Looking for help to build a PC to run SH4 nicely.

[CaptainTorpedo]

Hello all, I'm not new but I forgot my old login info and apparently the email, I wasn't a regular either so I just made a new user name. Well I am looking for help with building a PC to run SH4 maxed out on say 1280x1024 max resolution (my eyes aren't great). I'm asking here specifically because I just want to play this game well and maybe some other games that would not be a problem on a system that can handle SH4 easily. Think mount and blade, Men At war, etc. New games just aren't marketed to me as I am not the "terrorist wackamole" type. I'm ancient by gaming standards, mid 30's so basically I'm just like "damn you kids, back in my day you had to spend 2 hours just to get your game loaded and working for 20 minutes!"
I want to make this a fun discussion too as I'm still fascinated with how you can make a capable PC out of practically junk yard bits. You guys are also very knowledgeable too so I appreciate the insight.
I only need the major parts since I have peripherals, keyboard, win7 (legal) monitor etc. I really don't even need a case, I'll screw the mobo to a piece of wood, I've done it before. I don't care at all about furture proofing and cost is a big issue for me, the cheaper the better. I figure it can't be too hard to be cheap since I am essentially making a top of the line PC for 2007 (SH4s release date)

[CaptainTorpedo]

I think I figured it out.

http://newbcomputerbuild.com/newb-computer-build-home/gaming-pc-build-june-2012/#build1

Now we are pretending it's 2007! I figure this thing is godly for SH4 and under 500 who needs a case? pffft.:know:

[stanger]

Yep, this thing will not even run SH4, but also SH5 (but those bugs and CTDs), but if you may consider adding a little more for better parts:
like that radeon 6850 costing 140$ while 6870 costs 180$ (on Amazon), 500GB HDD can be replaced with the same family Western Digital Caviar Green 1 TB SATA III (95$), 500W power supply unit is a little bit low, go for 600W minimum, and you wont worry about it when upgrading in the future (65$ OCZ ModXStream Pro 600W, but you may find a little bit cheaper maybe). The most important parts in PCs are matherboard and power supply - buy these of good quality and the rest (GPU,CPU,RAM) cheaper and you will have strong foundations for future; it may be more expensive now, but will be cheaper for you when you will want to replace a CPU or GPU only, not entire PC again.
As for motherboard manufacturers I know that Gigabyte makes very solid products with strong, durable materials and so on.
Or you may also consider building your PC around AMD CPU, its cheaper. For example: 8-core AMD CPU (like this one http://shop.amd.com/us/All/Detail/Processor/FD8120FRGUBOX#Details ) costs 150$ vs intel 2-core i3 125$ vs intel 4-core i5 200$. And its not only CPU price alone, every other component for AMD platform can be cheaper.

[CaptainTorpedo]

Yep, this thing will not even run SH4, but also SH5 (but those bugs and CTDs), but if you may consider adding a little more for better parts:
.

Did you mean it will run it? It's no award winning system but I remember running SH4 on a 2.8 duo and 4 gigs of ram back in the day.

[ejbeadles]

Ok here is something I can be some help with.

AMD makes a quad core processor with a AMD Raedon 6550 HD video built in. This will play ANY game out on the market right now. It plays SHIV and SH V PERFECTLY at max settings. One of my machines runs this now and its the biggest bang for the buck right now. ASUS and MSI make nice motherboards for the chip. The great thing is it will do crossfire by buying an additional 6000 series video card. I play Diablo 3, CODMW, Battlefield 3 Portal 2. I mean it plays everything. It has Directx 11 support as well.

It is a 3.0 GHZ processor that is unlocked so overclocking is simple. I have mine running at 3.5 ghz with NO issues. I would reccomend that if you go with overclocking to get a better cpu cooler ( I bought a corsair hydro H50 for 50 bux on sale and its awesome.) If you don't overclock the stock cooler (included) is awesome. The best thing is the price. Right now its right about 100 bux.
Then:

Motherboard MSI makes a great one for about $100 that has usb 3.0 and sata III.

Memory 8 gigs of GSkill can be had for around 50 bux
hard drive can get a 1TB between $79 - $99
Case Huge variety of cases with adequate PSU for ~ $50 bux
Optical DVDRW for about ~20 bux

So at or or around $400 bux builds a good gaming rig. The link for the cpu is here. read the reviews and you will see. Any questions please feel free to ask.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819106001

Ed

[CaptainTorpedo]

Ok here is something I can be some help with.

