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Author Topic: Cheapest machine that runs new AH well  (Read 2064 times)

Offline Brooke

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Cheapest machine that runs new AH well
« on: July 29, 2009, 02:32:26 PM »
I don't think it takes much computer horsepower to run the new Aces High, but there are folks out there with very outdated systems that won't do well on the new graphics.

For those folks, if any of them are thinking of upgrading, but only as little as possible to run the new AH well, let's put together some suggestions for them.

We can have suggestions from the "buy it" side, and suggestions from the "build it" side.  Both are valid.

Folks, give your suggestions here and the total cost.

Please no suggestions where total cost comes in over $600.  The goal isn't the best gaming rig -- it is the *cheapest* thing a person can buy and get good performance in Aces High.
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Offline gyrene81

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Re: Cheapest machine that runs new AH well
« Reply #1 on: July 29, 2009, 02:43:24 PM »
Easy...minimum P4 HT Extreme 2.4Ghz processor...2 GB RAM...Windows XP SP3 clean...8x AGP graphics slot.

Video card upgrade for AGP slot minimum 512MB video RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048%201069609639&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True&Order=PRICED

PCI express x1 minimum 512 video RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048%201069620108&name=PCI%20Express%20x1

PCI express x16 minimum 256MB DDR2 video RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048%201069620108&name=PCI%20Express%20x1

PCI express x16 2.0 minimum 128MB DDR3 video RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048%201069633099&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True&Order=PRICE

*Warning* Recommended brands are EVGA, XFX, PNY, Gigabyte...nothing else.

Watch the specs on the video cards...the faster RAMDAC, faster memory, higher pixel pipelines will get you better performance.
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Offline WMLute

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Re: Cheapest machine that runs new AH well
« Reply #2 on: July 29, 2009, 02:45:46 PM »
You can "recycle" much of the old system.

I would think a vid card, mobo, cpu, ram would be all that's needed.

Should be able to get the above components for $400.00 ish.


Now some people have motherboards that are upgradeable.

I use a single core 3ghz Intel P4 but my mobo supports up to a quad core so I can probably just upgrade the CPU.

(anybody who's recently upgraded their CPU to a quad got an old dual core laying about I could have?)
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Offline humble

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Re: Cheapest machine that runs new AH well
« Reply #3 on: July 29, 2009, 02:50:34 PM »
Here is a starting point....

CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649 $120

MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128392 $80

PS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341016 $35

VC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121314 $45

This is your "bare bones" guts for a system that will run the current version at 45-60 FPS with everything maxed out. So your core cost is about $280. I left out case, memory, OS etc since some is recycleable and others have particular preference. I can build a good box minus OS for about $400-450 that will run AH fine.

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Offline texastc316

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Re: Cheapest machine that runs new AH well
« Reply #4 on: July 29, 2009, 03:11:56 PM »
Got mine on e-turd for $300 amd dualcore 4gig ram etc etc. Added XP and a new vid card
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Offline Brooke

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Re: Cheapest machine that runs new AH well
« Reply #5 on: July 29, 2009, 03:49:58 PM »
My suggestion (the "buy it" side of things).

Dell Vostro 220 minitower (buy from small and medium business area, which individuals can buy from) with:
Intel Core 2 Duo E5200
2 GB RAM
160 GB hard disk
only 300W power supply though
cost from Dell = $350

or

Dell Studio Desktop with:
Intel Core 2 Duo E5200
2 GB RAM
500 GB hard disk
only 300W power supply though
cost from Dell = $370

Graphics card:

nVidia Geforce 9600GT with DDR3 vid. mem and 650 MHz core, specifically:
eVGA version from Newegg.com
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130424
cost from Newegg = $90

or

Radeon HD4650 with DDR vid. mem, specifically:
Sapphire version from Newegg.com
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102838
cost from Newegg = $50

total cost = $400-$460

This is a better system than I have currently, and I run at 1280x960, maxxed out 8xS antialiasing (which requires a lot of GPU effort), maxxed out graphics-quality settings in the nVidia controls, graphics sliders in AH all maxxed out, AH hires texture pack (which supposedly takes a lot more GPU), and get (depending on the action around me) 50-72 frames/sec.

So, the above probably isn't a minimal system, but you don't save much as a "buy it" system getting less than that.

