Can anyone suggest a good spec for a games machine?
I want some good suggestions for a motherboard - processor - memory bundle that can serve as a base for a PC that can heavy 3D games like Microsoft Flight Simulator X and ArmA 2.
I don't want the leading edge stuff that you pay through nose for, nor do I want stuff that is on its way to being obsolete. Let's say the price would be around $300.
I'd like to know about current Intel sockets and processors, and current AMD stuff.
Also, what kind of hard drive technology are they using these days?
I don't want the leading edge stuff that you pay through nose for, nor do I want stuff that is on its way to being obsolete. Let's say the price would be around $300.
I'd like to know about current Intel sockets and processors, and current AMD stuff.
Also, what kind of hard drive technology are they using these days?
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER
>$300 overall for a games machine?No. $300 for a mobo, processor and memory combo, as I said in my question. Not interested in graphic card info either.
$300 is way too low anyway - you could spend that on a top end video cardNot interested in graphic card info. Ok, lets $500 then for a good motherbaord and processor.
>>Ok, lets $500 then for a good motherbaord and processor.
I Believe you should be able to do that. GOOD LUCK.
- Intel Core-2-Duo or AMD-64 1.6GHz or better
- *More MEMORY the better, 2GB, 3GB.
*NOTE: Games & Progams RUN in PHYSICAL MEMORY ( AVOID use of VIRTUAL MEMORY, whch is used after PC runs out of PHYSICAL MEMORY )
Heres what I'm getting:
AMD Phenom 2 x2 550 Black Edition $100
Not much L2 cache which affects its performance compared to some core 2 duo's but ability to OC and for $100 I'm sold.
Asus m4a79t deluxe $200
Expensive but its DDR 3 and wont have to be replaced for awhile. It also has crossfire available for up to 4 VGA's. 2-16x, 3-16x,8x,8x, 4-8x,8x,8x,8x
Crucial Ballistics Tracer 1GB ( adding more of them later) $40
I am choosing AMD!
They offer more options for differnet cpu's-socket types, backwards compatable.
Those different options become very important when wanting to upgrade without building an entirely new system.
I'm also using a 4770 vga. 1 to start.....................
AMD Phenom 2 x2 550 Black Edition $100
Not much L2 cache which affects its performance compared to some core 2 duo's but ability to OC and for $100 I'm sold.
Asus m4a79t deluxe $200
Expensive but its DDR 3 and wont have to be replaced for awhile. It also has crossfire available for up to 4 VGA's. 2-16x, 3-16x,8x,8x, 4-8x,8x,8x,8x
Crucial Ballistics Tracer 1GB ( adding more of them later) $40
I am choosing AMD!
They offer more options for differnet cpu's-socket types, backwards compatable.
Those different options become very important when wanting to upgrade without building an entirely new system.
I'm also using a 4770 vga. 1 to start.....................
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER
Thanks.
This budget is really only for the motherboard and processor. I already have the video card (which is PCIe nVidia GTS 250), so onboard graphics card is not important and is not where I want to put my money. Just a good, solid motherboard. preferably which supports the new type of hard disk.
Hard disks I can buy later. The last thing I knew about disks was SATA 2. Where are we now?
Also, I'm a bit confused by all these Intel sockets. Socket s1136 and Socket s1366, 479, 775 etc.
Is AMD better value then Intel? I usually buy intel.
This budget is really only for the motherboard and processor. I already have the video card (which is PCIe nVidia GTS 250), so onboard graphics card is not important and is not where I want to put my money. Just a good, solid motherboard. preferably which supports the new type of hard disk.
Hard disks I can buy later. The last thing I knew about disks was SATA 2. Where are we now?
Also, I'm a bit confused by all these Intel sockets. Socket s1136 and Socket s1366, 479, 775 etc.
Is AMD better value then Intel? I usually buy intel.
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER
FlaminFrostbyte
Thanks. Been reading up on that motherboard, the Asus m4a79t deluxe, sounds good and will probably be my choice.
Thanks. Been reading up on that motherboard, the Asus m4a79t deluxe, sounds good and will probably be my choice.
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER
Thanks.
A problem with the Asus m4a79t is it only uses DDR2 memory - strange. Also, it is not AM3 compatible. This one is only slightly more expensive and it has DDR3 and AM3 processors. I read some of the reviews on it and there'll all good:
Gigabyte GA-790FXTA-UD5
A problem with the Asus m4a79t is it only uses DDR2 memory - strange. Also, it is not AM3 compatible. This one is only slightly more expensive and it has DDR3 and AM3 processors. I read some of the reviews on it and there'll all good:
Gigabyte GA-790FXTA-UD5
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER
I didn't want to close this question yet, but EE have deemed it abandoned and will not let me ask more questions until I close and allocate points. Despite the fact that I pay for being a member here.
Thanks for the help everyone.
Thanks for the help everyone.
A cheaper core 2 duo is good, there are a few that have great OverClocking reviews.
Hard drives low in storage. Try for higher cache. You could partition the virtual memory to increase its performance. Maybe leave yourself an option to upgrade later with a duplicate hard drive setup in raid0.
VGA's can be expensive for best performers. But you could get 2 the same and setup sli.
MOBO's are important. Think ahead about upgradability, sata ports, memory slots, PCI xpress slots etc...
Memory not too expensive, ddr2 probably cheaper. That would have to be compatable with mobo.
I think what I would do is setup something that you could improve on later for minimal costs. Another VGA in sli mode, Another hard drive in raid0 and start with less memory maybe a single 1 or 2gb stick but get a duplicate to add on soon, depending on performance.
I suggest doing lot of research before making hardware choices proffesional review sites are more dependable.
Splurge a little on the mobo and make adjustments in the future. Go cheap on the hard drive and the vga, add duplicates later. I think you can setup a performance foundation for improvement later. This later improvement wont cost nearly as much and might be easier to swallow then.
some research sites: pcstats.com, tomshardware.com, hardocp.com, extreme tech.com.
Games evolve at a fast rate so to stay cost effective with cheaper hardware configuration upgrading regularly at cheaper cost is probably best.
Hope I helped in some way.