Trying to help a friend with computer choice and GPU

[Leeky]

After much discussion, he decided on the following:

http://www.easypc-uk.com/budget-student-systems/26-budget-amd-quad-core.html

With the 4GB RAM upgrade, and a 768MB GTX 460 GPU.

Thanks for all the advice, ideas and feedback guys. My friend is also very grateful, and I'm sure he'll be joining up at some point soon to say the same.

Thanks everyone.

 

[captaincranky]

Moot post. Oh well, "happy motoring", as ESSO used to say. Yes, I'm old enough to remember when EXXON was ESSO....

 

[red1776]

No, it's effectively higher than the current actual exchange rate, due to their VAT and higher pricing structure in general.

How does the idea of finding somebody who might be blowing out a 4850 work in the overall scheme of building a budget gamer.

Yeah I know, no DX-11, but other than that?

a 4850 would do well, But for $10.00 more (at least in the US) you can get a HD 5770
800 SPU's like the 4850 but much more efficient with them. and DX.11 if that does anything for you.

 

[Leeky]

Yeah, we're at 20% VAT now, plus the cost of stuff being shipped to begin with, it doesn't make for bargains really on some stuff.

 

[red1776]

After much discussion, he decided on the following:

http://www.easypc-uk.com/budget-student-systems/26-budget-amd-quad-core.html

With the 4GB RAM upgrade, and a 768MB GTX 460 GPU.

Thanks for all the advice, ideas and feedback guys. My friend is also very grateful, and I'm sure he'll be joining up at some point soon to say the same.

Thanks everyone.

You went with the x4 640? what are you nuts?

 

[Leeky]

You went with the x4 640? what are you nuts?

Having read several reviews it was compariable with the i3 530, and in fact is better at 3d rendering than the i3, from what I read down to having 4 real cores, as opposed to 2 real, and 2 more threads.

Dropping down from the X6 means the extra room enabled a GTX460 - So better all-round really, and I'm certain he's going to love it.

 

[captaincranky]

As usual, I'm here with some doom and gloom. The mobo in you chosen PC, is Matx! Correspondingly, I'm guessing the standard EasyPC case is Matx. How this affects them stuffing a GT-460 in it, is a point worth pondering. At least when summer rolls around.

But, an i530 idles at about 27 watts, (with its graphics enabled(!)), something the quad won't do. 'Jus' sayin', or perhaps pointing out something that I probably don't even care about.

 

[red1776]

Good point, the reference GTX is a shade under 8", so that isn't a problem, but most of them have the 2 x 6 pin power on the back of the card. better break out the tape.

At least when summer rolls around

does it ever get over 25c in the UK?

 

[Leeky]

That's an excellent point Captain.

I did consider this, but his mate is also due an upgrade to his gaming PC in the next couple of months, and has said he'll give him his current gaming case.

I'm sure temperatures will be fine though, and the mATX motherboard makes no difference as far as he is concerned with usage.

I'm sure standard clocked hardware will be fine running in it.

@Red,
If we're very lucky we might see it in the middle of the summer, but not often enough like hotter climates for it to be an issue.

I honestly never even considered the power connector issue, as I thought they were at the top. I guess we'll find out once it arrives and he goes to fit it! :haha: If he'll be changing the case later on a mod or two won't hurt it, to make it fit.

 

[captaincranky]

Good point, the reference GTX is a shade under 8", so that isn't a problem, but most of them have the 2 x 6 pin power on the back of the card. better break out the tape.

Most of these are about 8 1/4", but a very, very few are running to almost 10". I found this Asus http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121389&cm_re=GTX-460-_-14-121-389-_-Product But yeah, it's an aberration.

does it ever get over 25c in the UK?

Probably only when their PM gives a speech, and then only in the immediate vicinity.... I'm wondering how much hot air was pumped into the house when Obama give his, "I have a (secular) dream" drone....

You'd think a snow job and a bunch of hot air would be mutually exclusive, but nooooo....

 

[red1776]

when Obama give his, "I have a (secular) dream" drone....

"I have a dream that all men will be evolved equally in the eyes of whatever higher power you may or may not believe in"

...Yeah, kinda loses its dramatic punch.

 

[Leeky]

I've had a look on the manufacturer's website, and the GTX460 he ordered actually has connectors on the top, rather than the end, thank god. :haha:

 

[captaincranky]

"I have a dream that all men will be evolved equally in the eyes of whatever higher power you may or may not believe in".

Right on bro...!

 

[Arris]

As usual, I'm here with some doom and gloom. The mobo in you chosen PC, is Matx! Correspondingly, I'm guessing the standard EasyPC case is Matx. How this affects them stuffing a GT-460 in it, is a point worth pondering. At least when summer rolls around.

Good point. Although after having an 8800 GTX and then an HD5850 jammed into a Shuttle XPC SFF machine I'd almost guarantee that they'll be enough space in the M-ATX gaming machines case. Fingers crossed for you and your mate Leeky. Hope it fits without problem

Only thing that I would say is that you have saved a bit to be able to go for the GTX 460, but then cut back to an even lower performance CPU that might be a slight bottleneck to the GPU. If he's playing at 1650x1080 or lower then it's probably a moot point, and in that situation he'll probably be able to stick on AA/AF and other IQ settings.

 

[Leeky]

He'll be playing 1680x1050, although that said he's currently trying to play 800x600, without success. :haha:

The CPU compares well with the i3 530, which was the other option, but this one runs better at some tasks due to be a real quad core - least thats my thoughts having read some comparison reviews online. The 6 core was beyond his budget once we factored in a half decent GPU, and he wanted it now.

It'll be fine for his needs, its not the sort of gaming we consider to be gaming, if that makes sense. He'll only be playing Black Ops for the next 500-600 hours, then maybe get something new, and do the same again.

Upgrading the CPU later on is a simple task anyway, so if in a couple of years time it needs replacing it'll be easy enough to do.

 

[CluelessBloke]

Hi guys- I'm the friend Leeky started this thread on behalf of... I've finally got around to registering here.

I really appreciate all your help, and I'll appreciate it even more later today when my new machine arrives and I can get it up & running, and have a game of Black Ops without it freezing

Again, thanks very much for your help