My New Computer

[20mmrain]

Let me start off by saying I hate AMD!!!! I have tried everything to get AMD processors to work write with this game And I can't get it! Tried Duel core OP, Video cards, Mother boards, DXdaig, Microsoft Hotfix, Different OS, Internet Connection, so on and so!
So since I am addicted to this game and I don;t want to stop playing it I decided to build a computer dedicated Just to playing AH2! Of course with a little help from TAX returns:)
I'm posting this to get your opinion on the specs of my new computer before I place the Order. This way so that if anyone sees any potential preproblems I can hear about them first! So please Go ahead give me your opinion I would really appreciate the INFO so that I may get back on and Playing soon! I plan on ordering the new rig next week so get back soon Thanks:)

1st. I want to make it portable Thermaltake  VF1000BWS Micro ATX desktop LAN Gaming case. It seems to have the potentail to have good airflow

2ND. ASUS P5Q-VM LGA 775 Intel G45 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

3rd. Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 Wolfdale 2.8GHz 3MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor. I wanted Intel because of after talking to a few people AH2 seems to get along better with Intel and there Hyperthreading!

4Th. OCZ Fatal1ty OCZ550FTY 550W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular Active PFC Power Supply

5Th. Western Digital Caviar SE WD3200AAJS 320GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive Since it is just for AH2 and not much else don't need that much space.

6Th. LG Black 22X (CAV) DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X (CAV) DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner

7Th. G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

8Th. Microsoft Windows XP Home SP3 for System Builders - OEM

9Th. ZALMAN CNPS 8700 NT 110mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler. I was alittle scared with this but my info says because of its low profile It will fit into my case!

10Th. Sapphire ATI HD4850 or 4830 I haven't decided yet But I wanted a bigger card so that AH2 will have room to grow with my system! I did get the size of both and again they will fit my case!

11Th. Lastly I plan to replace the two 60mm exhaust fan on the back of the case and add one two with the extra hole provided by the case! Also there are little odds and ends that I will be adding for Wireless connection and Sprucing up the inside of the case but they are not really preformace mods so I won't list them all!

Look this over and let me know! I might be over doing it by posting this and asking you guys but..... I've gone through absolute Hell trying to get back on the game. So i don't want to make anyother mistakes! Also I have a little concern that the inside might get to hot! But maybe not I'll Give you FAN specs too......

1X Front 92mm Intake fan
3x Back 60mm Exhaust fans
1x 80mm PCI slot card Fan
1x 60mm HDD cooler

Thanks 

P.S. I do apologize to the people who Like AMD I just have no luck with them and this game.

[Eagler]

just put together a box using that HD4850 card, Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Case, PC Power & Cooling S75QB 750W ATX12V PS, E8400 cpu w/ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler and 4 gig of ram on a gigabyte board using XP Pro.
No over clocking as I don't know how.

The HD is a 260gb 7200 rpm SATA 16mb cache seagate <- you may want to up your hd cache with a different drive.

AH has never looked so good or ran so smooth.

good luck with your build.

[Skuzzy]

The Antec 300 case is a pretty decent case.  The only complaint I have about it is they did not make any provisions for mounting the HD's in rubber, like the big brother Antec 900 case does.  Makes it a little noisy.

Other than that, it is a pretty nice case for $60.

[20mmrain]

Thanks I was considering upping my cache a Lil neway But I wasn't sure how much improvement I would get. I will not be OC'd either I do know how but because this stuff is Expensive LOL... I don;t want to shorten life of computer. Also since its a small box I don;t want a heat problem! I need this thing to last a couple years:)
Other thought ... just a consideration VISTA a waist of time for this game?

[Skuzzy]

The Antec 300 has plenty of potential ventilation.  It comes with the top fan, and back fan, and has provisions for 3 more 120mm fans (2 up front, oneon the side).  The 120mm fans are much quieter than those 60mm fans will be.

I have one of these boxes in the office.  Turn the fans to low speed and there is still plenty of air movement to keep the hottest components cool.

Also, I think you might want to get a bigger power supply.  Say 650W or so.

