I need help with a new computer

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Meez

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Master Geek

#171532 21-Apr-2015 21:25

I want it to play Sims 3 and 4 and am currently looking at these: http://www.dell.com/nz/p/xps-8700/pd?ref=PD_OC#secondaryContent

I don't really know what to look for though and would appreciate any help!

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#1288806 21-Apr-2015 21:28

whats your budget?

Meez

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Master Geek

#1288808 21-Apr-2015 21:30

$1700.

Jase2985

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#1288810 21-Apr-2015 21:33

what do you already have? what do you need?

is it just an upgrade box, ie you have a display and keyboard/mouse already?

Meez

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#1288813 21-Apr-2015 21:45

I just need the box. Mine will no longer play Sims 2, lol.

Meez

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Master Geek

#1288814 21-Apr-2015 21:46

I have to go, Work tomorrow. I will check back in the morning.

Lias

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#1288872 21-Apr-2015 23:35

When it comes to playing games, you're better off getting something built rather than an off the shelf from somewhere like Dell/HP/etc. The video cards in all of the machines you linked are pretty weak, and that's the main consideration for gaming.

Personally I recommend Computer Lounge.

If you customise their Gen-X Lite to upsepc it a bit, you can get a pretty damn good rig in your price range.

Please check that your order is correct before proceeding. You can change quantities or remove items from your cart using the buttons provided. Click here to learn about shopping online at Computer Lounge.

Item Price Quantity Ext.
Gen-X Lite Origin $1,099.95

Item: ASUS B85M-E Intel B85 mATX Haswell LGA1150 Motherboard
Change to: Intel Haswell Core i5 4460 3.20Ghz 6MB LGA1150 $180.00
Item: Noctua NH-U9S CPU Cooler w/NF-A9 PWM
Change to: Mushkin Blackline FrostByte 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3-1600 CL9 (996995F) $50.00
Change to: Mushkin Chronos Deluxe 480GB 2.5" SATA3 7mm SSD (MKNSSDCR480GB-DX7) $170.00
Item: ASUS DRW-24D3ST Green 24X DVD Writer SATA
Change to: ASUS GTX960-MOC-2GD5 GeForce GTX960 OC 2GB GDDR5 PCI-E3.0 $140.00
Item: NZXT Source 210 Elite Mid Tower - Black
Change to: Seasonic SSP-550RT 550W 80Plus Gold Power Supply OEM W/o Power Cord $50.00
Item: Microsoft Windows 8.1 64-Bit (Full Version) - OEM
Item: Standard Hardware Installation + 2yr RTB Warranty + OS Configuration

Total : 1,689.95

Would blow any of those dells out of the water for gaming.

I'm a geek, a gamer, a dad, a Quic user, and an IT Professional. I have a full rack home lab, size 15 feet, an epic beard and Asperger's. I'm a bit of a Cypherpunk, who believes information wants to be free and the Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it. If you use my Quic signup you can also use the code R570394EKGIZ8 for free setup.

Meez

111 posts

Master Geek

#1288887 22-Apr-2015 06:42

Wow! Thanks very much! The one I'm using was built for me years ago from specs from a Sims 3 tech before the game came out. It's lasted really well but I'm out of memory to do anything with it now.

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timmmay

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#1288897 22-Apr-2015 07:17

Consider Samsung 850 pro SSD, they're the best around at the moment IMOH, and the pricing is pretty sharp. Also double check the RAM is on the compatibility list for the motherboard, RAM can cause serious issues.

Lias

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#1288906 22-Apr-2015 07:41

timmmay: Consider Samsung 850 pro SSD, they're the best around at the moment IMOH, and the pricing is pretty sharp. Also double check the RAM is on the compatibility list for the motherboard, RAM can cause serious issues.

I went with the Chronos to fit in to her budget, it's a bit older and slower but we're talking about The Sims here, not a hugely demanding workload, quite aside from the recent study that showed virtually no benefit of going from Older SSD -> Newer SSD for gaming, only for IOPS intensive workloads. Also yes the Mushkin is on the compatibility list.

xpd

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#1288934 22-Apr-2015 08:53

Check Playtechs offerings as well - http://www.playtech.co.nz/afawcs0139235/CATID=1238/ID=25103/SID=827811700/productdetails.html

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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Inphinity

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#1288947 22-Apr-2015 09:25

If you really just want it for Sims 3 & 4, you could sneak in well below your budget, if that interests you - but it partly depends if you want to be somewhat future-proofed for newer games.

semigeek

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#1288951 22-Apr-2015 09:37

Lias: When it comes to playing games, you're better off getting something built rather than an off the shelf from somewhere like Dell/HP/etc. The video cards in all of the machines you linked are pretty weak, and that's the main consideration for gaming.

Personally I recommend Computer Lounge.

If you customise their Gen-X Lite to upsepc it a bit, you can get a pretty damn good rig in your price range.

Please check that your order is correct before proceeding. You can change quantities or remove items from your cart using the buttons provided. Click here to learn about shopping online at Computer Lounge.

Item Price Quantity Ext.
Gen-X Lite Origin $1,099.95

Item: ASUS B85M-E Intel B85 mATX Haswell LGA1150 Motherboard
Change to: Intel Haswell Core i5 4460 3.20Ghz 6MB LGA1150 $180.00
Item: Noctua NH-U9S CPU Cooler w/NF-A9 PWM
Change to: Mushkin Blackline FrostByte 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3-1600 CL9 (996995F) $50.00
Change to: Mushkin Chronos Deluxe 480GB 2.5" SATA3 7mm SSD (MKNSSDCR480GB-DX7) $170.00
Item: ASUS DRW-24D3ST Green 24X DVD Writer SATA
Change to: ASUS GTX960-MOC-2GD5 GeForce GTX960 OC 2GB GDDR5 PCI-E3.0 $140.00
Item: NZXT Source 210 Elite Mid Tower - Black
Change to: Seasonic SSP-550RT 550W 80Plus Gold Power Supply OEM W/o Power Cord $50.00
Item: Microsoft Windows 8.1 64-Bit (Full Version) - OEM
Item: Standard Hardware Installation + 2yr RTB Warranty + OS Configuration

Total : 1,689.95

Would blow any of those dells out of the water for gaming.

Where do you get $50 for the RAM? As per the site

BUY NOW:
$129.95 inc GST
WHY SHOP AT COMPUTER LOUNGE?

Instock At Computer Lounge

CL SKU: 24223
VPN: 996995F

Jase2985

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#1288953 22-Apr-2015 09:40

its adding 50 to the base price of the system i believe

timmmay

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#1288964 22-Apr-2015 09:47

I would stick with the default brand of memory, Corsair, it'll have been more tested. 8GB is good though. I guess it's a toss up between a 250GB Samsung 850 Pro, which is super super reliable, and the cheaper larger SSD. With the smaller SSD you'd want another hard disk I think. You might even get away with 120GB SSD, but might be pushing it with the sizes of games.

wasabi2k

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#1289025 22-Apr-2015 10:37

Given you were looking at ready assembled, I am guessing you aren't that interested in building your own.

+1 for Computer Lounge pre-built systems. You will get something with orders of magnitude better performance, plus CL's support and service are great.

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