Advice on my stocking stuffer

[KSass]

Greetings,

I have been looking at this unit for playing ah2 and would appreciate any advice from people with pc knowledge. I plan on spending ~ $1K on the unit.

My main concern is the AMD X2/ Nvidia issues that have been posted on the BBS. Have these spinning clipboard issues been fixed with the optimizer patch and would  the patch limit the performance of this machine?  I have read that the intel core 2 quad processors may perform better running AH2, any comments/ advice would be welcome.

Thanks in advance

Ksass







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Velocity Micro - ProMagix 6000+ Desktop
Model: T1000 | SKU: 8623778



Our Price:
$999.99
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    *
      Warranty Terms - Parts
      1 year
    *
      Warranty Terms - Labor
      1 year
    *
      Product Height
      13.75"
    *
      Product Width
      5.4"
    *
      Product Weight
      25 lbs.
    *
      Product Depth
      14.6"
    *
      Processor Brand
      AMD
    *
      Processor
      AMD Athlon(TM) 64 X2
    *
      Processor Speed
      3.0GHz
    *
      Cache Memory
      2MB at die Level 2
    *
      System Memory (RAM)
      3GB
    *
      Type of Memory (RAM)
      DDR2
    *
      Hard Drive Type
      Serial ATA II (7200 rpm)
    *
      Hard Drive Size
      500GB
    *
      Graphics
      NVIDIA GeForce 8500 GT
    *
      Video Memory
      Up to 512MB
    *
      Personal Video Recorder (PVR)
      No
    *
      TV Tuner
      No
    *
      MPEG
      Yes
    *
      Audio
      High-fidelity (8-speaker configurable)
    *
      Built-in Web Cam
      No
    *
      Modem
      None
    *
      Network Card
      Built-in 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 connector)
    *
      Wireless Networking
      None
    *
      DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo Drive
      Yes
    *
      DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo Drive Speeds
      Drive speeds not specified
    *
      Recordable DVD Drive
      Yes, double-layer DVD±RW/CD-RW
    *
      Recordable DVD Drive Speeds
      20x DVD+R DL; 20x DVD-R DL; 20x8x16 DVD+RW; 20x6x16 DVD-RW; 12x DVD-RAM; 48x32x48 CD-ROM
    *
      Direct-Disc Labeling
      Yes
    *
      Digital Media Reader or Slots
      Yes, digital media card reader
    *
      Diskette Drive
      No
    *
      Total Expansion Bays
      External: 1 (5.25"); Internal: 2 (3.5")
    *
      Total Expansion Slots
      2 PCI, 1 PCI-E x1, 1 PCI-E x16
    *
      Available Expansion Slots
      2 PCI, 1 PCI-E x1
    *
      USB 2.0 Ports
      6
    *
      IEEE 1394 Ports
      2 (1 front, 1 rear)
    *
      S-Video Outputs
      1
    *
      Serial Ports
      None
    *
      Parallel Ports
      None
    *
      Game Ports
      None
    *
      Keyboard Description
      Velocity Micro
    *
      Other Control Devices (mouse, etc.)
      Velocity Micro laser mouse
    *
      Operating System
      Windows Vista Home Premium
    *
      Software Included
      Nero Burning ROM; 3D Mark 2006; Adobe Acrobat Reader 8.1 and more

[Krusty]

AMD dual cores still have problems in AH and in Windows (I can't recall if Skuzzmeister said it was a Windows problem or an AMD problem), and besides, the Conroe is currently the king of the hill.



The GeForce 8500 is a pretty low card. The 8600GT is only about as good as the Ge7600GT, and the 8500 is the stripped down, budget version, of the 8000 series.

If you can afford it in your setup, look into the ATI 3850 card. It's new and it kicks much rear end for only around $180. However, that's not your only choice, there are others.

[KSass]

Thanks Krusty for the info. I think I'll keep looking for a dual core type processor.

[Krusty]

Oh, the AMD x2 is dual core (hence the name x2, 2 cores). It would probably run fine, but IMO the Conroes are the best bang for buck and present the least number of problems with Windows and this game.

[KSass]

So, a Intel core 2 quad type processor should run Ah2 better than a AMD X2 type?

[Krusty]

It depends on so many factors that I hesitate to say "yes" or "no" but I will say that the "conroe" core Core2Duo E6000 series (not counting the "allendale" core E4000 series, which is lesser performing) probably has more potential.


EDIT: Oh, I just saw "quad" -- thought we were talking dual. I don't know much about the quad core, other than there's very little that can use all 4 cores. The software just isn't coded to make use of them yet.

[Fulmar]

You'd be fine with a Core 2 Duo, but the price of the Q6600 (Core 2 Quad) can't be beat and will be a little bit more future proof than the Duo.  However, like krusty said, very few programs even use all 4 cores.

I still highly recommend Intel over AMD for the price/performance factor.  Only problem with that computer is the video card, the 8500GT is about the biggest piece of Direct X 10 crap you can find.

If there is an upgrade option, see if you can at least snag a 8800GT or the 3800 series from ATI.