[20mmrain]

I was also looking at this brand of power.......SIGMA MONSTER SP650C 650W Continuous @ 40°C ATX12V 2.2V / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular Active PFC Power Supply .......... But I don't know that much about this brand although this power supply has got pretty good ratings from new egg! What do you think? They want 74.99 for it. (keep price down a Lil) But Also other consideration ........OCZ OCZ700MXSP 700W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply (104.99) I would still Like to make sure its modular because of space issue's! If you have good suggestion let me know.
As far as the case goes ...... wow your right I missed that one! It doesn't look that big although I was trying to keep it portable as possible. If you guys have it how is it on the potability?

[Eagler]

yes, the antec 300 is a great case - then again I haven't purchased a case in years

The fans are nice and quiet, except for the cheapo 120mm i stuck in the front - it is the loudest thing in it.

It is cooler than my full size tower I switched from, loved the rolled steel construction - nice and smooth.

20mmrain
go long on the power supply - it is the most important item in a computer these days. I learned that lesson the hard way.

[Skuzzy]

Power is more critical than ever with these high end systems.  The last thing you want to scrimp on is the power supply.  Pc Power & Cooling/most OCZ's or Seasonic are about as good as it gets when it comes to power supplies today.

Cheap power supplies are just a source of problems looking for a place to happen.

[Eagler]

As far as the case goes ...... wow your right I missed that one! It doesn't look that big although I was trying to keep it portable as possible. If you guys have it how is it on the potability?

not heavy but it doesn't have a handle on it or anything
looks easy enough to move around.
I liked the fact it didn't have a pexiglass side with all the bling bling lights as i did not want that look in my office.

[1701E]

Not sure about the Antec 300 in anyway, but a good cube case for portability and air flow is the 'AeroCool M40'.

In combination with the OCZ Stealth 700watt PSU it works great for me.  Not too heavy, keeps parts cool, fits everything, decent room.  I chose it simply because I move my PC using a car a lot, and a tower case typically likes to flip, and laying on its side they stuck off the seat a bit.

Currently I have no troubles (heat/room) with: GeForce 7900GS, OCZ Stealth 700watt psu, IDE HDD, SATA DVD drive, Sound card, Wireless card and a Card reader in this case.
I use 3x Thermaltake 80mm fans as out-take and a Thermaltake 120mm for intake and have no heat issues.
Case has a plastic front, and the top/sides are steel, adding to weight but little sturdier than plastic siding.

One warning though:  Not for people with huge hands.

[20mmrain]

CC on the case ....... The bling bling is not liked by allot of people..... I'm one of those people who don;t mind it. I'm a natural artist LOL in about everything I do From doodles on a napkin to when I was Tattooing for a living:) So everything I own happens to be extremely personalized. Even my computers....... For Christ sake when I was younger and used to soup up cars you should of seen them LOL. Anyway that's off the beaten path! I'm still looking at that case though because it has one heck of air tunnel in it for not that much price! 60bucks can't go wrong!
As far as the PSU I looked around more and did find a OCZ 600 watt that has been getting great reviews! I've never used anything besides Corsair and wanted to try something else this time. (mainly because while they're good they're also very Pricey!) So I was kinda lost when It came to other good Brand names. So thank you skuzzy For telling me other good Brand names! Well I gatta run I'll check back later. All good input Guys Thanks Keep it coming!

[Getback]

What's your budget?

BTW. Like you I came to the same conclusion. However, you could get by an amd quad core and shouldn't have any issues. I assume your amd mainboard supports quad core.

Disclosure: I use an e8500.

[20mmrain]

Yes my Motherboard does Support any AM2/AM2+ and AM3 processors! AMD quad processors don't have the same problem? I heard they do.... but that's just what Ive heard I don't use one and never have so I don't have any personal experience with them??!!??

[Getback]

Yes my Motherboard does Support any AM2/AM2+ and AM3 processors! AMD quad processors don't have the same problem? I heard they do.... but that's just what Ive heard I don't use one and never have so I don't have any personal experience with them??!!??

I think Skuzzy said they don't have the same issues as the duo core. Hopefully I didn't misquote Skuzzy.

[TheZohan]

X2 dual cores have issues from what skuzzy has posted.  X3 and X4 i was told do not