Cheapest machine that runs new AH well

[Alpo]

Given your attitude and caustic comments I hope skuzzy considers a vacation from the BBS for you.

Now that you mention it, that is something I miss from the old boards... the ignore feature.   

[gyrene81]

I've noticed a couple of people talking about upgrading mobos, cpus and vid cards...then recommending the newest components for each...and then saying stuff like the RAM can be re-used...even one person who listed an entire system of current model components but no mobo like the persons old mobo will work...not possible.

The new mobos use DDR3 or DDR4 memory...you cannot put DDR2 or standard DDR into a new series mobo...same goes for the cpu a P4 won't fit in a new cpu socket...unless it's a "transition" mobo in which case some were backward compatible.

New mobos don't have AGP 8x slots in them either...

Just a friendly reminder folks...in your quest of the best for the least...remember backward compatibility doesn't always apply.

[primevci]

whats a good agp card to get? i think my computer is fine just my graphics card is old i have a 9600 pro

[batch]

If you simply want to get by for now you can do it reasonbly cheaply and still have the ability to upgrade later if wanted. Just have to do some looking and research, and yes I know not all are tech savvy enough to know what theyre looking at but you dont need top end stuff to run this game full blown.

You can get a 5200 cpu for $65 can be OC to 4G if you wanted
a motherboard with room for growth later for $50
decent 500W psu for $40
2G Ram for $25
VC that will run fine for $50

Thats about $230 and you can run this game at max, and still be able to upgrade any of those components down the road.

Would this be a top end system absolutely not....... but compared to what you probably have youll think you found a miracle.

And the game will perform top notch for ya

[OddCAF]

First off, I'd like to thank Brooke for starting this thread and my thanks as well
to those individuals who took the time to flesh it out and offer their own alternatives.
Since installing the new version of AH2, I've found my box locking up entirely within
anywhere from ten seconds after entering the arena to my longest "flight", which
lasted about two minutes.

  I've been around computers long enough to know that everything in one becomes obsolete
at some point. There's no getting around it, it's merely a fact of life. I've got a GeForce 6600GT
with 128MB of RAM. I couldn't tell you exactly, but I'm guessing I got it approximately five years
ago, a VERY long time in computer years as those of you who know the guts of 'em realize.

  Anyway, this will probably be the last rig I ever own, so I'm hanging onto it, AGP bus and all.
I'd been wavering as to whether or not to drop Aces High since an overall upgrade/new rig
is out of the question. Bottom line is I just can't justify the outlay.

  However, after reading this thread and seeing what my video card upgrade options
are and at what price(s), I'm going to bite the bullet and grab one online today.
The outlay for a better AGP video card isn't going to be as big a hit as I'd anticipated
it would be and the return on investment, not only with (a) the ability to continue
playing Aces High and (b) better graphics, but most importantly, (c) the ability
to continue to interact online with some of the best folks it has ever been my
pleasure to "meet" makes it something I -can- justify.

  Again, my thanks to you all for a very positive and re-assuring post/thread.
Good hunting!

Oddball

 

[OddCAF]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150433&Tpk=XFX%20HD-465X-ZPF2%20Radeon%20HD%204650%201GB%20128-bit%20DDR2%20A

  Okay, one video card ordered and on the way from Newegg. Which, btw is a GREAT place to do business with. I've
used them often over the years.
  I chose to spend a bit extra as this particular card features 1GB of memory versus 512MB on the others I saw.
  My present card, a GeForce 6600GT has lasted me about four to five years. If this one can do the same for me,
at 107 bucks, that works out to about 21 bucks a year. Seems like a good return on investment to me if it allows
me to continue playing.
  Again, my thanks to all you technical types whose input got me to quit pouting and take a look
around for options. <S>

Best regards,
 Oddball
Raw Prawns

[B4Buster]

a laptop


http://personafile.com/Compaq-Presario-CQ60-215DX-Notebook.html

[Slate]

  Those with a Dell go to thier site and download the analizer and they will have the proper components to upgrade your system and give you a read out of what you have currently. Was very helpful for me. 



http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/DellPartsFamily.aspx?c=us&l=en&cs=19&s=dhs&~ck=anavml

[TilDeath]

I've noticed a couple of people talking about upgrading mobos, cpus and vid cards...then recommending the newest components for each...and then saying stuff like the RAM can be re-used...even one person who listed an entire system of current model components but no mobo like the persons old mobo will work...not possible.

