Would like opinions on my future gaming PC.

Conall · Dec 21, 2007, 11:23 PM

Within the next few months I will be buying a new pre-built gaming PC, and would like everyones opinions on the one I've chosen.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883227041

What I really want this PC to do is run older games perfectly, and it certainly looks like it could.

I've been stuck with a HP Pavilion 512w for years, and obviously I'm not able to play many games nor install very many new parts, and as such I don't know much about current video cards, processors and such.

So I'd like to ask if I could run the following games;
Black & White 2
Battlefield 2
Civilization 4
Empire Earth 2
Farcry
The Sims 2
Age of Empires 3

With all graphics settings at their maximum, at a constant 60fps+ on this computer.

Thanks in advance.

pbmaster · Dec 21, 2007, 11:26 PM

For those games, that PC will run them perfectly on max.

Conall · Dec 21, 2007, 11:49 PM

Ah, that sounds great.
Thanks for the reply.

One more quick question, how easy would it be to install Windows XP after reformating that PC?
I have no interest in Vista..

nguyenpeter76 · Dec 21, 2007, 11:54 PM

if looking for prebuild, you should look at the dell xps 420 because for $1149, you get a q6600 processor, 3gb 667mhz ram, 320gb harddrive, 8800gt, dual burner optical drive, and a quiet system. i myself have a xps420 but with a hd 2400 pro graphics card because ill upgrade it later. if you do choose to get the xps 420, go find a dell place to buy it from cause i went to a kiosk at a mall and got $100 off.

Paulieg · Dec 22, 2007, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nguyenpeter76

if looking for prebuild, you should look at the dell xps 420 because for $1149, you get a q6600 processor, 3gb 667mhz ram, 320gb harddrive, 8800gt, dual burner optical drive, and a quiet system. i myself have a xps420 but with a hd 2400 pro graphics card because ill upgrade it later. if you do choose to get the xps 420, go find a dell place to buy it from cause i went to a kiosk at a mall and got $100 off.

Well, the Dell is NOT a good idea since the crappy motherboard has a locked bios, which means no ability to tweak the system if you want to. If you have to buy something prebuilt, the ibuypower looks decent for what it is, as you can play with the bios and you can run SLI later if you want to.

hat · Dec 22, 2007, 12:46 AM

byopc

Paulieg · Dec 22, 2007, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hat

byopc

the voice of reason...

JrRacinFan · Dec 22, 2007, 12:51 AM

Conall, hate to say this but most of those I can run medium @ 1024x768. Farcry I can max @ 1280x1024 averages ~50fps. That just gives you a little insight on how much more powerful it is than mine.

hat · Dec 22, 2007, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paulieg

the voice of reason...

what do you mean?

JrRacinFan · Dec 22, 2007, 12:54 AM

LMAO, I think he means not everybody may want to build their own.

Conall · Dec 22, 2007, 12:56 AM

I know it'd be cheaper to build it myself, but I've never done that before and I am terrified I'd screw something up.
I don't want to take that chance.

Yes yes, I've heard all the "It's like legos!", "Even a baby could do it!", etc.

Dia01 · Dec 22, 2007, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conall

I know it'd be cheaper to build it myself, but I've never done that before and I am terrified I'd screw something up.
I don't want to take that chance.

Yes yes, I've heard all the "It's like legos!", "Even a baby could do it!", etc.

What exactly are you terrified about, I find the hardest part is getting the software and drivers just right. Hardware is pretty easy.

Conall · Dec 22, 2007, 01:16 AM

The fear comes from the fact that this is something totally unknown to me.
I'd have absolutely no idea what I was doing.
What if I installed something wrong? What if I damaged a part/parts with static?

With this pre-built, the most I could screw up is the XP installation.
But it comes with a recovery DVD, so even that isn't a problem.

Triprift · Dec 22, 2007, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conall

The fear comes from the fact that this is something totally unknown to me.
I'd have absolutely no idea what I was doing.
What if I installed something wrong? What if I damaged a part/parts with static?

