Author Topic: New computer questions (Read 964 times)

fdiron · « **on:** October 12, 2001, 05:11:00 PM »

I'm looking to buy a new computer but I have a few questions.

(1) Which processor is better for gaming, the AMD T-Bird 1400mhz or the Intel Pentium 4 1500mhz?

(2) Is 256mb of PC2100 ram an acceptable amount for todays gaming needs?

(3) Is the GeForce 2 64mb video card still competitive? $300 for a GeForce3 is mighty expensive

(4) Which version of windows would be best for gaming, 98 SE, ME, or XP?

Any advice would be appreciated.

SKurj · « **Reply #1 on:** October 12, 2001, 06:04:00 PM »

the TBird will more than likely run any of your games faster than the P4. An AMD 1.4 is comparable to a P4 1.8ghz I have heard.

Buy as much ram as you can afford, you can buy 256mb DDR ram for dirt cheap, might as well buy 2

The GeForce 2 Titanium is retail under $200 USD.

For now i can't recommend windows XP, and ME is a pile of sht, so stick with 98se +)

SKurj

fdiron · « **Reply #2 on:** October 12, 2001, 06:18:00 PM »

Is the GEFORCE 2 Titanium as good as the GEFORCE 3?

Camel · « **Reply #3 on:** October 12, 2001, 06:28:00 PM »

Its more like a Geforce2 ultra

-ammo- · « **Reply #4 on:** October 12, 2001, 11:42:00 PM »

Win2k is very stable for me. I upgraded from win98. Also check out the new athlonXP cpu's, look very promising. I am buying one of those myself.

[ 10-13-2001: Message edited by: -ammo- ]

Lephturn · « **Reply #5 on:** October 13, 2001, 06:57:00 AM »

1. Buy the Athlon. Get the best one you can afford. If you can spring for one of the new Athlon XP's, even better.

2. While 256 is enough right now, RAM is very cheap at the moment and you may need more in the future. I'd go with 512 MB if you can afford it. It's not necessary at the moment though.

3. The GeForce 2 64 Meg DDR is a great card, and the price is not too bad. However, take a look at the GeForce 3 Titanium 200. It will perform about the same as the GeForce 2 Ultra, but will have the updated feature set that may pay off later. If the price is close to the same, get the GeForce 3 Ti 200.

4. That's debatable. While 98SE is likely the fastest right now, it's not very secure or stable. I recommend Windows 2000 Pro, although Windows XP will be a good choice as well. With all new hardware, Windows XP would be my choice. XP will be the way to go in the next 6 months or so certainly, so you might as well get it now and avoid having to upgrade. Go with XP for a new machine, it will be the best choice in the long run, even if it's not the fastest right now.

SKurj · « **Reply #6 on:** October 13, 2001, 07:04:00 AM »

What controller are you planning to use?
For some OS's there are no drivers for some controllers. 88se has the best support in this area

SKurj

bloom25 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 13, 2001, 11:15:00 AM »

A P4 1.5 has about the equivilant performance of a 1.1 or 1.2 Athlon. A 1.4 Tbird = 2 Ghz P4. The new XP 1800+ (1.533 Ghz) is the fastest x86 processor available today. Take a look at www.anandtech.com they have a good article about the new Athlon XPs.

As for OS, do not go win98. I'm fairly neutral between win2k sp2 and winxp. It's quite likely that windows xp will have some issues for the first couple months after it's official release. Win2k has had most all of the bugs ironed out by now, but if you buy it it will likely be phased out not long after xp comes out.

Tyro48 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 13, 2001, 12:54:00 PM »

Be advised that if you have CH USB products that they do not repeat do not have drivers for Win2k or XP if your using these OS's and CH your gonna have problems until CH address's this which won't be until Dec of this year at the earliest if ya have to use the USB CH stuff stick with Win98SE !

SKurj · « **Reply #9 on:** October 13, 2001, 04:53:00 PM »

Saitek X36 and X45 do not work in w2k or XP I have heard as well.

SKurj

Animal · « **Reply #10 on:** October 13, 2001, 07:34:00 PM »

if you dont use saitek joysticks, then by all means get Win2k or WinXP if you can afford them.

With enough system resources, I would go with XP.

Sancho · « **Reply #11 on:** October 14, 2001, 05:38:00 PM »

I have a Saitek Cyborg USB stick and Win2k SP2. I can't use the Saitek software that lets you program complex commands. But it works perfectly in Aces High with the joystick mapper in-game. This may also the case for the X36 and X45.

Win2k is otherwise a great choice for an OS. It's very stable compared to 98. There is also a Win98/Win95 compatibility layer in Service Pack 2 that lets you run some programs that wouldn't previously run in Win2k.

<edit> Check this post for info on the X45 and X36. Read Drsoya's post which says that the sticks work but with very limited functionality.

[ 10-14-2001: Message edited by: Sancho ]

Ghosth · « **Reply #12 on:** October 15, 2001, 07:53:00 AM »

FYI Bunta.com has special on Inno 3D Tornado
GeForce2 Titanium 64mb DDR AGP at 119$
http://www.bunta.com/extra/email/default.asp?item=VCINA198

Geforce3 Titanium 200 DDR AGP TV was 209$
PS personally I've had good luck dealing with bunta.