wpw721 wrote:I'm just going to stick with my 360 for now. I just can't convince myself to spend that much just to race on the computer.
I'm just in the process of upgrading my system. I'm going from an AMD64 4000+ CPU to a E6750 C2D. If your interested PM me as i'm selling my old parts pretty cheap. They include CPU, motherboard and 1GB of ram it's a nice rig.
Back on topic, i've been pretty disappointed by this current crop of consoles from being overpriced to being a piece of sh*t, thanks MS.
PC gaming is where it's at if you are looking for depth and realism in games. GTR2, NR2003, rFactor, Microsoft Flight Simulator, Civilization 4 are games that are only on the PC. I've done a 180 when it comes to gaming and i'm better for it. And don't forget games are a hell of a lot cheaper on the PC.
After getting out of PC gaming for the past couple of years (thanks Xbox 360), I purchased a 22" Samsung Widescreen monitor last weekend. I spent the weekend rediscovering why I like PC gaming and also discovering that my system has gotten a little old these last few years.
To make a long story short, I just ordered a new rig from a local shop and would appreciate thoughts/feedback. Here are the specs:
Smilidon gaming case with 500w power supply
ASUS P5nsli motherboard
Intel Core Duo 3.2 ghz
2 gb ddr2 memory
200 gb sata hard drive (I don't need a very large hard drive as I have an external drive for storing documents, photos, etc.)
Dvd reader/writer
XFX 8800gts 320 mb
Windows XP Professional
Cost (including tax) was $1,392.25
Here are my questions:
1. I really toyed with going with the Quad. However, my understanding is that games can't yet take advantage of the Quad. Thus it seemed better to have a Duo at 3.2 then a Quad at 2.4. Was this right?
2. Should I have spent the extra money and gotten the 8800gts with 640 mb of memory? The native resolution on my new moniotr is 1680 x 1050.
3. The sound card in my old rig is a Creative Gamer X. Is the Gamer X-fi xtreme worth a purchase over what I already have?
4. Lastly, how much faster will this system be over my current setup, i.e. P4 2.9, 1 gig of ram, Nvidia 6800gt. I just installed Bioshock on the now "old" system and it ran poorly, at best, at 1024 x 768 and nearly impossible at native resolution (5-7 frames per second).
All comments, thoughts and feedback is appreciated.
1. Duo is PLENTY for the next two years. What model did you get that runs at 3.2ghz?
2. It won't matter at the 22" res...if you had a 24" monitor it would make a difference, but not under 1920x1200.
3. No...sound is probably the biggest waste of money. The on board sound they include on motherboards nowadays is almost as good.
4. MUCH faster. You'll probably be able to run it at full res on your 22". I'm running it at full res on my 24" Dell with an e6600 Dual Core (2.4), 8800GT (640) and 2gb ram. You'll be good with your 22" most likely.
And please for the love of god, don't ONLY store your docs and photos on an external drive. Pick up another cheap drive and back it up!!!!!!!! Those externals fail all the damn time.
That's a very good deal...however, I will never buy Western Digital again. I've had my second Raptor X go out on me and I'm about done with them completely. The only reason I still use their drives is because they keep replacing them for free. Plus, you can't beat the performance of that drive...at least when it's working. I much prefer Seagate, which is what I use for all of my backup drives. Never lost one of those.
But hey, if it's just a backup that you turn on once a week, that's probably a good deal right there. Just don't use a WD as your main drive...you've all been warned.
That's a very good deal...however, I will never buy Western Digital again. I've had my second Raptor X go out on me and I'm about done with them completely. The only reason I still use their drives is because they keep replacing them for free. Plus, you can't beat the performance of that drive...at least when it's working. I much prefer Seagate, which is what I use for all of my backup drives. Never lost one of those.
But hey, if it's just a backup that you turn on once a week, that's probably a good deal right there. Just don't use a WD as your main drive...you've all been warned.
That sucks db. I too own a Raptor and thus far it's held up. Interesting to hear this though... I thought they were fairly reliable.
eman wrote:That sucks db. I too own a Raptor and thus far it's held up. Interesting to hear this though... I thought they were fairly reliable.
