Gaming pc for 550 including delivery help

Ciaran219

Hi, as the title says i have 550 euro to spend on a gaming machine.
I am looking to play games like bf3, skyrim and starcraft etc smoothly and comfortably.
I dont have any experience in this side of things so i am looking for someone who does that could help build me a spec for this price if they wouldnt mind.
i have a screen and keyboard and mouse etc, i just literally need a box basically.

Thanks in advance

Serephucus

Do you have Windows? Will you need a wireless card for internet access?

Ciaran219

No i dont have windows, and yeah i would need a wireless card for it too.

Ciaran219

http://www.dabs.ie/products/hp-pavilion-s5-1020uk-slimline-core-i3-2100-4gb-ram-1-5tb-hdd-dvdrw-w7hp-7T3S.html?src=2

Is this machine any good? not sure about the graphics card though

partyatmygaff

Item Price
Total build cost: €549.16 + €30 shipping
ASRock H61M-HVS (B3), Sockel 1155, mATX €42.25
8GB-Kit G.Skill PC3-10667U CL9 €31.84
Samsung SpinPoint F4 320GB, SATA II (HD322GJ) €75.00
Xigmatek Asgard, ATX, ohne Netzteil, schwarz €31.61
Samsung SH-222AB bare schwarz SATA €15.03
Powercolor HD6870 1024MB Dual-DVI/HD1M2I5 €145.99
Super-Flower Amazon 80Plus 450W €40.45
Intel Core i5-2400 Box, LGA1155 €166.99

One of the sample builds in the new PC Building and Upgrading 101 guide being made. Ditch the HDD in that build and use the €75 to buy Windows 7 for €45 off software4students (Only if you're a student or have a relative who is a student IIRC the licence terms correctly) and get a HDD for €30 off Adverts. Shouldn't be too hard to find a 320GB or larger SATA HDD for €30 on Adverts.

That'll run pretty much anything available at the moment maxed out with little to no difficulty providing you limit the resolution to a maximum of 1680x1050.

Ciaran219

Thanks for that, what website did u build this off of?

partyatmygaff

http://hardwareversand.de

Ciaran219

partyatmygaff wrote: »

http://hardwareversand.de

Thanks, i was looking at that website but was struggling because of the german in it.

partyatmygaff

Click on English (Or Englisch) in the top right hand corner.

Ciaran219

PC Case Style : Ezcool f25 Mini Tower

Processor CPU :Dual Core 5700 3.00ghz

Memory :4gb ddr3 1333mhz

Hard Disk 1 : 500gb hard drive

Optical Drive 1 :High speed dvd rewriter

Video Graphics Card :Nvidia gt240 1Gb

Networking {Broadband} : Gigabite Ethernet +54mbps Wifi

Sound Card : Onboard Sound

Power Supply : Evo 700 watt Gaming psu

CPU Cooling : Intel original cooling system

Operating System O/S : None

Office Software : Open office suite pre-installed

AntiVirus Software : Avg free antivirus

Warranty Period : 2 years

Total is euro 564. is this machine any good for the price?

Serephucus

No. Go with party's build, it's far, far better value.

partyatmygaff

That's an absolutely dire system for the price. Poor CPU, only 4GB of RAM, outdated low end graphics card, poor quality power supply and even the Wireless card isn't any good.

It's terrible value for €564.

toco123

Have you checked amazon, i often find the odd bargain parts there.

Ciaran219

oh right cheers, see im new to this so alot of the spec etc i am just going blank when reading them. whats the usual delivery time from hardwareversand

uncle_sam_ie

You should have a look at the sticky above with stuff for sale. Buying second hand hardware could bring the price down a bit.

k.p.h

Ciaran219 wrote: »

oh right cheers, see im new to this so alot of the spec etc i am just going blank when reading them. whats the usual delivery time from hardwareversand

How's it going, just a quick thing I thought I would mention as you seem eager to get going even though you say you are new to all this hardware stuff. I put a build together just before Christmas so I also came here looking for a bit of advice and to see what was the way to go.

Even though I am in college studying computer science and understand how most of the hardware works it still took me a while to figure out where all the latest gear was at and even at that I had to do some research on the latest technology's.

