PC buying advice

[JamesD3]

I'm looking at buying several new PC's but i really am clueless when it comes to hardware unfortunately and having looked around this forum seemed a great place that had been a great help to other people so i have a few questions which i would be very grateful if you could help with.

Our workplace is looking at getting in several PC's which are capable of running several games such as WoW, League of Legends and a few other RTS and FPSs as we are in the process of letting out a spare room to local youth groups on certain nights whilst also using these as part of our other courses. We are not looking for ones to run brand new games like BF3 in high settings so nothing too great is needed but if anyone knows a good website or pre built PC or any other tips to look for than it would be great.

I can provide more info if its needed as well and i'm looking forward to any input at all thanks.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Budget for each PC??

Do you need to include peripherals like monitors and software like Windows??

Are you a charity - are there concessions to get Windows cheaper and do you need to pay VAT??

[JamesD3]

Budget is ~£600 tops really though less would be better if possible.

All peripherals like mice/keyboard and monitors would be needed too.

I would need to ask my superiors about VAT and concessions though sorry and i will find out asap and update this.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

A monitor,keyboard and mouse and a copy of Windows would be around £200 including VAT. That leaves around £400 for the base unit.

Edit!!

I assume you would need the PC to be pre-built.

If you can get someone to build the PCs for you can maximise you budget.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I have come with the following build - I have tried not to skimp on the quality of the components. I have included a better quality mouse and a keyboard which is splashproof. Ideally you would something at least along the lines of an HD6850 1GB which is around £100 to £110 but you will exceed your budget. It might be possible to get an HD6850 1GB into the budget if you get an Athlon II X3 instead but the Core i3 2100 will be better suited for RTS games.

However,an HD6850 1GB and an Athlon II X3 would probably be better for FPS games like BF3 and Metro2033.

The following parts come form Dabs.com and the HD6770 1GB comes with free vouchers for BF3 and Deus Ex:Human Revolution!! I don't know how long the promo will last but that is a good deal IMHO.



The following parts come from Ebuyer.com as the peripherals are cheaper from them and the case can take even long graphics cards.



The total comes to £593.82 including postage.

[JamesD3]

Thanks for the posts, I'll look into our specific needs slightly more so we know which processor/gpu card is best for us but the build looks a reasonable price for whats included.

[JamesD3]

Hi again. was poking around looking for any deals etc and found

ht tp://ww w.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/11353165/bundle/sapphire-technology/radeon-hd-6750-512-mb-gd.html

The gpu is not as powerful but the HDD is larger and saves £10 approx. Is the card still a viable choice though in anyones opinion.

(It stopped me posting the link as i don't have 5 posts but it's a reputable website so hopefully it will be ok with people)

edit: Or a similar deal would replacing the i3 and HDD and keeping the 6770 gpu be better using this deal

htt p://w ww.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/11446775/bundle/amd/phenom-ii-x4-955-3-2-ghz.html

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I meant to link to this drive:

http://www.dabs.com/products/samsung...m_content=Q200

However,this 500GB drive is better value:

http://www.ebuyer.com/272944-seagate...che-st500dm002

The F2 is a storage orientated drive and will be slower than 7200RPM drives. Hence you need to consider storage or speed.

Here are your links:

http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/1135...512-mb-gd.html

http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/1144...5-3-2-ghz.html

I would get at least an HD5770 or HD6770. Ideally if you can push the budget an HD6850 1GB or a GTX460 1GB would be ideal:

http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/c.../nov-6850.html

The second deal is not too bad. The Phenom II X4 955BE tends to be slower in lightly threaded games than a Core i3 2100 and is around the same in heavily threaded games IIRC. If you are running WoW or SC2,the Core i3 2100 will run them better.

[JamesD3]

Sorry to double post but this post really needs urls for the pictures and i only needed one more/ Sorry if it's not allowed but the links will only be from imgur and are just pictures nothing malicious.

[JamesD3]

Ok, looking at this (not final but getting there)

We've looked at upping a few components so





We have copies of windows 7 and can claim VAT which will knock 20% off all prices.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

We have copies of windows 7 and can claim VAT which will knock 20% off all prices.

Result!!

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

The following build uses parts off Ebuyer.



This should run any modern game at decent settings.

[Dareos]

best find some way to secure that mouse etc to the machine, things like that tend to walk, mebbe getting a couple cheaper mice would be a more practical, if less aesthetical approach.

ps: not casting aspersions on the kids, merely taking a realistic look at it.

[ik9000]

ebuyer do a cracking keyboard for £3 - , can't remember the brand but look it up in wired USB keyboards and you'll find it. No need to pay £9 for Logitech ones IMO. I still game with the £3.99 Saitek "budget unbranded" ebuyer special I got in 2006. Still works a treat. I only wish I could go back and buy another 3 of the things. That was in the day when ebuyer reviews were unbiased and you could still get PQI flash sticks. Sigh.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

As the others said,cheaper peripherals might be worth considering. I only chose the Microsoft keyboard as it is spill proof which I though might be useful!

Also,it might be useful to invest in case locks to stop the kids from stealing any parts from the computers too.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Just saw this deal on a GTX560TI:

http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/gtx-...vatech-1125773