Gaming PC

Nicholas46

Hi guys and gals, need some help
My son is looking for a gaming pc and I might as well be looking over a ditch
He has his eye on Dell Alienware gaming pc for about 799 from dell.
Now here's where not having knowledge come to foo
What should I be looking for?
What would you recommend?
What should I do?

Please any advice would be appreciated

uncle_sam_ie

Don't buy the Dell. It is not good value for money. The best thing to do is build your own but, you don't need to build your own to build your own these days.
Go over to this forum, http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=842 and fill this out ,


If you want to ask about a new build, please include as much of the following information as possible in your thread:

1. What is your budget? [€xxx]

2. What will be the main purpose of the computer? [Gaming/Video editing/3D Modelling/HTPC/Internet] (If gaming include which games)

3. Do you need a copy of Windows? [Yes/No]

4. Can you use any parts from an old computer? [Hard drive/DVD Drive/Case/PSU/etc.] (If possible state brand and model of the parts to ensure compatibility)

5. Do you need a monitor? [Yes/No]

5a. If yes, what size do you need. [19'/20'/22'/24'/etc.]

5b. If no, what resolution is your current monitor and do you plan to upgrade in the near future? [1920x1080/1440x900/etc.] [Yes/No]

6. Do you need any of these peripherals? [Keyboard/Mouse/Wireless Card/Card Reader/Speakers/etc.]

7. Are you willing to try overclocking? [Yes/No]

8. How can you pay? [Bank Transfer/Credit Card/Laser]

9. When are you purchasing? [In x days]

10. If you need help building it, where are you based? [South Dublin City/Cork City/Kerry/etc.]



The place they will recommend will build it for you. Saying that building a PC is not as hard as it sounds. There are lots of videos on how to do it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_56kyib-Ls

Torqay

If you don't want to build yourself, go to PC Specialist. Much better value there.

For 800 yoyos you'll get a Core i5 3470, 8 GB RAM, 1 TB HDD, 2 GB Radeon HD 7850, 600W PSU. This build will be running circles around the Alienware.

Nicholas46

uncle_sam_ie wrote: »

Don't buy the Dell. It is not good value for money. The best thing to do is build your own but, you don't need to build your own to build your own these days.
Go over to this forum, http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=842 and fill this out ,


If you want to ask about a new build, please include as much of the following information as possible in your thread:

1. What is your budget? [€xxx]

2. What will be the main purpose of the computer? [Gaming/Video editing/3D Modelling/HTPC/Internet] (If gaming include which games)

3. Do you need a copy of Windows? [Yes/No]

4. Can you use any parts from an old computer? [Hard drive/DVD Drive/Case/PSU/etc.] (If possible state brand and model of the parts to ensure compatibility)

5. Do you need a monitor? [Yes/No]

5a. If yes, what size do you need. [19'/20'/22'/24'/etc.]

5b. If no, what resolution is your current monitor and do you plan to upgrade in the near future? [1920x1080/1440x900/etc.] [Yes/No]

6. Do you need any of these peripherals? [Keyboard/Mouse/Wireless Card/Card Reader/Speakers/etc.]

7. Are you willing to try overclocking? [Yes/No]

8. How can you pay? [Bank Transfer/Credit Card/Laser]

9. When are you purchasing? [In x days]

10. If you need help building it, where are you based? [South Dublin City/Cork City/Kerry/etc.]



The place they will recommend will build it for you. Saying that building a PC is not as hard as it sounds. There are lots of videos on how to do it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_56kyib-Ls

As I said guys I might as well be looking over a ditch
Price to spend €800
Have key board and mouse, no monitor.
I have not got a clue after that

Nicholas46

Torqay wrote: »

If you don't want to build yourself, go to PC Specialist. Much better value there.

For 800 yoyos you'll get a Core i5 3470, 8 GB RAM, 1 TB HDD, 2 GB Radeon HD 7850, 600W PSU. This build will be running circles around the Alienware.

Money to spend €800 approx
One you have shown are too expensive

Eboggles

Hey!

Here's a build I drafted up, it'll play all the games your son wants at very high settings:

Item|Price
AMD FX-6300 Prozessor, Boxed, Sockel AM3+|€123.59
ASRock 970 Pro3, AM3+, ATX|€62.99
8GB G.Skill PC3-10667U CL9|€49.34
Super-Flower Amazon 80Plus 450W|€46.34
MS Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit SB-Version Englisch|€89.00
Sapphire Radeon HD 7850, 2GB GDDR5, lite retail|€171.94
BitFenix Merc Alpha|€33.65
LG Flatron IPS224V|€139.00
WD Caviar Blue 500GB SATA 3 6Gb/s|€48.00
Shipping|€18.99
Total|€782.84

Don't worry about all those specific parts, as to someone new I'm sure it's extremely confusing. So, I'll break it down:

• Fast CPU for general use (gaming, etc.)
• 8GB of RAM (More than enough for now)
• Very fast graphics card for gaming
• Strong Power Supply to keep everything running
• 500GB of hard drive space for a lot of games
• Well equipped case with great airflow

This build also comes with a nice IPS (basically means really high quality) monitor and Windows 7. It's from a German website called Hardwareversand who are recommended on the PC Building and Upgrading forum due to their great prices. Shipping is €18.99 flat rate, and is already included in the price of €782.84.

