rec.autos.simulators

OT Help: New Computer for Sims

Marc Goldstei

OT Help: New Computer for Sims

by Marc Goldstei » Mon, 19 Nov 2001 07:05:45

It's time for me to get a new computer. I will keep the monitor I have, and
I don't want to spent more than $1500-$2000 Canadian (about $1300 US max). I
already have a DVD-ROM, and I think I'll keep using a Ge Force 2 MX 400 for
a while (I know they're not that great, but I want to wait a bit until a GF3
comes down in price). I don't know whether to go with an Intel or Athlon
chip. Also, what sound card should I get? I'll mainly be playing GPL and
F12001 and similar games.

Thanks a lot for any help you guys can give. I'm e***d about the new
system.

Marc

STP

OT Help: New Computer for Sims

by STP » Mon, 19 Nov 2001 07:55:12


Best to go with AMD if you want speed and save money at the same time, the
latest are the AMD XP cpu's, but if you want to save money then get at least
a 1.33ghz Thunderbird, make sure it is a 133mhz front side bus model, they
will call it 266mhz, but it's really 133mhz, but because you are using DDR
ram it is rated 266mhz. Lot's of good motherboards out there and the latest
hot ones use the VIA KT266A chipset, take note of the A. The Soyo Dragon
Plus motherboard gets very good reviews, but there is one by Epox that is
also rated very good.Get at least 256mb of PC 2100 DDR ram, I order mine
from www.crucial.com  I have 512mb because ram is cheap now. A good sound
card that comes at a good price is the Turtle Beach Santa Cruz, you can get
one at your local Radio Shack. You will need a decent heatsink too and for a
half decent price I think the Thermalright SK6 is good (all copper). You go
to Mcmaster according to your return address so if you want good prices in
Toronto then go to Canada Computer, two stores in TO.
http://www.racesimcentral.net/,
might need to buy an Enermax 350w powersupply.

don hodgdo

OT Help: New Computer for Sims

by don hodgdo » Sun, 18 Nov 2001 08:01:22

Check out Mwave.com
<http://www.racesimcentral.net/; I just had
them build a machine with a T-Bird 1.4, Swiftech cooler, Abit KT7a mobo, 512
ram, SB Live Platinum, GeForce 2 GTS 64meg card, Win 98SE and a Plextor
CD/RW in a Lian Li aluminum case with a 400w power supply. It totaled up to
just a bit over your budget, but you could cut back on the case/ps, the
sound card and the cd writer and come in well under budget. The system works
great and their service is excellent. They will build and test the whole
thing for $79.00USD, which saved me a lot of time and headaches.

--
don

-------------------------------------
                    BAPOM
Alternative Program Covers for GPL
   http://www.racesimcentral.net/


BrianM

OT Help: New Computer for Sims

by BrianM » Mon, 19 Nov 2001 08:58:32

I'm biased towards AMD at the moment.  You can read a review called "Athlon
XP Meets P4: A Comparison Of All CPUs"
http://www.racesimcentral.net/, Tom's
Hardware may also be biased!

If you do choose AMD (I did because of the price difference in CPU and RAM
prices), check out www.amdmb.com for some good reviews about motherboards.

I would select a motherboard based on either the nVidia nForce 420-D or Via
KT266A chipsets - see comparison here
http://www.racesimcentral.net/
nForce boards will probably be more expensive with built-in (GeForce 2-like)
video.

This is what I've just put together last week (all prices CDN):
-----------------------------------------------
EPoX 8HKA+ (KT266A-based, about $200)
AMD XP1800+ (OEM about $335, retail with fan about $355)
2 x 256MB Crucial PC2100 RAM (about $60 each)
Enermax EG451P-VE 431W W/ 2 fans (about $110, AMD's need good power
supplies)
Sound Blaster Audigy (OEM, moved from old PC, about $100)
Visiontek GF3 (moved from old PC)
Pioneer DVD (moved from old PC)
Rounded IDE and floppy cables

I getting 3DMark2001 scores of about 7200 with nothing overclocked, DirectX
8.1, Win98SE, 22.80 drivers.

I will be getting a good heatsink and fan to replace the stock HSF when I
eventually decide to overclock (Thermalright SK-6 with Delta 60mm 37CFM fan,
about $65 CDN).

I splurged on a nice Lian-Li PC69USB aluminum case (about $220 CDN) that I
hope lasts my next couple of CPU/motherboard upgrades.

I bought this from a local shop in Ottawa - you can check
http://www.racesimcentral.net/
http://www.racesimcentral.net/

Have fun,
Brian



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