pc or laptop

hi i know there have bn some similar threads im thinking of buying a new computer which i only ever use for FM as i think my old one will not run the new game great i dont really know much bout specs,but got around 400 to spend and seen some refurbished base units was just wondering if FM runs significantly better on PC's?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

You'll get a better desktop machine for £400 than a laptop, if that helps.

If you're just after a base unit - look for a Core 2 Quad or Duo, ATI or Nvidia graphics, 4gb of Memory and 500gb HDD.

thanks for the reply,i think im going to go for a desktop i have seen these and was wondering if anyone could give me advice on them and how many years they would play fm effectively on

http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/minicat/new/upsell/lc_d005718?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&s=dhs

http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/minicat/new/upsell/inspiron-580-D005805?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&s=dhs

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1933967025.1263665521@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccfcadejgjedlehcflgceggdhhmdgmk.0&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null&sku=502089&category_oid=

Thanks for any help anyone can give me

I would avoid integrated graphics and i3 processors - they'll be poor, especially for that price.

The first machine is the best of the ones you posted, but upgrade the graphics card if at all possible.

thanks,would i be able to get a better desktop for similar money?

the reason i chose them sites is cos they have buy now pay later offers on

i have recently purchased the parts and my brother constructed my new computer for me, my laptop was simply insufficient. a laptop and pc can match each other - but a pc can be upgraded, and more cost-effective than a laptop.

go for at least a dual-core processor, and plenty of RAM for game speed.

Dell have some very good desktop deals. In fact I just ordered one for my mother from there for about £400 (base unit only). Think it had integrated graphics though.

http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=d005722&c=uk&l=en&s=dhs&cs=ukdhs1

That's pretty good value. Not sure about the graphics card though, you should look into that.

whats makes the graphics important just how it runs 3d?

Mostly yes. It's also key if you ever want to play another PC game. I wouldn't skimp on graphics for FM. Without being harsh to SI, they are not the best at optimising their game - particularly the 3d view. So while you can go for a really cheap card that meets the min requirements, you would have no chance of getting a decent 3d view.

yeah how much are decent graphic cards?i like the look of one you linked thanks a lot for that much better memeory for just little extra,prob all ill use the computer for is FM thats all the last one has ever bn used for

just out of interest would that system run a few countries quite comfortably with large database?

good graphics cards you are looking at £60 - my computer uses an inbuilt graphics card on the motherboard and it is perfectly satisfactory viewing, and nice and smooth

Yes, it would quite easily I would imagine.

@ llama - have you got graphics set to automatic detail in FM by any chance?

no, set to medium detail, with aspects like weather etc all turned on

That explains why integrated graphics can run it smoothly then I would never recommend purchasing a PC with integrated graphics though, as it effects performance in general in Vista and Win7.

was quite happy to go to integrated graphics, as i do not play graphically demanding games, and compensated with processor and RAM. havent noticed problems with performance in my computer at all either

So would you wakers would that pc you recommended have a decent lifespan think ill try and purchase that one?

llama what do you consider good processor n RAM mate?

as for that my brother was the main help in choosing the exact, models, so dont want to give you advice out of my range, but ensure it is at least dualcore, and read up reviews on them - overclockers is a good website to try. and as for RAM a good 2gb should be enough off the top of my head really - but again, probably read up some reviews for a bit more knowledgeable advice

No. Today you should be getting 4gb at least unless you're paying sub £300.

Guys I need major help!!!

My last computer was only ever used for FM09 I dont play fancy games just that one.

Which one will do the job of running FM2010 smoothly

AMD Anthlon II X2 240(2.8GHz, 2MB cache)

Integrated ATI Radeon HD 4200 graphics

2GB RAM

OR

Intel core 2 duo E7500(2.9GHz 3MB cache)

Integrated Intel graphics media accelerator X4500 graphics

4gb RAM

thanx am so confused.com about these graphics cards :S

Take the second one but only if you can put an nvidia/ati graphics card (not integrated) in there.

Take the second one but only if you can put an nvidia/ati graphics card (not integrated) in there.

what about this one then :

AMD Athlon™ II X4 630 (2.8GHz, 2MB Cache)

6144MB Dual Channel DDR3 1066MHz [2x2048 + 2x1024] Memory

640GB (7200rpm) SATA Hard Drive

Nvidia ® GeForce G310 512MB graphics card

or

Intel core 2 duo E7500(2.9GHz 3MB cache)

Nvidia GeForce G310 512MB graphics card

6144MB Dual Channel DDR3 1066MHz [2x2048 + 2x1024] Memory

which processor is better?

