NVIDIA. GeForce 8200 VS ATI Radeon HD2100

[Diablo]

I have an 8400, and it is extremely poor with games, it might handle bioshock on low, at low resolution, but its hard to know. The main problem with these machines is that they are not aimed at gamers at all. They are based at people who want a webbox and little else.

They do have a warrantee, so if you are very unconfident, that may be a reason to go for one.

 

[Jeddy]

A base unit like that will not have any sound cards or similar.

Building your own pc is really easy and is a really worthwhile experience

Unfortunately for £300 I dont think you will get a rig capable of running bioshock or similar.

 

[fire!!]

youtube.com/watch?v=X5bvrTtjtj8&feature=fvw

dont get how it works, when you say these sort of games don't?

 

[Jeddy]

You can see all sorts of FPS lag there. I wouldnt be able to play grid at that kind of FPS.

He is probably around 20 there, which is too little to be considered "playable" Plus he is running at a VERY low resolution there.

 

[fire!!]

pcworld.co.uk/martprd/product/seo/089905#productInformationSection

does it have everything installed inside the base unit? which means if i buy it i can start staright away?

btw do you why pc world dont reply to emails

 

[Judderman]

My 2 Pennys

I would personally go for the rig speced by jeddy, that aint a bad rig for £300 and will be a lot better performance wise with the option of upgradabilty!

Even if this is a cheap 2nd rig I would still make sure you get the best you can get from your budget!

I bet the Hp machine or any other brand name machine will not give you the upgrade options of the machine spec'd.

Which ever way u go good luck

 

[ToeJam]

i suggest you build 1 from scatch, if your not comfortable with doing that im sure some one on here would do it, i'd do it tbh wud take no time at all, but if your not comfortable with that you cud buy the bits and take them to a local computer store and they could knock it up for a few quid.

Also your saying you want it to be fast for games, 300quid for a full unit is only gonna get you so far mate, i either suggest save a little more and get a second hand 8800 for say 45quid and then your set for the current games around and in the near future

 

[fire!!]

what if i get the second option and upgrade that graphics card because it is not intergarted which means i am able to change it.

pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1953684132.1250018318@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccgeadehmgjdgekcflgceggdhhmdgmh.0&category_oid=-28485&sku=873905&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null#productInformationSection

the only corcern is that it is vista home basic, i mean whats the differences between that and premium.

 

[ToeJam]

well im getting the impression youve made your mind up already dude so no point in me trying to help...

 

[fire!!]

not even near making my mind up, just want to make sure about everything first, no harm in that is there.

what do you think if i upgrade the graphics, which i mentioned in my pervios post?

i mean is there any other way of getting a good base unit with a good graphics card without paying more than £300? if not i may as well get the nvidia base unit with 8200 graphics

 

[ToeJam]

im saying build it all from scatch, will be cheaper better and you can put in what ever you like imho, dunno what everyone else i sayin...

 

[Jeddy]

£300 is not alot for a PC.

That base unit you have linked does not have a discrete (seperate) graphics card, it uses an Integrated Graphics Processor. To upgrade the graphics card you are probably going to require a new power supply, thats if the motherboard even has a PCI-E X16 slot. The PSU is probably proprietary so overall it will be a bugger to upgrade.

If ofcourse you are going to be happy with the IGP performance then go for it. I reckon there are better deals out there though. Perhaps try ebay?

For example: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hi-Spec-Deskt...pPCs?hash=item45eba76bab&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

though you will have to install your own operating system.

This is an excellent deal too: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....8983&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT#ht_2071wt_1165

Both those ebay links will spank that PCworld POS to hell and back.

 

[Diablo]

Exactly, even if the motherboard has upgradeability, it won't overclock, and in addition, that powersupply will be made to a budget and will be the lowest they could stick in the machine and it still working, hence putting a powerful card in there (or even a slightly better one) will need a new powersupply, which will cost about £50, so you will be £100 down once you have a better card.

£300 is nothing for a pc, I've spent over 2/3 as much on a keyboard and mouse

 

[fire!!]

i have just seen the recommedations that Jeddy has given, i prefer the second link, but the only thing that is putting me down is the brand name, what is it? or is it a built gaming pc? apart from the name i pretty much am intereted in it, just need to sort that one problem then just might go for it.

Thanks for the link Jeddy

btw how much could i get vista prem for?