Custom Gaming Computer...

[Icyguy]

I just checked the requirements for a game I really want and it needs Win 7, 3GB RAM, loads of CPU, and a much better video card than I have.

So I decided I'd start out on a little project I've been tinkering with the past few weeks.
I already have a computer with 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 512MB ATI Radeon X1600, 250GB HDD and Win XP.

Things I have:
Windows 7 disc I was going to install on here, but I think I'll wait now.
2GB of RAM
Motherboard
Hard drive
Speakers
Sound card
Tower
Monitor
Keyboard
Mouse

So all I need are these items:
Video card
CPU
1GB more of RAM.

Could anyone suggest some good video cards to play games like Just Cause 2, Black Ops, new MOH, etc? I'd prefer it to be <$150, it doesn't have to be top-notch AT ALL. Just enough that it supports DX10 and 4.0 pixel shaders.
CHEAP 1GB memory stick?
And a good CPU that would work with those games above. Again, a cheap enough one. Not something up in the hundreds. Doesn't even have to be a dual-core.

The computer I have is a Compaq Presario SR2039X, so you'll know what type of motherboard it is.

And I'll sort out the prices and then save the money and start upgrading.
Or just suggest the specs of the CPU and video card that I'd need, and I'll do the searching.

If this is the wrong board, I apologize.
Thanks!

[ThravRande]

http://www.amazon.com/XFX-Radeon-5770-Graphics-HD577AZNFC/dp/B002SP113K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1289237043&sr=8-2

I just recently got this card. The most demanding game I've thrown at it is Just Cause 2, and it runs it at 70+ frames on max settings.

Don't know enough about anything else to help you with, though. I have a 6 core CPU and dual channel RAM in my tower, and I don't have any experience with anything else lol

[Icyguy]

http://www.amazon.com/XFX-Radeon-5770-Graphics-HD577AZNFC/dp/B002SP113K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1289237043&sr=8-2

I just recently got this card. The most demanding game I've thrown at it is Just Cause 2, and it runs it at 70+ frames on max settings.

Hey, that's great. 70FPS is fine. Just Cause 1 only runs at ~30fps on here and I'm fine with it.
So that's one thing down, I may try to find a cheaper one, but only a bit below the specs that has.

I think I can figure out the CPU and RAM, thanks anyway.

EDIT: Found it cheaper on eBay, new, too.
http://cgi.ebay.com/XFX-Radeon-HD-5770-1-GB-HD-577A-ZNFR-BOX-/120644666736?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item1c16fb8570

EDIT2: This looks good, is it? http://cgi.ebay.com/MSI-RADEON-X1900-XTX-512MB-PCI-E-2X-DVI-VIDEO-CARD-/280585627715?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item415434e843

EDIT3: Probably not. Will keep searching.

EDIT4: Found a few CPUs, this one looks promising: http://www.amazon.com/AMD-Athlon-Triple-Core-Desktop-Processor/dp/B003M7BLQU/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1289249218&sr=8-11 Scratch that, this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003M7BLOW/sr=8-1/qid=1289249167/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1289249167&sr=8-1&seller=

[agpickle]

I have a 2.8GHz version of that processor. Works great. I just bought a GTX 460, great card so far.
http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-PCI-Express-Graphics-768-P3-1360-TR/dp/B003V8ATWC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1289249965&sr=8-1

[Icyguy]

I have a 2.8GHz version of that processor. Works great. I just bought a GTX 460, great card so far.
http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-PCI-Express-Graphics-768-P3-1360-TR/dp/B003V8ATWC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1289249965&sr=8-1

What kind of games do you play with that processor?

And thanks for the card, but that's a bit out of my budget. But I'll look into it...

[Grindspine]

For cheap memory that you know will be compatable, you can try Crucial's memory scan or the Newegg memory scanner:

http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/index.aspx

http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=147&name=Desktop-Memory

Note that Newegg has a wider selection, but Crucial is quality stuff and very good for referencing the memory type you need.  If you buy through Newegg, remember to go through the banner up top to support egameaddiction!

[Grindspine]

Keep in mind with the graphics card that your stock power supply will probably not have PCIe power available.  If not upgrading the power supply, you'll have to stick with a gpu that doesn't have a high power requirement.

[Icyguy]

Thanks for the scanner and info.

But how do I see if it requires a high power(ed) power supply? And if my power supply can't handle it?
Thanks!

EDIT: This is the memory Crucial's scan told me to get. I suppose it's right.
http://www.crucial.com/upgrade/compatible-memory-for/HP+-+Compaq/Presario+Media+Center+SR2039X/list.html

$45 isn't bad. I was expecting 1GB to cost more.

[Grindspine]

On Newegg at least, if you look into the detailed specifications on any graphics card, it should say "minimum recommended power supply."  Since you have a Compaq, it's unlikely that your power supply can handle a card that recommends anything over a 300 watt power supply.

Also, before making other recommendations we would have to know what processor you have installed now.  Is it a 2.4 ghz Pentium 4, AMD, Core 2 Duo?  Your motherboard will limit what processors can run in your computer.

Additionally, do you know if your current video card is on a PCIe or an AGP slot?  Some AGP cards were still in use up to around 2006 or 2007, but have been phased out as PCIe busses have become widespread.

Based on that Crucial memory scan, any of these would also work in your computer.  This'll give you a slightly better selection.  I will say that I have been happy with Crucial and Corsair memory.  I currently use PNY XLR8 and have been pleased with that too.

[Icyguy]

I've got a 2.4GHz AMD Athlon 64 processor.

I'll check on the video card slot and get back to you.

Thanks for the info, too.

EDIT: I think the power supply is going to be my biggest problem.. Hm...eh

[Grindspine]

There are direct X 10 cards that do not require external power that could work with your current power supply.

