Gaming Computer

TREYisRAD · 02-02-2008, 11:53 PM

would this make a good base for a gaming PC? if not, what would make a good base pc?

*BRAND NEW AMD64X 3400 COMPLETE GAMING COMPUTER NR - eBay (item 350021413719 end time Feb-02-08 21:00:00 PST)

looking to run games like BioShock, COD4, etc. My budget is tight though...

nunrleft · 02-03-2008, 12:52 AM

That system won't cut the mustard for cod4.

Minimum requirements for cod4:

OS: XP or Vista
Processor: 2.6ghz Pentium IV or equivalent (3.2ghz recommended for Vista)
RAM: 1024mb (1536mb recommended for Vista)
Video Card: DirectX 9-compliant Shader 3.0 card with 128 MB of DDR Video Memory (256 MB recommended) AGP 8x or PCI-Express x16
Sound Card: 16-bit DirectX 9-compliant sound card

DirectX9 for XP and 10 for Vista, 8 gigs HD space + 600mb for swap file.

Supported chipsets:

Nvidia Geforce 6/7/8 series

ATi X800 or higher

So, the system you're looking at has a 2.2ghz processor speed: too slow
512 mb of ram: you can buy more
Nvdia 6xxx video: barely makes the cut

The good news is that if you get a system fast enough to play cod4, it will play any other game out there. Cod4 has about the highest resource requirement.

TREYisRAD · 02-03-2008, 01:14 AM

what would be a good computer to start with?
Newegg.com - Barebone, Barebone Computers, Barebone Kits, Barebone System

p8ntguykenny · 02-03-2008, 01:40 AM

Here is the final incarnation of the computer I will build if I ever got off my *** and stop being lazy/stingy. It's been in the works since last July and I've updated it every month or so as parts changed/updated. It's a fairly decent gaming rig. I tried to keep the price around 2k. It has more than it needs in some areas (like hard drive space) and you can definately cut some cost there and in the vid card department, but everything else is running as lean as I'd be comfortable with.

Emerald Wolf · 02-03-2008, 01:43 AM

How tight and how fast?

I just built a system using the ECS GeForce6100SM-M2 motherboard (I bought at MicroCenter) and an AMD 5000+ (Black Edition). At the time I also picked up a big heatsink, 250gb Seagate SATA drive, and 2gb of DDR2 ram for $380...All I supplied were a box and a powersupply (I had already)

I'd look for pieces and see what you can do. Building your own can still save you a bit on a higher end machine.

Catchya on the Flip Side.....

Emerald Wolf -- wishes laptops were the same...

Jefe · 02-03-2008, 02:02 AM

I highly reccomend an ASUS brand motherboard.

The M2N-SLI Deluxe is one of my favorites, and was even before it was the "cool" board to get.

I've built 7 gaming systems using it and have had no trouble at all. Using one as I type!

nunrleft · 02-03-2008, 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TREYisRAD

what would be a good computer to start with?
Newegg.com - Barebone, Barebone Computers, Barebone Kits, Barebone System

Copied from this thread:Building a PC

I just finished rebuilding my system using these componants:

Motherboard: ECS 945p-A ver 1.1; ver 3.0 is listed but the 1.1 has 8 channel hd audio and a gig lan. I actually purchased it from Frys.com on clearance for $29.00 but it's no longer available. Newegg.com - ECS 945P-A (V3.0) LGA 775 Intel 945P ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Processor: Intel Pentium D 925 Processor HH80553PG0804MN - 3.0GHz, 4MB Cache, 800MHz FSB, Presler, Dual-Core, OEM, Socket 775, Processor --had a $30 rebate too.
Intel Pentium D 925 Processor HH80553PG0804MN - 3.0GHz, 4MB Cache, 800MHz FSB, Presler, Dual-Core, OEM, Socket 775, Processor at TigerDirect.com

Fan: Thermaltake / RSI / Socket 775 / Aluminum / CPU Cooling Fan
Thermaltake RSI Socket 775 Aluminum CPU Cooling Fan CL-P0441 at TigerDirect.com

Power Supply: Rosewill RP550V2-S-SL 550W SLI Ready-ATX12V V2.01 Power Supply
Newegg.com - Rosewill RP550V2-S-SL 550W SLI Ready-ATX12V V2.01 Power Supply 115/230 V CSA,UL,TUV,FCC - Retail

Video Card: EVGA 128-P2-N428-LR GeForce 7200GS 512MB (128MB on Board) 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Video Card
Newegg.com - EVGA 128-P2-N428-LR GeForce 7200GS 512MB (128MB on Board) 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail

Ram: Kingston 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KVR667D2K2/2GR
Newegg.com - Kingston 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

I used my old ATX case, but installed a couple more case fans which I had from my wife's old system. I easily overclocked the fsb in bios to run at 3.7 ghz with a processor temp of 38c under load.

People say the video card is not adequate but I have yet to see any problems running Call of Duty 4 or Photoshop CS3.

Power Supplies are important. The newer processors and video cards take much more power than your old P3 machine. I tried to use my year old 500 watt psu which had a single 12 volt rail rated at 24 amps. It wasn't enough to handle my new system. The new psu has two rails rated at 18 amps each.

