Author Topic: What do you computer types think of this suggested system? (Read 1026 times)

Yeager · « **on:** February 18, 2007, 10:47:22 PM »

I asked a local computer store to build me a new box to play Vanguard with. AH and IL2 are also to be supported by this new system

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System: Professional Intel Intel Core 2 Duo DUO POWER PC
DUO Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4Ghz E6600 Conroe 1066MHz FSB LGA 775 Processor
Motherboard: ASUS P5PE-VM
Memory: PC-3200 512MB DDR
Hard Drive: WD 1200GB SATA Hard Drive
Video: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 (Integrated)
Samsung DVD+,-RW Dual Layer Burner
FDD: 1.44MB 3.5" Black
Sound: Realtek ALC 882, 8-ch High-Definition Audio(Integrated)
Microsoft Window XP Home

Warranty: 6 months
Price: $749
====

The integrated Video and sound have me a bit perplexed. Is this a smart way for me to go as opposed to the typical plug and play vid and sound devices?

Thanks in advance

OOZ662 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 18, 2007, 11:13:09 PM »

It has an amazing CPU and I think you meant 120GB hard drive.

Other than that, it's pretty lame if you want an outright gaming PC. AH will run okay if you at least double (recommend triple or quadruple) the RAM and get an AGP or preferably PCI-E (if supported) video card.

Onboard systems like the video card and sound card will use parts of the system RAM and CPU to do their work. An expansion card is a standalone object for the most part, as it has it's own onboard RAM and processing unit.

Auger · « **Reply #2 on:** February 18, 2007, 11:28:58 PM »

I would bump that to at least 1 GB of RAM, and get a real video card. Nothing good ever came from integrated video.

NOT · « **Reply #3 on:** February 18, 2007, 11:35:38 PM »

That motherboard has an AGP slot,(no PCIe:( ) id get something like a nvidia 7300 or better card. Also, go with atleast 1gig ram, 2 would be best. MOBO only supports 2gig. Finally, you could save yourself some money by building it yourself, which would allow you to get more ram and better MOBO.

NOT

38ruk · « **Reply #4 on:** February 19, 2007, 12:29:01 AM »

I would pass on that system , between the onboard video , no pcie slot and only supporting DDR1 pc3200 instead of DDR2 that the Core 2's are supposed to use , it looks like a poor selection of hardware . I would spend my money elsewhere.

I would never put a 315 dollar cpu on a 54 dollar motherboard 8)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131029

airspro · « **Reply #5 on:** February 19, 2007, 03:40:25 PM »

Quote

I would never put a 315 dollar cpu on a 54 dollar motherboard 8)

VERY WELL SAID

If I were you I would be thinking on another builder if that's what they rememended to you . That's a POS IMO for gaming as it stands .

Skuzzy · « **Reply #6 on:** February 19, 2007, 03:57:39 PM »

A couple of things turn me away from this.

1) The 512MB of RAM. Consider 1GB the minimum today. And if you have nay aspirations of running Vista, then make it 2GB of RAM.

2) The onboard video chip is a waste of $2. You can get a fine set of shoelaces for what that video chip is worth.

If there is no PCI-E 16x slot, then you just got yourself a dead-end piece of hardware with very limited options and fewer options as time goes by.

Sort of like stuffing a Pinto engine (video) into a Ferrari body (CPU). It wants go fast, but it is being held back by the video chip.

Eagler · « **Reply #7 on:** February 19, 2007, 05:29:32 PM »

sounds perfect for ya Yeager

Yeager · « **Reply #8 on:** February 20, 2007, 01:58:41 PM »

Thanks all and Skuzzy. I am disappointed this guy offered me this system. Especially after telling him I needed a good gaming system (ie graphics and sound) I wont be going there for any reason.

Im working on another build. Will post here for advice then.

republic · « **Reply #9 on:** February 20, 2007, 02:50:01 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Yeager
Thanks all and Skuzzy. I am disappointed this guy offered me this system. Especially after telling him I needed a good gaming system (ie graphics and sound) I wont be going there for any reason.

Im working on another build. Will post here for advice then.

As a "computer guy" I can say with confidence that 90% of those masquerading as 'computer people/geeks/etc' are clueless. Usually they can follow directions to assemble a computer, know a few catchy phrases, and (maybe) can do a DOS directory listing...and that's about it. Building a computer has been dumbed down to the point where literally anyone can do it....and sadly once one of those lemmings does it...they pronounce themselves uber.

Skuzzy's advice is right on, onboard graphics are not acceptable for any sort of gaming. IMO the single most important factor in a new build is it's upgrade path. So look for something you can afford, but will grow as your software needs grow.

If money is the issue, I'd drop down to the E6400 and spend that extra $$ on more memory.. The E6600 is right at the point where you pay significantly more for marginal performance increase. You'll notice more memory more than you will notice ~300MHz. Anymore, games are generally GPU bound before they are CPU bound....and with the Core Duo 2...you've got a LOT of muscle even in the 'lower end' parts.

Skuzzy · « **Reply #10 on:** February 20, 2007, 02:57:00 PM »

If you tell someone you want a good game system and they quote you anything less than a $200 video card to start with, then run, don't walk, away from them.

If you tell them you want a good game system and they offer a system with less than 1GB of RAM, then just back away from them too.

If someone is quoting a 'game' system with less than 1GB of RAM, and a cheap video card, then thier idea of gaming is Solitare.

JB35 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 21, 2007, 12:47:27 PM »

Then Skuzzy... what would be the ideal gaming system for a do it yourself person who wants to put one together , and keep the money less than 1K preferably cheaper?

MB, CPU, Vid, Sound, Memory, Power Supply. given you have a tower and monitor.

Versus going to the local Wal-Mart and buying one.

Krusty · « **Reply #12 on:** February 21, 2007, 01:09:21 PM »

A "good gaming system" can't be had for $1000 or less, to me. It includes a $300 vid card, a $100 sound card, a $150-$200 mobo, a $350 CPU, a $100 PSU, and a $200 HD.

Lessee, that comes to about bare minimum 1200 or so, not counting other things.

tedrbr · « **Reply #13 on:** February 21, 2007, 05:51:47 PM »

What is all this talk about ONE video card?

And no RAID? Waitaminuute! A single hard drive?

XP "Home"?

Inter (twitch)-grat (twitch) -ed vide(twitch) o?

Also, I did not see case, cooling system, or power supply listed.

Agree with most above:

1GB minimum RAM, 2 GB better.
Not-no-way that motherboard.
VRAM important for eye candy... each of my cards has 512MB, and system is 2 years old.
With the right CPU and Motherboard, dual hard drives running RAID-0 can really work well for game system. My 2 - 74 GB SATA's at 10,000 rpm do well, and I've external hard drives on network for bulk storage, music, and video.

The more you are trying to save on what is supposed to be a game system, the more research you will need to do to get the right components for the right price. Computer Shopper, PC Gamer, and CPU magazines run articles on the subject occasionally, and recent ones should be search-able on some online database. Then there are places like http://www.newegg.com

38ruk · « **Reply #14 on:** February 22, 2007, 11:52:50 PM »

Quote

XP "Home"?

I would like to know why everyone always says go with pro for a game box . If you arent going to need multi processor support (not cores but cpu sockets) or the need to network more than 5 pc together in your home, i would spending the extra money on better hardware .

Ive never seen a benchmark comparing the two but i would imagine a service tweaked version of home would be virtually the same as pro in FPS. This is just my opinion , i'd actually like to see facts to prove me wrong and see an increase in game performance , i would buy a copy. 38