Building/Upgrading a PC for TS2
B:
The prices seem pretty close to what I see over here. The RAM is a bit more, but this is probably a good thing since more expensive RAM will generally have better timing and more lasting value. The biggest difference is that the 1950 you are looking at is about $75 more.
The MoBo issue is an interesting one. It wouldn't cost you that much extra to step up to a board that comes with 2 x16 slots (and the capability to run at either 2 times x16, or 1 times x16 and 1 times x8). However, actually using a Crossfire configuration will run you quite a bit more, since you'd need another GPU, a better PSU, and (in some cases) additional cooling solutions. I think it's worth the extra cash, but your financial situation might be a bit different.
In general, the most economic way I have found to keep a system up to date is as follows:
Case: Do not upgrade unless absolutely criticalPSU: Invest in a good 750 watt, 56Amp (or greater) supply early on that has a good warrenty. Don't upgrade again until it starts to go bad (estimated 5+ years)Hard Drive: Keep two on board at all times, and upgrade the older of the two every other yearProcessor: Upgrade every 2 years (market permitting)MoBo: Upgrade when another component requires itGPU: Upgrade once a yearRAM: This is a bit tricky, since the amount "needed" keeps going up. In general, I buy when I see a good deal.
Using the above method, you should only spend between three and five hundred dollars (US) a year on components (assuming you are buying a high end GPU, but not the best available). Most years, you'll only need the GPU and one major component. On occasion, the upgrade of a processor will require a MoBo upgrade, which might run a bit closer to $500. I find this method far superior to the general strategy of simply getting a new computer every few years. They cost about the same (assuming you can get a relatively high end machine for $1500) and a new system tends to go obselete rather quickly these days. By contrast, the upgrade cycle I outline above ensures most components are as close to cutting edge as possible. For someone on a tighter budget, the above strategy can be tweaked accordingly.
Mirelly:
OK thanks a lot for your input, B.
I took your advice on the motherboard and went for:
Gigabyte GA-M57SLI-S4 nForce 570 SLi (Socket AM2) PCI-E DDR2 ATX : £52.80
Hiper HPU-4M580 Type M CrossFire Certified 580W ATX2.2: £47:50
The memory is by Corsair btw ... it was the best price I could find for a so-called matched pair. It had some good ratings compared with similar priced products.
I will probably upgrade again in less than a year with a second x1950 and some more ram before I'll need to consider trading the cpu up to a meatier model.
Really appreciated the input.
SarahKjrsten:
I'm thinking about buying Bon Voyage and playing the sims on my laptop again. I know I can handle the base game on my laptop (not the best graphics in the world and load times are sometimes long), but my question is, will I be able to handle Bon Voyage, and if yes, could I get away with Seasons too? If it would make the game too laggy, then I'd skip out on one or the other ep. Sadly I'm a poor college student, so I'm saving for a new computer instead of upgrades for my laptop (which I got in 2003)
My Specs: (Dell Inspiron 1100)
XP Home Edition
Intel Celeron CPU 2.00GHz
638 RAM
Page File: 550 used of 1008 MB avaliable
dx version: Direct X 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Intel 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller
Chip type: Intel 82845G grapnis controller
Aprox. total memory: 64 MB
Main driver: ialmrnt5.dll
Version: 6.14.0010.4342
J. M. Pescado:
You don't have a computer, you have a doorstop. The only components you have of any worth are the hard drives. And those probably aren't worth much either.
Celery = crap, Intel video = crap. None of them are worth money, so any money you paid for them is simply wasted. Next time, get a real computer, not a doorstop. If you're that broke, sell your ass.
KatEnigma:
No, your laptop would never be able to handle Seasons or BV- even if you didn't have a Celeron, all that graphics chip would get you is flashing red things. Until you can get a new computer, stick with the base game + OFB.
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