Need a computer.

[Mar]

{sigh}...

Ok, I'll go with Fulmer's idea and AirFlyer's GPU. I'll fit them together eventualy.

So, where do I get the stuff?

[Masherbrum]

Fulmar's list includes "Item Numbers" from Newegg.com.   Go there, copy and paste each Item Number and add to cart. 

[Mar]

 

Ok, thinking...

I bought this PSU a while ago, would it be similar to the one Fulmer listed?
http://www.xpcgear.com/cw500p4.html

Also, could I substitute that case with one from an HP Pavilion a1110n? Sorry, I can't find the model number.

[BaldEagl]

I don't think I made myself clear when I said less than basic knowledge of computer hardware, from this point on act like I'm a caveman.

Building... So easy even a caveman can do it.   

Even apart from that, I honestly do not have the time to go whizzing all over the place buying each part separately.

Don't.  Buy everything online from newegg and all the parts will arrive together in about three days.

So it looks like max settings are out. In this case I would like your opinion on what kind of performance I can get from this one: http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5203124&CatId=114

The video card isn't up to gaming.  You'd need at least a 9500GT and better yet a 9800GT or GTX.  You could probably get a 9500 for $50-70 and put it in but to go to a 9800 you'd have to spend around $100 and another $60-100 to upgrade the power supply which is probably very low-end.  At that point you might as well just buy something better to start with as you'll be left with other sub-par components which will limit future upgrade options.

As for an operating system, I don't see why I'd need Win7 when XP worked just fine for me...

Do you have a Windows license you can use?

[AirFlyer]

Technically speaking you could use that PSU yes, but around here your going to be hard pressed to find supporters for PSU brands outside of OCZ, PC Power & Cooling, or Sea Sonic just due to quality.

As for the case, again, technically yes it seems since it supports Micro-ATX. As with all pre-fabricated computers(HP, Compaq, Dell, etc) it's difficult to say if everything will fit. That aside cooling could also be an issue with that case so it may be best to use the one Fulmar provided.

[Mar]

 

Ok, so, the PSU I have will work, it's just not built as adiment as those other brands. It's never been a problem for this computer, so I'm sticking with it.

As for the case, you are right, overheating has always been a problem for me, so it's going to be the new case.

I think I got everything right, right?




Err no, I don't have a windows license. I wasn't even there when the OS was installed, so I wouldn't have a clue.

[cattb]

newegg has promo deals

http://promotions.newegg.com/NEemail/Oct-0-2009/Top10/index-landing.html?nm_mc=EMC-
wd hdd 500 black for 59.00  5 year warranty vs 3  with the other 160HDD promo ends 11-02 ( yah i know its 20 more dollars)

http://promotions.newegg.com/NEemail/Oct-0-2009/Top10/images/LB_11.jpg nzxt case 59.00
with 550 watt power supply ( gonna buy a case , buy 1 with a power supply : free shipping)
( i know ,no doubt not a ozc high quality PSU, a cheaper PSU) you could use your other PSU and if it quits u have another ;o)
cattb

[BaldEagl]

If you wern't willing to build I put this together at CyberPowerPC.  It's marginal but far better than what you posted earlier:

•*PRICE: [+509]
•CD: 16X DVD ROM (BLACK COLOR)
•CAS: Azza Orion Gaming Mid-Tower Case with See-Thru Side Panel (Silver with Blue Lightning)
•CS_FAN: Default case fans
•CPU: (Sckt775)Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E7500 CPU @ 2.93GHz 1066FSB 3MB L2 Cache 64-bit
•FAN: INTEL LGA775 CERTIFIED CPU FAN & HEATSINK
•HDD: Single Hard Drive (250GB SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 8MB Cache 7200RPM HDD)
•MULTIVIEW: Non-SLI/Non-CrossFireX Mode Supports Multiple Monitors
•MOTHERBOARD: MSI G31M3-L Intel G31 Chipset LGA775 FSB1333 DDR2 Mainboard
•MEMORY: 2GB (1GBx2) PC6400 DDR2/800 Dual Channel Memory (Corsair or Major Brand)
•NETWORK: Onboard Gigabit LAN Network
•OS: Microsoft® Windows® 7 Home Premium (64-bit Edition)
•POWERSUPPLY: 420 Watts Standard Case Power Supply
•RUSH: NO; READY TO SHIP IN 5~10 BUSINESS DAYS
•SERVICE: STANDARD WARRANTY: 3-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY PLUS LIFE-TIME TECHNICAL SUPPORT
•SOUND: 3D WAVE ON-BOARD 5.1 SOUND CARD
•USB: Built-in USB 2.0 Ports
•VIDEO: NVIDIA GeForce 9500 GT 512MB 16X PCI Express (Major Brand Powered by NVIDIA)