AMD makes a quad core processor with a AMD Raedon 6550 HD video built in. This will play ANY game out on the market right now. It plays SHIV and SH V PERFECTLY at max settings. One of my machines runs this now and its the biggest bang for the buck right now. ASUS and MSI make nice motherboards for the chip. The great thing is it will do crossfire by buying an additional 6000 series video card. I play Diablo 3, CODMW, Battlefield 3 Portal 2. I mean it plays everything. It has Directx 11 support as well.

Motherboard MSI makes a great one for about $100 that has usb 3.0 and sata III.

Memory 8 gigs of GSkill can be had for around 50 bux
hard drive can get a 1TB between $79 - $99
Case Huge variety of cases with adequate PSU for ~ $50 bux
Optical DVDRW for about ~20 bux

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819106001

Ed

Perfect, I had been looking at those CPUs with the graphic built in but was weary since I had not heard anything as far as gaming goes. Is this the build you are running? Do you game with just this and no graphics card? I don't mind getting a graphics card down the line, but if I can get to gaming right away with a 400 build I would be happy as can be.

[ejbeadles]

Yes. I'm using the same exact setup listed above with a few exceptions. I have a ASUS motherboard and I went from 8 gigs RAM to 16 GIGS. I upgraded the memory for Phototshop Video projects. I played the games with the 8 gigs. The list of components I posted will run SH IV PERFECTLY as well as any other game I can throw at it. I have not added another graphics card at this time.

Please feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.

Ed

[CaptainTorpedo]

Ok, I went shopping and what do you think. I haven't bought them yet, any final thoughts? I'm wondering the the mobo is overkill as I'm not trying to futureproof but I just want to be able to throw in a video card later on and more ram.

http://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/ShoppingCart.aspx?Submit=view

[merc4ulfate]

Remember the resolution of your windows does not have to equal the resolution of the game. Graphic settings for in game resolution can be changed under options. My windows is 1680 x 1050 and my game is 1280 x 800 which looks great.

[ejbeadles]

The link won't show me your cart. But as far as features go I buy as many features as I can afford. That way if you need them in future they are there. can you post links to the stuff you are looking at?

Ed

[CaptainTorpedo]

The link won't show me your cart.
Ed

I was afraid of that.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236079

HD

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131784

MOBO

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020

power

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231416

ram

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819106001

CPU

[ejbeadles]

I take it you already have a case and an optical drive. The motherboard is great. You will do well with this setup. No worries

[stanger]

Did you mean it will run it? It's no award winning system but I remember running SH4 on a 2.8 duo and 4 gigs of ram back in the day.

Yes, I meant it will run SH4 and SH5. And even more so with that PC from your last post.
But those comments under PSU (newegg site) are alarming, too many people there had to ask for replacement.
Also, its your choice, but I personally would take a CPU with more cores than less cores + integrated GPU (no matter how fast).

[CaptainTorpedo]

I take it you already have a case and an optical drive. The motherboard is great. You will do well with this setup. No worries

I didn't link the CD drive, no brainer there. Case will have to wait. The rig will be laying on a wooden desk until I can get one, no biggy.

[CaptainTorpedo]

But those comments under PSU (newegg site) are alarming, too many people there had to ask for replacement.



I just saw those myself, that isn't good. Any alternative PS? I can't go too far past 100$.

[stanger]

Maybe this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182132

but it has only 46Amp on +12V rail vs 53A of that Corsair. It is important for GPUs.

[ejbeadles]

Try this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171052

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371059

[CaptainTorpedo]

Maybe this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182132

but it has only 46Amp on +12V rail vs 53A of that Corsair. It is important for GPUs.

I have no idea what that means :oops:. Thanks for the help guys, I've been building PCs for years but I've fallen behind in knowledge and needless to say there are a lot of options.

[stanger]

No problem.
I can't explain it in English, too technical. Here's good explanation in English:
http://www.pcreview.co.uk/forums/re-power-supply-enough-wires-rails-t4023533.html

Its how much load your PSU can handle, generally.