With this pre-built, the most I could screw up is the XP installation.
But it comes with a recovery DVD, so even that isn't a problem.

yeah i hear ya i was the same when i got back into puting this year if it wasnt for a couple of my mates who are wizzes with puters id of been stuffed. As long as your happy paying a bit more you can get yourself an excellent gaming rig and over time youll get confidence to have a go at upgrades.

hat · Dec 22, 2007, 01:43 AM

Just use an old table and put all your parts on that. It's impossible to install anything wrong. If something ins't going in, check the line-ups, you're doing it wrong! It's very straightforward.

3991vhtes · Dec 22, 2007, 01:52 AM

Conall, I have to agree w/ hat.

byopc is very simple. Just look for guides, they're all over the web. They'll show you everything.

If you don't want to DIY, I think that rig you linked to would be a good choice.

Conall · Dec 22, 2007, 02:00 AM

Hmm.. If it really isn't as risky as I thought, maybe I will build my own..
I'll look into it.

Conall · Dec 22, 2007, 02:41 AM

Wow, it really would be cheaper!
I can build a PC with similar specs to the machine in the link I posted, but with a E6850 processor for about $100 less.
You know, I think I will build this myself after all.

Take a look at these parts, and tell me what you think.
http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/...Number=5234685

Would all of those parts fit in that case?
And could someone also recommend a good cheap sound card?

hat · Dec 22, 2007, 02:44 AM

I think you'll want more than 500 watts bud
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005

Aside from that, yes I do believe it will fit.

3991vhtes · Dec 22, 2007, 02:48 AM

500 watts seems fair enough for that setup

Conall · Dec 22, 2007, 02:50 AM

I don't think I need 650watts, and I'm not paying $160 for a power supply.

3991vhtes · Dec 22, 2007, 02:52 AM

I'd stick with the PSU you originally chose, Connall

JrRacinFan · Dec 22, 2007, 02:56 AM

500W may be enough, but IMO you also are getting a better motherboard.

EDIT: Also I don't know about that RAM, you may be able to find better for cheaper.

Conall · Dec 22, 2007, 02:58 AM

I found a 550watt for only a little more.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103941

I'll buy that instead.

Conall · Dec 22, 2007, 03:01 AM

What RAM would you recommend, then?
I was recommended this particular type by someone on another board.
This is what he said about it;
"D9 chips are the best. Fast RAM, and great timings, with tons of room to overclock."

Dec 21, 2007, 11:23 PM	#1
Conall Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 116 (0.06/day) Thanks: 76 Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts System Specs	Would like opinions on my future gaming PC. Within the next few months I will be buying a new pre-built gaming PC, and would like everyones opinions on the one I've chosen. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883227041 What I really want this PC to do is run older games perfectly, and it certainly looks like it could. I've been stuck with a HP Pavilion 512w for years, and obviously I'm not able to play many games nor install very many new parts, and as such I don't know much about current video cards, processors and such. So I'd like to ask if I could run the following games; Black & White 2 Battlefield 2 Civilization 4 Empire Earth 2 Farcry The Sims 2 Age of Empires 3 With all graphics settings at their maximum, at a constant 60fps+ on this computer. Thanks in advance.

Processor:	E6850 3.0ghz
Motherboard:	GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L
Cooling:	ZEROtherm Nirvana NV120
Memory:	G.Skill 2x2GB DDR2 1066
Video Card:	XFX GeForce 8800GT Extreme 512MB
Hard Disk:	Western Digital Caviar 500GB
Optical Drive:	ASUS Black DVD Burner
CRT/LCD Model:	Dell E193FP
Case:	XCLIO A380PLUS
PSU:	CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX ATX12V V2.2 550W
Software:	Windows XP Home

Dec 21, 2007, 11:26 PM	#2
pbmaster Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 1,985 (0.79/day) Thanks: 131 Thanked 295 Times in 275 Posts System Specs	For those games, that PC will run them perfectly on max. __________________ “pbmaster your tongue in your mouth speaks the truth” -von kain

