Mid-range gaming rig advice needed

[Sketcz]

Surprised there's not a dedicated thread for everyone to ask about PC tech specs. Seems a likely common asking point.

Decided to plunge for a gaming rig since I'm not enticed by any next gen systems. I intend to hook it up to my 720p HD TV via HDMI and play games using an X360 controller. I want to play games like The Witcher 3 and Phantom Pain, and have it future proof for about 12 months. I also want to use it as a dedicated Wii emulation system, running Dolphin in hi-res (very important!). Might emulate other systems too, anything that won't run on an original Xbox.

Price limit is ?1000. Asked an indie PC to build me one and I checked it out today.

He installed:
Intel Core i5-2320 @ 3.30ghz
8gb RAM
420w power supply
GeForce GT 640 grfx card (4gb RAM)
Win7 Professional
1TB SSD

Cost so far: about ?650

I specially asked for Win7 Pro, since it supports Windows XP Mode, which I like. Except he didn't know about this, and when I checked it wasn't on there. I'm hoping it's something I can install myself. He said he installed a bootleg version on Win7 to save me money, but that it would update fine. Will this effect my ability to get XP Mode running on it? Will it cause problems down the line?

Anyway, tried to run The Witcher 3 on it in the store, and it ran like arse. Unplayably jerky, even on lowest settings. Checking the recommended specs, it seems I should upgrade the processor to an i7 3770?

What graphics card should I get, given my budget and intentions?

I've asked the power unit to be upgraded to 650, especially since I'm upgrading the graphics card.

tl;dr questions:
* Is the bootleg Win7 a problem? I'm nervous about that, and what it means for XP Mode.
* Is the i5 processor fine, or do I really need some extra grunt?
* The graphics card obviously needs upgrading. What should I get?

Any other thoughts? Is there something I'm not considering?

Cheers.

[speedlolita]

?650 for that crappy system is ridiculous.

There's no such thing as a bootleg copy of Windows 7 - it will merely have a way to trick the validation into thinking that you've put in a legit key.

You don't need a 650W power supply, but a 420W isn't going to cut it either. You can save money here by grabbing a non-modular power supply - but I would recommend that you at least get an 80 Plus bronze supply, although this tends to cover most of what is on the market these days.

That processor (CPU) is on the edge of what would be acceptable for Witcher 3, but what is really letting you down is the GPU. I'd at least want a GTX970 from a budget of ?1000.

This is the trouble going to an indie place, they'll rip you off. Not only that but they have to cover the cost of their establishment which is basically why you're paying extra. Do it yourself. A child could build a computer.

[Sketcz]

I should add, the HDD is a SSD at 1TB.

?650 for that crappy system is ridiculous.

This is the trouble going to an indie place, they'll rip you off. Not only that but they have to cover the cost of their establishment which is basically why you're paying extra. Do it yourself. A child could build a computer.

Thanks for the advice Speedlolita.

Sadly I have zero patience for updating drivers, or going to the trouble of making something function. Hence asking someone else to do it. I know what will happen. I'll buy the parts, swear profusely as I spend a day putting it together, and then say "**** this" once it comes to making everything work together, or there ends up being an inevitable error. You cannot imagine how much I detest messing about with this stuff. I have literally never updated my drivers for anything. The one time I updated my NDvidia graphics drivers, there was a conflict with my modem which stopped working. Took me ages to work out to roll them back, got everything functioning again, and I vowed never, ever, to update drivers again. I have enough trouble getting software to run. Installed DeamonTools for a virtual drive - it literally crashes to bluescreen every single time I unmount a drive. There's no tickbox for it to "stop being ****", so I just stopped using it. No - doing it myself can only end badly.

Can you recommend a good place in London to build it for me?

I got my laptop in Southampton for ?1000. They switched to a SSD and installed Win7 with XP Mode, but I don't feel like spending ?60 on trainfare to Soton to pick it up, then shlep all the way back.

[charlesr]

He's put a really old CPU in there.
4GB on a GFX card seems hopeless overspec. He should have spent money on a 2GB but more powerful card.
Bootleg windows should be ok as long as you buy a valid key for it. edit: just seen speedy's post.....

I would have thought you could get a full PC that would run games at 720p60 for about ?600 total. Is he reputable?

[Baseley09]

That spec for price is mental, as a laugh while watching an xmas build video today i priced up a UK equivalent and it came out at ?430

If you have a grand to spend you should be aiming at an i5 and at least a GTX 970 for gfx card. If your using a 720p screen you will completely rinse frame rates and could easily get away with the one I specced.

[speedlolita]

Yoyotech have a store in Tottenham Court Road - I'm sure they could sort you with a decent system for a grand.

http://www.yoyotech.co.uk/

Something like this maybe? http://www.yoyotech.co.uk/warbird-pr...-gaming-system

Far better value...

[charlesr]

http://www.novatech.co.uk/pc/range/novatechblacknti185.html

?950 including Win7Pro
Far exceeds what you need.

[speedlolita]

Lot of money for such a weak GPU though charles.

Getting a high end card now will future proof him for years down the line, especially at 720p.

Edit: Baseley's system is nice for the money.

[Sketcz]

Fantastic replies, guys. Much appreciated!

Is he reputable?

Quite a dodgy little shop, truth be told. Lots of 5 star reviews online though

[charlesr]

Lot of money for such a weak GPU though charles.

Yeah it was just the first ?1k system I clicked on. Anything was going to be better than what he has already

[Baseley09]

It's startling that a GFX card vendor ever put 4gb Ram on a GTX 640, quite incredible really.

[Sketcz]

The Novatech one lacks an optical drive, which is essential.
The Warbird ProGamer looks good, but is Win10.

Basely, what ste were you using to get those prices?

I reckon I'm just going to cancel my order from the indie. No money has changed hands yet, so it's fine.

[speedlolita]

It's startling that a GFX card vendor ever put 4gb Ram on a GTX 640, quite incredible really.

It isn't a new practise, though. You used to be able to get stuff like a GeForce 7300 with 512MB of RAM. Much like a GTX640 with 4GB of RAM, over half that RAM is never going to be addressed at all - especially not with the absolutely dreadful memory bus interface that lower end cards have.

Still, I was a little surprised to read that the GTX960 came with a 128bit interface.

[Baseley09]

The Novatech one lacks an optical drive, which is essential.
The Warbird ProGamer looks good, but is Win10.

Basely, what ste were you using to get those prices?

I reckon I'm just going to cancel my order from the indie. No money has changed hands yet, so it's fine.

That was from SCAN, very reputable I always buy from them, have this nice pre-built system inc optical drive.

http://www.scan.co.uk/3xs/configurator/custom-gaming-pc-uk-3xsgamer20i

[speedlolita]

That system is kinda imbalanced if you ask me... I paid less for my 16GB HyperX memory kit than they want for that 8GB Corsair one recently!