Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: RTR on May 18, 2009, 09:52:08 PM
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here's the basics of what I have now:
System Information
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Time of this report: 5/18/2009, 20:40:41
Machine name: POOTER
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.080814-1233)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: System Product Name
BIOS: BIOS Date: 07/12/06 20:51:41 Ver: 08.00.10
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 2.80GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 1024MB RAM
Page File: 403MB used, 2057MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode
Also currently running a Geforce 7600GT (which has been great BTW..no issues) and a XiFi sound card (no issues there either),
Looking at MB / processor and Video card options. Also it's going to go into a new case etc. So I am looking at a complete build. This pooter will get regulated to household duties so nothing here is salvageable for the new pooter.
And lastly...I am not a fan of Vista. Can I still get an OEM version of XP nowadays?
cheers and thanks!
RTR
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You can do so much better with a duo core or quad core and an updated video card. I think the pentium D is a rather poor performer overall inspite of it's speed.
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Got a budget? Willing to build on your own?
Those are gonna be 'Need to know'. :)
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Amen. You can easily build it yourself or have someone here build it for you (Calm down TD fanclub, you can peep after I do...). A lot of people here recommend TilDeath as he has good pricing and exceptional service.
So you make the choice. Either way it's less expensive than buying a computer from one of the major organizations.
(Don't forget to post a budget, that way we don't go crazy on the estimates.)
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Amen. You can easily build it yourself or have someone here build it for you (Calm down TD fanclub, you can peep after I do...). A lot of people here recommend TilDeath as he has good pricing and exceptional service.
So you make the choice. Either way it's less expensive than buying a computer from one of the major organizations.
(Don't forget to post a budget, that way we don't go crazy on the estimates.)
We'll go crazy anyway. :rofl :rofl
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And lastly...I am not a fan of Vista. Can I still get an OEM version of XP nowadays?
RTR
Yes, check Newegg.
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here's the basics of what I have now:
System Information
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Machine name: POOTER
:rofl :rofl
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We'll go crazy anyway. :rofl :rofl
But at least we won't recommend this:
(http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/4296/titan362.jpg)
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But at least we won't recommend this:
(http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/4296/titan362.jpg)
Why not if it fits in your case? Probably silent and effective.
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I'm running the q9550 quadcore an love it.Not overclocked an runs at 2.83 an frame rate is never under 59
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If you have a limited budget then make a good assessment of your current system. If your case, HD, keyboard and DVD/CD Drives are still adaquate then you can gain a lot of performance and still save money by just doing a MB/CPU/Mem/VC swap.
If you have a good sata HD(7200rpm or better) then you can probably still use your HD and therefore Windows XP and not have to buy new. Windows will prompt you to re-register if you change your MB or CPU. If you need a new HD, the good news is HDs are dirt cheap. A 1 TB HD $100-125.
Look at some of the case mods Till Death and some of the others have done. Some metal cutters and a little thought can make your (old or new) case a lot better. For mid tower cases look at the Antec 900 ($120), NZXT Tempest ($100) are among the best.
For CPU the E8400 is excellent for Intel dual core. AMD duals are dirt cheap. Intel quads over AMD quads. Whether you Intel or AMD dual core go 3.0Ghz or better.
Don't forget to check your power supply. 500 watts is the minimum. And thats if you have a smaller VC.
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I am in the process of building mine now. The specs as of now:
ASUS M4A79 MB w/ AMD Athlon 64 x2 (Kuma) 2.8Ghz (OC) to 3.1Ghz. 4g of Ram, 9600GT Nvidia VC. 2 Western Digital 320g (7200rpm) Sata HD's. Corsair 650W PSU. All inside a Antec 900...lots of fans plus most VC's will fit. I am going to load a new XP full version OEM. I'll wait for Win7. Don't like Vista. Little ways to go before I get her going full time. Still waiting for 3rd party CPU cooler and CD/DVD-W-RW and monitor. Might upgrade to a Phenum II x4 down the road. Doing a "shake-down" now...waiting for any parts to "implode" or "die"
Right now my system is ancient: ASUS A7V333 w/ Athlon XP 1900+ 1.6GHz using a GeForce 5200 VC (slightly OC). The 2 older Maxtor 40Gig HD's still running strong. Running off of an old Sparkle 300W PSU.
