buying a pc for gaming

brady12

right people need your help.always been a console gamer so know clue about pc gaming but my laptop on way out so i figure i might aswel get computer fit for gaming.where would i go to get one ready to go iv no patience interest or knowledge to build my own

Marsden

There's so many different options, how much are you looking to spend, what type of games do you want to play. Building it yourself isn't the hardest thing to do and you'll save a good few quid, it also helps to know what parts are what if you need to do any troubleshooting. I haven't used them but custompc.ie will build it for you and have different ready builds listed.

brady12

Day z rust really interest me at moment.. I dunno could u get somethin good for under a thousand?

Marsden

I haven't played either of them but as far as I know neither would be graphically intensive so a budget PC could probably play them. I personally would go for AMD but thats just me. http://www.custompc.ie/amd-gaming-pcs-58-c.asp. AMD gaming PC's for under 1000, no monitor included so if your budgeting for one of those keep a few quid by to get a decent one. A lot of people on here use http://www.hardwareversand.de/home.jsp when ordering but I've never used them and am not sure if they will build it before they ship it from Germany.

I don't want to advise too much on what to get because there's so much choice when it comes to PC gaming, I personally went from console to PC 3 years ago and bought a second hand PC ended up upgrading nearly every part, great craic.

Leave the thread here for a while before rushing in and you'll get some good tips.

Important for performance
-GPU(Graphics card, at least 1gb DDR5)
-CPU(Processor, quad core minimum recommended)
-RAM (Memory, 6gb would be sufficient)

Drives aren't important for performance(only loading times) but if you game a lot a 500gb hdd can fill up quickly.

Sorry if this is more than you wanted to know but there can be things worth noting when getting a gaming PC. If you've a great GPU and a rubbish CPU you'll be losing out on performance etc.

ShadowHearth

If you want to go pc gaming route then only self build is the route to go. Forget about laptops as those are very bad value for money.

Rust is grand so far performance wise, but DayZ is just a piss take. No point chansing performance in DayZ as it's just as optimised as donkeys arse.

If you do think seriously about a pc gaming, then go to pc building and upgrading forum om boards.ie there is a form we use that you can fill in and lads will make the most optimal machine for your money.
Don't be afraid of building it. It is easy and just like building lego, but parts going in 100eus lol.

Glebee

http://www.hardwareversand.de/home.jsp

Used these to build a gaming rig about a year and a half ago. Built a great pc that stiill runs lastest releases on max for about €950 a was able to futureproof it as much as possible to leave it easy for upgradinging. They build the pc as well for a small fee.. Would defo use them again if needed..

ScumLord

Self build is really the best way to go, it's piss easy these days, all the connectors only fit in the plug their supposed to so your not going to be able to mess up to bad unless you're beating things in with a hammer.

You'll have a better understanding of your PC too, which will help with any troubleshooting. The other thing you have to keep in mind is that you're going to want to upgrade it one day. You'll probably want to put a new graphics card or more ram/hard drive space in it a few years down the road, so it's in your interest to know how to build.

The more expensive parts tend to be easier to work with and have easy installation in mind. Cheaper parts can be temperamental. I think it's worth spending good money on the foundation of your system, a good motherboard and CPU combo will give you years of service and upgrade options allowing you to save on the other parts and upgrade them as money becomes available.

I got ten years out of my last PC and this current one is on course for the same sort of lifespan.

Taylor365

Hardwareversand is the way to go. I think they have a build option so it arrives pre-built.

Skerries

I don't think they install the heat sink or graphics though due to possible damage

Kirby

Skerries wrote: »

I don't think they install the heat sink or graphics though due to possible damage

They do, you just have to pick one under a certain weight. Over 80% of the heatsinks for your CPU available on the site are under the limit and they would assemble them no problem.

nesf

Self-build is good for one *very* important reason, you stop looking at a PC as one thing like a console and rather a collection of parts that can be upgraded individually when needed. Gaming PCs cost a fair bit day one but in exchange (with smart picking of components) give you a much cheaper long-term run so long as you aren't chasing the cutting edge.

How often you need to upgrade depends on the kinds of games you play and how demanding that genre tends to be, e.g. FPS games and turn based strategy would be on opposite ends of the spectrum here, most modern turn based strategy games will run on a ten year old laptop so long as it has XP on it. Modern FPS games on the other hand tend to want more modern gear because they're graphically much more demanding.


The best way to do this is to decide on a budget and then head over to the PC Building & Upgrading forum and ask the guys there to come up with the best set of components to match that price and the kinds of games you want to play.

BeerWolf

brady12 wrote: »

right people need your help.always been a console gamer so know clue about pc gaming but my laptop on way out so i figure i might aswel get computer fit for gaming.where would i go to get one ready to go iv no patience interest or knowledge to build my own

I had zero knowledge of building computers and I built mine perfectly fine last October - that can always be an option... and it's always cheaper than buying a pre-built branded PC.

