Help requested......re: new gaming machine(s)

[chrishy]

Good Morning,

I have been out of the game for a bout 5 years and am getting ready to gear up to rejoin...........(can't wait!)

I'm considering one of two alienware machines the Area 51 (Intel Processor) or the Aurora (AMD Athalon).  Which processor is better suited to the game?  I thought AMD's used to clock faster, but again it has been a long time.

Also, what is the concensus on dual graphics cards?  Would I be better suited with the dual 512MB cards, or a single say GEforce 896MB GTX 260?

I used to run radeons in my old machine and was pretty happy with them.

And finally........... are the dedicated K1 gaming network cards worth the $$??

Thank you all in advance for your consideration............look ing forward to getting back to the game!!

chrishy

 

[Getback]

Good Morning,

I have been out of the game for a bout 5 years and am getting ready to gear up to rejoin...........(can't wait!)

I'm considering one of two alienware machines the Area 51 (Intel Processor) or the Aurora (AMD Athalon).  Which processor is better suited to the game?  I thought AMD's used to clock faster, but again it has been a long time.

Also, what is the concensus on dual graphics cards?  Would I be better suited with the dual 512MB cards, or a single say GEforce 896MB GTX 260?

I used to run radeons in my old machine and was pretty happy with them.

And finally........... are the dedicated K1 gaming network cards worth the $$??

Thank you all in advance for your consideration............look ing forward to getting back to the game!!

chrishy

 

Do not go there! If you want one built look through the hardware forum.

[trax1]

And finally........... are the dedicated K1 gaming network cards worth the $$??

I've got that same question, is it worth it to buy one of those?

[BaldEagl]

First of all you'd get a lot more machine for a lot less money if you built it yourself or had someone from this forum build it for you.

The Intel Core2Duos or the I7's are better chips than the AMD's for the most part, especially the AMD dual cores which have an unresolved bug where you'll likely need to install a patch to shut down one core while playing AH.  The Intels are also better overclockers if that's in your future.

Stick with one good video card.  AH doesn't support SLI/Crossfire and you won't be able to lock vsync which will cause screen tearing/stuttering.  I know, I tried it.

Stick with a regular network adapter.  You'll gain nothing for the extra money.

[SKColt]

Look up Tildeath on the forums. He builds world class machines. Talk to him... you won't regret it!

[Fulmar]

If you're not going to built it yourself, I'd much prefer you not waste your money on Alienware.  You can save big on having someone like TilDeath build you one as compared to an Alienware.  I'd feel more comfortable you spending $2000 on a TilDeath machine (say $1300 on the actual computer and $700 in $20's flushed down the toilet) then spending $2000 on an Alienware machine.

[The Fugitive]

I'm with the rest of these guys.

Stay away from AMD! Intel has it all over them right now, and there is the issue with having to shut down one core with AH

Ailenware is over rated. Look up TilDeath on these boards, and send him a PM. He'll send you his phone number and you can give him a call. He'll walk you through the deal and set you up better than Ailenware ever could. On top of that you'll save a ton of cash. A bunch of peopl in the game have bought rigs from him and are VERY happy.

K1 network cards are a scam. Skuzzy pointed out why they aren't worth the extra cash on these boards, do a search.

[skullman]

definitely what everyone else says-call Tilldeath an get a world class machine built by a ah gamer who knows our needs.He has me a quad core in the works an if like me he will point you in the right direction.

[Spikes]

Talk to TilDeath, he'll get you setup with a kick arse comp without the cost!

[Pollock]

Two things.

1. Intel
2. Contact tildeath!

[GenMata]

AMD Dual core had to have a fix to play AH and some games. Not a problem MS had a fix.

Amd 3 or 4 core needs no fix. No issue now.
I've built 3 tri-core and 2 quad-core Amd systems this year. No patch required for 3 or 4 core AMD.
Much better deals on AMD.


The only issue I have is sound here on AH.
I have onboard RealTEc 7.1,,
Diamond XsDDl 7.1
old Montego Bay
Maybe I should try my old Yamaha card next.
All three give me great Music but won't play AH sounds properly. Diamond XsDDl 7.1 is awesome for Media.
Someone claimed a Soundblaster card will work best here.

The best Mainboards I've ever installed right here for $130.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128384
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649

All you need is Ram. On-board ATI HD3300 graphics runs this simple game on full with no real problems.
Later you can add a Assus HD4850 680mhz video card which will play anything even Crysis at 30 to 40 fPs.
I am using the Stock fan at the moment, will upgrade soon. My Cpu temp is 28c.
Very kool for stock. You will need a nice size tower with a few fans to move hot air.

This setup will cost you about $300 + HD4850, hd4870 or hd4890 later, + possible new tower and maybe a soundblaster card.. And it is plenty FAST...

Easy to build.

[TilDeath]

AMD Dual core had to have a fix to play AH and some games. Not a problem MS had a fix.

Amd 3 or 4 core needs no fix. No issue now.
I've built 3 tri-core and 2 quad-core Amd systems this year. No patch required for 3 or 4 core AMD.
Much better deals on AMD.


The only issue I have is sound here on AH.
I have onboard RealTEc 7.1,,
Diamond XsDDl 7.1
old Montego Bay
Maybe I should try my old Yamaha card next.
All three give me great Music but won't play AH sounds properly. Diamond XsDDl 7.1 is awesome for Media.
Someone claimed a Soundblaster card will work best here.

The best Mainboards I've ever installed right here for $130.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128384
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649

All you need is Ram. On-board ATI HD3300 graphics runs this simple game on full with no real problems.
Later you can add a Assus HD4850 680mhz video card which will play anything even Crysis at 30 to 40 fPs.
I am using the Stock fan at the moment, will upgrade soon. My Cpu temp is 28c.
Very kool for stock. You will need a nice size tower with a few fans to move hot air.

This setup will cost you about $300 + HD4850, hd4870 or hd4890 later, + possible new tower and maybe a soundblaster card.. And it is plenty FAST...

Easy to build.

OH Lordie

[Fulmar]

What Tildeath said.  I wouldn't touch GenMata's onboard video build with yet another 10 foot poll.

[TheZohan]

my X2 7750 doesnt have this bug.. its a dual core AMD cpu ..  

[Getback]

OH Lordie

  Look, go with amd duo core if you want. We will be waiting for your posts in the Technical forum.