Need input on gear for new PC...

2006-10-21 05:15:36

#1

{USMC}God-Snipe: Member; +4|6854

Ok basically I got into gaming a few years back when I bought my first PC while I was in the Marines. Its a 1.3 athalon. Im "STILL" using this computer today albeit with some upgrades.

Current specs;
1.3 Athalon (1st gen) oc to 1.8
1GB Sdram at 266mhz
Radeon X700 256mb
Sound Blaster Audigy 2 platinum Pro
Klipsch 5.1 Surround speakers

Ive been wanting a "real" gaming rig for quite some time. I was looking into getting an Alienware system but TBH I really cant justify spending 7k on a computer. Id like a dual processor- dual graphics setup and all that jazz so I can FINALLY take shit off the "low" setting and start playing these games as they were meant to be played.

Id like some input on what to get, what Im looking at in terms of cost and where i should go to get it made. Im not overly comfortable trying to build it myself. I personally have never done it before and my one buddy who has, has gotten mixed results with DIY.

Also I was wondering what better for gaming AMD or Intel. Ive read a lot of crap both ways and wouldnt mind some straight up answers from gamers whove messed with both in high end systems.

Any input is much appreaciated. Thanks.

( and YES believe it or not I got this POS i own to run BF2, Doom3, WoW, etc just fine despite it being nearly 7 years old now)

2006-10-21 05:18:07

#2

Cybargs: Moderated; +2,285|7167

Core 2 duo CPU is for the best.

https://cache.www.gametracker.com/server_info/203.46.105.23:21300/b_350_20_692108_381007_FFFFFF_000000.png

2006-10-21 05:29:52

#3

aujt74: Member; +11|7146|Scotland!

Building a computer yourself might seem a bit daunting but its really easy if you've got any sort of common sense! Just follow the instructions if you arent sure, and if your still stuck search Google, ask around on the forums and with friends or PM myself.

My recently built rig is in my sig . DIY and works perfectly

2006-10-21 05:38:19

#4

LoonykStephane: Member; +34|6988|Kingston,Ontario,Canada

I did build a new system 1 1/2 month ago...

Amd Athlon X2 2800+ (AM2 socket)
Asus M2N32-SLI DLX (wireless edition)
2 G Ram DDR2 667(OCZ Gold Edition)
Leadtek GForces 7600GS TDH
SoundBlaster live (24bit)
SeaGate 160G HDD (S-ATA) (3.0G 16mb cache)
Windows MCE (OEM)
Total: $1385.95 Taxe included (CDN funds...about $1100 USD)

The main thing about building now:
1. VideoCard....don't spend a fortune on it...7600GS will run about anything HI-RES until DX10 come out...then buy one of those card...(NO CARD ON THE MARKET NOW SUPPORT FULL DX10)

2. Most of CPU-GEEK will suggest you to buy Intel's core-duo ...because it kill AMD in benchmark.
Should I say that benchmark are base on multi-tasking!!! I use my PC for gaming mostly and AMD is perfectly stable for long period gaming...and basically the CPU choice is mostly a personal choice...

***$179.99 for AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ (AM2)
***$279.99 for AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ (AM2)

***$239.99 for Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 - 1.8GHz / 2MB Cache / 1066MHz FSB / Dual-Core / Socket 775
***$419.00 for Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 - 2.4GHz / 4MB Cache / 1066MHz FSB / Dual-Core / Socket 775

so here you go for pricing in my area (Kingston,Ontario)...all price are CDN fund

would be a good choice for Videocard at $169.00
EVGA e-GeForce 7600GT nVidia GeForce 7600GT Chipset (560MHz) 256MB GDDR3 (1400 MHz) PCI-Express Graphic Card 12 Pixel Pipelines Processor VGA DVI-I SLI Ready

2006-10-21 05:39:57

#5

{USMC}God-Snipe: Member; +4|6854

Basically Im trying to get an idea of what I need for a top end system. I undestand basics but by no means am I anywhere near knowledgable enough to be a techy geek. When I was looking at the Alienware site I was looking at what options they had for their top end Aurora machines.TBH I been so busy what with fighting in IRAQ/Afghanistan I havent been able to keep caught up on what current etc. I feel like such a noob

2006-10-21 05:48:05

#6

{USMC}God-Snipe: Member; +4|6854

Could you explain wtf DX10 is?

