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pc gaming

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  • 11-02-2011 1:29am
    #1
    DARK-KNIGHT
    Registered Users Posts: 10,205 ✭✭✭✭


    hi im considering setting myself up with a pc powerful enough for gaming any suggestions? keep in mind cheapest solution is the best option for me ;)


«1

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    #2
    tba
    Registered Users Posts: 5,111 ✭✭✭tba


    you gonna build it yourself?


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    #3
    TrustedApple
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,678 ✭✭✭TrustedApple


    Make it yourself is maybe the best bet for about 700 euros you can make some PC

    I have a Toshiba gameing laptop and its some piece of kit intal i7 4GB of ram what is getting upgraded to 8GB very soon. Full HD 16 inch LED. 500 GB HD will a 1 TB ex Plugged in must of the time it cost me about 1000 euros but its some laptop can play crysis on max

    Pc will be the best bet for gameing but a laptop if you travel a lot eg me


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    #4
    DirtyBollox
    Registered Users Posts: 7,674 ✭✭✭DirtyBollox


    have a look at komplett they have set-ups for every type of system you could want. make your own or just buy one with the specs you need in it.


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    #5
    bizmark
    Registered Users Posts: 6,892 ✭✭✭bizmark


    good lord do not buy from komplett the heart ache you will go though to get a rma or refund can not be over stated


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    #6
    Spear
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Help & Feedback Category Moderators Posts: 25,055 CMod ✭✭✭✭Spear


    DARK-KNIGHT wrote: »
    hi im considering setting myself up with a pc powerful enough for gaming any suggestions? keep in mind cheapest solution is the best option for me ;)

    There's a long term thead in building and upgrading for budget gaming rigs:

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055278463&page=55

    it'd be a good place to start.


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    #7
    DARK-KNIGHT
    Registered Users Posts: 10,205 ✭✭✭✭DARK-KNIGHT


    wont need a screen as ill hook it up to our flatscreen for hdmi really know nothing re pcs etc but i would give building one a go..


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    #8
    Spear
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Help & Feedback Category Moderators Posts: 25,055 CMod ✭✭✭✭Spear


    DARK-KNIGHT wrote: »
    wont need a screen as ill hook it up to our flatscreen for hdmi really know nothing re pcs etc but i would give building one a go..

    Are you targeting a specific game or level of performance?


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    #9
    DARK-KNIGHT
    Registered Users Posts: 10,205 ✭✭✭✭DARK-KNIGHT


    Spear wrote: »
    Are you targeting a specific game or level of performance?

    Just see the value on offer on steam and that's pushing me in this direction maybe xbox standards graphics wise etc or that it will plY all games comfortably


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    #10
    tba
    Registered Users Posts: 5,111 ✭✭✭tba


    A bit of research and the above posted thread link, coupled with a lot of patience and a steady hand will get you a fantastic gaming rig for under 1000.

    my first build was heartache, but the satisfaction was amazing. If I had one piece of advice, do not scrimp on the motherboard, its a pain to switch out. If I had put a bit more effort and another 25 euro into my MB I would have got another 2 years out of my first build.

    Also, do you have a copy of windows?


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    #11
    TrustedApple
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,678 ✭✭✭TrustedApple


    I say make sure you have a good look at the speed of GR card somethings if its 1GB card does not make it better then a high end 512MB GR gard

    Also if you push yourself go for a amd 3 core or a intel quid core but you might find it hard under a 1000 euro

    Make sure of a 7200 RPM HD because they raid and write a lot faster then a 5400 RPM maybe push your self a extra 20 euros on this

    At lest 4 GB of ram in it maybe 6 if you have 3 or 4 Ram slots on your mother board do not go cheap on that

    Make sure you donr get the basic Ver of wins 7


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    #12
    tba
    Registered Users Posts: 5,111 ✭✭✭tba


    Whats the skinny on Solid state hard drives for performance?


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    #13
    Spear
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Help & Feedback Category Moderators Posts: 25,055 CMod ✭✭✭✭Spear


    DARK-KNIGHT wrote: »
    Just see the value on offer on steam and that's pushing me in this direction maybe xbox standards graphics wise etc or that it will plY all games comfortably

    First place to start is a budget. The thread in B+U already has some good examples of proposed builds at various pricepoints which should give an idea of the scale/kind of parts you'll want.

