8 replies to this topic

[NineLives]

I was thinking of upgrading my comp so I can play additional PC games that are coming up in high quality. (I also wanna play Assassin's Creed... cause it looks soo badass)

Anyway.

I know what graphics card to get, but that's pretty much it.
Anyone help with what kind of processor I should get?
Or get a new nice sleek computer?


Because all I really know about specs is mostly about the graphics card.

[Ben]

If you want a decent gaming machine that isn't Windows-based, get an iMac.

If you're going to stick with a Windows PC, get something with a Core 2 Duo or a quadcore Xeon, have at least 2GB RAM, and at least 250GB hard disk space.

Do not use Windows Vista. It is a gigantic waste of money if you want a gaming machine. Stick with XP.

[Bourkification]

For the CPU, the intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3Ghz is pretty good value, i'd get it over the 3Ghz E6850 any day of the week. At least 2Gb Ram. You can pick a Western Digital 320Gb Hard Drive up for about $90 these days so they are good value too. The motherboard depends on if you want DDR3 or not.

[Aaron]

For the CPU, the intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3Ghz is pretty good value, i'd get it over the 3Ghz E6850 any day of the week. At least 2Gb Ram. You can pick a Western Digital 320Gb Hard Drive up for about $90 these days so they are good value too. The motherboard depends on if you want DDR3 or not.

Listen to the man; the Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 is awesome. It's only $200 on Newegg.com, and it's extremely powerful. It's also low in power usage because of its 45nm resistors. Because of that, also, it overclocks like a beast.

I mentioned Newegg.com earlier; that's an awesome website for buying computer parts online (http://www.newegg.com/). The reviewers are usually very thorough; sort products by rating (while still considering products with less reviews as possibilities), and definitely sort reviews by helpfulness.

With that said, I don't know what kind of graphics card you should get without knowing your budget. Since you want to play the latest games at high settings (and assuming you want high framerates), I would go with at least an 8800GT. (If you don't know what that means: nVidia classifies their graphics cards by the first number being the series number (e.g., the first 8 means it's apart of the 8 series, a 9600GT would be apart of the latest 9 series), then the number which indicates its... "stature", and then the type. GS is basic, GT is higher, GTS is second-best, GTX are monsters and probably unnecessary). Edit: ... you already said that you know about the graphics processor specs. -_-

There ya go. Talk to me on IM if you need more help.

Edited by Aaron, 08 May 2008 - 09:23 PM.

[NineLives]

ok...
so..

1:Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3Ghz
2: 2G RAM


O.o
I'm confused about all the numbers in the Dual Core Processor.
That IS a dual core processor right?

Hey,
I have an AGP slot for my graphics card...

Anyone suggest a good DirectX10 graphics card for AGP?
I can't find any AGP graphics card for Nvidia 8000 series.

I don't know much about ATI Radeon tho.

Edited by NineLives, 10 May 2008 - 04:20 PM.

[Aaron]

ok...
so..

1:Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3Ghz
2: 2G RAM
O.o
I'm confused about all the numbers in the Dual Core Processor.
That IS a dual core processor right?

Hey,
I have an AGP slot for my graphics card...

Anyone suggest a good DirectX10 graphics card for AGP?
I can't find any AGP graphics card for Nvidia 8000 series.

I don't know much about ATI Radeon tho.

I don't think you'll be able to find a modern graphics card that utilizes AGP; you will have to upgrade your mother board. :/

I'm not really sure what the "E8400" stands for, either, but it is indeed dual core.

[Bourkification]

Do NOT get an AGP card. AGP is already outdated, most good cards are PCi-Express. It sounds like you already have a motherboard, this could pose some problems with compatiblity of the processor. Yes the E8500 is a Dual Core CPU, nearly all of the new Intels are, even some of the Celerons are Dual Core now. This doesn't mean they are any good though. I think this is the current line up of Intel CPU's.

Celeron - Budget Solo core line.
Dual Core - Budget Dual core line.
Core 2 Duo - Generally best to get, good value and performance.
Core 2 Quad & Extreme - Flagship line, not generally needed for normal your normal PC habits.
Xeon - Server CPU's.

[LinktheMaster]

If you want a really good gaming computer, you'll want the following:

Windows XP (no Vista)
Dual Core 3Hz processor
2-4GB of RAM
512mb video card

You should be able to play pretty much anything with all of that.

Here's you a good graphics card: GeForce 7600. Sounds like you may need to get a different fan to go with it. You'll have to do research for the processor and RAM, though. You'll have to figure out what will fit in your motherboard.

In the end, these upgrades will probably start to get up to around $400 or more. You may just want to invest in a newer computer. With an AGP slot, you aren't able to get the best video card out there. (Though the one I linked up there is still pretty dang good.) If it has an AGP slot, your motherboard is probably several years old, so it may not be compatible with higher up RAM or processors. I'd still research into what your motherboard will accept, but most likely buying a new computer is a better choice.

Edited by LinktheMaster, 11 May 2008 - 09:38 AM.

[NineLives]

nvm..

how do I check what slot my mother board has for my processor?
I'm googling it right now..

Edited by NineLives, 13 May 2008 - 08:43 AM.