Hardware & Technical PC Advice

Epoch

E
Hi there!

I have recently bought Elite: Dangerous but cannot run it on my current setup, and am currently looking for a new PC.
I have limited Knowledge in the hardware side of PCs and am hoping to get some advice on whether I should buy the following setup for Elite:


Processor BrandAMD
Processor TypeAthlon
Processor Speed4.30 GHz
Processor SocketFM2
Processor Count4
RAM Size8 GB
Computer Memory TypeDDR3 SDRAM
Hard Drive Size1 TB
Hard Disk TechnologySATA
Hard Drive InterfaceSerial ATA-600
Graphics Card DescriptionGeforce GTX 750 Ti
Graphics RAM TypeDDR3 SDRAM
Graphics Card Ram Size2 GB
Graphics Card InterfacePCI-E
( I just basically want a definite thumbs up before I spend money on this! -and whether this will be able to run Low, High or Medium settings?)
 

Surfinjo

Surfinjo
May I ask you, is that a complete system you are thinking of buying?

Because the CPU socket is 2012 and the graphics card is kinda limited.

I confess, I have little or no experience with AMD, sicking with Intel, personally. But if you do intend buying a new PC, generally, it's a good start to get the latest gear.

If you are in the UK and need a ready built system to your specs, may I suggest you look at Novatech? As well as building to your own requirements they also have pretty impressive after sales service.
 

Patrick_68000

Patrick_68000
With the characteristics of these components (good components) you are in the right way to run ED with the medium settings, I think). If you can spend more money, there are more appropriate components like the Intel Core I5, GTX 970, and incidentally one SSD for Windows and the game. But your choice of components is correct to play with a reasonable budget. However as says Surfinjo the socket is not very evolutive. But what a socket is finally evolutive today ? Often, a change of processor requires a change of socket. Finally, with your choice, you have a machine sufficiently powerful
 
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CMDR MAIN SEQUENCE

CMDR MAIN SEQUENCE
Epoch said:
( I just basically want a definite thumbs up before I spend money on this! -and whether this will be able to run Low, High or Medium settings?)
Click to expand...

In order to determine if the graphics card is powerful enough, you need to state what resolution you will be playing at and what framerate (in frames per second) you are aiming for (i.e. do you want to achieve the usual minimum of 60 FPS average, can you put up with 30-40 FPS etc.).
 

Epoch

E
Thanks for all the information, Yes it will be a complete setup; and I will be playing it on a 1600 x 900 resolution screen, (If the computer has a VGA input! - I will eventually upgrade to hdmi )
But judging on what you guys have said, It seems more of an investment spending a bit more (£550 in total) and going for this setup instead:

Processor Brand Intel
Processor Type Core i5
Processor Speed 3.3 GHz
Processor Count 4
RAM Size 8 GB
Memory Type DDR3 SDRAM
Hard Drive Size 120 GB
Hard Drive Interface Serial ATA
Graphics Card GTX 960
 

Porina

Porina
That second system should be plenty enough for 1920x1080 at 60fps Ultra settings should you upgrade monitor later. The hard disk is listed at 120GB, which I assume is a SSD. Nice and fast, but you will find it filling up quickly over time. Maybe check if you can get that upgraded to a 240GB disk as they're only around £60 to buy by themselves anyway. Maybe not immediately, but consider adding an extra internal hard disk for bulk storage.
 

Surfinjo

Surfinjo
Epoch said:
Thanks for all the information, Yes it will be a complete setup; and I will be playing it on a 1600 x 900 resolution screen, (If the computer has a VGA input! - I will eventually upgrade to hdmi )
But judging on what you guys have said, It seems more of an investment spending a bit more (£550 in total) and going for this setup instead:

Processor Brand Intel
Processor Type Core i5
Processor Speed 3.3 GHz
Processor Count 4
RAM Size 8 GB
Memory Type DDR3 SDRAM
Hard Drive Size 120 GB
Hard Drive Interface Serial ATA
Graphics Card GTX 960
Click to expand...

Exactly. As Porina suggests, this set up is more appropriate for your needs. Plus it is using latest generation gear.

If you need to cut a few corners for now with the intention of upgrading in the future, you can get a lower priced, (lower spec) CPU and buy a better one late. These CPUs come under the general heading of Skylake. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skylake_(microarchitecture)

My board is a Maximus Hero VIII. Though I was able to get the fastest i7 at the start, it could have had a i5 or even an i3 for now, saving a load of cash.

One thing, don't go and spend a load of the fastest RAM. The difference in performance is incredibly small while the prices can be 5 times plus for the cheapest to the most expensive. I bought my RAM from crutial, 8Gb on two modules for about 70 bucks.

May I also suggest you take a look at which case they intend to give you. There are loads available, some with flashing lights, others boasting they can be used in the battle field by squaddies. I paid about 80 bucks for mine. But pretty good cases can be found for about £40.

