Getting a new computer. Need advice.

[Solid Dreams]

Re: Getting a new computer. Need advice.

i7 is the in thing now. That's the latest greatest from intel, and they're "relatively" cheap.

You'll want ram in multiples of 3 if you get an i7, the i7 works best with 3 DIMMs (not 4, etc.) which is sorta odd.

For something that powerful you'll probably want to at least get a raid 0 configuration with 2 hard drives, or you'll end up bottlenecking.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130504

That's a super nice video card.

Gotta make sure you get a mobo that works with it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229111

Could go with that, I guess. you said "couple of grand" and all.

[MrGiggles]

Re: Getting a new computer. Need advice.

i7 is the in thing now. That's the latest greatest from intel, and they're "relatively" cheap.

You'll want ram in multiples of 3 if you get an i7, the i7 works best with 3 DIMMs (not 4, etc.) which is sorta odd.

For something that powerful you'll probably want to at least get a raid 0 configuration with 2 hard drives, or you'll end up bottlenecking.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130504

That's a super nice video card.

Gotta make sure you get a mobo that works with it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229111

Could go with that, I guess. you said "couple of grand" and all.

That video card is top of the top of the line. That'll run you a lot, and will likely play Crysis on ultimate no problem. I think a 285 will run Crysis on ultimate settings as well.

It's cheaper to buy a mid-high range computer and update components every other year or so than it is to buy some sort of god machine and update it every 4 or even 6 years.

Most mid to high end computers will play Crysis on medium/high, depending on what you buy. In two years, mid-high range computers will likely play it on very high or even ultimate if you don't mind a framerate less than 40 or so.

So yeah, a ridiculously powerful computer will probably have 2-3 cards in SLI, I think you can do it with 295's but you'll need a PSU big enough to keep up, an upper-end i7 (I hear they overclock pretty well too), a mobo upwards of $250-300, some sort of RAID setup, a 1000 (or more) watt PSU (Corsair makes good PSU's), and as much RAM as you can possibly fit in there. RAM is really really cheap lately, and so are non-SSD hard drives.

Dunno what the AMD/ATI equivalents are to that Intel/Nvidia setup, but they're likely a bit cheaper. Don't ask which is better or the thread will get derailed faster than you can blink.

EDIT: Oh, you'll also need a very cool case. Everyone loves Antecs, go with one of those.

[ninjaKIWI]

Re: Getting a new computer. Need advice.

I recommend for a processor, the Intel i7 940 Quad Core, or a 965 if you're willing to pay for it, for a video card I like the GeForce GTX 280, motherboards I don't have a readied opinion on them so you're on your own there.

Actually since you said a couple grand, the NVIDIA Tesla C1060 would be a nice video card It's not exactly meant for gaming though, and wouldn't make much sense if you don't have a nice monitor.

By the way you'll need a nice power supply

[Shadowcliff]

Re: Getting a new computer. Need advice.

Haha, recently I've been badgering my dad to get a new computer, or at least update this one. We've got a nVidia GeForce 5400, which adequately runs most games. Our problem is RAM. And it's a BIG problem. This computer doesn't have many games on it, but that's kind of because we only have 512 MB of RAM. Yeah, laugh, it sucks.

My dad has actually told me that he'll help me build my own computer. At first it sounded like a lot, but thinking about it, it's just hard drive(s), CD drive(s), USB, RAM, processor, graphics card, motherboard, done. (Okay, I know almost nothing about hardware, but those are the essentials. I'm more of a software person.)
Buying components and piecing them together would probably give you a satisfying sense of "hey, I did that", plus it'll be a lot cheaper. Just do some research on the components (find out what combination of components gives you the performance you want), the assembly, and finally the price.

Oh, and talk to someone else about what the components actually are. I'm pretty sure I screwed that up.

[Nightfirecat]

Re: Getting a new computer. Need advice.

I'd say you should definitely get an i7 intel processor - it's the best out there atm...

As for video card, either works, but generally Intel goes with Nvidia, where AMD goes with ATI.

Ram - get triple channel, probably DDR3 also, if you can.
Hard drive... Doesn't really matter, but maybe get 2 so you can use RAID0 config for fast saving/loading.

Motherboard.... Get something expensive. Generally, that assures good quality.

And for a case, just get something with LOTS of cooling - that helps make sure that you won't have to worry about it.

[MrRubix]

Re: Getting a new computer. Need advice.

This topic also makes me feel really stupid at the same time, haha. I am very much a software person and have never tinkered around with hardware.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229111

Is this effectively a top of the line PC? Is there anything in this that could be a lot better?

[MrRubix]

Re: Getting a new computer. Need advice.

How long can I expect a computer like that to last me before I need to upgrade?

[danny53x]

Re: Getting a new computer. Need advice.

Oh god, that CyberPower computer looks crazy. If I had money I would just buy that... besides building my own computer feels like cooking my own food. Although I can customize it, I can't always rely on it. I'd be scared of ventilation issues and compatibility conflicts.

[MrRubix]

Re: Getting a new computer. Need advice.

That is what I worry about too -- buying the wrong parts together and having some kind of heating issues.

I am going to try for this Cyberpower computer -- but if anyone can bring up anything that could be better about it, or if this computer has any huge issues, please let me know. I need to see if this is too expensive with my mother, haha. She said "a few grand at most" and I figure this is less than a few grand :P Tis a couple!

[Kagami_Hiiragi]

Re: Getting a new computer. Need advice.

Get one with a light up keyboard.

[MrGiggles]

Re: Getting a new computer. Need advice.

How long can I expect a computer like that to last me before I need to upgrade?

I'd guess you have about 7 years before that would be considered a low-range computer. At that point you'll have to run games on lower quality settings.

[MrRubix]

Re: Getting a new computer. Need advice.

Damn it D:

But I mean it's technically the best I can get right now, yes? Is there any crucial piece of hardware that completely blows this one out of the water? (graphics, processor, mobo, etc)

[ninjaKIWI]

Re: Getting a new computer. Need advice.

Damn it D:

But I mean it's technically the best I can get right now, yes? Is there any crucial piece of hardware that completely blows this one out of the water? (graphics, processor, mobo, etc)

Yeah that's a really nice comptar you have there, it'll last you quite a while.

EDIT: It's pretty much what I'm going to be getting, except with an i7 940 instead of 950 probably, and with a soundcard.
EDIT2: If I were you I'd go one step further and get another NVIDIA GeForce GTX 295 and SLI it It prolly has the power.

[MrRubix]

Re: Getting a new computer. Need advice.

Yeah that's a really nice comptar you have there, it'll last you quite a while.

EDIT: It's pretty much what I'm going to be getting, except with an i7 940 instead of 950 probably, and with a soundcard.
EDIT2: If I were you I'd go one step further and get another NVIDIA GeForce GTX 295 and SLI it It prolly has the power.

Would that just be majorly overkill, though?

[ninjaKIWI]

Re: Getting a new computer. Need advice.

It'd ensure that you'd last longer gaming wise, and in case something happens with cooling it would help because it would half the stress on each video card, but that's just some of my paranoia I get when dealing with hardware though. It's really not necessary.

EDIT: I would also recommend the Razer Lachesis mouse and the OLD Logitiech G15 keyboard, depending on the gaming you will be doing. The ability to create macros on the keyboard is more useful than you would assume.