The Athlon. How much is the first system?

I don't see the point in getting 6gb of DDR 3 RAM either if it's not going to be an Intel i5/i7 processor.

Take the second one but only if you can put an nvidia/ati graphics card (not integrated) in there.

this. lol

I would avoid integrated at all costs.

The Athlon. How much is the first system?

I don't see the point in getting 6gb of DDR 3 RAM either if it's not going to be an Intel i5/i7 processor.

The Athlon is priced at £479 without screen monitor

I thought having more RAM improves the speed of the game? so would 6GB in the second one (intel core 2 duo) does nothing for the game then?

The intel is at:

£579 with 6GB RAM and GeForce or

£549 with GeForce and Wireless PCIe Network card

am clearly on a budget but badly need to play that game

The athlon system is still the best. FM is a 32 bit application and so can never use more than 2gb. 4gb is optimal and 6gb is only really a worthwhile improvement when it's used in a triple channel set up, which only the i5/i7's can do.

The athlon system is still the best. FM is a 32 bit application and so can never use more than 2gb. 4gb is optimal and 6gb is only really a worthwhile improvement when it's used in a triple channel set up, which only the i5/i7's can do.

So the athlon system will run FM smoothly with no hiccups even with loads of leagues?

Heres another I think should be compared with the athlon:

Intel® Core™ 2 Quad-Core Q8300 Processor (2.50GHz, 4MB cache, 1333MHz FSB)

4096MB Dual Channel DDR3 1066MHz [4x1024] Memory

640GB (7200rpm) SATA Hard Drive

Nvidia ® GeForce G310 512MB graphics card

the previous athlon was:

AMD Athlon™ II X4 630 (2.8GHz, 2MB Cache)

6144MB Dual Channel DDR3 1066MHz [2x2048 + 2x1024] Memory

640GB (7200rpm) SATA Hard Drive

Nvidia ® GeForce G310 512MB graphics card

which one will run FM2010 smoothly??

thanx for all your advice

I use a laptop so i can play at the same time as I am "spending time" with the missus.... IE whilst she watches East Enders or something similar.

The Intel machine in that case, I would imagine. Define what you mean by 'loads of leagues' - even top of the range computers would struggle if you loaded every league in high detail.

The Intel machine in that case, I would imagine. Define what you mean by 'loads of leagues' - even top of the range computers would struggle if you loaded every league in high detail.

Like:

Premiership

League one

League two

spanish league

spanish league B

French leage

Italian

Italian B

Scotland

Brazil

Argentina

Germany

would the intel machine be able to run these without a hitch?

and the intel is better than the athlon you reckon? why? - is it because of the processor?

The processor will be better yes. The athlon quad core will also be able to run those leagues comfortably though I would imagine.

My machine can and it's pretty mid range by now.

The processor will be better yes. The athlon quad core will also be able to run those leagues comfortably though I would imagine.

My machine can and it's pretty mid range by now.

AMD Athlon™ II X4 630 (2.8GHz, 2MB Cache) = quad core?

so which one athlon or the intel and why? like why did you chose one over the other

Well it's hard to decide for sure because I don't know what your budget is. The Athlon machine will no doubt be cheaper, but the Intel has the better processor, but I would guess it's quite a bit more expensive.

Well it's hard to decide for sure because I don't know what your budget is. The Athlon machine will no doubt be cheaper, but the Intel has the better processor, but I would guess it's quite a bit more expensive.

erm these are the specs for both:

Intel® Core™ 2 Quad-Core Q8300 Processor (2.50GHz, 4MB cache, 1333MHz FSB)

4096MB Dual Channel DDR3 1066MHz [4x1024] Memory

640GB (7200rpm) SATA Hard Drive

Nvidia ® GeForce G310 512MB graphics card

the previous athlon was:

AMD Athlon™ II X4 630 (2.8GHz, 2MB Cache)

6144MB Dual Channel DDR3 1066MHz [2x2048 + 2x1024] Memory

640GB (7200rpm) SATA Hard Drive

Nvidia ® GeForce G310 512MB graphics card

It may suprise you but the athlon is actually £30 more expensive!!!

so the intel machine is more superior than the athlon because of the processor?

and perhaps the reason its more expensive is because of the 6GB RAM instead of a 4GB RAM which makes very little difference on both these processors as to truely benefit from 6GB you need an i5 or i7 processor which neither of these 2 computers has

so go for the intel right?

