@Maisha7197 Sure, I'm happy to help you find something. (I split your comment into its own thread because it's easier for me to keep track that way.) Just list your budget and country, as well as any other details that matter to you (desktop or laptop, that kind of thing), and any other games or apps you'd like to run.
@puzzlezaddictThank you so so so much!
Well, I’m looking for a gaming pc to run the sims 4 and possibly only that (as a game). I’m from the UK and since I’m going into college this year (from September) I don’t really have much money to spare; so I’d say my budget is around £500-700. Also, I’m not interested in a laptop and I’d much prefer a pc.
As for what I would like to use it for, I’d want to be able to use the sims 4 on ultra settings and at the same time be using around 4-5 GB of cc and several mods. So far I have the following packs, (just to give you an even better idea of what my game consists of):
• Seasons
• Cats and Dogs
• Get To Work
• Get Together
• Parenthood
• Movie Hangout Stuff
• Cool Kitchen Stuff
• Vintage Glamour Stuff
• The Holiday One (Free)
I’d definitely want to get a few more after getting a new pc seeing as more packs require a good amount of power*(?) for the pc to run them all at the same time(?). I’d probably end up getting most of them (gradually not all at once) but leaving out a few I don’t personally want.
I’ve looked online and found something that I think is suitable for me but I don’t know:
I know that I’m wanting something intel-based rather than AMD (regarding the processor) and something that has atleast 8GB of ram (the example I gave above I think has ddr4 but I don’t know whether that’s good or bad because there is ddr5 but I feel like that’s out of my budget).
Aswell as this id like some extra space for storage of photos and general work for like Microsoft Office and it’s apps (PowerPoint, Word Document, Publisher, etc).
But I feel like I won’t be able to find anything of the sort as my budget isn’t that wide :/
*i can remember after buying Cats and Dogs and Seasons my game suffered a huge lag that hasn’t gone ever since. I’ve always wanted to be able to run a smooth game without experiencing bad graphics and/or lack of cc/mods
Sorry that this is so long, I just really need help.
@Maisha7197 Please don't apologize for all the information. More is actually better in this case, since you have a pretty specific computer in mind. Besides, I'd have asked most of the questions you answered, so you made things easier for me.
Side note: DDR5 looks great. It's also months away from being included in even high-end computers, and it's probably going to be more expensive for a while. DDR4 is plenty fast for what you want to do.
If you want to make sure a desktop will always run Sims 4, with all packs, on ultra settings, you'll want at least an Nvidia 1060 or 1660, or an AMD Radeon RX 570 8 GB, for a graphics card. (The requirements are slightly higher for a laptop.) The computer you linked only has an Nvidia 1050, and not even one with the ti boost. So maintaining ultra settings might be right at its limit even with only the packs you currently own.
I checked a few different sites, including Currys, and I found exactly one new computer for under £700 with at least a 1060. Unfortunately, it's not out yet, and I'm not sure when it will be released. It's this one though, if you want to see.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/MSI-Aegis-Desktop-PC-Graphics/dp/B07JW15DTL
On the other hand, you could get a custom-built PC with exactly the parts you wanted for under your budget. I actually found one on a well-known build site that looks like it might cost around £500, even with the VAT (before shipping, but that's only £30 for standard mainland U.K. delivery). It seems to be a weird confluence of events—a sale on a high-end model combined with the savings you get from swapping out the most expensive parts.
Even so, I checked a different site and still managed to keep the price under £700 while including everything you'd want. Given what you're looking for, and the options currently available, a custom build might be the better way to go. I'd be happy to configure you something that had the processor and graphics card you needed, plus plenty of storage so you don't ever have to worry about running out of space.
Also, out of curiosity, is there a reason you wouldn't want an AMD processor? Going with Intel is usually, though not always, a bit more expensive. And while Intel is still better than AMD for gaming, the gap isn't all that large (and wouldn't matter to Sims 4), and AMD processors are usually better for other tasks like photo editing.
Anyway, let me know if you're interested in a custom build. Otherwise, I'll do another sweep of the standard sites and see if any more good prebuilt options turn up.
@Maisha7197 The 1050 might cause lag if you ran Sims 4 on ultra settings, not now with the packs you have, but maybe if you also installed, say, Island Living and the next expansion. You could turn down the graphics though and not see any lag.
The £500 build I mentioned has to be an oversight on the part of the company. On that same site, the other builds I played with that similar specs were all landing in the £700 range (with VAT). But the components that go into these computers are the same no matter which build you start with. The quality of the parts isn't in question, and the quality of the build process is generally the same or slightly better than what you'd get from an off-the-shelf computer. There's always some risk, no matter where you buy, but that's why you find a company with a good warranty policy and test out the computer right away. (Again, this is true no matter where you buy.)