    You'll also need a Windows licence, so you'll want Windows 7 64bit. Look for an OEM edition to keep costs down.


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    #14
    Overheal
    Registered Users Posts: 81,626 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    Thataway
    > http://boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=842


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    #15
    Canis Lupus
    Registered Users Posts: 9,893 ✭✭✭Canis Lupus


    I used to build my own then just got bored with it. Last system I got from Overclockers for £600ish over a year ago and it still blitzes everything out there.

    Edit having said that, that was just for the machine. I already had the other gubbins (keyboard,monitor etc) so maybe building your own first one isn't a bad idea, if nothing else you learn everything there is to know about the components in the research stage. Tomshardware has always been my goto place to get info before I build.


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    #16
    Sisko
    Registered Users Posts: 2,910 ✭✭✭Sisko


    PC gaming is much cheaper I then people think these days, everyones talking about 'under 1000' here but you could very possibly get a very decent gaming rig, one that'll put consoles to shame, for under or around 500, if you already have a monitor etc.


    I assume your not gonna be playing ArmA anyway. Theres only a few very specific games that really push PC's these days and require a more powerful machine.

    You don't need to spend much tbh to get some proper PC gaming done and experience the higher end of gaming.

    This is assuming you're building it yourself, and you're not buying a laptop that is.


    Also note there are people selling pre-built gaming rigs on adverts.


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    #17
    mewso
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 8,811 Mod ✭✭✭✭mewso


    Building a PC can be both a rewarding and frustrating experience. For a first build I would get mid to high spec parts because most of the savings are made from one build to another where you keep some parts and replace others so I wouldn't scrimp first time out. Having said that without monitor it shouldn't break the bank.

    To avoid frustration print out a good guide that covers trouble-shooting so that if your new build won't start you won't spend hours trying to figure out whats wrong.


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    #18
    ShadowHearth
    Registered Users Posts: 22,929 ✭✭✭✭ShadowHearth


    Well i presume it will be youtlr first ever gaming rig?

    Why dont you buy some biult one allready and cut the hassel of biulding it. Then you will be able to take apart your system for yout next pc which you will biuld.

    Everyone saying to biuld pc, but its more complicsted then it sounds. Tueres allways be something wrong or problem when you biuld. And if you are not familiar with pcs at all, then cheap can become really expencive.

    I advice to biuld pc only if you know what you are doing and seen that done before. You jave to have good knowladge of parts as there is allways alot of " buts" . Different speeds, bittle necking, diferent slots, number of slots, pairing, maximums, power supplies etc...

    For you first introduction to pc gaming i would suggest buying biult on, but for the love of god dony go to buy one in soundstore or pc world...

    I will get flamed for this, but i will say it: dell xps range is a really good bargain.

    Got my system 3++ years now, it costed me 1.1k eu back in the day. I still play allmoustvall games on max settings. I am sure it will make 4 year. Mayne even 5th too.


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    #19
    Kiith
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators Posts: 23,055 Mod ✭✭✭✭Kiith


    Putting together a pc is basically expensive lego. There's not many way's of doing it wrong. Most parts will only fit in one place, so that's where it goes. You can get some really detailed guides online to help you, and as long as you get parts that are compatible, then it should be easy.


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    #20
    Jonny7
    Registered Users Posts: 6,696 ✭✭✭Jonny7


    Just to mirror what some people have been saying here

    If you want a PC that arrives in the door and you can press the 'on' button and its ready to go and play games, go to a site like www.overclockers.co.uk, they are expensive, but reliable and make proper gaming PCs you would need advice on what graphics card to add. They have gaming PCs for 500 euros +

    If you want a better value gaming PC then go to the building and upgrading forum, PCs specced there start at about 400 euros, + 20 euros to have it built, + 30 euros to be delivered (from a reliable German site)


    Do not..
    get a 'gaming PC' on ebay, it usually isn't.
    get an alienware gaming PC from Dell, they are ridiculously overpriced
    go to a website like overclockers and just pick one out if you know nothing, always get a little advice



    Just to reaffirm you do NOT need 1000 euros for a gaming PC, you can get a very capable one for half that. If you know nothing about PCs, then take advice or you can easily end up with a good PC but an absolutely CRAP graphics card that will run nothing despite how fast the processor is (this probably affects 75% or more of people who try to go it alone and grab a 'gaming pc')


    This actually needs to be printed on the top of every single gaming forum in the world and millions would be saved from wasting money, or buying dells and hps that aren't designed to runs games.


