Hi, I was searching this forum for specs for my new computer but I think my requirements are slightly different from the usual. I'll need this desktop to play mostly strategy games (Europea Universalis, Civilization, SimCity and such) but one of the main reasons why I need a new computer in the first place is because I want to play GTA5 on decent settings (no photo or music editing). So here's what I had in mind (scroll to the bottom for some additional suggestions/questions). My budget is up to 550 or 600 if some part is really worth the extra cost. I'm also getting a new 1920x1080 monitor.
Case
STYLISH PIANO BLACK ENIGMA MICRO-ATX CASE + 2 FRONT USB
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i3 Dual Core Processor i3-3250 (3.50GHz) 3MB Cache
Motherboard
ASUS® P8H61-MX USB3/SI: uATX, USB 3.0, SATA 3.0Gb/s
Memory (RAM)
4GB KINGSTON DUAL-DDR3 1600MHz (1 x 4GB)
Graphics Card
1GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GT 640 - DVI, HDMI, VGA - 3D Vision Ready
Memory - 1st Hard Disk
500GB 3.5" SATA-III 6GB/s HDD 7200RPM 16MB CACHE
1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM
Memory Card Reader
INTERNAL 52 IN 1 CARD READER (XD, MS, CF, SD, etc) + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT
Power Supply
350W Dual Rail PSU + 120mm Case Fan
Processor Cooling
INTEL STANDARD CPU COOLER
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Facilities
WIRELESS 802.11N 150Mbps PCI-E CARD (Special Offer) (£6)
USB Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 4 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Power Cable
1 x 2 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Operating System
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit w/SP1 - inc DVD & Licence (£79)
Office Software
NO OFFICE SOFTWARE
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Warranty
3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 8 to 10 working days
Quantity
1
Price: £477.00 including VAT and delivery.
Unique URL to re-configure: http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/quotes/intel-home-office-pc/vYz8pZkZgS/
As this is below my budget I thought about (one of the below):
1. Upgrading processor to the i5 although I'm not sure if the upgrade is needed/worth the price. (I know i5 has more threads and has this supercharging thing or whatever but not sure if that is worth it?)
2. Upgrading GPU to the 1GB/2GB GTX 650 but that would also mean better power supply/motherboard so I think it's a modest increase in performance at a high cost
3. In one of the recent threads someone recommended this computer:
http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/quotes/amd-bulldozer-top-spec-pc/pjZv6CC2hV/
which is only slightly more expensive and seems to have much better processor, so maybe I should go with that one?
4. Something entirely different
thanks
Case
STYLISH PIANO BLACK ENIGMA MICRO-ATX CASE + 2 FRONT USB
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i3 Dual Core Processor i3-3250 (3.50GHz) 3MB Cache
Motherboard
ASUS® P8H61-MX USB3/SI: uATX, USB 3.0, SATA 3.0Gb/s
Memory (RAM)
4GB KINGSTON DUAL-DDR3 1600MHz (1 x 4GB)
Graphics Card
1GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GT 640 - DVI, HDMI, VGA - 3D Vision Ready
Memory - 1st Hard Disk
500GB 3.5" SATA-III 6GB/s HDD 7200RPM 16MB CACHE
1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM
Memory Card Reader
INTERNAL 52 IN 1 CARD READER (XD, MS, CF, SD, etc) + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT
Power Supply
350W Dual Rail PSU + 120mm Case Fan
Processor Cooling
INTEL STANDARD CPU COOLER
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Facilities
WIRELESS 802.11N 150Mbps PCI-E CARD (Special Offer) (£6)
USB Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 4 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Power Cable
1 x 2 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Operating System
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit w/SP1 - inc DVD & Licence (£79)
Office Software
NO OFFICE SOFTWARE
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Warranty
3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 8 to 10 working days
Quantity
1
Price: £477.00 including VAT and delivery.
Unique URL to re-configure: http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/quotes/intel-home-office-pc/vYz8pZkZgS/
As this is below my budget I thought about (one of the below):
1. Upgrading processor to the i5 although I'm not sure if the upgrade is needed/worth the price. (I know i5 has more threads and has this supercharging thing or whatever but not sure if that is worth it?)
2. Upgrading GPU to the 1GB/2GB GTX 650 but that would also mean better power supply/motherboard so I think it's a modest increase in performance at a high cost
3. In one of the recent threads someone recommended this computer:
http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/quotes/amd-bulldozer-top-spec-pc/pjZv6CC2hV/
which is only slightly more expensive and seems to have much better processor, so maybe I should go with that one?
4. Something entirely different
thanks
