Finally upgrading... but confused

[Layne.]

Ok so after failing the arma 2 demo sigh.....


I am finally going to get a much better computer! So i am on a budget so i want to spend as little as possible but still get some good hardware. I want a good hard drive to fit all my FSX and ArmA2 goodies on and some other stuff as i experience low disk space all the time with my current PC which is a nightmare!!!

I'll be running Vista SP2 as well with DX10

This is some stuff i thought i would be good: (Found on www.pricespy.com.au )


CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 940 quad core 3.0GHz AM2+    Price: $255.00 or Intel Core i7 920 2.66GHz quad core CPU Socket LGA1366   Price:$389.00

HDD Space: 250gb - 400gb Western Digital 250GB Serial ATA HDD $65.00 or Samsung 400GB 7200rpm Serial ATA HDD   Price: $83.39

RAM: not sure what is good to get

Graphics: GeForce 9600 GT, 1GB PCI-Express   Price: $110.00

Sound: Notsure how to go about this one, not sure about speakers either

Motherboard: Not sure about this one either

Case: I am not sure about cases etc...
So can you vets help?


Oh by the way i want this computer to run FSX and ArmA2 at about 30FPs or more if i can

[Alonso]

Sounds good, but for FSX, I would go Intel & Nvidia side.

Maybe a Core2Quad + Nvidia 9800GTX+ would be good if you don't want to spend much.

For the RAM, depends on the motherboard you get. If you get an i7, you will go for DDR3, and reccommend 6gb.

If you go for an Intel Core, you can get DDR3 with 4GB

Good luck!

[Layne.]

So the GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB PCI-Express is $180, it's $70 dearer than the GeForce 9600 GT, 1GB PCI-Express ,which is $110, i was going to get... Have i been mislead by someone because i heard the 9600 is better or equal to the 9800 cards, and the one i am looking at has 1gb memory instead of 512MB like the 9800 GTX+.



What are the performance differences between these CPUs:

AMD Phenom II X4 940 quad core 3.0GHz AM2+
Intel Core i7 920 2.66GHz quad core CPU Socket LGA1366
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400 2.66GHz 6MB cache
AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition 3.2GHz AM3 quad core cpu

??
Help would be a big thanks!


I still need help with Motherboard, Case and Sound Card/Speakers

[Alonso]

For differences between Nvidia 9600GT vs 9800GT you can check some opinions :

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/25779 ... -9600-1024

And deeper into the 9800 GTX+ :
http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/ha ... eview.html

I don't know much about those processors, but for flight simulation, Intel should be your choice. (Yes, it's a brand thing :-/)

Remember, a 920 may be more expensive, but the system you build will be more open to future upgrades.

OR with the Q9400, maybe you would save some money and buy a better card. (9800GTX+ instead of the 9600GT)

Motherboard will depend on the processor you choose, as they have different sockets....

Cheers and good luck!

[Layne.]

Ok thanks

This is what i am looking at right now (I have chosen Graphics and CPU)



CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400 2.66GHz 6MB cache

[Mazza]

Maybe a good at 600 or 700W PSU, Around 150-250 I think at www.msy.com.au

[Slotback]

The 9600GT is obliterated by the 9800GT cards and furthermore the 9800GT does not run Arma 2 ideally.

http://www.pcgameshardware.com/aid,6857 ... /Practice/

Grab an ATi but they are less than ideal for MSFS. IMO, push for GTX 275.


www.staticice.com.au


Australian price search engine.

[Layne.]

I got a good gaming computer from infinity computers for $800 got a Nvidia 250 graphics card, still gotta learn bout the rest of it

[Slotback]

GTS 250 = 9800GTX+. Exactly the same speeds.

[Layne.]

What is the price difference between a GTS 250 and GTX 275???
Also please take into account i don't want to spend more than 800 dollars as i am only on a part time job... I have to sell my laptop to even get close to buying it

Can anyone help me put a price on my Laptop for ebay?? it's low spec but really fast for just doing home stuff not great for gaming but it can handle most games, even FSX But it's like 5-10FPS

Current Laptop Specs:

OS: Windows XP SP3 Home Edition
CPU: AMD Turion 64 X2 1.61ghz
RAM: 1gb
GFX: nVidia GeForce Go 6150 integrated 256mb
HDD: 50gb


ROFLOLMAO i just realized i was calling it the GTX 250 not GTS 250 LOL

[Slotback]

GTS 250 is around $170, GTX 260 is around $240 and GTX 275 is around $300.

Just remember the GTS 250 is essentially a 9800GTX and uses a completely different chip compared the the GTX 200 series.

http://staticice.com.au/

I don't know much about laptops, sorry.

[Layne.]

Thanks dude, i think i will stick with the 250 since i am just looking for a card that ahs good performance is cheap and can run DX10 so i am happy with it Plus it is smaller so it has advantages over the 9800, also the GTS 250 is single slot

been reading up on the GTS 250 a bit aswell

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/ ... 50gts.html

Highs:

Comparatively high

[Slotback]

Your mentioning of Arma 2 made me purchase it. LOL. $50 on ebay, not bad when it's $100 retail.


From what I understand, the 4870 will be slightly faster in Arma II.

http://www.pcgameshardware.com/aid,6857 ... /Practice/

However I think Nvidia cards perform slightly better in MSFS, because, IIRC, they do Anti-aliasing a bit different. Try asking Nick although he's busy.

I'd probably go with GTS 250, would run MSFS really well, and Arma 2 relatively well but not as good as 4870 (My 9800GT runs Arma 2 decently, although I only have demo), IIRC, Nvidia has better Linux support too and IIRC the GTS 250 uses less power (less heat / noise), too.

[Layne.]

Ok thank you mate I will go ahead with the GTS 250, especially since i am not building the PC myself, it's already built but i trust the guys be ause it's no harvey norman just a small computer store

i checked out that arma 2 site you posted and GTS 250 went pretty good! averaging over 30 FPS that is exactly what i need! I am used to playing Arma 1 at 10 FPS so i will be happy with 25FPS!!!

[Slotback]

http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/gami ... ,1342.html

The 4870 is on average faster than the GTS 250. Just something to consider and I think it's a pretty even match to be fair! Look at the Radeon 4890 too.

What store you buying at?