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    #21
    marco_polo
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 10,076 Mod ✭✭✭✭marco_polo


    Spear wrote: »
    First place to start is a budget. The thread in B+U already has some good examples of proposed builds at various pricepoints which should give an idea of the scale/kind of parts you'll want.

    You'll also need a Windows licence, so you'll want Windows 7 64bit. Look for an OEM edition to keep costs down.

    I actually think it is best to stump up for the retail version first time out, unless cash is tight, as you will definately save long term taking it it from one rig to the next.

    Building an entry level 1080p capable gaming rig (excluding OS, KB/mouse and monitor) starts from about 450 (delivered) from HardwareVersand.de (specced up this on the B&U forum last month).


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    #22
    Jonny7
    Registered Users Posts: 6,696 ✭✭✭Jonny7


    ShadowHearth wrote: »
    Well i presume it will be youtlr first ever gaming rig?

    Why dont you buy some biult one allready and cut the hassel of biulding it. Then you will be able to take apart your system for yout next pc which you will biuld.

    Everyone saying to biuld pc, but its more complicsted then it sounds. Tueres allways be something wrong or problem when you biuld. And if you are not familiar with pcs at all, then cheap can become really expencive.

    I advice to biuld pc only if you know what you are doing and seen that done before. You jave to have good knowladge of parts as there is allways alot of " buts" . Different speeds, bittle necking, diferent slots, number of slots, pairing, maximums, power supplies etc...

    For you first introduction to pc gaming i would suggest buying biult on, but for the love of god dony go to buy one in soundstore or pc world...

    I will get flamed for this, but i will say it: dell xps range is a really good bargain.

    Got my system 3++ years now, it costed me 1.1k eu back in the day. I still play allmoustvall games on max settings. I am sure it will make 4 year. Mayne even 5th too.

    Let me guess.. foreign keyboard.. or plastered at 11 in the morning


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    #23
    ShadowHearth
    Registered Users Posts: 22,929 ✭✭✭✭ShadowHearth


    Jonny7 wrote: »
    Let me guess.. foreign keyboard.. or plastered at 11 in the morning

    Here we go again...

    1. I am foreigner living in ireland, english is not my native languadge.
    2. I wrote that post using my phone with no spell checker. Buttons are really crapy as my fingers are prety big. The window where text is is very bad, as its is scaled crapy.

    We got this out of the way? Now how about doing a post on actual topic? Next time you want to correct someone do it in provate, dont be attention whore...


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    #24
    tba
    Registered Users Posts: 5,111 ✭✭✭tba


    So you are not plastered at 11 in the morning? Dude you will have to learn the ways of the Irish.


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    #25
    Sisko
    Registered Users Posts: 2,910 ✭✭✭Sisko


    ShadowHearth wrote: »
    Here we go again...

    1. I am foreigner living in ireland, english is not my native languadge.
    2. I wrote that post using my phone with no spell checker. Buttons are really crapy as my fingers are prety big. The window where text is is very bad, as its is scaled crapy.

    We got this out of the way? Now how about doing a post on actual topic? Next time you want to correct someone do it in provate, dont be attention whore...

    I've noticed this happen to you about 5 times now, as you said in another thread, you should put it in your sig. Cause people WILL keep correcting you otherwise and you'll just keep getting more pissed off.

    People generally frown at dodgy typed posts on boards.ie , stop taking it so personally. People can get banned for typing in text speak for example.

    The way you type, doesn't give off the impression that english is not your 1st language , it just looks like your typing with your forehead is all. Your english appears quite decent otherwise. :) If people actually thought english wasn't your 1st language you'd get a lot less correction. So, in a way its a complement


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    #26
    Spear
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Help & Feedback Category Moderators Posts: 25,055 CMod ✭✭✭✭Spear


    http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af150/The_FalconO6/CurrentLogicalPCBuyingGuide/Guide.png

    Found that on the EA forums, since the announcement of BF3 on PC has 64 players, but consoles only get 24, so there's been a spike in interest from console players building PCs. It's in dollars but it's recent otherwise.


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    #27
    ShadowHearth
    Registered Users Posts: 22,929 ✭✭✭✭ShadowHearth


    Sisko wrote: »
    I've noticed this happen to you about 5 times now, as you said in another thread, you should put it in your sig. Cause people WILL keep correcting you otherwise and you'll just keep getting more pissed off.