Processor:	AMD Phenom II 955
Motherboard:	Asus Crosshair III Formula
Cooling:	Cooler Master V8 CPU cooler, 120 mm and 200 mm exhaust, 3 x 120 mm intake
Memory:	4 GB OCZ DDR3 1600
Video Card:	Sapphire Radeon HD 4890
Hard Disk:	Western Digital 500 GB Blacks in RAID 0/ Wesdtern Digital SE16 250 GB
Optical Drive:	Lite-On SATA DVD Burner
CRT/LCD Model:	Acer 19" widescreen
Case:	Antec Nine Hundred
Sound Card:	Supreme X-Fi
PSU:	Seasonic M12 SS-700HM
Software:	Windows Vista Home Premium x64 SP2
Benchmarks:	3dMark 03-~62k 3dMark 05-~22k 3dMark 06-18268

Dec 21, 2007, 11:49 PM	#3
Conall Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 116 (0.06/day) Thanks: 76 Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts System Specs	Excellent. Ah, that sounds great. Thanks for the reply. One more quick question, how easy would it be to install Windows XP after reformating that PC? I have no interest in Vista..

Dec 21, 2007, 11:54 PM	#4
nguyenpeter76 Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 305 (0.14/day) Thanks: 54 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts System Specs	if looking for prebuild, you should look at the dell xps 420 because for $1149, you get a q6600 processor, 3gb 667mhz ram, 320gb harddrive, 8800gt, dual burner optical drive, and a quiet system. i myself have a xps420 but with a hd 2400 pro graphics card because ill upgrade it later. if you do choose to get the xps 420, go find a dell place to buy it from cause i went to a kiosk at a mall and got $100 off.

System Name:	XPS 420
Processor:	q6600 2.4GHz
Motherboard:	Dell - Chipset:Intel® X38 (Bearlake) only one pci x16 slot...gay
Memory:	3GB @ 667 MHz
Video Card:	ATI HD 2400 PRO 128mb (will upgrade later)
Hard Disk:	320GB
Optical Drive:	Dual Optical Drive
CRT/LCD Model:	Samsung 22inches Model 220wm (1680x1050)
Case:	XPS 420
PSU:	Dell's Underrated 375w PSU
Software:	Vista Home Premium 32-bit

Dec 22, 2007, 12:46 AM	#6
hat Maximum Overclocker Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 12,247 (5.10/day) Thanks: 2,056 Thanked 2,045 Times in 1,555 Posts System Specs	byopc __________________ My Heatware “Inb4 smartphone LN2 overclocking.” -radrok

System Name:	Starlifter // Dragonfly
Processor:	(lapped) i7 920 4GHz 1.3v // 1090T 3.6GHz 1.3v
Motherboard:	Asus Rampage III // Gigabyte GA-770T-USB3
Cooling:	(lapped) Corsair H70 // (lapped) TT Big Typhoon
Memory:	3x2GB DDR3 1600 10-10-10-30-128-1T 1.5v // 2x2GB DDR3 1333 9-9-9-24-1T 1.5v
Video Card:	HIS Radeon 5870 // BFG Maxcore 55 GTX260
Hard Disk:	Plextor M5S 128GB + 512GB OCZ Agility 4 + 2TB WD20EARS // WDC Black 500GB
Optical Drive:	SATA DVD-RW // IDE CD-RW
CRT/LCD Model:	Dell/Alienware AW2310 + 19" HDTV // 19" HDTV
Case:	Antec SOHO 1030B // some really old white case... but it's decent
Sound Card:	Creative X-Fi Fatality Professional // onboard (disabled)
PSU:	Antec NeoHe 550W // Corsair CX600w
Software:	Windows 7 Home Premium x64 // Windows 7 Home Premium x64
Benchmarks:	zunn zunnzunn zunn zunn

