My new PC

[linuxlover]

I know I've already posted something like this but, I've changed it quite a bit. I just want to check to make sure I dont waste my money before i order the parts. Here are the specs:
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ (Socket 939, Venice core)
1024MB DDR 400 dual channel Corsair ValuRAM
ECS 480RX-(1.0) ATi Xpress 200P motherboard SATA 1.5gbps
PNY GeForce 7600GS 256MB GDDR2 PCIe 16x
160GB WD Caviar SE SATA 3.0gbps
18x DVD+\-RW with 12x DVD-RAM LITE-ON
5.1 surround speakers 70-watt
Saitek gamepad
etc etc... I was thinking of buy NFS: Most Wanted with it. Are the graphics good on the PC version?

[Calum]

Looks pretty good . . . what's your budget?
One thing I saw - you have a socket 939 mobo and processor.
If you could get a socket AM2 processor and mobo, it would offer a better upgrade path.
That's if you want to go with AMD - an Intel Core 2 Duo would be much faster, but only if you have the money for it as they can be expensive.
Other than that, looking pretty good.
As I said, what's your budget?  And what's the PC for?
Sorry if you've already said this in another thread, but I can't remember.

[linuxlover]

My budget is about $550 max. Im thinking $525 for the PC and $25 for a game. The PCs for gaming and building games. AM2 is about $50 more expensive. Thats why I got DDR instead of DDR2. Because only AM2 has DDR2 slots on the mobo. the CPUs about $20 more expensive so is the mobo and so is the RAM. Whats the main difference between 939 and AM2? I really dont see how this has any effect on performance. Core 2 is out because of price. The athlon 64 is $60. a core 2 is about 3x that.

[Calum]

OK, fair enough.
There's not a huge performance difference between AM2 and 939, although there is a slight one.
The main thing is that 939 will be discontinued soon.
AM2 will stick around for a while.
If that's out and so is Core 2, then that build sounds fine to me.
Good price too.
And if you need more performance, AMD chips are usually good overclockers if you're into that sort of thing, and you could add another 7600GS later for SLI if needed (if you have another PCI-E slot).
Should be about the same performance in everything as my laptop, maybe a little less.

[linuxlover]

it only has 1 PCIe 16x slot. Could you refer me to a good site that explains how to safely overclock a CPU? Even with the stock heatsink? Have you tried NFS:MW? Will it have good graphics? Will my PC be up to it?

[Calum]

Overclocking: just search for how to overclock on Google.
It's fairly easy to do if you don't go too far - once you get into voltage modding it gets too scary for me.
Just make sure you monitor your temperatures, and take it slowly.
A better heatsink/fan would be about £10 (probably around $15-$20?) - a good investment even if you're not planning on overclocking, as it will probably run quieter than stock and cool your CPU better.
I haven't tried NFS:MW, but here's a review which includes the min. requirements and the results on his system, which is slower than yours in some ways and better in others - more RAM, slightly better graphics, weaker CPU.
I'd say your PC should be up to it, although it may not run on max. settings very well.
Stick to medium and you'll be fine.
Hope this helps.

[linuxlover]

OK, Thanks a lot Calum!

[Neil]

I'd try your game before overclockling just for the sake of it

Anyway, didn't you say you thought gaming consoles were better

[linuxlover]

I'd try your game before overclockling just for the sake of it  
 
Anyway, didn't you say you thought gaming consoles were better  

Only for pure gaming. I use mine for all sorts of things. I really need access to lots of programs as well as games. For people who JUST want gaming I'd recommend a console.

[Track]

I wish u would wait for the E4300.

I dont care what u have to do, even if it means u have no HDD, but ur going to buy the X1950XT.

[linuxlover]

Your demanding quite a bit. I believe that an E4300 is a core 2. I will most likely never need that kind of power any time soon. And I dont know a thing about ATI GPUs but, that sounds like one of the best ones. I cant afford it nor will i need it. Please, just tell me if a 7600GS will be enough. its backed by 800MHz, 1GB RAM and an athlon 64 3200+. I cant think I'll need anything else.

[Track]

Your demanding quite a bit. I believe that an E4300 is a core 2. I will most likely never need that kind of power any time soon. And I dont know a thing about ATI GPUs but, that sounds like one of the best ones. I cant afford it nor will i need it. Please, just tell me if a 7600GS will be enough. its backed by 800MHz, 1GB RAM and an athlon 64 3200+. I cant think I'll need anything else.

CPU - E4300 costs 100$ and will last u for over 4 years. Athlon 64 3200+ socket 939 will last u for maybe a single year and costs 60$.

GPU - 7600 GS costs 100$ and will last u for 6 months playing at medium-low settings. X1800GTO costs 120$ and will last u for 2-3 years, playing at high settings.

Motherboard - Why buy an ATI chipset motherboard if ur buying an nVidia card?

Speakers - Do u really need 5.1 surround speakers when u cant even afford a decent PC??


Stop saying "i dont need a high-end PC" because the whole point is to buy a high-end PC for a low-end price, and thats all i ever try to do, so listen to me.

[Dilbert]

He's asking if what he's considering is enough. "Yes" or "No" will suffice.

Here's a page on the 7600:
http://www.nvidia.com/page/geforce_7600.html

NFS:MW seems to want a GeForce 6200 or above in the nVidia line of cards. Yes, a 7600 will more than suffice.

[Calum]

I think it should run the game well enough, look at my reply above.

[Neil]

High detail helps, but is not vital to enjoy the game.