New Desktop questions

[Malc]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a new desktop PC for the family, so it doesn't have to be anything special.

I need some tips on where to buy from, is PC Specialist a good retailer to buy ordinary PC's from, or can you get them cheaper elsewhere (not looking to build it myself though)?

Also, (not caring about PC gaming) would an integrated graphics card suffice for any internet browsing/video watching needs, as that's mostly related to processor speeds right?

Is it possible to upgrade an integrated graphics card in the future, or is it integrated for a reason?

[Baseley09]

Integrated graphics is fine for internet video, infact AMD are offering a line of CPU's now with inbuilt GPUs that can handle modern games, on low settings at least.

Yes you can install a graphics card later should you wish, though be sure that the PSU is over 400w and the case is not low profile/small form factor.

Do you have a budget, low end could come in not much more than ?300 to suit your needs.....without a screen at least.

[eastyy]

i have never been a fan of integrated graphics though i play games on the pc but i think better graphics cards do help with watching videos and the general running of windows 7

think the newer amd llano and intel i3 i5 and 17 series have built in graphics on the actual cpu which are a fair bit better then the usual intergrated graphics cards

most desktop pcs should have a pci express slot vacant and can select via bios to go from intergrated or pci express slot but i think there are some desk top pcs where upgrading is very limitied ( i think the intel atom computers where nothing can really be added to them)

[eastyy]

oh would anyone play any games on it at all ?

[Malc]

My budget is probably around ?400. I've been going to PC Specialist under the lowest budget option here and just bumped up the processor to an Intel i3 3.10Ghz dual core, 4GB RAM, and then the graphics card is the last factor I can't decide on.

I say I don't want it for games, but I will obviously perform the usual 'download all my steam games and see how they run' test. Maybe if I splashed a little bit extra on a 1GB nVidia Geforce GT 430 it will give me a little bit of oomph to play Source games/TF2?

I've already got a monitor, mouse keyboard etc. So don't need any of that.

I can tell this is going to spiral out of control and on monday i'll be ordering an uber expensive PC for no genuine reason.

[Malc]

Oh, another important question, is AMD better to go for than Intel for processors? They seem cheaper at least.

[charlesr]

I like www.novatech.co.uk

But they are just down the road from me.

[eastyy]

i have been researching upgrades for ages at the moment i have a phenom II x4 with a 460 nvidia card and to be honest after looking at the newer intel range and newer graphics cards nothing really gives a huge performance increase without spending serious money dont think you can go wrong either way with intel or amd processors if you go for the intel i3 would say just try it as is and perhaps spend money later for a graphics card if you need it

[Baseley09]

IMO the GT 430 will mince along, spend ?80 on a graphics card i.e. 5770 and you will be mid range gaming, mainly on high settings bar the machine aids games like Crysis/Metro etc.

That said, 430 should be fine for TF2.

[Malc]

Ok, So i've got:

Processor: AMD athlon II X2 260 (3.20GHz/2MB Cache/AM3)
4GB RAM

If I stick with ordering an integrated graphics accelerator for now. As they've only got the AMD 6770 graphics card, which i've read is exactly the same power as the previous 5770, which I may be able to find elsewhere later on for cheaper. Presumably the motherboard will be able to support it later on as the website wouldn't have it as a graphics card option otherwise.

All in it's only ?339, much cheaper with the AMD processor over the intel.

[Baseley09]

Do you need Windows 7? I know It may be nice to have it officially but....but, ?79.

[Malc]

True, but I don't know how much I trust Linux.

How easy would it be to install an operating system on a PC which doesn't have anything on boot up (i've never done any of this before)?

[eastyy]

how much extra for a phenom II ?

[Malc]

how much extra for a phenom II ?

?20 extra.

[abigsmurf]

The Intels are much much faster than the AMDs but.. If you are limited in budget, splash out on the graphics card rather than the CPU. The gfx card is more of a bottleneck than the CPU is ever likely to be.

If you're going to buy a graphics card later on: check the PSU!

For a mid range card like a 5770, you'll want a 450W PSU if it's unbranded, if you ever plan on going above that, 500W. Swapping a PSU aftermarket is pricy and a pain in the arse.

Installing an OS yourself is incredibly easy, put the CD in, turn the PC on, then it's a step by step process. The only thing you'll need to do that isn't done for you is get the latest gfx card drivers.

I wouldn't be tempted with Linux for a family + gaming PC too much software won't work and everyone else won't be familiar with it. Also , if you're going for a *cough* 'budget' *cough* windows install option, be warned you'll potentially be playing cat and mouse with the Microsoft nagware.