I pre-ordered F1 2001 BEFORE I found out that my Voodoo3 wasn't gonna
work. I received it yesterday, and they were right... no go on my
current system. I was planning on giving my existing computer to my kids
(after I remove the porn, of course! ;) and starting from scratch for
my next PC. I'll keep my LWFF wheel, so that's the only thing I don't
have to buy. I'll probably stick with with a 17" monitor and a 56K
modem, but after that I'm open to suggestions as to what I should get to
get the best performance for GPL, Unreal/Quake type games, and of
course, F1 2001. Oh, and I'll have about $2000 total to spend.
Processors, graphics cards, RAM, soundcards, speakers... I'm looking for
suggestions for all of 'em.
My last upgrade was when the Voodoo3's first came out, so I've been out
of the shopping business for a while... Anyone wanna point me in the
right direction?
Warlock!
You don't need to spend $2,000 anymore for a top of the line computer.
I would recommend an Athlon based system, with 266Mhz FSB (1.333 GHz and up)
Since you are going with a 266 based system, you'll be getting PC 2100 DDR
memory....I'd get two 256MB chips for 512MB total.
Other stuff:
Video card: GeForce 3 Ti200 64MB is (I got one Tuesday for only $180).
Sound Card: SB Live Value ($40)
Mobo: any 266Mhz based board w/o onboard sound/video (I recommend ASUS)
($100)
OS: Windows XP ($100)
HD: ATA 100, 7200rpm drive.....80GB are cheap, partitition into 2 or 4
drives. ($200)
You could get this sort of a system built for you, or do it yourself, for
under $1000.
I would also highly recommend getting a 19" monitor. They are cheap (under
$300). Get one with a maximum of .25 dot pitch (any higher and it doesn't
look that good) and 1600x1200 minimum resolution capability (some will go
higher, but you probably won't need it).
Just goto: www.pricewatch.com and look up prices for stuff. Don't waste
your time at a retail store with a name brand box. You end up overpaying
and besides that, they are usually crappy and hard to upgrade.
"Warlock!" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
Quoted text (19 lines)
> I pre-ordered F1 2001 BEFORE I found out that my Voodoo3 wasn't gonna > work. I received it yesterday, and they were right... no go on my > current system. I was planning on giving my existing computer to my kids > (after I remove the porn, of course! ;) and starting from scratch for > my next PC. I'll keep my LWFF wheel, so that's the only thing I don't > have to buy. I'll probably stick with with a 17" monitor and a 56K > modem, but after that I'm open to suggestions as to what I should get to > get the best performance for GPL, Unreal/Quake type games, and of > course, F1 2001. Oh, and I'll have about $2000 total to spend. > Processors, graphics cards, RAM, soundcards, speakers... I'm looking for > suggestions for all of 'em. > > My last upgrade was when the Voodoo3's first came out, so I've been out > of the shopping business for a while... Anyone wanna point me in the > right direction? > > Warlock! > >As I'm in about the same boat as the original poster, so I've been researching an upgrade as well. And I'd pretty much second most
of the reply; especially the part about the 19" monitor. But since he states a $2000 working budget, he can afford some upgrades.
My slant...
CPU - might as well go for an Athlon XP1800. Runs about heads up with a P4 2ghz, has more OC headroom than the older Athlons if
you're so inclined, and is still cheap for the performance. But be sure it has a good fan.
MB - look for a new model based on the KT266A chip, as they offer a significant performance boost versus the older KT266.
VIDEO - A 1st gen GeForce 3 (not Ti) can be had for well under $300 and will outperform the new Ti 200 models. If you can wait a
bit watch for reviews on the new ATI Radeon 8500. It promises to outperform them all for about $250 or less IF ATI gets the drivers
sorted. We shall see.
SOUND - The new SB Audigy X-Gamer offers improved performance and can be had for only a little more than the Live's.
OS - not sure I'd go the XP route for a game box; I'd probably go with ME and turn off all the unneeded functions like system
restore that tend to bog it down.
Hope this is of use; happy shopping!
SB
"Jonathan Diehl" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:UyGx7.12097$[email hidden]...
Quoted text (28 lines)
> You don't need to spend $2,000 anymore for a top of the line computer. > > I would recommend an Athlon based system, with 266Mhz FSB (1.333 GHz and up) > > Since you are going with a 266 based system, you'll be getting PC 2100 DDR > memory....I'd get two 256MB chips for 512MB total. > > Other stuff: > > Video card: GeForce 3 Ti200 64MB is (I got one Tuesday for only $180). > Sound Card: SB Live Value ($40) > Mobo: any 266Mhz based board w/o onboard sound/video (I recommend ASUS) > ($100) > OS: Windows XP ($100) > HD: ATA 100, 7200rpm drive.....80GB are cheap, partitition into 2 or 4 > drives. ($200) > > You could get this sort of a system built for you, or do it yourself, for > under $1000. > > I would also highly recommend getting a 19" monitor. They are cheap (under > $300). Get one with a maximum of .25 dot pitch (any higher and it doesn't > look that good) and 1600x1200 minimum resolution capability (some will go > higher, but you probably won't need it). > > Just goto: www.pricewatch.com and look up prices for stuff. Don't waste > your time at a retail store with a name brand box. You end up overpaying > and besides that, they are usually crappy and hard to upgrade.Go to Alienware (www.alienware.com)
For $2000, you can get the Aurora DDR
http://www.alienware.com/main/system_pages/aurora%20ddr.asp
It's a truly AWESOME system
The new Athlon XP 1800 (blows away the P4 2.0 ghz)
GeForce 3
SB Live
60 GB HD
256 MB DDR ram
Klipsch ProMedia 4.1's (phenomenal speakers, the best on the market)
<drrrooool>
>Mobo: any 266Mhz based board w/o onboard sound/video (I recommend ASUS)
>($100)
>OS: Windows XP ($100)
All good advice, where can you get that GF3ti for $180???
