Author Topic: A Comeback  (Read 3174 times)

Offline BaldEagl

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Re: A Comeback
« Reply #15 on: July 18, 2011, 10:32:10 PM »
For the price that might not be a bad machine but I think it would struggle to play AH.  The bottle neck is the video card.  It's an entry level card not really built for significant gaming.

You could upgrade it but here's the catch; if you do you'll probably have to upgrade the power supply too and after doing that you'll have added $250 or more to the price and still not gained much.  I'd say adding $350 would be more likely.

If/when I get a chance I'll put some ideas together for you but I work 12-13 hours a day so it might take me a few days to get to it.
I edit a lot of my posts.  Get used to it.

Offline BaldEagl

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Re: A Comeback
« Reply #16 on: July 18, 2011, 11:42:20 PM »
OK so I bit the bullet.  Here's an idea for you.  I'm not totally satisfied with this and it needs some tweaking but it will give you a good starting point for comparison.  Most of this is good quality components and it's reasonably balanced but again, I'd do some tweaking before placing an order.  This is if you're willing to build it.  Building is comperable to playing with an erector set:

.  .
Update11-119-068   COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Model #:CAC-T05-UW
Item #:N82E16811119068
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
  $54.99  -$5.00 Instant $49.99
.  .
Update13-130-556   MSI G41M-P26 LGA 775 Intel G41 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
Model #:G41M-P26
Item #:N82E16813130556
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
  $50.99    $50.99
.  .
Update14-130-568   EVGA 01G-P3-1373-AR GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) Superclocked EE 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support ...
Model #:01G-P3-1373-AR
Item #:N82E16814130568
Return Policy:VGA Standard Return Policy
In Stock
Mail in Rebate Card14-130-568

  $199.99  -$10.00 Instant $189.99
.  .
Update17-139-005   CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible ...
Model #:CMPSU-650TX
Item #:N82E16817139005
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
Mail in Rebate Card17-139-005

  $119.99  -$25.00 Instant $94.99
.  .
Update19-116-381   Intel Pentium E5700 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80571E5700
Model #:BX80571E5700
Item #:N82E16819116381
Return Policy:CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
In Stock
  $66.99    $66.99
.  .
Update20-231-180   G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL8D-4GBHK
Model #:F3-10600CL8D-4GBHK
Item #:N82E16820231180
Return Policy:Memory Standard Return Policy
In Stock
  $39.99    $39.99
.  .
Update22-136-795   Western Digital Caviar Black WD5002AALX 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Model #:WD5002AALX
Item #:N82E16822136795
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
  $59.99    $59.99
.  .
Update27-135-204   ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
Model #:DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS
Item #:N82E16827135204
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
  $20.99    $20.99
.  .
Update32-116-986   Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
Model #:GFC-02050
Item #:N82E16832116986
Return Policy:Software Standard Return Policy
In Stock
  $99.99    $99.99

Subtotal: $673.91
I edit a lot of my posts.  Get used to it.

Offline Pannono

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Re: A Comeback
« Reply #17 on: July 19, 2011, 12:13:21 AM »
I really appreciate you taking the time to look up all of that for me. It will be very handy if I do decide to go the custom-built route. I would love to try to build a PC, but I'm afraid that I would break something because I would have no clue to what I would be doing. And I don't know if I will be able to use my financial aid for college on computer parts.
Pannono
Proud Member of Pigs On The Wing
8 Player H2H: 2006-07
MA Tours: 87, 97-113, 143-144, 160-Present
FSO: JG54

Offline ebfd11

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Re: A Comeback
« Reply #18 on: July 19, 2011, 12:31:34 PM »
Pannono

Here is one from NewEgg.... it might be what you are looking for and leave a little for a video card upgrade at a later date if needed.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229254


LawnDart
PIGS ON THE WING 3RD WING

InGame id: LawnDart
RIP Skullman Potzie and BentNail

Offline Pannono

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Re: A Comeback
« Reply #19 on: July 19, 2011, 01:43:19 PM »
I'm not as familiar with the AMD graphics cards as I am with the NVIDIA graphics cards, how would the AMD Radeon HD 6450 handle AH?
Pannono
Proud Member of Pigs On The Wing
8 Player H2H: 2006-07
MA Tours: 87, 97-113, 143-144, 160-Present
FSO: JG54

Offline Easyscor

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Re: A Comeback
« Reply #20 on: July 19, 2011, 02:37:56 PM »
Benchmarks aren't everything but this should give you an idea:

http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/high_end_gpus.html

You're getting some good advice in here, but always search for reviews on your components. Do your homework and choose according to your budget.

