Buying a new computer-got $1100-$1200

[Virtual_Pilot]

Hey,
I am gonna buy a new system. I will spend up to $1200 or maybe a little more. I need recommendations. (This is where Nick N comes in)

Here's the story
I build a system on Dell.com, haven't ordered anything at all yet. This is what it is

Dell XPS 410
Windows Vista Home Premium 32-Bit
Intel Dual Core 2.4GHz
2GB RAM 667MHz
256MB Nvidia 8600 GTS

So that's the basics of what it is. I got a couple extras, like a gaming keyboard and stuff.
I KNOW there are better choices out there. I am looking for something that can give very enjoyable graphics and stuff and pretty smooth frame rates too. But it HAS TO stay right around 1200$ or lower, maybe 1300$.

If anyone has recommendations of what to get, please, LET ME KNOW! I will build a computer, buy it from dell or one of those computer companies, anything. I have heard stories about the 8600 GTS, what's the deal with those?


Thanks,
Virtual_Pilot

[MOUSY]

As I was telling Kat earlier in another post:

Build, Build, Build (or let someone build, build, build for you )

Take a look at this link. It's my wish list which was put together with the aid of the experts here at SimV. (There are a few things which you may have already, like input devices for example.) Everything inside the tower and the case itself comes up to $1241.40. Right around your range, and with better parts. 8-)

http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/wishlist/PublicWishDetail.asp?WishListNumber=5220991

This system will blast through FS9, and with a Quad Core processor and 8800GTS 320MB, will handle FSX quite well. (Not to mention future applications that'll need more than 2 cores.)

[Virtual_Pilot]

Thanks, but with adding a case and Vista, then it will be above my budget. There are a couple things I do have like speakers, headset, keyboard and mouse, and webcam.

[MOUSY]

OK, well I hope I brought the point across that it's better to build. The components in there are quite good. I hope you took a look at it, that list can be used as a template to build your own $1200 system with the help of Nick and the others (they put together this one). By the way, the case is included in that list already. Removing the Zalman cooler will save you $60 bucks, but is recommended for any overclocking, plus it's quieter. Ask Aunt Jackie for an early Christmas present in the form of Vista.

[Virtual_Pilot]

Okay, new questions. Will 2GB of RAM @800MHz really be a big difference from 2GB @ 667MHz?
Same with graphics card, is a 256MB Nvidia 7300 LE much slower than an 8600 GTS 256MB?

Something I REALLY need to know, does the processor play a huge role in FSX? Like, will an Intel Dual Core 1.86GHz be much slower than a Intel Dual Core 2.4GHz?

I mention these because that's the transition I plan to make from my old computer to my new computer. have the faster RAM, better graphics card, and much faster processor.

Thanks,
Virtual_Pilot

[aussiewannabe]

As I was telling Kat earlier in another post:

Build, Build, Build (or let someone build, build, build for you )

Take a look at this link. It's my wish list which was put together with the aid of the experts here at SimV. (There are a few things which you may have already, like input devices for example.) Everything inside the tower and the case itself comes up to $1241.40. Right around your range, and with better parts. 8-)

http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/wishlist/PublicWishDetail.asp?WishListNumber=5220991

This system will blast through FS9, and with a Quad Core processor and 8800GTS 320MB, will handle FSX quite well. (Not to mention future applications that'll need more than 2 cores.)

WOW, Mouse Ace! That looks like quite a wish list there

Are you going to put that together yourself?

I've cut and pasted your list for future reference should I wish to do that.

[Virtual_Pilot]

By the way, the case is included in that list already.

Sorry dude, but it's not in there, unless it comes with something else in there

[MOUSY]

This is really where Nick needs to step in but I'll tell you what little I do know...

1) The closer the frequencies between the components like memory and the motherboard is the less bottleneck there will be. Going to 800Mhz will allow the memory to communicate with the rest of the PC faster. As to whether there will be a huge difference. I can't tell you for sure.

2) Can't answer that one for you definitely but I do think the 8600 should be a bit faster. There was a link to a benchmark somewhere on these forums. Maybe someone will be so kind to post it here for you.

3) I should think that going from a Dual 1.86 to a Dual 2.4 should give you a fairly noticeable difference, but I can tell you for a fact, (and NickN would say it again) the more cores the better for FSX. A Quad 2.4 will greatly increases your sim experience. You could have FS use 3 cores and donate the other core to do something else in the background. 8-)

O and sorry about the wish list not including the case, it was in my cart but not in my wish list, sorry. Will fix now.
It's a $50 case which I will be modding with fan grills to increase air flow. The price all together is still $1240. ($1180 if you remove the after market cooler which is not absolutely essential.)
O and don't forget the rebates! As of now there's about $60 worth of rebates on this list.

@ aussiewannabe: Yes I will be building it myself.

[Virtual_Pilot]

Alright, cool

I just saw that the 8800 GTS is beating anything else in its price range...

[Virtual_Pilot]

Okay, did more looking around.
Get this, I built a Dell Inspiron online with a 2.33 Dual Core, 4GB RAM @667MHz, 256MB 8600 GT.
Only 1150$!!!!!
But... The inspiron is meant to be a office/school computer. So it doesn't have such a great motherboard or fans and power supply then, does it?

