Hardware & Technical PC on a budget advice thread

[Cosmos]

I was considering doing a computer build guide when we understood the retail specs a bit better. TJs system does look a bit dated(* actually I think its the CPU and GPU that might be the limiting factors) but Darren's system may well be okay for retail release perhaps by just updating the GPU and installing some more memory - you could be fine.

Thing with Darrens computer is if you bought a decent graphics card it wouldn't be wasted if you then had to update the cpu/mobo and RAM. I'm in the same boat so gonna wait till after the Alpha to decide.

 

[Darren Grey]

Thing with Darrens computer is if you bought a decent graphics card it wouldn't be wasted if you then had to update the cpu/mobo and RAM. I'm in the same boat so gonna wait till after the Alpha to decide.

Well, perhaps, but at the same time buying too good a graphics card now would be a waste as its performance would be bottlenecked by the CPU. I'll probably get something not too pricey, then at some point in the future (Occulus Rift release!) I'll blow a load on a big mega machine

Really think I need more RAM? It's never been an issue for me.

 

[Cosmos]

Well, perhaps, but at the same time buying too good a graphics card now would be a waste as its performance would be bottlenecked by the CPU. I'll probably get something not too pricey, then at some point in the future (Occulus Rift release!) I'll blow a load on a big mega machine

Really think I need more RAM? It's never been an issue for me.

For your computer I think the RAM is fine for ED Alpha. I suspect the GPU might struggle at a standard 1080p but it might just be worth waiting and seeing how your system handles it. You could always just get a modest GPU upgrade for Alpha and then as you say look to fully upgrade later. I'm gonna wait and see myself.

 

[Aewarin Jameson]

Well, perhaps, but at the same time buying too good a graphics card now would be a waste as its performance would be bottlenecked by the CPU.

Eternal question I see on the forums around the web - CPU or GFX

About the bottleneck - true - but at least when you upgrade the CPU later you get a double oomph.

 

[Cody]

Get the best CPU and mobo you can afford for the baseline machine - the rest (GPU, RAM etc) can be added/upgraded later. For the CPU, an i5 3rd gen is minimum (4th gen Haswell is better).

 

[Sir.Tj]

Eternal question I see on the forums around the web - CPU or GFX

About the bottleneck - true - but at least when you upgrade the CPU later you get a double oomph.

Unfortunately it looks as if its not a case of CPU or GFX for me more like HOW MUCH???


And I think the kids have hidden their piggybanks again. Which one of you lot warned them?

So, any suggestions of entry level M/board, CPU & GFX would be appreciated.

 

[Cody]

... any suggestions of entry level M/board, CPU & GFX would be appreciated.

Ha... what do you call' 'entry level'? This CPU at the least, I reckon (unless you go AMD). Just below the CPU on that page are a trio of 'frequently bought together' items - that'd be my minimum machine core.

 

[Sparticus]

I am in the same boat as TJ -

My Current PC is :

HP xw4600 Workstation ( purchased in 2008 )
Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 3.16 6MB/1333 CPU
HP 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2-800 ECC RAM
ASUS GeForce GT630 (902MHz), 2GB GDDR3 (1800MHz)

Not much salvageable, I was going to wait till early 2014 to upgrade - but might just have to do it sooner.

 

[Darren Grey]

If anyone decides to scrap some DDR2 memory then I'll happily find a good home for it

 

[Rog]

This website might be helpful if you're looking for components.
http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/parts/partlist/
Lets you pick components, checks compatibility, and finds the cheapest vendor.

Tom's Hardware do regular (every month I think) "best graphics cards" and "best gaming CPUs" for the money.
For example:
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/gaming-graphics-card-review,review-32803.html
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/gaming-cpu-review-overclock,review-32806.html

 

[Aewarin Jameson]

(unless you go AMD)

AMD is entry level in my eyes and at 1/3 the price. You do get what you pay for mind.

