Author Topic: Unsure about new computer  (Read 4752 times)

SWVA6464

  • Just joined training
  • *
  • Posts: 44
Unsure about new computer
« on: June 13, 2009, 08:50:46 PM »
Howdy y'all

I'm thinking about getting a new comp that has an AMD Athlon 64 2800+ with socket 754 precessor and a GeForce 8600GT card on it. I think it'll run SSM2007 maxed out at 50fps, and it'll definately be an upgrade from my system now (ATI X1550, Intel P4) but I'm wondering if the processor's good enough. It's only 1.8 GHz, but I read that a 2800 AMD is equal to a 2.8 GHz Intel? I don't know, but what should I expect?

Greggy_D

  • Astronaut
  • ***
  • Posts: 234
  • CDR STS-41-I
Re: Unsure about new computer
« Reply #1 on: June 13, 2009, 08:54:56 PM »
Honestly....you should be looking at a Core 2 Duo (or AMD equivalent).  Also a 9800 family/GTX250 minimum.

That AMD 2800 is SLOOOOOOW for today's standards.  I wouldn't waste my money and be stuck with that CPU for a couple of years until you upgrade again.

For both CPU's and video cards, there is a "sweet spot" for price/performance.


Admin

  • Commander
  • Shuttle Pilot
  • *****
  • Posts: 4,730
  • Sic Itur Ad Astra
    • Space Shuttle Mission 2007 (tm)
Re: Unsure about new computer
« Reply #2 on: June 13, 2009, 09:13:16 PM »
Intel Core 2 Duo is the king of the affordable, performance mainstream CPUs and it beats AMD performance wise (and temperature-wise) any way you look at it. That 2.8GHz "equivalence" to Intel was somehow true BEFORE the Core 2 Duo revolution. Today, even the cheapest Intel Core 2 Duo CPU will beat the AMD 2800 to the dust.

I wouldn't look at anything else but Intel Core 2 Duo, Quad or i7. Until the next AMD or Intel revolution that is!

/Admin
- The Space Shuttle Mission 2007(tm)Team -

SWVA6464

  • Just joined training
  • *
  • Posts: 44
Re: Unsure about new computer
« Reply #3 on: June 13, 2009, 09:25:57 PM »
Alright, thanks. Yeah, that's what I thought.

Greggy_D

  • Astronaut
  • ***
  • Posts: 234
  • CDR STS-41-I
Re: Unsure about new computer
« Reply #4 on: June 13, 2009, 09:56:19 PM »
If you need help spec'ing out a system.....just drop me a line.  We'll start with your budget and go from there.

SWVA6464

  • Just joined training
  • *
  • Posts: 44
Re: Unsure about new computer
« Reply #5 on: June 13, 2009, 10:11:01 PM »
Alright, I just bought a comp from tiger direct that was a core 2 duo(intel)E7300 with a 9800GT AND XP Pro for 700 dollars!

Admin

  • Commander
  • Shuttle Pilot
  • *****
  • Posts: 4,730
  • Sic Itur Ad Astra
    • Space Shuttle Mission 2007 (tm)
Re: Unsure about new computer
« Reply #6 on: June 13, 2009, 10:25:06 PM »
Alright, I just bought a comp from tiger direct that was a core 2 duo(intel)E7300 with a 9800GT AND XP Pro for 700 dollars!

Excellent choice!

We have a 7300+9800 system in the adjacent room and it SMOKES! It has 4GB DDR2 RAM and I recommend you invest in 2GB or 4GB RAM as well - RAM is cheap nowadays and it really makes the system more responsive.

BTW, did you know that with an adequate cooler you can overclock it to about 4GHz (if you're really the adventurous type and you feel you're lucky).

Again, excellent choice and perfect price/performance ratio.

/Admin
- The Space Shuttle Mission 2007(tm)Team -

bjbeard

  • Guest
Re: Unsure about new computer
« Reply #7 on: June 18, 2009, 10:55:25 PM »
Heck I built my AMD Phenom II based rig for under 625 US Dollars. Some components were resued, but not many. My Suggestion would be the Phenom II or Nehalem (intel) chips.