New PC

[KyleSmith]

Im looking to buy a new gaming computer which i will be able to play GTA SA and just regular stuff on the computer. My price range is about 200-350 mark. Note: I do not want the processor to be ATD only Intel



Thanks Kyle

[Technologic]

AMD is a lot cheaper than intel

[KyleSmith]

Yes and ive heard that there alot rubbisher than intel.

[Technologic]

Nowadays there isn't much difference and that really only applies if you're running some £1000 rig. For every day things AMD is perfectly fine

[KyleSmith]

What does

Intel Quad Core Approx 2.8ghz equal to in AMD Terms like?

[Technologic]

edit: i meant the phenom x4 965. my bad

[Jam]

3.1GHz, well from what Steam often says for high CPU games, the AMD req. are usually 0.3 higher.

[Recursion]

Something from the AMD Phenom line would be equivalent I think, I don't really keep up with AMD CPUs tbh.

EDIT: There you go, up there ^^ lol

[KyleSmith]

Is this okay?

AMD Phenom™ II X4 955 Black Quad Core Processor AM3 (3.20GHz, 8MB Cache

[Technologic]

yeah but i dont exactly see what you need with a phenom if youre only going to be playing like san andreas. also youre gonna go wayyyy over your budget

[The Professor]

Aye, gaming PC and £250-£300 don't really mix. Any off the shelf PC from dell or someone for that price should play it, albeit at bugger all resolution

[KyleSmith]

The requirements for it are:

Intel Pentium 4 (I got intel pentium 4 atm)
1.5GB Ram (I have 2gb)
256mb Nvidia graphics cars



All i aint got is the nvidia gaphics cars caus my current cars is a 5500 one. With that i can only play it on medium i want it to be able to play on high mode :)

Any computers?

[Jahova]

£450 minimum for a "gaming" PC. For 250 - 300, you're going to get no more than a family desktop.

[AgnesIO]

Your budget, as others have said, is very unrealistic. A decent gaming rig would be £750 atleast.

[KyleSmith]

I only want it for GTA SA and for Photoshop and stuff like that,

[KyleSmith]

Whats your views on this for 360.00

AMD Athlon™ II X2 250 Dual Core Processor AM3 (3.0GHz, 2MB Cache) (javascript:portal.openPopup('/Default.aspx?PAGE=PRODUCTDETAILVIEWPAGE&USG=PRODDETAIL&ENT=PRODDETAIL&KEY=84510&POPUP=1', null, 1, null, null ))
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium Edition - 64bit English (javascript:portal.openPopup('/Default.aspx?PAGE=PRODUCTDETAILVIEWPAGE&USG=PRODDETAIL&ENT=PRODDETAIL&KEY=84508&POPUP=1', null, 1, null, null ))
New Stylish Mini-Tower Micro ATX Chassis with 300W PSU - Gloss White (javascript:portal.openPopup('/Default.aspx?PAGE=PRODUCTDETAILVIEWPAGE&USG=PRODDETAIL&ENT=PRODDETAIL&KEY=84507&POPUP=1', null, 1, null, null ))
ASUS M4A78LT-M LE Mainboard (DDR3), with integrated DVI/VGA Graphics - MATX (javascript:portal.openPopup('/Default.aspx?PAGE=PRODUCTDETAILVIEWPAGE&USG=PRODDETAIL&ENT=PRODDETAIL&KEY=84509&POPUP=1', null, 1, null, null ))
4GB 1333MHz Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM - (2x2GB) (javascript:portal.openPopup('/Default.aspx?PAGE=PRODUCTDETAILVIEWPAGE&USG=PRODDETAIL&ENT=PRODDETAIL&KEY=84498&POPUP=1', null, 1, null, null ))
500GB Serial ATA Hard Drive with 16MB Buffer (javascript:portal.openPopup('/Default.aspx?PAGE=PRODUCTDETAILVIEWPAGE&USG=PRODDETAIL&ENT=PRODDETAIL&KEY=84502&POPUP=1', null, 1, null, null ))
22x Dual Layer DVD Writer Super Format +R/-R/RW/RAM (javascript:portal.openPopup('/Default.aspx?PAGE=PRODUCTDETAILVIEWPAGE&USG=PRODDETAIL&ENT=PRODDETAIL&KEY=84499&POPUP=1', null, 1, null, null ))
1GB ATI Radeon HD3000 Graphics - Hybrid CrossFireX™ Support (M4A78LT-M LE) (javascript:portal.openPopup('/Default.aspx?PAGE=PRODUCTDETAILVIEWPAGE&USG=PRODDETAIL&ENT=PRODDETAIL&KEY=84511&POPUP=1', null, 1, null, null ))
5.1 High Definition onboard sound card - 6 Channel Cinema sound (javascript:portal.openPopup('/Default.aspx?PAGE=PRODUCTDETAILVIEWPAGE&USG=PRODDETAIL&ENT=PRODDETAIL&KEY=84494&POPUP=1', null, 1, null, null ))
1 Year Free Return to Base Hardware Warranty - inc 3 Months Free Collect & Return (javascript:portal.openPopup('/Default.aspx?PAGE=PRODUCTDETAILVIEWPAGE&USG=PRODDETAIL&ENT=PRODDETAIL&KEY=84497&POPUP=1', null, 1, null, null ))

