Buying a PC solely for SH3!! Please Advise.

[supposedtobeworking]

I can't take it any longer and am going to buy a PC for the sole and single purpose of running SH3.(':lol:')..that being said, I am a recent college grad and have no money so here's what I found for about $400 on tigerdirect.com (without the rebate of course):

IBM Netvista PC
INtel P4 2.4 Ghz
512 DDR
DVD-Rom
Windows XP Pro SP1
Integrated intel graphics

a link with more specific specs is follows:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1648565&Tab=11&NoMapp=0

Can anyone tell me if I purchase this, would SH3 run and be playable?

Thanks!

[HunterICX]

The intel Graphic card will be an Problem m8,
on the box it sais by Supported Vid Cards
Nvidia or Ati

My advice look for an AGP slot graphic card
look around for 128 MB ram graphic cards of Ati or Nvidia.
they arent really expensive.

Myself I have an Nvidia Geforce FX5700LE 256 TD ddram
and it cost around the 130 euros.

Good luck :up:

[Curval]

Integrated graphics? I don't think SH3 will like that at all. :down:

[kiwi_2005]

Yeah everything else is ok, except for those onboard graphics which no doubt will be 64mb so your be lagging your way to the bottom of the atlantic. :) Has this mobo got an AGP slot? if so try and buy a cheapo graphics card like a 6 series nVidia Geforce 6200 256mb ram they are cheap as. $107 in new zealand, no doubt be the same price everywhere else.

[supposedtobeworking]

Ok Thanks for the advice guys, there is an agp slot and I will pick up a video card, my only remaining concern is the 512 DDR, because I have heard that you cannot run great mods like grey wolves without 1 gb of ram. Do any of you with 512 DDR run into any problems? Thanks again.

[VonHelsching]

I think that you can find something better with that budget. At least 1 Gb memory and a 256 card. Think ahead, for the nex 2-3 years. Also I would go for a PCI Express graphics card.

[supposedtobeworking]

Really?! :o I can find a PC with a 1G Ram and better for about $400? I've checked and done a lot of research but if you know where I can find one please let me know!! Thx

[Dowly]

More RAM!! :up:

[Gizzmoe]

Really?! :o I can find a PC with a 1G Ram and better for about $400? I've checked and done a lot of research but if you know where I can find one please let me know!! Thx

The best place would be a small local computer dealer. For about $400 you could get:

Socket 754 board with PCI-Express and onboard sound ($45)
AMD Sempron 2800+ ($65)
1GB (2x512MB) RAM, PC3200, no special brand ($90)
160GB Harddisk, SATA ($60)
A cheap case with a generic 300-350W PSU (40$)
ATI X700, 256MB, PCI-Express ($100). Look for a real X700, no X700SE or LE.
A cheap DVD-ROM ($15)

Price: $415.

If you are able to spend about $50 more you should get an Athlon 64 3000+ and a Socket 939 board (much better upgradability!).

[Dowly]

Gizz strikes again. :rotfl:

[HunterICX]

the best PC is an Self-Made one
Choose ur own part and case
so you can keep upgrading it so you do not have to buy a whole new system when we are an generation further in PC's

What I'm about to do from my
2,8ghz Intel
512 DDR ram pc3200 ----> to 2x1024 DDR ram (186 €) the shop says its the best my motherboard can have
Geforce FX5700LE 256 TD ram ----> to Geforce Serie 6 or 7 256 ram

[shegeek72]

Has this mobo got an AGP slot? if so try and buy a cheapo graphics card like a 6 series nVidia Geforce 6200 256mb ram they are cheap as. $107 in new zealand, no doubt be the same price everywhere else.

Ack! The 6200 is a POS! SH3 will stutter with a 6200! Get at least a 6600 GT if you're going AGP. But I also recommend getting a mobo with PCI-X. :up:

SG
--
AMD 64 3000+
Gigabyte GA-K8NS
2 gig Kingston RAM
Maxtor SATA 60 GB
WD IDE 80 GB
nVidia 6600 GT

[Gizzmoe]

But I also recommend getting a mobo with PCI-X. :up:

PCI-Express! PCI-X is something completely different.

[kiwi_2005]

Ack! The 6200 is a POS! SH3 will stutter with a 6200! Get at least a 6600 GT if you're going AGP. But I also recommend getting a mobo with PCI-X.

Of course its a POS :-j but my mate runs SH3 good using this card, There are so many versions of the 6200, the one to get is the one with the fan. Because the poster is low on cash i recommended a cheap card for him. But reading Gizzmoe's post further up, i didn't know the ATI X700, 256MB, PCI-Express were going for $100. This card would be way better. The 6600GT is a good card, but it will cost him more.

[Coort]

Ack! The 6200 is a POS! SH3 will stutter with a 6200! Get at least a 6600 GT if you're going AGP. But I also recommend getting a mobo with PCI-X.

Of course its a POS :-j but my mate runs SH3 good using this card, There are so many versions of the 6200, the one to get is the one with the fan. Because the poster is low on cash i recommended a cheap card for him. But reading Gizzmoe's post further up, i didn't know the ATI X700, 256MB, PCI-Express were going for $100. This card would be way better. The 6600GT is a good card, but it will cost him more.

