I need help Glorious PC gamers!

[El_Phantasmo]

I'm asking because I'm a returning PC gamer from yesteryear who isn't a noob so much as I'm massively out of touch with current tech/standards and some terminology.... If anything below looks dumb, it probably is, please be kind and don't beat with sticks and bricks.

It's a new build, likely I won't be attempting it myself (Though I did used to build systems years ago) and will probably go for something from one of the online builder sites. Those sites are good and generally seem to point out if things aren't compatible but I wanted first-hand experience and also to see if anyone though it worth waiting in case there's anything new due out that might be ideal or worth postponing for?


Approximate Purchase Date: e.g.: 1 -2 months

Budget Range: Circa £1000 (Depending on a raise and backdated pay increase!). Always possible to go up!

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, digital art (Photoshop etc), general web surfing

Are you buying a monitor: No immediately – Have a 20” Dell one on an older machine to use initially whilst saving for something more substantial.

Do you need to buy OS: Yup. I’m a Windows user – Linux and terms like that scare me.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: PCspecialist, Overclockers

Location: Midlands, UK

Parts Preferences: Intel, Nvidia, ASUS

Overclocking: Probably not … I’d end up doing something wrong or not having enough cooling or something…

SLI or Crossfire: SLI possibly in the future

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080 currently I believe


Additional Comments: Before becoming one of the unclean console fans (Xbox, 360, One) I did in antiquity love my PC … but so much time and tech has passed that it all looks quite disconcerting. The terms are the same (Hey, I know what RAM is!) but my last PC had an ASUS SLi Deluxe somethingorother motherboard and a P90 CPU or something. It was a long time (Decade if not more) ago. I used to use Napster on it, it was that long ago!

I’m thinking of a system using the i7 level of CPU – I can see from the forums and other discussions here and elsewhere the only real difference between the i5’s and i7’s is the virtual core stuff and that is mostly used in video encoding and the like. But in thinking about the build I’m thinking the i7 might last a bit longer than an i5 that might become redundant sooner in terms of system requirements and the like?

Motherboard I’m wanting something that can be expanded on later with additional GPUs (So I can try some SLI setups for amazing graphics..) and that is generally “good”. GPU I was looking at the GeForce GTX 980 as a solid/good choice that shouldn’t be outclassed and should (I think?) allow me to run the more intensive FO4, Skyrim etc with Mods on – I’m thinking if I build to be solid and good for those games then the less intensive stuff like the Sims for my fiancé shouldn’t be an issue?

RAM minimums for the games and stuff I’ve looked at was 8GB but I was thinking of going straight for 16GB straight away as RAM isn’t massively expensive anymore (And not huge gulfs between DDR3 and 4 either). I think I’d want an MB that would able to use DDR4 though.

I'd then look for a solid, reliable power supply, I've had one fry before (On the fiances current Dell thing). Thankfully I had a spare but I'd need to work out what rating to go for.


And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Older machine used mostly for Photoshop is my partners Dell that she purchase a few years back. It needs gone because upgrading it is … not possible or worth it. Plus we want something new and shiny! We’ll mostly be gaming (Me for Fallout 4, Skyrim and such, her Sims 4 and that sort of game.) We also want something semi-future proof or that won’t need upgrading for a couple of years ideally.

 

[DasHotShot]

As your purchase date is in 1-2 months it is worth just waiting for then ew Nvidia GPUs to hit. It will lower the price of some of the current models and give you a chance o build a very future proof system.

Other than that you will most likely be circling the same kind of component range as below:

(these are commonly used components and will probably serve as gauges when comparing retailers offerings)

CPU: Quad-core, Intel i5 (likely skylake model 6400, 6500, 6600K)
Ram: 8GB DDR4 Ram (various vendors)
Motherboard: Will be specific to the retailer but won't make a difference with your usage priorities which you listed
GPU: Nvidia GTX 960/ GTX 970 or new equivalent 1070? OR Radeon R9 380/380x or 390

Not worth listing other parts for pre-built systems as these are usually defined by the vendor in this case.

As you are playing on somewhat of a dated/small screen with a standard HD resolution you will get a lot of life out of a system which is similar to the above and will be able to enjoy any of the games you list at a very high quality setting.

I am being rather vague as your purchase date is a bit far away and as your needs are very simple: It must be able to play games, handle editing apps and surf the web. Anything above an i7 or a higher end GPU will be wasted pretty much as you will likely not utilize them and also cost more than your budget allows.

I would suggest keeping it simple and making sure your system included a decent size (256GB) SSD for the OS and some of the games (decreases loading times) and that you get a decent warranty on the parts and build. You can even have them overclock it and guarantee the OC.

Have fun and maybe check back in nearer the time for much more accurate advice.

 

[superninja12]

fully agree new intel and amd gpus will release june.
i saw you preferend nvidia but not amd. i would reconsider that the late amd gpus are really good and so are their drivers.

