Need some 1080p PC build advice.

[abaxas]

Hi all, I'm not a gamer but a mate is looking for a build to play everything at 1080p.

Hence, I've got a nice list of basic requirements that can't be changed.

Cost : £530
CPU : intel 4460 (no K as does not want to overlock) as this appears to be the best value
HD : 240gb (ish) ssd.
GPU : Has to be nvidia, he's been burned by AMD before so won't go back.

Hence the main questions are:

1) Do we go for a higher end H81 or a lower end Z97?
2) All out and get a low end 970 or do we go 960 or eve 950.

Any help appreciated.

Abaxas

[EndlessWaves]

1920x1080 or 2560x1080?

The i5-4460 is last generation, the current models would be the 6000 series. Currently Amazon have the 6600 for £155 so that would be the best choice. The only reason I'd go for Haswell is if it works out substantially cheaper to get a motherboard with the features he wants.

1) That depends on what features he wants from the board. H81/H110 has enough compromises that I'd probably go for B85/B150 as the sensible option unless he's the sort of person that's never ever going to add something to the computer in future.

2) It's worth pointing out to him that he might get burned by nVidia's lack of adaptive sync support if he buys them. I would stick with a 4GB card if you're spending the money on an i5 CPU though, so either the 960 or 970. They're both good choices and they're both play everything at 2560x1080.

[abaxas]

Basically, it's a fire and forget computer for the next 3 years.

Won't going skydoodar force his hand into the evil world of DDR4?

[EndlessWaves]

Won't going skydoodar force his hand into the evil world of DDR4?

No, Skylake supports both DDR3 and DDR4.

[Graywoodford]

If you can afford it I would get the 970 card myself, great for gaming at 1080 even with the ram issue associated with that card

[gni2]

Skylake might support DDR3 not sure it can for DDR4.

[cam1986]

Are there not issues with Skylake Motherboards?

[ceejays88]

skylake would be best, it will help keep it fresher for longer.

I would also probably gop with AMD too as they seem to best for buck.
270x - 280 - 290 etc..

[EndlessWaves]

Are there not issues with Skylake Motherboards?

I can't say I've read of any, can you provide details?

[shaithis]

No, Skylake supports both DDR3 and DDR4.

http://wccftech.com/skylake-does-not...ge-ddr3l-only/

Be careful

[username2]

In terms of GPU you have to balance the power of your computers you do not want to strong CPU or GPU which will be bottlenecking each other
is the psu and case included in those £530? if so probably you will end up with gtx 960
do you need additional hdd with more space or 240 is enough for everything?
and you are looking for at least 8gb memory which is about £30 you can add it to your list