Advice re PC purchase

[msrajjc2]

I would like to play FIFA 18 on PC at the highest settings (https://www.easports.com/fifa/news/2017/fifa-18-pc-specs) and am willing to buy a PC for that purpose.

I want to spend around £500 and have identified this as suitable: https://www.compu-zone.co.uk/index.php/gaming-pcs/dell-3020-gaming-tower-pc-quad-core-i5-4570-3-2-ghz-gtx-1060-1tb-hdd-8gb-ram-windows-10.html

My main concern is the case and how large/breathable it is and whether it'd run FIFA 18 at the highest spec. Equally I'm concerned about it's longevity and how suitable it'd be for other demanding PC games, e.g. PUBG.

I'm also wondering whether a 4th generation i5 is a bit old nowaday?

Any advice is much appreciated.

 

[sadams04]

CPU - The i5-4570 is still a fine CPU and can hold its own, but it is clearly behind when compared to the later generation processors. A 7000 series or 8000 series would be a better option.
MEM - DDR3 is getting harder to fine (new anyway) and more expensive. You may have issues trying to find matching memory if you were to upgrade down the road. Maybe not..
PSU - Dell isn't known for having a quality power supply. Sufficient, but not great. If you are adding a gaming GPU and going to start stretching the legs of the CPU as well, it would be better to look toward a better unit. Tier 1 or Tier 2 is always recommended, but Tier 3 would be fine for a non-overclocking, single mid-sized GPU although there isn't much of a price break over an XFX / Seasonic Tier 2 unit.. Check out XFX, Seasonic, or the EVGA G2 / G3 / GS / GQ lineup. http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html

You would be better off building new both up-front, and with upgrade options down the road.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-7400 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor (£142.00 @ Amazon UK)
Motherboard: Asus - PRIME B250M-A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard (£64.75 @ Box Limited)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws 4 series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory (£59.30 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£38.34 @ Aria PC)
Video Card: Gigabyte - GeForce GTX 1060 3GB 3GB Windforce OC Video Card (£187.14 @ Aria PC)
Case: BitFenix - Nova ATX Mid Tower Case (£26.40 @ Aria PC)
Power Supply: XFX - XT 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply (£44.27 @ CCL Computers)
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit (£82.74 @ Aria PC)
Total: £644.94

 

[vapour]

It shows 600 instead of 500?
Are you open to build your own? That can give you a better pc.

 

[msrajjc2]

CPU - The i5-4570 is still a fine CPU and can hold its own, but it is clearly behind when compared to the later generation processors. A 7000 series or 8000 series would be a better option.
MEM - DDR3 is getting harder to fine (new anyway) and more expensive. You may have issues trying to find matching memory if you were to upgrade down the road. Maybe not..
PSU - Dell isn't known for having a quality power supply. Sufficient, but not great. If you are adding a gaming GPU and going to start stretching the legs of the CPU as well, it would be better to look toward a better unit. Tier 1 or Tier 2 is always recommended, but Tier 3 would be fine for a non-overclocking, single mid-sized GPU although there isn't much of a price break over an XFX / Seasonic Tier 2 unit.. Check out XFX, Seasonic, or the EVGA G2 / G3 / GS / GQ lineup. http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html

You would be better off building new both up-front, and with upgrade options down the road.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-7400 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor (£142.00 @ Amazon UK)
Motherboard: Asus - PRIME B250M-A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard (£64.75 @ Box Limited)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws 4 series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory (£59.30 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£38.34 @ Aria PC)
Video Card: Gigabyte - GeForce GTX 1060 3GB 3GB Windforce OC Video Card (£187.14 @ Aria PC)
Case: BitFenix - Nova ATX Mid Tower Case (£26.40 @ Aria PC)
Power Supply: XFX - XT 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply (£44.27 @ CCL Computers)
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit (£82.74 @ Aria PC)
Total: £644.94

Thank you. Tbh I am quite open to building my own PC... my only concern would be how easy is it for someone, who has no prior experience apart from 'installing' a new gfx card and RAM, to do it?

 

[Vic 40]

Something to look at,

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 1200 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor (£86.99 @ Aria PC)
Motherboard: ASRock - Fatal1ty AB350 Gaming K4 ATX AM4 Motherboard (£92.97 @ CCL Computers)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2666 Memory (£73.39 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Seagate - BarraCuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£35.94 @ Aria PC)
Video Card: PNY - GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB Video Card (£123.41 @ Amazon UK)
Case: Antec - GX500 ATX Mid Tower Case (£40.99 @ Amazon UK)
Power Supply: Corsair - TXM Gold 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply (£62.99 @ CCL Computers)
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit (£82.74 @ Aria PC)
Total: £599.42
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-11-10 13:13 GMT+0000

parts are just over 500 pounds,got windows included.Windows 10 can be run unactivated at the moment with some limitations,but for how long is unsure so you could try that first.

