Friend looking for new computer stuff, could use some advice

[rditto48801]

Hello BlindNero.

A friend has been talking about upgrading their computer (or rather buying prebuilt from a computer shop), and they have two basic setups in mind, and they wanted to know which would be better.
They are supposed to be for gaming.

There are 2 he was looking at. The main difference was the CPU, other stuff is the same.
CPU: Either an AMD Dual Core 3ghz, or an Intel Dual Core 3ghz.
RAM: 4GB DDR3 RAM (brand not known)
HDD: 320 GB SATA HDD (possibly Seagate)
MB: Gigabyte brand (no info given, just that it is the brand of MB used)
PSU: 'Energy Efficient' 300w (brand not known)
OS: WIndows 7 Premium 64 bit.

He said the AMD setup would cost him $475.94 and the Intel setup would cost him $518.34.

Audio and Video apparently onboard.

He would be using a Geforce 9500 GT 1GB and a Sound Blaster Audigy SE from his present PC.

Do either of those sound like a good deal?
Or would going for a custom built setup be more cost effective in the long run?

I know my three main concerns are that he knows little about specific details (e.g. exact MB type), the low PSU rating, and the fact it was built in a computer shop and labeled as being for gaming.

Edit:
Forget the Geforce 9500 question. I forgot that even my modest Radeon HD 4670 blows it away.

[Blín D'ñero]

Hey rditto, based on the 'energy efficient 300W PSU' line, both seem trash to me.
Apparently office PC's. So: small formfactor motherboards. So: forget about efficiency (chipset) needed for a more powerful (gaming-) machine. So: no base at all for putting a PCI-express videocard in. He would have to change PSU and motherboard. And as you say 9500GT he wanted to put in is not even a gaming card.

There is only ONE way to not waste money and get a good machine: build the PC yourself. People who are not able to, should then use a PC-Builders option offered by many shops, where the customer can select the components according to their wishes.

[rditto48801]

I got some extra info, and searched Newegg for info, and I think I got the right ones based on the info he gave.


The CPU.
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor BX80570E8400

And here is the MB.
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3LR LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
Upside is PCI-E 2.0 x16 slot , down side is DDR2 RAM.

With having a look at the specs now that my friend finally got the CPU and MB info, I am going to have agree that it seems poorly suited for gaming.

One thing I like about one of the PC shops I go to is you can go as far as to bring in all the parts and have them build the PC, in addition to the option of having the option of getting a custom built computer.

[Blín D'ñero]

Oh but that's not bad at all then. The CPU is a great dualcore for gaming, i have it in my second PC (my previous gaming PC). The motherboard based on popular budget chip P45 and with a single PCI-e slot, is fine. This is much better than i expected.

Still, he will need a good gaming card, and with that the 300W PSU is unsufficient garbage. So, add to the price let's say 150 for a videocard and 80 for a PSU. 575 + 230 = 805 dollars.

[rditto48801]

Okay, a few more basic questions.

Would it be better to see if he could get a MB with DDR3 RAM?
Or would the present one with DDR2 RAM be acceptable for a gaming PC?

What is a good baseline for PSU wattage/efficiency? At least 500w/70%? Any particular brand to get?

Although it seems the last 'friend needs video card' thread was in vain (he still has the same video card), any suggestions for a good Radeon based card he should try to get?

[Blín D'ñero]

Okay, a few more basic questions.

Would it be better to see if he could get a MB with DDR3 RAM?

Only if he is prepared to spend on a i5 or i7 (QUADcore).

Or would the present one with DDR2 RAM be acceptable for a gaming PC?

More than acceptable! But it depends on the total picture, motherboard alone doesn't do it. It also depends on the kind of games he plays. Is software Physx (by nVidia) involved in the game, then a E8400 dual core can be brought to is knees, while the i7 and i5 quadcores do not sweat at all.

What is a good baseline for PSU wattage/efficiency? At least 500w/70%? Any particular brand to get?

For a gaming PC i would say a 650 Watt, 85% efficiency rated PSU

Although it seems the last 'friend needs video card' thread was in vain (he still has the same video card), any suggestions for a good Radeon based card he should try to get?

Depends on budget: the sensible low budget gamer can get a 6870 for about 200: newegg radeon 6870 page

[rditto48801]

My friend tossed me a curve ball. He is now talking about a 'slightly used' PC built by someone he knows (an 'old school buddy' as he put it).

MB
ASUS Sabertooth 990FX AM3+ AMD 990FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard

CPU
AMD Athlon II X4 645 Propus 3.1GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor ADX645WFGMBOX

Video Card
VisionTek 900300 Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

RAM
Crucial Ballistix sport 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Desktop Memory Model BL3KIT25664BA1339

HDD
Western Digital 1 TB

PSU
Cooler Master 650w

OS
Windows 7 Premium 64 bit

Sound Card
Friend's present SB Audigy SE would be put in it.

Price is $508

Although I am not much for going used, he said his old school buddy barely used it, apparently because said buddy didn't like it as much as a previous gaming PC. He said he did see it 'in use', so it apparently does work. I am unsure what to even say about that other than being a little put off of buying used.

[Blín D'ñero]

That depends on the reason why it is being sold!
It is a modest, lower budget gamer PC nevertheless it is a gamer PC. The current owner might not be satisfied because he has higher expecations?

508 dollars, totally worth the money. For the complete list as you posted there.
If he buys it, he should replace the 5770 with a 6870 i expect he'll be more satisfied with today's games then.

Pity the CPU isn't a 965. this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819103727. He could always upgrade later...

[rditto48801]

I just found out my friend went for the 'slightly used' PC, for a total of $519. He says it's faster than the one he was using.

He says he will not upgrade for a while as most of the stuff is 'up to date' on it...
It seems he feels it is sufficient for his present needs.

[Blín D'ñero]

And that's what matters. I think it's a good deal.