PROCESSOR FOR GAMING : IMPORTANT DECISION : gaming, processor

1) Sempron 2500+ or higher. It's WAY cheaper than a P4 Prescott 800mhz and it's performance is almost the same. Also, if you want to go for the P4, you can get an Athlon 64 Socket 939 for about the same price, and it performs better. Short Version: Sempron and if you have some extra money, Athlon 64 Socket 939 3000+.

2) I would go for XP Home. The main difference is IIS and some networking services. and I seriously doubt you will be using any of them, since I'm sure you will make the network with Routers and so, and you don't need anything more complex than Windows XP Home (SP2) in the Clients to have them work well. Also, XP Home is cheaper.

Also, you need a VGA, and it's VERY IMPORTANT for a gaming-oriented place. Taking into account you said this: "the game will be like counter-strike, online game and network game (warcraft etc)". Here's my answer:

You can use all those games with nothing more expensive than a Radeon 9550 128 bits / 128 mb and they will perform OK.
But I'm sure you want to handle some actual (and future) games like FEAR, etc. Go for a Geforce 6600 GT 128 mb (PCI-E for future compatibility -you need a motherboard that supports it as well). That should be enough.

Super-Short Version (This is the recommended PC):
* Athlon 64 3000+ Socket 939.
* 1 gb of RAM (2*512).
* A motherboard that supports PCI-E (nForce 4 preferably if you go for an Athlon 64).
* Geforce 6600 GT 128 mb.
* Windows XP Home.

That would be excellent.

01.07.2006 at 09:23PM PST, ID: 15640522

mehfuzmunna:

win xp pro & intel p4

01.08.2006 at 10:09AM PST, ID: 15642604

As the preceding comments have undoubtedly made clear, you will get many opinions on what is "best" for your PC infrastructure. Much depends on your budget; the skillset of the staff or company who will be maintaining these PCs; and exactly what you intend to allow the users of the PCs to do.

To throw in my opinion: I personally prefer Intel-based PCs with Intel motherboards -- I've simply found them to be exceptionally reliable, and you never have to "fight" configuration issues that are all-too-frequent with many AMD motherboards, and even non-Intel-chipset Intel motherboards.

HOWEVER, that is (a) not the least expensive approach; and (b) no longer anywhere near the issue it was just a few years ago, as many AMD systems are quite reliable. AMD has also resolved the issue of thermal control much better in their current processors (in years past you could actually "burn up" an AMD CPU). So current AMD systems are just fine - and although I don't use them, they are in many respects better for gaming applications.

The real bottom line, despite the various opinions, is it doesn't matter. EITHER system will work fine for what you've proposed -- a MUCH, MUCH more important decision in this case is which graphics card you select. THAT will make a very large difference in the performance of modern games. Be sure you use a motherboard that uses PCI x16 graphics boards (NOT AGP), and then simply choose the best graphics card you can at whatever price point you're targeting. gecko suggested an nVidia 7800GTX - a GREAT choice BUT pretty pricey :-) If you're okay with that price point, go for it. Otherwise, do what I suggested - pick your price point and buy the best card you can at that price.

As for XP Home vs XP Pro, I'm also a fan of the added features of XP Pro, and would suggest that you go for it; but if all you're using these for is gaming PCs I'd be hard-pressed to give you a specific reason that you HAVE to use Pro => XP Home will work fine for the use you've noted; I'd simply use Pro so you have more options in the future, should you decide to expand the capabilities of the systems or incorporate more sophisticated networking features.

Finally, one thing you didn't mention, but should consider: In any environment like this, the PCs are subject to many users and can, no matter how restricted you make the accounts, make unintended (or intended) changes to the PCs. Management and configuration control of these systems will be MUCH easier if you "lock them down" in a way that allows the configurations to be kept very stable. An excellent way to do that is with Deep Freeze, from http://www.itsltduk.co.uk/deepfreeze.htm?headinfo=products. Microsoft is also entering this market, and has a free Beta version of their product available here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sharedaccess/default.mspx Either product will allow you to structure the systems so that, no matter what the users do, the systems will be reverted to their standard configuration every time they boot (or at a specific time every day, week, etc.).

01.08.2006 at 05:46PM PST, ID: 15645305

i really appreciate all comments. Now, i need to sit down with my
technical team to study all option.

i am more than happy if anybody from cybercafe background
will give feedback as well.

i will list my suggested spec asap . maybe can get few more comment
before purchase.

tq

01.08.2006 at 05:59PM PST, ID: 15645355

If experience is what you are interested in, my last post is the way to go. I've worked with some cyber cafes (in configuration and deployment of computers) and I usually know what gamers are interested in and, obviously, fitting the computers to an specific budget. Throw in some numbers and I will be able to help you further (Budget, Amount of Internet Connections, Number of dedicated servers, etc.).

