Septentrional Wasp Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 Again this may fall into the gaming catagory, so appologies in advance if it does. I`m going to get a new pc in the next month or two and i`m not really sure where to start or what to look for. I`ll need it for office based applications like word and excell, maybe power point. I`d like to use it for photo editing but this isn`t a neccessity. And i`d also quite like to use it for gaming. I don`t think the gaming side of it should be to much of a problem `cause I don`t want to play new games on it. I used to play strategy games such as Age of Empires and Empire Earth years ago and would like to try them again. Would i be able to play the old games on a new PC or is there updated versions I can buy? Someone on here (i think) told me that they games are available on steam, but i don`t really know what that is. I was going to just go into PCWORLD and tell them all this and see what they recommend but i don`t want ripped off. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated! SW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Thompson Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 Again this may fall into the gaming catagory, so appologies in advance if it does. I`m going to get a new pc in the next month or two and i`m not really sure where to start or what to look for. I`ll need it for office based applications like word and excell, maybe power point. I`d like to use it for photo editing but this isn`t a neccessity. And i`d also quite like to use it for gaming. I don`t think the gaming side of it should be to much of a problem `cause I don`t want to play new games on it. I used to play strategy games such as Age of Empires and Empire Earth years ago and would like to try them again. Would i be able to play the old games on a new PC or is there updated versions I can buy? Someone on here (i think) told me that they games are available on steam, but i don`t really know what that is. I was going to just go into PCWORLD and tell them all this and see what they recommend but i don`t want ripped off. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated! SW Dont go to PC World would be my first piece of advice. What kind of budget do you have? Are you upgrading, so already have things like a monitor, keyboard etc? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jock001 Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 AS for your games, they've updated AoE 2 to an HD version (its just the same but better resolution). http://store.steampowered.com/sub/50790/ i wouldn't pay that much tho unless you really love the game. However steam have sales reasonably regularly. From the sounds of it you really don't need much power for anyhting you want to do. Unlike Mr X, I will recommend going into PC world and maybe talking to their technical guys, just don't talk to the sales staff or actually buy anything. They might give you a better idea where to start. I'd also think about only playing old games. Amazing graphics capabilities cost money but you can still do a huge amount on a budget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Septentrional Wasp Posted October 23, 2014 Author Share Posted October 23, 2014 Not had a PC for years so don't have any accessories. I thought if I went to somewhere like PC World they'd offer me some kind of bundle deal. I'd just be as happy ordering stuff online though. Was thinking about £500-£700 all in. You think this is reasonable or will I have to spend a bit more? Edit to thank you for the replies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jock001 Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 For that price range you can get stuff to do considerably more than what you require. In fact you could get away withn a £200 laptop. So my suggestion would be to buy a minimum 27" monitor, find a keyboard and mouse you like, then work out how much you have left for the actual box itself. My other (more unorthadox) approach would be to go on holiday and come back with a new laptop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom McB Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 Jock's correct. If you only want to run applications like office and Age of empires etc you can get the following. Desktop from pc world http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/desktop-pc-monitors/desktop-pcs/desktop-pcs/asus-k30ad-desktop-pc-10011174-pdt.html Don't but any of the crap they will try to sell you. For age of empires etc a big monitor would be my preference, I use a 28" monitor, good for spreadsheets etc too. From e-buyer 24'' monitor http://www.ebuyer.com/612426-acer-k242hl-24-led-dvi-monitor-um-fw3ee-001 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hellbhoy Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 Again this may fall into the gaming catagory, so appologies in advance if it does. I`m going to get a new pc in the next month or two and i`m not really sure where to start or what to look for. I`ll need it for office based applications like word and excell, maybe power point. I`d like to use it for photo editing but this isn`t a neccessity. And i`d also quite like to use it for gaming. I don`t think the gaming side of it should be to much of a problem `cause I don`t want to play new games on it. I used to play strategy games such as Age of Empires and Empire Earth years ago and would like to try them again. Would i be able to play the old games on a new PC or is there updated versions I can buy? Someone on here (i think) told me that they games are available on steam, but i don`t really know what that is. I was going to just go into PCWORLD and tell them all this and see what they recommend but i don`t want ripped off. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated! SW Which platform are the games you wish to replay again ?, if they are XP it would be better to install Windows 7 rather than Windows 8 as Windows 7 will run XP applications in a virtual PC. I sure Windows 8 doesn't accommodate a backwards compatibility to be able to still use your older games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Septentrional Wasp Posted October 30, 2014 Author Share Posted October 30, 2014 I no longer have the actual games. Would have to buy again. I'm sure that updated versions of the games are still being released so I'll just have to go for them. Edit: I know a couple of folk with 8 and they hate it so will probably go for seven. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 Apologies for piggybacking on this thread but I could do with some PC advice too. Looking to get a new laptop and have a bit saved up - this one seems to fit the bill perfectly: http://www.simplyacer.com/NX.MQREK.004-Acer-Aspire-V-Nitro-VN7-791G_1663281.html My main issue is the graphics card is only 2GB. I've had my current laptop since 2011 and it struggles to play the newest games on a low graphics setting. Admittedly my main gaming is FM, PES/FIFA and the Codemasters F1 games but I don't want to be struggling to play them on a decent detail level 12 months down the line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Thompson Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 Apologies for piggybacking on this thread but I could do with some PC advice too. Looking to get a new laptop and have a bit saved up - this one seems to fit the bill perfectly: http://www.simplyacer.com/NX.MQREK.004-Acer-Aspire-V-Nitro-VN7-791G_1663281.html My main issue is the graphics card is only 2GB. I've had my current laptop since 2011 and it struggles to play the newest games on a low graphics setting. Admittedly my main gaming is FM, PES/FIFA and the Codemasters F1 games but I don't want to be struggling to play them on a decent detail level 12 months down the line. I have a feeling you wont have too many problems Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 I have a feeling you wont have too many problems Aye I know it'll be fine for now, it's two or three years down the line I'm worried about. I'm future proofing myself Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Thompson Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 Aye I know it'll be fine for now, it's two or three years down the line I'm worried about. I'm future proofing myself I know .. it'll be fine unless youre thinking of playing graphic intensive games at 1080p and 60FPS. Even then it would probably cope with most things! