• Some Questions about PC Building
    18 replies, posted
After getting advice from some of the great guys in my first thread, here is the build I plan on getting for under $600 (including OS and shipping/taxes): [IMG]http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/8558/picture1lh.png[/IMG] Comes to $608 actually =( LoL WARNING: Wall of Text So, I have several questions about PC Building in general. Feel free to rate me “Dumb”—some of these questions are pretty obvious, but I do not want to risk anything on my first build Also, do you guys think that there will be any significant price drops within the next 5 months (up to May)? Like would my setup drop significantly, at least $50 dollar drop. Would we see Phenom II’s dropping by $20 or Radeon HD 5000 series becoming more affordable due to new products? Operating System Questions 1) I’m going to get Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit. Is this OS compatible with these older games? ARMA: Combat Operations (the first one) Stalker: Shadow of Chernobyl Stalker: Clear Sky Battlefield 2 Viva Piñata (for my little brother) SWAT 4 Battlefield Heroes 2) When my rig is all hooked up, do I just put the disk in the optical drive? The reason why I am asking this is because should not the computer start up since there is no OS on it? Compatibility Questions: 3) Are all of the components compatible with each other? 4) I’m most likely going to get a decent CRT monitor from my friend. Will it work with the system? Gaming Question: 5) Does anyone have the same video card as I do? If so, can you run Crysis on High at mainstream resolutions (1024x768/1280x1024) above 30 FPS? Drivers: 6) After my computer is up and running with Windows, do I just install all the CDs from that came with the stuff? Or do I really need to? Building the Rig: 7) What are the steps to building my rig? I’ve read and watched several tutorials, and it seems that it goes like this: prepare case, setup motherboard/CPU/video card/RAM, hook up hard and optical drives, then plug in PSU. 8) Also, do I need to wear like rubber gloves or something because I’ve heard that you can mess up the Mobo without them.
2) From experience, you will just put in the OS disk and it will go from there, unless there is something to do this the BIOS (I've never made a DIY build before, only installing OS's on formated HDD's). 4) If you are lucky, you will also get a DVI to VGA converter with the 4670. 5) I'm going to be getting a 4650 1gb in a few days (though that doesn't help much). However my 2400 PRO was able to play Crysis on med at 768 with a reasonable framerate. 6) If you can, just install all of the drivers supplied [i]except[/i] your video card's ones. Just go to the ATI website and download the latest ones from there. This clears up any complications that may arise (some people have been having problems with supplied video card drivers, expecially ATI ones). 7) I have a book dedicated to helping newcomers to building their new rig from scratch but it's a fair few pages long and I don't quite have the time to scan them. A good source however is to youtube some videos of others constructing theirs. That's all I can help with, don't know about your other questions. Happy building.
[QUOTE=jechtman;19284696]2) From experience, you will just put in the OS disk and it will go from there, unless there is something to do this the BIOS (I've never made a DIY build before, only installing OS's on formated HDD's). 4) If you are lucky, you will also get a DVI to VGA converter with the 4670. 5) I'm going to be getting a 4650 1gb in a few days (though that doesn't help much). However my 2400 PRO was able to play Crysis on med at 768 with a reasonable framerate. 6) If you can, just install all of the drivers supplied [i]except[/i] your video card's ones. Just go to the ATI website and download the latest ones from there. This clears up any complications that may arise (some people have been having problems with supplied video card drivers, expecially ATI ones). 7) I have a book dedicated to helping newcomers to building their new rig from scratch but it's a fair few pages long and I don't quite have the time to scan them. A good source however is to youtube some videos of others constructing theirs. That's all I can help with, don't know about your other questions. Happy building.[/QUOTE] I appreciate your help kind sir ^_^ One follow up question though: So I install all drivers that come with the components EXCEPT the video card one? Also... what are drivers basically?
[QUOTE=FalcoLombardi;19284756]I appreciate your help kind sir ^_^ One follow up question though: So I install all drivers that come with the components EXCEPT the video card one? Also... what are drivers basically?[/QUOTE] Drivers... the best way to describe them is that they are like the people who drive race cars, you need the best drivers to race the best cars. So in other words the drivers for computer hardware need to be up to date to compete with each other blah blah blah. So to come back to your question, yep install all of them. The network and sound drivers should do the job straight out of the box but the video card's drivers are best to be downloaded from the ATI site (because of the constaint updates (well, constaint compared to other hardware)).
Don't get a ddr2 build right now waste of money get a ddr3 build.
[QUOTE=sbradford26;19286200]Don't get a ddr2 build right now waste of money get a ddr3 build.[/QUOTE] A plain DDR build would be a waste of money. Suggest a similar build which uses DDR3 that costs less than this one, using all of the hardware stated (except mobo and ram of course).
[QUOTE=sbradford26;19286200]Don't get a ddr2 build right now waste of money get a ddr3 build.[/QUOTE] I was trying to get a DDR3 setup for relatively the same price (under $600 USD with shipping and taxes), but I was not able to. If you can help me find one, that would be nice. So, no one has stated whether or not Windows 7 is compatible with the games listed. Does anyone play those games with Windows 7 64 bit Home Premium?
