Hardware & Technical Recommendations for a budget PC?

Brigand · Apr 22, 2015

I've been interested in Elite Dangerous since it was announced, and I've finally decided I'm going to have to get a machine that will play it. I'm defiantly not a console person, so the xbox is out. could anyone suggest a PC build that could do this game justice whilst keeping the price as low as practical?

It's been years since I built (or played on!) a gaming rig, but I work with office machines so I could assemble something. But I could do with some advice on what to get that will do elite well without being totally overboard!

Thanks,

Brigand

Briarée · Apr 22, 2015

i would say that you could start by giving:

1- a budget
2- shall the rig include a joystick / hotas / screen / keyboard etc... or just the comp
3- the country you live in so you get an acurate answer

Cody · Apr 22, 2015

Also: do you have a preference for AMD or intel CPUs, and AMD or nVidia GPUs?

Brigand · Apr 22, 2015

I'm thinking £500 - £700. The least I can get away with for hi res graphics!
I've got a couple of reasonable screens, but if I'd loveto get a HOTAS for the money as well.
I'm in the UK. Westcountry!
I've got a vague pref for AMD CPU's, but its not a big issue.

Briarée · Apr 22, 2015

if I wold be to build a budget comp for elite, i'd start with this:

from there, there are several upgrade possible:

1- a SSD (a 120Gio MX100 is around 75€)
2- another 8 GB ram (see the price in picture above, also around 75€)
3- a i7 cpu, my choice would be a i7 4790 worth +-320€ (120€ more than the one in capt. only 10€ more than the 4770)
4- a better GPU, but tbh the 750Ti is already very nice

all price are euros with tx, so 1€= 1$ seems a good convertion (this shop is not the cheapest tho, so you might have better deals localy)

Asp Explorer · Apr 22, 2015

On a budget, both money wise and resolution, no need to bother with even a graphics card. Elite runs perfectly ok at 720 on integrated graphics on an i5. 8Gb ram and an ssd is all I would recommend, and of course get the best PSU you can afford.

Briarée · Apr 22, 2015

sorry but playing ED on igp feels borderline torture, even at 720p.

pretty sure geneva convention applies.

sarcasm aside, it might be enought to run minimum quality @ 720p, but i assumed OP's would want a comp at least able to offer 1080p with a correct level of quality.

just saw OP's budget, so i would definitely advise for a SSD, possibly upgrade gpu for a 280x (add 75£) .

this get the comp at around 500-580 £ (750ti / r9 280x) and add a Thrusmaster hotas X (40£).

another possibility could be a t16000m + a ch throttle (50$ + 100$ so around 100£), keep the 750ti to stay within your budget

if you take r9 280x / ssd / i5 / t1600 + ch throttle, this should bring you right under the 700£ limit

750ti build (see pictore few post above) + hotas X should land around 500-550£
both builds come with a HOTAS setup(trust me, you WANT a hotas for elite)

as for AMD cpu i don't know them very much so can't help

Asp Explorer · Apr 22, 2015

Well yeah, your not going to get an amazing experience out of an IGP, but on a budget, some game is better than no game. The benefit of the IGP is that once some more money is available, you can just slot in a decent GPU for immediate improvement. Buying a rubbish GPU on a budget just prolongs the suffering

adoredtv · Apr 22, 2015

You're probably better off with an Intel i5 CPU and some AMD graphics card like an R9 270 which should just be doable for £500.

Briarée · Apr 22, 2015

Asp Explorer said:
Well yeah, your not going to get an amazing experience out of an IGP, but on a budget, some game is better than no game. The benefit of the IGP is that once some more money is available, you can just slot in a decent GPU for immediate improvement. Buying a rubbish GPU on a budget just prolongs the suffering

see my post above yours, OP's budget is 500-700£, so clearly a GPU is within the affordable, 750ti is a good card already, and i even squeezed a HOTAS in both proposal.

also leaving various upgrade up to his choice so he can set the pricein betwen 500 and 700£

Surfinjo · Apr 22, 2015

If you want to look for the basics, think of a case, the best Motherboard you can afford and the best Graphics card. PSU to suit. Monitor. SSD

I strongly suggest these guys? http://www.novatech.co.uk/stores.html

The gear they supply is first class. They have a great Tech Support line with some of the most patient support anywhere.

Brigand · Apr 22, 2015

Thank you, everyone for the sugestions

I'm sold, I'll let you know how the build goes!

gazereths · Apr 25, 2015

ED runs fine on a dual core, G3258 cheap and overclockable......Save some monies that way? you can always upgrade later when broadwell releases.

The GTX960 is good though I doubt that the newer 4gb models are worth it. AMD is possibly better value for money though, 280x or 285 maybe?

Thrustmaster Tflight Hotas is good as well though mine had a dodgy button on the throttle.....I'm curently regretting upgrading to an X52 PRO