I was pretty eager to go too, but if I had bought some of the gear I was looking at originally I would have ended up with half the machine for the same money. There is a lot of good gear out there for good money be it from hardwareversand, amazon or even second hand off adverts if you know what you are looking for. A lot of the bundled packages or pre built machines are rip offs, be it from out dated components or just generally over priced.

I would just say take your time if you are planning a build and google everything you can, it will pay off in the long run.Or if you are in a rush stick to what the lads tell you here and you won't go far wrong. I wouldn't have said anything only I nearly did it myself but lucky enough I ended up taking my time and ended up with a better machine.Best of luck anyway

Ciaran219

uncle_sam_ie wrote: »

You should have a look at the sticky above with stuff for sale. Buying second hand hardware could bring the price down a bit.

Yeah i had a look at tthe ssticky, but my only worry would be that if something fails on me id like to have some warranty to cover me.

Have you checked amazon, i often find the odd bargain parts there.[/QUOTE]

No never even thought of amazon, will have a look now thanks

partyatmygaff wrote: »

That's an absolutely dire system for the price. Poor CPU, only 4GB of RAM, outdated low end graphics card, poor quality power supply and even the Wireless card isn't any good.

It's terrible value for €564.

cheers, any chance you could link that build you did for me? even though i pick english on the website most of its still in german??

k.p.h wrote: »

How's it going, just a quick thing I thought I would mention as you seem eager to get going even though you say you are new to all this hardware stuff. I put a build together just before Christmas so I also came here looking for a bit of advice and to see what was the way to go.

Even though I am in college studying computer science and understand how most of the hardware works it still took me a while to figure out where all the latest gear was at and even at that I had to do some research on the latest technology's.

I was pretty eager to go too, but if I had bought some of the gear I was looking at originally I would have ended up with half the machine for the same money. There is a lot of good gear out there for good money be it from hardwareversand, amazon or even second hand off adverts if you know what you are looking for. A lot of the bundled packages or pre built machines are rip offs, be it from out dated components or just generally over priced.

I would just say take your time if you are planning a build and google everything you can, it will pay off in the long run.Or if you are in a rush stick to what the lads tell you here and you won't go far wrong. I wouldn't have said anything only I nearly did it myself but lucky enough I ended up taking my time and ended up with a better machine.Best of luck anyway

Yeah cheers for that man, think i will just take my time with it, unless someone here throws up a build thats what im looking for.. i seen a machine or two that looked good till i seen the GPU. i would know a few bits and pieces but new gpus etc and which PSU to go with it is something ill have to take my time with. Cheers

Completionist

You could use chrome, it will translate any
Leftover german:)

Ciaran219

i was told that i would need a 2gb GPU that a 1gb wouldnt be enough to run skyrim etc. does it depend on the card that i use or would i need the 2gb

Serephucus

Whoever told you that was spouting BS. Memory size (in relation to graphics cards) has virtually no affect on games. It comes down to the graphics processor itself. That's where you'll see the difference.

Seriously, the build party posted is by far the best value for money. I wouldn't change a thing with that.

PseudoFamous

Ciaran219 wrote: »

i was told that i would need a 2gb GPU that a 1gb wouldnt be enough to run skyrim etc. does it depend on the card that i use or would i need the 2gb

Depends on the card itself, more than the amount of memory. My 560ti has 1GB of GDDR5 and it'll max out pretty much every game I've tried it with, other than BF3. Memory had little bearing.

Ciaran219

ah right, cheers for that lads. well hopefully the other fella can throw up the link to the build he put up here for me when he gets online. had to return my gaming machine today so im itching to get one back now and the money is burning a hole in my pocket ha

IRL_Sinister

SC2 is CPU-dependent just so you know.

Ciaran219

IRL_Sinister wrote: »

SC2 is CPU-dependent just so you know.

sc2?? what ya mean??

IRL_Sinister

You said in the OP you wanted to play Starcraft and I'm assuming you mean Starcraft II (SC2). The quality of performance and smoothness of SC2 is dependent on your CPU not your GPU.

Serephucus

Will you need the PC assembled for you?

ShadowHearth

IRL_Sinister wrote: »

You said in the OP you wanted to play Starcraft and I'm assuming you mean Starcraft II (SC2). The quality of performance and smoothness of SC2 is dependent on your CPU not your GPU.

Stop scaring the living shot out of lad.

