Considering building a new computer...
By
Dark One,
Posted on: 2011-05-04 20:28 in ALL ACCESS Gameplay Technical Issues Bugs
Well the only reason you may want to consider having more than 2 cores is that the extra cores can handle other tasks (like the OS, browser, Titan Sentinel, Mid's, etc.). One of the reasons the $725 has three cores. That and more and more games can use a third and fourth core.
And another thing. I've been holding back major update's to my two builds for some time now. I really should pull the trigger, mainly making the $725 build use an AMD 870 motherboard as the cost has come done since their roll out and making the $1350 system a Sandy Bridge system with a 1GB HD 6950, now that the Intel northbridge is fixed.
Father Xmas - Level 50 Ice/Ice Tanker - Victory
$725 and $1350 parts lists --- My guide to computer components
Tempus unum hominem manet
Suprisingly, I can play CoH and alt-tab out Firefox pretty easily. Just got done with a 24 person BAF and have 26 tabs open. Granted, CoH was running on pretty much min spec in terms of graphics.
Thing about those games that are more and more, is that they are either going Steam, which I loathe and won't use, or use SecuROM, which means they aren't getting on my computer.
I've been considering the new comp as a summer project. Doesn't have to be all bought at once.
Well I'm old fashion and still buy games in stores. The only games I buy online are from GOG or Popcap. Then I back those games up 27 ways to Sunday.
Father Xmas - Level 50 Ice/Ice Tanker - Victory
$725 and $1350 parts lists --- My guide to computer components
Tempus unum hominem manet
Oh, me too. But things like Duke Nukem Forever, Fallout: New Vegas and a few other new games all require Steam. Then there's crap like C&C4 and StarCraft 2 needing to be connected and logged into accounts.
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I'm running the Sandy Bridge 2500K and it was a big improvement over that Athlon II 630 I was using.|
Originally Posted by Father Xmas
Well the only reason you may want to consider having more than 2 cores is that the extra cores can handle other tasks (like the OS, browser, Titan Sentinel, Mid's, etc.). One of the reasons the $725 has three cores. That and more and more games can use a third and fourth core.
And another thing. I've been holding back major update's to my two builds for some time now. I really should pull the trigger, mainly making the $725 build use an AMD 870 motherboard as the cost has come done since their roll out and making the $1350 system a Sandy Bridge system with a 1GB HD 6950, now that the Intel northbridge is fixed. |
The biggest thing I noticed was no lag in BAF/Lambda/MS raids/Hamidon. Even with the same old videocard I was using. (5770) I since upgraded it and I can run at very high settings with no lag on trials.
I like being the first to Zone in Lambda/BAF instead of last with the 630.
We still don't know how good AMD's Bulldozer is. Without any info I would almost suggest i3 2100 with an H61 MB. The Athlon II really lagged even OC'ed to 3.1 Ghz. The Phenom II is getting a nice price cut knowing that Bulldozer is to be released early June. (Supposedly June 7th) Phenom II 965s will be $135 soon.
H: Blaster 50, Defender 50, Tank 50, Scrapper 50, Controller 50, PB 50, WS 50
V: Brute 50, Corruptor 50, MM 50, Dominator 50, Stalker 50, AW 50, AS 50
Top 4: Controller, Brute, Scrapper, Corruptor
Bottom 4: (Peacebringer) way below everything else, Mastermind, Dominator, Blaster
CoH in WQHD
Well, I think that if you do go quad core, you won't regret it. You're not paying a huge premium and it gives you a degree of 'future proofing'. You may decide just a few months down the road that you really want to play some specific game or use some high-end program. CoH will use two cores by itself (and likely max them out).
Personally, I want to be able to run Word, Excel, Firefox, Yahoo IM, Skype, anti-virus, anti-malware, bandwidth monitoring and CoH all at the same time - then load Photoshop to touch up a screenshot without closing anything else. Also, I have two CoH accounts and want to be able to run both at once. I have a Core i7 870, 8GB of RAM and a solid state drive. I don't regret any of it and the SSD was nearly $380 for 128GB.
Paragon City Search And Rescue
The Mentor Project
High end program? Nah. I don't do anything like that. Like I said, the most I'd probably do is buy a copy of Poser and just play around with it, if that.
I'm also looking at cases. I want something that looks neat. LEDs, lotsa fans, the whole bit. Looking at the Smilodon cases in particular. The only requirement, really, is that it have a top-mounted power supply, since my comp sits on the floor and don't want the heat to build up there.
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Intel 2500K is probably the processor I would recommend. |
Originally Posted by Dark One
High end program? Nah. I don't do anything like that. Like I said, the most I'd probably do is buy a copy of Poser and just play around with it, if that.
I'm also looking at cases. I want something that looks neat. LEDs, lotsa fans, the whole bit. Looking at the Smilodon cases in particular. The only requirement, really, is that it have a top-mounted power supply, since my comp sits on the floor and don't want the heat to build up there. |
You mean the Raidmax Smilodon cases? I have never used those before, I can't comment. I'm probably on the other end, with the Antec P183 and 300 cases. Although, the illusion case that "Santa" suggested had LED lights, but I mostly got it because it came with extra fans for just a few bucks more.
The Cooler Master HAF series might be good too. I'm not too fond of the looks of the case, but I do like the extra room. The HAF 922 is sort of a mid-full tower. Taller than at standard mid case and wider to fit those huge 3rd party heatsinks and fans. Lots of room to work with. I'm tempted to pick up one of those cases for a first hand look. That case might be something you might like.