Dec 22, 2007, 12:51 AM	#8
JrRacinFan Served 5k and counting ... Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Youngstown, OH Posts: 16,121 (7.05/day) Thanks: 4,149 Thanked 4,552 Times in 4,027 Posts System Specs	Conall, hate to say this but most of those I can run medium @ 1024x768. Farcry I can max @ 1280x1024 averages ~50fps. That just gives you a little insight on how much more powerful it is than mine. __________________ Graphics Artists United™ Request Thread Low Cache CPU Club Solaris Utility DVD 3.0 DanishDevil's Logitech Soundroom TPU Video Gallery Sciencemark Revisited

System Name:	Mine; Hers; Our HTPC; NAS Box
Processor:	i7 2600k : i3 2120 : Celeron G440 : P4 2.6Ghz Nwood
Motherboard:	Asrock Z68 Extreme4 : Asus P8P67 Pro : Asrock H61M/U3S3 : Dell
Cooling:	CM 212+ w/ scythe jyuni : Stock : Stock :Stock
Memory:	2x4GB Ripjawx 1866 cl9 : 2x2GB Corsair 1600 cl9 : 2x2GB Ridgebacks 1066 cl5 : 768MB PC3200
Video Card:	Palit GTX560Ti 2Gb : XFX HD5770 : Integrated : Integrated
Hard Disk:	2x 750GB Raid 0 + Maxtor 500GB : WD Black 1TB+Corsair Nova 2 64GB : Toshiba 750GB : Leftover ATA133
Optical Drive:	Lite-On DVD-RW : Samsung DVD-RW : None : None
CRT/LCD Model:	AOC 21" : AOC 20" : Philips 42" HDTV : Headless
Case:	Rocketfish : CM HAF 912 : Bgears Cube Style case : Dell
Sound Card:	X-Fi Xtremegamer : Onboard : Onboard : Onboard
PSU:	Tt 750W Modular : Antec 500W Earthwatts : Corsair CX430 : Dell's OEM

Dec 22, 2007, 12:54 AM	#10
JrRacinFan Served 5k and counting ... Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Youngstown, OH Posts: 16,121 (7.05/day) Thanks: 4,149 Thanked 4,552 Times in 4,027 Posts System Specs	LMAO, I think he means not everybody may want to build their own. __________________ Graphics Artists United™ Request Thread Low Cache CPU Club Solaris Utility DVD 3.0 DanishDevil's Logitech Soundroom TPU Video Gallery Sciencemark Revisited

Dec 22, 2007, 12:56 AM	#11
Conall Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 116 (0.06/day) Thanks: 76 Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts System Specs	I know it'd be cheaper to build it myself, but I've never done that before and I am terrified I'd screw something up. I don't want to take that chance. Yes yes, I've heard all the "It's like legos!", "Even a baby could do it!", etc.

Processor:	i7 980x
Motherboard:	Sabertooth X58
Cooling:	Custom Water
Memory:	Corsair 12GB Dominator
Video Card:	SLI - 580 GTX
Hard Disk:	OCZ Vertex 2 80GB + WD Caviar Black 1TB
Optical Drive:	Pioneer Blu-ray DVD Combo Drive
CRT/LCD Model:	BenQ 24 Inch Widescreen LED
Case:	Obsidian 800D
PSU:	Corsair AX1200
Software:	Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit

Dec 22, 2007, 01:16 AM	#13
Conall Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 116 (0.06/day) Thanks: 76 Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts System Specs	The fear comes from the fact that this is something totally unknown to me. I'd have absolutely no idea what I was doing. What if I installed something wrong? What if I damaged a part/parts with static? With this pre-built, the most I could screw up is the XP installation. But it comes with a recovery DVD, so even that isn't a problem.

System Name:	Becca 2
Processor:	AMD A10 4600m quad core @ 2.3 ghz
Motherboard:	dunno
Cooling:	Logitech alto connect
Memory:	16 Gig ddr3 1600mhz
Video Card:	Ati HD 7660G + & 7470M
Hard Disk:	1 TB
Optical Drive:	6x Blue ray
Sound Card:	onboard crap
Software:	Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit with sp1

Dec 22, 2007, 01:43 AM	#15
hat Maximum Overclocker Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 12,247 (5.10/day) Thanks: 2,056 Thanked 2,045 Times in 1,555 Posts System Specs	Just use an old table and put all your parts on that. It's impossible to install anything wrong. If something ins't going in, check the line-ups, you're doing it wrong! It's very straightforward. __________________ My Heatware “Inb4 smartphone LN2 overclocking.” -radrok

Dec 22, 2007, 01:52 AM	#16
3991vhtes Banned Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: My house. Posts: 1,584 (0.70/day) Thanks: 426 Thanked 126 Times in 116 Posts System Specs	Conall, I have to agree w/ hat. byopc is very simple. Just look for guides, they're all over the web. They'll show you everything. If you don't want to DIY, I think that rig you linked to would be a good choice.

