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| Thread ID: 97918 | 2009-03-04 07:01:00 | Lets Build a PC March 2009 | Metla (12) | PC World Chat |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 753332 | 2009-06-10 09:36:00 | $650 sounds promising, certainly cheaper than I was expecting. Tunez, thanks also for replying. Myself I have no idea about 4GB DDR2 RAM cards. Also, what's the deal with variance in output of PSU's? Is it especially crucial to have a higher number of watts, even beyond what is necessary to run the devices on the mobo, or is that just in expectation of potential expansion? Would it actually be worthwhile having more than 4GBs of RAM on two cores, or would bottlenecking (or anything really) necessitate four cores for more intensive work? Not that I'm considering splashing out, but I just figured 4GBs would more than suffice for anything I had in mind. Thanks both of you for your answers so far, your help is very much appreciated. |
Ancient Engine (14673) | ||
| 753333 | 2009-06-10 10:00:00 | The only benefit 4 GB ram would have is for windows itself. Unless you've got 64 bit programs as well. I'm using 64 bit Windows here, with 6 GB at the mo. Haven't really noticed a difference in anything. Its just good to have ram, if I need it. At the mo 67 processes are running lol, and 26% ram is being used. Still have plenty left (now, I know why some people dont like / use Vista :lol:) Since firefox is 32 bit (what I'm using now). Since, there's no point in using a 64 bit browser (if you want to use flash). Since there is no version of flash for 64 bit browsers. The only 64 bit program on here at the mo is O&O safeerase , and I may install O&O defrag later. It depends on what youre going to have in the case really, on what wattage the PSU should be. I'm using a 430w psu, And the only thing in the case, is a 2.5 dual core Intel CPU, 250 GB hdd, DVD burner, internal SDHC card reader, ATI HD3450 videocard (with DVI/VGA/HDMI), and a USB tuner. It hasnt died YET. You wont get all of the 2 or 4 cores, UNLESS whatever program you're using supports 2 or 4 cores as well |
Speedy Gonzales (78) | ||
| 753334 | 2009-06-10 10:01:00 | Well that system I built for my friend, he states it can run crisis on all high settings with no lag, so I assume that for most game you can throw at it will survive. I have 8GB ram, the only place I have seen a improvement from 4GB was in GTA4 and in supreme commander forged alliance when I am hosting and we are using a 81x81KM map with 8 players. Also the program doesn't control the cores used so don't worry about that. |
Tunez (14674) | ||
| 753335 | 2009-06-10 10:12:00 | Crysis, (so I've read) also has a 64 bit version? Another good reason (if you use 64 bit, and have plenty of ram) is you could load ALL of whatever into memory, then you'll notice the difference in speed (since it wont be using the hdd) | Speedy Gonzales (78) | ||
| 753336 | 2009-06-10 10:24:00 | So more RAM is only utilised when running 64 bit programs, although using 64 bit windows would ensure some kind of future-proofing, right? And the same goes for cores, with more cores actually only being utilised by specific, enabled programs? If that's the case (not saying I'm doubting you at all), is there a way of knowing which programs support more cores? I sort of assumed dual or quad cores would just speed everything up in general (of course I expected there would be some exceptions though). In terms of manufacturers, what brands are the good ones. Speedy, you already mentioned ASUS. Should I just get ASUS stuff where possible? Bearing in mind I don't have a fortune to work with. I'd expect there to be some compromise between cost and quality. Can I trust ATI and AMD, or is there a good reason why Intel stuff is more steeply priced? Tunez, Crysis supports DX10 right? Which is in turn only supported by Vista at the moment. This may seem like a dumb question, but does the 32 bit and 64 bit divide also influence graphics to a large degree, or is the difference minimal if any at all? |
Ancient Engine (14673) | ||
| 753337 | 2009-06-10 10:33:00 | ATI and AMD are OK. I did have an ATI system, till the shop I got it from killed it a few months ago lol. Then I decided to change to an Intel system. Nothing wrong with ATI (I used to use Nvidia videocards, but the drivers usually crashed). Which is why I changed to ATI. All of the PC's here, have ATI cards in them (3 of them). Never had any probs with any of them. Umm, not too sure about Crysis, never tried / used it. Actually I dont have any games. If I need to play a game, I'll use the Xbox instead. ASUS are pretty cheap. Most of this system is ASUS (the mobo, case, burner). The bluetooth adapter was, till it decided not to work in Vista (even tho the ASUS site says it supports Vista 32 and 64 bit, it doesnt). ASUS hardware isnt that expensive (altho that depends on WHAT mobo you get and whats on it). This will probably apply to any mobo tho. |
Speedy Gonzales (78) | ||
| 753338 | 2009-06-10 10:41:00 | Hey, Xbox or 360? I mostly game on my 360, but I have AoEIII and I want Empire Total War, both of which require a better PC than my current one. As for the mobo, what comes standard? I don't see myself needing Firewire or anything really fancy. Mostly just USB ports, ethernet and non-USB monitor support, and enough room for RAM. It would also be handy if the mobo is quite good, to an affordable degree, so if I decide to upgrade in the future I can just reuse it (would that be possible?). |
Ancient Engine (14673) | ||
| 753339 | 2009-06-10 10:45:00 | And the same goes for cores, with more cores actually only being utilised by specific, enabled programs? If that's the case (not saying I'm doubting you at all), is there a way of knowing which programs support more cores? I sort of assumed dual or quad cores would just speed everything up in general (of course I expected there would be some exceptions though). I think we are on a paper road here, I don't think or know of anything to do with programs only utilizing one core at a time, to my knowledge you don't need to worry about this at all as it is not existent, as to say a program can use up to the max amount of cores. It can also run using DirectX 9, both on Vista and Windows XP 32 or 64 bit. For me, good brands that I stick with for hardware is: ASUS, AMD/ATI, Gigabyte, nVidia, Western Digital, Kingston, foxconn, XFX. For finding the right product: www.newegg.com For finding the Best NZ price: http://pricespy.co.nz/ |
Tunez (14674) | ||
| 753340 | 2009-06-10 10:50:00 | 360. A mobo usually has a network card, sound, and something to connect hard drives too (obviously). Either SATA or IDE, USB2. Some have video onboard (quite a few AMD's also have DVI/HDMI/VGA) Here's some AMD mobos (www.xpcomputers.co.nz), these exclude GST. And CPU's (www.xpcomputers.co.nz) Just an example of how much they can cost (and the different brands). Depends what you mean by upgrade, if you get a later CPU, the mobo would have to support it. And the CPU would have to have the same amount of pins as the mobo. So, it'll fit. |
Speedy Gonzales (78) | ||
| 753341 | 2009-06-10 10:55:00 | Here is 8 AM2 socket mother boards that would be worth considering if you will be using a AM2 socket mobo: www.newegg.com The prices are US$ so once you have found one you feel you are happy with check the price on www.pricespy.co.nz |
Tunez (14674) | ||
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