FM24 - PC/Laptop advice thread *** PLEASE READ OPENING POST BEFORE POSTING ***

[ThunderCelt]

I got my desktop tower made for me four or five years ago, because for budget reasons I wanted to be able to upgrade gradually instead of fork out all at once.  Maybe the time has come to think about my first upgrade; my main aim would be to have FM run a little quicker or be able to run more leagues although for FM20 it's fine for the five or six leagues I'm happy running.  At the moment I'm on:

Processor Intel(R) Core i3-2130 CPU @3.4GHz

Installed RAM 8GB

Graphics NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3GB Version 442.50

Monitor Packard Bell Maestro 243DL

I only play FM and a couple of Paradox games, Crusader Kings and Europa Universalis, other computer use is basic: Word, Excel, email, and Media Player for music.

A computer literate acquaintance reckons my setup is generally okay at the moment, although 8GB RAM will probably need doubling soon and he wasn't thinking specifically FM.  Would more RAM have any advantage to running FM, or from the FM21 viewpoint would another component first make more sense, or would an upgrade not make a noticeable difference on my budget of up to about £200?

[Smurf]

15 minutes ago, pizzachips said:

cheers mate. they actually got back to me saying its available to arrive the 18th.

to be honest I only use laptop for Google, FM and I access work via it but use their programmes.

Do you think it's good value for money?

especially for FM as I wnates to run 20/ 30 league's  at a quick speed 

https://www.dell.com/en-ie/shop/laptops/new-inspiron-15-7000/spd/inspiron-15-7501-laptop/cn50101

 

3 minutes ago, Smurf said:

In Ireland too, from Dublin but in Meath, now. I can tell you its a decent price. But check out on Pc specialist, you could probably get it a tad cheaper and wont come with bloatware.

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.ie/saved-configurations/cosmosIX-15/2CzcrWkWRn/

[kevhamster]

3 minutes ago, ThunderCelt said:

I got my desktop tower made for me four or five years ago, because for budget reasons I wanted to be able to upgrade gradually instead of fork out all at once.  Maybe the time has come to think about my first upgrade; my main aim would be to have FM run a little quicker or be able to run more leagues although for FM20 it's fine for the five or six leagues I'm happy running.  At the moment I'm on:

Processor Intel(R) Core i3-2130 CPU @3.4GHz

Installed RAM 8GB

Graphics NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3GB Version 442.50

Monitor Packard Bell Maestro 243DL

I only play FM and a couple of Paradox games, Crusader Kings and Europa Universalis, other computer use is basic: Word, Excel, email, and Media Player for music.

A computer literate acquaintance reckons my setup is generally okay at the moment, although 8GB RAM will probably need doubling soon and he wasn't thinking specifically FM.  Would more RAM have any advantage to running FM, or from the FM21 viewpoint would another component first make more sense, or would an upgrade not make a noticeable difference on my budget of up to about £200?

Upgrading the RAM to 16GB can't hurt and it'll be a relatively inexpensive upgrade.  Can't say how much of an impact it'll have though.

If I was going to upgrade anything in that setup, I'd consider the CPU first.  Although, that socket only goes up to 3rd gen Intel Core processors.  The strongest seems to the Intel Core i7-3770, although looking at the prices it's going for I wouldn't call it an economic upgrade.

 

 

[ThunderCelt]

@kevhamster thank you for the swift response and advice. 

[Smurf]

28 minutes ago, kevhamster said:

Upgrading the RAM to 16GB can't hurt and it'll be a relatively inexpensive upgrade.  Can't say how much of an impact it'll have though.

If I was going to upgrade anything in that setup, I'd consider the CPU first.  Although, that socket only goes up to 3rd gen Intel Core processors.  The strongest seems to the Intel Core i7-3770, although looking at the prices it's going for I wouldn't call it an economic upgrade.

 

 

 

23 minutes ago, ThunderCelt said:

@kevhamster thank you for the swift response and advice. 

