Computer People! I need you!

[GhostOfProtocol]

I know a little about computers, but even I have to admit i'm out of my depth at some points in life. I'm currently looking to upgrade from this little laptop that's battered. I mean right now I can't even close the thing cause I snapped a few things when I dropped it on the floor (I'm clumsy, what, it happens). I'm the worst person in the world, thus I don't trust myself building a PC from scratch so yeah.

Prebuilt for me.

I'm currently looking at a product that to me seems alright for gaming, but like I said, I have no clue. Thus I turn to all of you! This thing is a little over budget, but I can just about scrape enough for it. However, this means upgrades to it won't happen for a while.

I'm addressing this to only those who know stuff about computers. I'm not looking for simple answers such as "just build your own", I wanna know how this computer will fare if I throw some of the newer games at it, for example GTA V (i'm aware i'll need to turn the graphics down but).

So yeah, I have no clue *shrug*. I turn to you!

 

[Audren Sykes]

[member="Kei Garnik"]

Something that immediately jumps out at me when looking at the specs is that it lists the R7 series graphics card, it doesn't give a specific card model. The R7 series is the mid-grade series of the R-line, there's an R5, R7, and R9 series, so it may be sufficient. It does concern me slightly that the spec sheet declares graphics memory as N/A when the R7 site declares 2GB.

A8 processor is mid-top line, A10 is top last I checked. This is an APU though rather than a typical CPU and should work in conjunction with the GPU for some added boost.

Hard drive is decent, a Solid State would be faster but also a little more expensive, running it in tandem with a traditional hard drive with large storage would be optimal.

Wireless is okay, if you're going to be gaming online I'd recommend upgrading the wifi adapter or running hardwired.

RAM is good at 16GB, can be upgraded to much more as time/finances allow.

 

[GhostOfProtocol]

[member="Audren Sykes"]

Like I said, i'm not a computery person so.

I'll swing by and see what I can find out on that R7. As a whole, the R7 series any good? I do hope to upgrade when I have some cash but yeah.


Edit:

That's the other bit to it so. I have a copy of Windows 7 to install (I hate Windows 8+ with a passion) and I do have other internet security but yeah.

 

[Audren Sykes]

[member="Kei Garnik"]

Better than nothing for sure, but if you trust googling benchmark sites: Example 1, Example 2. This is a PC Magazine review of a specific generation of R7s, and this is a comparison of a large number of Radeon chips (Hint: use CTRL+F to search for the R7s, you'll see how many there are; note the higher the numbers listed typically the better the card).


As far as your edit, integrated graphics cards are built in. A discrete card would be one you could take out/replace. Side effect of having AMD own the old ATI brand, they combine the CPU and GPU into an APU. It also explains why it declares N/A for the GPU RAM, it uses the general PC's RAM.

I personally prefer Windows 7 over 10, but that's going to be pushed out by Microsoft in the next few years. If you're going to switch to that, make sure you keep the Win10 disc and don't switch Motherboards. You may want it in the future.

 

[GhostOfProtocol]

[member="Audren Sykes"]

Meh, so it's not the worst thing in the world. Cheers for the help, I mean it, been a big help

Edit: One final question, this computer thing is hard. The PCI Express slot opens up the space for a graphics card that replaces the intergrated one, correct? I noticed one of those and I think I heard that somewhere.

 

[Audren Sykes]

[member="Kei Garnik"]

Precisely so. It won't replace it physically since the integrated one is built-in, but it will replace it for the output.

 

[GhostOfProtocol]

[member="Audren Sykes"]

Heh, cool. Seriously, thank you for everything

 

[Macharius Solaire]

[member="Kei Garnik"]

I highly recommend this subreddit of Reddit.

They helped me build my own desktop with the parts picking. I didn't follow every recommendation. But it gives you a solid footing to start with.

This is the website I used to organize and order all my parts. You can select what you want and mix and match to a list. It has pretty much every manufacturer and parts store on there, along with prices to find the cheapest place selling what you want. You still have to to to the manufacturers website to order it but it's all linked for you to do so. It will also tell you if your PC will be compatible between all its parts. Not sure just how accurate it is, but mine worked wonders and I build it over 2 years ago.

I think right now with that build you are gonna want to beef up that power supply to a 750w if you don't just go for a 1000w. It will make upgrading the the future easier.

Some of that stuffs older it seems. I can't find your graphics card or your motherboard on this list. Both have gone into a new series and they don't list them on the site anymore. So they're old-ish. Your processor card is on there.

Also monitors. I'd recommend something from Asus. Take a look on the site, they offer them on the list too. They make good screens even though I don't use mine anymore. TV screen master race.

I'd recommend you go to PC Parts Picker I have int he second link there. Input what you have and from there check out what you can upgrade on in your price range. You don't have to, other than that power supply, you need to beef that up.

If you do that, make sure you register to the site and save the build before you buy. Report back to me here and let me have a look at the list.

 

[GhostOfProtocol]

[member="Macharius Solaire"]

Yeah, when I ordered this I ordered a new power supply, figured I'd be safer to run with 750. I mean, as of right now I'm poor, but yeah. I'll have a flick through the lists and stuff when I have enough to upgrade this PC.