Another "I need help building my PC" thread

[Cyrax]

So, my PC is in need of an upgrade. However, I purchased this PC from Dell quite a while back (eg when I knew what SATA was).

I have mostly forgotten it, and have noticed in other threads a lot of you guys know your stuff!

I want to be able to run Planetside 2, Day Z, Arma 3, that kind of thing. As for budgeting, well I work in retail..

So, to get the ball rolling, a DXDIAG. If that helps.

------------------

System Information

------------------

System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.

System Model: Inspiron 530

BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG

Processor: Intel® Core2 Duo CPU E6750 @ 2.66GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.7GHz

Memory: 4096MB RAM

Available OS Memory: 3198MB RAM

DirectX Version: DirectX 11

---------------

Display Devices

---------------

Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GT 430

Manufacturer: NVIDIA

Chip type: GeForce GT 430

DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC

Display Memory: 2336 MB

Dedicated Memory: 993 MB

Shared Memory: 1343 MB

------------------------

Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives

------------------------

Drive: C:

Free Space: 174.4 GB

Total Space: 272.5 GB

File System: NTFS

Model: Hitachi HDT725032VLA360 ATA Device

Drive: D:

Free Space: 64.2 GB

Total Space: 305.2 GB

File System: NTFS

Model: WDC WD3200AAKS-75SBA0 ATA Device

Just need to know what I need to improve it. It has served me well, but was a nice spec when Medieval Total War 2 came out (6 years ago). I have a feeling its RAM mostly, is there anyway to tell if I have space without opening up my machine?

Also, if I dont have the space, I will need a new MOBO, then how do I find one that fits my case?

Don't know where to start, any help is muchos appreciated!

 

[Tariq]

TBH i'd start from scratch.

Dell PCs are notoriously poor for being upgradable AND cost effective.

The PSU is most likely not powerful enough, the CPU is probably the bare minimum for ARMA, RAM could be upgraded, and the GPU will defiantly need upgrading.

If you want to play ARMA well, you need a good PC. You might meet minimum requirements but minimum is minimum... low graphics, poor view distances etc.

£600-700 would be nice as a budget. I know its steep for a PC but if you want ARMA isnt really your everyday game.

 

[Searley]

TBH i'd start from scratch.
Dell PCs are notoriously poor for being upgradable AND cost effective.

The PSU is most likely not powerful enough, the CPU is probably the bare minimum for ARMA, RAM could be upgraded, and the GPU will defiantly need upgrading.

If you want to play ARMA well, you need a good PC. You might meet minimum requirements but minimum is minimum... low graphics, poor view distances etc.

£600-700 would be nice as a budget. I know its steep for a PC but if you want ARMA isnt really your everyday game.

^ What he said!

Have you got a budget?

 

[iAcorn]

I had a Dell a few years back. They like to use their own proprietary stuff sometimes which means it is literally impossible to upgrade sometimes without moving it into an entire new case or swapping a lot of the parts... Basically you're going to need to start over, like Tariq said. You may be able to upgrade to a small GPU, one that doesnt need power from the power supply buuuut my guess is you cant do much better than what you already have.

Dell are good if you just want a PC with certain specs. They're like purchase and forget models. They last a few years then you'll need a new one. Mine lasted 5 which isnt bad I guess but I wasnt really using it for gaming at the time. So... Give us a budget and we'll slap something together for you

 

[Cyrax]

Thanks for all the replies, starting from scratch is what I feared but if it is the only way, then so be it!

Lets say I had £600, for the case and internals, ignoring speakers, mice, monitors etc.

Would that be enough? Would it be possible to use things like the CD/DVD drives and HDD from my Dell (save some pennies), or is that a no go as well?

Technically I could have an unlimited budget, building it as I save up, but by the time I put it all together, something would be outdated...

Cheers fellas

 

[joshcowin]

go for mech computers their cheap and brilliant they used to be cheaper but dell own them aswell but none of their products go in to the computers

amd one

http://www.meshcomputers.com/Default.aspx?...amp;KEY=1033869

intel one

http://www.meshcomputers.com/Default.aspx?...amp;KEY=1032630

 

[Cyrax]

Thanks for the links Josh, anyone else had experience with these guys? How would you rate the machines that are advertised there? I know a little about AMD and Intel, but for my purposes (mostly gaming, some graphics work) would anyone rate AMD over Intel?

I can build it myself/ with my brothers help, if that saves more money. Just knowing what I need to get and the best place to get it.

Edit: Also, how much do you think the old girl is worth to sell? £100? £250? just in case anyone I know is interested. Like I say, still runs basic things like a boss, just hasnt got the juice for my tasks!

 

[iAcorn]

Never used MeshComputers before. I bought all my parts from a store near me called Stak. I go there often so they cut me a bit of slack with stuff if I need to swap it out (like my wireless card).