I think x700 can do his job with no problem, i'm using a laptop with Centrino and an integrated x600, only with intensive graphic mods or UC (actually i'm trying the Ducimus version, same problem) i have real problem with slow fps, but with stock or old harbour traffic no problem.
I'm not even sure that the ati card is the real problem, 'cause with UC i noticed that i run out of virtual memory (physical 1gb, pagefile settings 700mb to 1.5gig, now trying with limit set to 1gb to 2gb), but better graphic card chipset and memory less work for cpu & ram.

[cobalt]

i run sh3 and GW supermod absolutely perfectly with some surprise with these current specs.


2.53ghz p4
512mb DDR
ATI Radeon 9600pro

for a rig running that now a day is very cheap, you should look into something like that, maybe a bit more RAM but otherwise just fine.

[supposedtobeworking]

Thanks for all of your help mates. About putting a Pc together,I have never built a computer before and don't know anyone who could help me for free...so I was avoiding that option. But I really don't care about longevity and keeping up with the newest and bestest, I just wanna play SH3. I have a sentimental affinity for and fascination with subsims since I was a kid, and I just want a PC that will run SH3 (pref. modded) so I can have a little fun once and a while, and maintain a balanced life, hehe. Otherwise I will start buying loads of games and disappear from the face of the earth :rock: So basically if I got the system mentioned in the first post, then all I need to do is get a decent video card, (or more RAM at most), and I would probably be all set right? Thanks again.

[shegeek72]

PCI-Express! PCI-X is something completely different.

My bad! :dead:
--
http://users4.ev1.net/~taragem/moon_sub2.jpg

[Gizzmoe]

So basically if I got the system mentioned in the first post, then all I need to do is get a decent video card, (or more RAM at most), and I would probably be all set right? Thanks again.

No, there are a few problems. The Netvista only has two memory slots and both are in use. You could remove one 256MB chip and add a 512MB chip so that you have 768MB, but there´s a chance that those mixed chips won´t work together. Especially Netvista´s can be very picky sometimes.

It also only has a 185W PSU which might not be powerful enough for a decent video card.

This PC looks quite interesting:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2108745&Tab=2&NoMapp=0

It has a powerful CPU, a 300W PSU, a spare memory slot and a PCI-Express slot.

[supposedtobeworking]

Thanks Gizzmoe for that link--I checked it out, and it looks good, pricewise for me, but I am curious if SH3 will be ok with AMD Sempron, because the specs on the website only mention Athlon as a supported cpu. What do you think? I appreciate all of your help, my scheme is almost complete...Silent Hunter 3 will be mine at last oh yes.. :lol:

[Gizzmoe]

The Sempron is a normal processor, everything will work on it.

[Reece]

Don't worry too much about the ram you can always save some money later & upgrade to 1gb then, as Gizzmoe said, stick to an AMD as generally you get more power for your money! :up:
But make sure that the mobo has an AGP slot or PCI Express. I run an ATI X700 256mb vid card & to date the best I've ever had, runs with all my other games, no hangups! :D

[VonHelsching]

So basically if I got the system mentioned in the first post, then all I need to do is get a decent video card, (or more RAM at most), and I would probably be all set right? Thanks again.

I would suggest that you re-think it. Very low value for money.

[supposedtobeworking]

ok, what about this computer :-?

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1200573&Tab=2&NoMapp=0

its an AMD Sempron 2800+ (2.8Ghz)
256 DDR 400 PC3200 Ram (I'll upgrade later)
DVD-Rom
XP Home SP1
AGP Slot available
300 wt Power Supply

Well what do ya think? OR...I could also get a P4 2.93Ghz PC with a DVD RW, but I heard that Starforce screws things up with a DVD+RW, so I don't know if I want to risk that--maybe there's a fix? That computer is here:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1696982&sku=E400-T5010

As always any suggestions/advice would help and be much appreciated since I am not much of a computer guru and don't want to blow my (relatively)small wad of money away on a sys that won't handle SH3. Thanks mates!

[Gizzmoe]

ok, what about this computer :-?

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1200573&Tab=2&NoMapp=0

The one I´ve linked to is better (faster CPU, PCI-Express instead AGP) and cheaper.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1696982&sku=E400-T5010

Too expensive, you would still need a decent video card...

[JScones]

FWIW I'd listen to Gizzmoe. For $300 I doubt you'll get anything better.

My only suggestion would be to spend an extra $30 and get a real sound card (I'd also suggest a real video card, but I think that'd take it out of your price range).

[Uber Gruber]

I have an Intel 2.53GHZ on a very good motherboard with 1GB RAm and a Radeon Pro-128 graphics card......


....and SH3 is painfully slow in harbours and average slow during convoy engagements.

You should aim your new PC spec a little higher.

[Gizzmoe]

Radeon Pro-128 graphics card...

What card is it exactly?

[supposedtobeworking]

Ok I found a video card I think I am going to buy (8hour sale on newegg)-- Leadtek Geforce 6600 256MB 128bit PCI express x16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814122203

it's $75 and seems to be a decent card from reviews I've read. As before I don't have the money to get a decked out card, so my question is does anyone know of any problems with SH3 running with this card?

Thx