Nah, I've only got experience with xp, vista and one of the beta builds of 7, all 32bit. [url=http://www.start64.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=190&Itemid=116]However, it looks like at least stalker will work.[/url] Just copy paste this into google and look around: windows 7 64 bit compatibility games
[QUOTE=jechtman;19288969]Nah, I've only got experience with xp, vista and one of the beta builds of 7, all 32bit. [url=http://www.start64.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=190&Itemid=116]However, it looks like at least stalker will work.[/url] Just copy paste this into google and look around: windows 7 64 bit compatibility games[/QUOTE] Yeah that's what I have been doing for my games. It seems some people are playing Clear Sky on Windows 7 on Youtube, but I would rather depend on a more reliable source (Facepunch gamers). You said you were getting a 4650 1 GB? Can you tell me how it runs Crysis when you get it? Also, does anyone run these games on Windows 7 64 bit Home Premium? Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Call of Duty: World at War and older Source engine games (Counter Strike: Source, TF2)
[QUOTE=FalcoLombardi;19289741]Yeah that's what I have been doing for my games. It seems some people are playing Clear Sky on Windows 7 on Youtube, but I would rather depend on a more reliable source (Facepunch gamers). You said you were getting a 4650 1 GB? Can you tell me how it runs Crysis when you get it? Also, does anyone run these games on Windows 7 64 bit Home Premium? Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Call of Duty: World at War and older Source engine games (Counter Strike: Source, TF2)[/QUOTE] Yep I'll be sure to report back in when I get that tested.
So is this a decent, mid-gaming computer? Like will it last me for another 1 1/2 years? I can upgrade the Athlon to a Phenom II, and get a 5000 series Radeon HD card around then, but is it OK?
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130247[/url] Mobo [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220435[/url] Ram [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103688[/url] Cpu Like ten bucks more but well worth it. Also get win 7 64 bit. Cause xp will hold you system back and all 32 bit programs except very old one run on 64 bit.
[QUOTE=sbradford26;19291654][url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130247[/url] Mobo [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220435[/url] Ram [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103688[/url] Cpu Like ten bucks more but well worth it. Also get win 7 64 bit. Cause xp will hold you system back and all 32 bit programs except very old one run on 64 bit.[/QUOTE] Thanks bradford. I'm already getting Win 7 64bit and that processor lol. Also, that system I posted in OP is actually $578 with rebates. I don't want to go over $600, and should not DDR2 last me 3 years?
[QUOTE=FalcoLombardi;19284326]2) When my rig is all hooked up, do I just put the disk in the optical drive? The reason why I am asking this is because should not the computer start up since there is no OS on it?[/QUOTE] When the computer boots up you should see a screen pop up for about a second or so before Windows would usually boot up (but won't seeing as it isn't installed). It should have your motherboard's brand name and a few other things on it. It should say "press f11 for boot manager" or f12 some other f* button. Press it and it should come up with a list. Choose CD/DVD from the list and it will boot that way.
[QUOTE=FalcoLombardi;19292807]Thanks bradford. I'm already getting Win 7 64bit and that processor lol. Also, that system I posted in OP is actually $578 with rebates. I don't want to go over $600, and should not DDR2 last me 3 years?[/QUOTE] Don't trust rebates and go with the ddr3 cause it will help in future upgrades.
OP, a 4670 can run Crysis, and max out all your source games. [img]http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/2808/clipboard02dt6.jpg[/img] [img]http://tpucdn.com/reviews/Powercolor/HD_4670/images/tf2_1024_768.gif[/img] [img]http://tpucdn.com/reviews/Powercolor/HD_4670/images/tf2_1280_1024.gif[/img] [img]http://tpucdn.com/reviews/Powercolor/HD_4670/images/tf2_1680_1050.gif[/img] [img]http://tpucdn.com/reviews/Powercolor/HD_4670/images/tf2_1920_1200.gif[/img]
[QUOTE=sbradford26;19304278]Don't trust rebates and go with the ddr3 cause it will help in future upgrades.[/QUOTE] Ok. I'll start making a new rig with DDR3. I have a lot of money to spend, but I would rather save it in my bank account for more important stuff. I'm raising budget to around $635 (an extra 35 USD, WITH OS AND SHIPPING AND TAXES) [editline]11:23AM[/editline] [QUOTE=ghostofme;19304439]OP, a 4670 can run Crysis, and max out all your source games. I saw some Youtube videos with people playing 4670s on Crysis with High settings and medium resolutions (1280x1024), but I just wanted to double check with a more reliable source, Facepunch. Are you serious, MAX out? On low resolution of course, right? SWEEEEEEET. Also, do you guys think that there will be any significant price drops within the next 3 months (up to March)? Like would my setup drop significantly, at least $50 dollar drop. Would we see Phenom II’s dropping by $20 or Radeon HD 5000 series becoming more affordable due to new products? New Build ($617 with Tax, Shipping, OS): [url]http://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/ShoppingCart.aspx[/url]
[quote]OP, a 4670 can run Crysis, and max out all your source games.[/quote] Video too: [sp](Albeit from ph0ne, resident PC Building Section troll)[/sp] [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnbpVbbEcyQ[/media]
[QUOTE=DainBramageStudios;19307346]Video too: [sp](Albeit from ph0ne, resident PC Building Section troll)[/sp] [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnbpVbbEcyQ[/media][/QUOTE] What? Who's ph0ne? BTW is a troll like someone who posts on forums for attention or something? Anyway, cool--30 FPS average on his system. I will get more right? I have more RAM and it's DDR3, and I play on playing at a lower resolution because I'm going to play on a CRT. Thanks, now I feel assured that I can run Crysis and most games for the next 1 1/2 years on high.
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