Also, I'd happily build the computer for you, for free, or guide you through it if you want. Otherwise, you can have the company themselves build it for you for a fee of €20. Link: http://www.hardwareversand.de/Service/746/Rechner+-+Zusammenbau.article. I should mention though, sometimes when getting the company (Hardwareversand) to build it from you, some cables can be dislodged, or a component may (very rarely) be damaged upon arrival. Also, they do quite an untidy job.

Hope this helps .

EDIT: Forgot DVD drive, I don't know if you need it but here it is: http://www.hardwareversand.de/S-ATA/59333/ASUS+DRW-24B5ST+Retail.article.

Torqay

Nicholas46 wrote: »

Money to spend €800 approx
One you have shown are too expensive

How so? The following configuration costs £681 (€802.78):



Including Windows 7 or 8, OS Installation DVD, standard 3 year warranty and delivery to Ireland.

BloodBath

Go with Eboggles build. It's a great build and you simply will not get a better pc for that kind of money anywhere. HWVS offer a build service for €20. I'd take a 1tb hard drive though. It's only €10 more for double the space. You might need some extra peripherals as well like a mouse, keyboard, wireless card ect but these are all cheap.

TerrorFirmer

The Alienware is terrible value for money. I can understand you'd be hesitant to buy from Hardwareversand, but at the very least you should look at the PC Specialist one. You could spend 800 on either the Alienware of the PCS one, but believe me you'd be shelling out more money on the Alienware in the near future for upgrades required for gaming at a respectable gaming. The Alienware build isn't even a gaming machine, let alone a good one. It'd be a shame to spend 800 and for your son to be playing games at low settings - and that's what he'd be doing.

Torqay

Eboggle's build (which costs €830 if you add the DVD drive and the building fee) costs €745 at PCS (without the monitor), so HWVS in Germany is slightly cheaper.

BloodBath

Made a couple of adjustments to Eboggles build and included the additional peripherals you will need. All you need is a keyboard. What age is your son? Maybe doing the build together is something you could do. It's really not hard and there are lots of guides online. It's grown up lego basically.

Item|Price
ASRock 970DE3/U3S3, AM3+, ATX|€55.64
8GB-Kit A-Data Value PC3-1333 CL9|€46.10
BitFenix Merc Alpha|€33.65
be quiet! SYSTEM POWER 7 400W|€39.02
Samsung SH-118AB schwarz|€12.71
MS Windows 8 64bit (SB-Version) Englisch|€85.37
Revoltec Wired Gaming Mouse W102|€8.42
TP-Link TL-WN781N, 150Mbps, PCIe x1|€9.84
AMD FX-6300 Prozessor, Boxed, Sockel AM3+|€123.59
Sapphire Radeon HD 7850, 2GB GDDR5, lite retail|€171.94
Seagate Barracuda 7200 1000GB, SATA 6Gb/s|€59.28
LG Flatron IPS234V|€149.00
Sharkoon Fire Glider Gaming Mat|€6.99
Shipping|€18.99
Total|€820.54

Mr Gunsmoke2013

Try www.overclockers.co.uk

I have three gaming systems i bought from them

Every week they do deals and you could pick up a budget system like this which by the way **** all over DELL factory built rigs



https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FS-213-OE



This is My current rig (Above), and it plays BF3 at highest settings (not ultra tho) as well as DCS A-10, Lock-on FC flight simulator, ArmA, ArmA 2 and Arma 3 and does not even break a sweat!

I would recommend the ASUS 6670 HD located in the drop down menu in the graphics card link as a reference not to go below as this will dictate how smooth the pc will run while gaming

There are a quite few peeps who can install the operating system but the one guy i recommend above all is well used to working with gaming systems and is a lot cheaper than any of those pc repair shops popping up everywhere (PM me if you want his mobile number)

Hope that helps

BloodBath

A 6670 is a poor card that will struggle with most games. The hardwareversand rig above is a better gaming system including all the extras for less.

Nicholas46

BloodBath wrote: »

Made a couple of adjustments to Eboggles build and included the additional peripherals you will need. All you need is a keyboard. What age is your son? Maybe doing the build together is something you could do. It's really not hard and there are lots of guides online. It's grown up lego basically.

