Looking to build a decent PC in a budget

XabbaRus · 07-21-09, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SUBMAN1

Why is a quad core out of the question? You can buy one for $150 easy.

-S

Well I was on DABS.com and overclockers.co.uk and Core Quads are £250

XabbaRus · 07-21-09, 11:03 AM

OK I said I wanted to keep this simple. I am on a budget looking £500-600

I'm looking for clear realistic recommendations, not turning into a poo-pooing the other guys choice of CPU/mobo what ever.

I can't afford a quad core unless someone can get a good one to me for about £150

FIREWALL · 07-21-09, 11:54 AM

If TigerDirect isn't available to you I still say look for a cpu\mobo bundle deal.

Also a case\psu bundle deal.

Arclight · 07-21-09, 02:42 PM

I'd say get a P45 board (preferably PCI-e 2.0), throw in 2x2GB DDR2 (4-4-4-12 if possible) and a decent dual-core. If DDR3 is a must, you'd best go with i7, but that would likely ramp up the price, meaning you need to cut corners on other stuff, if it's doable on that budget at all.

GigaByte is always a good choice for boards, but they're expensive. Kingston offers good modules for a good price with maximum compatibility and a lifetime waranty, no strings attached.

Over here, a E8400 costs about the same as an Q8400 (!) (just under 150,- euros). For 10 to 15 more, you have a Q9400 (just under 165,- euros).

Get a case to your liking, make sure it has a decent (preferably good) PSU.

There, simple.

But...

You mentioned Black Shark. At the moment, single core speed is very important for it, since it doesn't support multi-cores. You can enable it through the OS (set affinity for the process to all cores), but it's less than ideal. With upcoming modules, there should be native support for multi-core and multi-threading. Since your primary focus is flight-sims, I'd say a quad is mandatory, especially with future releases. Since not all sims can use multi-cores effectively, especially older ones, you'll want a fast one at that for high speed per core.

(flight) sims are heavy on the CPU. You want a good one.

Task Force · 07-21-09, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arclight

I'd say get a P45 board (preferably PCI-e 2.0), throw in 2x2GB DDR2 (4-4-4-12 if possible) and a decent dual-core. If DDR3 is a must, you'd best go with i7, but that would likely ramp up the price, meaning you need to cut corners on other stuff, if it's doable on that budget at all.

GigaByte is always a good choice for boards, but they're expensive. Kingston offers good modules for a good price with maximum compatibility and a lifetime waranty, no strings attached.

Over here, a E8400 costs about the same as an Q8400 (!) (just under 150,- euros). For 10 to 15 more, you have a Q9400 (just under 165,- euros).

Get a case to your liking, make sure it has a decent (preferably good) PSU.

There, simple.

But...

You mentioned Black Shark. At the moment, single core speed is very important for it, since it doesn't support multi-cores. You can enable it through the OS (set affinity for the process to all cores), but it's less than ideal. With upcoming modules, there should be native support for multi-core and multi-threading. Since your primary focus is flight-sims, I'd say a quad is mandatory, especially with future releases. Since not all sims can use multi-cores effectively, especially older ones, you'll want a fast one at that for high speed per core.

(flight) sims are heavy on the CPU. You want a good one.

someone has made a program that allows you to run 2 cpus in dcs blackshark.

Arclight · 07-21-09, 02:48 PM

Like I said, less than ideal. It sets the affinity to all cores, just like you can do manually.

DVD: http://www.sony-optiarc.com/products...rw/ad7240.html
Sony Optiarc AD7240s
Latest and greatest multi-DVD writer, no lightscribe or other labeling tech: 20,- euros

HD: http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.asp?driveid=394
Blue series, general desktop model. 640GB: 56,- euros

http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.asp?driveid=551
Black series, high performance. 640 GB: 63,- euros

goldorak · 07-21-09, 03:08 PM

Building a new computer right now is a bad move, especially if you're going the Intel route. By September Intel will present the new Lynnfields that will literally smoke any core 2 or quad core in single or multithreaded performance. Lynnfields are not top of line processors, they are mainstream (so the price will be low), but they will be a definite improvemente over core 2 duo and core 2 quad.

porphy · 07-21-09, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Task Force

someone has made a program that allows you to run 2 cpus in dcs blackshark.

yepp, but remember you only will see benefits in Vista or Windows 7. XP will not give any better performance with more cores in Black Shark.

