Time For New System - Need Some Advice

[VanceVP]

It is getting to be time to replace my computer that is 3 days older than dirt and am looking for some advice regarding components. I am going to build it myself, but have not messed with anything like this for many years so I could use some help getting up to speed.

First off, I have a limited budget - as in I don't want to spend any more than I absolutely have to.

Second, I am currently trying to run AH on an old Compaq with a 2.16ghz processor (dual core I think, but not 100% sure)

Third, I am not a heavy gamer. As a matter of fact AH is the only game I play. My wife plays some arcade type games from time to time so I am not looking for anything real powerful. I am looking for something that will run AH better than my current system and I don't need to have all the bells and whistles turned on. I am looking for something that will run the game more smoothly and hopefully better frame rates. I am also considering either a new 24" monitor or maybe even a 32" - 40" big screen tv.

While this Compaq runs AH, it doesn't run it real well. Since the last game update, I am finding that my system stutters a lot and frame rates suck. I am lucky if I can get 20fps with everything turned off.

Finally, I am partial to AMD processors. All the ones I have had in the past seem to run forever. I am also partial to WD HDD for the same reason as the AMD processors.

I am thinking a processor in the 3.8ghz to 4.0ghz range quad core with decent cooling, 8gb - 16gb of ram and a 500W - 600W ps. I have no clue as to what kind/type/speed video and since I have no clue what I need to run AH the way I would like to, I am stumped.

So what can ya'll recommend in the way of case, mb, cpu and cooling, graphic card, memory and ps?


Thanks in advance,
VanceVP

[ebfd11]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1624227

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1681472

How do these look

LawnDart

[VanceVP]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1624227

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1681472

How do these look

LawnDart

Thanks for the input LawnDart, but do I really need a 6-core processor? I was thinking quad-core would do the trick.

What is the purpose of the 120GB SSD other than to maybe speed up the booting process? Does it speed the boot enough to make the cost worth it over a decent hdd at 7200rpm?

[guncrasher]

Thanks for the input LawnDart, but do I really need a 6-core processor? I was thinking quad-core would do the trick.

What is the purpose of the 120GB SSD other than to maybe speed up the booting process? Does it speed the boot enough to make the cost worth it over a decent hdd at 7200rpm?

10 dollar difference between the 4 core and the 6 core.  and you dont really need an ssd, it wont really help you in the game.


semp

[ebfd11]

A quick run to Best Buy or your local computer shop and you can get a 7200 fairly cheap and put the game there.

As for the difference between the 4 core and 6 core, there really isn't any differnce as the game, if i remember right, only uses max 2 cores. Also i just built a system for a friend and he loves it. Ask Waystin2 how he like the little rig I sent to him.

LawnDart

[Spikes]

The SSD won't help you in game but it is nice when you use the system for daily tasks...just put all of the data-hog programs on the hard drive.

[VanceVP]

A quick run to Best Buy or your local computer shop and you can get a 7200 fairly cheap and put the game there.

As for the difference between the 4 core and 6 core, there really isn't any differnce as the game, if i remember right, only uses max 2 cores. Also i just built a system for a friend and he loves it. Ask Waystin2 how he like the little rig I sent to him.

LawnDart

Appreciate the input once again, LawnDart.

I took a look at your post of the system you built for Waystin2 and based on the prices I got, that particular system config is a bit rich for me. I think I am going to have to look around and see if I can find something with a little less bang and bucks. I have got to squeeze everything I can to get something I can afford.

Forgive my ignorance, but I have been out of touch for a few years so i am trying to re-educate myself a bit. So, if the game only needs a dual core and the system will rarely be used for much else, why wouldn't a fast dual core processor along the lines of http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=8889130&CatId=1946 work? I see that most of the AMD dual core's only offer 1MB L2 Cache whereas a quad core offers 4MB Cache. Does the increased cache improve how the game works?

Thanks again,
VanceVP

[ebfd11]

Whats your price that you can afford.. you may be able to scavenge some parts to your new build. BTW what is your current system??

Myself or some others can help on what you have vs what you need.

LawnDart

[Bizman]

Use PCpartpicker's builder to get ideas for your build fitting your budget. Logical Incrementes provides lots of variations as an easy reading table categorized by price and performance. Passmark has a nice chart to look after the best bang for buck in video cards.

If I were to build one for myself, it would be something with a high clocked Intel i5 like 4690K on a Z87 board with 8 GB RAM and a smallish (512 - 1024 GB) 7200 rpm hdd and a GeForce GTX770. Of course a well breathing case and a reputable power supply like some Seasonic 650W. Should run AH like a charm for many years to come.

[Max]

Vance, what's your budget cap? Do you have a reinstall able copy of Win7?

I just rebuilt a home built for $900 using specs very similar to what Bizman suggested. I re-used my Antec 900 case, HDD and DVD drive. The current system should cover me for at least 5 years. Building a similar system from scratch would have run $1,300 +/-

[VanceVP]

Whats your price that you can afford.. you may be able to scavenge some parts to your new build. BTW what is your current system??

Myself or some others can help on what you have vs what you need.