H: Blaster 50, Defender 50, Tank 50, Scrapper 50, Controller 50, PB 50, WS 50
V: Brute 50, Corruptor 50, MM 50, Dominator 50, Stalker 50, AW 50, AS 50
Top 4: Controller, Brute, Scrapper, Corruptor
Bottom 4: (Peacebringer) way below everything else, Mastermind, Dominator, Blaster
CoH in WQHD
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Yeah.... I have an Antec 900. It has 9 blue LED's (3 per fan on the 120MM fans only). Since it's in my bedroom, I cut the leads on the LED's until it wasn't annoyingly bright. I have only 2 of them left. |
Originally Posted by Dark One
I'm also looking at cases. I want something that looks neat. LEDs, lotsa fans, the whole bit.
|
Coolest feature (in my opinion) is the 220MM fan in the roof of the case.
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| The only requirement, really, is that it have a top-mounted power supply, since my comp sits on the floor and don't want the heat to build up there. |
Paragon City Search And Rescue
The Mentor Project
Just go to Home Depot and buy a finished shelf 2'x1' for about $8.
Then place your PC on that slab of wood and its off the rug.
H: Blaster 50, Defender 50, Tank 50, Scrapper 50, Controller 50, PB 50, WS 50
V: Brute 50, Corruptor 50, MM 50, Dominator 50, Stalker 50, AW 50, AS 50
Top 4: Controller, Brute, Scrapper, Corruptor
Bottom 4: (Peacebringer) way below everything else, Mastermind, Dominator, Blaster
CoH in WQHD
It's much better for airflow to have the power supply on the bottom and a large fan on the top helping to vent heat. Also, having the heaviest part of the computer's internals on the bottom of the case keeps it much more stable and much less likely to be knocked over by an accidental kick or a pet dashing about the room.
My computer sits directly on carpet. No issues with heat buildup. It's sat on wood before too. If you're really concerned, go to a home supply store and buy a couple of ceramic tiles, some ceramic to wood glue or epoxy, and a few 2" by 1" by 2' strips of wood. Make yourself a platform and put the computer on top of it.
Case sits on carpet. No real desire to build a shelf system. It's a basement level room though, so less heat that way.
I got the HAF series of cases and they are sweet with alot room and fans. Word of advice, get a shelf piece or something to set the case on. Static electricy is evil.
In roughly 10+ years of comps sitting on the floor, static electricity has never been an issue. Besides, I'd rather the PSU fan be venting to open air than having it vent under all the cabling and such.
Static comes from friction. If your computer is moving THAT much while you're using it, you have bigger problems than just static.
Not to mention that the computer is grounded by being plugged in. Static electricity is a danger when handling components which are not installed.
Paragon City Search And Rescue
The Mentor Project
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Not following you here. The PSU should be venting out the back of the case. The only cable within 6" of my PSU fan is the power cord which is TO THE SIDE of the fan and therefore not blocking it in any way.|
Originally Posted by Dark One
Besides, I'd rather the PSU fan be venting to open air than having it vent under all the cabling and such.
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Seriously, having the power supply at the bottom of the case is a better design. That's why it's steadily becoming more common.
Paragon City Search And Rescue
The Mentor Project
Quote:
Who is building a shelf system? Its just a finished slab of wood to rest the computer on. It turns out that the shelf is 2'x1' and cheap. you can buy a 2'x2' unfinished board and slice it yourself and do all the sanding and finishing and spend about as much or just buy something the right size and finished.|
Originally Posted by Dark One
Case sits on carpet. No real desire to build a shelf system. It's a basement level room though, so less heat that way.
|
Pretty much all of the *popular* case resellers are using the bottom PSU design. I didn't like the idea at first but after building 4 computers with it, I just expect it now and prefer it.
The reason to pull the machine off the carpet now is that the lastest cases have intake holes on the bottom of the case (for all those bottom mounted PSUs) so pulling the machine off the carpet helps airflow.
If you want a top mounted PSU case by all means get one. I think you might be kicking yourself later but YMMV
H: Blaster 50, Defender 50, Tank 50, Scrapper 50, Controller 50, PB 50, WS 50
V: Brute 50, Corruptor 50, MM 50, Dominator 50, Stalker 50, AW 50, AS 50
Top 4: Controller, Brute, Scrapper, Corruptor
Bottom 4: (Peacebringer) way below everything else, Mastermind, Dominator, Blaster
CoH in WQHD
Quote:
By putting the power supply at the bottom, I have all the cabling, including the remainder of the a) keyboard cable, b) monitor cable, c) ethernet cable, d) speaker cord, e) power strip with all the power cords hooking in, and all the other miscellaneous cords that drape down would be covering the vent hole. Plus, since heat goes up, I would rather the PSU vent above the video card than below it. As well as the tendency of dust and other outside objects to settle downward rather than upward.|
Originally Posted by Ironblade
Not following you here. The PSU should be venting out the back of the case. The only cable within 6" of my PSU fan is the power cord which is TO THE SIDE of the fan and therefore not blocking it in any way.
Seriously, having the power supply at the bottom of the case is a better design. That's why it's steadily becoming more common. |
Look, I'm not arguing about it. Top mounted supplies are the only things that will work for me based upon my situation and placement. All of my towers have been top mounted and have worked just fine (still have a full tower Pentium Pro 200 that works just fine). I see no real reason to change and would have to alter my current setup to accomodate a bottom mounted one.
And had a question...
Is there any real reason to get a quad core processor? Or is a dual core enough?
I was looking over FatherXmas' builds and was just wondering about that. I don't do any SolidWorks stuff, I don't use Photoshop, I may play around with Poser at some point in the future just for fun but probably not.
New PC games are typically too loaded down with craptacular DRM to be something I wouldn't buy. Fallout 3, Oblivion, CoH, The Witcher, along those lines of games that I'm wanting to look/run super-good.
Right now, I'm using a 3GHz P4 w/HT, but it's nearing seven years old at this point and getting a bit long in the tooth.