Need a computer.

[Mar]

I need some help. First, keep in mind that compared to what I find here, I have less than basic knowledge of computers.

What I need at the very least is a computer that can play AH at max settings for under $500. If at all possible it would be even better if this computer could play DCS: Black Shark at minimal settings. I cannot build one myself unless someone can come over and teach me how.

All I need is the box, I have a monitor, keyboard, and mouse.

If the above cannot be found, disregard this as a lost cause.



<<S>>

Mar

[Dragon]

Under $500 is going to be real tough to get something that can run max settings.  (start Mission Impossible theme music now)

[Mar]

Forgot to mention, refurbished is an option.

[Noir]

Check how much a Phenom II X3 or Athlon II X4 with a ATI Video card 4XXX series would cost. 2GB RAM, low end Antec case, low end hard drive...

[Spikes]

It's not hard to build one, just a little harder than putting legos together.

Under $500 will be tough...My new quad system was $616 overall but that was with the help of a couple people. I'd say you would need around 600...or 650. Though I don't truly know the specs to run AH full bore.

[airhog99]

I need some help. First, keep in mind that compared to what I find here, I have less than basic knowledge of computers.

What I need at the very least is a computer that can play AH at max settings for under $500. If at all possible it would be even better if this computer could play DCS: Black Shark at minimal settings. I cannot build one myself unless someone can come over and teach me how.

All I need is the box, I have a monitor, keyboard, and mouse.

If the above cannot be found, disregard this as a lost cause.



<<S>>

Mar

If you can live without shadows in the cockpit, and max the rest, you shouldn't need a very expensive system.
But, and I'm not sure why, the cockpit shadows truly destroys performance.

I use a dual core Phenom II 550 -the 6MB cache sure helps- and a second hand 8800 GTS 512MB (faster then other GTS -beware!). Mobo cost me £20 (needed a Phenom II compatible one). 2GB DDR2, around £18. Probably cheaper in $$$-land since the $ seems to have dipped.
Quad is overkill, and uses more power. My X2 never goes above 50% when playing AH. Also, the cores of the X2 are individually higher clocked, which helps when the program is not optimised for quads.

Let's say £200 for all of the above. Then add case and PSU, and a cheap 22 inch TN monitor. Get a smaller hard disk, that's practically given away.
Anyone can build a computer..
Unfortunately the MS tax ruins the equation when building from scratch. Do you own an operating system license you can use?

[eagl]

airhog is right...

It's probably possible to build a system that can run AH well, but your idea of "maxed out" might not work.

And that windows license...  An OEM license for win7 home premium will run you $130ish, more than 25% of your budget.  WinXP may be cheaper but you'll upgrade eventually, so you might want to get the upgrade up front.

Woot.com, overstock, and other online closeout sellers often have fairly basic refurb systems on sale for around $500.  The biggest problem you will get with those systems is that the video card might suck, and it's not always easy to determine if the vid card can be upgraded in the future.

You can build a nice AH system for $500 including the operating system, but I think running AH "maxed out" is a bit beyond $500.  Not too far above $500, but I'd guesstimate $700 would do the trick if you got a really cheap hard drive, case, only 2gb ram, etc.  You can't skimp too bad on the cpu, motherboard, and vid card if you want to max out the game settings.

[Bronk]

If you can live without shadows in the cockpit, and max the rest, you shouldn't need a very expensive system.
But, and I'm not sure why, the cockpit shadows truly destroys performance.

I use a dual core Phenom II 550 -the 6MB cache sure helps- and a second hand 8800 GTS 512MB (faster then other GTS -beware!). Mobo cost me £20 (needed a Phenom II compatible one). 2GB DDR2, around £18. Probably cheaper in $$$-land since the $ seems to have dipped.
Quad is overkill, and uses more power. My X2 never goes above 50% when playing AH. Also, the cores of the X2 are individually higher clocked, which helps when the program is not optimised for quads.

Let's say £200 for all of the above. Then add case and PSU, and a cheap 22 inch TN monitor. Get a smaller hard disk, that's practically given away.
Anyone can build a computer..
Unfortunately the MS tax ruins the equation when building from scratch. Do you own an operating system license you can use?

Would you say the vid card is your bottleneck?

[1701E]

If you are willing to build it, someone can show you how (Heck I learned with no help at all!).  The 500$ budget is tricky if you need an OS and HDD, but aside from that, its easy.

I run the following:

Aerocool M40 case
Biostar AM2+/AM3
OCZ 750W PSU
AMD Athlon X2 4850e
2GB RAM
320GB IDE HDD
GTX 260

That totals about: 575$

This runs the game at highest settings (aside from Shadows running at 4K not 8K and AA at the 3rd tick not 4th) with 45+ FR.


One way to get this down a little, but help in Fr some would be:

CPU upgrade to Phenom II X3 (adds 60$) and downgrade to a 9800GTX (subtracts about 75$) and change the case to something cheaper (mine is 85$ and not great for a first time builder), so maybe a 55$ case.  CPU could be changed with something less expensive and save more, but I've not checked anything lower then Phenoms lately.

That bring total to around: 530$    But to add an OS: 660$

A bit over budget, but if you have a Hard Drive with an OS that cuts a big chunk out.

[Mar]

I don't think I made myself clear when I said less than basic knowledge of computer hardware, from this point on act like I'm a caveman. Even apart from that, I honestly do not have the time to go whizzing all over the place buying each part separately.