I linked the two sites' home pages because I thought you might like to check them out in general. Since I was playing with custom configurations and just wanted to know whether you were interested, there wasn't much point in putting something together and linking it for you. And yeah, paging throught all the default options looking for something promising can be disorienting. But here's the £500 desktop, already tweaked from its initial (much more expensive) configuration:
http://www.cyberpowersystem.co.uk/saved/1749113
I can configure whatever you like; this is more of a starting point, so you have an idea of what you might be able to get.
As far as space goes, you could always measure. The product dimensions for the MSI are listed along with the other specs, and the Cyberpower cases (there are plenty to choose from) have a specs page that shows if you click on the case itself.
You wouldn't necessarily need a new monitor. You might want one, if you're not satisfied with the image quality. You might need an adapter to use it, but that would depend on the connection it currently has. But you can figure that out after the fact, and buy the monitor separately. They're easy enough to pick up in store if you want, or you can check out the screens and order what you like online.
@Maisha7197 No worries about the links; I just didn't want to show you what I thought you should get, instead of finding out what you wanted.
You're right that people tend to make some critical mistakes when trying to save money on a custom build. One common bad shortcut to take is with the power supply—you want to make sure it will comfortably run all your hardware. I picked a 650W Corsair, which is a PSU with more than enough power and made by one of the best in that category.
Another important detail is the motherboard, and there are a few decent options on the list. If you want to talk specs, let me know, but the short answer is that the Asus selected and the cheapest MSI (the Z390-A Pro) both have minor drawbacks, but not necessarily anything you'd notice if you weren't planning to upgrade yourself. The next one up (MSI MPG Gaming Plus) doesn't have those drawbacks. Still, any Z390 board from a reputable company is going to be at least good enough for what you want to do with it.
Also, be sure not to get a case with a top-mounted power supply. It looks like most of them mount the PSU at the bottom, with the exception of the In-Win models. But sorting through cases gives me a headache, so list a couple that you like and that aren't too expensive, and I'll look them over. (Otherwise, the list is very long.)
I went with 16 GB RAM, so you can always multitask, and I upgraded to 3200 MHz because who doesn't love fast RAM? (It's certainly a great way to spend £7.) I also added a wifi adapter, since I have no idea what your setup is going to be. And I chose a good air cooler because your processor doesn't need liquid cooling. If you want it though, go with the Corsair H60 for £10 more.
With the other parts, they're all fine for your purposes, but the next upgrade up may or may not be worth it to you.
That covers all the internal components. Windows 10 is also included. As for accessories, don't bother unless you already know that you want something and it's cheaper on this site than the other places you were looking. It's probably not though; one way sites like this make their money is by marking up the add-ons.
And of course, feel free to keep asking questions.
@puzzlezaddictAbout the upgrades, I’d say there’s no point in going over Intel i5-9400 because that sounds pretty powerful as it is, I’d definitely be willing to pay extra for the Nvidia 1660, for the ssd I’d keep the 500 and maybe change to 1TB unless the extra TB doesn’t cost too much more and about the storage; my current computer (that I’ve owned for over 5 years) has no ssd storage and only 1TB of HDD which is still only 20% full (to this day). So I’d be able to run on just hdd but I’ve heard ssd is good for gaming so I might aswell.
And about the coolers, would you say there’s any point in getting liquid if I’m not going to configure my pc with the ability to overclock?
And about my setup, what do you mean? Are there any certain things a pc needs to include to suit an individual’s (the buyer of course) setup?
@Maisha7197 The reason that the other computer is so much more expensive is that the pricing on Cyberpower's site doesn't really make sense. It's kind of like each computer starts out at a different baseline price that you can't see, before it even contains any hardware. Then as components are added, the price rises accordingly, so there's no way to actually see that baseline price.
The trick is scanning for a computer where the overall price is lower than what you'd expect given its components, and then swapping out the hardware for what you'd actually want. The one in the link I sent was originally £1039 including VAT, but it had a stronger processor and graphics card than other similarly priced models (I sorted by price when reading the list), so I thought it might end up cheaper for you as well. And that's true—as you've seen, adding some of the same components raised the price of the one you found to £400 higher than the link I sent. This is another way companies like this make money, but you can beat them at their own game if you pay close attention.
For the hard drives, you're absolutely right that SSDs are better. Many programs run much faster on them, although not Sims 4, and Windows is faster too. People still use large HDDs for storage because they're so cheap, and the point is to preserve data, not run demanding apps off them. So it sounds like there are only a few options you might want (relative prices all before VAT):
You're right, there's not much point in getting a liquid cooler for the processor you want. The Intel air cooler isn't great though, which is why I selected the next one up.