You would prob want a new Mobo.

[kevhamster]

16 minutes ago, Smurf said:

 

You would prob want a new Mobo.

Agreed, was just trying to think of things to keep it within the £200 budget, as I'm gonna assume his current RAM is DDR3 based on the age of the CPU and obviously he'd likely need to completely upgrade that too.

But, this combo would be a huge upgrade:

CPU: https://www.ebuyer.com/830816-amd-ryzen-5-2600-am4-processor-with-wraith-stealth-cooler-yd2600bbafbox

Mobo: https://www.ebuyer.com/912327-msi-amd-b450m-a-pro-max-am4-matx-motherboard-b450m-a-pro-max

Edit: Or this would be even better.

Mobo: https://www.ebuyer.com/951169-biostar-b365mhc-1151-ddr4-matx-motherboard-b365mhc?wgu=267255_206719_16047619142972_6f83d66429&wgexpiry=1612537914&utm_source=webgains&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=97907&utm_campaign=PCPartPicker, LLC_206719

CPU: https://www.ebuyer.com/874796-intel-core-i5-9400f-6-core-2-9-ghz-processor-bx80684i59400f

Edited November 7, 2020 by kevhamster

[pizzachips]

1 hour ago, Smurf said:

 

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.ie/saved-configurations/cosmosIX-15/2CzcrWkWRn/

fellow Dub myself, living out in celbridge.

Cheers Smurf

[FM BEAR]

2 hours ago, kevhamster said:

https://www.box.co.uk/1L6F6EAABU-HP-Pavilion-Gaming-15-ec1007na_2958258.html

Excellent CPU, graphics card is ample and decent amount of storage.

Brilliant. Thanks for your help. Ordered it. 👍

[Mr_Demus]

Just upgraded the ram in my laptop from 8 to 32gb. 

Where, in FM, will I notice the change? 

[lukefox44]

Hi guys, looking to upgrade my four year old laptop that has a I7-6500U to hopefully something a fair bit quicker.

 

Saw earlier you recommended this https://www.box.co.uk/1L6F6EAABU-HP-Pavilion-Gaming-15-ec1007na_2958258.html#DetailTop

this might be a silly question but how different is it to this https://ao.com/product/133w8eaabu-hp-laptop-black-75691-251.aspx

I had a look but to be honest i'm not too clued up on this sort of stuff.

Cheers guys.

[Smurf]

44 minutes ago, Mr_Demus said:

Just upgraded the ram in my laptop from 8 to 32gb. 

Where, in FM, will I notice the change? 

Not really going to see a difference. I believe it might be in shortlisting and things, cant remember I think @EdL told me something about it years ago.

Read section on RAM in the opening post.

[Smurf]

28 minutes ago, lukefox44 said:

Hi guys, looking to upgrade my four year old laptop that has a I7-6500U to hopefully something a fair bit quicker.

 

Saw earlier you recommended this https://www.box.co.uk/1L6F6EAABU-HP-Pavilion-Gaming-15-ec1007na_2958258.html#DetailTop

this might be a silly question but how different is it to this https://ao.com/product/133w8eaabu-hp-laptop-black-75691-251.aspx

I had a look but to be honest i'm not too clued up on this sort of stuff.

Cheers guys.

First one.

[AnthonyB98]

https://www.box.co.uk/81LL000UUK-Lenovo-IdeaPad-Gaming-L340-17_2893983.html 

 

Hi, can anyone tell me if this is good? i want to run a few leagues on a large databse.

 

Thank you in advance!

Edited November 7, 2020 by AnthonyB98
Link

[EdL]

21 minutes ago, Smurf said:

Not really going to see a difference. I believe it might be in shortlisting and things, cant remember I think @EdL told me something about it years ago.

Read section on RAM in the opening post.

It will unlikely make any difference in FM it won't really use more than a few GB generally - main difference could be if you are running lots of other things at the same time.

[lukefox44]

25 minutes ago, Smurf said:

First one.