[cattb]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341016&nm_mc=EMC-
heres the ocz 500 watt PSU 34.99 after 25.00 rebate

[Getback]

      Price   Rebate   Shipping

AMD Phenom X3 8750 Black Edition Toliman 2.4GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 2MB L3 Cache Socket AM2+ 95W Triple-Core Processor - OEM   CPU    75.99        Free
            
            
GIGABYTE GA-MA770-UD3 AM2+/AM2 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail   MB    74.99     10.00     No
POWERCOLOR PCS AX4670 1GBK3-P Radeon HD 4670 1GB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video   VC    74.99     20.00     No
Western Digital Caviar Green WD6400AACS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive   HD    49.99        Free
SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner - OEM   OD    30.99        No
Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model   Ram    54.99        Free
OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply compatible with core i7 - Retail   PSU    59.99     25.00     Free
RAIDMAX Hurricane ATX-248WB Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail   Case    39.99        free
            
            
            
            
       461.92     55.00    
            
   Net    406.92       
Here's what I came up with. Should run AH full bore. You still need an OS.

Im not familiar with this case. I trust the other components though. You will need to go to the Optical drives website and download the drivers.


Mar, you need to jump in there a build one. Many on this board are more than willing to help. It's just like legos, only get to turn it on when you're done.

[TilDeath]

Ok, thinking...

I bought this PSU a while ago, would it be similar to the one Fulmer listed?
http://www.xpcgear.com/cw500p4.html

Also, could I substitute that case with one from an HP Pavilion a1110n? Sorry, I can't find the model number.

This PSU will NOT work with a powered video card.  It doe not have the connections for them.  Even if it did it does not have the power requirements.  Your PSU is the single most important component of any build, do not skimp on the PSU.

[Getback]

This PSU will NOT work with a powered video card.  It doe not have the connections for them.  Even if it did it does not have the power requirements.  Your PSU is the single most important component of any build, do not skimp on the PSU.

Keeping you in mind, I went with the OCZ in my suggestion. hehe

[Ghosth]

Worst case scenario, don't sweat the OS. Win 7 beta is free till spring. By then you can put together some money to get your self a license for Win7.

Also if you know anyone in college, often they can get software dirt cheap, including upgrade and full retail OS for drastically less.

Worst case scenario, if you go looking you can find a torrent of Win XP Pro "Corporate" download, burn the iso to a cd, and viola.

Don't know how, educate yourself. Google is your friend.
Time is not as fleeting as you think, not till your over 50.

[airhog99]

Would you say the vid card is your bottleneck?

Not really, it sits at 60Hz all the time. I don't know what's up with the slow cockpit shadows. I suspect it's poorly optimised in AH.
I can play AH with a 9600 GT too, at 60Hz with AA on. A higher end card will give less problems with gigantic furballs and flying over lots of trees, and such.

Added: I just tested AH without vsync and the 8800 GTS 512 sits at between 130 and 170 fps @ 1680x1050 (dual monitor, other monitor just displaying task manager)
This is with Windows 7, which, btw, gave me a massive improvement in Flightsim X compared to when using XP! Flightsim X is now actually nice, at 60 fps! (not maxed in any way of course.)

[Mar]

Will this really run AH full out? If so I can go with this and Win7 beta, and have everything I need for $100 less.

Roger TilDeath, throwing out the PSU. And as stated before I did have many overheating problems with my old case, so not skimping on that either.

[edit] Ok, mixing and matching Fulmer's setup with Getback's.

I hear that dual core processors are sufficient, so Getback's triple core will not be necessary.

Most likely won't need a very advanced disk drive or a very big hard drive, so Fulmer's cheaper ones will work.

It's the same video card.

The case is different, but Fulmer's is cheaper so I'll go with that.

The motherboard is different, Getback's is more expensive, so I'm guessing Getback's is the one that will help AH run at max.

The memory is different, again, Getback's is more expensive, however all I know is they're both 2 1GB DDR2 sticks, so going with Fulmer's.

Don't know the difference betwee