New Computer

[ghstbstr65]

I don't know when or if i will build a computer anytime soon...(crossing my fingers that i will). But i am just asking for opinions on what would be a good setup for playing UT3 and COD4 but won't break the bank?

Any opinions would be great!

[.Maleficus.]

Welcome to the forums ghstbstr65.

It all depends on what you mean by "break the bank". What's your budget? Or what is a good estimate of your budget?

[ghstbstr65]

Well, at first i was thinking about 5-6 hundred dollars(without monitor,keyboard,DVD drive, and possibly hard drive(i may be able to spare one)). But, i was told to run these game well i would probably need a lot more than that.(I'm not positive about that though). So probably somewhere above that but less than $1000...

Once again any opinions would be great!

[.Maleficus.]

Yeah, to run them nice, $1,000 is about where it's at. I would give you a hardware list, but I'm leaving in 5 minutes, and 6 other members will post them anyways :rolleyes:.

I'm thinking though...

Q6600 or New quad
780i SLI board
8800GT/S
2-4GB RAM

[ghstbstr65]

So, does your system run it?(Being very similar except for 680i to 780i)
Thank!!

[doug91]

yea 1,000 dollars is a good mark without monitor and that stuff. The system I have does a nice job running the latest games. And the recent break in prices can buy you a nice system. I'll give you some ideas later when I have time. Basically stick to Intel and Nvidia for gaming, they give the best bang for your buck.

[.Maleficus.]

My system runs UT3 great. I play Gears of War, UT3, FEAR, and Battlefield 2 no problems, all with at least High settings. I am at a low resolution (old CRT monitor) but an 8800GT is one of the top cards out. That's also with only a dual core, not a quad like I recommended. You'll be set for a while with a setup like that.

[ghstbstr65]

Thanks A Lot!

[doug91]

That's also with only a dual core, not a quad like I recommended.

On a smallish budget is a $250 quad-core really necessary? The only programs that can actually utilize 4 cores are things like autodesk and maya. I'd save some cash and buy a dual core.

[.Maleficus.]

On a smallish budget is a $250 quad-core really necessary? The only programs that can actually utilize 4 cores are things like autodesk and maya. I'd save some cash and buy a dual core.
Then we get to the question, how many programs utilize dual cores (well)?

Here's how I see it. You can get an E6600 (what I have) for $230, or a Q6600 for $275. Twice as many cores, twice the future proof-ness, for $45. That's about the same difference between an E8400 as well. The jump from an E6600 to a Q6600 right now is a 2 processor gap, one being a Xeon and one being the E6850. Since there isn't much in between, I would recommend getting a quad core, or waiting for the Yorkfield quads to be released. Prices will drop on all of those then.

[doug91]

well an E6600 is quite overpriced. The E6750 has a higher FSB and is a better processor only $190. I'm not going to get into an argument, but benchmarks I've looked at show that the two processor gap at this time is not wort the $80. For games, why not use that $80 to buy a better graphics card which will give better performance gains?

[doug91]

ok so here's the system that I would build:
Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131232
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115029
GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130319
HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148261
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341002
I don't know what case to recommend since we all have different tastes. Just get an ATX case, 120mm fans provide the best noise to airflow ratio.

[.Maleficus.]

well an E6600 is quite overpriced. The E6750 has a higher FSB and is a better processor only $190. I'm not going to get into an argument, but benchmarks I've looked at show that the two processor gap at this time is not wort the $80. For games, why not use that $80 to buy a better graphics card which will give better performance gains?
That's the thing: At this time. In the here and now, the gains aren't THAT much. But what about in a year? 2 years? Why upgrade later when you could spend $80 and not have to worry about it?

If you're patient, I'd still wait for a 45nm CPU. Whether it be quad core or not, it'll be cooler, less power-hungry, and all around better.


BTW Doug, that's a good list. I'd only change 1 or 2 things on it.