Good luck.
Easy in-game again.
Since Tour 19 - 2001

Offline Pannono

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Re: A Comeback
« Reply #21 on: July 19, 2011, 02:58:49 PM »
Benchmarks aren't everything but this should give you an idea:

http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/high_end_gpus.html

You're getting some good advice in here, but always search for reviews on your components. Do your homework and choose according to your budget.

Good luck.
Thank you for the link. It will be of great assistance to me in my search for a GPU. I truly appreciate everyone's time and effort they spent helping me on this.

<<S>>
Pannono
Pannono
Proud Member of Pigs On The Wing
8 Player H2H: 2006-07
MA Tours: 87, 97-113, 143-144, 160-Present
FSO: JG54

Offline Pannono

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Re: A Comeback
« Reply #22 on: November 06, 2011, 12:41:11 PM »
Ok. Sorry to bother you guys again, but I have made enough money now to start considering this. I am not sure how AH would perform on it, so I need one more favor from you guys.

Here are the specs:
•CPU: Intel® Core™ i7-2600K 3.40 GHz 8M Intel Smart Cache LGA1155 (All Venom OC Certified)
•HDD: 500GB SATA-III 6.0Gb/s 16MB Cache 7200RPM HDD [-21] (Single Hard Drive)
•MEMORY: 8GB (2GBx4) DDR3/1600MHz Dual Channel Memory Module (Corsair XMS Gaming Memory with Heat Spreader)
•MOTHERBOARD: [CrossFireX] Asus P8Z68-V LX Intel Z68 Chipset DDR3 ATX Mainboard LucidLogix Virtu and Intel Smart Response Technology & 7.1 HD Audio, GbLAN, USB3.0, 2x SATA-III RAID,2 3 PCIe Gen2, 2 PCIe X1 & 2 3CI (All Venom OC Certified)
•SOUND: HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIO
•VIDEO: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 1GB 16X PCIe Video Card [+50] (Major Brand Powered by NVIDIA)
Pannono
Proud Member of Pigs On The Wing
8 Player H2H: 2006-07
MA Tours: 87, 97-113, 143-144, 160-Present
FSO: JG54

Offline Easyscor

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Re: A Comeback
« Reply #23 on: November 06, 2011, 01:37:13 PM »
Remember that you'll need a power supply, a case and WindowsXP/7.

You can do with the stock cpu fan for now and upgrade later. When/if you upgrade the cooler, keep in mind the stress of moving a computer between school terms. If you move it a lot, consider a packaged water cooler system like Corsair or Antec. Water cooled mother boards will take the abuse of moving better then one with those huge air coolers.

You can also save ~$100 with an i5 Sandy Bridge if money becomes a problem now, and up grade to the i7 later if you keep it that long. They will both run on the same MB and you can probably sell the i5.

Check the certified RAM vender list at the MB manufacturer. Keep in mind that they don't update them every time a new DIMM comes out so you might want to check the RAM spec for clarification or the manufacture's website.

Other then that, I don't see any glaring problems.

Edit
One other thing. I love Newegg, for a lot of reasons but especially for the wealth of info on their site. Often for the best deal though, Amazon doesn't charge sales tax, or didn't the last time I checked.
« Last Edit: November 06, 2011, 01:41:30 PM by Easyscor »
Easy in-game again.
Since Tour 19 - 2001

Offline Tigger29

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Re: A Comeback
« Reply #24 on: November 06, 2011, 01:41:03 PM »
Ok. Sorry to bother you guys again, but I have made enough money now to start considering this. I am not sure how AH would perform on it, so I need one more favor from you guys.

Here are the specs:
•CPU: Intel® Core™ i7-2600K 3.40 GHz 8M Intel Smart Cache LGA1155 (All Venom OC Certified)
•HDD: 500GB SATA-III 6.0Gb/s 16MB Cache 7200RPM HDD [-21] (Single Hard Drive)
•MEMORY: 8GB (2GBx4) DDR3/1600MHz Dual Channel Memory Module (Corsair XMS Gaming Memory with Heat Spreader)
•MOTHERBOARD: [CrossFireX] Asus P8Z68-V LX Intel Z68 Chipset DDR3 ATX Mainboard LucidLogix Virtu and Intel Smart Response Technology & 7.1 HD Audio, GbLAN, USB3.0, 2x SATA-III RAID,2 3 PCIe Gen2, 2 PCIe X1 & 2 3CI (All Venom OC Certified)
•SOUND: HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIO
•VIDEO: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 1GB 16X PCIe Video Card [+50] (Major Brand Powered by NVIDIA)


That computer will run Aces High just fine.  My biggest concern about it is that it doesn't mention what kind of power supply is being used and lesser quality power supplies can cause big issues in the near future.

