Author Topic: This system ok? (Read 1221 times)

SKJohn · « **on:** April 11, 2005, 06:08:45 PM »

I finally got the $$ to get a new system. This is one that I'm thinking about getting. Any ideas, forseeable problems, comments? I'm not too much into the geekiy side of things, just looking to get a system that will improve on my 17 - 30 FPS that I've been getting since the last patch. I don't know what all the numbers and Letters in the following info mean, but if it's older stuff or incompatiple w/AH, please let me know.

CPU: Intel pentium 4 530 800FSB 3.0 Ghz 1MB
RM: 1 GB (2x512MB) DDR400
Hard Drive: 80 GB Western Digital 7200 rpm w/ 8MB Buffer SATA
Video Card: eVGA NVIDIA 6800GT , 256 MB
Sound Card: Aound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS

I think thats all the pertinent info. Should do better than my current P4 1.5 Ghz, 256 RAM, 64 Mb video card, right?

Can anybody tell me what to look for when shopping for the new, flat screen Monitors? I know I used to look for dot pitch size, the smaller the better seemed to make the Japanese characters I used to use for work seem crisper and clearer on the screen. Anything like that to look for on flat-screens? (LCDS?)

Thanks a lot!
SK John

LePaul · « **Reply #1 on:** April 11, 2005, 08:13:25 PM »

Sounds like an OK rig. Im an AMD/Athlon guy myself. Check those out, you might even save a few bucks

Tomshardware.Com has had some good articles on LCD panels. Look for a fast refresh rate, lower the millisecond (ms) the better.

maddog · « **Reply #2 on:** April 11, 2005, 08:14:22 PM »

response time and native resolution.....

Sys looks good to me....

Skuzzy · « **Reply #3 on:** April 12, 2005, 07:16:20 AM »

Do yourself a favor and swap that motherboard, CPU and RAM out for a 3Ghz P4 Northwood, and PC3200 ram. It will be faster and run significantly cooler than the Prescott core CPU you have chosen.
Might want to consider the ATIX800XL video card as well. It costs less than the 6800GT, is faster, does not need external power, and runs cooler, but if you are an NVidia fan, then you made a good choice.

SKJohn · « **Reply #4 on:** April 12, 2005, 12:00:50 PM »

Thanks for the help, guys. Lepaul, I enjoyed reading the articles at Tom's Hardware. They are easy to read, and gave me a lot of the ideas to think about.
Skuzzy - now you've gone and ruined my day! Just when I'd finally decided what to buy, now I've gotta go searching for new MB's, video cards, etc.!

A serious question (total nn-geek speaking here):

How do I tell the difference between a Norwood and Prescott motherboard? I didn't even see that listed as a choice on the website?

Thanks again!:aok

Skuzzy · « **Reply #5 on:** April 12, 2005, 12:34:53 PM »

Northwood CPU's use the 'C' designator (i.e. 3.0C) and are all 478pin socket. Careful though. Some sites are marking 478pin Prescotts as 'C'.
Native Prescott's use the LGA-775 pin package.

SKJohn · « **Reply #6 on:** April 12, 2005, 01:35:04 PM »

Thank you, Skuzzy. I'm currently checking into seeing if the company will make those changes for me and what it would cost.

humble · « **Reply #7 on:** April 12, 2005, 02:07:51 PM »

I got a spectre 19" gaming LCD from newegg....great flatscreen at a great price...

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=24-112-160&depa=1

Also had an 8mm for even less...

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=24-179-014&depa=1

Seems to be a lower "brightness" but has good reviews....

Were 4 or 5 others at newegg in the $375-450 range for 19" gaming lcd's....you need a 16mm or less response and lower is better...

Brightness is also important...measured in cd/m2...higher is better. 400 or more is generally topend...

SKJohn · « **Reply #8 on:** April 12, 2005, 02:21:02 PM »

When looking at the LCD's, they list the "Native resolution." Does that mean that it can only be used at that resolution, or can you still adjust it in windows if need be?

Thanks for the suggestions, Humble. I'm looking into getting a new monitor to go with the system, or just may use the old one for now. All depends on the $$$$ left after buying the system.

XtrmeJ · « **Reply #9 on:** April 12, 2005, 04:58:40 PM »

I prefer a large CRT monitor as opposed to an LCD. Most CRT"s allow for higher frame rates/resolution.

Cyan · « **Reply #10 on:** April 13, 2005, 12:22:55 PM »

CRT over LCD anyday of the week.

Also, go with the Sapphire (Sapphire makes all ATI's cards in case you were not aware) ATI X800 XT its only like 20 bucks more than the XL at NewEgg and you gain 100mhz on your VPU Speed and 50or so MHZ on your ram speed.

Also, I would highly suggest AMD 64 CPUs over the Pentiums. But I am highly biased in this regard.

eagl · « **Reply #11 on:** April 13, 2005, 02:35:59 PM »

Skuzzy,

Is it just me, or is his quoted "DDR 400" the same thing as the "PC3200" you suggested?

As for LCDs, make sure you get one with DVI inputs. I've read review after review that emphasize this point.

Cyan · « **Reply #12 on:** April 13, 2005, 02:46:31 PM »

PC3200 is DDR400, also when choosing a gaming LCD make sure its a 12ms monitor.

I play tons of graphic intensive games and I still get ghosting on a 12ms monitor as well as artifacts.

Although I would love to switch to LCD just for the looks alone, they have yet to reach the bar I set for my systems. Plus to get the size monitor and ms response necessary you gotta dump some serious dough.

I use a 19" LCD at work and occasional take "lunch breaks in game worlds" and its horrid compared to my CRT at home.

If you dont mind more ghosting and artifacts then you can get a bit cheaper by going with a 16ms panel.

Question I tell my clients is this: If your a gamer and spending $300+ on a video card why spend another 300 - 700 on an LCD that pretty much wipes out the 300 dollar video cards benefits?

Anyhow, just my nickels worth. Ultimately ya gotta get what makes your screws turn.

SKJohn · « **Reply #13 on:** April 13, 2005, 06:10:44 PM »

Thanks for all the help and suggestions. I'm thinking of sticking with the CRT's, just because it seems like you can get a smaller pixel size than with the LCD's, as well as getting a bigger (better, clearer?) screen for the $$.

Now, if I can just get my new system ordered and here......

Skuzzy · « **Reply #14 on:** April 13, 2005, 06:30:35 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by eagl
Skuzzy,

Is it just me, or is his quoted "DDR 400" the same thing as the "PC3200" you suggested?

Yes, but his had to be an error as the Prescott family chipsets use DDRII ram, which is not normally quoted as PC3200 or DDR400.