http://www.meshcomputers.com/Default.aspx?PAGE=PRODUCTVIEWPAGE&USG=PRODUCT&ENT=PRODUCT&KEY=686760 (http://www.meshcomputers.com/Default.aspx?PAGE=PRODUCTVIEWPAGE&USG=PRODUCT&ENT=PRODUCT&KEY=686760)

[Grippz]

Whats your views on this for 360.00

AMD Athlon™ II X2 250 Dual Core Processor AM3 (3.0GHz, 2MB Cache) (javascript:portal.openPopup('/Default.aspx?PAGE=PRODUCTDETAILVIEWPAGE&USG=PRODDETAIL&ENT=PRODDETAIL&KEY=84510&POPUP=1', null, 1, null, null ))
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium Edition - 64bit English (javascript:portal.openPopup('/Default.aspx?PAGE=PRODUCTDETAILVIEWPAGE&USG=PRODDETAIL&ENT=PRODDETAIL&KEY=84508&POPUP=1', null, 1, null, null ))
New Stylish Mini-Tower Micro ATX Chassis with 300W PSU - Gloss White (javascript:portal.openPopup('/Default.aspx?PAGE=PRODUCTDETAILVIEWPAGE&USG=PRODDETAIL&ENT=PRODDETAIL&KEY=84507&POPUP=1', null, 1, null, null ))
ASUS M4A78LT-M LE Mainboard (DDR3), with integrated DVI/VGA Graphics - MATX (javascript:portal.openPopup('/Default.aspx?PAGE=PRODUCTDETAILVIEWPAGE&USG=PRODDETAIL&ENT=PRODDETAIL&KEY=84509&POPUP=1', null, 1, null, null ))
4GB 1333MHz Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM - (2x2GB) (javascript:portal.openPopup('/Default.aspx?PAGE=PRODUCTDETAILVIEWPAGE&USG=PRODDETAIL&ENT=PRODDETAIL&KEY=84498&POPUP=1', null, 1, null, null ))
500GB Serial ATA Hard Drive with 16MB Buffer (javascript:portal.openPopup('/Default.aspx?PAGE=PRODUCTDETAILVIEWPAGE&USG=PRODDETAIL&ENT=PRODDETAIL&KEY=84502&POPUP=1', null, 1, null, null ))
22x Dual Layer DVD Writer Super Format +R/-R/RW/RAM (javascript:portal.openPopup('/Default.aspx?PAGE=PRODUCTDETAILVIEWPAGE&USG=PRODDETAIL&ENT=PRODDETAIL&KEY=84499&POPUP=1', null, 1, null, null ))
1GB ATI Radeon HD3000 Graphics - Hybrid CrossFireX™ Support (M4A78LT-M LE) (javascript:portal.openPopup('/Default.aspx?PAGE=PRODUCTDETAILVIEWPAGE&USG=PRODDETAIL&ENT=PRODDETAIL&KEY=84511&POPUP=1', null, 1, null, null ))
5.1 High Definition onboard sound card - 6 Channel Cinema sound (javascript:portal.openPopup('/Default.aspx?PAGE=PRODUCTDETAILVIEWPAGE&USG=PRODDETAIL&ENT=PRODDETAIL&KEY=84494&POPUP=1', null, 1, null, null ))
1 Year Free Return to Base Hardware Warranty - inc 3 Months Free Collect & Return (javascript:portal.openPopup('/Default.aspx?PAGE=PRODUCTDETAILVIEWPAGE&USG=PRODDETAIL&ENT=PRODDETAIL&KEY=84497&POPUP=1', null, 1, null, null ))