SUBMAN1 · 07-21-09, 09:06 PM

Double tap

SUBMAN1 · 07-21-09, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XabbaRus

Well I was on DABS.com and overclockers.co.uk and Core Quads are £250

Go for an AMD. You can buy one for pretty cheap comparatively.

I saw Core i7 for $260 (way less than your price) a little while back. They may be less now.

4850 Vid cards are down to $100!!! Rediculous!

Some good info for helping you on a budget:
Best Graphics Cards For The Money: July '09:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...card,2362.html

Far Cry is probably what you should base your CPU opinion on if you primarily use it for gaming:
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/2....0.1,1401.html

Here is $180 for a 940. This price could probably be beat too pretty easily. Use the 945 score from the chart above (same CPU, just different socket - AM2+ vs AM3):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103471

-S

Arclight · 07-22-09, 02:49 AM

I must admit I'm with Goldorak.

Lynnfield will run on yet another new socket, LGA 1156. It's a direct replacement for the current Penryns. By the time supply is steady, costs should be the same for Lynnfield CPU + P55 board as you would pay now for Penryn + board. It's worth holding out for, but probably means waiting till Q4 before you buy.

The biggest problem moving to i7 right know is that the boards cost 2x as much. 150,- for a basic board, 200,- for a good one. Add 230,- for the 920, and most of the budget is gone already.

Castout · 07-23-09, 02:10 AM

Hmm for that amount of money truth is you can build yourself a very decent rig!

all I can say is pick teh mobo right go for all solid capacitors!!! I'm using Gigabyte's mobo with all solid capacitors. It's supposed to extend its lifetime. I can always go back and kill the vendor if it doesn't :rotfl:

goldorak · 07-23-09, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Castout

Hmm for that amount of money truth is you can build yourself a very decent rig!

all I can say is pick teh mobo right go for all solid capacitors!!! I'm using Gigabyte's mobo with all solid capacitors. It's supposed to extend its lifetime. I can always go back and kill the vendor if it doesn't :rotfl:

Having solid caps is not a guarantee for reliability.
Many workstation and server boards use electrolytic caps and they are as reliable or even more as the all 100% solid caps motherboards.
Don't buy into the marketing snake oil, whats important is quality caps, either electrolytic or solid.

SUBMAN1 · 07-23-09, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldorak

Having solid caps is not a guarantee for reliability.
Many workstation and server boards use electrolytic caps and they are as reliable or even more as the all 100% solid caps motherboards.
Don't buy into the marketing snake oil, whats important is quality caps, either electrolytic or solid.

Except when they leak and destroy your computer:

They are cheap though. So if you like cheap and adequate, there ya go.

Solid caps have better stability too. BTW, Gigabyte doesn't buy Chinese garbage for caps either - they are Japanese caps. It is always going to be 100 x better quality control for Japanese made parts over Chinese. Japan usually has honor in what they produce (unless you buy Sony). The Chinese however, really don't care. They can accept some failures in the name of mass production. All is good until these cheap caps leak all over your motherboard and your motherboard is rendered useless because of it.

Just my 2 cents.

-S

Skybird · 08-01-09, 09:00 AM

Xabba,

take note of Ssnakes answers in the 5th or 6nd reply.

http://www.steelbeasts.com/sbforums/...ad.php?t=13586

I have asked at subsim some time ago, now there at SBP boards, and several people in real life as well. I still cannot beolieve how many very different, even contradicting answers I have gotten. But if it is how ssnake says, it should be taken into account: there is little reason then to buy a quad if you do not plan to get software optimised for that. Probably better to got for a duo - but that with as many GHz as your budget allows.

07-21-09, 11:03 AM	#2
XabbaRus Navy Seal Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 5,330 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	OK I said I wanted to keep this simple. I am on a budget looking £500-600 I'm looking for clear realistic recommendations, not turning into a poo-pooing the other guys choice of CPU/mobo what ever. I can't afford a quad core unless someone can get a good one to me for about £150 __________________

07-21-09, 11:54 AM	#3
FIREWALL Eternal Patrol Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CATALINA IS. SO . CAL USA Posts: 10,108 Downloads: 511 Uploads: 0	If TigerDirect isn't available to you I still say look for a cpu\mobo bundle deal. Also a case\psu bundle deal. __________________ RIP FIREWALL I Play GWX. Silent Hunter Who ???

