I cancelled my account

[AquaShrimp]

until I can get a newer computer.  I have about $1500 to spend.  What type of video card and processor would be best for Aces High?

[Fulmar]

Are you building your computer or ordering it/ buying it pre-made.

[Alky]

My rule of thumb has always been, "biggest and fastest that I can afford" 

[Ciaphas]

For 1,500 bucks you can build a rather nice machine. It just depends what the computer is mainly used for.

[Alky]

For 1,500 bucks you can build a rather nice machine. It just depends what the computer is mainly used for.

I hate it when salesman say, "What is the computer mainly used for?"  who cares, in a very few years, the "biggest and fastest" will no longer run mainstream software.  Settling for less than the most you can get right now,  is just shortening the time before you need to go shopping for another computer

[AquaShrimp]

The computers number one function will be Aces High.  I don't build PCs.  I'm not adversed to buying one online.  Advice?

[Bronk]

The computers number one function will be Aces High.  I don't build PCs.  I'm not adversed to buying one online.  Advice?

Aqua you appear to have the intelligence required to build a PC. I would recommend researching how to build your own rig. A clean running home build will crush most brand X rigs.

[RTR]

Hey Aquashrimp I concur with the build it yourself recommendation. You will get alot more bang for your buck.

I built my rig and trust me, If I can do it anybody can.

You also will have the option of keeping XP as your operating sytem (provided you buy it before the end of June).

cheers, and good luck with whatever you decide to do.

RTR

[Getback]

Aqua you appear to have the intelligence required to build a PC. I would recommend researching how to build your own rig. A clean running home build will crush most brand X rigs.

Bronk is right, build it. If you can put leggos together you can build a computer. You will get tons of help from these most excellent folks.

Right now I would say go with the intel e8400 chip. Use an abit or gigabyte board and then from there it's a matter of taste. I prefer ATI vid cards and others prefer Nvidia. For invidia go with the 8800 and above and for ATI go 3850 and above. You should be able to put together a rather nice machine. Oh, use xp home or Windows XP pro. Stay away from Vista. Stay away from xp 64 bit too.

[Fulmar]

Homemade built computer also have the ability to be MUCH more flexible when it comes to upgrading or replacing parts in the future.

[Anaxogoras]

Hey Aquashrimp I concur with the build it yourself recommendation. You will get alot more bang for your buck.

I built my rig and trust me, If I can do it anybody can.

You also will have the option of keeping XP as your operating sytem (provided you buy it before the end of June).

cheers, and good luck with whatever you decide to do.

RTR

Woah, what's happening to XP at the end of June?

[Bronk]

Woah, what's happening to XP at the end of June?

Microsoft will no longer be selling it.

[Anaxogoras]

Those idiots want us to feed on their vista-cow-patties exclusively, huh?

[Reschke]

Here is what Maximum PC magazine put in there April '08 issue as a guide for $1500. Its not the biggest or baddest system on the block but it will get the job done for quite a while. I used them as a guide to build my current rig and I wouldn't trade any of their suggestions for anything else.

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
MSI P35 Neo2-FR
XFX GeForce 8800GTS 512MB
Patriot 4GB DDR2/800
Cooler Master CM Stacker STC-T01-UW
PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610
XP Pro
Seagate 750GB Barracuda AS 7200.10
Optiarc AD-7190A
X-FI Xtreme Gamer soundcard

[SIK1]

I spent right about $1,500 I didn't need the keyboard, mouse, or monitor.  I have a nice machine for AH, and just about anything else I care to run.

It was a snap to assemble. If you have replaced a vid card, or ram you should be able to assemble a computer.

E8400
ASUS P5E
XFX 8800 GTS 512MB PCI 2.0
4 GB Corsair ram
150 GB raptor HD
Antec 900 case
Rosewell 850W PS
ASUS HDDVD DVD drive
XP pro