Good value for money (gaming PC)?

no, do NOT buy pre built Pc's, they are a complete waste of money. If you have no knowlege of how to assemble one, choose the parts yourself and get somone to build it for you.
if you want suggestions,

how much would you be willing to spend?
what is the primary uses of the Pc?



EDIT:

as a start, i would definitely go with the i7 950 as the recent price drop makes it about R100 cheaper than that one you chose.
 
no, do NOT buy pre built Pc's, they are a complete waste of money

agrees. ZOMG it's gaming pc, but with 2 gig ram and 250gts :erm:.

@Lord Anubis gief us your budget and ask for suggestion on the best build :)
 
Rather go with i5 and a better vga card and more memory.

Don't rush into buying something, i know the feeling to go out and just buy it is strong but a 240 gts? No dude. It should say gaming machine that can run the latest games on low with low FPS :p
 
yeah, with a budget we could probably help you out alot.

first of all the GFx Card is just pure crap...
the case (imo) is just fkn gay...
The specs are pretty bland, no ram speeds,brands, no dvd specs, its just another consumer trap with the big words that say:

"GAMING PC"
"HIGH PERFORMANCE"
"HD"
"LATEST"

i mean 2gb ram, omfg how is that high performance?
 
Ok let's say R10k some gaming will be done and also maybe suggest a good monitor for say R3k (please list components). I want to ba able to play Star Wars force unleashed lol
 
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Can easily get a:

Intel i5 CPU
USB3/SATA6G mobo
4GB RAM
HD5850 gfx
Cooler Master case + Corsair PSU
 
Case Coolermaster CM690 II Advanced
link: http://www.landmarkpc.co.za/store/coolermaster-rc692kkn2-cm690-advanced-p-4290.html

1.jpg

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this is an awsum case, and the Front LED can be turned off...
heres a vid [video=youtube;Vg1-4bIp7zE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vg1-4bIp7zE&feature=related[/video]

COST: R980






CPU:


Core i7 930 Quad Core With Hyperthreading (8 threads)
price: R2550

Features and Specs:
* Clock Speed: 2.8 GHz
* Max Turbo Frequency: 3.06 GHz
* Intel® Smart Cache: 8 MB
* Bus/Core Ratio: 21
* Intel® QPI Speed: 4.8 GT/s
* # of QPI Links: 1
* Instruction Set: 64-bit
* Instruction Set Extensions: SSE4.2
* Embedded: No
* Lithography: 45 nm
* Max TDP: 130 W
* VID Voltage Range: 0.800V-1.375V

Memory Specifications
* Max Memory Size (dependent on memory type): 24 GB
* Memory Types: DDR3-800/1066
* # of Memory Channels: 3
* Max Memory Bandwidth: 25.6
* Physical Address Extensions: 36-bit
* ECC Memory Supported: No

Arctic Cooling MX-2
High Performance Thermal Compound for the Enthusiast

Main Features:
* High Thermal Conductivity
* Low Thermal Resistance
* Non-Electrical Conductive
* Non-Capacitive
* Non-Curing
* Non-Corrosive
* No Bleeding
* Odourless

http://www.landmarkpc.co.za/store/i...with-arctic-cooling-thermal-paste-p-4592.html



GRAPHICS CARD: Sapphire HD5850 Game Edition 1GB 5850 ATI Radeon HD5850 GPU

Price: R3000

http://www.landmarkpc.co.za/store/sapphire-hd5850-game-edition-5850-radeon-hd5850-p-3566.html

Speeds & Feeds
* Engine clock speed: 725 MHz
* Processing power (single precision): 2.09 TeraFLOPS
* Processing power (double precision): 418 GigaFLOPS
* Polygon throughput: 725M polygons/sec
* Data fetch rate (32-bit): 209 billion fetches/sec
* Texel fill rate (bilinear filtered): 52.2 Gigatexels/sec
* Pixel fill rate: 23.2 Gigapixels/sec
* Anti-aliased pixel fill rate: 92.8 Gigasamples/sec
* Memory clock speed: 1 GHz
* Memory data rate: 4.0 Gbps
* Memory bandwidth: 128 GB/sec
* Maximum board power: 151 Watts
* Idle board power: 27 Watts