It's important that you understand Aces High isn't as resource hungry as other games out there and as a result you don't need the absolutely best hardware in order to run it reasonably well.  If that's the most you plan on using the computer for and given your limited financial situation we're all kind of afraid you're going to spend TOO MUCH money on a system.  This is why we keep mentioning that you consider building your own system.  You may find yourself in a position where you wish you had spent less money on the computer and more money on peripherals (such as rudder pedals and/or track IR).

I know it may seem intimidating to you but the reality of it all is that selecting the components is the most difficult part of building your own system.  If you can use a screwdriver then you can assemble it yourself.  The actual assembly is not difficult at all.  Yes maybe just a little bit time consuming for an amateur but not difficult.  I've built probably about 50 systems in my life and I've got it down to taking less than an hour - even faster if I don't care about cable routing and perfection.  It's a lot of fun to do and very very rewarding.  If you have kids or even a girlfriend/spouse then it can be a fun project for you all to enjoy!  As far as parts selection we can definitely help you with that.  Also building your own system gives you a much greater "bang for your buck".. a $1400 system retail you can build yourself for about $700-800.

Also you never mentioned the specifications of your current computer.  Its processor may be plenty capable for the game and a video card may be all you need in order to play AH reasonably well enough.  In this case you may be able to get off real cheap and then you can always save up and get a REALLY nice system in a few months that will last you for several more years rather than to need to rush into something very expensive right now.

If I were to build a system right now with AH in mind, keeping "future proofing" in mind I would probably choose an i5 processor, a good nvidia fermi (or at least 68XX series amd/ati card) video card, at least 8GB of DDR3 ram, and a seasonic power supply.  Keep in mind the system I currently use does not even come close to those specs and still runs AH at almost highest settings (all minus shadows) and maintains 50+ FPS in virtually all conditions of the game.
« Last Edit: November 06, 2011, 01:47:18 PM by Tigger29 »

Offline skribetm

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Re: A Comeback
« Reply #25 on: November 06, 2011, 01:47:58 PM »
save $$$ use windows 8 devpreview.
been using it no issues. just dont store impt stuff, & bkup bkup bkup.

Offline SilverB

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Re: A Comeback
« Reply #26 on: November 06, 2011, 02:23:38 PM »
As long as you'r considering the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 1GB 16X PCIe Video Card
you might take a look at the
MSI version MSI N560GTX-Ti Twin Frozr II/OC,
basicly same card but with better cooling clockrates and Overclocking cababilities.
Overclocked it actually just pass A Nvidea GTX 570.

http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/msi_gtx560_twinfrozr_2/16.htm
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2011/01/27/msi-geforce-gtx-560-ti-1gb-review/1

Unfortunately for me i'm having a few problems with my card, and AH2 It runs it fine, just not fast. trying to figure out why. Because every other game just got a major boost in framerate.

SilverB


Offline MaSonZ

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Re: A Comeback
« Reply #27 on: November 06, 2011, 02:36:55 PM »
Option 4

Contact TilDeath.  He builds some wicked stuff.  One of which I'm the very happy and proud owner of. 
this. Rich (TilDeath) will be glad to work with you. explain the situation, and I'm sure for around 600 or 700 bucks he can get you a good setup. you dont need anything over the top, especially if Aces High is as demanding as it will get and he can hook you up good wit ha best bang for your buck machine. not to mention, youll have some of the cleanest wiring known to man inside.
"Only the dead have seen the end of war" - Plato
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Offline Pannono

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Re: A Comeback
« Reply #28 on: November 07, 2011, 05:06:11 PM »
Ok I have decided to go the custom-built route. Having trouble deciding on a GPU. Do you guys think the GTX 550Ti would run AH well or should I get the Radeon HD6850 instead?
Pannono
Proud Member of Pigs On The Wing
8 Player H2H: 2006-07
MA Tours: 87, 97-113, 143-144, 160-Present
FSO: JG54

Offline Easyscor

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Re: A Comeback
« Reply #29 on: November 07, 2011, 06:34:27 PM »
I can't speak for the GTX 550Ti. I have an ATI 6850 and run AH 59-60 steady. My shadow settings are modest but everything else is maxed out. Running on an i7 2600k.

Whatever you get, first do a search on Newegg to determine the latest/best spec on the card. Make sure you're getting the best clock rate and memory situation for the money.
Easy in-game again.
Since Tour 19 - 2001