http://www.meshcomputers.com/Default.aspx?PAGE=PRODUCTVIEWPAGE&USG=PRODUCT&ENT=PRODUCT&KEY=686760 (http://www.meshcomputers.com/Default.aspx?PAGE=PRODUCTVIEWPAGE&USG=PRODUCT&ENT=PRODUCT&KEY=686760)


Sounds good to me!

[HotelUser]

some acer with the Q8800 was $400 Canadian smackers here. I bought a ATI Radeon HD 4350 for it for $20 and it's the perfect gaming rig for what I do. I'm sure there must be that same computer in Europe for a similar price?

[KyleSmith]

some acer with the Q8800 was $400 Canadian smackers here. I bought a ATI Radeon HD 4350 for it for $20 and it's the perfect gaming rig for what I do. I'm sure there must be that same computer in Europe for a similar price?



Link please?

[AgnesIO]

some acer with the Q8800 was $400 Canadian smackers here. I bought a ATI Radeon HD 4350 for it for $20 and it's the perfect gaming rig for what I do. I'm sure there must be that same computer in Europe for a similar price?

Yeh but $400 is like £700 here lol.

[Technologic]

Yeh but $400 is like £700 here lol.

£240 actually if its canadian dollars

[KyleSmith]

No it aint, Its 246 GPB

http://www.google.co.uk/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4ADFA_enGB351GB351&q=400+dollars+in+pound

[Markeh]

I found something similar to what HotelUser was on about.
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/176495 is an excellent computer, but you'd need a new graphics card for it.

If you wanna go for a really good one, then http://www.ebuyer.com/product/177335 is one of the best without going TOO far over your budget. (and I use the word budget very loosely here)
But if having the latest isn't too much of a concern for you, then http://www.ebuyer.com/product/181962 will suffice quite well.

[KyleSmith]

Thanks for that, But i could really do with it being a graphics card included into the computer (NOT Motherboard one) one thats been added.

[Markeh]

Thanks for that, But i could really do with it being a graphics card included into the computer (NOT Motherboard one) one thats been added.

You would be alright fitting your own graphics card, instead of it being included. It isn't difficult, you just install it in the slot, install the drivers and disable the on-board graphics chip.

However, if you really can't be bothered with all that, http://www.ebuyer.com/product/179718 is the cheapest I could find matching or bettering the spec of the other PC I posted.

So you'd be better off if you bought the other PC and installed your own graphics card. But its your choice.

EDIT: I just found this, which would also suffice, and would possibly be better, depending on your circumstances. http://www.ebuyer.com/product/168459

[adaym]

why don't you sell your habbo accounts to buy it?

Edited by invincible (Forum Super Moderator): Please don't post pointlessly, thanks

[KyleSmith]

I dont play nubby habbo, Plus i know how to install a graphics card its just the extra price.

[Markeh]

Well, those are the only DECENT gaming machines anywhere near your budget that come with a decent graphics card.

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/189241 would do. But you WILL need to buy an OS. Pick up a Windows 7 Home Premium ( http://www.ebuyer.com/product/168373 but if you can get it cheaper elsewhere, get it elsewhere), and your all set.

Sorry, but thats about it, there's virtually no systems in your budget that would be ideal for your purposes. That's the closest I can get.

[HotelUser]

I dont play nubby habbo, Plus i know how to install a graphics card its just the extra price.

You can get a half decent card for like 15 bucks.


I found something similar to what HotelUser was on about.
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/176495 is an excellent computer, but you'd need a new graphics card for it.