Similarly below there is a "frequently bought together" suggestion of chip, MB and PSU - £156.63

 

[Sir.Tj]

If anyone decides to scrap some DDR2 memory then I'll happily find a good home for it

I've got some 1gb ddr2 I'll happily pop in the post to you I'm not sure if it still works as a mate gave it to me and I've not tried it out. but you're welcome to have a go with it.

If you want to pm a address to me I'll post it to you.

 

[TheBetpet]

If you just want the machine (i.e. already have a monitor, mouse, keyboard, etc.) would something like this be of interest?

As long as you understand you're just getting the PC and nothing else, I know a few people who have done this and been delighted at the high power for low cost of it.

There is also scope to customise (see lower in the ad) so if you want an actual i5 or i7, you can do that. Hope it helps.

 

[Darren Grey]

I've got some 1gb ddr2 I'll happily pop in the post to you I'm not sure if it still works as a mate gave it to me and I've not tried it out. but you're welcome to have a go with it.

Very nice of you! Someone else offered the same via PM, so I suppose I have my pick

Anyone know about RAM installation and what sets you're meant to keep together? I remember hearing some things like you should only have a series of the same size sticks, and you should keep things in pairs. Is this true?

If so I already have 2x2GB so adding on 2x1GB may not be appropriate. Or may be perfect, I don't know :-/

 

[TheBetpet]

Anyone know about RAM installation and what sets you're meant to keep together? I remember hearing some things like you should only have a series of the same size sticks, and you should keep things in pairs. Is this true?

It's generally good practice but I don't think it's as essential as it used to be. Personally, if I had 4 slots but two types of memory, I'd pair them up if I could just to be sure.

Edit: Found a forum explaining some of it. Basically it's to do with the motherboard performing better and the memory being more stable if it's paired so in short, pair them.

 

[Sir.Tj]

Very nice of you! Someone else offered the same via PM, so I suppose I have my pick

Anyone know about RAM installation and what sets you're meant to keep together? I remember hearing some things like you should only have a series of the same size sticks, and you should keep things in pairs. Is this true?

If so I already have 2x2GB so adding on 2x1GB may not be appropriate. Or may be perfect, I don't know :-/

One way to find out...

If you just want the machine (i.e. already have a monitor, mouse, keyboard, etc.) would something like this be of interest?

As long as you understand you're just getting the PC and nothing else, I know a few people who have done this and been delighted at the high power for low cost of it.

There is also scope to customise (see lower in the ad) so if you want an actual i5 or i7, you can do that. Hope it helps.

That seems quite a bargain. how would it perform with lets say.....ED??

 

[TheBetpet]

I'd say that should run most AAA games at a decent whack for the next few years so I'd say it should run ED no problem.

N.B. Check it has an OS! Sometimes these things come without one. They normally indicate one way or the other.

 

[Sir.Tj]

Just seen on ebay a Gigabyte Nvidia Gt630 Video Graphics Card 2 GB PCI-Express X16 DVI | HDMI DDR3

And a GT640 as well. Is their much difference?

Would either of them be upto ED?

 

[Aewarin Jameson]

Just seen on ebay a Gigabyte Nvidia Gt630 Video Graphics Card 2 GB PCI-Express X16 DVI | HDMI DDR3

And a GT640 as well. Is their much difference?

Would either of them be upto ED?

You ask tough questions

Name - Points
-------------
GeForce GTX 285 - 1254
GeForce GT630 - 720 (so probably not)
GeForce GT640 - 1284 (probably but it's very close)

Liq.

 

[Sparticus]

Just seen on ebay a Gigabyte Nvidia Gt630 Video Graphics Card 2 GB PCI-Express X16 DVI | HDMI DDR3

And a GT640 as well. Is their much difference?

Would either of them be upto ED?

Do what I just did - give up something for the next 5 yrs that costs say in my case AUD 10 a week - and I was able to purchase a new rig, I receive it in a few days. - I had been budgeting for a new ride on lawnmower - as the old one died - but I moved the funds to a new PC.