For building a pc are numerous articles and tutorials online to be found so look at those. It's not hard,you just need to take your time and look carefully at the manuals. If in doubt,google again.Some,
https://www.google.nl/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi5urHGjLTXAhXHJOwKHW8_DNQQtwIIJjAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DgHAelSOF6f0&usg=AOvVaw2GT1wehhmvc5VCpYsF3MYs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bUghCx9iso
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMRvz_IYSgM (he finally get's to it,but likes to hear himself talk)
When installing software install the motherboard drivers first,then after that the dedicated gpu drivers.Well after windows of course.

 

[msrajjc2]

CPU - The i5-4570 is still a fine CPU and can hold its own, but it is clearly behind when compared to the later generation processors. A 7000 series or 8000 series would be a better option.
MEM - DDR3 is getting harder to fine (new anyway) and more expensive. You may have issues trying to find matching memory if you were to upgrade down the road. Maybe not..
PSU - Dell isn't known for having a quality power supply. Sufficient, but not great. If you are adding a gaming GPU and going to start stretching the legs of the CPU as well, it would be better to look toward a better unit. Tier 1 or Tier 2 is always recommended, but Tier 3 would be fine for a non-overclocking, single mid-sized GPU although there isn't much of a price break over an XFX / Seasonic Tier 2 unit.. Check out XFX, Seasonic, or the EVGA G2 / G3 / GS / GQ lineup. http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html

You would be better off building new both up-front, and with upgrade options down the road.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-7400 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor (£142.00 @ Amazon UK)
Motherboard: Asus - PRIME B250M-A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard (£64.75 @ Box Limited)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws 4 series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory (£59.30 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£38.34 @ Aria PC)
Video Card: Gigabyte - GeForce GTX 1060 3GB 3GB Windforce OC Video Card (£187.14 @ Aria PC)
Case: BitFenix - Nova ATX Mid Tower Case (£26.40 @ Aria PC)
Power Supply: XFX - XT 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply (£44.27 @ CCL Computers)
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit (£82.74 @ Aria PC)
Total: £644.94

Thanks again for this. Going to proceed with this build. The only issue is the power supply - it's no longer available?

Could you please recommend a suitable alternative? Thanks

 

[Vic 40]

If only wanting an Intel quadcore i'd opt for the i3 8100 which is still a true quadcore and the faster one,

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i3-8100 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor (£98.34 @ Aria PC)
Motherboard: MSI - Z370-A PRO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard (£91.99 @ Box Limited)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws 4 Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2800 Memory (£73.39 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£37.79 @ Aria PC)
Video Card: Zotac - GeForce GTX 1060 3GB 3GB Mini Video Card (£174.98 @ Novatech)
Case: Antec - GX500 ATX Mid Tower Case (£40.99 @ Amazon UK)
Power Supply: BitFenix - Formula Gold 450W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply (£59.99 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit (£86.82 @ Aria PC)
Total: £664.29
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-12-20 21:14 GMT+0000

this will imo give a better upgrade path in the future. I know price went up,but this set of ram at least seems to sell at amazon for that price. Case can be what you make of it.

 

[msrajjc2]

If only wanting an Intel quadcore i'd opt for the i3 8100 which is still a true quadcore and the faster one,

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i3-8100 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor (£98.34 @ Aria PC)
Motherboard: MSI - Z370-A PRO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard (£91.99 @ Box Limited)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws 4 Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2800 Memory (£73.39 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£37.79 @ Aria PC)
Video Card: Zotac - GeForce GTX 1060 3GB 3GB Mini Video Card (£174.98 @ Novatech)
Case: Antec - GX500 ATX Mid Tower Case (£40.99 @ Amazon UK)
Power Supply: BitFenix - Formula Gold 450W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply (£59.99 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit (£86.82 @ Aria PC)
Total: £664.29
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-12-20 21:14 GMT+0000

this will imo give a better upgrade path in the future. I know price went up,but this set of ram at least seems to sell at amazon for that price. Case can be what you make of it.

Thanks Vic. Yes I'm kind of set on Intel CPUs for some reason...

Just looking at your suggestions compared to sadams04, I notice a bigger portion of your budget is dedicated to motherboard > CPU. I would've thought it better to spend more on a better processor? I recognise the CPU you've suggested is newer but as it's ~£50 cheaper isn't it 'worse'?

