Spec me a new system please?

Darrin · 13-10-2008, 15:08

With the approach of Command & Conquer coming out, I've come to the grim realisation that my current system is in no way going to cut it, so Tina gave me the go-ahead to upgrade.

This is what I'm looking at :
Biostar MCP6P-M2
AMD Phenom Triple Core 8450 2.1GHz
Viotek 600W PSU
4GB DDR2 PC6400
8400 GS 512MB PCI-E (or should I go for the HD 3450 for the same price?)

All of the above come with a 1yr warranty. I'd use my existing HDD (160GB) and my XP, my DVDRW, keyboard, mouse and monitor.

Would the above system handle everything the new game could throw at it, or are there some things that I've overlooked?

Please help out someone who's been out of the loop since Athlon XP2500M's were the shiznit...

Psymonkee · 13-10-2008, 20:34

Was just buying a GFX card for my sisters new machine and noticed that (at least in the UK) the 9800GT's are almost the same price as the 8800GT's. Worth a look at those.

Core 2 Duo's also seem to be the desired chips right now (2.4 - 3.0GHz)

Can't say I've heard of that particular brand of PSU before either - I tend to stick to Tagan/Enermax/Seasonic.

Otherwise looks ok.

Not sure on the 4GB of RAM under XP though - you might only get 3GB usable

Mark · 13-10-2008, 20:48

Usable RAM under XP will be about 3.2GB. XP isn't nearly as RAM-hungry as Vista, so 2GB may be enough, but it depends on the price difference (buy smart, buy once).

divine · 13-10-2008, 21:23

Assuming you're on some kind of budget...

E2180 and overclock it a lot, very good performer for not a lot, paired with something like a P5K or P5Q motherboard.
4GB of PC2-6400 will do the E2180 a good service for overclocking (multi of 10, so PC6400 will in theory give you headroom way beyond 3GHz). Or go Core2Duo and get an E4000 series of some description. The AMD Phenom chips are worth looking at at the budget range but i'd still rather go Intel at the moment.
Graphics wise, I dunno about in the US (unless im getting my usernames confused) but the 8800GS was cheap over here, I got mine for £45. An 8400GS is pretty much bottom end and you'll want to replace it sooner rather than later, it wont run a new C&C game nicely IMO.
A good branded 550W/600W PSU will serve you better than an unheard of 700W one too.

Mark · 13-10-2008, 21:36

Same comment applies with the Radeon 3450. It's very much the bargain end of the 3-series and will probably struggle with graphics at a decent resolution. I don't know the system requirements for C&C (or most other games for that matter) but if the budget is tight then cutting back on the RAM (to 2GB) and spending the difference on better graphics might be a good plan.

divine · 13-10-2008, 21:52

On XP 2GB should be plenty and yeah, spending the extra on graphics would be more beneficial to games playing.

Psymonkee · 13-10-2008, 22:16

but DDR2 RAM is so cheap would it make much difference on the GFX budget?

Hmmm anyone want to loan me a grand to do some testing?

divine · 13-10-2008, 22:24

About £30 difference and when you're looking at moving from a £30 3450 or 8400GS, to a £60 8800GT or something, it would make a hell of a difference, compared to the extra 2GB of RAM, that XP won't even fully utilise.

A 2GB + 8800GT machine would run rings around a 4GB (~3.25GB) + 8400GS machine.

Of course, assuming prices in dollars follow the same sort of differences etc.

Darrin · 14-10-2008, 03:13

Ok, here might be the stupid question of the week. What's the difference between PNY and EVGA? Other than $26.00...

semi-pro waster · 14-10-2008, 08:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darrin

Ok, here might be the stupid question of the week. What's the difference between PNY and EVGA? Other than $26.00...

The EVGA comes with a longer warranty normally (10 years I think offhand) but in terms of actual performance there is almost certainly negligible difference since they are all built to the same reference design.