Avoid being drawn to the likes of Alienware and such! Absolutely bloated prices for parts that you can pick up for almost half the cost.

If you're absolutely clueless on parts to get there's numerous sites that are kept up to date of various budgets on what components to get for an Entry, Medium and High-Spec gaming PC.

I followed one for the High-Spec, cost me €1.3k [from Hardwareversand with discount vouchers (just Google for them easily)] --- similar spec with Alienware I'd have been paying €2.6k... massive difference.

Xios

The main thing to watch out for when building a PC, is that the parts are compatible with each other.

For example, when deciding to go for a certain amount of ram, like 8gb or 16gb, such as DDR5 or what ever type it is. Make sure that the motherboard can operate DDR5. It involves lots of cross checking, but i find that fun.

Also, make sure you buy a powerful enough power supply to be able to run all the parts. To keep it simple i'd say over shoot the wattage you'll need by a decent margin, in case you want to add in extra parts, like more hard drives and stuff.

But anyway, Core items needed are.
Case
Mother board
Gfx card
Ram
Hard drive
Network card
Power Supply

External parts (can get second hand to save €€€)
Keyboard, mouse
Monitor(s) I use a dual screen set up, so handy. (i recommened getting two of the same monitor, it looks better)
Speakers/headset.

Sidenote/
I spent about 1,400 5 years ago on my pc, and it still powers along and can run modern games with not too much trouble. Can play Rome 2 on medium specs with very little fps lag. This is in addition to all the extra ****e a PC can do, i have 1 TB of music/films stored, I can use Photoshop/Premiere to edit pictures and films. Can store and manage all my photos from family events with ease. Can use it to run training software/MS office etc.

You're not just buying a gaming machine, you're buying a very powerful computer that can do the majority of tasks you require it to. It's a worthwhile investment.

BeerWolf

This MMO site does a computer setup each month of 4 types of budgets from low to high - I went with the "Unicorn" approach, highest end.

LINK Just scroll / search through it for "Computers - Setup of the Month"

You can pretty much pick up all the components listed on Hardwareversand.

brady12

Appreciate all help lads. One more question . What if I wait for a steam machine will it have all the games I want to play? Be no point building a PC then?

Shiminay

When SteamOS is made public, then any PC can be a Steam Machine

Marsden

Also steamOS is a Linux variant so only runs a small percent of games, I believe it will stream windows games at some stage the same way ps now does but its not quite the same as running games natively. I was interested installing it on my own pc but there's not really any benefits. If you interested in playing AAA titles eg COD, watch dogs, Arkham Knight you're better off with a windows PC.

brady12

Right so I'm going to build a PC..considering if an Xbox one and a ps4 if a way of playing triple a games already so would that mean my PC wouldn't need be top spec?

brady12

Also I've 40 inch TV in my room I only bought at Xmas so can I hook it upto PC instead of forking out on a monitor? Prefer play on big screen

RossieMan

40 inch and a gaming pc don't really go hand in hand.

It will work, don't get me wrong. but you'll be using a keyboard and a mouse( possibly controller) away from your tv.
Just something you need to consider, is a pc really what you're after if its a 40 inch you intend on using.

brady12

RossieMan wrote: »

40 inch and a gaming pc don't really go hand in hand.

It will work, don't get me wrong. but you'll be using a keyboard and a mouse( possibly controller) away from your tv.
Just something you need to consider, is a pc really what you're after if its a 40 inch you intend on using.

I understand.. Is it possible to build something too that fairly future proof? def want get one because don't want miss out on all these great PC games I hear about

Shiminay

I think you mean "I've an XBox One and PS4..." yea? If so you should probably be aware that brand new AAA games on PC are about 2/3 the price of consoles and unless there's been a particularly bad port (an unfortunately increasing trend), the PC versions will look and behave much better.

You can hook it up to your big TV though, most graphics cards will have a HDMI port.

RossieMan

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

post over here. Fill out the form.

1. What is your budget? [€xxx]

2. What will be the main purpose of the computer? [Gaming/Video editing/3D Modelling/HTPC/Internet] (If gaming include which games)

3. Do you need a copy of Windows? [Yes/No]

4. Can you use any parts from an old computer? [Hard drive/DVD Drive/Case/PSU/etc.] (If possible state brand and model of the parts to ensure compatibility)

5. Do you need a monitor? [Yes/No]

5a. If yes, what size do you need. [19'/20'/22'/24'/etc.]

5b. If no, what resolution is your current monitor and do you plan to upgrade in the near future? [1920x1080/1440x900/etc.] [Yes/No]

6. Do you need any of these peripherals? [Keyboard/Mouse/Wireless Card/Card Reader/Speakers/etc.]

7. Are you willing to try overclocking? [Yes/No]

8. How can you pay? [Bank Transfer/Credit Card/Laser]

9. When are you purchasing? [In x days]

10. If you need help building it, where are you based? [South Dublin City/Cork City/Kerry/etc.]

Someone will help you. If you've a decent budget, buy a monitor. It'll make a world of difference.