Also look for upgrade ability. The motherboard I chose will handle 4 gigs of ram. (I'm running two now), but many m/b nowadays can only handle 2 gigs. I also chose this m/b because the ddr2 ram was the cheapest available. This m/b also supports SLI (duel pcie video cards) as does the power supply (even though I'm not utilizing it). This mb also supports faster processors which in a short time will come down in price.

If you build your own with an existing case make sure you get the right form factor. If your case is an ATX you can fit either an ATX or Micro ATX m/b in it. If you have a Micro ATX case you have to use a Micro ATX m/b.

It was also cheaper to order components from 3 different online retailers (and paying the extra shipping) than it was to order it all from one company. Total price w/shipping was about $245.

Frontier_Bill · 02-03-2008, 04:23 AM

I just built a new gaming PC.

Intel dual core 2.33ghz 1333FSB
4gb DDR2 800 ram
GeForce 8800gt 512mb
MSI Mobo
Vista ultimate x64

I spent about $800 to build this. Theres a few others not listed.

For new games, I would recommend to not skimp on the video card. Get a slightly slower processor if you NEED to save money. Dual core is a fantastic idea. And realistically, if you want to game on vista. 3gb of ram. That is what I am running right now since 1 of the sticks was bad and I am waiting for an RMA.

TREYisRAD · 02-03-2008, 09:15 AM

thanks for the replies. after talking it over with my dad, he doesn't want me spending very much. (like, anything at all

) I'm posing up a WTB thread, and will be trading some gun parts for computer parts.

What do i have to watch out for with compatibility?

nunrleft · 02-03-2008, 11:34 AM

When you buy things seperately you'll need to make sure all the componants are compatible with the motherboard and the motherboard has a compatible form factor with the case that you get.

02-03-2008, 12:52 AM	#2 (permalink)
nunrleft Active Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: St. Paul, MN	That system won't cut the mustard for cod4. Minimum requirements for cod4: OS: XP or Vista Processor: 2.6ghz Pentium IV or equivalent (3.2ghz recommended for Vista) RAM: 1024mb (1536mb recommended for Vista) Video Card: DirectX 9-compliant Shader 3.0 card with 128 MB of DDR Video Memory (256 MB recommended) AGP 8x or PCI-Express x16 Sound Card: 16-bit DirectX 9-compliant sound card DirectX9 for XP and 10 for Vista, 8 gigs HD space + 600mb for swap file. Supported chipsets: Nvidia Geforce 6/7/8 series ATi X800 or higher So, the system you're looking at has a 2.2ghz processor speed: too slow 512 mb of ram: you can buy more Nvdia 6xxx video: barely makes the cut The good news is that if you get a system fast enough to play cod4, it will play any other game out there. Cod4 has about the highest resource requirement. __________________

02-03-2008, 02:02 AM	#6 (permalink)
Jefe Active Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Boise, Idaho	I highly reccomend an ASUS brand motherboard. The M2N-SLI Deluxe is one of my favorites, and was even before it was the "cool" board to get. I've built 7 gaming systems using it and have had no trouble at all. Using one as I type! __________________ -- Sayonara, not to be confused with cyanide, which is, of course, goodbye in any language.

02-03-2008, 04:23 AM	#8 (permalink)
Frontier_Bill Post Whore Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bozeman, Montana	I just built a new gaming PC. Intel dual core 2.33ghz 1333FSB 4gb DDR2 800 ram GeForce 8800gt 512mb MSI Mobo Vista ultimate x64 I spent about $800 to build this. Theres a few others not listed. For new games, I would recommend to not skimp on the video card. Get a slightly slower processor if you NEED to save money. Dual core is a fantastic idea. And realistically, if you want to game on vista. 3gb of ram. That is what I am running right now since 1 of the sticks was bad and I am waiting for an RMA. __________________ Danger: Reading online forums may cause irreparable damage to your faith in Humanity. Team Rogue Cell #10 Feedback NO'MAAM #16

02-03-2008, 11:34 AM	#10 (permalink)
nunrleft Active Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: St. Paul, MN	When you buy things seperately you'll need to make sure all the componants are compatible with the motherboard and the motherboard has a compatible form factor with the case that you get. __________________

02-03-2008, 01:40 AM	#4 (permalink)
p8ntguykenny Active Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA	Here is the final incarnation of the computer I will build if I ever got off my *** and stop being lazy/stingy. It's been in the works since last July and I've updated it every month or so as parts changed/updated. It's a fairly decent gaming rig. I tried to keep the price around 2k. It has more than it needs in some areas (like hard drive space) and you can definately cut some cost there and in the vid card department, but everything else is running as lean as I'd be comfortable with.

02-03-2008, 01:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
Emerald Wolf Active Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Denver, Colo.	How tight and how fast? I just built a system using the ECS GeForce6100SM-M2 motherboard (I bought at MicroCenter) and an AMD 5000+ (Black Edition). At the time I also picked up a big heatsink, 250gb Seagate SATA drive, and 2gb of DDR2 ram for $380...All I supplied were a box and a powersupply (I had already) I'd look for pieces and see what you can do. Building your own can still save you a bit on a higher end machine. Catchya on the Flip Side..... Emerald Wolf -- wishes laptops were the same...