07-21-09, 02:42 PM	#4
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	I'd say get a P45 board (preferably PCI-e 2.0), throw in 2x2GB DDR2 (4-4-4-12 if possible) and a decent dual-core. If DDR3 is a must, you'd best go with i7, but that would likely ramp up the price, meaning you need to cut corners on other stuff, if it's doable on that budget at all. GigaByte is always a good choice for boards, but they're expensive. Kingston offers good modules for a good price with maximum compatibility and a lifetime waranty, no strings attached. Over here, a E8400 costs about the same as an Q8400 (!) (just under 150,- euros). For 10 to 15 more, you have a Q9400 (just under 165,- euros). Get a case to your liking, make sure it has a decent (preferably good) PSU. There, simple. But... You mentioned Black Shark. At the moment, single core speed is very important for it, since it doesn't support multi-cores. You can enable it through the OS (set affinity for the process to all cores), but it's less than ideal. With upcoming modules, there should be native support for multi-core and multi-threading. Since your primary focus is flight-sims, I'd say a quad is mandatory, especially with future releases. Since not all sims can use multi-cores effectively, especially older ones, you'll want a fast one at that for high speed per core. (flight) sims are heavy on the CPU. You want a good one. __________________ Contritium praecedit superbia.

07-21-09, 02:48 PM	#6
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	Like I said, less than ideal. It sets the affinity to all cores, just like you can do manually. DVD: http://www.sony-optiarc.com/products...rw/ad7240.html Sony Optiarc AD7240s Latest and greatest multi-DVD writer, no lightscribe or other labeling tech: 20,- euros HD: http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.asp?driveid=394 Blue series, general desktop model. 640GB: 56,- euros http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.asp?driveid=551 Black series, high performance. 640 GB: 63,- euros __________________ Contritium praecedit superbia.

07-21-09, 09:06 PM	#9
SUBMAN1 Rear Admiral Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 11,866 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Double tap __________________ Last edited by SUBMAN1; 07-23-09 at 08:15 PM.

07-21-09, 03:08 PM	#7
goldorak Admiral Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,320 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Building a new computer right now is a bad move, especially if you're going the Intel route. By September Intel will present the new Lynnfields that will literally smoke any core 2 or quad core in single or multithreaded performance. Lynnfields are not top of line processors, they are mainstream (so the price will be low), but they will be a definite improvemente over core 2 duo and core 2 quad.

07-22-09, 02:49 AM	#11
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	I must admit I'm with Goldorak. Lynnfield will run on yet another new socket, LGA 1156. It's a direct replacement for the current Penryns. By the time supply is steady, costs should be the same for Lynnfield CPU + P55 board as you would pay now for Penryn + board. It's worth holding out for, but probably means waiting till Q4 before you buy. The biggest problem moving to i7 right know is that the boards cost 2x as much. 150,- for a basic board, 200,- for a good one. Add 230,- for the 920, and most of the budget is gone already. __________________ Contritium praecedit superbia.

07-23-09, 02:10 AM	#12
Castout Silent Hunter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Jakarta Posts: 4,794 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 6	Hmm for that amount of money truth is you can build yourself a very decent rig! all I can say is pick teh mobo right go for all solid capacitors!!! I'm using Gigabyte's mobo with all solid capacitors. It's supposed to extend its lifetime. I can always go back and kill the vendor if it doesn't :rotfl: __________________ My blog: http://exposingsingapore.wordpress.com/

08-01-09, 09:00 AM	#15
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,637 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Xabba, take note of Ssnakes answers in the 5th or 6nd reply. http://www.steelbeasts.com/sbforums/...ad.php?t=13586 I have asked at subsim some time ago, now there at SBP boards, and several people in real life as well. I still cannot beolieve how many very different, even contradicting answers I have gotten. But if it is how ssnake says, it should be taken into account: there is little reason then to buy a quad if you do not plan to get software optimised for that. Probably better to got for a duo - but that with as many GHz as your budget allows. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.