Cheapest machine that runs new AH well

[cattb]

my 2 cents wrote up fast,
GIGABYTE GA-MA74GM-S2 AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 740G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail  $54.99
  ( will support IDE and sata)( This MOBO is upgradeable to quad core)

AMD Athlon X2 7850 Black Edition Kuma 2.8GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache 2MB L3 Cache Socket AM2+ 95W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
$76.99( unlocked multiplier)

 mushkin 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996527 - Retail
$29.99 ( lifetime warranty)

XFX PVT98GYDLH GeForce 9800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
$95.99 (lifetime warranty)

OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply compatible with core i7 - Retail
59.99
($39.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate Card )


v   This could be lowered in price by using less expensive CPU ( this CPU is unlocked for easy overclock).
v   I like the extra bumb with a 9800 as compared to a 9500, you could save 50.00 with a 9500


• 317.95 does not include shipping or other charges that may apply
• I did not look up compatibility of Ram, its 1.8 volt, should work
• Based on reusing HDD, optical drive, case.
• One last note, I did not use the rebate on the PSU
• Minus the rebate, about $10.00 cheaper CPU, $50.00 for cheaper Video Card….$248.00

Cattb/Tim O

[633DH98]

Gee, that looks like the machine I just built.

Slight differences are Corsair ram, PNY 9800GT and a PC P&C Silencer 420.

[OOZ662]

This is PROVEN to run everything smooth 'n' smarmy except local shadows. I'm sure if you could even find the parts for it any more, it'd be cheap.

[TilDeath]

my 2 cents wrote up fast,
GIGABYTE GA-MA74GM-S2 AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 740G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail  $54.99
  ( will support IDE and sata)( This MOBO is upgradeable to quad core)

AMD Athlon X2 7850 Black Edition Kuma 2.8GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache 2MB L3 Cache Socket AM2+ 95W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
$76.99( unlocked multiplier)

 mushkin 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996527 - Retail
$29.99 ( lifetime warranty)

XFX PVT98GYDLH GeForce 9800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
$95.99 (lifetime warranty)

OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply compatible with core i7 - Retail
59.99
($39.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate Card )


v   This could be lowered in price by using less expensive CPU ( this CPU is unlocked for easy overclock).
v   I like the extra bumb with a 9800 as compared to a 9500, you could save 50.00 with a 9500


• 317.95 does not include shipping or other charges that may apply
• I did not look up compatibility of Ram, its 1.8 volt, should work
• Based on reusing HDD, optical drive, case.
• One last note, I did not use the rebate on the PSU
• Minus the rebate, about $10.00 cheaper CPU, $50.00 for cheaper Video Card….$248.00

Cattb/Tim O

Are you sure that this will run the game max other than the Shadows?

[Denholm]

No idea how well this will run AH, but it's worth a look:

http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,270181.0.html

[cattb]

ToTildeath,
 I am not a PC expert, you know more (lots more)than me.I do my own PC work and build my own.
  I run a triple core AMD 2.4 with a 8800 GT. WIth a gigabyte motherbaord,4 gig Ram.Actually with my own experience before update, this game can be run with 2 gig ram.I would think you still could.
 I run this game 1680x1050 on a samsung t220 22 inch,I get pretty constant 50 to 60 frame rate with everything on, I have not reinstalled the high resolution pack again(yet).I have all the options on in graphics , I have not turned anything off and running 1024 texture.( I also run antialiasing)
 In other post people say a 9500 would run the game? I'm not sure, if you wanted to save the extra money, I am sure it would get yah by. A 9800 would run this game as I run it on a 8800 GT 512 (G92).
 The AMD CPU is unlocked could allways overclock it.If a person wanted to spend some more money they could go Intell, I guess that would be a matter of personal preference.
 Last note, I thought it would be fun just to scope out a cheap PC, I don't know if all the hardware there would compliment each other and not have conflict, like the ram and MOBO. I would expect anyone going to build a PC would do their own due diligence before a build.
 I ran this game before update with a 8500 512 gts, (before i purchased the 8800), running this game at 50 to 60 framerate with a dual core 2.8 windsor.
 Thanks Tim O/Cattb ( If my typing is bad, shrugs )
 


 

[TilDeath]

ToTildeath,
 I am not a PC expert, you know more (lots more)than me.I do my own PC work and build my own.
  I run a triple core AMD 2.4 with a 8800 GT. WIth a gigabyte motherbaord,4 gig Ram.Actually with my own experience before update, this game can be run with 2 gig ram.I would think you still could.
 I run this game 1680x1050 on a samsung t220 22 inch,I get pretty constant 50 to 60 frame rate with everything on, I have not reinstalled the high resolution pack again(yet).I have all the options on in graphics , I have not turned anything off and running 1024 texture.( I also run antialiasing)
 In other post people say a 9500 would run the game? I'm not sure, if you wanted to save the extra money, I am sure it would get yah by. A 9800 would run this game as I run it on a 8800 GT 512 (G92).
 The AMD CPU is unlocked could allways overclock it.If a person wanted to spend some more money they could go Intell, I guess that would be a matter of personal preference.
 Last note, I thought it would be fun just to scope out a cheap PC, I don't know if all the hardware there would compliment each other and not have conflict, like the ram and MOBO. I would expect anyone going to build a PC would do their own due diligence before a build.
 I ran this game before update with a 8500 512 gts, (before i purchased the 8800), running this game at 50 to 60 framerate with a dual core 2.8 windsor.
 Thanks Tim O/Cattb ( If my typing is bad, shrugs )

Reason I ask is I speced out a new rig to run the game at max (without shadows) in a budget cost to bang ratio.  Gonna be testing it this week.

[OOZ662]

TilDeath, if you look at my DxDiag that I posted above your question, that PC runs the game with full sliders at 1024x768 with everything but shadows. It'll do the hires package, but not wonderfully. 512 looks just fine and generally sits around 50 FPS.

[cattb]

To Tildeath,
 I am not sure what max is, I was just going on the title Cheapest machine that runs AH well. I was basing my reply from my experience of my PC and other post from others experience.
 I saw the PC on the boards you built for Thing, very impressive.
 I will be looking forward to your post, best bang for your buck. You come up with alot of intersting information.
 Tim O/Cattb <S>

[batch]

I see nothing in those specs that would lead me to think it wouldnt run the game maxed....... Ive been suggesting less than those specs with good results

[cattb]

Hi, I did a check on my system in AH graphics. I thought the self shadow and smooth shadow was on, my mistake and it is not.I posted I have all the options on( my bad thought they were), with all options on now I have a framerate of 48 to 52 average. High as 59 and low as 37. I also run my antivirus and firewall, my antivirus is setup for auto update as well. I did lose some framerate. I really don't notice much difference in gameplay, the shadows are kinda cool.
 Thanks TimO/cattb