Aso, don't buy a sound card. Your MB will almost certainly have a very adequate sound card built on it. If you really want somehting better you can get that much later.
 

CMDR MAIN SEQUENCE

CMDR MAIN SEQUENCE
Just make sure the system includes a decent brand of PSU. This is particularly key if the system is an off-the-shelf pre-built one like HP, Dell etc. where generally the PSUs aren't as good quality (plus the cases sometimes make it more difficult to upgrade some components). Then again, you should have the warranty to fall back on. Speaking of which, pay attention to the warranty. I've always built my PCs but if I was buying a pre-built one I would want a 3 year warranty absolute minimum and preferably a 5 year one but I guess you might have to pay extra for that depending on the retailer (as a reference point, some high-end PSUs today have 7 year warranties).
 

Epoch

E
Interesting, the ADMI amazon page doesn't seem to specify a warranty, or the PSU Ill have to contact them about that. And the systems I'm looking at both have 8gb Ram, so that shouldn't be a problem. Thanks again for all the info everyone, I just need one last bit of advice before committing to buying it, which of the following setups would you recommend? The second is £50 but I cant find a difference in the specs -Am I missing something? Or do you think its just the difference in cases?

1. http://www.amazon.co.uk/GAMING-3-3Ghz-Graphics-1600MHz-Windows/dp/B00SL74PMI

2. http://www.amazon.co.uk/ADMI-Graphi..._UL160_SR129,160_&refRID=16S60DEVQ8RXYE9SBGHQ
 
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CMDR MAIN SEQUENCE

CMDR MAIN SEQUENCE
Epoch said:
Interesting, the ADMI amazon page doesn't seem to specify a warranty, or the PSU Ill have to contact them about that. And the systems I'm looking at both have 8gb Ram, so that shouldn't be a problem. Thanks again for all the info everyone, I just need one last bit of advice before committing to buying it, which of the following setups would you recommend? The second is £50 but I cant find a difference in the specs -Am I missing something? Or do you think its just the difference in cases?

1. http://www.amazon.co.uk/GAMING-3-3Ghz-Graphics-1600MHz-Windows/dp/B00SL74PMI

2. http://www.amazon.co.uk/ADMI-Graphi..._UL160_SR129,160_&refRID=16S60DEVQ8RXYE9SBGHQ
Click to expand...

Wow they really flood you with information don't they? (sarcasm). I would go for the first one. It has a NZXT case (not just because it is much better looking!), a slightly faster CPU, the PSU has an extra 50W and a SSD. No DVD drive though but only you know if that will be a problem for you or not (you could always get an external one). But no info on warranties, which makes me nervous.

EDIT: if the picture of the first system is accurate, they are using what appears to be a Mini-ATX motherboard in an ATX mid-tower case. Nothing wrong with that really, just seems an odd thing to do.

Personally if it were me I would take Surfinjo's recommendation of using Novatech (I would add Scan.co.uk 3XS, both have excellent reputations, though you might end up paying more) but it's your money. Chances are you'll have no issues at all, but remember just because it's on the mighty amazon does not guarantee they will provide you with any backup in case there is an issue.
 
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Ferryclacker

F
1. http://www.amazon.co.uk/GAMING-3-3Gh.../dp/B00SL74PMI
-Cheap crappy motherboard,can never move to a proper K series processor with this board and OC.
-Cheap crappy made OEM RAM while good RAM would only cost like 5 to 15pound more.
-Make/brand and series of SSD not mentioned but i would bet its the cheapest they could find.
-No other storage other then that 120GB SSD ?
-They use Corsair VS series power supply's wich are crap.

2.http://www.amazon.co.uk/ADMI-Graphi..._UL160_SR129,160_&refRID=16S60DEVQ8RXYE9SBGHQ
-Same crap as above really.

3. The GTX 960 they use is the cheapest OEM 960 card available, it doesnt cost alot more to get a 960 with a good PCB and cooler.

4. ADMI is a typical PC seller thats only in for the money.
You can see that at how they put numbers on a box/paper/website like 960, I5, SSD, Gaming put it all in a nice looking case and Tada.... meanwhile the important internals (board, PSU, cooling and so on) is crap.
They say and i qoute "Experience incredible performance and next-gen technologies for a truly elite gaming experience and the smoothest, fastest and most breathtaking gaming imaginable with the new NVIDIA GTX 960 graphics card"
When company's say that about a 960 you have to be wary.
I got 290x's, a 960 and a 980 and none provide me an "elite gaming experience"
A 960 in the end is only a mid-range card, bottom at the mid-range to.

Here is a picture from that PC.
91ViNJVdzEL__SL1500_.jpg
I would be very carefull buying from companies like that, they only want your money.. they dont care about your "gaming" experience what so ever.
 
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