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom McB Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 I no longer have the actual games. Would have to buy again. I'm sure that updated versions of the games are still being released so I'll just have to go for them. Edit: I know a couple of folk with 8 and they hate it so will probably go for seven. 8,1 is ol. You can run it in classic windows format. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Thompson Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 8,1 is ol. You can run it in classic windows format. Why would you though? Just stick 7 on and wait and see if 10 is any good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamdunk Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 Try and not cheap out on your motherboard and cpu, they're a bit more of an issue to replace, graphics and RAM are easy to upgrade and also make sure you get a decent power unit. You may even be able to forgo a monitor for the time being if you can use a TV instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshmallo Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 For folk saying don't buy in PC World, where is a better option? I'm wanting a desktop to do some pretty basic stuff (office work from home, FM, play/download music/podcasts) and wouldn't want to spend a bomb without needing to. Anywhere include MS office as part of a deal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFTD Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 Would genuinely recommend getting some decent guides, some anti-static precautions, and building your own. Putting a PC together is such a simple thing these days, especially with all the videos on YouTube that people put together to show you how to do it. And you'll get something that performs better than the equivalent cash would buy from a big-box vendor. Admittedly the idea's pretty scary, but worth it in the long run. Just stay away from PC World, for Christ's sake. Ask around about the trustworthiness of your local PC shops and see what they've got. Try and get a mate who knows his stuff to go with you. And, speaking as the guy who used to be that mate for a lot of people, don't treat him like a used rubber once you've got what you wanted Also, I can heartily recommend getting a small (say, 128GB) SSD to put Windows on. Get a regular drive for all your apps and stuff. The speed increase is amazing, just in using Windows. And if you do build your own: get a decent power supply. It cannot be overstated. You might pay £50 or more, but it makes a massive difference to stability; lots of blue screens can be a sign of a dodgy PSU. Plus, a lot of the more expensive ones come with ludicrous warranties; not sure what my current one has, but the old one was 7 years. And the likelihood is that you'll need to take them up on it at some point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFTD Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 For folk saying don't buy in PC World, where is a better option? I'm wanting a desktop to do some pretty basic stuff (office work from home, FM, play/download music/podcasts) and wouldn't want to spend a bomb without needing to. Anywhere include MS office as part of a deal? If you do a bit of trawling, you can pick up licensed copies of Office on the cheap online; it's just a matter of working out if it's cheaper to buy a plain box from your local shop and do that, or get a machine of similar spec that comes with the licence. Just check out where you're buying from, as there are a lot of scam sites who'll sell you a pirate key for what appears to be a bargain. No point in doing that when it's so easy to install pirate versions for yourself *ahem* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFTD Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 Again this may fall into the gaming catagory, so appologies in advance if it does. I`m going to get a new pc in the next month or two and i`m not really sure where to start or what to look for. I`ll need it for office based applications like word and excell, maybe power point. I`d like to use it for photo editing but this isn`t a neccessity. And i`d also quite like to use it for gaming. I don`t think the gaming side of it should be to much of a problem `cause I don`t want to play new games on it. I used to play strategy games such as Age of Empires and Empire Earth years ago and would like to try them again. Would i be able to play the old games on a new PC or is there updated versions I can buy? Someone on here (i think) told me that they games are available on steam, but i don`t really know what that is. I was going to just go into PCWORLD and tell them all this and see what they recommend but i don`t want ripped off. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated! SW Just out of curiosity, what are the specs of your current PC? The make and model would do, if it's a name brand. It's amazing how many people decide to buy a new PC because it's "slowing down". when all they need is some extra RAM, or a bigger hard drive. Edit: sorry, just noticed that this isn't a replacement. As far as price goes, I spent £500 in April on a machine that's spanking the arse of everything that I've asked it to do, and I play a lot of games (when I can). That didn't include my nice 24" 1080p monitor, which is like night and day compared to my old 1280x1024 screen. Can wholeheartedly recommend that as an upgrade Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFTD Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 Apologies for piggybacking on this thread but I could do with some PC advice too. Looking to get a new laptop and have a bit saved up - this one seems to fit the bill perfectly: http://www.simplyacer.com/NX.MQREK.004-Acer-Aspire-V-Nitro-VN7-791G_1663281.html My main issue is the graphics card is only 2GB. I've had my current laptop since 2011 and it struggles to play the newest games on a low graphics setting. Admittedly my main gaming is FM, PES/FIFA and the Codemasters F1 games but I don't want to be struggling to play them on a decent detail level 12 months down the line. I'd guess Mr X will have a better idea about this, as I'm a bit out of the loop these days, but the amount of RAM on your video card is mainly useful for using the display at higher resolutions. The GPUs on the card are way more important for video performance. I don't think anyone operating on a single screen will have to worry about more than 2GB of video RAM for a long while. Check out some benchmarking sites to see how the Nvidia GTX 860M compares to other cards, and how it runs the games you'd like to play (or similar). Frankly though, the games you've mentioned aren't very intensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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