SC-S5850G.jpg




MOTHERBOARD: ASUS P6T Intel X58 Chipset

New Era for Ultimate Performance! Intel® Core™ i7 Platform
* Intel LGA1366 Platform
* Intel® X58/ ICH10R chipset
* ASUS TurboV
* 3-Way SLI & Quad-GPU CrossFireX Support!
* ASUS Drive Xpert
* ASUS EPU
* ASUS 8+2 Phase Power Design
* 100% Japan-made Solid Capacitor VRM 5000hrs lifespan @105°C, 500,000hrs @65°C

LGA1366 Intel® Bloomfield Processor Ready

This motherboard supports the latest Intel® Bloomfield processors in LGA1366 package which has memory controller integrated to support 3-channel (6 DIMMs) DDR3 memory. Support Intel(R) QuickPath Interconnect (QPI) with system bus up to 6.4GT/s and a max bandwidth of up to 25.6GB/s. Intel® Bloomfield processor is one of the most powerful and energy efficient CPU in the world.

PCIe 2.0

Double Speed; Double Bandwidth This motherboard supports the latest PCIe 2.0 devices for double speed and bandwidth which enhances system performance.

Intel X58

The Intel® X58 Express Chipset is the latest chipset designed to support latest Intel® Core™ i7 Processors and Intel’s next generation system interconnect interface, Intel® QuickPath Interconnect (QPI), providing improved performance by utilizing serial point-to-point links, allowing increased bandwidth and stability. It also supports up to 36 PCI Express 2.0 lanes providing better graphics performance.

3-Way SLI and Quad-GPU CrossFireX Support!

Flexible Multi-GPU solutions, Your Weapon of Choice! The P6T breaks the boundaries to bring you the multi-GPU choice of either SLI™ or CrossFireX. The motherboard features a dedicated graphics engine on the most powerful Intel X58 platform to optimize PCIe allocation in multiple GPU configurations. Expect a brand-new gaming style you’ve never experienced before!

Memory Features - Triple-Channel DDR3 2000(O.C.) / 1866(O.C.) / 1800(O.C.) / 1600(O.C.) / 1333 / 1066 support

he motherboard supports DDR3 memory that features data transfer rates of 2000(O.C.) / 1866(O.C.) / 1800(O.C.) / 1600(O.C.) /1333 / 1066 MHz to meet the higher bandwidth requirements of the latest 3D graphics, multimedia, and Internet applications. The triple-channel DDR3 architecture enlarges the bandwidth of your system memory to boost system performance.

ASUS Exclusive Features

ASUS TurboV

New OC Records with Real-Time Super-precise Tunings Feel the adrenaline rush of real-time OC - now a reality with the ASUS TurboV. This extreme OC tool lets you set new ambitions on the OC stage with an advanced and easy-to-use interface - allowing you to overclock without exiting or rebooting the OS. With micro adjustments of the CPU PLL, NB, NB-PCIe, and DRAM voltages in 0.02v intervals, there are no limits - only extreme results to break new OC records!

ASUS Drive Xpert

Plug and Safe! Without BIOS setups, the ASUS exclusive Drive Xpert is ideal for anyone who needs to secure data on their hard drives or enhance hard drive performances without the hassles of complicated configurations. With Drive Xpert’s user-friendly graphical user interface, users can easily arrange hard drive backups or enhance their hard drive transfer rates—making sure that data is looked after every moment, every day.

ASUS True 8+2 Phase Power Design

With power efficiency so important to operating temperatures, ASUS 8+2 phase VRM design (8-phase to vCore; 2-phase to vDRAM/QPI controller inside CPU) leads the industry with its 96% power efficiency. High quality power components such as low RDS (on) MOSFETs for minimum switching loss & lower temperatures, Ferrite core chokes with lower hysteresis loss, and high quality Japanese-made conductive polymer capacitors all add up to ensure longer component life and lower power loss—creating more energy efficiency.

ASUS Express Gate

5 Secs Bootup to online Taking only 5 seconds to go online from bootup, Express Gate is the one-stop gateway to instant fun! It´s a unique motherboard built-in OS. You can utilize the most popular Instant Messengers (IM) like MSN, Skype, Google talk, QQ, and Yahoo! Messenger to keep in touch with friends, or quickly check on the weather and e-mails just before leaving your house. What´s more, the user-friendly picture manager lets you view your pictures without entering Windows at anytime!

