5 réponses à ce sujet

[AshenSugar]

Ok, short of it is I want to play Dragon Age Inquisition, but can't because I only have a dual core processor. Current specs as follows:

 

 

CPU: AMD Phemon XII 550

Graphics card: Geforce GTS250

RAM 4096 MB

 

 

I can run fairly modern games such as Bioshock Infinite and Tomb Raider 2013 no problem, even on high graphics settings, but no way is that rig going to run DA:I, it won't even get past the EA logo!

 

Obviously I need to upgrade, and preparing to do so. I guess can't just drop a new processor onto my existing motherboard. so it's looking like a complete new build, new chip, motherboard, RAM, graphics card, the whole shebang - in short I may as well put together a new PC.

 

 

There's a problem though, in that it's been years since I did any kind of hardware installation, my current rig was bought pre-built, and now my knowledge of current technology is hopelessly outdated. There's so many different kinds of RAM, processors etc. etc. available that I'm utterly lost, so can anyone give me some advice?

 

 

First off I'm going to be buying all the components from the link below - it's a local store, less than 10 minutes walk from where I live, and the best my town has to offer. Prices are in UK pounds, so may not mean much to readers from the US or Europe.

 

http://www.dcs-onlin...hop/default.php

 

Second, I'm on a budget. I can't afford to splash out thousands on an absolute super-uber-state of the art ninjascopic machine; however I do want something that will run DA:I comfortably without having to reduce the graphics settings until it resembles an Atari Jaguar. It has to be a good balance between performance and cost.

 

 

So for starters, the processor.

Quad Core is baseline, and I guess it would be more sensible to go for an Intel, but which one? Or should I be looking at 8 core processors.

 

http://www.dcs-onlin...lt.php/cPath/92

 

I don't know the difference between SKT 1150 and SKT 1155. though presumably the 1155s are better?

 

Looking at what's available from the link above, do you have any particular recomendations?

 

 

 

Next, motherboard

http://www.dcs-onlin...lt.php/cPath/92

 

So many different options, I simply don't have a clue where to start. It would need to support one of the processors mentioned above, preferably be upgradeable if the need arrises, and offer good value for money.

 

 

Graphics card

http://www.dcs-onlin...lt.php/cPath/38

 

Presumably PCI express is current, and I'd like a Geforce of some kind, offering decent power. I don't want to skimp too much here, and am prepared to pay a decent (but not extortionate) amount for a good one.

 

 

RAM

http://www.dcs-onlin...lt.php/cPath/48

 

This is where I am most confused.

 

There's so many different kinds, DDR, DDR 266 DDR3 etc etc....  it's all beyond me. I haven't a clue even where to start here. What's the difference between them all, which one do I need? Which ones are going to be compatible with what motherboard?

 

I guess I'm probably going to need around 8 GB, or so I imagine.. would that be enough to run the game, or do I need more?

 

 

 

Finally

What about cooling and cases

http://www.dcs-onlin...lt.php/cPath/91

 

ATX cases seem to be the only option abailable, with or without a PSU. What voltage of PSU should I be looking at? And what kind of additional cooling do I need? am I ok just with a few case fans, or will I need a cooling kit of some kind?

 

 

If any person would be willing to spend a few minutes to help me out here, I'd be truly grateful.

 

 

Long days and pleasant nights.

[Fidite Nemini]

To work down that list.

 

CPU:

SKT means socket. Intel in particular likes likes naming it's sockets after the number of how many pins it is using to connect to the mainboard (land grid array, so you also see Intel sockets noted as "LGA xxxx"). In that regard, the 1150 socket is the new one, not the 1155. if you want to go budget, you would want to go AMD and look at the FX 6300. That CPU offers great value with solid though not stellar performance at a cheap price. If you want better performance at the expense of paying more, you'll have to look at an Intel i5 CPU.

 

Mainboard:

Really any mainboard with the correct socket works. For AMD that would be AM3+ socket with the 990X or 990FX chipset for best performance. Intel would be the LGA 1150 with B85 chipset for something not too expensive, or the Z87 chipset for best performance (Z97 if you want to get everything from the Devil's Canyon CPUs (i5 4690K or i7 4790K)). For budget concerns, any mainboard with those qualities will be solid.

 

GPU:

If you want Nvidia, wait for a bit and look at the GTX 960 that should be coming out January/February 2015. It will be the new midrange GeForce. Otherwise, if you want to spend something more right now, you can take a look at the GTX 770 for a rocksolid highend GPU, or even the GTX 970 (again a good deal more powerful that the GTX 770), though those come at a price.

