusammenbau|€20.00
Software-Installation|€34.99
Wintech G3 Laser Gaming-Maus|€14.39
Shipping|€18.99
Total|€791.46

hightower1

IrishMetalhead wrote: »

Here's a fantastic machine for that budget, including services for assembly and software installation, even included a decent gaming mouse (a Logitech G5 rebrand so it's incredibly cheap)

Item|Price
Intel Core i5-3450 Box, LGA1155|€170.41
ASRock B75 Pro3, Sockel 1155, ATX|€68.24
8GB-Kit G.Skill PC3-10667U CL9|€27.29
MSI R7850-1GD5/OC, 1024MB DDR5, PCI-Express|€161.85
Samsung SH-224BB bare schwarz|€18.16
Toshiba DT01ACA Series 1TB, SATA 6Gb/s|€62.97
BitFenix Shinobi Midi-Tower USB 3.0 black, ohne Netzteil|€54.05
Super-Flower Amazon 80Plus 550W|€54.03
MS Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit SB-Version Englisch|€86.09
Rechner - Zusammenbau|€20.00
Software-Installation|€34.99
Wintech G3 Laser Gaming-Maus|€14.39
Shipping|€18.99
Total|€791.46

Thanks a mill, I think Ill remove the mouse, win 7 , software install fees, 1tb hard drive and install a 128gb ssd, 320gb standard hard drive, double the ram, a dual band wifi card, and bog standard optical drive.

I dont really need 1tb of space and would rather have the ssd speeds for regular games / OS and the standard drive for long term storage. Wifi for flexibility / home grouping. I have a copy of win7 64bit I can burn to disk and install myself so thats saving over 100 quid alone.


I really appreciate your help, its been a great start. Looking forward to putting in the order now. Thanks again.

IrishMetalhead

1tb is the best value for money since 500gb's are still 50 odd quid and and 320's cost the same as 500gb's so pricing on hdd's are fairly messed up at the momment, why add more ram btw? games only use 4gb max and most games still only use 2gb so adding more than 8gb be a waste also optical drives don't get much cheaper either

Monotype

You'd be much better off spending more on getting a 3570K + Z77 motherboard than on extra RAM.

hightower1

IrishMetalhead wrote: »

1tb is the best value for money since 500gb's are still 50 odd quid and and 320's cost the same as 500gb's so pricing on hdd's are fairly messed up at the momment, why add more ram btw? games only use 4gb max and most games still only use 2gb so adding more than 8gb be a waste also optical drives don't get much cheaper either

Ok, I 'll stick on 8gb ram so. Any suggestions on PC builder sites in the states by any chance? Ive family over and would be heading over in 2 weeks so could order it to be delivered to them and bring the comp on cary luggage on the way back.

IrishMetalhead

i know of one so i'll have a look for you in abit but i don't think there much cheaper than hardwareversand since germany's vat rate is only 18% anyway

hightower1

IrishMetalhead wrote: »

i know of one so i'll have a look for you in abit but i don't think there much cheaper than hardwareversand since germany's vat rate is only 18% anyway

Ah your ok so, Ill stick with the original site. Thanks again for all your help.

IrishMetalhead

tried to fit a 3570k and a z77 motherboard into the budget but sadly it put it well over.
so sticking with a 3450 here's the changes that be best suited for your needs then:

Item|Price
Intel Core i5-3450 Box, LGA1155|€170.41
ASRock B75 Pro3, Sockel 1155, ATX|€68.24
8GB-Kit G.Skill PC3-10667U CL9|€27.29
MSI R7850-1GD5/OC, 1024MB DDR5, PCI-Express|€161.85
Samsung SH-224BB bare schwarz|€18.16
Samsung SSD 830 128GB SATA 6GB's Paper Box|€86.58
Toshiba DT01ACA Series 1TB, SATA 6Gb/s|€62.97
LogiLink SATA Anschlusskabel mit Sicherungslasche, 0.5m|€1.46
BitFenix Shinobi Midi-Tower USB 3.0 black, ohne Netzteil|€54.05
Super-Flower Amazon 80Plus 550W|€54.03
InLine ATX/EPS Verlängerung 20cm|€2.90
Rechner - Zusammenbau|€20.00
Sitecom Wireless Dualband USB Adapter 300N X5|€31.40
Shipping|€18.99
Total|€778.33

BTW the case is just a sugestion you can pick out your own one if you want since thats where personal taste really matters:

http://www2.hardwareversand.de/630/w+o+PSU.search

Edit: beware of any case marked "Unique attributes of this piece" because there refurbished RMA'd products that usually scratched up 9 times out of 10 and come with no needed accessories or next to none

hightower1

Looks good, so I just add all those line items including the assembly item and buy. Im guessing they assemble the whole thing them ship.

I was going to their build a PC section and editing their ones to suit which included the assemble service but no where to add the cabling needed.

IrishMetalhead

yea they will assemble the system for if it's in your basket, they might send you emails asking questions on what you want builded into the system or shipped seperatly the build a pc section is just an interface to help you out on compatiblity etc.

Monotype

Do you need such an expensive wireless adapter? You can get a PCI-E one for like a tenner.
http://www2.hardwareversand.de/PCI-Express/48078/ASUS+PCE-N10.article

Mind you, I'd still very much opt for homeplugs above wireless, especially for a desktop.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-TL-PA211KIT-200Mbps-Powerline-Ethernet/dp/B004INVKP4/

You'd only be €10 off budget then with a Z77 + 3570K. I'd even scab on the case a bit if it meant a better quality build inside.

IrishMetalhead

he asked for a dual band card so i put one in there but dual band cards are more expensive then i remember, my dual band card only cost me €20 odd quid 2 years ago so idk

U_Fig

IrishMetalhead wrote: »

i know of one so i'll have a look for you in abit but i don't think there much cheaper than hardwareversand since germany's vat rate is only 18% anyway

German VAT rate Is 19% btw but if you are shipping to Ireland you will pay Irish VAT of 23%.

Also I'd be more enclosed to go powerline adapters than wifi for gaming also and as mentioned above 3570k and z77 would add a bit more longevity to the build and performance gain..