Graphic's card advice

[Bob'sMum]

Hi everyone, I'm new here. I'm not sure if I've come to the right place, but you guys certainly seem to know what you're talking about! :)

I have a 12yr old Son who is a massive gamer. His main console is XBox Live, he plays RPG games, such as Two Worlds.

He has asked for a new Desktop PC for Christmas. He needs one for school, but being a gamer I'm sure he will use it for this purpose also.

I have no idea what specifications a desktop requires for gaming. I presume it will need a good graphics card, and plenty of RAM?? If anyone could suggest more specific requirements, eg, minium graphics card speed, I would really apreciate it. I really don't know where to start, and I'm reluctant to go shopping until I know exactly what I need to buy!

I really don't have time to look into building one myeslf/getting someone to do this for us.

He has a wireless connection available, so broadband is not an issue.

If anyone can suggest any 'deals' that are out there at the moment, that would be extremely helpful too!

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Bob's Mum

[talentz]

Yuk your really Bobs mum anyways why don't you try searching on amazon or any online deals.

[Shooting Palanx]

Assuming you're buying this computer online, then your best bet is going here:

AMAZON (http://www.amazon.com/)

or here EBAY (www.ebay.com)

Both websites help, there really isn't minimum requirement or anything that you would normally have to worry about.

I would say that the mimimum these days for RAM would have to be 1GB or so.....
HardDrive is also important, so 120GB is also required minimum, you did say your son plays games on it.

Also a fast processor would be nice, but not really necessary. A 2.5GHZ or higher would be ok.

Not too sure about the Graphics Card, but a Radeon branded one, would be a good one to look for.

Remember big numbers=Good Computer

Depends how much you're willing to pay though.

[talentz]

I bet you she won't come back!!! lol she's gone.

[Bob'sMum]

I had to make tea and sort out the washing.
Thanks for your replies. Obviously I am familiar with Amazon & eBay.
Shooting Palanx, I have noted your recommendations. Yes, although the PC will be used to run Office programmes for his school work, I need it to be suitable for his gaming also, and this is unfamiliar terrotority to me.

[CazzyB]

I bet you she won't come back!!! lol she's gone.

This is a pointless post. Please do not make pointless posts, and give the poor lady chance to get back on and read the responses for goodness sake. :rolleyes:

[arcadeplayer987]

It will be helpful to tell us your budget

[Shooting Palanx]

I had to make tea and sort out the washing.
Thanks for your replies. Obviously I am familiar with Amazon & eBay.
Shooting Palanx, I have noted your recommendations. Yes, although the PC will be used to run Office programmes for his school work, I need it to be suitable for his gaming also, and this is unfamiliar terrotority to me.

No problems, glad to help :D, just need to know how much you're willing to spend on a computer that's all.

Are you getting the CPU, or the whole lot?

[Bob'sMum]

Hi
Thankyou CrazzyB.
Shooting Palanx, Although Bob already has a PC, it's ancient! Probably not worth trying to upgrade. So yes, plan is to buy 'the whole lot'.
Originally I was thinking £300, but I've been on PCWorld and it's more like double that for an adequate machine. We're on an extremely tight budget at the moment.
I have read somewhere that he will need a DX10 graphics card.

[Shooting Palanx]

How soon do you need this computer?

Is this is a necessity or just a want for the time being?

FYI, it's cazzy not crazzy.

[Bob'sMum]

CazzyB apologies for spelling your name incorrectly.

Shooting Palanx, it's a necessity for school, and I'm sure Bob would argue gaming is a necessity too!

Hoping to sort somthing out as a Christmas present.

[1nfect3d]

If you want the pc to last a while i would recommend something like a GeForce 8500 or Radeon 2900in it. That should play about all the latest RPG's. If he wants to play new FPS games with very high graphics like Crysis you should look for something with a Geforce 8800GTX in it. Then you can look for a 2.5 Intel Core 2 Duo (or Quattro). And 2GB RAM. Most PC shops (these I know, but then again I live in South Africa) can custom build a PC if you ask them to.

[Bob'sMum]

Hi 1nfect3d, and thankyou for your helpful advice.

Bob does play FPS games, but really preffers RPGs. Shooting Palanx also suggested a Radeon graphics card. This is a learning curve for me, so, why are Redeon the best? Do they specialise for gaming machines? Also, silly question I know, but are the digits the speed of the card? If so, could anyone give me an indication of minium adequate speed?

I now know I need 1/2GB RAM, and 2.5 processor.

Again, thankyou for everyone's replies.

