Mid-range - Gaming PC [Archive]

Stu

02-04-2013, 11:49 AM

Hi All,

a mate of mine is looking to get back into Gaming and thus requires a PC to do so.

Being cost sensitive is also a key factor.

Looking at a build up PC that falls in the mid-range so +/- 2 to 3 years shelf life.

What would the uber techies of our glorious clan suggest?

RussianElite.

02-04-2013, 12:07 PM

Hey Stubagszor, I recommend you give the budget amount to get a better picture?

BadA$$jack

02-04-2013, 01:55 PM

Stu

02-04-2013, 02:06 PM

Price range between ZAR 5000.00 spaced over 5 months, only hardware required all else is provided.

NoMaD

02-04-2013, 02:18 PM

sho, from my experience, the shelf life is determined by the graphics card, and one that will last 3 years will generally cost you 4k... I was lucky with my pc in the sense that i only needed to relace my cpu, mobo and ram... which cost 4,2k... if i had had to buy a new gfx card it would have gone to 9k... in my honest opinion you would be looking at a 9k budget for a midrange gaming pc... 5k you will be looking at low budget that wouldnt last long... just my 2c

pmurgs

02-04-2013, 02:47 PM

Price range between ZAR 5000.00 spaced over 5 months, only hardware required all else is provided.

Thats an entry level pc, no where near midrange. Will only play current games on lower settings, future games it will struggle with.

For R5000, you would be better off buying second hand stuff from the carbonite forums than new.

RussianElite.

02-04-2013, 02:57 PM

^^ This though there are 7870 AMD Cards (awesome card btw) going for in the 3K right now. You could probably if your luck get away with 7.5K for a decent Mid range PC

Hubris

02-04-2013, 06:54 PM

Yup, I'm afraid the upper scale of high end PC is REALLY high. So mid range is really around 10k depending on what and where you put the cost emphasis. In my experience, you can get away with a crappy monitor, keyboard, mouse, case and sound options pretty easily. What you really need is a) a solid PSU, mobo, ram, cpu combo ; b) a good GPU and c) the fancy peripherals when you can afford them.

It depends what he intends to play though, but if it's online multiplayer anything you really can't get good performance on anything less than 10k and that's just barely meeting the 2-3 year shelf life. My advice is take a long term view on it, see what you can scrounge from your old PC, friends or the second hand market. If you can get the core right you can up the performance as it is affordable and necessary for eye sex.

Stu

03-04-2013, 11:34 AM

Seem's I've been out of touch for quite some time! Well I've discussed and I'll assist my mate were necessary, might look at second hand MB components and save the big spend on the GPU! seems that his is one of the more important factors in a mid range build. Will keep you all posted and asking more questions as we go along.

thanks for the suggestions all! keep em coming

Stu

03-04-2013, 02:10 PM

Mobo - Idea

MSI Z77A-G43 LGA 1155 ATX Intel Z77 Desktop Motherboard
http://www.wootware.co.za/msi-z77a-g43-lga-1155-atx-intel-z77-desktop-motherboard.html

KakHard

03-04-2013, 02:34 PM

if i had had to buy a new gfx card it would have gone to 9k... in my honest opinion you would be looking at a 9k budget for a midrange gaming pc... Fok, my GPU was more than that. :P
But then again...it should last 2-3 years hopefully.

BadA$$jack

03-04-2013, 02:47 PM

Fok, my GPU was more than that. :P
But then again...it should last 2-3 years hopefully.

Ons almal is nou nie so loaded soos jy nie eier !!!

s3xy_j0nny

03-04-2013, 02:57 PM

EDIT: Sry, the boss beat you to it - pc is gonez0rs.

SlipperyDuck

03-04-2013, 03:42 PM

http://www.grrr.co.za/images/hBE0C9AD9.jpg

KakHard

03-04-2013, 04:41 PM

Ons almal is nou nie so loaded soos jy nie eier !!!
Ek hou net my uitgawes laag. :P

Stu

20-05-2013, 10:54 AM

Just for a revive on the subject.

http://mygaming.co.za/news/hardware/54137-mid-range-gaming-pc-high-performance-without-breaking-the-bank.html

What you uber techies think of the article and system the guy built?

Paul

22-05-2013, 08:00 AM

I didn't want to start a new thread but I got some cash for my birthday (suprisingly people didn't get me socks or crap I didn't want but just gave me money)

I only want to upgrade my PC after BF4 comes out and only if it can't handle it but in the meantime I want a new screen. Can some one recommend a good screen, can't be more than R3000 and even that is pushing it.

