need some geek help

[culero]

I'm a really needy guy - I currently fly AH2 on the box I built when AW3 came out (a P3 550). I've replaced the old TNT2 with a Radeon 8500 and oc'ed to 700m, but you may imagine how much my flight experience suxxors in AH2.

I'd REALLY appreciate some advice here as to how to spec a new system to achieve my goals with minimum expense (I'm a cheap bastard with champagne tastes )

Other than AH2, I am 100% happy with my system. I don't give a doubledamn about any other games. But, I'd like to be able to run AH2 with all settings maxed and have good performance.

I define "good performance" as frame rates that never dip below 25 under any circumstances, good visibility of all planes/vehicles, terrain features, and objects , and optimal appearance of the artwork.

I have a good monitor (Viewsonic A90) in case that makes a difference in video adapter recommendations.

I have a CH gameport controls suite that I prefer to retain for now (will upgrade to USB eventually but the bang-for-buck now needs to be in the box).

I am competent to assemble and set up a box, but its been years since I kept up on what's what (I used to do product support at AW, so I stayed current, but quit paying attention when AW died).

I have a few specific questions:

1) Are the current Dell systems good enough quality that I might as well save the trouble of assembly/setup and just buy one? I'm seeing refurbished systems in the P4-3GB class for like $700 and equivalent new systems for $1100 on their website, and as I recall their quality/support used to be pretty damned good.

2) As to video cards - from what I've read in here, ATI Radeon 9800Pro seems to be a "sweet spot" for AH2. Is that correct? If so, what NVidia model is equivalent in performance? Also, how does the new ATI x300 PCI Express (standard in newer Dells) compare in performance?

3) How much CPU is "enough" to get the job I'm looking at done?

3a) P4 or AMD, which is better in terms of bang-for-buck in terms of performance in that class of CPU?

4) Do I really need a gig of RAM, or will half a gig do AH2 just fine (again, see my "performance specs" above).

5) As to operating system, do I really need to use XP? If so, is XP Pro worth the $ difference over Home? (I use XP at work and hate it, I'd prefer to use 98SE if there's no performance downside to that.)

I'd really appreciate informed answers to these questions, and also recommendations as to specifcally what components are best. I can do my due diligence on prices, but I'd like clues as to what to shop for.

MANY thanks in advance!

culero (would like to get this together in time for Coral Sea )

[Roscoroo]

asus a7n8x-e Deluxe mainboard
a 2400+ amd athlon (2.0 ghz) or bigger cpu
256 ddr 3200 or 512 (ive ran ah 2 bolth ways)
9600pro or better video card
run any hard drive ide or sata
a good quality power supply, Antec or emermax ,,,

runs windows 98se or xp just fine

or break down and pay the $$$ for a amd 64bit system (939 pin)

a northwood based pent 4  isnt bad either  but i think if your gonna spend that much money one should shell out the little bit more for a amd 64 bit.

just my 2 cents

[FiLtH]

Im running mine on a 1.6, with 512 ddr,a 128mb video card and unless its real busy I get 40-50fps. It will drop lower if its a madhouse down there though. Just to give you an idea.

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

Originally posted by culero

I'd REALLY appreciate some advice here as to how to spec a new system to achieve my goals with minimum expense (I'm a cheap bastard with champagne tastes )


I have a good monitor (Viewsonic A90) in case that makes a difference in video adapter recommendations.

I have a CH gameport controls suite that I prefer to retain for now (will upgrade to USB eventually but the bang-for-buck now needs to be in the box).



1) Are the current Dell systems good enough quality that I might as well save the trouble of assembly/setup and just buy one? I'm seeing refurbished systems in the P4-3GB class for like $700 and equivalent new systems for $1100 on their website, and as I recall their quality/support used to be pretty damned good.

2) As to video cards - from what I've read in here, ATI Radeon 9800Pro seems to be a "sweet spot" for AH2. Is that correct? If so, what NVidia model is equivalent in performance? Also, how does the new ATI x300 PCI Express (standard in newer Dells) compare in performance?

3) How much CPU is "enough" to get the job I'm looking at done?

3a) P4 or AMD, which is better in terms of bang-for-buck in terms of performance in that class of CPU?

4) Do I really need a gig of RAM, or will half a gig do AH2 just fine (again, see my "performance specs" above).

5) As to operating system, do I really need to use XP? If so, is XP Pro worth the $ difference over Home? (I use XP at work and hate it, I'd prefer to use 98SE if there's no performance downside to that.)

culero (would like to get this together in time for Coral Sea )

Avoid the Dell junk like you'd avoid the clap. I've been doing some computer work on the side, you can't get parts or support from Dell if you aren't the original owner, and you can't use aftermarket (non Dell) parts.

You need at least a 2500+ AMD (far better value than Intel, for my money at least) CPU. And yes, you need a full Gig of GOOD memory, at least PC 4000. You'll need a video card that has 256MB of memory, like a 5600 series NVidia at least.

You can do what you want for $1K, if you shop well. There are several guys in the squad running a rig like mine, email me if you want specifics, since you've got your email disabled in your profile.

[culero]

Originally posted by Captain Virgil Hilts
Avoid the Dell junk like you'd avoid the clap. I've been doing some computer work on the side, you can't get parts or support from Dell if you aren't the original owner, and you can't use aftermarket (non Dell) parts.

Yeah, I realize that, but either refurbished or new they have the same warranty. If I buy Dell, I'd buy it in the configuration I reckon will work, thus avoiding the need for aftermarket upgrade. I'd take my chances regarding need for replacement parts after the warranty expired with eyes wide open.