As for Intel vs AMD, it really depends on what you want and you build your system around it. A few years ago AMD used to be the choice for many people, now it has switched to Intel.

Overall Intel Core i3,5,7 processors are superior to thier AMD counterparts, but also more expensive. AMD processors can produce pretty good results on a budget. My processor is an AMD Phenom II x4 Black Edition (3.1GHz) and it runs games like BF3, ARMA II, Borderlands 2 and Batman Arkham City very smoothly on high settings. But then again I do have an awesome GPU. Your system is only as good as its weakest link.

 

[Tariq]

AMD will do for gaming etc.

Its only super CPU high end stuff that you can really see larger differences between intel/amd.

Games run mainly off you GPU so don't skimp out on that.

 

[Cyrax]

Thanks for the info, if any one has the time I would be interested to see what you guys could come up with for £600-£700, to give me an idea!

For example, is a

"AMD FX 8150 Black Edition, 8 Core, 3.6GHz/4.2GHz, 16MB Cache"

worth £30 more than a

"AMD FX 8150 Black Edition, 8 Core, 3.1GHz/4.0GHz, 16MB Cache "

Would I even notice?

GPU is another term for graphics card, right?

 

[Tariq]

8 cores is a bit extreme. Most games only use up to 2 cores, some 4 cores but mainly for physx etc.

 

[iAcorn]

The only reason to go 8 cores is to future proof your system. But by the time 8 cores will be used it might be outdated in some way. For now a good quad core is fine Cheaper too. When games are optimized for 4 - 8 cores, that would be the time to upgrade. But thats a good few years away.

 

[joshcowin]

i decided to see how much a top computer would be and with 2 screens and everything £4600 ouch and that was quad core

 

[Cyrax]

What do you all think of this?

http://www.ebuyer.com/398367-cyberpower-ga...sktop-eecc01139

Everything looks good, and at a good price.. is there something im missing?

 

[Searley]

What do you all think of this?
http://www.ebuyer.com/398367-cyberpower-ga...sktop-eecc01139

Everything looks good, and at a good price.. is there something im missing?

Power supply would concern me a little bit. They are never great quality supplied with machines such as this. With your budget I would seriously be looking at including an SSD too, just insanely fast and you will never look back.

I recently purchased this, all from either CCL, eBuyer, Novatech or Amazon:

Intel i5 3570k

ASUS GTX 570 (GTX 480 would be a slightly cheaper option)

16GB G.Skill Ripjaw (Although 8GB would do you fine)

120GB OCZ Agility SSD (Some great deals about atm)

2GB Seagate Barracuda (Featured as on of eBuyer's deal of the day)

ASUS z77 Mobo (Although again you probably be able to pick up an older Z68 for a bit of saving?)

700w OCZ ModStream PSU (PSU calculators are out there to make sure you have the right one, just google it)

Sharkoon T9 Gaming Case (Cheap and cheerful really, works better than a mates Corsair that was double the price)

LG DVDRW drive

A bit over your budget but cuts could be made in certain places. Hope this helps

 

[Deva]

Would put it together yourself if you can. It's not too hard. You'll get better parts and exactly what you want. Or ask someone nicely. I'd have no problems doing builds for members of this forum. I'm sure many other members would do the same

 

[Cyrax]

Intel i5 3570kASUS GTX 570 (GTX 480 would be a slightly cheaper option)

16GB G.Skill Ripjaw (Although 8GB would do you fine)

120GB OCZ Agility SSD (Some great deals about atm)

2GB Seagate Barracuda (Featured as on of eBuyer's deal of the day)

ASUS z77 Mobo (Although again you probably be able to pick up an older Z68 for a bit of saving?)

700w OCZ ModStream PSU (PSU calculators are out there to make sure you have the right one, just google it)

Sharkoon T9 Gaming Case (Cheap and cheerful really, works better than a mates Corsair that was double the price)

LG DVDRW drive

A bit over your budget but cuts could be made in certain places. Hope this helps

Thanks Searley, this is the kind of thing I was after, a nice list!

Can I ask, what do you use the SSD and the Seagate HDD (I assume you meant 2TB) for? What kind of thing do you install to each?

Would put it together yourself if you can. It's not too hard. You'll get better parts and exactly what you want. Or ask someone nicely. I'd have no problems doing builds for members of this forum. I'm sure many other members would do the same

Thanks Dev

 

[Tariq]

SSD you usually put windows and key files on there, so the PC will boot up and run the key programs faster.

Everything else goes on your HDD.

Apart from the speed increase, it makes things easier when it comes to scanning, wiping and restoring windows etc and other important files as you don't have to touch the 2TB drive, just the windows one.