Everything else you've recommended looks great however - so thanks. The only question I have is whether the case sadams04 would still work with your build (I prefer it aesthetically!).

Thanks, James

 

[Finstar]

If only wanting an Intel quadcore i'd opt for the i3 8100 which is still a true quadcore and the faster one,

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i3-8100 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor (£98.34 @ Aria PC)
Motherboard: MSI - Z370-A PRO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard (£91.99 @ Box Limited)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws 4 Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2800 Memory (£73.39 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£37.79 @ Aria PC)
Video Card: Zotac - GeForce GTX 1060 3GB 3GB Mini Video Card (£174.98 @ Novatech)
Case: Antec - GX500 ATX Mid Tower Case (£40.99 @ Amazon UK)
Power Supply: BitFenix - Formula Gold 450W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply (£59.99 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit (£86.82 @ Aria PC)
Total: £664.29
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-12-20 21:14 GMT+0000

this will imo give a better upgrade path in the future. I know price went up,but this set of ram at least seems to sell at amazon for that price. Case can be what you make of it.

Thanks Vic. Yes I'm kind of set on Intel CPUs for some reason...

Just looking at your suggestions compared to sadams04, I notice a bigger portion of your budget is dedicated to motherboard > CPU. I would've thought it better to spend more on a better processor? I recognise the CPU you've suggested is newer but as it's ~£50 cheaper isn't it 'worse'?

Everything else you've recommended looks great however - so thanks. The only question I have is whether the case sadams04 would still work with your build (I prefer it aesthetically!).

Thanks, James

It's because Intel still doesn't make cheaper chipsets for the 8th series processors. The i3 vic listed is more powerful than the i5 7400 but it has to paired with an expensive motherboard since there are no cheap ones yet.

 

[msrajjc2]

It's because Intel still doesn't make cheaper chipsets for the 8th series processors. The i3 vic listed is more powerful than the i5 7400 but it has to paired with an expensive motherboard since there are no cheap ones yet.

OK I see. Thank you.

Does a more expensive motherboard help with 'future proofing' too?

 

[Vic 40]

It imo does. It gives the opportunity to upgrade the cpu to a "K" model in the future. It also gives the option for faster ram. More expensive motherboards often also have abit more connections like more fan headers which is nice.

 

[msrajjc2]

It imo does. It gives the opportunity to upgrade the cpu to a "K" model in the future. It also gives the option for faster ram. More expensive motherboards often also have abit more connections like more fan headers which is nice.

Thanks so much Vic. Before I order I wonder if you could tell me if this case would be suitable? https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/hJM323/bitfenix-case-bfxnov100kkxskrp

 

[Finstar]

It imo does. It gives the opportunity to upgrade the cpu to a "K" model in the future. It also gives the option for faster ram. More expensive motherboards often also have abit more connections like more fan headers which is nice.

Thanks so much Vic. Before I order I wonder if you could tell me if this case would be suitable? https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/hJM323/bitfenix-case-bfxnov100kkxskrp

Bitfenix cases tend to be on the low quality side from what i know.
I'd personally go for a Deepcool tesseract wh

 

[Vic 40]

I agree,just try to spend a little bit more money on the case.

 

[msrajjc2]

I agree,just try to spend a little bit more money on the case.

Thanks Vic. Going with the case you suggested.

The only issue I now have (apologies for all these posts) is that the RAM you've recommended is only available from Amazon via Prime which I don't have. Are there any suitable alternatives?

Thanks, James

 

[Vic 40]

Cheapest available options are these,
https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/products/compare/T7Trxr,wQmxFT,n2hj4D/

 

[msrajjc2]

Thanks for everyone's help. I went for the Patriot RAM in the end.

I put everything together last night and downloaded an ISO of Windows 10 onto a USB and made it bootable using Rufus. However, when installing Windows I get this error: "windows cannot install required files..." with error code 0x80070570.

I am currently troubleshooting but wonder if anyone here had any suggestions?

One thing I'm not sure of is whether I need to update the BIOS?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

EDIT: downloaded the ISO image from elsewhere and it worked - the file I initially downloaded must've been corrupt.

Thanks for everyone's help.

My (hopefully) final question is do I need to download drivers for mobo, gfx card, etc.?

 

[Vic 40]

My (hopefully) final question is do I need to download drivers for mobo, gfx card, etc.?

Yes. First do the motherboard drivers,start with the chipset,after that the rest.Only after this install the gpu driver.