Playing SH4 - at what specs?

[Type941]

I haven't played the game since it was released. Last I played was Sh3, which was a year ago. Now, my PC was already bit old for Sh3, but surely it's not gonna run Sh3 with my 1gig of ram and ATI 9500 pro. So new machine is long overdue anyway, hence the question. What do you guys run Sh4 on that runs things smoothly, at good frame rates, yet without blowing the bank? I don't want budget minimum spec, i like to enjoy the graphics, but don't wanna pay top of range. Whatever the game minimum and recommended specs are, what would YOU recommend that you found good enough?

With the uboat addon coming out soon, I think it's time to revist the good old days. Appreciate your replys!

[Gunfighter]

Originally Posted by Type941

I haven't played the game since it was released. Last I played was Sh3, which was a year ago. Now, my PC was already bit old for Sh3, but surely it's not gonna run Sh3 with my 1gig of ram and ATI 9500 pro. So new machine is long overdue anyway, hence the question. What do you guys run Sh4 on that runs things smoothly, at good frame rates, yet without blowing the bank? I don't want budget minimum spec, i like to enjoy the graphics, but don't wanna pay top of range. Whatever the game minimum and recommended specs are, what would YOU recommend that you found good enough?

With the uboat addon coming out soon, I think it's time to revist the good old days. Appreciate your replys!

Hi visit the Tech Help thread theres loads of help there with some of the specs you'll need, but you need a beafy rig to run SH4 at full specs and welcome back

[Rockin Robbins]

I'd go for an AMD processor, just because you can get a lesser bang which will still run SH4 awesomely, for a huge discount. I would buy an AM2 motherboard because they are cheap and the processors are cheaper than they are for my 939 board. I could have bought a faster processor for the same $150 I bought my Opteron 175 if I had the AM2 board.

Two gig of memory is the sweet spot. And there you win with the AM2 board because the DDR2 memory is a great price right now: under $100 for your two gig. I saw a special at Newegg for $49!

Graphics-wise I can tell you about nVidia, but I'm no expert on ATI. A 7600GT board is the minimum that will give you performance you would be happy with. The new 8600 board performs almost exactly the same as the 7600GT, so consider it also the absolute minimum you should consider. I know there's a logjam on the 8800GTs, but that really is the best value out there. When the new 9800GTX comes out it will be time to strike on the 8800GT. I just got a 7900GS and I can't see that it is a big improvement on the 7600GT. You can buy a 7600GT for around $75 now and you know the price will plummet when the new board comes out. It's a great time to be shopping for a graphics board!

If you've never seen Silent Hunter on an LCD at least 19" at its native resolution, you've never seen Silent Hunter. I do high res screenprints and take them to work so I can see what the LCD looks like and it's orgasmic!

One thing that doesn't get mentioned much is that using a sound card instead of on-board audio unloads your microprocessor and ups your fps.

I'll put in a plug for my favorite SH4 appliance:p, the Saitek Eclipse II keyboard. This thing types like no keyboard I've ever had, almost seems like thought control, but the Silent Hunter feature is that the keys are laser-cut and the keyboard LED backlight so you can use it in the dark. The experience of stalking a convoy in the dark with lights out and the keyboard glowing red (you can read the characters on the keys because of the laser cut design) is amazing. Your night vision comes into play and you can actually see twice as good as before. You'll pick out targets you never saw before. $39.95 Amazon.com.

Is that it? No, but it's all I can think of. No reason to break the bank, but don't skimp to the point that you won't be happy with the equipment.

[fatty]

Recently upgraded;

AMD X2 4600+
2gb DDR2-800
EVGA Geforce 8600 GT SSC
Onboard sound
160gb SATA2 harddrive
500 watt OCZ power supply

$495 CAD after rebate and shipped, recycled optical drives and case from old machine

Plays SH4 at 1280x1024 with every setting at maximum with no noticable stutters or lag. Not sure of exact FPS but it's perfect. Couldn't be happier.

[Rockin Robbins]

Originally Posted by fatty

Recently upgraded;

AMD X2 4600+
2gb DDR2-800
EVGA Geforce 8600 GT SSC
Onboard sound
160gb SATA2 harddrive
500 watt OCZ power supply

$495 CAD after rebate and shipped, recycled optical drives and case from old machine

Plays SH4 at 1280x1024 with every setting at maximum with no noticable stutters or lag. Not sure of exact FPS but it's perfect. Couldn't be happier.

And a super-nice system! You don't have to break the bank to play SH4 very well. Nice touch with the SSC card there!

[seafarer]

I just honestly don't have the time nor inclination to build my own system completely from scratch. I started with a bargain basement stock ACER AMD 4800 - about $450USD on sale from Bestbuy. I then replaced the power supply, again with a on sale item from Bestbuy, picked up some extra Kingston RAM on sale at newegg.com and now a GeForce 8800GT card on ebay for less then $200. My whole system, including the Samsung LCD wide screen, was around $1100 USD when all was said and done (the Samsung was on sale for $219 USD when I picked it up). It plays SH4 just great.