[Icyguy]

Then start telling me some.
I was browsing through Newegg's selection, they're a nice site. I can probably find one that suits my purpose and is able to run, though.

[Grindspine]

Then start telling me some.
I was browsing through Newegg's selection, they're a nice site. I can probably find one that suits my purpose and is able to run, though.

I would suggest that you go with a full Direct X 11 card if you can find one that you like.  I still use an nvidia 8800GT, which is direct X 10 compatable, but it looks like ATI Radeon cards have more variety in the DX11 cards.  Most of the GTX400 series cards that nvidia is producing are the more expensive ones.

[Icyguy]

Okay, thanks. I'll be looking around. Although I really won't have the money saved for this...project for a couple of months.

[Polygon]

Okay, thanks. I'll be looking around. Although I really won't have the money saved for this...project for a couple of months.

Then I wouldn't bother looking at things now. Your whole game plan will change as prices will change and there will be new components to consider.

[x2]

Then I wouldn't bother looking at things now. Your whole game plan will change as prices will change and there will be new components to consider.

This man brings the truth!

And nice to see ya Polygon! It's been quite a while.

[Polygon]

If it's within your budget the Sandy Bridge processors will be hitting the market soon.

This man brings the truth!

And nice to see ya Polygon! It's been quite a while.

Thanks!

I've been avoiding one of my favorite hobbies. Been really busy with work and working on cars. Though it was time to shift and focus on games for a while.

[Icyguy]

Since this is kind of my computer topic, I'll ask it here instead of creating a new one.

I know this wouldn't last too long, but I want to know something…

Assume I were to buy this: http://www.amazon.com/Compaq-Presario-225NR-Athlon-Windows/dp/B003YLWWLM

It has a DirectX 10 card. Dual core 2.1GHz…what does that mean, really? ‎(Never really looked into how multi-core processors work)
What I want to know is will it play games like Just Cause 2, Battlefield 3 (no sys requirements yet, though) Mass Effect 2, etc.
Games made in 2010 or before, basically.
Thanks. ^^

[CreepinDeth]

I would say they wouldn't run too smoothly. I had a 3.1 dual core athlon and it had a bit of trouble with Battlefield 2/BC2.

In short, no, you will not be able to play recent games. The video card is a ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4250- 512MB, which is a built-in card. What you want is a discrete graphics card that doesn't share resources with the CPU. It's bad enough you have a 2.1 dual core but you'll be sharing it with the GPU. I don't know a whole lot about laptop cards, but I do know that that one is underpowered.


To answer your other question, Most games don't really use multiple cores, just one. That will probably change quickly though with Intel's new chips. But you should still get a multi-core processor just for everyday type of stuff.

[Icyguy]

Okay, thanks for all that.

So any suggestions on a laptop that would have a good graphics card as well as a multi-core CPU? My budget would be $600<…
I'd upgrade this desktop, but I really want something…mobile, that can handle the latest games.

[CreepinDeth]

I'm not too knowledgeable about laptops, but $600 seems like barely enough to have decent graphics to play the latest games. I would say maybe bump your budget up to $800. Laptop parts are more expensive because they have to be made smaller.

But hopefully someone who knows more can chime in and have some good news for you.

[Grindspine]

So all I need are these items:
Video card
CPU
1GB more of RAM.

If you haven't done the RAM upgrade, check www.crucial.com and click on the memory analyzer.  It's a quick way to find out what the maximum RAM you can install is.  I've used Crucial RAM in the past and it's done well.  This computer uses dual channel PNY DDR2 RAM though.  The memory analyzer will also tell you if your memory is dual channel and thus should be installed in pairs.

[Icyguy]

^Done that already.

So…what about this? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834157541

I'm not sure what I'm looking for regarding the video card memory usage thing…?

[Icyguy]

Double post, but it's my topic.

I think I found the cheapest gaming laptop: http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-m11x/pd?refid=alienware-m11x&cs=19&s=dhs&~ck=mn

I can make it 4GBs of RAM for only $45 more, and I think everything would be perfect for me then. ^^
So $650 isn't bad. Hopefully I can order this in a few months. And I know it won't last forever, but I don't mind having to buy another one in a year or two.
Just in case, though, I'm posting here before I get serious.

[Icyguy]

Time to revive my topic again (and triple post!).

I got a new computer a few weeks ago, as I already announced on the forums. But now that I'm making some (okay) money I want to upgrade it a bit.

The memory has to be DDR2, so I may or may not upgrade it. I'm thinking I'll add a 4GB stick to replace two of my 1024MB sticks and make it have a total of 6GBs.

But the video card(s) I would like to upgrade more than anything else. I want this thing to run Battlefield 3 at max when it comes out. (I could probably run it at low to medium right now)

My CPU is fine with me, though, so I won't be upgrading it.

I found the best graphics card I could for under $200 and here it is: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161348&

It's near the top on videocardbenchmark.net and it's very cheap so I think it's the best choice for me. My PSU will support it and I have good cooling, etc.
Does anyone have anything to say about the 6850 or the HIS brand? I remember CreepinDeth recommended the 6870 over the GeForce 460 to Grindspine, but said it was better for overall performance and the 460 was better for tessellation (DX11). Is the case the same with the 6850?

My specs, after the upgrade(s) would be:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 @ 2.83GHz (Been tinkering around with overclocking this…but probably won't)
6GBs DDR2 RAM (400MHz or 800 FSB MHz)
ATI Radeon 6850 1GB GDDR5 256-bit
700GB HDD
etc

I think that's a rather good computer.
My current PC is good, but it struggles on DX10 and 11 games and that's apparently the new "rage". Bad Company 2 would look so great on DX11.