1.) 16GB is absurd overkill for CoH, and most other games. That doesn't mean overkill isn't nice 
RAM is fairly cheap these days, so at the very least it helps future proof you for not too much. If you like dual (or maybe quad+) boxing, 16GB would be quite nice to have.
2.) Raid will improve performance of your slowest part (the spinning rust bucket) some. It'll increase the likelihood of losing all your data due to an HDD failure (since if either fail, all the data is hosed).
An SSD would be FAR better from a performance PoV, but you'll get a lot less space. I'm not sure the cost/the flexibility you can have, but an SSD + HD (not raided) would give you the best of both worlds.
3.) I'm not very familiar with AMD model numbers, but that should have no problem with CoH on very good settings (pretty sure it's a fairly high end card)
4.) They're all the same. I've had high end Creative cards, and integrated "realtek" audio... unless you're investing many hundreds of dollars into your speakers and have a half dozen of 'em... you don't even need to think about it.
Misc: Very good, high end processor. BluRay is entirely dependent on your uses, but I'm personally to the point of shunning all optical media (I <3 my MBA ). USB 3.0 is nice to have. Acrobat Reader is a pile of junk (it's also totally free, so calling it a feature is silly ). No comment on the price. It should have zero issue with any of the games you mentioned... likely running a few at the same time! 
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Originally Posted by ShadowNate
;_; ?!?! What the heck is wrong with you, my god, I have never been so confused in my life!
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If all you're using it for is CoH? Yeah. Overkill to the max.|
Originally Posted by Spatch
1. Is 16GB RAM overkill?
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If you plan on multi-boxing, doing video capture of various games or other memory-hungry applications, then the extra RAM can be very nice indeed.
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| 2. Is a RAID setup preferable to a simple single SATA HDD setup? |
HOWEVER, unlike other forms of RAID there is NO redundancy whatsoever.
If a drive dies, or desyncs from the array (happens more with consumer-grade hard drives), you lose EVERYTHING on the entire array. As such, it's NOT an ideal method of storing data you don't want to lose.
If you're really concerned with "faster", go single HD, buy yourself an SSD and a copy of Acronis True Image. Clone the system to the SSD and use the single hard drive for data storage. A single modern SSD will outperform a RAID-0 of hard drives for just about everything YOU are likely to use it for.
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| 3. Am I asking for trouble regarding the ATI card? I know some folks prefer NVidia, and my current card is an NVidia card. Is this ATI card 'beefy' enough? Should I be looking at other options here? |
As to the possibility of having more driver issues with ATI than nVidia. Unfortunately the answer is "yes" there too. Unfortunately, ATI and nVidia's product offerings don't line up neatly in terms of product equivalency.
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| 4. What's the deal with this THX TruStudio sound? My last few computers have had a soundblaster card of some kind I think, but for this build I had no option but this TruStudio deal. What the heck is it, and should I be concerned about it? |
Clicking on the linked image above will take you off the City of Heroes site. However, the guides will be linked back here.
Thanks for the feedback, I really appreciate it. It looks like I need to dedicate some more attention to my hard drive options. I do like the idea of an SSD supplementing a standard HDD. If I did a SSD+HDD configuration, I would want the SSD to be the boot drive, presumably. You've given me some food for thought. Thanks again.
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1387 badges, and counting
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Correct. 17-20 second boot-ups from the time the BIOS hands off to the OS? Yes? PLEASE?|
Originally Posted by Spatch
If I did a SSD+HDD configuration, I would want the SSD to be the boot drive, presumably.
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Fast application load time? Yes? PLEASE?
Improved CoH zone loads for the portions of the zone loads reliant on the local files?
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| You've given me some food for thought. Thanks again. |
Clicking on the linked image above will take you off the City of Heroes site. However, the guides will be linked back here.
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The exact line depends on how much data you have, and how large of an SSD you can afford. Putting the OS on it is a definite, and then the apps you commonly use (or at least the more intense ones), and then whatever data you have that can fit that you need very high r/w speed to (your mp3 collection / saved videos would be an example of stuff that would be better suited to the better $:GB ratio of HDDs).|
Originally Posted by Spatch
If I did a SSD+HDD configuration, I would want the SSD to be the boot drive, presumably.
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And let me tell you... upgrading a system from a spinning rust bucket to a solid state drive... is by far the biggest upgrade you can do for virtually any computer.
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Originally Posted by ShadowNate
;_; ?!?! What the heck is wrong with you, my god, I have never been so confused in my life!
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1) Yes. You may see gaming rigs with 16GB but it's likely that they are Socket 2011 based system that uses quad channel memory so 4GB per stick times 4 ... well you get the idea.
