Gamin PC - Budget €100

knoggs

Hi,

I currently have an Alienware X51 with a GTX 660 card (only 1.5 GB VRAM) and it's starting to struggle with modern games. I'm looking to replace with a custom-built PC to use in living room (hooked up to telly). I have a 1000 euro budget (will need to include windows OS). I don't want a full tower case - but need something that's easy for a first-time builder. Ideally, need a system that can be upgraded, as required, over the next few years.

Would appreciate any suggestions.

thanks,

Knoggs

What is your budget? €1000

2. What will be the main purpose of the computer? Gaming, HTPC

3. Do you need a copy of Windows? Yes

4. Can you use any parts from an old computer? No

5. Do you need a monitor? No


5b. If no, what resolution is your current monitor and do you plan to upgrade in the near future? 1080p TV

6. Do you need any of these peripherals? Wireless card/adapter

7. Are you willing to try overclocking? No

8. How can you pay? Credit Card

9. When are you purchasing? Next few weeks

10. If you need help building it, where are you based? North Dublin

knoggs

seems I can't edit my post because I have less than 25 posts

would a mod be able to fix the title to say €1000 instead of €100?

Digital Solitude

i5 6400 €180
Z170 board €75
8gb RAM €40
1tb HDD €40
500w PSU €60
Case €70
250gb SSD €70
Total €525

Almost €350 for a GTX1070 which shouldn't be priced much higher

knoggs

thanks for the reply, much appreciated. So, worth waiting for the 1070 then? (I believe early June)

any reason to go 16GB ram or i5 6500?

cheapest Z170 I can see on mindfactory.de is €101. Should I be looking elsewhere?

Digital Solitude

Try Geizhals.de I normally find them cheaper, just make sure it's DDR4.

1070 is league's ahead of anything in it's price range according to its initial reports, I'd say its worth a month's wait.

At the very least you could grab a 750Ti or something, and drop it in a month or so for €30-40 loss, or just rock Integrated and stick to strategy or old games.

I'd recommend waiting for the 1070 anyways

Digital Solitude

i5 6500 isn't really worth the jump, 16gb RAM has benefits but its so easy to upgrade later if you think you'll want it

knoggs

thanks - I reckon I'll hang on to see the price on the 1070

should keep me going for a few years!

thierry14

knoggs wrote: »

thanks - I reckon I'll hang on to see the price on the 1070

should keep me going for a few years!

Why don't you just buy the 1070 and stick it in your x51, spare yourself 600 or 700?

Nothing wrong with pc you have just the gpu is weak now.

If you have the 330watt psu it should work fine, loads of people on Dell forums are running x51 with 970's with no issues

knoggs

as far as I know, x51 R2 is needed for 970 and I have R1

thierry14

knoggs wrote: »

as far as I know, x51 R2 is needed for 970 and I have R1

It will run no problem as long as it's the 330watt you have , you just have to make sure it fits.

9.5 inches is the max length your x51 R1 can take.

I thought about buying the x51 when they came out,go to dell community forums and they will help you out

Eoinmc97

knoggs wrote: »

as far as I know, x51 R2 is needed for 970 and I have R1

Nothing is stopping you from just putting it in you know? Your PSU can handle it, and your CPU is fine (i7 3770 or something right?)
Just make sure to be able to fit it in I suppose.
Toss in an SSD aswell, and you'll be flying it!

knoggs

CPU is i5-3450 CPU @ 3.10GHz

I believe I have the 330w PSU

don't think the physical dimensions have been confirmed yet for 1070 (anything over 9.5" will be a problem?)

If I could just add a 1070 and an SSD, that would be great. How hard is it to do upgrades on X51 for a complete noob though?

knoggs

if new card is too big, I see that people have transferred x51 innards to new cases. That might be an option for me too ...

Eoinmc97

knoggs wrote: »

CPU is i5-3450 CPU @ 3.10GHz

I believe I have the 330w PSU

don't think the physical dimensions have been confirmed yet for 1070 (anything over 9.5" will be a problem?)

If I could just add a 1070 and an SSD, that would be great. How hard is it to do upgrades on X51 for a complete noob though?

Step 1: Unplug the power lead from your PC
2: Open the side panel, and look at where things are
3: Remove the plugs from the GPU
4: Unscrew the GPU from the expansin slot/case, and remove it
5: Insert new GPU into the PCI-E bracket, and then screw it in.
6: Plug in the PSU cables again, and you are good to go!

TerrorFirmer

Whole new PC is a waste. I'm sure there will be a 1070 that fits. Worst case scenario, there are compact M-itx GTX970's available - one on sale on adverts now for 250 I think?

That would be a titanic upgrade over your GTX660, everything at 1080p ultra no problem. A lot of normal length cards should fit in OK into that case really.

knoggs

Didn't know mini-GTX cards existed - another option if 1070 doesn't fit

Thanks folks for the advice

SterlingArcher

knoggs wrote: »

Didn't know mini-GTX cards existed - another option if 1070 doesn't fit

Thanks folks for the advice

Think msi is usually the smallest of cards.

Nevermind seen your case it will most likely definitely need a one fan solution. From current info it seems a one fan gtx 1070 is the card for you. Or as noted above pick up the gtx 970 on adverts.

Should see a very big jump in game quality.

Eoinmc97

Look for a mini-ITX version of the 970/1070 or alternatively, a "blower" style cooler like the ASUS Turbo or the Gigabyte version.