[Nick N]

DONT BUY AN 8600 256mb CARD http://www.simviation.com/cgi-bin/yabb2 ... 1186766382

IF YOU ONLY HAVE $200-250 FOR A VIDEO CARD BUY A 7950GT 256/512 IT'S FASTER THAN AN 8600 256 UNLESS YOU BUY THE 8600 320MB/320BIT CARD and even then IT ALMOST EQUAL. The difference with the 8600 320mb is the 320bit memory bus which pushes it past the 7900 ability.

The 8600 320 is 70 dollars LESS than a 8800GTX 640, DUMB move because a 8800GTS 640 will be almost 2X the video card for 70 bucks more

The 8600 256 is LESS PERFORMANCE than a 7900GT and the 8600 320 is EQUAL to a 7900GTX 512.. perhaps a bit better but without the 512 video memory for high res monitors.


next

The only way DDR2800 memory or faster works for you is if you KNOW how to enter the BIOS and set it up MANUALLY, otherwise the memory will run AUTO settings based on the CPU rated strap speed. If its a 1066 FSB processor, the memory will DEFAULT to 266.5MHz (266.5 x4 = 1066 or DDR2 533)

In order to take advantage of memory products faster than 533Mhz you must enter the BIOS and make those changes yourself. The system will NOT do that for you. If you dont know how, or, if the BIOS wont let you do that manually, buying DDR 800, 1000, 1066 memory wont do you any good

[Virtual_Pilot]

Ahhhh, just what I've been waiting for.

Thanks Nick!

I was looking at buying a Dell XPS 410
Vista Home Premium
Intel Dual Core Duo 2.4GHz
8600 GT(S) 256MB
Really long story about the RAM...
Basically I was gonna get 4GB of RAM on it

If I got 4GB with 1GB per stick of RAM all at 667MHz, then would that be like REALLY good?

But I guess since I can't get any other Graphics Card with it then I will have to build one myself...

To newegg!!


Thanks,
Virtual_Pilot

[Celtman]

Mouse Ace, can't answer your questions, sorry

But to Virtual_Pilot:

If you are getting 4Gb of RAM, you need Vista x64 (64 bit). As Nick N says, if you don't know how to work with 64-bit, LEAVE IT and go for 2Gb RAM. You can always upgrade in the future.

Celtman.

Edit: See this thead for the advantages and disadvantages for 32/64 bit OS: http://www.simviation.com/cgi-bin/yabb2 ... 1185082760

[Virtual_Pilot]

Oooh, bummer.
Hmm, well IF I did get 64-bit then I had 4 gigs of 667 RAM, then would it be like a killer gaming system even if I only had an okay 256mb graphics card and a 2.33 or 2.4 dual processor?

[edit]Alright, scratch all of that above. I just looked around at tigerdirect.com and the XFX 8600 GTS seems to be really nice. There are REALLY good reviews on how good it ran games, including FSX! But then a couple people give it terrible reviews. I am just not sure now because building a computer is expensive but it gives you any combination you want if it's compatible. I really don't plan on spending like 200$ on a card, all I want is something that's better than my current Nvidia 7300 LE 256mb.
So would it be possible to run just 3 gigs of RAM on 32-bit?[/edit]

[Celtman]

Oooh, bummer.
Hmm, well IF I did get 64-bit then I had 4 gigs of 667 RAM, then would it be like a killer gaming system even if I only had an okay 256mb graphics card and a 2.33 or 2.4 dual processor?

No, it will not be a "killer gaming system", you need a better graphics card for that. Mouse Ace's wish list on newegg is pretty much a "killer system" in my opinion, although it could have better parts if money was no object (e.g. 8800GTX 768Mb, QX6700 instead of Q6600). The 4Gb of RAM will make a difference over 2Gb, but I'm sure sure how big a difference, as I don't run 4Gb of RAM.

On your budget, I don't think you would get a "killer system", I'd say you need at least $2000 for that, maybe more - Ask Nick N, he will make your budget go far.

Also, what dual core are you looking at? I'm guessing the 2.33 dual core is an E5500 and the 2.4 is an E6600. If this is the case, then the E6600 is a better CPU (in my opinion), although you may be better spending a little more ($30 or so) and getting the E6850 CPU. It has a higher FSB (1333MHz), which will allow for faster RAM frequencies (I think), and it has a higher clock speed of 3.0Ghz. If you get this, try for 2Gb DDR2 800Mhz RAM. DDR3 RAM is out now, and is faster, but is also very expensive

Triple_7 from these forums has an E6850, and when I asked him about it, he said it was good, so I don't think you would be dissappointed

Basically, for it to be a killer system, all the components have to be high-end. A high end CPU and RAM won't make a killer system if you have a lousy graphics card.

Remember - Today's high end components will soon be outperformed by the newer Intel and AMD processors, and DDR3 RAM. If you want to make the most of your budget, do what I am doing an wait until after Christmas (Around January). you will pick up a much better system for your money.


Note: If Nick N answers, ignore all I said, he knows more, so listen to him


Edit: Just saw your edited post, 3Gb of RAM runs on 32 bit, so yes you could do that but RAM works best in matched pairs, so I say you are better off with 2x 1Gb sticks or 4x 1Gb sticks, not mixing with 512 sticks to get 3Gb. Also, if you don't want to spend $200 or more on a video card, you are not going to get a high end system. I have a BFG 640Mb 8800GTS, and it is great, I would recommend that.