Recommend a PC for me

I've seen SSDs on sale, 120gb for under $40, and 4gb of ram, and a gpu, can be had for under $150 altogether.

But the big question is what games he is trying to run because there are very cheap GPUs for under $40 even if all that's needed is more ram. Personally I'd go that route and put away $110 toward a new build instead.

Using a gtx460 myself... For a five year old card it's still way better that just about any mobile GPU. Waiting for pascal to drop before upgrades in vr preparations.

Edit:

http://slickdeals.net/f/8693359-msi...press-3-for-120-free-shipping-ebay-daily-deal
http://slickdeals.net/f/8692819-450...0101-na-for-24-99-ar-free-shipping-newegg-com
http://slickdeals.net/f/8683915-120...-newegg-com?src=SiteSearchV2_SearchBarV1Algo1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820239312

Doubt you even need the PSU, but even with that, total price: $212.25. You can shave off $25-45 from that by lowering SSD capacity to 120gb, and dropping PSU. With those upgrades your CPU will be the bottleneck going forward.

InfinitusEquitas said:

Using a gtx460 myself...

Click to expand...

I'm still using my GTX 560 (non-Ti version), though it has 2GB of memory on it, and I have to admit, my current laptop with GTX 860M is beating it by just a small amount.

Sometimes it's equivalent or so-so, but with new Dark Souls III, PC is struggling a LOT in some areas, while the laptop is a smooth ride through entire game.

Though, truth be told I'm reading about a ton of performance problems across various systems with DkSIII and game is extremely sensitive to version of windows and graphics drivers installed, so it might not be raw performance comparison, rather an optimization problem.

And then you have GTX 980M, and not only that, actual desktop GTX 980 chip installed into laptops - though that's pushing it and just asking for thermal problems if you ask me.

InfinitusEquitas said:

I don't know your location, but it really shouldn't be hard to find an older GPU to just plug in there. Inspirions are crappy, but you should definitely be able to find a GPU that doesn't exceed your PSU output.

Gtx 960 can be had for around your budget, older cards for less, and worst case you can pick up a PSU for under $50 easily.

What games specifically are you trying to play at 1440x900?

Click to expand...

I actually dont even want anything to be HD, I just want to be able to play factorio (512MB of video memory minimum) The stanley parable (128MB, minimum, but for some reason does not work with intel express GPU's) universe sandbox (2) (512MB minimum) And CSGO in at least 720p

oh god this sounds so sad now that I read it

VR is really pushing laptop manufacturers to step things up. No one wants to spend 3k-5k on a laptop only to find it can't even run the oculus/htc vive.

My last real world, personal experience was comparing the 700m series mobile cards to 460, and at that time the gtx460 1gb version with stock OC was still clearly ahead.

I also have two alienware alpha systems that use a custom OCed version of the 860m and they are both inferior to the gtx460 (imho).

Games do definitely need to be optimized... GTA IV for example, originally ran like crap no matter what PC at the time was used... it was a bad PC port. DSIII is probably like that too.

If waiting a bit is possible, right now we're right on the edge of new cards being released, and within 2 years at a maximum, we will see a massive improvement driven by VR. Not to mention the fact that there are basically zero GPUs out there now, in medium price category that can drive 4k@60hz well, let alone 120hz, and lots of people want to setup dual 4k monitors. (That's what I'd like to do, but there's no way I'm spending on two gtx980 TI.

Pikablu said:

oh god this sounds so sad now that I read it

Click to expand...

:crackup:

Sad (or maybe crazy) is when you find yourself putting a mobo into a dorm room mini fridge freezer, and using 2 desk fans to keep it all from burning up.

The question that I always ask myself, my clients, etc,. is what do you want, and second what do you need at a minimum?

For you it seems like even a very basic GPU will do what you need... EVGA 200 GeForce 210 DirectX 10.1 01G-P3-1312-LR 1GB 64-Bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Video Card - Newegg.com

Pikablu said:

I actually dont even want anything to be HD, I just want to be able to play factorio (512MB of video memory minimum) The stanley parable (128MB, minimum, but for some reason does not work with intel express GPU's) universe sandbox (2) (512MB minimum) And CSGO in at least 720p

oh god this sounds so sad now that I read it

Click to expand...

