Author Topic: new computer advice (Read 267 times)

meddog · « **on:** February 18, 2006, 05:51:29 PM »

I actualy posted this on the wrong bbs but i need to purchase a new computer system and I'm looking for advice. It seems that after reading several posts and talking to Skuzzy, I should stay away from dual core processors. I think my minimum system should be a AMD Athlon 64 3500+ or greater which should offer me anywhere between 2.2 to 3.2 GHZ and a FSB of 800 to 2000, a 1GB DDR SDRAM, Level 2 cashe of 512kb. It seems all these boards come with an intergrated video card, either a nvidia 6100 or ATI Radeon Xpress200 both of which Skuzzy told me were low end cards. So Should I also invest in higher end video card for PCI-E slot or will the integrated video card be sufficient? Also most systems come with either a CRT or a LCD monitor. I know that CRT monitors offer a higher quality picture than LCD but how much of a difference on picture quality is there?

eagl · « **Reply #1 on:** February 18, 2006, 06:17:48 PM »

the integrated video may or may not run AH, but even if it does, you'll be dissatisfied with the performance. If you buy from dell or something like that, just get it without the extra video card and upgrade the video card yourself. Just make sure the computer comes with an open pci-e slot for video cards.

If you're buying a custom computer, then definately get an upgraded video card. I suggest at least a 6800GS, or a 7800GT if you have the money.

AMD 3500 or better will be fast without costing too much. 2 gig of memory shouldn't cost all that much extra but you can upgrade that yourself if you want. Make sure you get 2 1-gig sticks to ensure stability at high memory speeds with the AMD cpus. It's a quirk of the amd cpus that if you use 4 sticks of memory instead of 2, you usually have to slow the memory down a bit for it to be stable.

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 18, 2006, 09:13:22 PM »

I can say from experience, the board with the integrated Geforce 6100 does run AH. You'd want at least 2 GB of system memory to do it and have the settings turned down but it would work. The board I just installed in my computer is just such a board. I tested it just for giggles before installing my new 6800GT. The one with the integrated X200 will NOT run AH, at least not without more tweaking than I was willing to do. My wife's eMachines comp. has one of these. I paid 200 bucks extra for this model because she wouldnt let me buy an aftermarket video card for it and she had to have one off the shelf that would run the few games she likes.

That said, I really think the 6100 board works as well as it does because of the design of the nForce motherboard. The 410/430 chipsets ROCK. You can buy one and get by for awhile. But I'd go with Eagl's advice. Especially since its exactly what I did.

Brooke · « **Reply #3 on:** February 19, 2006, 04:20:05 AM »

How much money are you looking to spend?

Dual core processors work fine for me (using Pentium D, Intel motherboard, and Windows XP Pro) -- as stable as the most-stable computer systems I've ever owned.

I'd stay away from integrated video. I think they usually are poor performers. It will probably run Aces High right now, but it might not be that much more money for a system with a non-integrated video card that is much faster in graphics performance.

In my view, in general, CRT's have better image quality than LCD's. I don't know how to quantify it other than to day that I'd buy a CRT instead of an LCD system if I were buying a new monitor. However, if I were pressed for space (if a CRT wouldn't fit the desk space I have available), I'd go with an LCD, I suppose.

I have had better experiences with Dell systems in terms of stability and ease of maintaining up-to-date drivers and BIOS than other systems I've had experience with (especially custom built and Compaq).

MrRiplEy[H] · « **Reply #4 on:** February 19, 2006, 06:05:07 AM »

People who work a lot with computers prefer LCD/TFT because they're so much friendlyer to the eyes. No flicker, no convergence problems etc.

That being said I recently bought two 21" Samsung syncmaster CRT's for €50 a piece - but that's just because they were a ripoff. Now I can have a dual 21" display for my graphics / music workstation.

Brooke · « **Reply #5 on:** February 19, 2006, 07:35:45 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by MrRiplEy[H]
People who work a lot with computers prefer LCD/TFT because they're so much friendlyer to the eyes. No flicker, no convergence problems etc.

Maybe so, but I spend about 11 hours a day in front of a computer, and I like CRT's.

You are right, though -- I wouldn't like them if they had flicker or convergence problems. They have to be decent CRT's. But when they are decent CRT's, I think they are better on my eyes than most flat-planel displays which somehow to me don't look as crisp or bright or have as good a color response, and they all seem to have problems if you aren't looking at them straight on.

MrRiplEy[H] · « **Reply #6 on:** February 19, 2006, 08:07:53 AM »

I don't know really - I haven't seen any crt that could match the image quality of a midprice lcd screen. The price of CRT doesn't matter - they all flicker. All you can do is to adjust the refresh rate, nevertheless the flicker stays.

A CRT holds ground mainly in professional photoediting where color reproduction is a must, for any office work I would choose LCD without a blink of an eye. As far as gaming goes, for AH I'd pick one too. Fast paced fps may cause trouble on lcd.

Brooke · « **Reply #7 on:** February 19, 2006, 05:18:09 PM »

Hmm. I don't notice any of my CRT's flickering at all. They do of course if the refresh is at 60 Hz, but for me (at least with my eyesight) not otherwise. I make sure to keep my PC and my UPS away from the screen, and if you have two CRT's close to each other, they can sometimes cause each other to waver. None of that happens with a flat-panel display.

At any rate, I agree that good flat-panel displays have good image quality. It is just that, to me, CRT's look sharper and more colorful -- a personal preference that won't apply to everyone.

MrRiplEy[H] · « **Reply #8 on:** February 19, 2006, 05:34:00 PM »

While you don't see the flicker it's there because of the technology. The brain / eyes do get strained by it even if one doesn't conciously realize it.

If you compare a CRT running @ 100hz to a LCD you'll notice how much more peaceful the LCD is. It's like reading a piece of paper instead of watching tv.