If you wanna go for a really good one, then http://www.ebuyer.com/product/177335 is one of the best without going TOO far over your budget. (and I use the word budget very loosely here)
But if having the latest isn't too much of a concern for you, then http://www.ebuyer.com/product/181962 will suffice quite well.

Not the same one but mostly the same specs, right down to the fail graphics card.

[AgnesIO]

I dont play nubby habbo, Plus i know how to install a graphics card its just the extra price.

You think you are so cool :rolleyes:

This is a HABBO forum, so don't act like you have never played it and if you haven't, why are you on a HABBO forum.

Sorry but I hate it when people try and **** off habbo on a habbo forum :|

[KyleSmith]

I used to play it when it was like version 9 - 19

But it got to SSO Login and that.


I have put together a pc list is this all i need for a nice pc?

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Gigabyte-GA-G41M-ES2L-Intel-G41-S-775-PCI-E-(x16)-DDR2-1333-SATA-3Gbps-MicroATX-Onboard-VGA

http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductID=952242&source=froogle

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/CiT-6063-Piano-Black-Mid-Tower-Case-with-450W-PSU

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/512MB-Palit-GT-240-1600MHz-GDDR3-GPU-550-MHz-Shader-1340MHz-96-Cores-D-Sub-DL-DVI-I-HDMI-FAN

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/2GB-Corsair-DDR2-Memory-800-MHz-240-DIMM-Unbuffered-CL5


£220 In total.

If thats okay, Could anyone gimme links for wires for connecting the HD and that up etc etc. I havnt added a hdd there caus i got one on this pc i wont be using when i have my new one but i need links for connection wires :)

Thanks Comments?

[Colin-Roberts]

steal the wires from current pc? all you would need is the sata cable

[KyleSmith]

Id rather buy brand new ones because i might if i sucseed with this new pc i might upgrade my old one aswell.

[Markeh]

An extra 30 quid and you could have http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/1GB-Power-Color-HD-5670-PCI-E-21-%28x16%29-4000MHz-GDDR5-GPU-775MHz-400-Cores-D-Sub-DL-DVI-I-HDMI as your graphics. This would give you enough power to run a lot of the latest games. And would be worth your while.

And if I were you, up the RAM to 4Gb. Overall that'd up your PC costs to around £280, and would be well worth it. I will assume you are using your existing optical drive, but a decent DVD-RW can be had for around £20 anyway. What are you doing about OS choice?

Leads, surely a quick search of the website could find those?

[Recursion]

An extra 30 quid and you could have http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/1GB-Power-Color-HD-5670-PCI-E-21-%28x16%29-4000MHz-GDDR5-GPU-775MHz-400-Cores-D-Sub-DL-DVI-I-HDMI as your graphics. This would give you enough power to run a lot of the latest games. And would be worth your while.

And if I were you, up the RAM to 4Gb. Overall that'd up your PC costs to around £280, and would be well worth it. I will assume you are using your existing optical drive, but a decent DVD-RW can be had for around £20 anyway. What are you doing about OS choice?

Leads, surely a quick search of the website could find those?

Shattered Horizon, Flight Sim X and Crysis would murder that card. :P

[Markeh]

Shattered Horizon, Flight Sim X and Crysis would murder that card. :P

And they'd murder the other one even more.

This PC isn't going to be a hardcore FSX machine. I'm just trying to make his machine a bit more futureproofed, and better for what he wants to use it for.

[KyleSmith]

Il have a think about the graphics card. Plus as for OS im gona buy a copy of windows XP becase i think its the best ahh, Back on topic guys what wires do i need?

[AgnesIO]

Il have a think about the graphics card. Plus as for OS im gona buy a copy of windows XP becase i think its the best ahh, Back on topic guys what wires do i need?

sing XP will mean you are likely to need an even more powerful pc to run games well..

[KyleSmith]

Yet again of me saying. I only play GTA SA. Yet again back on topic to the wires?

[MrPinkPanther]

Yet again of me saying. I only play GTA SA. Yet again back on topic to the wires?
Seriously, don't be so rude. He's helping and it's completely on topic. It's only because you contradict yourself. You keep saying you only play GTA SA and yet you want a gaming PC? He's saying your "Gaming PC" isn't going to be able to run many games that well on XP, its entirely on topic, if you only play SA then why buy a gaming PC?