* The actual boot time is subject to hardware configurations and product models

ASUS Power Saving Solution

ASUS EPU

System Level Energy Saving

Th

AI Nap

Minimize noise and power consumption when temporarily away! With AI Nap, users can instantly snooze your PC without terminating the tasks. System will continue operating at minimum power and noise when user is temporarily away. It keeps downloading files or running applications in quietest state while you´re sleeping. Simply click keyboard or mouse, you can swiftly wake up the system in few seconds.

ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution
ASUS Fanless Design - Heat-pipe solution
Active Quiet & Cool

ASUS Fan Xpert intelligently allows users to adjust both the CPU and chassis fan speed according to different ambient temperature , which is caused by different climate conditions in different geographic regions and system loading.Built-in variety of useful profiles offer flexible controls of fan speed to achieve a quiet and cool environment.

MB-AP6T.jpg


R2557.02
 
HARD DRIVE: http://www.landmarkpc.co.za/store/samsung-spinpoint-hd103sj-32mb-cache-sata2-7200rpm-p-4269.html

Samsung Spinpoint HD103SJ F3 1TB 32MB Cache S-ATA2 7200RPM

Features
* MAX. 1TB Formatted Capacity Per Disk
* Serial ATA 3.0Gbps Interface Support
* Improved recording stability over temperature with PMR
* Advanced dynamic FOD control for best data integrity
* Intelligent compensation of external disturbance
* SATA Native Command Queuing Feature
* Device Initiated SATA Power Management
* Rotational vibration sensor
* Environment friendly product with RoHS compliance
* Improved performance with dual-ARM based firmware
* ATA S.M.A.R.T. Compliant
* ATA Automatic Acoustic Management Feature
* ATA 48-bit Address Feature
* ATA Device Configuration Overlay Feature
* NoiseGuard™
* SilentSeek™

Performance Specifications
* Performance Specifications Average Seek time(typical) - 8.9 ms
* Data Transfer Rate / Media to/from Buffer(Max.) - 250 MB/sec
* Data Transfer Rate / Buffer to/from Host(Max.) - 300 MB/sec
* Average Latency - 4.17 ms

R562.81


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MEMORY (RAM)
: Corsair TR3X6G1600C8D Dominator 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600

http://www.landmarkpc.co.za/store/c...nator-240pin-ddr3-sdram-ddr3-1600-p-2830.html

* Corsair TR3X6G1600C8D Dominator
* With DHX technology
* 3 x 2Gb/2048mb kit
* Support Intel XMP ( eXtreme Memory Profiles )
* DDR3-1600 ( PC3-12800 )
* CL8
* 1.65v
* 240pin
* Lifetime warranty

R1944.84

product_thumb.php




LG GH24LS50 24x Lightscribe Sata

http://www.landmarkpc.co.za/store/gh24ls50-lightscribe-sata-p-4154.html

Whether you’re watching DVDs or burning them, LG’s advanced technology works to optimize performance. Stay in control of your media with SecurDisc™ content access control, or create professional-looking labels on the fly with LightScribe.

SecurDisc
SecurDisc™ is an innovative technology which provides data protection and content access control on media against unauthorized use through an optical drive-software

Speed
Control read speed to reduce noise during media playback. The reading data has errors due to defect or finger print, the drive just skip the error data, so it can continue to play the movie which explain jamless.

LightScribe -Direct Disc Label Printing Technology
LightScribe is a laser-printing technology that allows users to create silkscreen-quality labels right inside LG optical drives, by simply flipping over the exclusive LightScribe disc.

Serial ATA Technology
(Serial advanced technology attachment) is an advanced interface, replacing parallel ATA for an enhanced computing platform.

R257.64

product_thumb.php




POWER SUPPLY:

Corsair HX650W Eps12V Modular Cable Management 650W

http://www.landmarkpc.co.za/store/corsair-hx650w-eps12v-modular-cable-management-650w-p-3590.html


The Corsair Professional HX650W modular power supply delivers 650 Watts of clean, continuous power. Flat, low-profile modular cables allow for easy cable routing and increased airflow. The high-efficiency design reduces electricity usage and minimizes heat generation.

