new desktop pc

  • Thread starter Coldfacekillah
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Nanor

Nanor

Well-Known Member
*drools @ alienware*

Well, I myself can't really be bothered with a whole new computer. I just upgrade my hardware when I need too. I think in the long run it could work out considerably cheaper, but I would only recommend it if there is someone in the house who knows how to install hardware. I'd also only recommend it if you don't get angry easily :p.

However when I turn 16, I plan to get an alienware, just to get one hell of a kick ass new shiny computer.
 
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Coldfacekillah

Guest
well in my house i am the one to upgrade but i have a ancient pc .. ( and i mean ancient 1.4ghz .. 40 gb harddrive 256mb ram graphics no existent )
so anything on upgrading this would be helpfull..
 
DeZmond

DeZmond

Junior Administrator
Okay, where to begin...

Firstly, I'd recommend you forget about buying on ebay. Typically I've seen things go for waaay over their retail value in the frenzied last moments of a bid. It seems tempting, but don't do it.

Okay, if you are specifying a new system, we need a budget, and also a set of uses. What are you going to do with it?

However, here's some generalised advice:

  • If going for AMD 64, go for socket 939 - it's the only one that has any future upgrade capacity.
  • Again on AMD 64, if you're short on cash, go for the cheapest 939 processor you can find - it'll be powerful for now, and then you can sell it in 2 years time and get yourself a dual core one for a bargain price because they will be dirt cheap.
  • I wouldn't bother with Intel's offerings unless you're doing a LOT of office style work - the extra price has few advantages and plenty disadvantages.
  • Graphics cards are interesting stuff. You'll be looking for a PCI express offering - go for a 256MB offering of a 6800 or above - do not accept anything less.
  • On RAM, make it the fastest your motherboard will support and get at least a GB of the stuff; 512Mb is soon going to be the minimum requirement for new releases and you want to have double that.
And that's all I can think of for now. Enjoy. :)
 
Tetsuo_Shima

Tetsuo_Shima

In Cryo Sleep
DeZmond said:
[*]Again on AMD 64, if you're short on cash, go for the cheapest 939 processor you can find - it'll be powerful for now, and then you can sell it in 2 years time and get yourself a dual core one for a bargain price because they will be dirt cheap.
Click to expand...

I was under the impression that an Athlon 64 3800+ socket 939 IS a dual core processor? Unless I am one-foot-in-the-gravely mistaken.

However, if you ARE hoping to go for a dual core, Id recommend the 4400+. The cheapest of the two better chips (4400 and 4800s are better. 4200 and 4600s have a different chip style that is, well, shit)
 
DeZmond

DeZmond

Junior Administrator
On dual core, I'd urge caution at the moment. The second (but untold) reason I recommended the cheapest 939 processor available is that they are all single core. Dual core has not yet reached it's theoretical speed, and few things make use of it, so it's a wasted purchase thus far. Trust me, don't buy one now unless you're made of money - it could end up being a mistake.

Anyway, remember you can post topics like this in the Tech section! :)
 
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Coldfacekillah

Guest
well i have a budget of about £700... and it mostly would be used for gaming and the occasional use of homework... :) on the graphics card note what is "better" nividia or ati radeon..?
on the ebay idea.. it was a buy it now so there would not be any last minute increases in price but i was just using it as a speculation.
thanks
 
Macca

Macca

Member
Id deffinatly say Nvidia, If you have the money you should get a Geforce 7800, however if you want a good card but a bit cheaper I would advise the 6800. The 7800 probably the best card out atm, and the 6800 probably the best for value. Someone will probably correct me on them so ...bah humbug. I used to have a Radeon 9800 pro and found quite a few problems with it, so I would go for Nvidia.
 
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ol1v3r

Guest
Macca said:
Id deffinatly say Nvidia, If you have the money you should get a Geforce 7800, however if you want a good card but a bit cheaper I would advise the 6800. The 7800 probably the best card out atm, and the 6800 probably the best for value. Someone will probably correct me on them so ...bah humbug. I used to have a Radeon 9800 pro and found quite a few problems with it, so I would go for Nvidia.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I had a 9600XT and it was shocking. Although you could overclock it quite good, it did play quite nice on some games, others it was really bad, and I got plenty of BSoD's with its drivers.

Just got a XFS 6800 (couldnt afford the 7800 =[) and its dreamy! 1280x1024 with pretty much everything set to high on HL2, not a problem =]
 
thatbloke

thatbloke

Junior Administrator
I have a radeon 9800 Pro and have not had a single problem with it, though it is now beginning to show its age! But remember... the 9800 is the card that HL2 was designed to run perfectly on...
 
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