Not that I'm doubting you, but for the extra £100 what more can I expect from the cheaper one

 

Cheers.

Edited November 7, 2020 by lukefox44

[Smurf]

20 minutes ago, lukefox44 said:

Not that I'm doubting you, but for the extra £100 what more can I expect from the cheaper one

 

Cheers.

Going from memory, on my mobile here.

it has more storage and has a slightly higher graphics card, I think.

[lukefox44]

21 minutes ago, Smurf said:

Going from memory, on my mobile here.

it has more storage and has a slightly higher graphics card, I think.

Nice one, thanks mate.

[Smaldini]

I’ve got a budget of £400 and hadn’t considered getting a refurbished or reconditioned laptop, but this has caught my eye. Thoughts?

https://www.laptopstation.co.uk/product/laptops/da0600sa/

I’m not looking for anything special, Football Manager is the only game I play on laptops. I’ve been using a HP laptop for the last five years and would prefer to stick with them, but I’m open to any recommendations.

[Smurf]

21 minutes ago, Smaldini said:

I’ve got a budget of £400 and hadn’t considered getting a refurbished or reconditioned laptop, but this has caught my eye. Thoughts?

https://www.laptopstation.co.uk/product/laptops/da0600sa/

I’m not looking for anything special, Football Manager is the only game I play on laptops. I’ve been using a HP laptop for the last five years and would prefer to stick with them, but I’m open to any recommendations.

Barely. Have a gander at the openig post. See, We dont know, Graphics. 

It will work. No integrated graphics. See opening post.

[kevhamster]

52 minutes ago, Smaldini said:

I’ve got a budget of £400 and hadn’t considered getting a refurbished or reconditioned laptop, but this has caught my eye. Thoughts?

https://www.laptopstation.co.uk/product/laptops/da0600sa/

I’m not looking for anything special, Football Manager is the only game I play on laptops. I’ve been using a HP laptop for the last five years and would prefer to stick with them, but I’m open to any recommendations.

I'd consider this one to be a stronger choice:

https://www.laptopstation.co.uk/product/laptops/a314-22/

[shrewsbury]

Hi Guys, Looking for a new laptop for FM21 budget £650 only use it for FM. Like to run about 10 leagues. 

Would this one be any good? or any other recommendations? Thanks

https://www.box.co.uk/81LK0039UK-Lenovo-IdeaPad-Gaming-L340-15_2934443.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiAy579BRCPARIsAB6QoIZhibA_6P3UZAetIRdFGodf40dqoQixxHd5lAUPwLA9EI1u6-94-2gaAnhUEALw_wcB&fbclid=IwAR2jq5zu-OF8R09nZSQAd_d31wrDAh-DBACidRbPCKYQvukyuDZ3saoqFQE#DetailTop

[Smurf]

11 minutes ago, shrewsbury said:

Hi Guys, Looking for a new laptop for FM21 budget £650 only use it for FM. Like to run about 10 leagues. 

Would this one be any good? or any other recommendations? Thanks

https://www.box.co.uk/81LK0039UK-Lenovo-IdeaPad-Gaming-L340-15_2934443.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiAy579BRCPARIsAB6QoIZhibA_6P3UZAetIRdFGodf40dqoQixxHd5lAUPwLA9EI1u6-94-2gaAnhUEALw_wcB&fbclid=IwAR2jq5zu-OF8R09nZSQAd_d31wrDAh-DBACidRbPCKYQvukyuDZ3saoqFQE#DetailTop

Not seeing anything better there for that price. It's pretty good. See the opening post about hard drive size though, it's a bit on the small size, but easily upgrade or get an external usb thumb drive/flash drive.

For 50 quid extra 

https://www.box.co.uk/FA506IH-BQ027-ASUS-TUF-Gaming-A15-FA506IH-BQ027-(NO-OP_2913034.html

Better graphics card and a better processor. 

Processor compare below.

