Computer Specs for Gaming

[mindvirus]

I am trying to play some higher end games than I am right now. Some of the games im attempting to play are CoD4, Warhammer, Crysis, etc. The computer I have now cannot run them(not sure about Warhammer, though).

I can't even run WoW at 1680x1050 smoothly without lagging, it has really been bothering me and I wish to upgrade. I am not very tech savvy and would love some advice for a new build(my friend is going to build the computer). I have had trouble finding the best possible parts for the new computer, its all so confusing! =p

I have a budget of anywhere ranging from $1200 to $1800-$2000 or so. I would like the most bang for my buck as well, of course. The best possible setup for $1500 or around there would be great.

I have a 1.91 GHZ processor, a nvidia 7600 GS card, and like 1 or 2gigs of ram currently. Its not that great of a computer(its OK, i can run FFXI no prob at 1680x1050 w/ no lag. Also if anyone has a nice monitor(24" or more)..it would be nice. I'm thinking about getting the Samsung T260/

 

[Antec-User]

WHat processor do you prefer?? AMD or Intel?

I'm an AMD guy, so I can help a little.. Just pick a board a processor of your choice, match the pins and add 2 or 4g of RAM.

You can get a decent board and CPU for around $200-$400, GOOD RAM for like $140, OS HD for about $100-$200. You can upgrade the card if you want.. It kind of confusing to explain.

Crysis will always be a hog, tho.. It eats rigs...


Check PRICEWATCH :: Price Comparison Tool - Find the lowest prices on computer parts, electronics and more before you buy for good monitor prices. Got my 20" WS Viewsonic for cheap!

Basic board:
Newegg.com - ASUS M3A78 Pro AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards

CPU, AMD 64X2 6000
Newegg.com - AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Windsor 3.0GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM2 125W Dual-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

RAM, the 1066 Corsair Dominator is $140.. IIRC.. This is the 800.
Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

HD
Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives

Graphics.. THis is another PNY, the 9600 GT 512 was like $120.
Newegg.com - EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

 

[mindvirus]

WHat processor do you prefer?? AMD or Intel?

I'm an AMD guy, so I can help a little.. Just pick a board a processor of your choice, match the pins and add 2 or 4g of RAM.

You can get a decent board and CPU for around $200-$400, GOOD RAM for like $140, OS HD for about $100-$200. You can upgrade the card if you want.. It kind of confusing to explain.

Crysis will always be a hog, tho.. It eats rigs...


Check PRICEWATCH :: Price Comparison Tool - Find the lowest prices on computer parts, electronics and more before you buy for good monitor prices. Got my 20" WS Viewsonic for cheap!

Basic board:
Newegg.com - ASUS M3A78 Pro AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards

CPU, AMD 64X2 6000
Newegg.com - AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Windsor 3.0GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM2 125W Dual-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

RAM, the 1066 Corsair Dominator is $140.. IIRC.. This is the 800.
Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

HD
Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives

Graphics.. THis is another PNY, the 9600 GT 512 was like $120.
Newegg.com - EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Eh to be honest, I have no clue on the processor, which one is better and all.

I also have a 21.6" 216BW Samsung model for the monitor. Its nice and sleek looking on my desk, but im not sure if im not doing it right, things really don't look very crisp in game(I got this computer from my friends work..came w/ nothing else besides the cords).

I'm just a guy who likes to run around raiding level 70's instances and killing enemies in FPS'es! ;D

I also find cards confusing. Too many to chose from, too many people telling me different stuff. Thank you for the advice though. I kinda just want the best card thats not over $200 or something insane.

Oh, and also, are these parts more than good enough to run CoD4, WoW, Counter Strike Source, etc on max resolution no lag, with high FPS? Just making sure.

 

[Thresh25]

I am just going to copy and paste what I said in another thread....

I like nvidia, so I'll go that route, however there are going to be other fanboys that will argue for ATI. But if I had that money, here's what I'd do

mobo- 350. is a bit overkill, but it will support any upgrades you want to do in the future. Is capable of doing 3-way SLI if you ever so choose to do way down the road
XFX nForce 790i Ultra SLI Motherboard - NVIDIA nForce 790i, Socket 775, ATX, Audio, PCI Express 2.0, SLI Ready, Dual Gigabit LAN, SPDIF, USB 2.0, Firewire, eSATA, RAID MBN790IUL9 at TigerDirect.com

Very fast, quad core 2.4 ghz $190.

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Processor HH80562PH0568M - 2.40GHz, 8MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB, Kentsfield, Quad-Core, OEM, Socket 775, Processor at TigerDirect.com

1600 mhz OCZ ram. i've used slower OCZ no problems. 260 bucks before rebate. 4 gigs
OCZ Dual Channel Platinum 4096MB PC12800 DDR3 1600MHz DDR3 Memory (2x2048MB) OCZ3P16004GK at TigerDirect.com

evga gtx 280 409 after rebate
EVGA GeForce GTX 280 Video Card - 1GB GDDR3, PCI Express 2.0, FREE Special Edition EVGA Precision Overclocking Utility, SLI Ready, (Dual Link) Dual DVI, HDTV, Dual VGA Support 01G-P3-1280-AR at TigerDirect.com

psu- 4 PCI-E plugs so u can do dual sli with the gtx280 if u ever want to. 125 before rebate.
BFG LS 680-Watt ATX Power Supply - SATA-Ready, SLI Ready BFGR680WLSPSU at TigerDirect.com

I did the math and adding some tax and shipping(added bout 200 dollars for that). And before rebates comes to about $1500. u could get an aftermarket cpu cooler to OC better if you want to spend more, or even get a 2nd video card. Possibly instead two gtx 260s instead of one gtx280, or even two 9800GX2. whatever you want that's all preference and how much you want to spend.

 

[Gustave5436]

Q6600 $190
P45 motheboard $100
HD 4870 $255 out of stock atm so you could get the sapphire instead (powercolor doesn't seem to offer a warranty at all)
corsair 750TX $83
500GB HDD $80
4 GB RAM $76
"24 BenQ G2400WD $400
case of your choice

$1184 subtotal before case, OS, etc. Xfire capable motherboard so you could add a second HD4870 if you want. You said you're not techsaavy so I assumed you won't be overclocking.

 

[Redmo0n]

+1 to Gustave5436's build

 

[meat_helmet]

+1 to Gustave5436's build

Add another one. Use any extra cash to get a case you like and a Xigmateck Rifle cooler.

 

[35g700]

If his budget is around $1500 he could get like a q9550 and a 4870 X2 or somthing...

 

[mindvirus]

Add another one. Use any extra cash to get a case you like and a Xigmateck Rifle cooler

I was thinking about getting that Antec 900 case, good idea? Apprantely from reviews and all, it seems so.

 

[Ventriac]

Antec 900 is fine.