Build for a friend, need some help

[AnimalMother.]

Hello

My mate is looking into getting a new desktop PC for gaming. His budget is around 500-600GBP and is just looking for the tower and os (win7) only. Can be pre-built or build up as I have the experience to build it I'm just not up to date on current hardware.



Basic function is to have a HDMI output as he'll be using a 40" LCD TV as a monitor and be able to play new games to a decent level of gfx v performance.


All help appreciated,

Thanks
Animal

[Cossack]

Alright, first things to ask - will he do OC? Does he will keep something from old one? I think I already have system in my mind already ready. Btw, does Win 7 is included in budget as well and what version would be ok for him if you know what I mean.

[AnimalMother.]

?600 is for an entirely new build including the OS, no previous parts to salvage from an old tower. Regards win7 I'd imagine he'd get away just fine with home or home premium.

Not got any experience with overclocking between us, though I'll put that to him next time I speak to him.

[Cossack]

Damn mate, that is very steep budget for PC that has to run games in Full HD resolution

Here is one very budget build PC, that will do job just fine,but no OC at all. Hits around 620 quid.

GPU: MSI Twin FrozR III GeForce GTX 660 OC 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card

RAM: Corsair Vengeance Low Profile Blue 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (CML8GX3M2A1600C9B)

MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-Z77-DS3H Intel Z77 Socket 1155 DDR3 PCI-Express Motherboard

PSU: 650W OCZ ZT Series 80PLUS Bronze Modular Power Supply

CPU: Intel Core i5-3450 3.10GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail

HDD: 500GB Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 3.5" SATA III Hard Drive But if there is a chance, try go for Caviar Black.

OS: MICROSOFT Windows Home Premium 7 SP1 64-bit EN 1pk - OEM [GFC-02050]

Anyway, maybe I can find cheaper solution on AMD based system, but AMD (except their GPU's) CPU's are rubbish. Works for this moment, after some time wears out really fast compared to Intel.

[AnimalMother.]

thanks for the input cossack!

Now his research has found this off ebay link. Now to me this seems pretty good though it is an AMD processor, would this cause too much of a problem in the long run?

thanks again for the help

[Cossack]

Oh, you know, there is always something fishy about these sales. Hmm... CPU is just a bit slower then i5 Sandy Bridge and don't even talk about i5 Ivy Bridge. Like I said, it will do job just fine, but it will wear out faster than i5 solutions (become slower etc). Rest looks fine, BUT, they are not mentioning what HDD and PSU you get. Maybe they will die after a month or smt.

In general, its up to you. I would trust tested qualities. At least, that Mobo for AMD platform is good, GPU is good and RAM is good.

[AnimalMother.]

He's pretty set on the ebay one, scrolling down the page it mentions the PSU and HDD. Chances are that the CPU will last as he'll be graduating next year from uni and into a job so can replace it if it's necessary.


Thanks for the help and insight. I think this case is closed

[Cossack]

No, its says the specs, but not the manufacturer - that is important. Anyway, I hope it will run just fine.