Question Computer/System Requirements

[Madmaxx]

I'm looking at possibly getting a new laptop or PC depending on what happens when I move to a new place soon. But what would be a good amount of Ram and graphics card etc to run games decently. I would like to try that Star Wars MMO and some Call of Duty without setting everything to the lowest settings etc.

 

[kirennia]

What is your budget would be the first question as generally, the more you've got to play about with, the better mate.

While I'm sure people don't mind you posting here, the guys here:

Techie Discussion - FreddysHouse

are brilliant for showing deals and giving advice for just this kind of thing.

 

[Madmaxx]

I have posted there already but got no replies, anyway I guess around £500-£800 as I've seen some decent stuff for around that price. Just wanted to make sure I don't get anything that sounds good but is actually crap in the long run. Atleast if I know what kind of things to look for I won't be screwed.

 

[old.Whoodoo]

More = better.

Intel I7 processor (or I5 if you are cheap)
>1GB ram GFX (I prefer Nvidea personally)
>4Gb system ram (BUT WIN7 is a must too as XP cant run it!)
Known make mobo, Asus, MSI etc etc.
>700w PSU
Decent processor cooling
>1TB HD (games are using more and more these days!)

Some ppl I know have used www.pcspecialist.co.uk to build a custom pre built and tested system rather than parts (nothing worse that getting 1 part that dont work and it taking 3 weeks to be returned and replaced!) if you are feeling lazy. They also do 0% 12 month finance (save the cash and pay it off at 11 months 30 days ).

 

[Overdriven]

More = better.

Intel I7 processor (or I5 if you are cheap)
>1GB ram GFX (I prefer Nvidea personally)
>4Gb system ram (BUT WIN7 is a must too as XP cant run it!)
Known make mobo, Asus, MSI etc etc.
>700w PSU
Decent processor cooling
>1TB HD (games are using more and more these days!)

I'm going to correct you on some things here. Even though you're right (Mind. Blown)

I5 Processors are a good mid range set of processors. Will run most games quite happily, of course the I7s are good. But if your budget is stupidly high (in this case, I5 is medium, I7 is high) wait for the I9s.. Beasts. I'd PERSONALLY suggest an I5/7 even though I think the new AMD 6/8 core machines are quite good.

IF you get 4gb RAM, make sure the ram frequencies are > 1000. If you got 4gb (e.g.) 800Mhz RAM and your friend had 3gb 1600, they'd have the advantage etc... DDR3 is deffo the wait to go, unless you can't really afford it. DDR2 is still cheap and (ish) viable for some non-newer games. Most want DDR3 etc.. - 64bit OS for >4gb ram.

>650w PSU (just to be annoying) need to take into consideration your screen, graphics etc

Cooling and HDD, 100% agree with. However, anything above 500gb (minimum) should do you goood.. Unless you want to start going into RAID

 

[Madmaxx]

Alright ty for the heads up, I wouldve just checked for Ram and Graphics Card before but I'll use those as a check list before I make my mind up on anything

 

[ileks]

Just don't get a laptop if you want to play games. Even on the lowest settings they are still shit imo.

 

[BloodOmen]

my 2 cents, don't splash out on a super expensive CPU because most of the high-end ones you don't even need it for games on the market atm and won't for a very very very long time (you're talking a good 4+ years), so much so that older cpu's like lower end i7's or even older cpu's like E8400-E8500 will still last you a good 3+ years (yes really) the rate they're bringing cpu's out games just don't keep up with it requirements wise meaning you can buy a "cheap" cpu and make it go a very long way while still maintaining amazing performance/price ratio.

Same with graphics cards pretty much.

best bet is to check benchmarks before you splash out on anything spending £300-350 on a cpu when you can get more or less equal performance from a £150-200 cpu is just madness.