 

[AnthonyB98]

18 hours ago, AnthonyB98 said:

https://www.box.co.uk/81LL000UUK-Lenovo-IdeaPad-Gaming-L340-17_2893983.html 

 

Hi, can anyone tell me if this is good? i want to run a few leagues on a large databse.

 

Thank you in advance!

Sorry, could anyone update me on this? 

[shrewsbury]

40 minutes ago, Smurf said:

Not seeing anything better there for that price. It's pretty good. See the opening post about hard drive size though, it's a bit on the small size, but easily upgrade or get an external usb thumb drive/flash drive.

For 50 quid extra 

https://www.box.co.uk/FA506IH-BQ027-ASUS-TUF-Gaming-A15-FA506IH-BQ027-(NO-OP_2913034.html

Better graphics card and a better processor. 

Processor compare below.

 

Thanks would it be  windows 10, 32 or 64 bit I would need to install if I got this?

[Smurf]

1 minute ago, shrewsbury said:

Thanks would it be  windows 10, 32 or 64 bit I would need to install if I got this?

Did not notice no OS installed. Windows 10 64 bit.

but other one is good if you dont want the one i suggested

[RTHerringbone]

Originally posted this in OTF but probably more appropriate here. I've currently got an ageing mid-2014 MacBook Pro. It has reasonable specs in some regards but a gaming machine it is not. I'm considering just letting my kids have it for homework etc., which then unfortunately means I'd need a new machine  I have no links to provide as I haven't really researched this at all and it's by no means a certainty - I'm open to suggestions. Some early scanning online suggests that the Palicomp builds are OK?

I'm happy to switch to a desktop to get more for my money. I'll use it for FM, general MS Office stuff, some nerdy data visualisation work and general browsing (watching YouTube stuff and streams of HD BT Sports football). What I would like to do is give myself a shot at having FM running well with all graphics settings maxed out as I've never had that.

Budget would max out at £500. Not sure how relevant it is but I've just bought a Philips Ultrawide 345B1C monitor. For ease of immediate use I just want an off the shelf job, rather than something I build myself. However it would be useful to have something with a solid foundation for future upgrades.

 

[shrewsbury]

45 minutes ago, Smurf said:

Did not notice no OS installed. Windows 10 64 bit.

but other one is good if you dont want the one i suggested

Thanks for your help. The one you suggested seems better value for money for the extra £50.

[Smurf]

17 minutes ago, shrewsbury said:

Thanks for your help. The one you suggested seems better value for money for the extra £50.

Yes, it is. But you have to buy the OS which I think will add to your costs.

Up to you - no OS you'll need to buy one and install via usb.

[shrewsbury]

25 minutes ago, Smurf said:

Yes, it is. But you have to buy the OS which I think will add to your costs.

Up to you - no OS you'll need to buy one and install via usb.

Found a windows 10 product key for £10 if it’s legit and install free off Microsoft to put on USB. https://www.cjs-cdkeys.com/products/Windows-10-Home-CD-Key-(Digital-Download).html?setCurrencyId=1&google=3918dus783&gclid=Cj0KCQiAy579BRCPARIsAB6QoIbbFMxFs_bWphyfpoCytbkJQebPLsfG2XbFY36GdOfA8Qf3QzsZIX0aAqkaEALw_wcB

 

[Smurf]

2 minutes ago, shrewsbury said:

Found a windows 10 product key for £10 if it’s legit and install free off Microsoft to put on USB. https://www.cjs-cdkeys.com/products/Windows-10-Home-CD-Key-(Digital-Download).html?setCurrencyId=1&google=3918dus783&gclid=Cj0KCQiAy579BRCPARIsAB6QoIbbFMxFs_bWphyfpoCytbkJQebPLsfG2XbFY36GdOfA8Qf3QzsZIX0aAqkaEALw_wcB

 

Mate - if it's too good to be true, it usually is! 

Read reviews before going ahead with this.

Buy a legit from a store like PC World or something. At least you'll have fall back if not ok.

