Gaming PC advice - buy or build?

Ferdia13

Hi - could do with some advice please. I'm buying my son a PC for Christmas but haven't really got a clue what I'm doing - I know he wants to be able to run games like 'Assassin's Creed - Unity' and 'Far Cry 4'. Someone in work I asked, recommended this -

(apologies for the length - as a new user I don't seem to be able to post links - but here's the spec) -

Paradigit Enforcer i5 4460-740 from Komplett.ie

Audio

Audio output channels - 5.1

Back panel I/O ports

USB 2.0 ports - 2

Connectivity

3.5mm microphone ports
DVI-D ports - 1
HDMI ports - 1
LAN (RJ-45) ports - 1
PS/2 ports - 2
S/PDIF (out) - 1
Speaker / headphone / line-out jack - 1
USB 2.0 ports - 4
VGA (D-Sub) ports - 1

Energy management

Power supply - 400 W

Expansion slots

PCI Express 2.0 x1 slots - 3
PCI Express 3.0 x16 slots - 1
PCI slots - 0

Graphics

GFX memory - 2 GB
GFX memory type - DDR3
GFX model GeForce - GT 740

Memory

Clock speed - 1600 MHz
Maximum memory - 32 GB
Memory layout - 2 x 4 GB
Memory slots - 4 x DIMM
Memory type - DDR3
RAM - 8 GB
Unused memory slots - 2

Networking

Bluetooth X
Network speed - (LAN) 10, 100, 1000 Mbit/s
Network standard - Gigabit Ethernet
Wireless LAN (WiFi) X

Operating system/software

Operating system - Windows 8.1

Optical drive

Optical drive - Dual Layer DVD±ReWriter

Packaging content

Display included X
Keyboard included X
Mouse included X

Processor

Graphics family - HD Graphics
Graphics processor - Intel HD Graphics 4600
Number of cores - 4
Number of threads - 4
Processor cache - 6 MB
Processor cache level - L3
Processor clock speed - 3.2 GHz
Processor clock speed (Boost) - 3.4 GHz
Processor family - 4th gen Intel® Core™ i5
Processor manufacturer - Intel
Processor model - i5-4460

Storage media

Card reader
Compatible memory cards - SD, MMC, Micro-SD, MS, MS-Duo, CF, MD, xD, USB2.0, M2
HDD storage capacity - 1 TB
Rotational speed - Variable
SSD storage capacity - 120 GB
Storage media type - HDD, SSD
Total storage capacity - 1.12 TB

Technical details

Form factor - Midi Tower

Weight & dimensions

Depth - 491.5 mm
Height - 426 mm
Width - 190 mm

Product numbers

MPN - ENFI5 4460-740-CM_N300
Product number -80030076

- does it represent value for money and would those games run well on it?

I understand that we'd probably get better value if we try to build it ourselves (and I'm definitely willing to do that - I can probably find someone to help if needs be) but would the difference be worth it? If so, I'd be grateful for any recommendations as to what to buy. The only thing is, I'd need to have it all gathered before Christmas.

Hope I haven't left anything out - thanks in advance for help.

1. What is your budget? [€800]

2. What will be the main purpose of the computer? [Gaming - specific examples are Assassin's Creed - Unity / Far Cry 4]

3. Do you need a copy of Windows? [Yes]

4. Can you use any parts from an old computer? [No]

5. Do you need a monitor? [No]

5a. If yes, what size do you need. [N/A.]

5b. If no, what resolution is your current monitor and do you plan to upgrade in the near future? [planning on using a HD TV he has already]

6. Do you need any of these peripherals? [Keyboard/Mouse]

7. Are you willing to try overclocking? [Don't know but let's assume no].

8. How can you pay? [Credit Card]

9. When are you purchasing? [as soon as possible but in time for Christmas]

10. If you need help building it, where are you based? [Co Wicklow - near Greystones]

Ferdia13

Don't seem to be able to edit either - I forgot to add that the cost of that PC from Komplett.ie is €799.

