Please advise me on which computer I should buy (in terms of game-play).

[Student88]

I just wanted to know if you guys could tell me the difference between two computers I am looking at buying.

Memory:
1)12GB2 Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1600MHz
2)16GB2 Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1600MHz

Hard Drive:
1)2TB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive 6.0 Gb/s
2)2TB 7200RPM, SATA Hard Drive 6.0 Gb/s + 32GB SSD SRT Enhancement

Video Card:
1)NVIDIA GeForce GT 640 1GB GDDR5
2)AMD Radeon HD 7770 2GB GDDR5

Option 2 is about 300 dollars more than Option 1.

When I buy either computer, I want to be able to run current games like F1 2012 & Battlefield 3 & Civilization V & etc. And I also want to be able to 'future-proof' myself against newer games (because newer games increasingly demanding requirements of computers).

That being said, I'm not really a 'gamer' per say, although I play computer games. But that is why I am asking you guys I guess. Speaking from a gamer's perspective is there that much of a difference between the two machines that would get you to pay 300 dollars more than the cheaper machine (even though it is improved compared to the cheaper machine), even though they could play current games now.

I'm not sure if I'm completely clear.

[DavidY]

Can you post your full systems? $300 difference between systems seems high. One can buy a HD 7770 for around $125 or so.

HD 7770 is a good decent graphics card for gaming. It just a bit slower than the HD 6850 overall (HD 7770 seems faster on newer games, a bit slower on older games).

This link how the HD 7770 compares with other graphics cards for newer games like BF3, Skyrim, etc at different rezs (higher the fps the better....enthusiasts like 60+ fps...casual gamers probably are happy with 40-60 fps):

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ASUS/HD_7750/1.html

[mikeo007]

Are they the same CPUs? $300 seems like a lot for an upgrade from a 640 to a 7770.

If the CPUs are the same and if the cheaper one has a decent PSU, you're better off buying the cheap one and spending $300 on a nice GPU.

[Student88]

http://configure.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=dxps8500_f_3e&model_id=xps-8500&c=ca&l=en&s=dhs&cs=cadhs1

[balance]

ram upgrade isn't worth it 12 gb - four sticks 3 gb each, 16 gb - four sticks 4 gb each

you can get 16 gb 2 sticks 8 gb kingston for like 95
http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=70944&vpn=KHX1600C10D3B1K2%2F16G&manufacture=Kingston&promoid=1254

being dell they always populate the ram slots so when you upgrade you pretty much have to replace the ram -.-
12 gb is more than enough unless you plan to do VM. 1600mhz is a good speed but they're better ram out there

150 for the video card 7770 upgrade is not worth it both video card cost around 120-150

another thing to worry about is the PSU they give you usually like 300-500watt. cant sli/crossfire

have you thought about building your own? :/

[george__]

12B is overkill dude.
I can survive with 8GB and this is using mild VirtualBox (Windows XP) and playing video games.
High size hard drive have some issues with reliability so buy more than 1 and make sure you back it up often

imo, start building your own rig. That Dell will be useless if you want to upgrade in the future.

[DavidY]

http://configure.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=dxps8500_f_3e&model_id=xps-8500&c=ca&l=en&s=dhs&cs=cadhs1

The $300 difference is attributed to a $150 price increase for the HD 7770 (from GT 640) and a $150 price increase from 12 GB to 16 GB in memory. Both systems are overkill. An i7-3770 and 12-16 GB RAM are both over kill...unless you are running AutoCAD or a video editing application.

You can have a budget gaming PC built for $600-$800.

Here's an example of an i5-3450 based PC with entry-moderate gaming (no overclocking or multiple video cards; NO monitor either): http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/p/dmIx

Add another $80-$100 and you get a moderate plus gamer....get a HD 7850 and drop the HD 7770.

[george__]

@OP
Building a PC isn't HARD.

[Forhad]

If Option 2 is about 300 dollars more than Option 1 than buy the option 1.

[valinrace]

Buy option 1, option 2 is a bit overkill just for games and $300 is a lot of money too.

[DavidY]

Buy option 1, option 2 is a bit overkill just for games and $300 is a lot of money too.

GT 640 is pretty weak for gaming. It's not often included in many reviews for gaming. Basic gaming needs a HD 6670/7750...these might be fine for casual gaming. Anything more than casual gaming, you probably want a HD 7770 or HD 6850.

Dave

[spena]

ill take 8GB RAM with GTX570+/HD7850+ over 12GB RAM with GT 640/HD7770 any day. the former would most likely be cheaper

[game_fanatic]

If you're gunshy about building a PC outright (I know I am), get NCIX to build it for $50. With Dell systems, there's a very limited upgrade path for the future, and you're stuck with the 1-year system warranty. In a custom-built PC, you take advantage of the individual warranties of the components (most of which are three years), and you're also able to add components as the technology changes. For $899.99 plus tax, you can build quite a capable gaming machine!


ill take 8GB RAM with GTX570+/HD7850+ over 12GB RAM with GT 640/HD7770 any day. the former would most likely be cheaper

Hmm not really;

12GB ram-$75
HD7770-$130
Total=$205 (roughly, of course)

8GB ram-$40
7850/GTX570-$210
Total=$250 (again, roughly)

You'd be hard pressed to do the GTX570/7850 w/ 8GB of ram cheaper than an HD7770 w/ 12GB, but you'd have a much more balanced system.

[Student88]

Battlefield 3:
http://bf3blog.com/battlefield-3-system-requirements/

Civilization V: Gods and Kings
http://magixit.blogspot.ca/2012/02/sid-meiers-civilization-5-gods-kings.html

[mysticalinfluence]

GT 640 is pretty weak for gaming. It's not often included in many reviews for gaming. Basic gaming needs a HD 6670/7750...these might be fine for casual gaming. Anything more than casual gaming, you probably want a HD 7770 or HD 6850.

Dave

GT 640 is a rebanded GT 440 which is unless unless it's DDR5 version and your gaming at 1366 x 768.

[george__]

Sounds like this is a dell or something. If so..


Hard Drive:
1)2TB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive 6.0 Gb/s
2)2TB 7200RPM, SATA Hard Drive 6.0 Gb/s + 32GB SSD SRT Enhancement

^^ This might be the Seagate SSD hybird drives, don't bother. Get 1 and buy a true SSD


Video Card:
1)NVIDIA GeForce GT 640 1GB GDDR5
2)AMD Radeon HD 7770 2GB GDDR5
^^ I say buy 1 and get a GPUself by yourself later, they are probably charging you up the arse for 2

Same with ram, probably getting over-charged and honestly 8GB more than enough for gaming