2) RAID 0 is faster but halves the reliability of your drive subsystem. The R in RAID means redundant but RAID 0 is anything but that. As others have said already, an 120GB SSD + HD system would be better.
3) The HD 6770 is a rebadged HD 5770 is a low mid level card (AMD didn't have a 6000 series GPU for that price point). It should handle minimum to moderate UM. As for AMD cards in general, AMD drivers are somewhat hit or miss with this game. One month the latest driver works fine, the next it doesn't. There is a topic on the Tech board about what AMD drivers work well.
4) THX is Lucasfilm's cinematic sound standard usually accompanied with a bass thrum it front of movies. Since the system comes with Blu-ray player, Dell is just pointing out that the audio system in the computer is THX certified.
Father Xmas - Level 50 Ice/Ice Tanker - Victory
$725 and $1350 parts lists --- My guide to computer components
Tempus unum hominem manet
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If you want to see what the 5770/1gb looks like, moderate UM, find any of my screen shots. It did funky things with the fog in the old DA (made it more like a clipping/draw distance issue than fog) where my less powerful nVidia card on another system rendered it beautifully, for instance. |
Originally Posted by Father Xmas
3) The HD 6770 is a rebadged HD 5770 is a low mid level card (AMD didn't have a 6000 series GPU for that price point). It should handle minimum to moderate UM. As for AMD cards in general, AMD drivers are somewhat hit or miss with this game. One month the latest driver works fine, the next it doesn't. There is a topic on the Tech board about what AMD drivers work well.
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(Honestly, I'm at the point of swapping it out for a new nVidia card. Though it works fine in everything else. Just for the "pinstripes" in some shadows and the little issues here and there.)
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Originally Posted by Father Xmas
3) The HD 6770 is a rebadged HD 5770 is a low mid level card (AMD didn't have a 6000 series GPU for that price point). It should handle minimum to moderate UM. As for AMD cards in general, AMD drivers are somewhat hit or miss with this game. One month the latest driver works fine, the next it doesn't. There is a topic on the Tech board about what AMD drivers work well.
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Originally Posted by Memphis_Bill
If you want to see what the 5770/1gb looks like, moderate UM, find any of my screen shots. It did funky things with the fog in the old DA (made it more like a clipping/draw distance issue than fog) where my less powerful nVidia card on another system rendered it beautifully, for instance.
(Honestly, I'm at the point of swapping it out for a new nVidia card. Though it works fine in everything else. Just for the "pinstripes" in some shadows and the little issues here and there.) |
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http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...CE&PageSize=20
Clicking on the linked image above will take you off the City of Heroes site. However, the guides will be linked back here.
The HD 5770/6770 was a great $150 mid range card when it first came out in late 2009, it's just now two and a half years later it's considered a low end gaming card today with after rebate prices just under $100. It has about the same performance as the nVidia GTX 550Ti.
I haven't bothered to see what other video cards Dell offers on that model but selection may be limited due to the model's modest 460 watt PSU. I'm not saying 460 watts isn't a lot, the GTX 560Ti's that Hyper listed should be fine are are around 75-80% faster than the HD 6770, just don't expect it to handle a $300+ high end video card without pushing it uncomfortably close to the PSU's limit.
Father Xmas - Level 50 Ice/Ice Tanker - Victory
$725 and $1350 parts lists --- My guide to computer components
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Quote:
Thanks Father Xmas, I think I'll look more closely at the GTX560Ti models. I'll be sure to stay away from the higher end models, on account of the PSU.
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Originally Posted by Father Xmas
The HD 5770/6770 was a great $150 mid range card when it first came out in late 2009, it's just now two and a half years later it's considered a low end gaming card today with after rebate prices just under $100. It has about the same performance as the nVidia GTX 550Ti.
I haven't bothered to see what other video cards Dell offers on that model but selection may be limited due to the model's modest 460 watt PSU. I'm not saying 460 watts isn't a lot, the GTX 560Ti's that Hyper listed should be fine are are around 75-80% faster than the HD 6770, just don't expect it to handle a $300+ high end video card without pushing it uncomfortably close to the PSU's limit. |
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I'll vouch for the GTX560Ti, I'm running one now. Works great |
Originally Posted by Spatch
Thanks Father Xmas, I think I'll look more closely at the GTX560Ti models. I'll be sure to stay away from the higher end models, on account of the PSU.
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Thank you, Nericus. I appreciate you vouching for this card. Between you, Father Xmas, and Hyperstrike, all endorsing this card, I feel very comfortable in going with it.
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Originally Posted by Nericus
I'll vouch for the GTX560Ti, I'm running one now. Works great
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The card is a little shorter than the ATI equivalent. That is also a plus for Pre-built systems which don't always consider space a priority.
Edit: Looks at Spatch's AV. Yes, it should play Ultima II quite well.