01.08.2006 at 06:28PM PST, ID: 15645482

my budget is not much. but i have 2 phase .

First phase is 40 unit . Second Phase another 40 unit.

Budget per pc = RM2500 ( about USD700 )
internet connection will be 2MB line
Router : Linksys router with 4 LAN port. (please advise this as well)
dedicated server = 1. ( for online game patch, data storage etc)

as for now, i plan to go for Win XP pro, AMD processor, 80GB harddisk,
motherboard & VGA still not decide.
tq

01.08.2006 at 06:34PM PST, ID: 15645511

You can build quite a nice little PC for $700 (at least in the US) => AMD, XP Pro, 80GB is fine as a base. Add memory and a nice video card and you'll have a nice system. At that price point you'll probably want to use an nVidia 6600, or possibly 6800. Something like this would be a very nice choice: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130261

... and if you're buying 40 at once, you may be able to get a better price :-)

01.08.2006 at 06:54PM PST, ID: 15645591

2 mb for 40 PCs? You need at least 4 mb (I recommend 2*2 mb connections -or you can put a bandwidth splitter-) so it works well. Remember people will be playing online games, like CS, and you need AT LEAST 128 k for every machine for it to "work nicely". You need 256k at least for Battlefield (8 mb). One Server is OK. You can also use it for computer control, and you will have to buy only 1 computer for everything.

And something else: DON'T GO FOR WINDOWS XP PRO. YOU DON'T NEED IT. Windows XP Pro is only useful for Game Servers (And most times it's not useful). That's all. For a Client, you only need a computer that can handle a LAN, and XP Home is more than OK for almost every gaming machine.

Also, where do you live? I assume you are not in the States, and that means you are paying more than you would do in USA. And that also means that you can't buy anything we recommended with that money.

You should be able to get this:
* Sempron 2600+ (Socket 754).
* ASUS K8N-E.
* 2*512 mb DDR400.
* Geforce 6600 GT 128mb / 128 bit (If that's not possible, a 6600 Non-GT).
* 80 gb SATA HD.
* Some ATX Case with a 450W+ Power Suppply.
* Keyboard, Mouse and Earphones. Buy a generic Keyboard, a Microsoft 1.1a Mouse, and some cheap Earphones you can easily replace.
* Windows XP Home.

01.08.2006 at 08:17PM PST, ID: 15645880

Jerry_Pang:

guess my comment is too late... anyways.

MotherBoard
I personally prefer asus motherboards especially p4p800 series (non pci-express).
i found them very stable and reliable from my experiences.
I have tried other motherboards like msi, intel, ecs and amd.

The only issue i had with amd is incompatibility issues with hardware.
i usually upgrade my pc and sell my spareparts. its kinda hard to resell again to intel-based users(or haters).
Compared to Intel, its much easier to resell.
About the 64bit thing.. are you really going to buy WindowsLonghord?
i feel like by the time LongHorn will be released(probably 2008 or more),
i would probably resell my computer and buy a new pc.

RAM
1 or 2 - 512mb ddr400 ram is recommended. i have 2 computers right now 1st - 2x256 ddr400 and 2nd computer 1x512mb ddr400.
somehow i could feel that 1x512 is faster than the 2x256 ddr400 dual ram. i cant prove it but i just feel it (my opinion only).
the goodthing is if you like to upgrade, you could just buy another 512mb ram and enable dualram.

VideoCard
probably gForce 6600GT - GT word is really recommended. mid range price but top perfermer. Its the best price/performance in the market. (my current issue - i cant play any movies. i think there is an issue with directx9 and the latest drivers. unlucky me. gforce brand Palit. so beware.)

Keyboards.
I recommend not wireless, wide and comfortable.

recommend
http://users.ipfw.edu/wellers/test2studyguide_files/i0040000.jpg
(the extrapad in the palm is really relaxing)

minimum
http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:JgoUSi_8qPkJ:www.goelectronic.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/full/64370.jpg
(simple and so gimmick design)

not recommended
http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:h4WRO-udrsgJ:www.mypencil.com/mall/msf692028.jpg
(uncomfortable even it says so)
i hated most - http://www.thebookpc.com/images/w-9828.gif
(especially in games, even in just browsing, its like learning to type again)

HDD
SEAGATE. really now with 5years warranty! great experience with them even the technical support. you can check your HDD online even if the your store says out of warranty, if it says in online it still is, you can return still it. just contact customer support.