I5 2400 will be more then enough to play Starcraft 2, I played on q6600 and it worked like a boss!

Ciaran219

IRL_Sinister wrote: »

You said in the OP you wanted to play Starcraft and I'm assuming you mean Starcraft II (SC2). The quality of performance and smoothness of SC2 is dependent on your CPU not your GPU.

Sorry haha i thought you were talkin about a part in the computer my bad

Serephucus wrote: »

Will you need the PC assembled for you?

well id prefer it to be assembled but if i had to i could get it done when i get all the parts for it. why do you wanna do it? hahaha

ShadowHearth wrote: »

Stop scaring the living shot out of lad.


im not scared haha, im s***ting it


I5 2400 will be more then enough to play Starcraft 2, I played on q6600 and it worked like a boss!

well starcraft and c and c mostly. skyrim every now and again like.

ShadowHearth

Ciaran219 wrote: »

Sorry haha i thought you were talkin about a part in the computer my bad


well id prefer it to be assembled but if i had to i could get it done when i get all the parts for it. why do you wanna do it? hahaha



well starcraft and c and c mostly. skyrim every now and again like.

starcraft is a very flexible game on many systems ans specs.

for gaming i5 2400 is on a high end side, the only better you can get is 2500k so you will be set. i would not even bother with cpu anymore.

partyatmygaff

Item|Price
ASRock H61M-HVS (B3), Sockel 1155, mATX|€42.25
8GB-Kit G.Skill PC3-10667U CL9|€31.84
Xigmatek Asgard, ATX, ohne Netzteil, schwarz|€31.61
Samsung SH-222AB bare schwarz SATA|€15.03
Powercolor HD6870 1024MB Dual-DVI/HD1M2I5|€145.99
Super-Flower Amazon 80Plus 450W|€40.45
Intel Core i5-2400 Box, LGA1155|€166.99
TP-Link TL-WN721N, 150Mbps, USB 2.0|€5.86


If you want it assembled, add this.

As for a HDD, visit http://adverts.ie , search for "HDD" and take your pick. Make sure it's a 3.5" SATA drive. Installing a HDD is very easy so don't worry about that either.

And Windows... http://software4students.ie Windows 7 Professional 64 Bit.

Ciaran219

partyatmygaff wrote: »

Item|Price
ASRock H61M-HVS (B3), Sockel 1155, mATX|€42.25
8GB-Kit G.Skill PC3-10667U CL9|€31.84
Xigmatek Asgard, ATX, ohne Netzteil, schwarz|€31.61
Samsung SH-222AB bare schwarz SATA|€15.03
Powercolor HD6870 1024MB Dual-DVI/HD1M2I5|€145.99
Super-Flower Amazon 80Plus 450W|€40.45
Intel Core i5-2400 Box, LGA1155|€166.99
TP-Link TL-WN721N, 150Mbps, USB 2.0|€5.86


If you want it assembled, add this.

As for a HDD, visit http://adverts.ie , search for "HDD" and take your pick. Make sure it's a 3.5" SATA drive. Installing a HDD is very easy so don't worry about that either.

And Windows... http://software4students.ie Windows 7 Professional 64 Bit.

Cheers for that again man, how does this compare to that machine you picked out?

http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=d00x8303&c=ie&l=en&s=dhs&cs=iedhs1&model_id=xps-8300&

partyatmygaff

The only real advantage it has is the HDD. You're unlikely to get 1.5TB with €30.

The rest of it however doesn't have a scratch on the build I posted. CPU is weaker, GPU is much weaker and 2GB less RAM. Especially not for €200 more.

Ciaran219

cheers, and is that company good to deal with if i have a issue with it when i get it? or returns etc?

partyatmygaff

Very good. I returned RAM to them and had a new set back in seven days. I paid postage up front and sent them the receipt and they reimbursed me. Definitely one of the better retailers i've dealt with.

Ciaran219

partyatmygaff wrote: »

Very good. I returned RAM to them and had a new set back in seven days. I paid postage up front and sent them the receipt and they reimbursed me. Definitely one of the better retailers i've dealt with.

Good to hear, so if i paid the extra twenty euro for that other link for assembly. and all these parts apart from the HDD and windows will be built for me?

partyatmygaff

Yeah. All you'd need to do is install the HDD and then Windows and you'd be sorted.