So it looks like max settings are out. In this case I would like your opinion on what kind of performance I can get from this one: http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5203124&CatId=114

As for an operating system, I don't see why I'd need Win7 when XP worked just fine for me...

[Fulmar]

What you could get with parts if you built it yourself.  However, you said you were green in that area.  Not sure how adventurous you would want to be.

1     AMD Athlon II X2 245 Regor 2.9GHz Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor Model ADX245OCGQBOX     
    AMD Athlon II X2 245 Regor 2.9GHz Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor Model ADX245OCGQBOX - Retail
    Model #:ADX245OCGQBOX
    Item #:N82E16819103687
    Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
    In Stock
   $66.00         $66.00

1    Foxconn A76ML-K AM3 Ready / AM2+ / AM2 AMD 760G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard    
    Foxconn A76ML-K AM3 Ready / AM2+ / AM2 AMD 760G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
    Model #:A76ML-K
    Item #:N82E16813186166
    Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
    In Stock
   $59.99    -$5.00 Instant    $54.99

1    G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ    
    G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ - Retail
    Model #:F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ
    Item #:N82E16820231098
    Return Policy:Memory Standard Return Policy
    In Stock
   $44.99         $44.99

1    HEC 6C28BB8S Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case    
    HEC 6C28BB8S Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
    Model #:6C28BB8S
    Item #:N82E16811121001
    Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
    In Stock
   $46.99    -$12.00 Instant    $34.99

1    OCZ StealthXStream OCZ500SXS 500W ATX12V / EPS12V Active PFC Power Supply    
    OCZ StealthXStream OCZ500SXS 500W ATX12V / EPS12V Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
    Model #:OCZ500SXS
    Item #:N82E16817341012
    Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
    In Stock
    Mail in Rebate Card17-341-012
   $79.99    -$20.00 Instant    $59.99

1    Western Digital Caviar Blue WD1600AAJS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5    
    Western Digital Caviar Blue WD1600AAJS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
    Model #:WD1600AAJS
    Item #:N82E16822136075
    Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
    In Stock
   $39.49         $39.49

1    SAMSUNG CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223C    
    SAMSUNG CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223C - OEM
    Model #:SH-S223C
    Item #:N82E16827151192
    Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
    In Stock
   $25.99         $25.99

1    POWERCOLOR AX3650 512MD2-V2 Radeon HD 3650 512MB 128-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card    
    POWERCOLOR AX3650 512MD2-V2 Radeon HD 3650 512MB 128-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - Retail
    Model #:AX3650 512MD2-V2
    Item #:N82E16814131168
    Return Policy:VGA Standard Return Policy
    In Stock
   $44.99    -$5.00 Instant    $39.99

1    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit 1-Pack for System Builders    
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
    Model #:GFC-00564
    Item #:N82E16832116752
    Return Policy:Software Return Policy
    In Stock
   $109.99         $109.99

Subtotal:    $476.42

[Anodizer]

I don't think I made myself clear when I said less than basic knowledge of computer hardware, from this point on act like I'm a caveman. Even apart from that, I honestly do not have the time to go whizzing all over the place buying each part separately.

So it looks like max settings are out. In this case I would like your opinion on what kind of performance I can get from this one: http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5203124&CatId=114

As for an operating system, I don't see why I'd need Win7 when XP worked just fine for me...

They call it a "gaming" computer...  It's nothing even close to a gaming computer....
Doesn't say what kind of motherboard..  Given the fact that every other component in this computer is budget minded, the motherboard is most likely junk..  On that fact alone, I wouldn't touch this with a 10 foot pole..  The video card is junk and will get you nowhere near where you want to be..  The processor is bottom of the barrel as far as the Athlon2 series..  My best advice would be to put some effort into understanding computers(while putting away some more money to get something that surpasses this entry level budget paper weight) and build your own..  It's not difficult at all..  It's extremely simple..  As someone said, only a tad bit harder that putting Legos together..  You get a few pieces, put them together(properly), and that's it..  After that, any one of us can talk you through installing your operating system(what ever flavor of Windows), drivers, software, etc.  If all you really want to do is play Aces High, you really don't need Windows7 for quite a while..  Hopefully you have a Windows XP CD or else you'll have to buy one..  

[AirFlyer]

Fulmar has a pretty nice build right there. The only change I would make that I can see would be to invest that last 25$ in a slightly better GPU like the HD 4670, which runs around 75$.

[cattb]

newegg amd bundle
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.278844&cm_sp=InfoCenter-_-AMDAthlonIIBundle-_-na
if the link will work,
1. Raidmax  ATX-238WRP: $59.99 ( comes with power supply)

2. AMD  ADX240OCK23GQ: $59.99

3. G.SKILL  F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ: $44.99

4. GIGABYTE  GA-MA785GM-US2H: $79.99

Combo Discount: -$45.01
Combo Price: $199.95
$10.00 Mail-In Rebate
Price After Mail-In Rebate(s): $189.95

optical drive 30  video card 100 HDD 60       round off 200+200 400 add OS over 500 or so..or go linux for free
Cattb
this woul

[cattb]

you could not run the game full out with everything on with above system, it will run this game, turn couple the extras, a person would be in business.
put a 9800 or comparable ATI card..i have read the 4770 is a good card. i don't know how raidmax isfor a case but for 500 your not going to get a antec 1200 anyhows.
good luck
cattb