2006-10-21 05:48:13

#7

aujt74: Member; +11|7146|Scotland!

Currently for a top end system you'd be looking at:
Intel Core 2 Duo processor
Well reviewed P965/975X chipset mobo (nForce 5 if your going SLI)
2GB DDR2 RAM - G.Skill or Geil are very good and very overclockable. With OCZ Corsair etc you are paying over the odds for the big brand name.
High end graphics - ATI X1900/1950 or nVidia 7900/7950. Unless you have a huge monitor (22" or bigger) SLI or Crossfire really isnt worth it.
Raptor HD (or perhaps two cheaper drives in RAID)
Creative X-Fi Sound - X-Fi Music will do.

Of course if you wait a while, there will be DX10 graphics cards and quad core processors, but if your want top end now - thats about what you want.

2006-10-21 05:50:03

#8

aujt74: Member; +11|7146|Scotland!

{USMC}God-Snipe wrote:
Could you explain wtf DX10 is?

DirectX. Its a Microsoft technology - the part of Windows that "drives" games.
Current is DX9.
Next gen is DX10 - which means new graphics cards if you want to use it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DirectX

2006-10-21 05:57:10

#9

{USMC}God-Snipe: Member; +4|6854

Is DX10 really gonna be a big enough diff that I should hold off?

I dont mind waiting shit..Ive had this PC for like 6yrs now as long as I can play WoW, and BF2 Im cool. Besides atm I cant afford to get a new PC as Im basically unemployed since leaving the Marines. Once I get settled and find a job first thing on my list is getting a new rig. So if its better to wait that fine It just means Ill have more cash to spend on a better system. My problem is I have no idea what I should get.

2006-10-21 05:58:44

#10

Cybargs: Moderated; +2,285|7167

{USMC}God-Snipe wrote:
Is DX10 really gonna be a big enough diff that I should hold off?

I dont mind waiting shit..Ive had this PC for like 6yrs now as long as I can play WoW, and BF2 Im cool. Besides atm I cant afford to get a new PC as Im basically unemployed since leaving the Marines. Once I get settled and find a job first thing on my list is getting a new rig. So if its better to wait that fine It just means Ill have more cash to spend on a better system. My problem is I have no idea what I should get.

Yes, search for Crysis then you would know true power of DX10.

2006-10-21 06:03:48

#11

{USMC}God-Snipe: Member; +4|6854

oh shit....hmm ok something else to add to my christmas list LOL .

With Vista coming out is there anything I should know?

btw Thanks for help m8

2006-10-21 08:11:00

#12

ShotYourSix: Boldly going nowhere...; +196|7170|Las Vegas

{USMC}God-Snipe wrote:
With Vista coming out is there anything I should know?

Just a few things:

- Vista won't be out until early 2007 (most likely January if doesn't slip again).
- Nvidia will be the first to market with DX10 hardware (G80, otherwise known as GTX8800). November release if it doesn't slip.
- ATI will be late to the party with it's DX10 hardware (R600). Probably looking at around February.
- If you buy a G80 at release you will probably get gouged on price. If you wait till Vista release you may save a few bucks, then again you may not be able to find one at all (tough call there).
- ATI's new unified shader architecture for DX10 looks VERY promising. Nvidia is sticking to fixed shaders for this generation and won't be switching to unified shaders until later hardware.

I'm banking on ATI's unified shaders to win the race this time out but only time will tell. It's possible that Nvidia could outperform ATI through sheer horsepower. Considering that the two companies are using such diferent approaches, I'd suggest waiting until both cards are on the market and can be compared in performance before choosing (we're only talking a few months after all...)