[Shooting Palanx]

Yes, Radeon usually focuses on gaming, but other things as well, it is a good card for overall compatability :D

[KingTech]

Yes, Radeon usually focuses on gaming, but other things as well, it is a good card for overall compatability :D

Yeah, Radeon is best.I totally agree with you.But Nividia is also very much impressive.But one can trust "Radeon" because it is a good graphics card overall.

[KOILL]

Give me a set budget and I'll throw together what you'll need.

[arcadeplayer987]

8800GT is bestbuy for the moment and is crushing ATI

[KingTech]

Well, "radeon" is the best of the best.He should try this one.And Kell are you a budget maker.Dont mind that, just kidding. :D

[Rapture]

The numbers after Nvidia cards dont indicate the speed, they just show how new they are (the 8 series is the best at the moment) In Terms of speed, if you look at the specifications youll want a core speed of about 550/600Mhz, and a memory speed of 700/1000Mhz should be good if he wants to play all the latest games. Also, look for one with atleast 256Mb of graphics memory, that is if anything ive said means anything to you :D

[Shooting Palanx]

Also, depends on how many games you're willing to buy and play also.

[KingTech]

well, my dear friend it all depends on the games and their requirements.So,buy it according to the games requirement. ;)

[arcadeplayer987]

If you want to play Crysis, COD4, Gears of War... you need high end video card

[KingTech]

yeah, that is what i mean.It depends on the game.What type of games he wants to play.Higher Graphics game requires a good graphic card.So simple is that. :)

[Bob'sMum]

Hi again, and thanks for all the replies, this is becoming very educational!

Rapture, yes, after a couple of reads your post makes sense! I understand the numbers now! And now I have a general idea of the speed of the graphics card he will require. Thankyou very much.

arcadeplayer987 & KingTech, I'm really not sure which PC games he would play, as he hasn't had the oportunity, and I don't know enough about games to hazard a guess. However, he certainly prefers RPG games. He has Final FantasyXI for PC which he hasn't been able to play. I think he would be keen to check out WoW. He plays Two Worlds a lot on his XBox Live. But he's just bought Halo3, and he's playing that a lot on XBox Live at the moment.

We're reconsidering the option of having one built for us, hopefully it will be cheaper than buying a new machine, and now I have a better idea of the spec.s it will require thanks to you guys. I'm trying to find out if the motherboard on his current machine can be upgraded, but tbh I doubt it as it's so old.

[vaanish]

I would honestly reccomend that you build your own or if you dont feel capable, then ask around your freinds if they have experience in things like this- you may be surprised! (and this is coming from a person who as built their own system) if the worst comes to the worst, be VERY careful with people offering to build systems for you- they can sometimes be appalling rip off merchants- my freind who is actually rather tech savvy himself got totally ripped off by one of them!

I would recommend this PC for someone on a tight budget.

RAM: overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-066-GL&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=813

PSU: overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-006-CS&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=

CPU: overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-171-IN&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=793

MOBO: overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-129-AB

GRAFIX: overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-063-OK&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=

DVD: overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CD-092-SA&groupid=701&catid=10&subcat=951

H/S/F: overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-017-AR&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=821

CASE: overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-020-AK

hard drive: overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-034-HI&groupid=701&catid=14&subcat=768

OS: overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=OS-001-MS&groupid=33&catid=20&subcat=

That will make for a great build that will far surpass anything that you can buy in terms of performence for £££ (esp. when overclocked)

If you are willing to wait a bit longer, ATis new card called 'HD 3850' is coming out in a few weeks. This will offer excellent performance for a low price. Post back here if you want an updated list closer to the time of purchace.

[arcadeplayer987]

If you are willing to wait a bit longer, ATis new card called 'HD 3850' is coming out in a few weeks. This will offer excellent performance for a low price. Post back here if you want an updated list closer to the time of purchace.
The new GTS will come out in a few days

[KOILL]

The new GTS will come out in a few days

the 8800gts?

[Bob'sMum]

Hi there vaanish, thankyou for your post, I really apreciate it.
I have copied the links, as well as visiting the site to check it all out. Based on everything I have learnt and read £450 is more than reasonable for those spec.s!
We do know someone who could possibly build the machine for us, but I'm leaning more towards having a go myself. If we can russle up the shillings then I'd really like to have a go at building the machine you've recommended! So, beware, I may be PMing you for further advice!
Right, I'd better tell Bob to go and get a paper-round so we can get the cash together!
Thanks again.
Beki x
PS Please could you post a link to the new ATI card when it's available please? Cheers.