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Opinions? (Modest Gaming PC)

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  #1  
Old 08-24-2006
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Member since: Aug 2006, 13 posts
Opinions? (Modest Gaming PC)

I'll be buying a new PC,with the following specs,Im wanting to do some gaming (Counter Strike Source & Battlefield 2) Im not going for the latest and greatest though,Im just hoping to get some decent performance ,but this is the first PC Im getting with that goal in mind usually Im just a console gamer,so Id like your advice,since I havent done this before,maybe Im way off,thanks.

Quote:
Intel Celeron D 351 3.2GHz, (533FSB) 256K Socket 775
Spire Socket 775 Intel P4 fan
ASUS P5PL2 945PL (dual core) PCI Express, DDR2, Sound,1GB LAN
1GB PC4200 DDR2 533
ATI Radeon x800 PRO 256MB DDR PCI Express 16x dual head, tv out
160.0GB IBM/Hitachi 7200rpm SERIAL ATA UDMA 150 8m Cache
AC 97 32 BIT Full Duplex sound card (onboard)
10/100 Network card adapter (onboard)
PowMax Black Mid Tower ATX Case w/ Front USB
Okia 400W ATX Power Supply
What do you think? Again Im going for something modest.Would change something? Should splurge a little more on a certain component? All opinions welcome,thanks.

p.s. I'll be purchasing optical drives seperate which is why theyre not listed
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  #2  
Old 08-24-2006
vegasgmc's Avatar
TechSpot Chancellor
 
Location: Las Vegas
Member since: Mar 2002, 1,690 posts
The lowest Id go for a video card would be a 7600GT, $180-200. Ive seen 7900GTs for under $250. Id also get a dedicated sound card. At least a Sound Blaster Live Digital, about $30.
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  #3  
Old 08-24-2006
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Member since: Aug 2006, 13 posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by vegasgmc
The lowest Id go for a video card would be a 7600GT, $180-200. Ive seen 7900GTs for under $250. Id also get a dedicated sound card. At least a Sound Blaster Live Digital, about $30.
Well heres what I get to pick from,Can you recommend something or do you think I could buy it cheaper if I shopped around purchased he card you recommended,seperate?

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  #4  
Old 08-24-2006
agi_shi's Avatar
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Location: USA
Member since: Jul 2006, 507 posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mechz
Well heres what I get to pick from,Can you recommend something or do you think I could buy it cheaper if I shopped around purchased he card you recommended,seperate?

Assuming you can choose any one of those in the picture, go with the 7900GT. It will wipe the floor with the other cards.
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  #5  
Old 08-24-2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by agi_shi
Assuming you can choose any one of those in the picture, go with the 7900GT. It will wipe the floor with the other cards.
thanks,yeah I didnt picture the rest because that would really be the cutoff point for me.
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  #6  
Old 08-24-2006
vegasgmc's Avatar
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Location: Las Vegas
Member since: Mar 2002, 1,690 posts
Those prices are kind of high but you will get alot of mileage from a 7900GT. And it will work great with BF2.
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  #7  
Old 08-24-2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vegasgmc
Those prices are kind of high but you will get alot of mileage from a 7900GT. And it will work great with BF2.
Yeah I'll shop around and find it cheaper,I think I can get it from best buy for around $235 after 30% coupon if its still in effect.

thanks for the help,appreciate it.
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  #8  
Old 08-24-2006
vegasgmc's Avatar
TechSpot Chancellor
 
Location: Las Vegas
Member since: Mar 2002, 1,690 posts
Also check Newegg.com. They always have rebates on the 7900's.
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  #9  
Old 08-24-2006
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Member since: Aug 2006, 13 posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by vegasgmc
Id also get a dedicated sound card. At least a Sound Blaster Live Digital, about $30.
can I ask,what the advantage of a dedicated sound card would be?
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  #10  
Old 08-25-2006
vegasgmc's Avatar
TechSpot Chancellor
 