 

[Smurf]

1 hour ago, RTHerringbone said:

Originally posted this in OTF but probably more appropriate here. I've currently got an ageing mid-2014 MacBook Pro. It has reasonable specs in some regards but a gaming machine it is not. I'm considering just letting my kids have it for homework etc., which then unfortunately means I'd need a new machine  I have no links to provide as I haven't really researched this at all and it's by no means a certainty - I'm open to suggestions. Some early scanning online suggests that the Palicomp builds are OK?

I'm happy to switch to a desktop to get more for my money. I'll use it for FM, general MS Office stuff, some nerdy data visualisation work and general browsing (watching YouTube stuff and streams of HD BT Sports football). What I would like to do is give myself a shot at having FM running well with all graphics settings maxed out as I've never had that.

Budget would max out at £500. Not sure how relevant it is but I've just bought a Philips Ultrawide 345B1C monitor. For ease of immediate use I just want an off the shelf job, rather than something I build myself. However it would be useful to have something with a solid foundation for future upgrades.

 

That Mac is probably end of life or EOL as they say.

https://support.apple.com/en-ie/HT201624

 

Anyway - a desktop for 500 for FM.

Price: £507.00 including VAT and Delivery

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.ie/saved-configurations/intel-home-office-pc-II/BxczWPBVYk/

It's a good processor.

RAM can be upgraded.

And you can eventually put in a graphics card.

 

 

[PAFC_Dugout]

2 hours ago, AnthonyB98 said:

https://www.box.co.uk/81LL000UUK-Lenovo-IdeaPad-Gaming-L340-17_2893983.html 

I'd also like to know if this is worth the money, its the one I'm leaning towards before FM21 release

Edited November 8, 2020 by PAFC_Dugout

[RTHerringbone]

Cheers @Smurf 

By means of comparison, here's what my totally uninformed Amazon browsing was unearthing.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/PALICOMP-Gaming-3-5Ghz-3-7Ghz-Threads/dp/B0773QKCZW/ref=sr_1_20?dchild=1&fst=as%3Aoff&m=AK4CRT169PM2P&qid=1604843719&refinements=p_n_feature_browse-bin%3A1481781031|1481782031|21740491031%2Cp_36%3A-70000%2Cp_n_feature_sixteen_browse-bin%3A21920725031%2Cp_n_condition-type%3A12319067031%2Cp_72%3A419154031%2Cp_6%3AAK4CRT169PM2P%2Cp_n_feature_seven_browse-bin%3A8322553031%2Cp_n_style_browse-bin%3A11416345031&rnid=182786031&s=computers&sr=1-20

Clearly not a like-for-like in any way (different CPU, one with SSD vs. one without, one with GTX card vs. one without) but these Palicomp builds do look like they're running on pretty tight margins. Once you've sourced all the components and assembled them, they don't seem to be making that much per unit. Any thoughts on that as a setup? I just want to keep myself relatively future-proof (within reason) on FM and my limited non-FM usage for 5 years or so. I think the Amazon link is way beyond what I need in terms of the graphics card but I have no clues about stuff technically any more.

[kevhamster]

6 minutes ago, PAFC_Dugout said:

I'd also like to know if this is worth the money, its the one I'm leaning towards before FM21 release

I don't see anything better for the price.

Excellent CPU, graphics card is ample for FM.

As long as you're happy with the relatively limited storage, it's a very well specced laptop.

