Best value GPU/CPU combo for playing Witcher 3/Fallout 4/ DA: Inquisition?

KarmaBass · Jun 27, 2016

Hi guys,

So basically looking to upgrade my pc which is way out of date. I'm gonna customise the PC using a builder tool, as I know next to nothing about putting together parts

My budget is £550 max.

I'd like to play Fallout 4 and DA: Inquisition on Max.

The Witcher 3 I know, requires a good rig to play on Max, so really, given my budget, I'd like to at least play on medium with a smooth FPS.

GPU wise, I've seen the GTX 960 or the R9 270 being posted as a good bet. If there are cheaper alternatives that will give these guys a run for their money or offer good enough performance, I'm all ears.

CPU wise: AMD Athlon X4 860K or FX-8350 (Listed under reccomended specs on the Witcher website). Again, any cheaper alternatives, I'm all ears.

Also, I'm running a 1024x768 res on a screen which is the max supported, so 1080p gaming isn't a consideration here.

I'm a layman when it comes to this sort of stuff, so any help is greatly appreciated

Thanks,

17seconds · Jun 27, 2016

Go with an Nvidia card so you can enable the PhysX based weapon effects in Fallout 4. Cheaper than a GTX 960 is the GTX 950, which is still very close in performance.

ikaz · Jun 27, 2016

Wait about 2 days for the RX480 reviews and release if its with 10% of the projected performance you should see drops in prices on those GTX's heck you may want to wait for RX 460 to be release again if the projected performance is close to the actual that should get you to max setting and probably cheaper than the 960/950.

KarmaBass · Jun 27, 2016

Thanks for the quick responses guys, appreciate it

Will consider the GTX 950, and look at its price in a few days when the RX480 is released.

When is the RX 460 released?

ikaz · Jun 27, 2016

I think the RX480,470,460 all have the same release window while the Rx480 maybe sold out (again in rumor of performance are true) I expect the 470/460 should be available but again should know in about 2 days.

KarmaBass · Jun 27, 2016

Thanks ikaz,

CPU wise, what's your opinion? One's I've read up on are the AMD Athlon X4 860K or FX-8350

Open to any alternatives,

Thanks

ikaz · Jun 27, 2016

Honestly it would be better to go with intel CPU build at this time, AMD about to release a new CPU with won't use the older sockets even going with an i3 6200 (skylake) or even a intel G4400 at least give you options of upgrading to an i5/i7 in the future (though try for the i3 if you can). I'm still running an AMD 8230 but unless Zen is really good I will plan to upgrade to an I5 in about a year (though not skylake whatever comes after it).

KarmaBass · Jun 27, 2016

So you're referring to future proofing the CPU, Intel is a better option?

My understanding is that the i3's are all Dual Core? In which I would need a Quad Core for modern gaming?

Cheers

ikaz · Jun 27, 2016

Well yes the best bet is to go with i5 however as far as gaming is concerned i3 can outperform an AMD 8230/8350 depending on the game. If you want/need something now and ok with "burning" money on a CPU you could go with the G4400 now and get an i5 in 6 months to a year. I guess it maybe a good idea to post where you would plan to buy your equipment from and what you need (monitor/OS/etc) then we can try to price out a system.

KarmaBass · Jun 27, 2016

So when game specs are released and they say Quad Core, a AAA game like the Witcher will still run on an i3 for example?

My monitor is an old Dell 14 inch monitor Max res: 1024x768 so 1080p requirements isn't a problem. I don't plan on getting a new monitor, just not bothered.

OS wise: I'm planning to install Windows 7 as I don't like 10, but I may install 10 for the DX12 support.

I'm looking at custom build sites where you select the components and they build for you, but I'm aware that they obviously charge a premium, so I may take the plunge and buy the components individually and assemble myself (no experience in this).

ikaz · Jun 27, 2016

take a look at this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sarBswH9RGE (note that at 1080p)

you can also just google/youtube the games you want to play with intel G4400

ikaz · Jun 27, 2016

Basically on the cheap you can look at these part (these are us prices you would have to what they add up too at a vendor you wish to buy from).

http://pcpartpicker.com/list/Vnmm8K

Even this is over kill for your resolution you could drop down to 750 TI, but at least the 950 allows you to upgrade your monitor to 1080p and still be able to game.

actually you can switch to the UK in the upper right hand corner of that website.

ikaz · Jun 27, 2016

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/BvKsJV this stays under 550 (doesn't include a monitor though) and you would want to upgrade from windows 8.1 to windows 10.

KarmaBass · Jun 27, 2016

Thanks Ikaz,

Is there much of a difference between the i5-4460 and the 2 below you've suggested apart from pricing point, in terms of performance?

G3258/G4400

I don't mind spending the extra £100 for the i5-4460

KarmaBass · Jun 27, 2016

ikaz :

Works out @ £325.46

:pt1cable:

ikaz · Jun 27, 2016

Well not quite if you it doesn't include the CD or windows license so this is better link
http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/Qjn9WX so more like £393.89 if you get 8.1 and get the free upgrade to windows 10 (or spend extra 20 and get win 10 right off the bat.

well yes the I5-4460 is much better but it also a dead end, but it would/should last you at least a good 3yrs, but that would requires a different setup.

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/T9KsJV

basically I would go cheap and call it a day, save up for a better monitor/CPU at your resolution the 950 is over kill and so would an i3/i5 for gaming.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyGjsGQ-RHU is you an idea of when a CPU would hold you back these setting way higher than you will be running.

KarmaBass · Jun 28, 2016

Thanks again.

So what you're saying is that with my current resolution, an i5 4460 or 6500 is overkill?

Looking at the i3 6100, what do you think?
Again, I'm not planning to play the Witcher on Ultra, but I'd like to play The Witcher on high (with Hairworks off).

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/pBpD8K

Also, I'd need your Lists don't include a Mobo (i.e. with the price factored in), unless they're bundled with the CPU?

Cheers

ikaz · Jun 28, 2016

Your list looks good though you may want to get a bigger HD 500 is ok but getting a 1TB drive for a little more would be better. Also don't forget you need Windows as well.

KarmaBass · Jun 28, 2016

Really appreciate your help ikaz, thanks!!!

ikaz · Jun 28, 2016

Yw and GL with the build.

Best value GPU/CPU combo for playing Witcher 3/Fallout 4/ DA: Inquisition?

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