Otherwise, you can look at the AMD R9 280 for a very good mid-to highrange GPU. For more power, the R9 290 offers great value at a performance just under a GTX 970.

If you want to go cheap, GTX 750Ti, no contest.

 

RAM:

Unless you go for the biggest, baddest Intel Haswell-E CPUs that just came out, you look at DDR3 memory. And again, unless looking at those Haswell-E CPUs, you want two memory sticks (because your mainboard will run in dual-channel mode). RAM amount sweetspot is 8GB, so you're looking at 2x4GB. Speed can go anywhere from 1600MHz to 2400MHz, though if you're budget concerned, 1600MHz will work flawlessly. Faster RAM by far and large is a luxury with only minor performance increases at most budget levels.

 

Case and cooling:

ATX boards are the norm. Those usually come in midtower size, which make them small enough to comfortably fit on, besides or below a desk, but offer enough room for every component (watch out for oversize GPUs, highend GPUs can get large and you might have to shuffle the internal HDD cage to fit them in, inform yourself before a purchase!) and if you buy from a decent manufacturer, come with good airflow that helps greatly with cooling.

As for cooling, I strongly recommend getting an aftermarket cooler for the CPU. Stock coolers do their work, but they are not the best and generally not very quiet under load. Something like a Coolermaster Evo 212 is cheap, silent and will chill your CPU without any problem, ensuring longevity.

 

PSU:

DO NOT SKIMP HERE!

A PSU can make or break your system. Literally! For a standard system with a single GPU, you look at a load stress of around 400-450W, so you'll want to look for a 500-550W PSU to have some headroom. Get something with a high efficiency, at least Bronze rated, that will ensure quality work.

 

 

 

I advice you go visit a tech forum like forums.overclockers.co.uk, or the fora of tech sites like Guru3D, etc. to get more advice. Those are usually better suited for this question than a gaming board like this.

[AshenSugar]

Thank you so much Fidite. Not only have you explained everything in a fantastic non-techy wasy that even dumbos like myself can understand, you took the time to go through each individual point, step by step. I am in your debt.

 

It's going to be February when I buy the card, so taking your advice and wait for prices to come down and see what's available.

 

One final thing then if you (or anyone else) has time.

 

I keep reading on various forums etc. that AMD processors are to be avoided by serious gamers, and that you should 'only ever buy Intel', though they never really give comprehensible reasons for these statements.

 

Is there any actual truth in this, or is it just tech snobbery, or bias similar to the the endless MS Vs Apple debate?

[mousestalker]

I second what Fidite Nemini wrote. That is excellent advice.

As for the AMD vs Intel debate. There may be some small truth to it, but I could not say why. The reality is that they are much of a muchness. Get what gives you the best result for your money.

[Fidite Nemini]

Thank you so much Fidite. Not only have you explained everything in a fantastic non-techy wasy that even dumbos like myself can understand, you took the time to go through each individual point, step by step. I am in your debt.

 

It's going to be February when I buy the card, so taking your advice and wait for prices to come down and see what's available.

 

One final thing then if you (or anyone else) has time.

 

I keep reading on various forums etc. that AMD processors are to be avoided by serious gamers, and that you should 'only ever buy Intel', though they never really give comprehensible reasons for these statements.

 

Is there any actual truth in this, or is it just tech snobbery, or bias similar to the the endless MS Vs Apple debate?

 

 

It's a bit of tech snobbery and truth all in one.

 

The tech snobbery part is that a solid AMD CPU (like the FX 6300 and onwards) are perfectly capable of playing more or less every game without any problem. It is however also true that once you want to venture into areas where stuff like CPU bottlenecking starts to show (running more more than one GPU simultanous, or use applications that require raw number crunching power), AMD will not be as good as Intel. Note that any competitively priced products will perform pretty much the same. The thing is however, AMD stops at around 200-250 bucks. The Intel powerhouses START there and go all the way past the 1000 bucks. Now, Intel can and certainly does inflate its prices past that point simply because they have no competitors in that segment, but those CPUs do have more power than whatever AMD can offer and if you go for the big hitters like Haswell-E, they will blow AMD CPUs out of the water in every way.

 

In short: If you just want to play games, AMD is just as good as Intel and cheaper. But if you're ready to spend more money, Intel is your only alternative. And since most tech snobs spend quite the money of their PCs, of course they are biased towards Intel.

[AshenSugar]

That makes perfect sense, and I'll also bear it in mind when buying my processor.

 

I won't impose on any more of your time, as you've done more than enough for me already.

 

Once again, thank you.