My buddy just lost a RAID array of Raptors...2 of them at once. He's strictly Seagate now as well. I think their quality has just gone down. I got one of the 36GB Raptors when they first came out years ago. That thing is still running in my Server box...it's nails. I guess it's just the new Raptor X series that is ruining their reputation.
drbaseball wrote:After getting out of PC gaming for the past couple of years (thanks Xbox 360), I purchased a 22" Samsung Widescreen monitor last weekend. I spent the weekend rediscovering why I like PC gaming and also discovering that my system has gotten a little old these last few years.
To make a long story short, I just ordered a new rig from a local shop and would appreciate thoughts/feedback. Here are the specs:
Smilidon gaming case with 500w power supply
ASUS P5nsli motherboard
Intel Core Duo 3.2 ghz
2 gb ddr2 memory
200 gb sata hard drive (I don't need a very large hard drive as I have an external drive for storing documents, photos, etc.)
Dvd reader/writer
XFX 8800gts 320 mb
Windows XP Professional
Cost (including tax) was $1,392.25
Here are my questions:
1. I really toyed with going with the Quad. However, my understanding is that games can't yet take advantage of the Quad. Thus it seemed better to have a Duo at 3.2 then a Quad at 2.4. Was this right?
2. Should I have spent the extra money and gotten the 8800gts with 640 mb of memory? The native resolution on my new moniotr is 1680 x 1050.
3. The sound card in my old rig is a Creative Gamer X. Is the Gamer X-fi xtreme worth a purchase over what I already have?
4. Lastly, how much faster will this system be over my current setup, i.e. P4 2.9, 1 gig of ram, Nvidia 6800gt. I just installed Bioshock on the now "old" system and it ran poorly, at best, at 1024 x 768 and nearly impossible at native resolution (5-7 frames per second).
All comments, thoughts and feedback is appreciated.
JB
I checked on my rig this afternoon. It will be ready for pickup this evening.
I have a very sick feeling, however. The CPU is an Intel Pentium D 945 running at 3.4. Something about this doesn't feel right. Is this really a Dual Core? Is this a good chip for gaming? Am I getting ripped off here?
I know I really won't know until I get home and fire up the machine. Anybody have any input on this chip?
It isn't a dual core, I'm sorry to say. That's why I asked you what Dual Core you bought that was running at 3.2ghz. The fastest I've seen is 3.0 and it's a crippled chip. The sweet spot is the e6600 and the model right above it.
I'm not sure what your move is now...I probably wouldn't want to game with that chip. First of all, it eats power like crazy. Second, it just isn't nearly as good as the dual cores.
dbdynsty25 wrote:It isn't a dual core, I'm sorry to say. That's why I asked you what Dual Core you bought that was running at 3.2ghz. The fastest I've seen is 3.0 and it's a crippled chip. The sweet spot is the e6600 and the model right above it.
Okay, so it isn't what I hoped it was. What kind of performance do you think I can expect? I take it a dual core at 2.4 would be better than this at 3.4?
I'll need to check my order sheet. I want to say it lists that processor as a dual "something" but I can't remember what.
dbdynsty25 wrote:The e6600 2.4 that I've got is significantly better than the 3.4 Pentium D. The 1.8 Dual Core is better than it even. That just sucks. Sorry man.
It may be alright...not sure if you can change it now though. Maybe when you go to pick it up, you can exchange chips or something.
Yeah, it really does suck. I live in a small town and hold a very visable job. The guy who owns the shop knew me as soon as I walked in the door, even though we have never met. In other words, I need to keep my word on purchasing the machine...but I am also going to check exactly what my spec sheet says.
Is it possible to pop in the e6600 or above without any difficulty? If so, I might just do that and sell the chip that is in there now. I figure it is better to spend another $300 and get what I want then to have spent $1,400 and know that it "sucks."
So much for my great gaming plans this Labor Day weekend. Then again, part of me says I really won't know until I get the thing home and see how it does on 3dMark and/or with Bioshock.
It depends what motherboard you bought. It may work. Be sure to check the manufacturer's site to find out if the dual cores are supported. Likely not though.