I have been looking at this one

http://www.samsung.com/africa_en/consumer/pc-peripherals-printer/monitors/led/LS24B370HS/XA

The resolution can't be too high so that my GFX can handle it

NoMaD

22-05-2013, 08:54 AM

http://www.takealot.com/computers/monitors-portable-projectors/samsung-s24b370hs-24-inch-led-monitor,12803921

Phatso

22-05-2013, 09:16 AM

Can vouch for Samsung like everyone else. Get a 1920x1080 LED from them and you won't get another screen ever really.

Paul

22-05-2013, 09:20 AM

My current screen is a Samsung 22" LCD is is about 5 years old and has served me well, that is why I am looking at this monitor. Thing that concerns me is the contrast is only 1000:1

TygerBS

22-05-2013, 09:42 AM

There are better smasung screens then that one paul, for less than 3k.

J_Th4ng

22-05-2013, 10:11 AM

That monitor (S24B370H) is available from Frontosa for about R2350 incl. VAT.

Not many other Samsung monitors on their stock list at 24", they do have this one: http://www.samsung.com/africa_en/consumer/pc-peripherals-printer/monitors/lcd-monitor/LC24B550US/XA for R3019.86

The thing with that other option though is that you're paying extra for a USB hub on the monitor base. It's a nice idea, but dunno if it's something that you'd want to pay extra for. Has a nice 5000:1 contrast ratio though.

Paul

22-05-2013, 10:16 AM

Cool, it doesn't have to be a Samsung, that is just my point of reference so if you guys think a Dell, Acer, HP etc have better monitors then you can also recommend those.

I don't need more USB inputs though, I have tones, on my keyboard, back of PC, front of PC. I have like 10 or 12 and only use about 6 of them at anyone time

J_Th4ng

22-05-2013, 01:08 PM

Okay, two other 24" options for you:

http://www.asus.com/Monitors_Projectors/ML248H/ Goes for R2533.08 incl.

http://www.lg.com/us/monitors/lg-E2442V-BN-led-monitor goes for R2259.48 incl.

I too am a big fan of Samsung, so can't speak for either of these monitors. The ASUS one looks pretty nice though.

Skouperd

22-05-2013, 01:13 PM

Jarrod, I've also been on the lookout for a new monitor for some time but it seems like Frontosa is really struggling with any monitor in excess of 24". (I currently have the 26") and given that there is not much wrong with it, I will wait a bit longer. But Paul, my question is really this, do you actually need another monitor or is it just nice to have a new monitor? (nothing wrong with either, just curious).

Basically, I suppose my question is what do you want to use the monitor for? If you are into photography for instance, then you really need something slightly more expensive than the normal "consumer" models given the quality of colours etc. If you are in it just for the games, then yeah, most models will suffice.

Also, the other thing you need to just look at is the type of connectivity you require on the monitor. Most people assume DVI will be there, but be careful, that is not always standard.

Paul

22-05-2013, 01:19 PM

Good question Skoup, basically it is for Gaming and gaming only. Like I said my current monitor is 5 years old, it still works but it is starting to loose its "sharpness" and contrast, also it doesn't have an HDMI input so I am running this "fancy" 570GTX superclock with Full HD capibility through the normal "anologue" input.

So if I didn't get a new screen now that would be fine but I got this (extra) money so I thought why not spoil myself with something nice :)

Skouperd

22-05-2013, 01:56 PM

I got this (extra) money so I thought why not spoil myself with something nice :)

you know what will be really nice Paul... if you deposit said funds into the GRRR Slush fund and then we can all have a party on your behalf... ;-)

Seriously, you use ANALOGUE? WTF? Surely you mean you use DVI?

Paul

22-05-2013, 02:03 PM

Ja I mean DVI but it is not HD

Phatso

22-05-2013, 02:57 PM

flycatchr

22-05-2013, 03:24 PM

Paul - you said it doesnt have to be samsung:

phillips 24" 2ms LED R1599 ex vat. model number - 247E3LHMSU
www.pcint.co.za (http://www.pcint.co.za)

edit - click on "components" and half way down they have the monitors - sales man said 2ms - but i see on website it is a 5ms.

edit #2 - http://www.philips.co.za/c/pc-monitor/e-line-23.6-inch-59.9-cm-247e3lhsu_00/prd/;jsessionid=CCAF1A768DD4A1754223A41C60606751.app10 1-drp4?t=specifications

J_Th4ng

22-05-2013, 03:34 PM

Not to derail but regarding cabling, I actually want to know if it makes a difference at all?