Item|Price
ASRock 970DE3/U3S3, AM3+, ATX|€55.64
8GB-Kit A-Data Value PC3-1333 CL9|€46.10
BitFenix Merc Alpha|€33.65
be quiet! SYSTEM POWER 7 400W|€39.02
Samsung SH-118AB schwarz|€12.71
MS Windows 8 64bit (SB-Version) Englisch|€85.37
Revoltec Wired Gaming Mouse W102|€8.42
TP-Link TL-WN781N, 150Mbps, PCIe x1|€9.84
AMD FX-6300 Prozessor, Boxed, Sockel AM3+|€123.59
Sapphire Radeon HD 7850, 2GB GDDR5, lite retail|€171.94
Seagate Barracuda 7200 1000GB, SATA 6Gb/s|€59.28
LG Flatron IPS234V|€149.00
Sharkoon Fire Glider Gaming Mat|€6.99
Shipping|€18.99
Total|€820.54

Thanks very much, one qusetion
which is better
Intel or AMD

Torqay

Nicholas46 wrote: »

which is better
Intel or AMD

There isn't much between the two processors mentioned here, the Intel i5 3470 is wee bit faster than the AMD FX-6300 but also more expensive, the AMD represents better value.

Nicholas46

BLOODBATH
Thanks for your reply, made my life a lot easier, great price compared to what DELL supply
My son is 16 and I would love to build this with him with some help from your good self.
what is better when it comes to prozesser's Intel or AMD
In your list does it have a DVD/RW
appreciate the help here

Nicholas46

Thanks

Nicholas46

what cables will I require to get this bad boy going

Torqay

Nicholas46 wrote: »

BLOODBATH

In your list does it have a DVD/RW

Samsung SH-118AB is the DVD RW drive

Nicholas46 wrote: »

what is better when it comes to prozesser's Intel or AMD

Intel Core i5 3470 vs AMD FX-6300

Eboggles

Nicholas46 wrote: »

what cables will I require to get this bad boy going

You'll probably just need a HDMI cable (for the monitor), and maybe an extra SATA cable. Here's a link to a SATA cable: http://www.hardwareversand.de/S-ATA/40716/LogiLink+SATA+Anschlusskabel+mit+Sicherungslasche%2C+0.5m.article

Nicholas46

BloodBath wrote: »

Made a couple of adjustments to Eboggles build and included the additional peripherals you will need. All you need is a keyboard. What age is your son? Maybe doing the build together is something you could do. It's really not hard and there are lots of guides online. It's grown up lego basically.

Item|Price
ASRock 970DE3/U3S3, AM3+, ATX|€55.64
8GB-Kit A-Data Value PC3-1333 CL9|€46.10
BitFenix Merc Alpha|€33.65
be quiet! SYSTEM POWER 7 400W|€39.02
Samsung SH-118AB schwarz|€12.71
MS Windows 8 64bit (SB-Version) Englisch|€85.37
Revoltec Wired Gaming Mouse W102|€8.42
TP-Link TL-WN781N, 150Mbps, PCIe x1|€9.84
AMD FX-6300 Prozessor, Boxed, Sockel AM3+|€123.59
Sapphire Radeon HD 7850, 2GB GDDR5, lite retail|€171.94
Seagate Barracuda 7200 1000GB, SATA 6Gb/s|€59.28
LG Flatron IPS234V|€149.00
Sharkoon Fire Glider Gaming Mat|€6.99
Shipping|€18.99
Total|€820.54

Is his PC capable of running Battlefield 3 and other high end games on good FPS.

Eboggles

Nicholas46 wrote: »

Is his PC capable of running Battlefield 3 and other high end games on good FPS.

Yup, you'd be looking at about 50fps at very high detail settings, which is really good.

Nicholas46

Eboggles wrote: »

Yup, you'd be looking at about 50fps at very high detail settings, which is really good.

What KeyBoard would you recommend?

Eboggles

Nicholas46 wrote: »

What KeyBoard would you recommend?

How much do you want to spend?

Nicholas46

we picked the sharkoon skiller gaming keyboard . price 13.63 . what do you think of this?
Motherboard ASRock 970DE3 as recommended above is not available , what other motherboard would you recommend we are willing to pay a bit more?

BloodBath

The german keyboard layout is different which is why I didn't include one.

The next model up, the pro3 is also out of stock leaving the more expensive but much better board.

http://www.hardwareversand.de/DDR3/52889/ASRock+970+Extreme3%2C+AM3%2B%2C+ATX.article

This would allow high overclocks on the processor down the line. The pc has a lot of upgradability and overclockability which you could look into over time.

You could get 30% or more extra performance out of the rig with some overclocking.

Nicholas46

Thanks very much :-)

Nicholas46

Do we require extra fans for this motherboard or anything else in the system ?

BloodBath

You could pick up some additional case fans.

3 of these would do the trick.

Nicholas46

Thank you

BloodBath

They will be slightly loud at full speed but you can adjust this down a little through the Motherboard BIOS.