General/light gaming PC needed

[cramman]

Hi.


I’m looking for a general, do it all PC. I need something for general work, word, excel and some light hydraulic modelling but want something capable of light gaming and video (go pro) editing. I’m not a heavy gamer, just want something that can run the likes of CSGO, Arma and DayZ at a reasonable rate, i.e. usable.

I’m then thinking I can use a steam link to connect to the TV in the lounge for light gaming but the PC can live in the study for working etc. I’d also like to use the machine as a bit of a server with remote access from a tablet/smart phone for picture and videos.

I originally wanted a laptop, but I think I’ll always use it in the study if doing anything I can’t do on the tablet, i.e. internet etc.

I’ve never built a machine myself and I have no idea how hard that is, but willing to try if it’s not too difficult.

Can anyone give me any pointers as to where I should be looking and recommended parts/full builds?

Ideally I’d like to keep the cost below £600 but I’m not sure what that will get me. I’ll be needing a monitor as well, so that should be factored in. Currently I have two old Dell square screens so I’m not sure that will cut it.

Cheers

Cramman

[bighop]

Do you needs Windows, mouse, keyboard etc?

[cramman]

bighop said:

Do you needs Windows, mouse, keyboard etc?

Yes, yes and yes. Although I think I can get Word/Excel etc through work, not sure if that includes windows.

[bighop]

I would go for something along these lines:

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/rDnkXH

Grab a mouse and keyboard locally. Windows 8 as it was half the price and it can still be upgraded free atm: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=how+to+get+Windo...

Edited by bighop on Tuesday 23 August 14:33

[cramman]

bighop said:

I would go for something along these lines:

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/rDnkXH

Grab a mouse and keyboard locally. Windows 8 as it was half the price and it can still be upgraded free atm: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=how+to+get+Windo...

Edited by bighop on Tuesday 23 August 14:33

Thanks. I'll take a look.

[gr1340]

cramman said:

Thanks. I'll take a look.

That is virtually the same specs I built recently albeit with an nvidia 950 card, ssd and 16gb ram.

It flies with standard office apps and ie/chrome.

It also runs f1 2015 and the latest doom game in 1080p with settings maxed at 60 fps which is fine for me.

[bighop]

Yea, I'd dig a little deeper into your wallet for SSD for at least your operating system.

[Thorburn]

gr1340 said:

It also runs f1 2015 and the latest doom game in 1080p with settings maxed at 60 fps which is fine for me.

Doom at 1080p, max detail on a 2GB card? Bullst it does.

To be honest I'd buy a pre-built system and then add in a RX 460 or similar - much cheaper than building your own from scratch.

[cramman]

Thorburn said:

Doom at 1080p, max detail on a 2GB card? Bullst it does.

To be honest I'd buy a pre-built system and then add in a RX 460 or similar - much cheaper than building your own from scratch.

Any suggestions? I know nothing about specs etc. It's why I've not done this sooner.

[Thorburn]

cramman said:

Any suggestions? I know nothing about specs etc. It's why I've not done this sooner.

One of these: http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/hp-280-g2-intel-cor...
Then drop in one of these: http://amzn.to/2bzhGNt

Cheaper, higher spec (i5 vs. i3) and just have to install one card rather than building the whole thing yourself. PSU should cope with the GPU, but even if you needed to swap that out it would still be cheaper.

[bighop]

That's not a bad shout actually. I would definitely replace the PSU and get a SDD and put a fresh install of Windows on it to rid yourself of the HP crap though.

[Thorburn]

bighop said:

That's not a bad shout actually. I would definitely replace the PSU and get a SDD and put a fresh install of Windows on it to rid yourself of the HP crap though.

Agreed.

[gr1340]

Thorburn said:

Doom at 1080p, max detail on a 2GB card? Bullst it does.

Having just reinstalled the demo I did get it slightly wrong as it appears I had custom settings so apologies for that.

With everything on ultra and resolution at 1080p I get between 37 and 51 fps.

Tesco is closed so will have to make do with Ambrosia custard (which I'm looking forward to trying).

https://youtu.be/yZOmJ5YoU48

[Thorburn]

gr1340 said:

Having just reinstalled the demo I did get it slightly wrong as it appears I had custom settings so apologies for that.

With everything on ultra and resolution at 1080p I get between 37 and 51 fps.

Tesco is closed so will have to make do with Ambrosia custard (which I'm looking forward to trying).

https://youtu.be/yZOmJ5YoU48

So technically, I was correct - the best kind of correct.

Well played with the custard though.

[gr1340]

Thorburn said:

So technically, I was correct - the best kind of correct.

Well played with the custard though.