The one concern is that the machines have 300W power supplies (not all that much).  I've found in the past 300W to be OK, though -- but you could buy a larger power supply and install it for another $50 or so if you run into problems.
« Last Edit: July 29, 2009, 03:57:43 PM by Brooke »
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Offline smokey23

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Re: Cheapest machine that runs new AH well
« Reply #6 on: July 29, 2009, 04:45:33 PM »
Heres a suggestion that im sure would run the game fine

MOBO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128380

memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820159015


CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072

PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817159084

vid card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130435

It comes to $322.00 and change however there are those that will have the PSU and other parts they can reuse. So this price is reducable depending on what components they need.
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Offline Belial

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Re: Cheapest machine that runs new AH well
« Reply #7 on: July 29, 2009, 04:48:22 PM »
Brooke listed some VERY good information, his setups mentioned are what I am using and it runs the new version well.
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Offline BaldEagl

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Re: Cheapest machine that runs new AH well
« Reply #8 on: July 29, 2009, 05:41:17 PM »
This would work.  $437 plus shipping.  Complete self-build:

- SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model SH-S222A
- COOLER MASTER ELITE 335 RC-335-KKN1-GP Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
- Western Digital Caviar Blue WD800JD 80GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
- EVGA 512-P3-N973-TR GeForce 9800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
- OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ600MXSP 600W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI
Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC
- Kingston ValueRAM 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KVR800D2N5K2/2G
- GIGABYTE GA-G41M-ES2L LGA 775 Intel G41 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
- Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
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Offline Swatch

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Re: Cheapest machine that runs new AH well
« Reply #9 on: July 29, 2009, 05:57:41 PM »
Quote from: BaldEagl on July 29, 2009, 05:41:17 PM
This would work.  $437 plus shipping.  Complete self-build:

- SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model SH-S222A
- COOLER MASTER ELITE 335 RC-335-KKN1-GP Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
- Western Digital Caviar Blue WD800JD 80GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
- EVGA 512-P3-N973-TR GeForce 9800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
- OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ600MXSP 600W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI
Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC
- Kingston ValueRAM 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KVR800D2N5K2/2G
- GIGABYTE GA-G41M-ES2L LGA 775 Intel G41 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
- Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor

We can cut that down even more...

Drop the DVD drive.
Make the Video Card an 8800 GTS or 8800 GT with 512Mb

Should save you 50 or so dollars....
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Offline TEShaw

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Re: Cheapest machine that runs new AH well
« Reply #10 on: July 29, 2009, 05:59:33 PM »
Make the low-end systems run well?

I suggest stealing a grocery cart from the local market....at night.

Consider it a mission.
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Offline BaldEagl

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Re: Cheapest machine that runs new AH well
« Reply #11 on: July 29, 2009, 06:48:25 PM »
Quote from: Swatch on July 29, 2009, 05:57:41 PM
We can cut that down even more...

Drop the DVD drive.
Make the Video Card an 8800 GTS or 8800 GT with 512Mb

Should save you 50 or so dollars....

Not sure you can find 8800's anymore except maybe on ebay.

How are you going to install the operating system without an optical drive?
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Offline BlauK

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Re: Cheapest machine that runs new AH well
« Reply #12 on: July 29, 2009, 06:58:13 PM »
Hard drives, cases, monitors.. what do they have to do with upgrades? Is it not all about CPU, mobo, RAM and vid card (+ good enough power unit)? The rest is just necessary extra which can be as high or low end stuff as one wants.
Well, ok, maby there are some absolute minimums for other stuff as well, but I dont think they have changed due to this AH upgrade.
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Offline humble

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Re: Cheapest machine that runs new AH well
« Reply #13 on: July 29, 2009, 07:09:50 PM »
Quote from: TEShaw on July 29, 2009, 05:59:33 PM
Make the low-end systems run well?

I suggest stealing a grocery cart from the local market....at night.

Consider it a mission.


Given your attitude and caustic comments I hope skuzzy considers a vacation from the BBS for you.
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Offline 1701E

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Re: Cheapest machine that runs new AH well
« Reply #14 on: July 29, 2009, 08:04:29 PM »
Cheap that runs AH well?  Sounds like my PC, although I am slowly replacing parts, not due to being bad, but I like new stuff. :)

I can run it, or know it will run with the following, well:

Motherboard:  (Using currently)
  Brand: Biostar
  Socket: AM2
  Form: Micro-ATX
  Price: 50$

CPU:  (Using currently)
  Brand: AMD
  Socket: AM2
  Speed: ~2.5GHz
  Price: 65$

RAM:  (Using Currently)
  Brand: Transcend
  Speed: DDR2-800
  Amount: 2GB
  Price: 27$

GPU:
  Brand: EVGA
  Model: 9600/9800
  Memory: 512MB
  Price: 90/102$

PSU:  (Using 700W version)
  Brand: OCZ
  Model: StealthX 600Watt  4x 12V Rails @ 18A each
  Price: 80$

Total:  312$ / 324$

Rest: Case/DVD/HDD are re-useable, and should be un-needed.  If you need a Case they can be found rather cheap; DVD-drives can be found about $30; and HDD, well the current one can be kept, but if not they are about 70$.


I'll leave the Manufacturer type PC (Dell, E-machines, HP) to others, haven't looked at those in a few years.
About as cheap as I would recommend, anything less would require using cheaper less reliable brands. :salute
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