Digital Solitude

You could save yourself a lot of money building it yourself, even getting him the parts and allowing him to build it will be a good experience for him if he's going to step into PC Gaming. I'm not good with posting builds so I'm sure someone else will help out there. But building a PC is very easy, there's hundreds of YouTube videos to help you, but there's really nothing complicated

Digital Solitude

Hardwareversand and dabs are generally cheaper than komplett too

Desosaurusx

I would suggest building one as you will save money and its pretty much just like putting lego together these days,also the graphics card in that build might not perform well with the latest games especially Assassins creed unity with its ludicrous minimum requirements.

Ferdia13

Hi all - I've managed to pull together a build from a few different sources and check compatibility as best I could. Unfortunately, I still can't paste links so I'd be really grateful if someone could have a quick look at this spec and let me know if there's anything really stupid in it!

Intel Core i3-4130 S1150 3.40GHz 3MB
ASRock H81M-HDS S1150 Intel H81 DDR3 mATX
8GB-Kit G.Skill RipJaws PC3-12800U CL8-8-8-24
Zalman Z1 Black Midi Tower Case (ATX/M-ATX)
LC-Power 650W LC6650 GreenPower3 14cm (80+Bronze)
Gigabyte AMD Radeon R9 280X 1050MHz 3GB PCI-Express 3.0 HDMI
Samsung SH-224DB schwarz (DVD)
Samsung SSD 840 EVO Basic 120GB SATA 6Gb/s
WD Blue 1TB 6Gb's
Alpine 500W PSU 120mm Red Fan 2 x SATA (PFC)

Including windows and shipping it will come in at about €850.

Thanks in advance for any help!

SterlingArcher

Ferdia13 wrote: »

Hi all - I've managed to pull together a build from a few different sources and check compatibility as best I could. Unfortunately, I still can't paste links so I'd be really grateful if someone could have a quick look at this spec and let me know if there's anything really stupid in it!

Intel Core i3-4130 S1150 3.40GHz 3MB
ASRock H81M-HDS S1150 Intel H81 DDR3 mATX
8GB-Kit G.Skill RipJaws PC3-12800U CL8-8-8-24
Zalman Z1 Black Midi Tower Case (ATX/M-ATX)
LC-Power 650W LC6650 GreenPower3 14cm (80+Bronze)
Gigabyte AMD Radeon R9 280X 1050MHz 3GB PCI-Express 3.0 HDMI
Samsung SH-224DB schwarz (DVD)
Samsung SSD 840 EVO Basic 120GB SATA 6Gb/s
WD Blue 1TB 6Gb's
Alpine 500W PSU 120mm Red Fan 2 x SATA (PFC)

Including windows and shipping it will come in at about €850.

Thanks in advance for any help!

price 750 euro.
http://www.adverts.ie/5660189


Have a look at this build..

Ferdia13

I see it at €886.99 - am I looking at the right ad?

SterlingArcher

Ferdia13 wrote: »

I see it at €886.99 - am I looking at the right ad?

Try it now. I was on wrong one myself this only has the 8 gigs.

You get a better processor. You can up the Gpu add an SSD or leave it as is. This is only an option if you are not really comfortable building.

Ferdia13

Ok thanks for this - you think it's a better option all around? I don't know very much but the processor seems much better at the least. Is this card (GeForce GTX760) better than theAMD R9 290x?

krissovo

Ferdia13 wrote: »

Ok thanks for this - you think it's a better option all around?

I bought one off that fella, nice chap and did a decent build for me. Talk to him about what your son needs or wants to play, he is knowledgeable and will make sure you get the best bang for your buck.

The i5 is perfectly fine for gaming, I highly recommend a SSD drive.

Ferdia13

Thanks for all the help guys - I'm going with the option recommended and yes, that guy is very nice and most helpful.