Last edited by ShotYourSix (2006-10-21 08:12:38)

2006-10-21 08:42:40

#13

DeCon_1: Member; +16|6972|Atlanta, Georga U.S.A.

I could spec out a new system but I would need the budget you are looking at.

2006-10-21 16:36:11

#14

{USMC}God-Snipe: Member; +4|6854

im figuring 2500-3000ish give or take a 100 or so. Id like to keep it 3k or less but I dont plan to skimp on processors or graphics. I figure a min 2gb sys ram and 2 512 graphics wise but tbh im not sure.

2006-10-22 08:16:41

#15

LoonykStephane: Member; +34|6988|Kingston,Ontario,Canada

Wait a bit more on your build...you can buy your case,PSU,HDD...(10,000 rpm) and peripherals...even a sound card and RAM if you want...BUT for Mobo,CPU,Videocard...hold your horses for a couple of week's until ATI and Nvidia tells more about their support to directX 10.

Since you wanna put under $3K for it here my build for you:

CPU (Intel) 1 Intel Core 2 Duo E6600-2.4GHz/4MB Cache/1066MHz FSB/Dual-Core/Socket 775 $419.00
Asus P5B Deluxe-Intel965+Intel ICH8R/Socket 775/1066Mhz FSB /4x DDR2/2x PCI-E 16X /ATX $239.00
2 X BFG Tech - Nvidia GeForce 7950GT OC (PCI-E)/ 512MB DDR2 / VGA DVI-I HDTV / PCI-E 16X $738.00
OCZ Gold XTC PC2-6400 2GB 2X1GB DDR2-800 CL5-5-5-12 240PIN DIMM Dual Channel Memory Kit $296.61
W.D. Raptor 1500ADFD - 150Gb (10.000 RPM) $289.00
Creative X-Fi Fatal1ty FPS - Sound Card $319.00

Total of $2300.00 give or take with Tax... oh and this is CDN Funds... your missing Monitor,speakers PSU and case...

I do not recommend to add more RAM in XP but maybe Vista will be able to use it!!!

****THEN AGAIN I WOULD NOT BUY THOSE VIDEOCARD I WOULD PUT $150 INTO A 7600GT 256MB
UNTIL DX10....AND KEEP ABOUT $700 FOR THE NEXT-GEN VIDEOCARD

Last edited by LoonykStephane (2006-10-22 08:21:04)

2006-10-22 13:48:29

#16

younggun: Member; +28|7095

First off let me say this, Raptors are not worth it. You can ask anyone in the business who actually knows a thing or two.

Secondly, DX10 cards are going to be gouged and really aren't worth it at launch. If you are going to buy one I would atleast wait to see what R600 brings. Also by then the G80 cards should be down to MSRP or lower.

Another thing, do not buy OCZ memory if you are going to build a Core 2 Duo setup. These are not compatible with most motherboards because of their high stock voltage.

E6600 - $315
Gigabyte DQ6 - $215
7950GT - $300
2GB Corsair DDR2 800 - $250
Antec P180 - $100
Seasonic S12 550W - $130
Seagate 7200.10 320GB - $95
X-Fi Platinum - $178
DVD/DVD R - $35

All prices from NewEgg... Thats the basic high-end system for $1600. With your extra money you could upgrade anything you wanted. If you are going DX10 then I would say go up to like 700W PSU atleast. You could upgrade to the E6700 CPU, its like $500. An X1950XTX is around $400. DX10 cards are going to be $600 and up...

Don't forget you need to buy a monitor and speakers and stuff too.. I would recommend a DELL 24" LCD they are top notch picture quality. About the only thing DELL has ever done right...

BF2S Forums Need input on gear for new PC...

{USMC}God-Snipe wrote:

{USMC}God-Snipe wrote:

{USMC}God-Snipe wrote:

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