I'm not real high on this, but like I said I recall they had decent quality and support back in the day, and there's something to be said for simply opening the box and plugging it in

So my lazy side is leaning on my shoulder and whispering "Get a Dell, dood".

My sensible side says spend comparable money buy quality parts and do the work.

I'll have to decide after its all discussed and price-evaluated.

Originally posted by Captain Virgil Hilts

You need at least a 2500+ AMD (far better value than Intel, for my money at least) CPU. And yes, you need a full Gig of GOOD memory, at least PC 4000. You'll need a video card that has 256MB of memory, like a 5600 series NVidia at least.

You can do what you want for $1K, if you shop well. There are several guys in the squad running a rig like mine, email me if you want specifics, since you've got your email disabled in your profile.

Oh, sorry, that e-mail setting is fixed now, please do send any advice you have I'd appreciate it.

With a 333MHz or 400MHz bus CPU (I'm looking at either a AMD Athlon XP 2700+, 333MHz FSB, 256K Cache Processor 2.17GHz - Retail @$109 or a AMD Athlon XP 3200+ "Barton", 400MHz FSB, 512K Cache Processor 2.2GHz - Retail @ $158) will the PC4000 really be a lot better than PC3200 (the CAS3 Corsair PC4000 is like double the price of the CAS2 Corsair PC3200)???

culero

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

You have mail bud. If you have questions, let me know.

[x0847Marine]

I just built one of these for a buddy and it runs this game great. He's got the recipets, but I recall the price area

XP3200+ 400FSB $130
Using stock heat sink

256M FX5700LE... $119
After rebate. This card is underclocked at 250MHZ.. its a budget card. The chip is rated at 400MHZ, using coolbits we clocked it to 400 with zero issues.

Gigabyte K7 Triton Pro2 $119
Name it, this has it; GLAN, Sata AND IDE RAID up to 8 drives, 6.1 Soundstorm nforce sound.. has a DSP so it wont steal from the CPU.. like the Audigy I have, Dual Ch DDR400 support, Dual BIOS, 1394, 8 USB 2.0, nForce chipset... I love this board for the price.

1G PC3200 he had.

Some smurfy tower with a 350W PSU $40

2 SATA Seagate drives, 100GB ea came in about $200 for both... I've seen 80G sata drives for $70 tho...

We re-used his CDR / DVD.. and monitor. This thing pulls 80FPS if not more EASY at 1020x768

Using the Gigabyte easytune software it's running at XP3500 rated speeds... runs smooth as a babysass. .. it runs so well hes doing more video on it than his 1.8 G5

Great for the price IMO... but just an example, lots of great hardware out there.

[culero]

Originally posted by Captain Virgil Hilts
You have mail bud. If you have questions, let me know.

Got it, thanks!

culero

[Ohio43]

Uh ya, like the other guy said.  Avoid Dell.  I serviced one for a friend of mine last month and was surprised to see all the parts were (i cannot tell the difference) labeled in either chinese or japanese.  Thought Dell was American made.  Replacing OEM parts I gather would be tough.  More than likely, each machine was made with whatever they had in stock at the time.  Kinda like a piece of crap Korean computer i bought 10 years ago.. although tech support was in America, had Korean people didnt have a clue of how to speak English.  Never mind, Im venting here..best to have someone build you a good system.  Can save a lot of money building one and getting better quality foir it.

[DREDIOCK]

Not trying to play moderator but why are so many tech issues being posed here and not on the hardware forum?

There is a TON of help to be had there

[culero]

Originally posted by DREDIOCK
Not trying to play moderator but why are so many tech issues being posed here and not on the hardware forum?

There is a TON of help to be had there

Personally, I've had very little response to posts there in the past. I noticed someone else here a day or two ago get a lot more help than I ever did over there, so....

culero (hey, this is gameplay related! I'm getting the new box so I can kick ALL yer dog prettythanges! )

[culero]

Originally posted by Ohio43
snip
Never mind, Im venting here..best to have someone build you a good system.  Can save a lot of money building one and getting better quality foir it.

Yeah, I realize that. I've always built my own in the past (several), starting back in the 386-486 days. Its just that I quit messing around with this stuff and paying attention to technology development during the Pentium 3 period.

I'm also lazy, thus the question about a "ready-rolled". Back when I was involved, Dell was a cut above the rest in terms of customers being pleased with performance and support. I figured if others here were having good experience with 'em now, it might be worth considering since the price looks to be roughly equivalent (trade knowing what's inside for not having to screw with it).

Plus it doesn't hurt that a buddy of mine has their local contract for warranty service calls, so I know I'd get good service if needed (hey CRAIG, get yer prettythang over here NOW! )

But I don't hear any Dell owners piping up, so I'm leaning to assembly.

Skuzzy, now would be a good time for you to drop a hint as to what you hear from folks about their Dells (I understand why you're not gonna comment about what configurations are minimum for max AH2 performance )

culero

[john9001]

i would say i have a entry level dell (it was a gift) and that i put in after mkt memory and vid card and that it runs AH just fine, but i don't want people to make fun of me , so i'm not going to say it.

[RightF00T]

Question: In AH2 should V-sync still be on?  Thanksi

[culero]

Originally posted by RightF00T
Question: In AH2 should V-sync still be on?  Thanksi

From what I hear, yes *if* your system has the power to run it without bogging down. Try it both ways and see what your results are.

Now go get yer own thread, dammit

culero