Need advice on purchasing a new system

Hi all,
Well it's been maaaaaany years and I think the time has come to replace my old girl. Apart from the graphics card which is about 5 years old, and the monitor which is 1 year old, the rest of the computer is about 8-9 years old!

As a full time student I'm on severe budget restrictions, but I *have* managed to tuck away $1000(AUD) and probably could scramble together another couple hundred. Basically I'm hoping to get some advice on the most affordable computer hardware for my needs/desires.

My main desire is to be able to play Skyrim with the recommended system resources. Those would be:

Graphics card: 1GB RAM, DirectX 9.0c compatible (GeForce GTX 260 or higher)
Processor: Quad core
RAM: 4GB (system RAM)
Soundcard: DirectX compatible

I know that's probably impossible within those budget restrictions, but that's why I'm hoping to get some advice on where I can compromise etc. I'm severely out of touch with the latest computer tech, and am happy for any links/resources or information that people can provide. I'm considering purchasing parts from a local store in Sydney, and have considered building my own computer to save costs - though depending on the cost I might get the staff to do it for me to aviod any hassles

Again, if I could play Skyrim happily then I would probably be a happy little chappy for at least the next five years - at which point I'll be full time employed and able to afford a better system. Computers generally last me a very long time as I typically play old adventure/Sierra and retro games, but The Elder Scrolls is a long term addiction of mine which I simply have to indulge.

Thanks for any advice or pointing me in the right direction!

 

Hi there Snape,
For around 1000 dollars you should be able to get what you need to play your games.
I build all my own machines, but it is not always cheaper to do so, just recently I advised a mate at work to buy a computer, he asked me to build it for him, but I could not buy the parts cheap enough.
Do you know good computer parts shops in Sydney?? then also are you preferential to either AMD or Intel, in video NVidia or ATI affiliate of AMD.
You also need to check with your preferred Graphics Card what the requirements are for the PSU, very important.
You also need a reasonable good case that gives good cooling needed for gaming.
Have a look through this retailer and it should give you a good idea, the prizes are very noncompetitive.

http://pccasegear.com/

 

Capitol Square in Sydney is the best I know for computers and computer parts, they seem quite competitive (as there's around a dozen small shops crammed in together).
I do have a preference for Intel and NVidia, though obviously I'm open and flexible to equivalent technology - I'm really only preferential to these two brands since they're all I've ever had.

Here are two systems which I can buy, premade, from Capitol Square. Let me know what you think of these as far as value for money is concerned (in fact these are from some flyers that are about 6 months old, so with that taken into account...I imagine the prices are actually a little cheaper by now):

Price: $1088
Intel i7-2600K CPU
Gigabyte z68A-D3-B3 M/B
(USB3.0 SATA3.0)
8GB Kingston DDR3 RAM
SATAIII 1TB 7200RPM HDD
22x Dual Layer DVD-R/RW Burner
Gigabyte GTX560 1G DDR5 PCI-EX Card
1000M LAN & 8CH Audio on Board
Coolermaster case (650w power)

Price: $1139
Intel Core i7 2600 3.4 G
Intel P67 Motherboard
1TB 7200RPM Hard Disk
DDR3 1333 8G RAM
24x DVD-RW Double Layer
Nvidia GeForce GTX560n Ti 1GB
Max. 12 x USB 2.0 ports 2 x USB 3.0
8 Channel Sound Card Integrated
10/100/1000 LAN
Ikonik Case with 650W PSU
Optical Mouse/Keyboard

These two systems are from two separate stores, and are the two which stood out for me.

 

I'd DIY or get someone you trust to do it for you.

Since you're on a tight budget, what you need to do is upgrade the system you have since many parts will not really need replacing - keyboard, mouse, monitor, case, possibly PSU.

You don't need a new case so keep the one you have.
Same probably goes for the PSU - as long as its 24 pin and outputs at least 400w but more is better. Over 600w is probably overkill though. You do need to check that its got any connections that may be required by the graphics card though.

You might be able to use your existing graphics card - as long as its a PCi express. You do indicate that its relatively new and therfore would probably suffice for now. Otherwise I'd go for the best one your budget can stretch to without going overboard. I'd go for an nVidia card before an ATi one.

I'd check ebay or amazon for a suitable MOBO/Processor/Memory bundle and use that. You need 4Gb RAM MINIMUM and the more the better although you do need 64 Bit windows to use more than 3.2 Gb or RAM. You'll also need to buy Windows 7 (64Bit recommended).

You might need to get a new hard drive depending on what you already have. If you do - get a Western Digital.

Other than that, its all systems go...

Your games can run in compatibility mode.

In the end though, its difficult to recommend exact hardware, as prices vary considerably from country to country and what may be a bargain in the US is expensive in the UK and vice versa or, indeed, Australia.

The important parts are the MOBO/Processor/Memory bundle closely followed by the hard drive. Start with these and see how much of your budget is left and go from there.

Hope that helps.

 

Given the choice, I'd go for this one.

Reasons:
1. Its an ATX MOBO - the other spec doesn't specify.
2. A SATA 3 hard drive - the other spec doesn't specify.
3. USB3.0 is available on board - the other spec doesn't specify.

They've both got the same graphics card so thats not an issue.

 

I agree. It's also got a 2600k, instead of a plain 'ol 2600.

 

Not necessarily.....

It depends on whether these prices were made up before the floods in Thailand or not. If they are pre-flood prices, then expect them to not have changed much in the interim. Although the prices of other components may have come down, the price increase of hard drives will have more than compensated for that.

 

Do your home work thoroughly if you intend to upgrade yourself.
Example your existing PSU will most likely be not powerful enough.
See here:

http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gtx-560ti/specifications

The $1088.- looks OK to me as well.

 

I don't see an operating system listed. A common mistake is some users assume they can use their old Windows license on a new computer. Understand only a "boxed" full Retail license can be transferred to a new computer (or upgraded motherboard). It is illegal to use an OEM license that came with or was purchased for one computer on another computer. A disk "branded" with a computer maker’s brand name, or is labeled with "OEM/System Builderâ€, "Upgradeâ€, "Academic Editionâ€, or "For Distribution with a new PC only ", is not transferable to a new PC (or upgraded motherboard) under any circumstances. These OEM licenses are inextricably tied to the "original equipment ". So if that is the case, I recommend 64-bit Windows 7 or one of the many free Linux alternatives. Just ensure it is 64-bit since you have listed 8Gb of RAM.

 

It was mentioned once or twice - which I appreciate, as I wouldn't have known that I needed 64-bit to utilise the full 8 gigabyte of RAM. I'm just glad I was able to completely ignore that whole "Vista" period, and jump straight from XP to 7

 

While we're on the topic, do you think the advice "if you're a gamer, then stick with Windows" is generally still true? I've been doing a little research to decide whether I should switch to Linux or not, and I've come across this comment a number of times.

 

Absolutely.

 

It is not really a performance issue, it is because the game makers release their games for the Windows OS and not so many for Linux.

 

Yes. The reason being that the windows user base is vast compared to the Linux user base and also the Linux user base tends to be more techie and not so into games, therefore there's little or no incentive for game makers to write (serious) games for Linux - or indeed for the mac. Although that truism might change over the next year or two as Linux seems to be trying to make inroads into the domestic user market - particularly with Ubuntu and Mint. Time will tell I guess.