Yep, Intel it is.

Yep, Intel it is.

THANX MAN!!!

any idea where I can buy really really cheap desktop monitors...like no more than £50? (although not a FM question just wondering)

Apart from ebay?

I'm not sure but the Dell Outlet store might sell some for that cheap. I'm sure you could get a really basic 15" square monitor for that price.

Apart from ebay?

I'm not sure but the Dell Outlet store might sell some for that cheap. I'm sure you could get a really basic 15" square monitor for that price.

koolio cheapest I could find was £80 :S from dell but thanx for all your help and advice before as well have learnt a lot about processors and video cards etc your a LEGEND

Hi again new question which graphic cards will be compatible for playing FM2010?

Integrated Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950

Integrated ATI Radeon HD4200 Graphics

Integrated Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X4500 Graphics

Integrated HD 3200 Graphics

Integrated ATI Radeon HD4200 Graphics

Integrated Intel GMA x4500 graphics

Integrated Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator HD

512MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4570

Nvidia ® GeForce G310 512MB graphics card

Graphics Card - Single 1GB Nvidia GeForce GTS 240

Can you reply a Y/N for each of them and try to be accurate and precise...a lot of dosh lays within this decision

Hi again new question which graphic cards will be compatible for playing FM2010?

Integrated Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950

Integrated ATI Radeon HD4200 Graphics

Integrated Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X4500 Graphics

Integrated HD 3200 Graphics

Integrated ATI Radeon HD4200 Graphics

Integrated Intel GMA x4500 graphics

Integrated Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator HD

512MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4570

Nvidia ® GeForce G310 512MB graphics card

Graphics Card - Single 1GB Nvidia GeForce GTS 240

Can you reply a Y/N for each of them and try to be accurate and precise...a lot of dosh lays within this decision

For best experience, avoid integrated graphics. Although they are all supported by FM, the Intel ones especially will not play the 3d match engine well. They are only really meant for laptops (even there they're being phased out) and very basic desktops. So;

Integrated Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950 - No

Integrated ATI Radeon HD4200 Graphics - No

Integrated Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X4500 Graphics - No

Integrated HD 3200 Graphics - No

Integrated ATI Radeon HD4200 Graphics - No

Integrated Intel GMA x4500 graphics - No

Integrated Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator HD - No

512MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4570 - Yes

Nvidia ® GeForce G310 512MB graphics card - Yes

Graphics Card - Single 1GB Nvidia GeForce GTS 240 - Yes

I would need to know the prices you've been given for the last three to tell you which is best value for money.

Assuming that FM is CPU tied, you would not need to go for a top end GPU, but is still a good idea. If you can't stretch your budget, get a very good mid ranged card and imho, save up for a top end card later. Again this is just what i would do on a tight budget.

wakers mate just bout to purchase a pc this week does it matter if its 4gb ddr3 or ddr2 just can get one with the intel quad Q8300 but it only has ddr2?cheers

If the processor is better than the alternative then go for that one.

sorry the other is the amd x4 II 2.5ghz/2mb,so the ddr3 n ddr2 isnt much different then?

Ram speeds are down to the mobo. The Socket 775 Intel X48 DDR3 mobo's have support for 1333Mhz FSB 8300QC's

Confusing me now, does the intel have the ddr 3 or the amd?

Nevermind, I unconfused myself.

There won't be much difference between the two machines, if the amd has the DDR3. I would say go for what's cheapest in that case.

Unless of course you're counting every precious frame per second like gamers do

is there any way to simplify that mate im not good with computers?

Confusing me now, does the intel have the ddr 3 or the amd?

the intel has ddr2 n amd has ddr3 both 4gb

This will support a 45NM Yorkfield Q8300 1333

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-371-AS&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=1050

This will support a 45NM Yorkfield Q8300 1333

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-371-AS&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=1050

He's not looking for a motherboard, he's buying a prebuilt system