This is a false statement.  DDR2 boards will work with DDR2 boards, Socket 775 will work with socket 775, no difference.

The new mobos use DDR3 or DDR4 memory...you cannot put DDR2 or standard DDR into a new series mobo...same goes for the cpu a P4 won't fit in a new cpu socket...unless it's a "transition" mobo in which case some were backward compatible.

There are PLENTY of MB makers out there still making NEW DDR2 memory MBs as well as the new DDR3.  You mention DDR4, this is not due for public release until 2011 or 2012 there is no DDR4 memory in any systems offered on the market today.  As long as the CPU you currently have is the same "socket" type as a newly purchased MB the processor will work... no need to worry about "backward" compatability.

New mobos don't have AGP 8x slots in them either...

Gigabyte, ASUS etc etc are still making boards with both PCIe and AGP slots in a few socket and memory flavors.

As long as you mate the socket and mem you will have no problem upgrading your MB to a faster one  and still being able to use all of your current components.

[Crash Orange]

Just out of curiosity, how much trouble is it to upgrade a MB and/or CPU - or are they pretty much plug and play? I've swapped out video cards, disc drives, and RAM, but that's about it, and if I'm going to upgrade my video card now I'll probably want to upgrade the CPU and mobo at some point rather than buy a whole new system.

Also, I have a line on a 9500 GT PCI-E 512MB at a very good price, is that likely to be sufficient to run the advanced terrain if not at max resolution/hi-res? (CPU is an AMD single core 2.66 MHz, and 2 MB RAM). I don't play any high-end games, AH2 is about the most demanding graphics I'll run (I do a lot of gaming, but almost everything else is older and less demanding strategy games, which is why I never buy high-end anything), so I'm not inclined to spend $100+ on a high-end card I don't need. I did check to make sure there's physical space for the card.

Last question, if the power supply is the bare minimum recommended by the manufacturer for the card, is there any reason to upgrade now? Also, the old card is integrated on the motherboard and uses a lot more power than the new one, won't the overall power demand actually go down because the old card is disabled?

I also thank you folks for this thread; there's a big gulf between computer-literate enough to do these upgrades and follow instructions to configure the game and knowledgable enough to interpret the numbers and fan reviews and know what they'll actually mean in performance.

[BaldEagl]

Replacing a motherboards not that tough.  Uninstall the motherboard drivers, unplug all connectors, remove the video card and any PCI cards, unscrew the motherboard and lift it out, remove the RAM and CPU heatsink/fan then the CPU itself then reverse the process.  Probably the hardest part is getting the right amount of thrmal paste (a single thin line works) between the heatsink and the CPU to provide a good thermal coupling.

The 512 Mb 9500 GT was able to run the last version of the game at full settings.  I haven't heard if that's changed yet or not with the new version.

As long as the PSU meets the minimum requirements of the video card for both watts and amps then it will work.  Modern video cards use much more power than on-board video.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Easy...minimum P4 HT Extreme 2.4Ghz processor...2 GB RAM...Windows XP SP3 clean...8x AGP graphics slot.

For pete's sake at least do not buy anything with AGP anymore. Zero upgrade path.

[Crash Orange]

Modern video cards use much more power than on-board video.

Oops, you're right, I was looking at comparisons of the system power consumption with the 6150, not the card itself.

But I think I'm good for now, I'm at the rated power for the card and that rating apparently assumes a dual core processor. I'll get a new PSU later if I do upgrade the mobo and processor.

Edit: forgot to mention, I did check the PSU's 12v amp rating as well and it's good.

Thanks for the response!

[batch]

The 512 Mb 9500 GT was able to run the last version of the game at full settings.  I haven't heard if that's changed yet or not with the new version.

I know a couple of guys are running the 8400GS with max detail and hires pack with just the shadowing turned off and they are getting great FR..... so I would guess the 9500GT which runs circles around the 8400 would be more than sufficient.

This is the card Ive been recommending to people as the lowest card they should upgrade to .... will run the game and a decent low price.

[mtn-paradoc]

  Those with a Dell go to thier site and download the analizer and they will have the proper components to upgrade your system and give you a read out of what you have currently. Was very helpful for me. 



http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/DellPartsFamily.aspx?c=us&l=en&cs=19&s=dhs&~ck=anavml

thanks! took your suggestion and have learned a great deal....salute!