OS - hmm.. if you dont mind the price, by all means buy the XP pro edition, you get all the features that you'll ever need.
there are lots of disabled features in XP home, but i think its just the NetWorking that stands out. Other disabled features are in programming, servers and hosting webpages anyway.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/choosing2.mspx
buy 1 or 2 xp Pro only. the rest home edition. dont forget to ask how much is the upgrade XP pro edition.
XP Pro is recommended but not a requirement.

but for internet cafes... hmm
if you plan to use XP Home on an internet cafe, I suggest you review their EULA.
"5. NO RENTAL/COMMERCIAL HOSTING. You may not rent, lease, lend or provide commercial hosting services with the Software."
Just ask if its legal to use Home edition in internet cafes.

01.08.2006 at 08:52PM PST, ID: 15646007

*for processor i will go for AMD athlon 939 3000+
*for motherboard , what is the diffrence between NFORCE and NFORCE SLI ?
I think i go for ASUS or MSI . ( to SLI or not SLI ?) the price is bit difference.
*1 GB RAM
* VGA card ( still thinking )
*xp pro (oem is cheaper)

01.08.2006 at 08:58PM PST, ID: 15646030

for VGA cards.

GFORCE 6600 GT is quite expensive here.
i am thinking ;

i) ASUS GEFORCE EN6500 128mb DDR2 or
ii) ASUS ATI RADEON EAX 550 GE 256MB

is that ok?

01.08.2006 at 09:11PM PST, ID: 15646083

Are you sure you can afford that with $700? I doubt so if you are on other country. Also, I insist: Don't buy XP Pro. It doesn't make sense to put that extra money there. You will gain no benefits and you will lose money you can invest on a better VGA, and $50 make the difference between a 6600GT and a non-GT one.
If you don't believe me, take a look at this link Jerry_Panq provided: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/choosing2.mspx . You won't use any of these features (The Remote Administration is always done with 3rd party software on cyber cafes).

SLI is a technology developed by nVidia that allows you to put 2 VGAs (of the same model -6600 GT and up-) to gain some extra performance. It doesn't make sense unless you are a marketing-droid or a serious overclocker. ASUS is better than MSI, by the way.
Some advice: Don't buy an incredible processor if you have a crappy VGA. Gamers look for good framerates and nice image quality, which is provided by a good VGA, and not by a good processor. With the Sempron you will be OK (get a 64-bit edition if you want some future compatibility). Get the Athlon 64 AFTER you know you can afford a 6600GT at least, not before.

Those VGAs you just mentioned are simply crap. Get a Geforce 6600 Non-GT (128mb/128 bit) at least. Don't get a 6600 with more than 128 mb, as it doesn't make a difference in performance, but it does in price.

Accepted Solution

01.08.2006 at 09:16PM PST, ID: 15646105

Assuming you want to be "legal" you'll have to use XP Pro -- per the EULA quoted above (unless the EULA for your country is different). However, you're buying enough systems you may be able to get a quantity discount, or may be able to purchase commercial PC's that already incorporate a significant discount.

Obviously you do NOT need an SLI capability at your price range. You need to get quotes in YOUR country to really determine what you can afford -- we're all just "guessing" when we suggest things based on what we can buy in the US. I think you've got a good enough handle on what the important characteristics are so you can make a reasoned, informed judgment here.

01.08.2006 at 09:40PM PST, ID: 15646198

I took a quick look at both the Professional and Home editions of Windows XP EULAs, and they both say this:
"You may not rent, lease, lend or provide commercial hosting services to third parties with the Product."
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/eula.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/eula.mspx

It seems this point is not related to use, but to internet hosting services.
Anyway, I've used XP Home on many cyber cafes and it's perfectly legal (or so I've been told). If you are in doubt, ask Microsoft. Also, you can buy a single CD and many licenses (only CD Key), and make multiple copies of the Windows XP CD (Yes, you can do that) for making deployment easier.

01.08.2006 at 11:03PM PST, ID: 15646535

i am checking with microsoft for the windows Home / Pro.

i will go ahead with GEFORce GT6600 128mb. and ASUS motherboad A8N-E.

by the way AMD sempron and AMD athlon is equivalent to what Pentium processor .

one more favor is the display size. i plan to go for 19" (CRT).
any comments on display.

01.09.2006 at 01:53AM PST, ID: 15647221

Jerry_Pang:

19" is nice. but the price compared to 17" ?

19" are 2 or 3 times more expesive than 17" CRTs

flat screen is preferable.
in gamming. the bigger the better. *wink*

01.09.2006 at 09:46AM PST, ID: 15651982

19" is perfect -- and CRTs are definitely better than LCDs for gaming.

01.09.2006 at 01:02PM PST, ID: 15653893