Ciaran219

partyatmygaff wrote: »

Yeah. All you'd need to do is install the HDD and then Windows and you'd be sorted.

I like the sound of that cheers.
i may sort out getting the money onto a 3v card and get this **** sorted now haha. itching to get it. whats the usual delivery time from them?

ShadowHearth

Let's hope it will be all good for you bud, if you will have any trouble then just come back here and we all will try to help you out.

Ciaran219

ShadowHearth wrote: »

Let's hope it will be all good for you bud, if you will have any trouble then just come back here and we all will try to help you out.

cheers man, thanks to everyone for the advice and tips anyway

PseudoFamous

Ciaran219 wrote: »

I like the sound of that cheers.
i may sort out getting the money onto a 3v card and get this **** sorted now haha. itching to get it. whats the usual delivery time from them?

Jesus H, man, you'll get surcharges through the arse putting that money onto a 3v! Just do a bank transfer, it's stupidly easy, and it's free.

partyatmygaff

Yeah, i'd definitely use a bank transfer. Using a 3V card will add about 5% to your total costs.

donfarrell

how does one go about that bank transfer?
I added stuff to my basket not actually gonna buy something and I was curious as to how far I could go down the order until it got to payment.
I went straight through it and got an email with their bank details for the trnsfer :L whoops, hopefully they dont send it out :pac:

Munster D 187

partyatmygaff wrote: »

Item|Price
ASRock H61M-HVS (B3), Sockel 1155, mATX|€42.25
8GB-Kit G.Skill PC3-10667U CL9|€31.84
Xigmatek Asgard, ATX, ohne Netzteil, schwarz|€31.61
Samsung SH-222AB bare schwarz SATA|€15.03
Powercolor HD6870 1024MB Dual-DVI/HD1M2I5|€145.99
Super-Flower Amazon 80Plus 450W|€40.45
Intel Core i5-2400 Box, LGA1155|€166.99
TP-Link TL-WN721N, 150Mbps, USB 2.0|€5.86


If you want it assembled, add this.

As for a HDD, visit http://adverts.ie , search for "HDD" and take your pick. Make sure it's a 3.5" SATA drive. Installing a HDD is very easy so don't worry about that either.

And Windows... http://software4students.ie Windows 7 Professional 64 Bit.

Sorry to intrude, but i was also thinking about getting this build and was wondering would this monitor (Dell E248WFP Black 24" Widescreen LCD Monitor) work ok with it?

partyatmygaff

I don't see why not. You might want to change the card for a HD6950 though. I'm not sure if a HD6870 will cut it at 1080p.

Munster D 187

partyatmygaff wrote: »

I don't see why not. You might want to change the card for a HD6950 though. I'm not sure if a HD6870 will cut it at 1080p.

Cheers for the fast reply, just one last thing.
I spotted this HP in soundstore for €700.00, i know its more expensive and less RAM but is there anything else, Partyatmygaff ?
I'd be using the pc mainly for horror games like Amnesia and some FPS games.

What do you think?

Serephucus

Awful. See the way it says NVIDIA GF MB Graphics? I can only assume that's shorthand for NVIDIA GeForce Motherboard graphics, meaning a 9400GT, which is terrible.

Well, actually, it's not, but it's got nothing on a 6870, let alone a 6950.

Munster D 187

Serephucus wrote: »

Awful. See the way it says NVIDIA GF MB Graphics? I can only assume that's shorthand for NVIDIA GeForce Motherboard graphics, meaning a 9400GT, which is terrible.

Well, actually, it's not, but it's got nothing on a 6870, let alone a 6950.

Good to know, thanks for that.

Munster D 187

And forgive my ignorance but would one of these be necessary Kingston SSD ? I read somewhere that they speed up loading times, is that true?

ShadowHearth

Munster D 187 wrote: »

And forgive my ignorance but would one of these be necessary Kingston SSD ? I read somewhere that they speed up loading times, is that true?

they are savage. it will boot up your OS and other programs/games in seconds.

i would 100% recomend this, but arent we blowing the budget?

Serephucus

If you're on a budget, I wouldn't bother with one. If you can afford one however, they're an extremely worthwhile investment.

Munster D 187

I could stretch the budget if its extremely worthwhile, would ye have any other recommendations apart from this Kingston model ?

And would the german website be the best for obtaining items?