About your setup, I meant that I didn't know if you'd have convenient ethernet where you were living, as in, whether it would be easier to just use wifi. But if it's not a problem, you can skip the wifi adapter. If you do want it, I'd recommend the next one up (I belatedly checked specs on those too), for an extra £6.
Most of the cases have some RGB, which I agree is annoying. So do some of the internal components; there's really no avoiding it these days. But you can unplug the case RGB if you want. I can just pick one for you if you don't care what they look like, or you can list a few that you don't mind looking at and I'll pick the best among them.
Finally, a 1660 is a good card, more than enough for Sims 4. A 1660 ti is significantly better, but also an extra £44. I'd say only get this if you're considering playing other games in the next year or two. Otherwise, get the 1660, and if in a couple of years, you want to play a more demanding game, you can buy a new graphics card and install it without changing anything else about your computer. This computer as currently configured would support an Nvidia 2080, so you'd have plenty of leeway for an upgrade.
@Maisha7197 Sure, I'll set up the configuration in a bit. To answer your questions though:
The motherboards are all fine, but the cheapest Asus and MSI have minor drawbacks. (The Asus doesn't have a USB-C port on the back, and the MSI has fewer slots for drives.) The first one without those drawbacks is the next MSI up, for £16 more than the default Asus. I'll add that one unless you change your mind.
You want 16 GB RAM for multitasking, whatever the speed of that RAM. Getting the fastest RAM speed is only £7 extra, so even though the difference is trivial, it's a reasonable price to pay.
Prebuilt computers may or may not have wifi capabilities. Some motherboards have built-in wifi, but these ones don't, or at least the cheaper ones don't. You could always get a USB wifi adapter later though, and just plug it into the back of your computer. Let me know if you don't want the wifi added in.
Microsoft Edge comes pre-installed with Windows 10, and I'm sure you know how to download Chrome.
Intel Optane memory is an accelerator applied to mechanical hard drives to make them faster. The combination is often cheaper than getting a large SSD, and the result is a drive that will be almost as fast as the slowest SSDs for tasks that the computer performs more than once. But you're getting a large enough SSD to fit everything you want to run fast.
M.2 and SATA are the types of connections that SSDs can have. (HDDs also use SATA ports.) The M.2 slot is much faster than the SATA, and the fastest SSDs can take advantage of that to run around six times faster than a SATA SSD. Just for fun, these fast drives are referred to as NVMe drives, because you can also use the slot for other things, including other slower SSDs. (They wouldn't take advantage of the faster speed of the M.2, but some computers, like laptops, might not have enough SATA ports.) The drive you're getting, unless you want an upgrade, is, to be specific, an NVMe drive for the M.2 slot on your motherboard.
Let me know about the motherboard and the wifi, and I'll send you another configuration.
@Maisha7197 Sorry, I got the motherboard specs a bit wrong there. (I was going by memory from when I first looked them up.) The actual specs are as follows.
The Asus is the one with fewer SATA ports, 4 instead of 6. That's still plenty though. It also doesn't have a USB-C port on the back. Spec sheet:
https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/PRIME-Z390-P/specifications/
The first MSI has six SATA ports but only one M.2 socket, which will be used by your SSD. Again, this is only an issue if you think you might want to add more parts later. Spec sheet:
https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/Z390-A-PRO/Specification
Your current motherboard has four SATA ports and zero M.2 slots. It also uses USB 2.0, which is somehow (because naming conventions are silly) three generations behind the USB 3.1 gen 2 ports that the other boards have. Here's the full spec sheet for your board:
https://support.hp.com/gb-en/document/c01925534
In case you're looking for it, here's the next MSI board up:
https://us.msi.com/Motherboard/MPG-Z390-GAMING-PLUS/Specification
By the way, I can see why your computer struggled so much with Cats & Dogs: not enough RAM, plus an integrated graphics card that would already have been struggling with Seasons. This one should be a world apart.
Edit: Sorry, I forgot to add that the basic DVD player is £10 extra. But some cases wouldn't support adding one, so the actual price might be a few pounds higher when you account for getting a case with enough room. (A few as in less than £10, but I'd have to check each one manually.)
