Computer Advice Again

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  • Computer Advice Again

    Suitable Setup for Mid-Level Gaming? 4
    1.  
      No (3) 75%
    2.  
      Don't Know (1) 25%
    3.  
      Yes (0) 0%
    4.  
      Other (Comment) (0) 0%
    Some of you may have seen my thread posting about an Asus brand Desktop a couple of weeks ago with me asking if it could handle mid-level gaming. Well, I looked a bit more into it and looked up UMA graphics and found out that those are not exactly fantastic. So I decided today to go browsing on BestBuy's website again for good deals on desktop towers and found a couple interesting systems that could be had for $350 or less.

    So, I'd like to ask an opinion on a refurbished model now. I feel that I more or less understand the specs, but would like input from others who have used similar setups in the past. Keep in mind, I'm not asking for a computer that is going to run brand new games on the Ultra graphics or anything. For me, as long as the game runs smoothly - especially with an additional process such as Fraps or Camtasia Recorder in the background - I'm perfectly happy with the lowest graphic settings.

    First off, I want to ask if anyone has had previous experiences with refurbished models from BestBuy's website. Being a large and well-reputed company, I'd assume refurbished products bought from them are fairly safe, but it's always nice to have a second opinion or more.

    Next off, here are the important specs for the refurbished model (I can post full specs if needed or simple link to the page itself):

    Processor: AMD Athelon II X4 (Quad Core) @ 3.10GHz
    System Bus: Up to 4.0 GT/Sec
    Cache Memory: 2 MB
    System Memory (RAM): 6 GB (DDR3 SDRAM) (Expandable to 16GB)
    Hard Drive: 1TB SATA (7200rpm)
    Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 4200
    Video Memory: Up to 2943 total available (Allocated by Windows 7 - This part I don't quite get)
    Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit with SP1

    Has both the standard wired network capabilities, as well as built-in wireless capabilities. Also comes with an mouse and keyboard and I'll hopefully be able to use my old CRT monitor, seeing as you can't find new ones and the LCD monitors are expensive nowadays.

    Anyways, any input or red flags on this setup? The processor being quad core and decent speed attract me, as well as the nice amount of cache and system memory. However, I'm a bit sketchy on the Graphics card/chip and the video memory and whether or not it'll work for what I'd like, which is basically stuff like Amnesia, Skyrim, Dragon Age, and similar (On at least LOW graphics settings).

    EDIT: Please note that parts are not replaceable as they are premade models selected from a limited number of choices due to budget. Also, as I do not trust myself or know anyone who could put a computer together for me - not to mention I would have to ALSO purchase a copy of Windows - building my own is also out the window.

    The post was edited 1 time, last by BijutsuYoukai ().

  • You can already forget using an AMD Processor.
    They are pure shit.
    Get a Intel® Core i5-3570 Processor (4 cores and can be clocked to 3.8GHz if needed)

    The ram is perfect, i dont think you need more than 6GB, but you have possibilities to upgrade and thats good.

    For a better harddrive, i recommend:
    Western Digital VelociRaptor® 1TB, 10000RPM

    Graphic card: Not more than 1GB is needed as memory, but make sure it haves a good fan.

  • Br00tal wrote:

    You can already forget using an AMD Processor.
    They are pure shit.

    Previous PC I had was AMD , worked like a charm.
    Current PC has Intel , fucks up everything (conflicting cores).

    Seems legit , you can't actually say which one is better , since AMD is overall cheaper then Intel and allows much power for a not so high price although Intel is quite better , if you want to pay the price. Also the specs she posted are decent and I'm sure she can run the majority of the games with or without fraps , and if she has speed problems , just lower the game settings , easy as that.



    The post was edited 2 times, last by PPP | FlameX ().

  • Out of experience, Intel cores and AMD cores cause the same amount of problems as each other if your only using them to run simple applications. As soon as you get to try to overclock or overwork any of them the AMD processor will be the first one to burst into flames. I've had 3 AMD Athlon's and only 1 Intel celeron in the last 10 years... so meh. it may be luck or maybe its just that my celeron has only 1 core. But i also have a dual core lappy (my gramps) which has no problems.


    Edit: I dunno if this matters or not, but i bought a used intel chip xD

    Click the pic if you don't understand.

  • ShatteredSoul wrote:

    Out of experience, Intel cores and AMD cores cause the same amount of problems as each other if your only using them to run simple applications. As soon as you get to try to overclock or overwork any of them the AMD processor will be the first one to burst into flames. I've had 3 AMD Athlon's and only 1 Intel celeron in the last 10 years... so meh. it may be luck or maybe its just that my celeron has only 1 core. But i also have a dual core lappy (my gramps) which has no problems

    are games considered as simple applications then? wow... ._.



  • When it comes to the power / money ration, AMD has Intel beat. Power wise, Intel cranks alot over AMD. Intel has ALOT more memory cache than AMD. No arguments whatsoever.


    The point is, work within your budget. I myself currently have an AMD 965 3.4 quad core black edition and it has run fine for me for quite some time. I got it because it WAS CHEAP! I was pressed to grab an Intel because it's what I grew up with and I know they are good. I was just dirt poor at the time. :P

    You seem to have a decent setup and the 1 gig of memory being enough is true except on alot of open world games like the Elder Scrolls series, fallout series, stuff like that as they are memory hogs.

    But as to what was said, if you are having any lagging and what not, drop a few notches in the settings.

    I am not sure this helped at all.

    I have purchased a computer from Bestbuy before and it never failed yet.

    The video card doesn't look bad and you can always upgrade the card if it fits within your power needs and your PCI slot, not to mention card length.

    Didn't the GTX 640 come out recently? It's a tiny card with a fairly decent amount of kick. Try looking it up, it shouldn't need any external power additions via 6pin or 8 pin connectors. It might help.

    I hope I helped a little bit!

  • Well AMD was good. It's not pure shit especially if you have a tight budget. Don't get me wrong, they suck IF YOU HAVE THE MONEY. Anyways, AMD Phenom II is still good to go. Amd Athlon II is a no no though.

    You can get i3-2100 + H61m mobo + Sapphire 7770Ghz edition.

    $350

    CPU: i3-2100 $110 newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115078
    Motherboard: Asrock H61m U3S3 $60
    HDD: WDC Blue 500GB SATA III $75 newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769
    RAM: Gskill Value 4GB DDR3 1333 $20 newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231423
    PSU: Seasonic M12II 520w 80+ Bronze $60 newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151093
    GPU: Sapphire 7770 GHZ edition Vapor X $150 newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102993
    Case: Cougar Solution $40 newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811553003

    $515

    this is the best that I could give to you.:/

    or try to downgrade PSU to:

    PSU: RAIDMAX HYBRID 2 RX-530SS 530W $40
    newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152028

    and GPU to:

    HIS iCooler H775F1GD Radeon HD 7750 $100 newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161403

    $445

    That $70 may or may justify the difference.

    Review for:
    HIS iCooler 7750 techpowerup.com/reviews/HIS/HD_7750_iCooler/
    Sapphire 7770 Vapor X techpowerup.com/reviews/Sapphire/HD_7770_Vapor-X/