Buying New PC

Rockin Robbins · 10-19-08, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WEBSTER

i have the Q6600 with 4gb ddr2 ram and 320gb hdd and evga 8800gt video card and sh4 runs like a dream, no lagging at all. just FYI

How much is that microprocessor today? If positions remain the same my next motherboard will be for an Intel chip. I like my Opteron, but the Intel chips are definitely more bang for the buck. <drool!> Computer lust is a terrible thing.

Kruger · 10-20-08, 01:51 AM

I think that people should be mode disciplined on this forum. Everyone opens a new thread for every question, we end up with 34678 threads, and the real important ones get lost if they don't end-up stickied. In this idea I opened a thread with small questions, but everyone prefers to display the question in the title, thus insuring the matter's popularity.

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, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockin Robbins

Quote:

Originally Posted by WEBSTER

i have the Q6600 with 4gb ddr2 ram and 320gb hdd and evga 8800gt video card and sh4 runs like a dream, no lagging at all. just FYI

How much is that microprocessor today? If positions remain the same my next motherboard will be for an Intel chip. I like my Opteron, but the Intel chips are definitely more bang for the buck. <drool!> Computer lust is a terrible thing.

they damn near give them away, have a look: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...nd&Order=PRICE

Falkirion · 10-20-08, 06:57 PM

I've got to upgrade my system to a 4870. Bought a new system (for $1600 AUD) to run FS and newer games. I like my 3870, its a good card but the 4870s crap all over it and I got the system about 2 months before the card was released.

10-20-08, 04:09 AM	#3
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.

10-20-08, 01:51 AM	#2
Kruger Commander Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 476 Downloads: 21 Uploads: 0	I think that people should be mode disciplined on this forum. Everyone opens a new thread for every question, we end up with 34678 threads, and the real important ones get lost if they don't end-up stickied. In this idea I opened a thread with small questions, but everyone prefers to display the question in the title, thus insuring the matter's popularity.

10-20-08, 06:57 PM	#5
Falkirion Ace of the Deep Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Melbourne, AUS Posts: 1,043 Downloads: 34 Uploads: 0	I've got to upgrade my system to a 4870. Bought a new system (for $1600 AUD) to run FS and newer games. I like my 3870, its a good card but the 4870s crap all over it and I got the system about 2 months before the card was released.