[kevhamster]

13 minutes ago, RTHerringbone said:

Cheers @Smurf 

By means of comparison, here's what my totally uninformed Amazon browsing was unearthing.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/PALICOMP-Gaming-3-5Ghz-3-7Ghz-Threads/dp/B0773QKCZW/ref=sr_1_20?dchild=1&fst=as%3Aoff&m=AK4CRT169PM2P&qid=1604843719&refinements=p_n_feature_browse-bin%3A1481781031|1481782031|21740491031%2Cp_36%3A-70000%2Cp_n_feature_sixteen_browse-bin%3A21920725031%2Cp_n_condition-type%3A12319067031%2Cp_72%3A419154031%2Cp_6%3AAK4CRT169PM2P%2Cp_n_feature_seven_browse-bin%3A8322553031%2Cp_n_style_browse-bin%3A11416345031&rnid=182786031&s=computers&sr=1-20

Clearly not a like-for-like in any way (different CPU, one with SSD vs. one without, one with GTX card vs. one without) but these Palicomp builds do look like they're running on pretty tight margins. Once you've sourced all the components and assembled them, they don't seem to be making that much per unit. Any thoughts on that as a setup? I just want to keep myself relatively future-proof (within reason) on FM and my limited non-FM usage for 5 years or so. I think the Amazon link is way beyond what I need in terms of the graphics card but I have no clues about stuff technically any more.

The CPU in that build on Amazon is miles behind the one in the PC Specialist, at least in terms of processing speed for the game.

The one part where the Amazon build is stronger is the graphics performance, which won't be great on the Intel's integrated graphics.

A compromise between the two would be this:  https://www.pcspecialist.ie/saved-configurations/intel-home-office-pc-II/tsTraYR!Rh/ (or https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/intel-home-office-pc-II/tsTraYR!Rh/ if you're in the UK)

The CPU isn't as strong as the one Smurf linked, but is still way stronger than that one on Amazon and includes a dedicated graphics card which'll be ample for FM.

Edited November 8, 2020 by kevhamster

[RTHerringbone]

Thanks @kevhamster I'd forgotten how much fun it is on sites like that swapping components in and out 

[kevhamster]

Just now, RTHerringbone said:

Thanks @kevhamster I'd forgotten how much fun it is on sites like that swapping components in and out 

Yeah, I did it obsessively myself recently trying to get a build I wanted until I settled on my final build and went ahead with it.  I'd toyed with buying the components and building it myself, but I've not built a PC before and I was worried I'd spend that much money and break something lol (I am quite clumsy).

[Smurf]

27 minutes ago, PAFC_Dugout said:

I'd also like to know if this is worth the money, its the one I'm leaning towards before FM21 release

For 800 I'd be looking for more hard drive space

THis is very good

https://www.box.co.uk/1L6F6EAABU-HP-Pavilion-Gaming-15-ec1007na_2958258.html

You can add more RAM at a later time to make it 16gb RAM. 

Has better graphics card and cpu.

[AnthonyB98]

32 minutes ago, kevhamster said:

I don't see anything better for the price.

Excellent CPU, graphics card is ample for FM.

As long as you're happy with the relatively limited storage, it's a very well specced laptop.

Would you be able to run the graphics at max? Would you get a lot of leagues too? 

[kevhamster]

1 minute ago, AnthonyB98 said:

Would you be able to run the graphics at max? Would you get a lot of leagues too? 

Yes, the graphics will run at max.

We can't comment how many leagues it will run to your liking - as per the OP, this is subjective.  But, this is at the higher end of CPU's currently available so will handle the game very well.

[PAFC_Dugout]

1 hour ago, Smurf said:

For 800 I'd be looking for more hard drive space

THis is very good

https://www.box.co.uk/1L6F6EAABU-HP-Pavilion-Gaming-15-ec1007na_2958258.html

You can add more RAM at a later time to make it 16gb RAM. 

Has better graphics card and cpu.

so the AMD Ryzen 5 in the HP is better/quicker than the i7 in the Lenovo? 

Upgrading from my current HP for speed really. Was really set on a 17" screen really cause that's what I'm used to but sure id adjust to 15.6".

Fed up of trying to find the best deal/value for money, been looking for 2 weeks 

 

Edit to add: https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8095330 would this be even better? Ryzen 7 and can get it on Argos finance

Edited November 8, 2020 by PAFC_Dugout

[ellismason93]

Hi guys, looking for a cheap basic laptop that will run FM 21 smoothly.

Only looking at spending about £300 so obviously not hoping for too much.