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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Oh, good, I was worried. |
Originally Posted by newchemicals
Edit: Looks at Spatch's AV. Yes, it should play Ultima II quite well.
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Ok I am also looking at getting a new machine, so I will latch on to this thread instead of creating yet another one.
Couple general questions. Is 6 (or 8) cores overkill?
Anyway I am open to suggestions. I am in the $600-$800 price range. Would like at least 6 core just because I am a guy. 8 Gb is enough. Dedicated graphics card is essential (or else i would just go to walmart). Would like to keep it to the lower end so I can add a 20-23 inch monitor. (Would like dual monitor support so I can watch movies/downloaded TV on my current 17in while I play). I currently get by with my old 100GB HDD since i have a 1.5tb usb external. So I like the idea of getting a 100gb or so SSD drive and (maybe moving over my current 120hdd) and keeping the external for mass storage.
Because of my price range I cant get everything i want, and have to sacrifice in an area. What is the best to sacrifice in? I have looked through newegg tiger and have some I like, just want to find the best fit, so figured I would ask the great community here.
(BTW, other than surfing and watching downloaded stuff, I play CoX and STO. Those are the two games I am building for).
Just start another thread. These type of consultations are best when we don't have to constantly direct our advice to a poster other than the OP. It's not like the forum will run out of space or won't let you start your own thread.
Bet you never start teams either.
Father Xmas - Level 50 Ice/Ice Tanker - Victory
$725 and $1350 parts lists --- My guide to computer components
Tempus unum hominem manet
Quote:
I've been researching SSDs online, reading a lot of reviews primarily over at Newegg.ca. There seems to be a high incidence of failure with these things, irrespective of brand. Is this an issue with the technology in general? Or, do some brands stand out as being more reliable than others? If so, which ones?|
Originally Posted by Kitsune Knight
The exact line depends on how much data you have, and how large of an SSD you can afford. Putting the OS on it is a definite, and then the apps you commonly use (or at least the more intense ones), and then whatever data you have that can fit that you need very high r/w speed to (your mp3 collection / saved videos would be an example of stuff that would be better suited to the better $:GB ratio of HDDs).
And let me tell you... upgrading a system from a spinning rust bucket to a solid state drive... is by far the biggest upgrade you can do for virtually any computer. |
Thanks in advance.
Spatch
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AnandTech has quite a load of SSD reviews and such. The very short version is: Intel, Samsung, and Toshiba are generally the top tier in reliability/stability, if not always taking the crown for maximum possible speed (even a "slower" SSD will slaughter even the fastest traditional HDD). Those three have the most extensive in-house QA of any of the manufacturers currently, plus at least Samsung and Toshiba aim primarily for the OEM market, which demands reliability (Apple's MacBook Airs use SSDs from Samsung/Toshiba).
SandForce-based SSDs often take the performance crown, but, several have had issues with causing the system to bluescreen (especially when suspending/resuming, although that should be fixed now). Intel came out with a single SandForce based SSD (with their own firmware), and initial reports were quite positive on the stability front, but it's not really been out on the market (has it even been released yet?) to say definitively if it's a step above.
Personally, if I was going out to buy an SSD, I'd look at Intel first.
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Originally Posted by ShadowNate
;_; ?!?! What the heck is wrong with you, my god, I have never been so confused in my life!
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Quote:
Thanks for the feedback. After reading copious amounts of reviews, my initial impressions were favoring Intel as well.
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Originally Posted by Kitsune Knight
Personally, if I was going out to buy an SSD, I'd look at Intel first.
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Intel SSDs still cost more than the other big brands, being the first on the market with a viable enterprise class SSD has let them be the Cadillac of SSDs.
SSDs are a lot more complicated due to various restrictions about flash memory that don't exist conventional hard drives. Because of this an SSD controller contains a more sophisticated CPU running considerably more complex software in an attempt to hide the complex juggling that needs to be done due to flash memory. And with all complex software, there are bugs. Not sure how many are the result of trying to benchmark faster than the next drive or trying to be the first to market using controller X from company Y but there's been some oopsies along the way.
AnandTech's Bench charts on SSDs may be helpful. However controller, firmware version and type of flash memory all effect performance. Also due to multiple memory channels in the controller, higher capacity drives tend to have better write performance as small drives (60/64GB) don't use all the memory channels.
You can all check the charts found in the most recent SSD reviews at TechReport and Xbit Labs. The last page of the Xbit Labs review has a hierarchy chart that lumps SSDs into four tiers.