LawnDart

LawnDart, I am really trying to stay around $500 - $600. I can't justify more than that just to play a few games. My current system is in a Compaq Presario case running an AMD Athlon XP 3000 cpu at 2.16GHz with 1.5GB of RAM. This thing probably only has a 250W - 300W ps and is running an old AGP video card. I have a couple of decent sized HDD's in it now along with a newer 1TB WD in an exterior case. So maybe I can whittle this down to a better case, a bigger PS, a new MB, faster CPU and some decent memory.

This is a hand-me-down down system that I added a little to the RAM a couple of years ago. If I could find and be comfortable with used gear, like a decent case, PS and memory I would give that serious consideration as an option.

Also, keep in mind that I am just starting to research a new machine so it could be a month or so before I am in a position to start putting it together.

Use PCpartpicker's builder to get ideas for your build fitting your budget. Logical Incrementes provides lots of variations as an easy reading table categorized by price and performance. Passmark has a nice chart to look after the best bang for buck in video cards.

If I were to build one for myself, it would be something with a high clocked Intel i5 like 4690K on a Z87 board with 8 GB RAM and a smallish (512 - 1024 GB) 7200 rpm hdd and a GeForce GTX770. Of course a well breathing case and a reputable power supply like some Seasonic 650W. Should run AH like a charm for many years to come.

Thanks Bizman. I am not sure that a rig like this could be built for my budget. While I have champagne taste, I only have kool-aid money so I am going to have to do the best I can with what I have in the way of budget.  

Vance, what's your budget cap? Do you have a reinstall able copy of Win7?

I just rebuilt a home built for $900 using specs very similar to what Bizman suggested. I re-used my Antec 900 case, HDD and DVD drive. The current system should cover me for at least 5 years. Building a similar system from scratch would have run $1,300 +/-

Unfortunately $900 for a system is way out of my reach. Because I am not prepared to spend that kind of money, I am only looking for something that will run AH more smoothly with better frame rates. I have no expectations of being able to run the game with all the bells and whistles turned on. A slight improvement in game performance would be nice. I have the Win 7 disk that came with my dell laptop. I should be able to use it on a new machine. At least that's the plan at this point.

I appreciate all of the input and it may end up being a case of having to wait for a new rig.

Thanks guys,
VanceVP

[Max]

I'm sure the pro's here can suggest a build  in the >$600 price range, which will provide moderately decent game performance.

[Bizman]

For a budget gamer this looked like a good one: http://www.techbuyersguru.com/budgetgamer.php

The setup I suggested was a quick sketch only, made with PCpartpicker. Here's a more budget friendly one:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/kxpnyc
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/kxpnyc/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i3-4150 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($99.99 @ Micro Center) Add $100 for an i5 4690
Motherboard: MSI Z87-G41 PC Mate ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($62.00 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston XMP Blu Red Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($75.71 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 270X 2GB Dual-X Video Card  ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Versa H21 ATX Mid Tower Case  ($33.03 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($69.99 @ Newegg) Built by FSP who aren't among the worst builders.
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B3ST/BLK/G/AS DVD/CD Writer  ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)  ($84.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $652.67
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-07-23 12:39 EDT-0400

[VanceVP]

For a budget gamer this looked like a good one: http://www.techbuyersguru.com/budgetgamer.php

The setup I suggested was a quick sketch only, made with PCpartpicker. Here's a more budget friendly one:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/kxpnyc
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/kxpnyc/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i3-4150 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($99.99 @ Micro Center) Add $100 for an i5 4690
Motherboard: MSI Z87-G41 PC Mate ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($62.00 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston XMP Blu Red Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($75.71 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 270X 2GB Dual-X Video Card  ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Versa H21 ATX Mid Tower Case  ($33.03 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($69.99 @ Newegg) Built by FSP who aren't among the worst builders.
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B3ST/BLK/G/AS DVD/CD Writer  ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)  ($84.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $652.67
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-07-23 12:39 EDT-0400

Thanks again, Bizman. The partspicker rig sounds a little closer to fitting my budget (being old and broke is not near as much fun as they say it is - LOL). The budget gamer is still out of my price range and I am concerned that for that price it only comes with 4GB of memory.

I am really partial to AMD. I have had them in most of my systems that I have build in the past and they seem to be bulletproof. I have been doing some looking around and this http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=8949829&csid=_61&rrpl=item_page.content1&rrstr=ClickCP&rrindex=5 looks of interest to me. I would like to know what the experts think of it. I am not real sure about the PS that comes in the case and I have no clue whether the MB has a PCI Express 2.0 or 3.0. At this price, I can put in a decent video card without the risk of divorce.

[Bizman]

There's nothing wrong with AMD, I used to prefer them between my first and current builds. I went back to Intel when they took a major leap, becoming more effective with less power than the AMD equivalents. A couple of years ago AMD had an issue with AH, using only one core instead of two and I'm not sure whether it has been solved in all current versions. That's one of the reasons I rather recommend Intel for Aces High.

The Tigerdirect rig is inexpensive and quite powerful, I must admit. However, as you said it only comes with 4 GB of RAM and the Solid Gear PSU is quite a mystery. Whether the PCI-e is of version 2 or 3 doesn't really matter, neither will ever cause a bottleneck with the rest of the components. But where's the operating system? No Windows version as far as I could see.

As you said, you can put in a decent video card without the risk of divorce. Here's something to think about: If you take the suggestion I made, replace the PSU to some $39 less known one, cut the RAM to 4 GB and don't count in any video card or operating system, you'd be in appr. $350! For $420 you'd get an i5 4440.