The only real option is to replace both the motherboard and processor. You can get a nice package with the e6600 for 300 bucks on Newegg.com.
But you're right. Get Bioshock installed and see how it runs at the res of your new monitor. If it runs well (the processor will be the bottleneck, but you've got a very good video card so it may be okay) then no harm done and you can do the motherboard/processor upgrade in a year or so when Quads are mainstream. All is not lost.
dbdynsty25 wrote:It depends what motherboard you bought. It may work. Be sure to check the manufacturer's site to find out if the dual cores are supported. Likely not though.
The only real option is to replace both the motherboard and processor. You can get a nice package with the e6600 for 300 bucks on Newegg.com.
But you're right. Get Bioshock installed and see how it runs at the res of your new monitor. If it runs well (the processor will be the bottleneck, but you've got a very good video card so it may be okay) then no harm done and you can do the motherboard/processor upgrade in a year or so when Quads are mainstream. All is not lost.
First, I REALLY appreciate the feedback. It keeps me from throwing up on my desk at work, which is what I really want to do right now.
Assuming I am able to run my games the way I had hoped, do you think I got hosed on the price?
drbaseball wrote:I have a very sick feeling, however. The CPU is an Intel Pentium D 945 running at 3.4. Something about this doesn't feel right. Is this really a Dual Core? Is this a good chip for gaming? Am I getting ripped off here?
I know I really won't know until I get home and fire up the machine. Anybody have any input on this chip?
I really think you need to let them know that the processor they've given you isn't acceptable. There's no way a processor like that should be in a gaming computer here in the second half of 2007.
I'm with Feanor. No one in their right mind would stick a Pentium D with an 8800 GTS. It just doesn't make any sense at all.
I don't know that you got hosed on the price...I mean, the e6600 processor itself is only 200 bucks, so it's not like it's an expensive processor at all. It's just significantly better. They don't even sell those Pentium D processor anymore on the build-it sites. It's just the OLD Dual Core...the first one that came out...so technically you didn't get screwed...it's just not nearly as good as the low voltage ones that came out about a year ago. It may be perfectly acceptable...it's just not a Core Duo.
I just finished doing some testing on the new rig. Here is what I know:
3dmark score was 7109. Not real sure how that compares except to say that my my old rig scored in the 2700s.
I have loaded up a few games, e.g. Bioshock, F.E.A.R., and Company of Heroes. All of them run significantly better. During the first 10 minutes of Bioshock, my framerates averaged in the mid 40s. It would hit in the 60s at some points and never seemed to dip below 35. This was at 1650x1080 with most all option on high or maximum.
I want to be happy with my purchase. In truth, however, I know that I could and should have gotten something better...and probably for not much more money. The performance seems decent, but I now know it could be MUCH better.
I asked the shop owner about the proocessor when I was picking up the computer. He swore that this was the most popular pentium available and it was the right choice. I was not able to persuade him otherwise in any way.
At this point I will either keep it, ask him to trade it out for a different motherboard/cpu and pay the difference (if he will do that), or swap it out myself. I have never done option #3, but at this point I am willing to learn so that I don't get suckered again.
I would recommend trying to convince the guy to swap out the mobo and cpu...to get a Core 2 Duo (e6600 is recommended). If you have to pay under 250 bucks, I say go that route because you'll probably be happy.
If he won't do it, I would probably say stick with what you've got...wait a year or so, then tackle the upgrade yourself. If it's already running at 40+ at max res for your monitor, you're doing fine. Bioshock is about as high end as graphics are gonna be for the foreseeable future, so you probably won't need to worry about the CPU for another year or so. So basically it just comes down to what the guy will do for you. If nothing, then I'd just sit tight for a little while.
drbaseball wrote:I there a different benchmarking program that you favor?
Yeah, my eye balls. LOL. I don't get into that stuff. It becomes a one-upper type thing with me. I'd end up trying to squeeze every ounce of performance out of my machine and I just don't want to deal with that stuff. I buy the good sh*t every year or two and just play/work. As long as I see a marked improvement, I'm happy.