But don't get "any" generic mobo, you WILL have problems. Major
players only ie Abit, Asus, MSI, Iwill, etc.
Also, Win XP does suck a lot of resources as an OS. I'd prefer Win98SE
or ME personally, unless you really like all the new features XP comes
with.
Rafe Mc
$2000? This is EASY!!!
~$120 - Athlon 1.4Ghz T-Bird Processor.
~$040 - Nice Fan/Heatsink.
~$080 - 512MB Micron PC2100 RAM.
~$150 - ABIT KG7 Main Board (or, save some money and get the ECS K7S5A @
~$75).
~$180 - Lian-Li PC60 All Aluminum Case.
~$050 - Antec 350 Watt Power Supply (or another of your choosing - watch the
EnerMax's though in the PC60).
~$140 - Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 7200 RPM Hard Drive
~$060 - Microsoft Office Keyboard (best keyboard they've ever made).
~$050 - Mouse of your choice.
~$079 - Turtle Beach Santa Cruz Sound Card.
~$400 - GeForce 3 Ti500 Video Card.
~$300 - High Quality 17" Display. Don't skimp here!
~$015 - Standard Floppy Drive.
~$175 - TDK VeloCD 16X CDR Drive.
~$075 - DVD Drive.
---------------------
Total - ~$1914.00
Most of these components are best-in-class...
-Larry
"Warlock!" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
Quoted text (18 lines)
> I pre-ordered F1 2001 BEFORE I found out that my Voodoo3 wasn't gonna > work. I received it yesterday, and they were right... no go on my > current system. I was planning on giving my existing computer to my kids > (after I remove the porn, of course! ;) and starting from scratch for > my next PC. I'll keep my LWFF wheel, so that's the only thing I don't > have to buy. I'll probably stick with with a 17" monitor and a 56K > modem, but after that I'm open to suggestions as to what I should get to > get the best performance for GPL, Unreal/Quake type games, and of > course, F1 2001. Oh, and I'll have about $2000 total to spend. > Processors, graphics cards, RAM, soundcards, speakers... I'm looking for > suggestions for all of 'em. > > My last upgrade was when the Voodoo3's first came out, so I've been out > of the shopping business for a while... Anyone wanna point me in the > right direction? > > Warlock! >Actually, the ProMedia 5.1's are the best speakers on the market :)
Yes, I have them :)
-Larry
"Jeff Jones" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
Quoted text (19 lines)
> Go to Alienware (www.alienware.com) > > For $2000, you can get the Aurora DDR > http://www.alienware.com/main/system_pages/aurora%20ddr.asp > > It's a truly AWESOME system > > The new Athlon XP 1800 (blows away the P4 2.0 ghz) > GeForce 3 > SB Live > 60 GB HD > 256 MB DDR ram > Klipsch ProMedia 4.1's (phenomenal speakers, the best on the market) > > <drrrooool> > > > >Whatever you do do not get anything less than 19" for your monitor. It
really does make a huge difference. I had a 15" for a long time then I got a
Viewsonic PS790 and wow what a difference. Then my father got a Sony 21"
flat screen and mine looks small again. Remember bigger is better with
monitors. Just make sure you get at least .25 dot pitch.
"Larry" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:O%Vx7.9830$[email hidden]...
Quoted text (29 lines)
> Actually, the ProMedia 5.1's are the best speakers on the market :) > > Yes, I have them :) > > -Larry > > "Jeff Jones" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:[email hidden]... > > Go to Alienware (www.alienware.com) > > > > For $2000, you can get the Aurora DDR > > http://www.alienware.com/main/system_pages/aurora%20ddr.asp > > > > It's a truly AWESOME system > > > > The new Athlon XP 1800 (blows away the P4 2.0 ghz) > > GeForce 3 > > SB Live > > 60 GB HD > > 256 MB DDR ram > > Klipsch ProMedia 4.1's (phenomenal speakers, the best on the market) > > > > <drrrooool> > > > > > > > > > >I agree 100% with this post - just like to add :-
I recommend the Epox KHA+ motherboard (KT266A chipset) fast, stable,
compatible - kicks ass.
I'd also recommend ME over XP - below is the magic command to get rid of the
system restore crap and turn WinME into the best gaming OS available.
Start / Run "\windows\pchealth\support\pchsetup /uninstall"
~~
> Actually, the ProMedia 5.1's are the best speakers on the market :)
>
> Yes, I have them :)
hehe .. I stand corrected :)
"> CPU - might as well go for an Athlon XP1800. Runs about heads up with a
P4 2ghz
Faster actually, from what I've been reading.
Whatever you do, make sure the letters c o m are included in the keyboard.
Should be easy with that budget.