[Rockin Robbins]

Originally Posted by seafarer

I just honestly don't have the time nor inclination to build my own system completely from scratch. I started with a bargain basement stock ACER AMD 4800 - about $450USD on sale from Bestbuy. I then replaced the power supply, again with a on sale item from Bestbuy, picked up some extra Kingston RAM on sale at newegg.com and now a GeForce 8800GT card on ebay for less then $200. My whole system, including the Samsung LCD wide screen, was around $1100 USD when all was said and done (the Samsung was on sale for $219 USD when I picked it up). It plays SH4 just great.

Only one thing: when you're starting out with a stock system you have to be sure that you know what's in the case so you can plan how much your modifications will cost. You did great! The $1,100 is a good price because you included the LCD! If you built from scratch you would come in about the same. Yours goes in the win column!

[Elder-Pirate]

Originally Posted by Rockin Robbins

I'll put in a plug for my favorite SH4 appliance:p, the Saitek Eclipse II keyboard. This thing types like no keyboard I've ever had, almost seems like thought control, but the Silent Hunter feature is that the keys are laser-cut and the keyboard LED backlight so you can use it in the dark. The experience of stalking a convoy in the dark with lights out and the keyboard glowing red (you can read the characters on the keys because of the laser cut design) is amazing. Your night vision comes into play and you can actually see twice as good as before. You'll pick out targets you never saw before. $39.95 Amazon.com.

Dammit RR will you quit twisting my arm? ( it hurts )
Now I have to spend a few more bucks and get this keyboard.

[Zantham]

If you are going to go AMD be careful of the nasty bug in the Phenom CPU's. The fix for this bug can rob your system of up to 20% performance.

Right now for budget systems, AMD and Intel CPUs are basically the same price and same performance (excepting finding a good deal on one or the other). The difference is that the top of the line AMD CPU right now costs the same and performs the same as a mid-range Intel, and a $200 dollar Intel can overclock far beyond what a $200 AMD can, if you are willing to.

If you are building a high end system then there is no choice except Intel.

Preferably stick with XP as well. SH4 runs fine in Vista (if you are careful how/where you install it), but 2GB RAM goes a long ways in XP; and while 2GB is OK in Vista, you really need 4GB RAM (and a 64bit OS) to keep up.

[Type941]

wow guys, you are great with the tips, that's why I love this forum!

Trouble for me is i am not in US, so i can't really get so many things for so cheap price! But basic tips on the card, memory, and cpu are noted!

I looked around here and many AMDs they offer is the 64 one. Is that too old? Honestly I'm good at PC building only when i actually do it - last time was in 2003 (and still using it!). So you can see I build ahead. a 1000 usd is just about the budget i had in mind too, but excluding the monitor.

[Type941]

well, after some thought, I have built myself a system which I would like to order, as its in my price range.

It is a normal sized desktop, with the following specs:
8800GT 512mb Ultradurable VGA
4Gig of Ram (2x2GB)
mobo: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L s.775 ATX
500mb HDD (this is SATA!!)
CPU Intel Core2 Duo E8200 tray with 120x120PWM Arctic fan, TT cooler Blue Orb II
DVDRW LG 20x
550W PSU
9in1 plus ID card reader
WIFI, BT
Warranty for 3 years
20in LCD wide screen LG
All in all, it is 1400 USD.

I will use my current license of XP Home, current Logitech Keyboard and Mouse, may be later upgrade to the one you mentioned with backlit keys..

What do you guys think, this will be enough for SH4, right?

[AkbarGulag]

If there is an only small price difference between a 550w power supply and a 650w. then get the 650. Thats a great looking rig btw.

[seafarer]

Agreed, don't skimp on the power supply if a larger one is only a few more $$'s. And don't forget about cooling, and including all case fans in the power budget.

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by seafarer

I just honestly don't have the time nor inclination to build my own system completely from scratch. I started with a bargain basement stock ACER AMD 4800 - about $450USD on sale from Bestbuy. I then replaced the power supply, again with a on sale item from Bestbuy, picked up some extra Kingston RAM on sale at newegg.com and now a GeForce 8800GT card on ebay for less then $200. My whole system, including the Samsung LCD wide screen, was around $1100 USD when all was said and done (the Samsung was on sale for $219 USD when I picked it up). It plays SH4 just great.

I do the same thing as seafarer. The only difference is I purchase Emachines. That is all I have ever owned and they do just great. I then add power supply, RAM, and vid card. Off I go. I never had an issue with Emachine and will continue to buy them.

[Type941]

You guys seriously thinking that 550w is not enough? The next one is twice as pricey, at 650w. I can get cheaper 600w one too...

I thought that 550w is pretty huge, my previous one had 300w... If you say so, its of course not to late to change the order.

for cooling, i mentioned above the arctic fan and that Blue orb cpu fan. I reckon that should do it, no?

And you mention case fans - as in just extra fans piled inside just to move the air around? Is that really needed? u guys gonna make me get into 1500 figure now.