Processor:	AMD Athlon 64 3800+ Venice 2.4GHz
Motherboard:	ASUS A8V-VM SE
Cooling:	Stock
Memory:	1GB DDR400
Video Card:	DiamondViper Radeon X1650PRO 512MB PCI-e
Hard Disk:	Seagate 250GB SATA
Optical Drive:	HP DVD1040i with lightscribe
CRT/LCD Model:	Acer AL2002W 20" LCD Widescreen
Case:	cheap
Sound Card:	Creative SoundBlaster
PSU:	500 watt
Software:	Vista Ultimate
Benchmarks:	4.1 Vista index

Dec 22, 2007, 02:00 AM	#17
Conall Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 116 (0.06/day) Thanks: 76 Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts System Specs	Hmm.. If it really isn't as risky as I thought, maybe I will build my own.. I'll look into it.

Dec 22, 2007, 02:41 AM	#18
Conall Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 116 (0.06/day) Thanks: 76 Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts System Specs	Wow, it really would be cheaper! I can build a PC with similar specs to the machine in the link I posted, but with a E6850 processor for about $100 less. You know, I think I will build this myself after all. Take a look at these parts, and tell me what you think. http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/...Number=5234685 Would all of those parts fit in that case? And could someone also recommend a good cheap sound card?

Dec 22, 2007, 02:44 AM	#19
hat Maximum Overclocker Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 12,247 (5.10/day) Thanks: 2,056 Thanked 2,045 Times in 1,555 Posts System Specs	I think you'll want more than 500 watts bud http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005 Aside from that, yes I do believe it will fit. __________________ My Heatware “Inb4 smartphone LN2 overclocking.” -radrok

Dec 22, 2007, 02:48 AM	#20
3991vhtes Banned Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: My house. Posts: 1,584 (0.70/day) Thanks: 426 Thanked 126 Times in 116 Posts System Specs	500 watts seems fair enough for that setup

Dec 22, 2007, 02:50 AM	#21
Conall Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 116 (0.06/day) Thanks: 76 Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts System Specs	I don't think I need 650watts, and I'm not paying $160 for a power supply.

Dec 22, 2007, 02:52 AM	#22
3991vhtes Banned Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: My house. Posts: 1,584 (0.70/day) Thanks: 426 Thanked 126 Times in 116 Posts System Specs	I'd stick with the PSU you originally chose, Connall

Dec 22, 2007, 02:56 AM	#23
JrRacinFan Served 5k and counting ... Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Youngstown, OH Posts: 16,121 (7.05/day) Thanks: 4,149 Thanked 4,552 Times in 4,027 Posts System Specs	500W may be enough, but IMO you also are getting a better motherboard. EDIT: Also I don't know about that RAM, you may be able to find better for cheaper. __________________ Graphics Artists United™ Request Thread Low Cache CPU Club Solaris Utility DVD 3.0 DanishDevil's Logitech Soundroom TPU Video Gallery Sciencemark Revisited

Dec 22, 2007, 02:58 AM	#24
Conall Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 116 (0.06/day) Thanks: 76 Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts System Specs	I found a 550watt for only a little more. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103941 I'll buy that instead.

Dec 22, 2007, 03:01 AM	#25
Conall Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 116 (0.06/day) Thanks: 76 Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts System Specs	What RAM would you recommend, then? I was recommended this particular type by someone on another board. This is what he said about it; "D9 chips are the best. Fast RAM, and great timings, with tons of room to overclock."

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