[doug91]

uh huh I see what you're saying. Patience has never been a strength of mine. The new smaller 45nm process will produce a cooler more efficient processor. As for the Quad-cores, developers haven't yet gotten everything out of dual-cores, so full quad-core support is probably a ways off.

btw, just curious what would you change off my list?

[ghstbstr65]

I've been looking around and thinking... How would this do...It'd be a major upgrade to what i have...I just wondered if anyone with a comparable system would do. I know a lot of people are only intel.... But AMD is much cheaper.

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Brisbane 2.6GHz Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Black Edition Processor Model ADO5000DSWOF
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103194

ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131013

Patriot 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PSD22G800KH
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220255

Still not sure about graphics card...I was thinking about a 3850, 3870, or 8800gt...I know the gt is the best but it's more expensive.

[doug91]

Nice system for an AMD. If you're thinking of overclocking, that processor is very nice. It has an unlocked multiplier. People have been able to overclock it pretty nice with stock cooling.

The motherboard seems good, however the 500 series chipset is a bit outdated at this point. It's still great, just doesn't perform as well.

[ghstbstr65]

What AMD motherboard would you suggest instead?

[doug91]

I'm sorry, I got confused with Intel boards. The 500 series chipset is the most modern for AMD. I guess Nvidia somewhat abandoned AMD boards...

That motherboard is excellent, ASUS is very high quality. If you wanted SLI configuration, keep in mind that the second PCI-E slot runs at half the bandwidth.

The video card looks like it will be the most expensive component here. I'd go with an 8800GT 512mb. The price is very close to the 3870, and it offers better performance than the 3870.

[ghstbstr65]

Even if the other slot only runs at 8x in sli, each pci express 16x lane has 2gb of throughput for each lane. ( so pci exppress 1x would have 2gb of throughput, 16x would have 32gb of throughput) Most if not all modern cards cannot use this much. (At least this is what i have learned)

Thanks for your opinions.

[doug91]

Thats right. So one slot would have 32gb/sec bandwidth. The other slot would have only half that bandwidth. If you want to go SLI, in my opinion its worth the extra money to buy a board with the 590 chipset.

[J-Roc]

If you want that top quality board or graphics card but dont have quite enough money, look for specials and open box items. You could probly knock off $20-50 off each item if your pacient and wait for sales and such to come up.

[ghstbstr65]

What is the difference in chipsets? I read somewhere that the 590 uses 46 lanes and linkboost. But as opposed to 570? I just read that 570 has 28. So, what would be the difference?

[doug91]

The difference is simple. The main difference is in the PCI-E slots and the allotted lanes.
The 570 has 24 lanes (PCI-E 16x, PCI-E 8x)
The 590 has 32 lanes (2 PCI-E 16x)

There are probably some other differences, but the one above it the biggest one. I'm not positive (I have a 680i chipset), but the Southbridges may be different between the 570 and 590.

[ghstbstr65]

Thanks for your help again. I should have been able to figure that out. lol. 46 and 23... 16-8 Doh. Anyways... would you recommend AMD over Intel. And if so why?

[doug91]

Definately Intel over AMD, I'll list reasons a little later.

[doug91]

You wanted a gaming system so performance is a must. Although AMD is cheaper than Intel, the performance is not on par. The Core 2 Duos performance leave the Athlons and even Phenoms in the dust. Also, because of the smaller die size, they require less power and create less heat. A good system could be:

Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128080
If you want room for SLI:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128080
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115029
GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130318 Best card for the price right now, you could wait for the 9xxx series to come out..
Mem:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128080
PSU:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341002

This is a real gaming rig.. should come around $850-950.

[ghstbstr65]

I think i'm gonna go with and XFX 680i LT SLI Motherboard. 4GB OCZ Vista upgrade RAM. And a q6600. There is a pretty good deal on it at tigerdirect. All three of these for $420. Then I will probably get the 8800gt and that power supply. That should play most if not every new game very well.

[doug91]

$420? That is a damn good deal. It should play every game no problem. enjoy :)

[ghstbstr65]

Thank you very much for your help!