The Corsair Professional HX650W is ideal for performance enthusiasts for whom consistent delivery of rated power output is essential. It delivers continuous rated power at ambient temperatures of up to 50° C. An intelligent fan speed system regulates the ultra-quiet 120mm double ball bearing fan. 105° C rated industrial-grade capacitors provide uncompromised performance and reliability. It’s fully compatible with the ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 standards and backward compatible with ATX12V 2.01 systems.

* Tested at room temperature, using a 50% load and 230V AC input.

Corsair HX650W Features:
* Guaranteed to sustain its full rated wattage at an ambient temperature of 50°C
* Up to 85% energy-efficiency under real-world load conditions*
* Single +12V rail design providing up to 52A
* Multi-GPU ready
* Active Power Factor Correction (PFC) with PF value of 0.99
* Supports ATX12V 2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 standards. Backwards compatible with ATX12V 2.01
* Auto switching circuitry for universal AC input from 90-264V
* Over Current/Voltage/Power Protection, Under Voltage Protection and Short Circuit Protection provide complete component safety
* Dimensions: 150mm(W) x 86mm(H) x 150mm(L)
* MTBF: 100,000 hours
* Safety Approvals: UL, CUL, CE, CB, FCC Class B, TĂśV, CCC, C-tick


R1295.04
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what am i missing here?

anyway total is:

2500 CPU
950 CASE
3100 GRAPHICS CARD
2500 MOBO
562 HARD DRIVE
2000 RAM
250 DVD DRIVE
1300 POWER SUPPLY

total : R13162.00

so just tell me where you want to cut some cost...
 
you can get a less impressive Power Supply if you REALLY have to save a few hundred bucks.
 
I went for the Core i7 Socket 1366 build, but it really costs a lot more (R2k+) for the same kind of framerates that you would've gotten from a Core i5 760 build.
The only advantage of having a Socket 1366 motherboard is that they all have SLI + CrossFireX support.
The AMD X6 1055T is also not a bad choice, seeing as Intel will be releasing new Socket CPU & motherboards early next year.
On the other hand, very few people actually upgrade the CPU without upgrading the motherboard too...

Here's the gaming setup that I would recommend (i5 760 + HD5850):
GPU: Sapphire HD 5850 1GB @ R3,316.58
CPU: Core i5 760 @ R1,879.75
PSU: Coolermaster GX 650W @ R947.41
M/B: ASUS P7H55-M/USB3 (USB3 + SATA 6Gbps) @ R1,385.37
RAM: OCZ Reaper Low-Voltage Dual-Channel 2x2GB Kit DDR3-1600 1.65v CL7 @ R1,280.11
Case: Coolermaser 692 Plus with window @ R963.00
HDD: Samsung HD103UJ 1TB SATA2 7200rpm Desktop 3.5" @ R588.13
DVD: LG GH22LS50 22x Lightscribe SATA Black & Beige @ R185.40
Total: R10,545.75

That doesn't include Windows, keyboard or mouse.

Edit:
If you want to stay well under the R10k and you don't intend on overclocking the CPU,
then I'd suggest that you drop the HD5850 and go for the GTX460 1GB card, get a smaller PSU and get DDR3 1333MHz memory instead:
GPU: Club3D GTX460 1GB OC @ R2288.55
PSU: Coolermaster GX 550W @ R826.55
RAM: 2x 2GB OCZ DDR3 1333 1.65V CL9 @ R856.44
which brings the total down to: R8,973.19
 
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I'd also go for a i5 build. i7 is really pricey and hard to keep under 10k assuming you choose a good gf card.. 470/5870
 
Wow! Thanks! Verrry good info! Any advice on a good monitor? I'm not clued up on widescreen lcd as I have a really old square 19" box lol. I just don't want stuff all stretched and distorted. From time to time I would want to do documents and browse the web etc? Does widescreen stretch everything. As I said I'm looking for something around R3k with built in speakers.
 
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ive always hated cases like that, firstly anyone who walks into room/office is immedietly gonna label you a nerd, it looks soooo gay, who the fk would want that????
 
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