Buying Gaming PC

[TheTaterTot]

Hey, I'm going to be purchasing a prebuilt gaming desktop computer in around 2 to 4 weeks, the cost so far is around £630 (I'm in Leeds, England) and here are the specifications:

Spoiler

PROCESSOR:

Description :

AMD Bulldozer FX-6 Six Core 6100 Black Edition

Cache :

6MB

Clockspeed :

3.3Ghz

Manufacturer :

AMD

No. of Cores :

6

MEMORY

Description :

2 X 4GB DDR3 1333Mhz Memory

Speed :

1333Mhz

HARDDRIVE

Description :

1TB 3.5" 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive

Interface :

SATA

CASE

Description :

Black Mid Tower Gaming Case

Colour :

Black

Dimensions :

463 mm x 241 mm x 530 mm

Drive Bays 3 1/2" :

5

Drive Bays 5 1/4" :

3

Form Factor :

ATX

OPTICAL DRIVES

Description :

22x DVD Writer

Interface :

SATA

GRAPHICS

Description :

AMD Radeon HD 7850 1GB Graphics Card

POWER SUPPLY

Description :

750W Gaming PSU

Wattage / Rating :

750W

MOTHERBOARD

Description :

GIGABYTE GA-970A-DS3 AMD 970 Motherboard

Form Factor :

ATX Form Factor; 30.5cm x 22.5cm

CPU Support :

AMD AM3+ FX processors
AMD AM3 Phenom II processor/ AMD Athlon II processor

Chipset :

AMD 970

Audio :

Realtek HD audio codec

IO :

1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse port
6 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports
2 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports
1 x RJ-45 port
3 x audio jacks (Line In/Line Out/Microphone)

LAN :

Realtek GbE LAN chip (10/100/1000 Mbit)

Socket Type :

AM3+

USB :

6 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports
2 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports

RAID :

Support for RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 10, and JBOD

SATA Ports :

6 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors supporting up to 6 SATA 6Gb/s devices

PCI :

2 x PCI slots

PCI-EX :

1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x16 (PCIEX16)
1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x4 (PCIEX4)
3 x PCI Express x1 slots

Max FSB :

Support for DDR3 2000(O.C.)/1866/1600/1333/1066 MHz memory modules

Memory Slots :

4

Max Memory Capacity :

32GB

KEYBOARD AND MOUSE

Description :

Novatech Wired Keyboard And mouse

OPERATING SYSTEM:

Windows 7 Home.

PRICE (Inc VAT): £629.99

My budget limit is £650. Right now I am only considering pre-built systems, as I have no knowledge of building a PC, or the time and confidence to attempt such a feat.

I'm also looking to purchase a monitor, my limit for the monitor is around £60 (If I purchase the £630 system). So some advice on a good monitor to purchase that will be able to get the most out of this system would be great, thank you.

I'd also (if possible) appreciate some clarification on if, with the system specifications above, what settings I'd be able to play demanding games such as The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim and Grand Theft Auto IV, at a reasonable-good frame rate, if at all.

Finally, suggestions on better systems would be great, or if this is a good setup for the price then please tell me, as I'm not too savvy when it comes to these things.

Help is appreciated, thank you! (I hope I posted this in the right section, I'm a little un-sure, so sorry if I haven't, I did have a look around and hoped this was where I should post it.)

 

[FinneousPJ]

I recommend picking the parts yourself and having a local business assemble it you for £50-ish. That way you have a contact in town if something ever goes wrong.

 

[TheTaterTot]

I recommend picking the parts yourself and having a local business assemble it you for £50-ish. That way you have a contact in town if something ever goes wrong.

I'm afraid I have no idea what parts to pick! Which is why I need your guy's/gal's help, I'm afraid.

 

[FinneousPJ]

Here,

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3450 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor (£140.34 @ CCL Computers)
Motherboard: Asus P8B75-M LE Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard (£48.90 @ Scan.co.uk)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (£24.49 @ Scan.co.uk)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£49.98 @ Ebuyer)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card (£149.99 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (White) ATX Mid Tower Case (£35.05 @ Scan.co.uk)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 450W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply (£35.99 @ Novatech)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-222BB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer (£11.96 @ Scan.co.uk)
Total: £496.70
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

Should be enough headroom for OS and assembly.

 

[TheTaterTot]

Here,

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3450 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor (£140.34 @ CCL Computers)
Motherboard: Asus P8B75-M LE Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard (£48.90 @ Scan.co.uk)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (£24.49 @ Scan.co.uk)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£49.98 @ Ebuyer)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card (£149.99 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (White) ATX Mid Tower Case (£35.05 @ Scan.co.uk)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 450W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply (£35.99 @ Novatech)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-222BB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer (£11.96 @ Scan.co.uk)
Total: £496.70
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

Should be enough headroom for OS and assembly.