Location: Las Vegas
Member since: Mar 2002, 1,690 posts
If you have onboard audio the CPU does most of the audio processing. In games that can lower your frame rates 10-15% because the CPU is having to handle audio and video processing. Most good sound cards have their own audio processor so the hit on the CPU is only 1-2%. Also onboard audio seems to cause alot more issues with gaming. This is prety good
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829102176
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  #11  
Old 08-26-2006
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Member since: Aug 2006, 13 posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by vegasgmc
If you have onboard audio the CPU does most of the audio processing. In games that can lower your frame rates 10-15% because the CPU is having to handle audio and video processing. Most good sound cards have their own audio processor so the hit on the CPU is only 1-2%. Also onboard audio seems to cause alot more issues with gaming. This is prety good
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829102176
Cool, thanks for the help
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  #12  
Old 08-26-2006
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Member since: Aug 2006, 13 posts
heh,since its looking more and more like I'll just buy all the parts seperate,can someone recommend a good motherboard that isnt too pricey,for use with the 7900GT card.
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  #13  
Old 08-30-2006
wolfram's Avatar
TechSpot Guru
 
Location: Juarez, Mexico
Member since: Nov 2005, 2,575 posts
System specs
I wouldn't buy a 7900GT card, and then use it with a Celeron D processor. It will severely bottleneck it. If you can get a faster CPU (P4), it would perform way better.

If you can't, then you should get a 7600GT, or a X800GTO or XL.
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  #14  
Old 08-30-2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wolfram
I wouldn't buy a 7900GT card, and then use it with a Celeron D processor. It will severely bottleneck it. If you can get a faster CPU (P4), it would perform way better.

If you can't, then you should get a 7600GT, or a X800GTO or XL.
hey thanks for the advice.
specificaly,which Pentium 4 do you think I should go with.

As it is,I was thinking about either a Pentium 4 3.2ghz or a pentium dual core 2.8ghz

but I dont mind splurging a little more on the processor to get better performance,if you can make a recommendation.

At the same time Im not looking to spend too much,and I only want something decent,so maybe downgrading the card would be better?
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  #15  
Old 08-31-2006
wolfram's Avatar
TechSpot Guru
 
Location: Juarez, Mexico
Member since: Nov 2005, 2,575 posts
System specs
I'd choose the single-core P4 3.2 GHZ, because most current games and apps, only use one core.

These days P4's have becomer very cheap, and it will surely be a huge boost over any Celeron D.
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  #16  
Old 08-31-2006
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Member since: Aug 2006, 13 posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by wolfram
I'd choose the single-core P4 3.2 GHZ, because most current games and apps, only use one core.

These days P4's have becomer very cheap, and it will surely be a huge boost over any Celeron D.
Cool,thanks for the advice.I'll stick with a P4 3.2ghz and up.
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  #17  
Old 08-31-2006
wolfram's Avatar
TechSpot Guru
 
Location: Juarez, Mexico
Member since: Nov 2005, 2,575 posts
System specs
Good choice mate! Enjoy your P4 and your video card.

BTW, do you still want the 7900gt?
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  #18  
Old 08-31-2006
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Member since: Aug 2006, 13 posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by wolfram
Good choice mate! Enjoy your P4 and your video card.

BTW, do you still want the 7900gt?
Its the one I had my eye on,why do you ask.
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  #19  
Old 09-02-2006
wolfram's Avatar
TechSpot Guru
 
Location: Juarez, Mexico
Member since: Nov 2005, 2,575 posts
System specs
Nothing wrong

Enjoy them
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  #20  
Old 09-03-2006
Face of LA's Avatar
TechSpot Member
 
Location: L.A,California
Member since: Aug 2006, 186 posts
Why Dont u get a Pentium D Dual Core 3.0GHZ Or 3.4GHZ??It makes the Pentium 4 an old fashion,
But Like what Wolfram sed, Get a p4 Over a Celeron D.,
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