 

[El_Phantasmo]

Cheers DasHotShot and superninja12! It's the little things like new stuff coming out in June that I wouldn't have known or really known where to look. I'm very much a passive consumer right now and not up on the stuff that's in development.

I'll bare in mind the above and likely seek further advice when I have the cash sat here and a more firm idea of what to look at - for not I have more guides and forums posts to read through and digest on here. Try to re-educate myself at least on the basics.

 

[DasHotShot]

fully agree new intel and amd gpus will release june.
i saw you preferend nvidia but not amd. i would reconsider that the late amd gpus are really good and so are their drivers.

I did list some AMD gpus. However you are right, I have preferred Nvidia for a while now as the products simply seem to be higher grade overall.

I prefer their efficiency, temp control (lower temps), generally lower noise coolers, their driver support and additional software support and of course performance in most of the titles I play personally.

There is a strong case for AMD cards when you have a lower budget and want max bang for buck, however at the high-end I don't feel like they can really compete at the moment within similar conditions. I really hope this changes and AMD catch-up or dare I say start leading the way on some ofthe new tech (like HBM Ram last year) so the market become more competitive and silly consumer f***ing by Nvidia stops (I refer to the Titan X/980 Ti con of 2015 and the generally higher than should be pricing)

 

[DasHotShot]

Cheers DasHotShot and superninja12! It's the little things like new stuff coming out in June that I wouldn't have known or really known where to look. I'm very much a passive consumer right now and not up on the stuff that's in development.

I'll bare in mind the above and likely seek further advice when I have the cash sat here and a more firm idea of what to look at - for not I have more guides and forums posts to read through and digest on here. Try to re-educate myself at least on the basics.

No worries, this could be a good read:

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/q1-2016-system-builder-marathon-value-comparsion,review-33515.html

 

[superninja12]

fully agree new intel and amd gpus will release june.
i saw you preferend nvidia but not amd. i would reconsider that the late amd gpus are really good and so are their drivers.

I did list some AMD gpus. However you are right, I have preferred Nvidia for a while now as the products simply seem to be higher grade overall.

I prefer their efficiency, temp control (lower temps), generally lower noise coolers, their driver support and additional software support and of course performance in most of the titles I play personally.

There is a strong case for AMD cards when you have a lower budget and want max bang for buck, however at the high-end I don't feel like they can really compete at the moment within similar conditions. I really hope this changes and AMD catch-up or dare I say start leading the way on some ofthe new tech (like HBM Ram last year) so the market become more competitive and silly consumer f***ing by Nvidia stops (I refer to the Titan X/980 Ti con of 2015 and the generally higher than should be pricing)

you are wrong here its pepsi or coca cola, youre attached to 1 brand now.
beleive me when i say amd is jsut as good as nividia regarding the graphics card and both companies have got their edges at specific budgets and needs.

 

[DasHotShot]

fully agree new intel and amd gpus will release june.
i saw you preferend nvidia but not amd. i would reconsider that the late amd gpus are really good and so are their drivers.

I did list some AMD gpus. However you are right, I have preferred Nvidia for a while now as the products simply seem to be higher grade overall.

I prefer their efficiency, temp control (lower temps), generally lower noise coolers, their driver support and additional software support and of course performance in most of the titles I play personally.

There is a strong case for AMD cards when you have a lower budget and want max bang for buck, however at the high-end I don't feel like they can really compete at the moment within similar conditions. I really hope this changes and AMD catch-up or dare I say start leading the way on some ofthe new tech (like HBM Ram last year) so the market become more competitive and silly consumer f***ing by Nvidia stops (I refer to the Titan X/980 Ti con of 2015 and the generally higher than should be pricing)

you are wrong here its pepsi or coca cola, youre attached to 1 brand now.
beleive me when i say amd is jsut as good as nividia regarding the graphics card and both companies have got their edges at specific budgets and needs.

I didn't say Nvidia > AMD. I said I prefer one brand's products over the other brand's from personal experience both for my own systems and the systems I build for others.

It certainly isn't Pepsi and Cola, however we can stick to this analogy if you want. Most people prefer coke over Pepsi, that is what global sales figures suggest. Now you can argue 1000 different ways in favour or against either. For me, PERSONALLY, Coke tastes MUCH better in its various forms than Pepsi. Nvidia cards at the top end of the table are just better SLIGHTLY in several ways and these factors combine to make them a better offering to ME, PERSONALLY.

It is well documented that the green cards consumes less power generally, certainly produce less heat and for the titles I play, perform slightly better. The differences here aren't always huge, however sometimes noticeable. There is also a price premium attached and I have mentioned grievances with the Nvidia brand.

I also said myself there are scenarios where AMD cards make a strong case and almost always beat Nvidia for performance per buck.

Please don't make this into some kind of Green Vs Red argument and label my views (based on tests and experience) as "wrong"