Actually I will recommend you to completely ignore the video memory megabyte numbers. The mean basically next-to-nothing in today's GPU market.

Take this for example:
UserBenchmark: Nvidia GeForce GT 720M vs GTX 960

These both have the same amount (2GB) video memory.

One will play CS:GO at 144 FPS at ultra details in FullHD. The other will barely run it.

Take this card I recommended for example, the GTX 750 Ti,
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Ti (Desktop Graphics Card) - NotebookCheck.net Tech

Scroll down to about 30% and you'll see specific framerate numbers for several selected games for a variety of display settings.

Use the graph above (which places it next to some competition) to select a few alternative cards and see which ones can you most easily get.

Though I would truly recommend 750Ti, it gets the job done surprisingly well. I think it was for a long time (and perhaps still is) the best buy value, best bang for buck.

@Infinitus, I would seriously not recommend an nVidia 210 He did mention some 3D games like Stanley's Parable (modified Source) and CS:GO, so you can bet he has at least some interest in gaming. Who knows, maybe after getting a more capable card he'll appreciate being able to explore all other games as well, not just the ones listed.

Eudaimonium said:

@Infinitus, I would seriously not recommend an nVidia 210 He did mention some 3D games like Stanley's Parable (modified Source) and CS:GO, so you can bet he has at least some interest in gaming. Who knows, maybe after getting a more capable card he'll appreciate being able to explore all other games as well, not just the ones listed.

Click to expand...

The GTX750 Ti is overkill for this game...

Factorio on Steam

I think he would be better off spending under $30 now, waiting another ~6 months and then getting a gtx960 or better, all for under $150.

I mean for that game I have a feeling my GE 9500GT would be adequate, and I literally could not give the thing away on here

(@OP if you want it, let me know, would just need to cover ~$7 shipping if you're in the US. Fan is noisy on the card, but it does work. Outside the US it's not worth the price of shipping.)

InfinitusEquitas said:

The GTX750 Ti is overkill for this game...

Factorio on Steam

I think he would be better off spending under $30 now, waiting another ~6 months and then getting a gtx960 or better, all for under $150.

Click to expand...

Apologies, I didn't really look up the game so I dunno.

Still, his choice. Get more powerful GTX 960 machine later, or upgrade current one to 750 now...

Honestly I would take 750 Ti now, since it's quite adequate on it's own right, and upgrade to new machine when you need to, for newer games and apps.

Side note, we're supposed to be hearing the GTX 1000 series from nVidia this June. Can't wait. It means GTX 900 might gonna go cheaper

+ rep for your generous offer of the card, man! That's pretty nice of you

I'm always in favor of putting of expensive tech upgrades as long as possible because technology basically never appreciates in value. A top of the line computer from 10 years ago is a joke now.

If he upgrades to the 750, the ram, cpu, and HD will be bottlenecks after that, and upgrading that system a lot (except for ram and cheap SSD) just isn't worth it. Would be much better to do a small upgrade now, just for that game, and then upgrade again/build new system 6 months from now. Even 2 months from now we will see a drop in prices.

I think we'll see solid information on the 1000 series cards in May, and actual sales in June. I'm expecting the 1060 to be roughly equivalent to the 970, and for them both to be price at around $200. (The 970 has held it's price annoying well. I would have gotten it if it even fell below $220.)

Thinking of grabbing a 970/1060 in June, about the same time I expect it will be possible to get HTC Vive/Oculus rift. After that, wait until next year and build a new system around this same time.

Thanks for the plus rep. It just annoys me to see things go to waste. The card is a bit dusty, and the fan makes a noise, but it will run two 1080p monitors for office work just fine.

pikablu i choose you!!!

uh i remember the good old days of the classic pokemon games from along long time ago....

Isaac Clarke said:

pikablu i choose you!!!

uh i remember the good old days of the classic pokemon games from along long time ago....

Click to expand...

My name was actually based on an old urban legend Pikablu - Glitchipedia - Wikia and the fact that I like blue lasers

InfinitusEquitas said:

I'm always in favor of putting of expensive tech upgrades as long as possible because technology basically never appreciates in value. A top of the line computer from 10 years ago is a joke now.

Click to expand...

wouldn't know anything about that