PC build to run the likes of L4D2 decently?

[hudson]

Just got L4D2 and I have to run it in speccy gfx mode on my laptop. Thinking of picking up a desktop again. I really fancy one of them mini atx cases with the base essentials to run some games... decently though.

Anyone got any PC build recommendations? The more complete and cheaper the better please as I'm so out of touch with what's the latest models.

Cheers.

[Matt]

Look at previous posts I've made man, HTPCs have been covered pretty well. Start with a Silverstone SUGO SG-02 case, that takes mini-ATX boards and can fit a full size GFX card (so long as it's not a really long card like the old 8800GTXs, and I suspect most dual GPU cards).

My silver SUGO looks lovely under the TV

[Matt]

Oh, and when you're up in PC land, give me a Steam friend request and if I've not picked up L4D2 cheap on the 360 by then, I'll grab it off Steam and join you

But only if you call me Boss in game

[hudson]

Thanks. Sorry, but you got a link to your thread?

Oh and I'll add you to my Steam later on. I go on, but in 80x60 res lol.

[Matt]

LOL.

I'll see if I can find any HTPC threads. I stopped posting in them a while back as they kept cropping up weekly. But needed to jump in to the one, because it's you

[Matt]

Yet I can't find any of the detailed posts I made about this subject. I'm sure it was on this forum

How much money are you looking at spending? And what titles most interest you?

I'd skip the i7 processors right now, still expensive with a matching board. I've not looked recently, but not sure what the mini-atx i7 boards are like right now (do they even exist?). I'd go for an Intel Quad Core, get a pretty good mobo and RAM and you can overclock the Quad up a few models, saving money.

Graphics, I think the last gen ATi offer the best value - maybe a 4850 or 4870. The 5 series seem expensive for a small increase, with no Dx11 games out they're pointless. By the time you need a DX11 card, you'll spend half the current 5-series price for something twice as fast.

Get 4 to 8 gigs of RAM and a decent PSU.

Not much help really am I

[hudson]

Well I don't know how much it cost to play with decent quality. Ideally no more that 300 quid lol. Cheaper if possible.

[Matt]

L4D2 won't be that demanding.

Have you any items to start with??

[briareos_kerensky]

If budget is a problem, I'd go for an AMD platform, although less performing the CPU/motherboard combo will be cheaper than most of Intel's offerings. A Phenom II X3, 4gbs of DDR2, a 320gb HDD and a 4850 with a 450w branded PSU should be more than enough to run L4D2...can't detail on prices as I come from Euroland :P

[hudson]

Yeah I want the cheap. This system will probablt be only used to play some MP games with friends. Not my main gaming platform. I have nothing to start with at all. It terms of a display I have a HDTV, but I don't mind picking up some like a decent 17/19" or something.

[Matt]

Agree 100%

[hudson]

Agree 100%

With me or brother Kerensky?

[Matt]

When have we ever agreed?

[hudson]

hehe. Where's the best place to shop online for components?

[Matt]

I favour Scan. I think they do free postage for AV Forums members?? Their Today Only tends to be pretty favourable.

I think £300 is going to be tough but doable, well maybe just over I hope you have an OS otherwise you're out of luck