The cable between my GFX card to screen is DVI (GFX card port) to HDMI (screen port).
Do I REALLY need to go and buy an overpriced HDMI cable and will the difference most certainly be noticeable?

I guess for breakdown purposes, what is the difference between:

DVI to DVI
DVI to HDMI
HDMI to HDMI

They are both digital connections, so there should be no difference between HDMI and DVI.The only issue is Bandwidth, an HDMI cable doesn't necessarily have as much BW as DVI. However, for any resolution up to 1080p (60Hz), HDMI will give you a perfect picture. HDMI 1.4 supports 120Hz 1080p, and is needed for 3D or faster refresh rates than 60Hz. Most modern monitors should have HDMI 1.4 support.

Skouperd

22-05-2013, 04:48 PM

Not to derail but regarding cabling, I actually want to know if it makes a difference at all?

The cable between my GFX card to screen is DVI (GFX card port) to HDMI (screen port).
Do I REALLY need to go and buy an overpriced HDMI cable and will the difference most certainly be noticeable?

I guess for breakdown purposes, what is the difference between:

DVI to DVI
DVI to HDMI
HDMI to HDMI

Phatso, no it doesn't. Anybody that tells me they can distinguish between an overpriced HDMI cable and a normal DVI cable is talking crap. (I am not talking a damaged DVI cable, I am talking a normal DVI cable).

Read the below article for more information
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/32524/whats-the-difference-between-hdmi-and-dvi-which-is-better/

Unless you use some really, and I mean REALLY!, dodgy components between your graphics card's output and your monitor, you will not see the difference.

TygerBS

22-05-2013, 05:12 PM

The major difference is that hdmi allows devices to communicate their settings naively to each othere. Ie resolution.
It also allows for content protection.

Skouperd

23-05-2013, 09:01 AM

It also allows for content protection.

Another reason why I will not support it. Not because I am in favour of piracy, but because the way that the guys are trying to protect IP is not the right way. I like the iTunes model, all my music is bought on their and paid for. However, there is still no easy way to obtain digital content in South Africa at a reasonable price.

When we start talking just DRM and all those things, then I am starting to have serious issues with it. I for instance don't like CD's/DVD's and though all my games are legal, I would rip the DVD/CD the very first day and then just launch the install files etc from that. Instead of spending so much money on trying to "protect" the digital content, rather spend that money on making the game more enjoyable / fun / great / less patchy, and people will pay for the game. Reality is that if you price your product at such a point that people believe they get good value for money, then they will be buying the game.

Suppose the question is, do yuo believe most people will do the right thing, or do you believe they will all do the wrong thing unless policed. As such, I am not a big fan of HDMI cables, but that is just me.

Megageth

23-05-2013, 01:20 PM

+1. Nicely worded. People who can afford to do the right thing, I believe will. When I was poorer, a large percentage of my games were cracked. Now that I can afford to pay for games, I do. DRM should follow the model, poorer people who crack their products will be more likely to pay for sequels/originals if they have expendable income later and will contribute to verbal marketing in the meantime.

Skouperd

23-05-2013, 01:42 PM

I have no problem to "test" a pirated game at a LAN party for instance, but if I like the game and I will be playing the game again afterwards then I will go out of my way to find a legal copy and buy it. If I don't like the game, I will uninstall it immediately. A clasical example is Borderlands which was played at RAGE. I had no problem to play it there in multiplayer mode and test it out, but I did not enjoy the game enough to buy it and removed it from my PC as soon as the LAN was finished.

Bottom line, anything that promotes DRM does not get my stamp of approval and as such, HDMI is one of them.

Paul

23-05-2013, 01:58 PM

There is some research (don't know how valid) that says people who pirate music/games/etc spend more money on these items than people who don't pirate at all

So you have 20 games, 15 are pirated and 5 are bought where as some one who doesn't pirate at all will have 1 or 2 games. So even though you have a large percentage of pirated games you have contributed more to the industry as a whole than some one who does.

I think these type of people would be the Skoups of the world i.e. Try then buy

Megageth

23-05-2013, 02:36 PM

And then we have Stu.

Paul

24-05-2013, 08:26 AM

Sorry just back onto the screen, I want to make sure that my thinking is correct, the size of the screen won't affect my GFX ability to produce high frame rates, it is the resolution?

So if the res is 1920 x 1080 I will get the same fps whether the screen is 23", 24", 27"?