Father Xmas - Level 50 Ice/Ice Tanker - Victory
$725 and $1350 parts lists --- My guide to computer components
Tempus unum hominem manet
Quote:
Thanks for that input, Father Xmas. I've been on a fairly steep learning curve with these SSDs as I've researched them in recent days. But I think I'm starting to get my head around it. I'll check into Xbit Labs reviews as you suggest.|
Originally Posted by Father Xmas
Intel SSDs still cost more than the other big brands, being the first on the market with a viable enterprise class SSD has let them be the Cadillac of SSDs.
SSDs are a lot more complicated due to various restrictions about flash memory that don't exist conventional hard drives. Because of this an SSD controller contains a more sophisticated CPU running considerably more complex software in an attempt to hide the complex juggling that needs to be done due to flash memory. And with all complex software, there are bugs. Not sure how many are the result of trying to benchmark faster than the next drive or trying to be the first to market using controller X from company Y but there's been some oopsies along the way. AnandTech's Bench charts on SSDs may be helpful. However controller, firmware version and type of flash memory all effect performance. Also due to multiple memory channels in the controller, higher capacity drives tend to have better write performance as small drives (60/64GB) don't use all the memory channels. You can all check the charts found in the most recent SSD reviews at TechReport and Xbit Labs. The last page of the Xbit Labs review has a hierarchy chart that lumps SSDs into four tiers. |
Edit: I was already zeroing in on the Intel 520 series, so it's nice to see it rated as Tier 2 on the Xbit site.
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Got CustomPCs review beside me and whilst the Intel 520was the fastest of the SF2281 controller drives it was no quicker than the Corsair GT240 and only slightly quicker than the Kingston HyperX 240 and OCZ Vertex 333 240 it was by far the most expensive and the Corsair Performance Pro 256 outperformed it on almost all of the tests.
On sequential access there is little to separate almost all of the drives tested but the Intel was definitely middle of the table on the random read and random write tests especially the CrystalDiskMark tests with the Corsair consistently near the top.
The extra speed, 16Gb capacity and £80 lower pricetag (~$110) of the Corsair PP256 would definitely put it ahead for me.
Having said that - that is just one review and you should definitely consider which benchmarks best represent your expected usage.
Most disk access in CoH is random access of small files and so the sequential results are probably not representative and I'm not certain which of the AS-SSD and CrystalMark benchmarks would be the more appropriate or indeed if some totally different one would be better
Mind of Gaia lvl 50 Defiant's first Mind/Storm 'troller.
Deadly Doc 50 Dark/Dark Corr
and lots more on Pinnacle,Union and Defiant
Appreciate your input, Gaia. Thank you.
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Hello folks. I'm here hoping to get some feedback and advice on a new computer I'm looking at. First, by way of preamble, the system I'm looking at is a Dell build. I know some folks don't care for Dell, and I know I could probably build one for cheaper myself. I don't have the time, nor inclination to build one myself. And, my last three computers have been Dells (two desktops, one laptop) which I've been very happy with. My current Dell desktop has been a workhorse, approaching seven years of reliable operation.
My main uses for the computer, apart from basic stuff like internet access and email, is for gaming. I play CoH and that other crafty war MMO. Some single player titles I've recently bought have been Skyrim and Deus Ex Human Revolution. I don't do any online FPS stuff.
That said, here's what I'm looking at:
XPS 8300 XPS8300
Operating System Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64Bit, English
Processors Intel® Core i7-2600 processor (8MB Cache, 3.4GHz)
Memory 16GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz - 4 DIMMs
Keyboard Dell USB Entry Keyboard English
Monitor Dell ST2420L 24"W Full HD Monitor, 24.0 VIS, VGA Cable supplied only
Video Card ATI Radeon HD 6770
Hard Drive 2TB Performance RAID 0 (2 x 1TB SATA 3Gb/s 7200 RPM HDDs)
Mouse Dell Laser Mouse
Network Card Add 2 USB 3.0 ports
Modem No Dial Up Modem Option
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader
Optical Drive Blu-ray Combo Drive (8X BD-R, DVD+/-RW) with DVD+R double layer write capability
Sound THX® TruStudio PC
Speakers Dell AX510PA 10W Attached Speaker for Dell Flat Panel Monitors
Wireless Dell 1501 WLAN PCIe card
Price $1428 (Canadian dollars, before tax)
Some specific questions:
1. Is 16GB RAM overkill?
2. Is a RAID setup preferable to a simple single SATA HDD setup?
3. Am I asking for trouble regarding the ATI card? I know some folks prefer NVidia, and my current card is an NVidia card. Is this ATI card 'beefy' enough? Should I be looking at other options here?
4. What's the deal with this THX TruStudio sound? My last few computers have had a soundblaster card of some kind I think, but for this build I had no option but this TruStudio deal. What the heck is it, and should I be concerned about it?
Any constructive comments or feedback is welcome. I'm not much of a techie, so I'm appealing to the big brains around here for some help.
Thanks in advance.
Spatch
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