Will only be using it for fm and standard browsing. 

Only want a few leagues and nations on a medium database. Will it be worth waiting for black Friday deals? I know next to nothing about laptops 

Also I've always played with 2D classic if that makes a difference

 

Edited November 8, 2020 by ellismason93

[kevhamster]

6 minutes ago, PAFC_Dugout said:

so the AMD Ryzen 5 in the HP is better/quicker than the i7 in the Lenovo? 

Upgrading from my current HP for speed really. Was really set on a 17" screen really cause that's what I'm used to but sure id adjust to 15.6".

Fed up of trying to find the best deal/value for money, been looking for 2 weeks 

They're very similar - notebookcheck has the two literally 5 places apart, which in real terms means there is barely anything in it.

[PAFC_Dugout]

3 minutes ago, kevhamster said:

They're very similar - notebookcheck has the two literally 5 places apart, which in real terms means there is barely anything in it.

Cheers again Kev. settled it down to these two now:

 

https://www.box.co.uk/1L6F6EAABU-HP-Pavilion-Gaming-15-ec1007na_2958258.html

or

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8095330

leaning more towards the argos one because of Ryzen 7 instead of 5, better graphics card (i think) and the fact I can get it on finance. Worth it you think?

[kevhamster]

7 minutes ago, ellismason93 said:

Hi guys, looking for a cheap basic laptop that will run FM 21 smoothly.

Only looking at spending about £300 so obviously not hoping for too much.

Will only be using it for fm and standard browsing. 

Only want a few leagues and nations on a medium database. Will it be worth waiting for black Friday deals? I know next to nothing about laptops 

There is very little to recommend in that price range.

The best thing I've been able to find is this: https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8764348

The CPU isn't great, but above the minimum clock speed for FM.  It is only 4GB RAM, but there'll be nothing at that price which is more.

It also has very low storage, so bear that in mind.

One positive is it has 1080p resolution, so at least you'll get more info on screen in game.

[kevhamster]

8 minutes ago, PAFC_Dugout said:

Cheers again Kev. settled it down to these two now:

 

https://www.box.co.uk/1L6F6EAABU-HP-Pavilion-Gaming-15-ec1007na_2958258.html

or

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8095330

leaning more towards the argos one because of Ryzen 7 instead of 5, better graphics card (i think) and the fact I can get it on finance. Worth it you think?

You are correct in that the CPU and graphics card on the one in Argos are stronger.  You don't need any more than the graphics card in the other one though, but obviously the extra CPU power may well make a bit of a difference to how quickly FM processes.

And that's a good price for the machine in Argos too.  The closest equivalent specced machine on the Box website is £100 more.

Edited November 8, 2020 by kevhamster

[PAFC_Dugout]

20 minutes ago, kevhamster said:

You are correct in that the CPU and graphics card on the one in Argos are stronger.  You don't need any more than the graphics card in the other one though, but obviously the extra CPU power may well make a bit of a difference to how quickly FM processes.

And that's a good price for the machine in Argos too.  The closest equivalent specced machine on the Box website is £100 more.

Last one Kev, I promise 

 

looking at this one also to save that extra money because i'm on furlough, 

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/9199527

any good? 

[kevhamster]

19 minutes ago, PAFC_Dugout said:

Last one Kev, I promise 

 

looking at this one also to save that extra money because i'm on furlough, 

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/9199527

any good? 

It's certainly not as strong as the other 2, but it'll be fine.

https://www.box.co.uk/81LK010TUK-Lenovo-IdeaPad-Gaming-L340-15_2834990.html this would be a better bet in terms of spec (again, aside from the storage space), if buying it from Box is not an obstacle.

[Ginola*]

My laptop has just died on me and all I really do on a laptop is play FM and CM 01/02. I don’t really want to spend more than £300 but that doesn’t look realistic judging by this thread!

[ciaran_celtic]

Any desktop recommendations for £300 ? Obviously not expecting a lot.