13-10-2008, 15:08	#1
Darrin Dirteh Kitteh Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hiding out in Mormon Country Posts: 1,629	Spec me a new system please? With the approach of Command & Conquer coming out, I've come to the grim realisation that my current system is in no way going to cut it, so Tina gave me the go-ahead to upgrade. This is what I'm looking at : Biostar MCP6P-M2 AMD Phenom Triple Core 8450 2.1GHz Viotek 600W PSU 4GB DDR2 PC6400 8400 GS 512MB PCI-E (or should I go for the HD 3450 for the same price?) All of the above come with a 1yr warranty. I'd use my existing HDD (160GB) and my XP, my DVDRW, keyboard, mouse and monitor. Would the above system handle everything the new game could throw at it, or are there some things that I've overlooked? Please help out someone who's been out of the loop since Athlon XP2500M's were the shiznit... __________________ A bullet may have your name on it, but shrapnel is addressed "to whom it may concern".

13-10-2008, 20:34	#2
Psymonkee A cat wearing a wet suit Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: St.Andrews Posts: 2,023	Was just buying a GFX card for my sisters new machine and noticed that (at least in the UK) the 9800GT's are almost the same price as the 8800GT's. Worth a look at those. Core 2 Duo's also seem to be the desired chips right now (2.4 - 3.0GHz) Can't say I've heard of that particular brand of PSU before either - I tend to stick to Tagan/Enermax/Seasonic. Otherwise looks ok. Not sure on the 4GB of RAM under XP though - you might only get 3GB usable __________________ Sonisphere FMC Code: 1k949178

13-10-2008, 21:23	#4
divine Moonshine Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Southampton Posts: 3,201	Assuming you're on some kind of budget... E2180 and overclock it a lot, very good performer for not a lot, paired with something like a P5K or P5Q motherboard. 4GB of PC2-6400 will do the E2180 a good service for overclocking (multi of 10, so PC6400 will in theory give you headroom way beyond 3GHz). Or go Core2Duo and get an E4000 series of some description. The AMD Phenom chips are worth looking at at the budget range but i'd still rather go Intel at the moment. Graphics wise, I dunno about in the US (unless im getting my usernames confused) but the 8800GS was cheap over here, I got mine for £45. An 8400GS is pretty much bottom end and you'll want to replace it sooner rather than later, it wont run a new C&C game nicely IMO. A good branded 550W/600W PSU will serve you better than an unheard of 700W one too. __________________ Last edited by divine; 13-10-2008 at 21:26.

13-10-2008, 21:52	#6
divine Moonshine Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Southampton Posts: 3,201	On XP 2GB should be plenty and yeah, spending the extra on graphics would be more beneficial to games playing. __________________

13-10-2008, 22:16	#7
Psymonkee A cat wearing a wet suit Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: St.Andrews Posts: 2,023	but DDR2 RAM is so cheap would it make much difference on the GFX budget? Hmmm anyone want to loan me a grand to do some testing? __________________ Sonisphere FMC Code: 1k949178

13-10-2008, 20:48	#3
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	Usable RAM under XP will be about 3.2GB. XP isn't nearly as RAM-hungry as Vista, so 2GB may be enough, but it depends on the price difference (buy smart, buy once).

13-10-2008, 21:36	#5
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	Same comment applies with the Radeon 3450. It's very much the bargain end of the 3-series and will probably struggle with graphics at a decent resolution. I don't know the system requirements for C&C (or most other games for that matter) but if the budget is tight then cutting back on the RAM (to 2GB) and spending the difference on better graphics might be a good plan.

13-10-2008, 22:24	#8
divine Moonshine Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Southampton Posts: 3,201	About £30 difference and when you're looking at moving from a £30 3450 or 8400GS, to a £60 8800GT or something, it would make a hell of a difference, compared to the extra 2GB of RAM, that XP won't even fully utilise. A 2GB + 8800GT machine would run rings around a 4GB (~3.25GB) + 8400GS machine. Of course, assuming prices in dollars follow the same sort of differences etc. __________________

14-10-2008, 03:13	#9
Darrin Dirteh Kitteh Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hiding out in Mormon Country Posts: 1,629	Ok, here might be the stupid question of the week. What's the difference between PNY and EVGA? Other than $26.00... __________________ A bullet may have your name on it, but shrapnel is addressed "to whom it may concern".