is this a solid gaming pc?

mfenn

Elite Member
Jan 17, 2010
22,400
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www.mfenn.com
Original Phenom plus integrated graphics does not a gaming machine make. You should be able to do much better in the ~340# ($500) range.
 

Sp12

Senior member
Jun 12, 2010
799
0
76
Frankly, no :/ That's a Phenom 1, and the graphics look anemic.

You would be able to get a whole lot more for 600, and an excellent machine for 800. Do you know what resolution your monitor supports?

The more info you give us the better. Do you have a copy of Windows 7? If you're in school, there's a chance you can get one for almost nothing from them.

What else does this computer need to do beyond gaming?
 

higginsjiggins

Junior Member
Jun 21, 2010
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I havnt bought a monitor yet but have several in the house, all flat screens - two with HD capabilities . I already own a copy of windows 7 and all I'm really looking for from the pc is for it to be able to play modern games aswell as a console ( I already own xbox and ps3 ) , word processing for coursework, Internet browsing , and storing / playback of my music
thanks
 

Sp12

Senior member
Jun 12, 2010
799
0
76
I havnt bought a monitor yet but have several in the house, all flat screens - two with HD capabilities . I already own a copy of windows 7 and all I'm really looking for from the pc is for it to be able to play modern games aswell as a console ( I already own xbox and ps3 ) , word processing for coursework, Internet browsing , and storing / playback of my music
thanks

Well, that makes this a bit more feasible.

Could you list the specific games you want to play at, and at what quality settings? Modern games is a tad generic.

Here's a base system common to either an AMD or Intel build in this price range. This does not include the video card.


G.Skill Ripjaws 4GB $110
Samsung F3 1TB $70
DVD Burner $20
Antec Three Hundred $60
Antec PSU $60

Total for base: 310

And here's parts for either an AMD or Intel build.

Phenom II X4 955 $160
Gigabyte GA-870A-UD3 $100

Amd build w/o video card: 570

i5-750 $190
Ga-p55-ud3 $140

Intel build w/o video card: 640

Then for video cards, a reference 5770 or a 5850.

5770 160$
5850 310$

So basically, the core system remains the same, and you can choose between the AMD/Intel system and the 5770/5850 depending on the specifics. I would go for the AMD+5850 personally, which totals 880 USD, or ~593 pounds (according to google).
 
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higginsjiggins

Junior Member
Jun 21, 2010
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That's great advice thankyou! Basically by modern games I mean games like call of duty modern warefare 2 and other similar games
 

Sp12

Senior member
Jun 12, 2010
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76
I would look into the Dell Studio XPS 7100...
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellsto...tudio-xps-7100

I would add this upgrade...
AMD Athlon™ II X4 630 + ATI Radeon HD 5770 1GB

Lol? When you configure it with the same amount of memory and hard drive space as the above system, it's 770$, 40$ more expensive than the above AMD system with a 5770, has no USB3 or Sata3, comes preloaded with bloatware, and uses a slower athlon2 instead of a Phenom2. The RAM is slower, and the PSU and motherboard aren't as nice. The Bios blocks overclocking.

Not only that, but if anything goes wrong you have to deal with dell support (assuming it's in the 1 year of free support) instead of gaining knowledge of how a computer works by building it and being able to troubleshoot yourself.

Does OP have a keyboard, mouse, speakers, and a surgeprotector/UPS?
 
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Sp12

Senior member
Jun 12, 2010
799
0
76
Sorry, I just assumed he was looking for a pre-built system. :shrug:

True enough, it does mean OP wouldn't have to build a system, but I don't think it's worth it when it costs more and performs worse.

Though admittedly I'm not sure if the prices on these parts are going to convert badly individually when purchased in the UK, in which case the dell might have better value.
 
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