    People generally frown at dodgy typed posts on boards.ie , stop taking it so personally. People can get banned for typing in text speak for example.

    The way you type, doesn't give off the impression that english is not your 1st language , it just looks like your typing with your forehead is all. Your english appears quite decent otherwise. :) If people actually thought english wasn't your 1st language you'd get a lot less correction. So, in a way its a complement

    i know my grammar and spelling are not amazing, but juses... its not like i type like this: SO HELO GUIS, HOW JU ALL KEEP IN HER, MY NAM IZ BORAD!

    My phone is not helping too, i can turn on t9, but when i try to type in my own language to friends, it becomes just a pain in a ring! mobile version on iphone of boards.ie is really ****, you cant see what you type, so you see all those misstypes and missing letters only after post goes live.

    Well gratz to him, he showed that his english skills are way better then foreigner who knows 3 languages, but still makes mistakes in english.

    i know what you are saying, and thank you. fair play to ones, that know me allready, they just know i am **** at english and dont bother correcting me :)


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    #28
    DARK-KNIGHT
    Registered Users Posts: 10,205 ✭✭✭✭DARK-KNIGHT


    ShadowHearth wrote: »
    i know my grammar and spelling are not amazing, but juses... its not like i type like this: SO HELO GUIS, HOW JU ALL KEEP IN HER, MY NAM IZ BORAD!

    My phone is not helping too, i can turn on t9, but when i try to type in my own language to friends, it becomes just a pain in a ring! mobile version on iphone of boards.ie is really ****, you cant see what you type, so you see all those misstypes and missing letters only after post goes live.

    Well gratz to him, he showed that his english skills are way better then foreigner who knows 3 languages, but still makes mistakes in english.

    i know what you are saying, and thank you. fair play to ones, that know me allready, they just know i am **** at english and dont bother correcting me :)
    sure you all speak a strange kinda language in cork lol ;)

    on a serious note ignore comments like that most of us wouldnt correct you as 1 its rude and 2 your a boardsie!!!!

    i actually have more friends that are not irish than irish lol

    arms open guys and HUG LOL


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    #29
    ShadowHearth
    Registered Users Posts: 22,929 ✭✭✭✭ShadowHearth


    DARK-KNIGHT wrote: »
    sure you all speak a strange kinda language in cork lol ;)

    on a serious note ignore comments like that most of us wouldnt correct you as 1 its rude and 2 your a boardsie!!!!

    i actually have more friends that are not irish than irish lol

    arms open guys and HUG LOL

    cheers bud, and i got more irish friends them foreigners lol. irony :p


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    #30
    Fanny Cradock
    Registered Users Posts: 10,245 ✭✭✭✭Fanny Cradock


    DARK-KNIGHT wrote: »
    Just see the value on offer on steam and that's pushing me in this direction maybe xbox standards graphics wise etc or that it will plY all games comfortably

    For a while now PC's have been producing graphics beyond what you would see on the xbox.

    You could build a kick-ass system for €700-€750 all in (inc. P&P). You don't need any specialist knowledge for this. Just do a little research on what components offer the best performance/ price ratio (there are loads of sites out there that will help) and run it by the kind folk on the building/ upgrading forum. After you receive the parts it's just like really expensive lego. The components only fit together if they are designed to fit together.

    €700 might sound like a lot (and it is) but I find that what you get for that outlay - even beyond gaming - is well worth it. Besides, you don't have to pay any nasty xbox subscription fees and new releases are generally a little cheaper (or at least they used to be).


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    #31
    tman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 16,339 ✭✭✭✭tman


    marco_polo wrote: »
    I actually think it is best to stump up for the retail version first time out, unless cash is tight, as you will definately save long term taking it it from one rig to the next.

    Wouldn't agree with that at all.
    MS are churning out operating systems at a serious rate these days, by the time you get around to replacing a PC that you built this month, Windows 8 will be firmly established with another one not too far off...
    Better off paying as little as possible for an OEM copy, and you can always just give them a call to transfer your license after you "accidentally spilt coffee on the motherboard"

    I'd say go down the self build route anyway, the lads over in the PC building forum will be more than happy to help out with any questions, and there are a wealth of video tutorials on putting it all together on youtube. Or even buy from somewhere like hardwareversand and get them to put it together for you for a few quid extra


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