Thank you very much! And this should be enough to run demanding games on high to very high settings?

 

[TheTaterTot]

Sorry for double posting, but I can't edit.

Is this a good rig?

Processor: AMD Bulldozer Eight Core FX-8120 (3.10GHz/8MB CACHE/AM3+)
Motherboard: ASUS M5A97 R2.0 (DDR3, USB3.0, 6GB/s, Windows 8 Ready)
Memory(RAM): 8gb Samsung Dual-DDR3 1333MHz (2X4GB)
Graphics Card: 2GB AMD RADEON HD 7850 DVI, HDMI, 2 mDP - DX11
Memory - Hard Disk: 1TB 3.5" SATA III 6GB/s HDD 7200RPM 32MB CACHE
DVD Drive: 24X Dual Layer DVD Writer +R/+RW/RAM
Memory Card Reader: Internal 52 in 1 Card Reader (XD, MS, CF, SD, etc) +1xUSB 2.0 PORT
Power Supply: 450W Quiet 80 PLUS Dual Rail PSU + 120mm Case Fan
Processor cooling: STANDARD AMD CPU COOLER
Sound Card: Onboard 8 Channel (7.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Facilities: 10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT - AS STANDARD ON ALL PCs
USB Options: 6 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL (MIN 2 FRONT PORTS) AS STANDARD
Operating System: Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit w/SP1 - inc DVD & Licence
DVI-D & HDMI Monitor Cables: 1x2 Metre DVI-D Cable
Surge Protection: 6 socket Compact 2M UFO Surge Protector

Price: £658.00

Which would you suggest? Best value for money, best rig - out of all suggested, which would you say is most worth it?

 

[FinneousPJ]

Yeah. The limiting factor here is the GPU so feel free to upgrade to 7870 or even 7950 depending on your budget. The 7850 should be capable of high-ultra in most games at 1080p however.

 

[FinneousPJ]

The i5 is much better.

 

[TheTaterTot]

Ok, really appreciate your help so far, you've really helped me with this, can you tell me if you think this rig is good? I've added the suggestions you made, so it's now either this one or the one you originally suggested.


Processor: Intel Core i5 Quad Core Processor i5 3570 (3.4GHz) 6MB Cache
Motherboard: ASUS P8H77-M: M-ATX, DDR3, USB 3.0, SATA 6.0Gb/s, CrossFire X
Memory(RAM): 8gb Samsung Dual-DDR3 1333MHz (2X4GB)
Graphics Card: 2GB AMD RADEON HD 7850 DVI, HDMI, 2 mDP - DX11
Memory - Hard Disk: 1TB 3.5" SATA III 6GB/s HDD 7200RPM 32MB CACHE
DVD Drive: 24X Dual Layer DVD Writer +R/+RW/RAM
Memory Card Reader: Internal 52 in 1 Card Reader (XD, MS, CF, SD, etc) +1xUSB 2.0 PORT
Power Supply: 450W Quiet 80 PLUS Dual Rail PSU + 120mm Case Fan
Processor cooling: STANDARD AMD CPU COOLER
Sound Card: Onboard 8 Channel (7.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Facilities: 10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT - AS STANDARD ON ALL PCs
USB Options: 4 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL (MIN 2 FRONT PORTS) AS STANDARD
Operating System: Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit w/SP1 - inc DVD & Licence
Surge Protection: 6 socket Compact 2M UFO Surge Protector

Price: £667.00

 

[FinneousPJ]

You should put the extra cash in the GPU instead of CPU. Otherwise seems quite fine. Not sure on the quality of that PSU so might want to upgrade 500 W or more just to be sure.

 

[TheTaterTot]

Alright, brilliant, thank you, so if I upgrade the Power Supply to 500W or more, and also upgrade the GPU to a HD 7870 or such on the same rig I posted a moment ago, that should be ok? a decent rig? and better than the others suggested? (sorry for all the questions, just trying to make sure).

If so, thank you very much! You've helped me out wonders here, really have, don't know how to thank you, cheers!

 

[FinneousPJ]

Well, I meant rather than upgrade 3450 -> 3570 you should go 7850 -> 7870 and keep the 3450. A faster CPU when you've already got an i5 does nothing. A faster GPU always helps.

 

[TheTaterTot]

Ohh ok, thank you very much! Oh and just a quick question, is there much difference between a

ASUS P8H77-M: M-ATX, DDR3, USB 3.0, SATA 6.0Gb/s, CrossFire X Motherboard

and a

ASUS P8Z77-V LX: USB 3.0, SATA 6GBs, ATI CrossFireX Motherboard?

As it's one or the other, and I'm not sure which.

 

[FinneousPJ]

Well it seems the latter is full ATX, and of course the Z77 is overclockable.

 

[TheTaterTot]

Ah, thank you! You've helped out just..enormously here, really have, thank you!

 

[FinneousPJ]

Cool. We hope to hear from you when it's delivered.