@puzzlezaddictI think I’ll just go ahead with the MSI Pro seeing as the only problem is it’s unavailability in being upgraded in future (which I don’t really care about)
edit: I definitely think I’d want a DVD player (even if it is basic) and I’d also want the 6-in-1 card reader that I currently have if possible? And do I have to pay for ports at the front? (I looked through each motherboards specs and they only mentioned ports on the back). I’m asking because I like having one to plug my headphones into and two extra for usb
Aswell as that, I’ve decided a want a midtower but for some reason cannot figure out which ones have the optical bays / drive space (since I’m wanting a DVD player and possible a 6-in1 card reader)
edit: I’m talking about cases now, sorry forgot to mention
@Maisha7197 The motherboard specs list the back connectors because those connect into the board itself, as in, the back panel is a part of the motherboard that's showing through a cutout in the case. For the front connectors, there's a cable from the case that plugs into the board, and that's how the data is transferred. So what front connectors you have will depend on what the board supports, but also what's built into the case. All cases should have a headphone jack and a couple of USB ports on the top. The MSI supports USB 3.1 (or 3.0) and 2.0 on the front.
The DVD drive and card reader situation is harder to resolve though. Each one occupies a 5.25" drive bay, and many cases don't even have one. There's only a single case that has 2 of them, the Cooler Master Mastercase MC500. It's £44 more than the cheapest cases. (By the way, the easiest method of checking whether a case has the necessary drive bay is to select one that does, add the DVD drive, and then go along trying to select other cases. Any case that doesn't have one will throw an error.)
By the way, I believe this is the internal card reader Cyberpower offers; I can't tell what the external option is supposed to be.
http://www.akasa.com.tw/search.php?seed=AK-ICR-14
External DVD drives and card readers are not all that expensive. For example:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/External-Portable-Optical-Rewriter-Netbook/dp/B01H3XX666
https://www.amazon.co.uk/CSL-external-Maximum-Simultaneous-reading/dp/B015O55NRK
(I didn't sort by price, just by what google threw me that looked okay. Check the reviews though.) Both of these use a USB 3.0 port, so it would be easy enough to plug either one in when you needed it. You could get one built into the computer and an external version of the other, or get both external versions.
And MSI makes some excellent motherboards. Here's an overview with a couple of pictures, if you want to know what it will look like.
https://www.anandtech.com/show/13407/intel-z390-motherboard-overview-every-motherboard-analyzed/51
@puzzlezaddictIt’s obviously easier to just go ahead with buying both externally and using them externally (I don’t use those parts often on my current computer anyways but I did have a use for them at one point. So, just incase, I thought I’d get those same things).
Edit: I might actually get atleast an internal dvd thing with a compatible case as that’s much more easier to configure but I’ll just go with external for the card reader. Also, the MSI motherboard does look really good and well made.
@Maisha7197 Alright, I went with the only inexpensive case that also had a 5.25" bay for the DVD drive. Since I wasn't sure whether you wanted internal wifi or not, I saved one configuration with the high-speed wifi adapter, and one without. (And of course you can always get a USB wifi adapter later, if you need it.)
with wifi: http://www.cyberpowersystem.co.uk/saved/1750384
without wifi: http://www.cyberpowersystem.co.uk/saved/1750382
Take a look, and let me know if you want to change anything. I would definitely order soon though, maybe today if you're comfortable, just in case the low price of this particular system is in fact an error. Even if it isn't, prices can change quickly.
I'll be around later if you have questions, so feel free to keep asking.
@puzzlezaddictThank you so much for all the help and your answering to my many many questions! And I think I’ll be going for the £540 with WiFi but maybe not today or this week? Is that too late :/
@Maisha7197 The links I sent you will be good for a week, and then I'd need to redo the configuration. There's no guarantee the price would hold up though, which is why I recommended buying now if you could manage. I still wonder if someone is going to get into work tomorrow, notice the low price, and raise it by £200. There's no way to tell until it happens. I'm not trying to rush you, really, but like I said, the next cheapest system with the same parts would cost over £700, and that make me nervous that this price is a temporary fluke.
@puzzlezaddictI’m starting to notice that more and more people are viewing and ‘xp’ing things from this thread. I feel like this could potentially lead to atleast one person buying ‘my’ configured pc, do you think CyberPower would get suspicious about this and feel the need to put the price up? Seeing as this configured pc is kind of like a jackpot for what it’s worth :/
edit: suspicious over loads of people being interested in one custom-built PC. (Assuming that the people viewing are clicking on the links and becoming interested). This worry has only come up as I’ve been sent several emails to let me know that people have been giving Xp to certain posts in the thread...
@Maisha7197 I think you're referring to BlackjackWidow, PugLove, SheriGR, and EuphorialQueen? (There might be others I haven't seen.) They're regular helpers here, and I think they're just reading along for their own curiosity. The XP is them being nice. As for whether any of them might order your configuration, I think that's highly unlikely.
