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Arclight · 10-20-08, 04:09 AM

Just some guidelines;

- NO pre-built stuff! Build it yourself and avoid stuff like getting stuck with a crap PSU.

CPU: E8400 or better. I have an E7650 (2.66ghz), and the most drain I have seen from a game is ~70% on 1 core. If todays games don't even fully load 1 core, what's the point in going higher. Well, apart from being sure you still have enough 2 years from now. :hmm:

IMHO only go quad if you do a lot of stuff that is able to multi-thread easily (compile software, edit/convert music and video).

Memory: DDR2, 800mhz or maybe 1066mhz. Kingston has a 3-3-3-10 800mhz 2gb kit. Low latency is more important than mhz.

PSU: 500watts for 1 videocard, 600watts for sli/crossfire minimal. Personally I have 520watt corsair running 8800GTS 512. PLENTY of power. Anything build with Seasonic components is top-notch (some Corsairs, some Antecs). The PSU powers all your components, possibly the most important piece of the puzzle. DO NOT skimp on the PSU.

MoBo: Too much to choose from. Find something that fits what you want to stick on it. For durability check that it has solid capacitors. Lower Rds(on) MOSFET, ferrite core choke are good quality's to look for as well. PCI-E 2.0 to make sure you're new 2.0 card isn't on a bus that holds it back. Personally have good experience with Gigabyte.

For graphics I'd still advice Nvidia; those cards seem to take less of a performance hit when enabling anti-aliasing. Brand doesn't really matter, performance difference between them is negligible. Get something with a nice bundle (extra accessoires, game included) and/or "extras" like a trade-in policy or extended waranty. Choose a dual-slot card; most of those exhaust the hot air out the back of the case. Keeps the whole system cooler.

- Get 2 HDs. Put OS on 1, paging file on the other. SATA ofcourse.

- I'd get a third-party cooler for the CPU to keep it cool, but that's personal prefference. Get a case with fans included or order better ones yourself. at least 120mm fan front and back to pull some air through the case.

And there you have a base for a gaming rig. May cost a bit, but I find it's worth it (being an avid gamer).

10-20-08, 04:09 AM	#13
Arclight Navy Seal Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Land of windmills, tulips, wooden shoes and cheese. Lots of cheese. Posts: 8,467 Downloads: 53 Uploads: 10	Just some guidelines; - NO pre-built stuff! Build it yourself and avoid stuff like getting stuck with a crap PSU. CPU: E8400 or better. I have an E7650 (2.66ghz), and the most drain I have seen from a game is ~70% on 1 core. If todays games don't even fully load 1 core, what's the point in going higher. Well, apart from being sure you still have enough 2 years from now. :hmm: IMHO only go quad if you do a lot of stuff that is able to multi-thread easily (compile software, edit/convert music and video). Memory: DDR2, 800mhz or maybe 1066mhz. Kingston has a 3-3-3-10 800mhz 2gb kit. Low latency is more important than mhz. PSU: 500watts for 1 videocard, 600watts for sli/crossfire minimal. Personally I have 520watt corsair running 8800GTS 512. PLENTY of power. Anything build with Seasonic components is top-notch (some Corsairs, some Antecs). The PSU powers all your components, possibly the most important piece of the puzzle. DO NOT skimp on the PSU. MoBo: Too much to choose from. Find something that fits what you want to stick on it. For durability check that it has solid capacitors. Lower Rds(on) MOSFET, ferrite core choke are good quality's to look for as well. PCI-E 2.0 to make sure you're new 2.0 card isn't on a bus that holds it back. Personally have good experience with Gigabyte. For graphics I'd still advice Nvidia; those cards seem to take less of a performance hit when enabling anti-aliasing. Brand doesn't really matter, performance difference between them is negligible. Get something with a nice bundle (extra accessoires, game included) and/or "extras" like a trade-in policy or extended waranty. Choose a dual-slot card; most of those exhaust the hot air out the back of the case. Keeps the whole system cooler. - Get 2 HDs. Put OS on 1, paging file on the other. SATA ofcourse. - I'd get a third-party cooler for the CPU to keep it cool, but that's personal prefference. Get a case with fans included or order better ones yourself. at least 120mm fan front and back to pull some air through the case. And there you have a base for a gaming rig. May cost a bit, but I find it's worth it (being an avid gamer). __________________ Contritium praecedit superbia.