[adaym]

Yet again of me saying. I only play GTA SA. Yet again back on topic to the wires?
*Removed*

Edited by Jamesy (Forum Super Moderator): Please do not be rude to other forum members.

[KyleSmith]

*Removed*

I want a pc to be able to run GTA SA on high mode plus to be able to run photoshop but all i need to get is the wires and i dont know what wires i need.

Edited by Jamesy (Forum Super Moderator): Please do not be rude to other forum members/ avoid the forum filter.

[MrPinkPanther]

*Removed* I want a pc to be able to run GTA SA on high mode plus to be able to run photoshop but all i need to get is the wires and i dont know what wires i need.
and he pointed out that in his opinion it will run slower on XP. You're so rude after all of those times I've helped you in the past.

[Markeh]

*Removed* I want a pc to be able to run GTA SA on high mode plus to be able to run photoshop but all i need to get is the wires and i dont know what wires i need.

I did a bit of looking into this for you, because I was a bit curious too.

If your hard disk is a SATA one, you should just need a SATA lead, which I believe looks like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage.aspx?CurImage=12-104-060-06.jpg&Image=12-104-060-06.jpg%2c12-104-060-07.jpg%2c12-104-060-05.jpg&S7ImageFlag=0&WaterMark=1&Item=N82E16812104060&Depa=0&Description=Link%20Depot%2039%22%20UV%20Red%20Latc h%20Serial%20ATA%20Cable
And then you'd need a 5-pin SATA power cable.

If you hard drive is IDE, I can't help you, because I don't know much about IDE.



Back to the OS issue.
Whats been said is that XP will make your games run slightly slower. If you want to stick with XP, thats your decision.

I think it would be worth your while to use Windows 7, though, especially if you decide to upgrade the RAM and choose the graphics card I suggested. I'd like to also inform you that SA is compatible with Windows 7, too, so if you decided to choose 7, you'd still be able to play it. Plus, with DirectX 11 support on the graphics card I suggested, IF you wanted to buy any new games, they'd run reasonably well.

But I can understand why you'd want to stick to XP, too.

Looking over your specs again, I'd also have a look at the processor. A slightly better processor (I'm talking £40-£50 more, tops) would help to make a difference on your system, and would possibly speed up Photoshop (depending on the version, I don't know if PS can utilise more than 1 core)

I've tried my best to help you, and if any of this is incorrect, I apologise. If you disagree with anything I've said, please don't shout at me, thats all I ask, because I could have easily not posted anything.

[KyleSmith]

I did a bit of looking into this for you, because I was a bit curious too.

If your hard disk is a SATA one, you should just need a SATA lead, which I believe looks like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage.aspx?CurImage=12-104-060-06.jpg&Image=12-104-060-06.jpg%2c12-104-060-07.jpg%2c12-104-060-05.jpg&S7ImageFlag=0&WaterMark=1&Item=N82E16812104060&Depa=0&Description=Link%20Depot%2039%22%20UV%20Red%20Latc h%20Serial%20ATA%20Cable
And then you'd need a 5-pin SATA power cable.

If you hard drive is IDE, I can't help you, because I don't know much about IDE.



Back to the OS issue.
Whats been said is that XP will make your games run slightly slower. If you want to stick with XP, thats your decision.

I think it would be worth your while to use Windows 7, though, especially if you decide to upgrade the RAM and choose the graphics card I suggested. I'd like to also inform you that SA is compatible with Windows 7, too, so if you decided to choose 7, you'd still be able to play it. Plus, with DirectX 11 support on the graphics card I suggested, IF you wanted to buy any new games, they'd run reasonably well.

But I can understand why you'd want to stick to XP, too.

Looking over your specs again, I'd also have a look at the processor. A slightly better processor (I'm talking £40-£50 more, tops) would help to make a difference on your system, and would possibly speed up Photoshop (depending on the version, I don't know if PS can utilise more than 1 core)

I've tried my best to help you, and if any of this is incorrect, I apologise. If you disagree with anything I've said, please don't shout at me, thats all I ask, because I could have easily not posted anything.