The old system runs Aces High quite well. The setting I have I usually runs between 25-57fps. I run XP Game Launcher prior to starting AH....really helps!!
NewEgg has several OS's that are OEM/Builders Only...lot cheaper, just no support. You can still receive updates though.
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With the price of AMD chips, the 3.0 or 3.2(if you can find it) chips are a great buy($100ish). The Intel quads seem to be better than the Phenom, even tho the Phenom is a true quad. But thats just what I have read. I do have a Intel Q6600. Excellent chip.
With the price of HDs, a couple of 500G might be a better storage/cost value. With a Antec 900 a stock cooler shouldn't be a problem. As far as video cards a Antec will take a full size card. I run a 8800GTX on mine with no problem.
I use the OEM/Builder OS's in all my systems. Not a problem. Change components, you do have to re register windows. (probably same with OEM or Retail) I am waiting on Win 7. Until then I am using XP. MS will stop supporting XP in 2010. (?) Vista with SP1 update isn't that bad. Just not worth putting money into as long as XP is supported and a new better OP is just around the corner.
For my AH rig I like to keep it simple and basic. Dual core,Good MB, 2GB Ram(atleast)1HD, 1VC,1DVD/CD and adaquate cooling.
My AH system; Win XP Pro x64
Modified Mid tower case(10+ yrs old)
Giga EP45-UD3R
Intel E8400
8800GTX VC
2GB 800Mz Ram
10k WD Raptor(150GB)
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Thanks all....still figuring out what I will want.
I will build it myself, I built this one a few years ago and have been pretty happy with it.
Looking to spend between $1000 and $1500.
Thanks!
RTR
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I'd go with:
CPU - i7 920
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202)
MB - eVGA
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188039 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188039)
RAM - 6GB Triple Channel Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227388&Tpk=OCZ3X1600LV6GK (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227388&Tpk=OCZ3X1600LV6GK)
PSU - I have the 750W version, actually a lot of us do. They're bullet proof.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703022 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703022)
Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130446&Tpk=N82E16814130446 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130446&Tpk=N82E16814130446)
Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146047 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146047)
Sound Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102024 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102024)
$1443.95 minus a few rebates.
This is at least a good start.
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Good picks Karaya. I surprised by the case. Those were much cheaper.
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I have to say.. I haven't been an AMD guy ever since Intel came out with the C2Duo... BUT I'm starting to look a bit and the price difference between the I7 and the Phenom II is quite considerable, ESPECIALLY when you take into account the price of the Motherboards and DDR3 Ram...
I'm sure the I7 kicks the Phenom's butt performance-wise, but for those on a tight budget... well all I can say is if I had to buy right now, it'd probably be a Phenom...
And I might have to... my comp's been getting flaky these last few days... might just be a video card and/or power supply issue, but I've got the 'build a new system' itch right now.
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They do look like good picks Karaya.
Thanks!
I will see what $$ I can source these outr up here.
Gonna be a new pooter this fall :D
RTR
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What Karaya lined out is what I pretty much just built for myself as written about on this forum. It's an exceptional gaming platform. AH can't touch it, the new graphics overhaul probably won't either. It can run any game out there at high to max settings with good framerates, which means you're going to get about 5-7 usable gaming years out of it. So, take that into consideration and prorate the amount you're spending by how many gaming years it should be good for. If you look at it like that, spending 1 grand on a rig that will only be usable at decent settings for 2 years is much more expensive than spending 2 grand on a rig that will be good for 5-7 years...