Building/Upgrading a PC for TS2
KatEnigma:
Is there a particular reason it has to be a Dell? Your money would go a lot further at HP. If it's because of their financing, you might want to reconsider. With the interest Dell charges, paying the minimum, your computer will be in a landfill before you are done paying for it. You'd be better off just putting it on a credit card.
Also, what is the confusion, exactly?
If I were building today, I'd include an Intel Core 2 duo, at least 2 GB RAM (more if you want to run Vista. As far as I'm concerned, being able to buy XP is a good reason to go with Dell!) and an ATI Radeon 1950 Pro (if money was no object,an XTX instead of Pro). I would not, under any circumstances, get a GeForce video card. There has been nothing but problems with their drivers and TS2 for over a year now, and even if you don't get their new DX10 cards, their drivers have been having problems with all kinds of other programs. By fall, ATI should have their DX10 cards out too, but if it were me, I'd just take advantage of the price drop the DX9 cards will have, especially since nothing is really using it yet, anyway.
And those scanners are notoriously wrong. Anyone who only recommends 512MB RAM is wrong before it even scans your system. ;)
J. M. Pescado:
Don't buy brand name computers, period. And DX10 is pretty meaningless, as nothing uses it and it's currently incompatible with XP. And Vista still sucks, as people in #grah are presently having issues with getting simple programs to run with it.
mildlydisguised:
Right, I'm planning to build myself a pretty nice desktop as I have come into a bit of money.
I have decided to go with the X1950 XTX as I have found this at £229.90 (although it is currently out of stock). In terms of the processor I will be going for a Intel Core Duo. I am currently undecided between the E6600 at £226 or the E6400 at £153. PCPro magazine describes the E6400 as the best buy in terms of both money and power however when I've calculated the cost of everything else, if I can afford it, I will go for the E6600. I will start with 2GB of RAM because I want an XP OS rather than vista and I'm sure I read somewhere that XP won't use any more than about 3GB of RAM.
Anyway onto the actual question, can anyone recommend a good motherboard as it is these that I have the least knowledge about. Are there any particular makes I should stay away from? Also the same issue with a monitor, I'm not really sure what manufacturers are good or what I should be looking for. Any advice would be gratefully received.
Edit - I've been looking around and was thinking of this for a motherboard http://specialtech.co.uk/spshop/customer/product.php?productid=2972&cat=319&page=1. Any good? Anything I should be wary of? Also is there any difference in quality between Gigabyte and Asus? I checked Gigabyte's website and the P965 DS3P is compatible with the E6400 and the E6600.
2nd edit - Ignore the CPU prices above (they were taken from an out of date magazine). I've found the E6600 for £152.74 (VAT incl) and the E6400 for £140.99. Which definately makes me want to go for the E6600.
3rd edit - I am not sure whether this is right but because I want the X1950 XTX does that mean I need Intel 975X (Socket 775) Motherboard (or similar) and does it mean that the P965 DS3P would not be compatible?
KatEnigma:
Quote from: mildlydisguised on 2007 April 26, 13:21:24
3rd edit - I am not sure whether this is right but because I want the X1950 XTX does that mean I need Intel 975X (Socket 775) Motherboard (or similar) and does it mean that the P965 DS3P would not be compatible?
Right now, most Intel boards only are compatible with SLI and most AMD boards with Crossfire. Which is pretty inconvenient, if you ask me. >:( However, when I was researching it a couple months ago, there was talk that some companies were working on a board that could do either.
If you're only going to use one video card, then it doesn't make a difference. But like me, you're probably looking to future upgrades.
mildlydisguised:
I am probably going to get just the one card now but I would like the option to upgrade and take advantage of the crossfire technology at a later date.
I have found this board http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-108-AB that is an Intel and supports Crossfire too. The reviews are pretty good too. Oh and this one http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-020-DF which is a much better price. Maybe the tide is turning :)
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