Nahh i wont shout :/

Id like to keep my price down as low as i can. Thanks for help.

[Markeh]

Right, I've had another look at components, and I've tried to stick with the same prices as the other ones. I've kept under £250 (excluding an OS) and have aimed to maximise the performance as much as I could. I chose some components from somewhere else because either they were cheaper, or they were in stock (a lot of Scan's products aren't available, you see). I've just spent the last 25 minutes searching the net, comparing specifications, working things out for this.

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Asus-P5G41T-M-Intel-G41-775-PCI-E-%28x16%29-DDR3-1066-1333%28OC%29-SATA-3Gb-s-RAID-MATX-HDMI-VGA is the motherboard. Supports PCI-E 2.0 (the other one didnt) so that you can maximise the capabilities of your graphics card, and faster DDR3 memory (again, the other one didnt). It's only £15 more, though.

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Intel-Pentium-Dual-Core-E6500 for your processor. £7-8 more, but a higher FSB and a higher clock speed.

Your case is fine, your PSU should be alright.

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/173708 for your graphics card. A bit better than the other one, and I've saved you £3 too :)

http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/partspecs.aspx?IMODULE=CT2KIT12864BA1067 memory. It's DDR3, which is quicker, and compatible with the motherboard in this post. £6 more than your existing choice.

I've also tried to find the cables for you, and I think I found the right ones, but I'm not sure.

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/141090 is the SATA data cable (I think)

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/141091 SATA power cable (I think)

This totals up at (including the cables, and excluding any delivery charges) £243.14

It's £23 more than your original specifications, but its worth it, and remember the cables are included in that cost.

Now, (and this is not me trying to force you to buy it), Windows 7 would take full advantage of these system specs, if you are prepared to buy it.

I know you were trying to keep the price down, and I've only added a small bit on top of your costs, and this should help you get the best system for your money (would be a more-than-capable Photoshop and SA machine).

Hope you appreciate all my hard work, I'm off for a cuppa.

[KyleSmith]

Wow, Thanks for that its helped alot and must of took you a bit of time to find all of them. Il think about getting windows 7 but the cons of it are like some software dont support windows 7.

Could anyone confirm if those wire Mark said are the ones needed please.

Overall a great thanks.

[KyleSmith]

Im going to have to buy a drive caus mines IDE not SATA

[MrPinkPanther]

Wow, Thanks for that its helped alot and must of took you a bit of time to find all of them. Il think about getting windows 7 but the cons of it are like some software dont support windows 7.

Yet again back on topic to the wires?
Hypocritical?

Anyway, Windows 7 is better than XP and if it doesn't work on Windows 7 then you can run it in "XP mode" as well.

[Markeh]

Hard disk: http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/500-GB-Western-Digital-WD5000AAKS-Caviar-Blue-SATA-300-7200-rpm-16MB-Cache-89-ms

It will give you more than enough room for all your data. (And if you download mods for SA, or indeed, any other games, they do take up a LOT of space. My Sims 3 Mods folder takes up 500Mb :S)

Bumps the cost up to around £280 altogether, though.

How big is your current hard disk, if you don't mind me asking? Because if it's less than 120/160Gb, you could probably get away with a 320Gb hard disk like http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/320-GB-Western-Digital-WD3200AAKS-Caviar-Blue-SATA-300-7200-rpm-16MB-Cache-89-ms . But, for the extra £5-6, you may as well get the 500Gb.

Which software do you use that you don't think is compatible with Windows 7? Cos I'll try and find compatible versions if you like.

XP mode is a solution, but you'd need 7 Professional or Ultimate. XP Mode requires a processor with Intel VT-x/AMD-V. The processor I posted has Intel VT-x, so you'd be all set.

[KyleSmith]

Thanks, My current hard drive space is 320gb and shamefully its not SATA so il just have to buy a new one. Now you have told me about Windows 7 converter xp thing il probly get it now.

[Markeh]

Remember to get Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate, as it is not included in Home Premium. Keep us informed of your build, and I wish you good luck
If you need any other help I'll try my best to help.