How much...

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Daedalus4198

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Mar 5, 2008
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How much do you suppose a custom computer that could run TF2 on decent (Medium-High) settings without any (or very low) slowdown when there's a lot of action around would cost? I'm familiar with TigerDirect and Newegg, and I know how to build a computer, I just want some estimates from you guys, since you know what works and what doesn't better than I do for this game.

I get horrid slowdown on my current graphics card (GeForce FX 5200 FTL) and while my CPU has a respectable 2.6Ghz behind it, my motherboard has been pretty much upgraded to its capacity (anything better, graphics card, RAM, CPU isn't compatible), so I just want to start from scratch.
 
[link=http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=3584477&sku=A455-2812]SLi Motherboard[/link]
This motherboard would be great if you wanted a cheaper, less future-proof option. Just slap even one 8600GT ($90-ish) in there and it would run TF2 at decent fps.

[link=http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3601891&CatId=2547]CrossfireX Motherboard[/link]
This motherboard would be better for a more long-term commitment (possibly marriage). If you pop a 3850 ($150-ish) in there for a cheaper solution it would run more than fine.

Both of these motherboards are great options for an upgrade base, I'm not sure what else you're looking for in your system so that's about all I can do for you. I'd go with newegg.com to find graphics cards, though, they're usually cheaper than tigerdirect.com.

All together with everything my estimate would be $600 or so, depending on if you get everything high-quality or not. Best wishes to you.
 
how much are you willing to spend??? Also can your salvage any parts from your current pc?? ram,psu,hdd??
Id reccomend the radeon 3850 if you can afford it they are a lot better than the 8600gt. I Have the 3870 and i run tf2 prety much maxed out.
also go intel for processors. Depending on your budget you could pick an intel e6550 for about $170. If you need ram ddr2 is cheap so 2 gigs wont be a budget breaker. One last thing dont skimp on the PSU youll regret it later.
 
Just buy a new mobo that supports your processor and ram, then upgrade your video card. I've still got my P4 3.0GHz, 2GB DDR RAM, 8x AGP and it runs beautifully. Paid just around $100 for an Nvidia 7800GS card, and it works GREAT. No problems with TF2, and I could even play Crysis!

...well, the demo anyway...
 
What processor do you have? Post it so that I could help you find a motherboard that supports it. Also post your ram. If you could just buy a new motherboard that has PCI-E on it that is the right socket, you can just use your current processor. And like people said, the ATI Radeon 3850 is a very nice medium budget card.
 
I'm not sure about all my exact brand specs, etc. (I'm on my laptop at the moment). I know I have a 2.6Ghz Single Core CPU, 1 GB (2 x 512MB) RAM (Not sure which type, I know it's 184 pin). I've got a GeForce FX 5200 graphics card with I think 128Mb video memory.

I think it would just be easier to say I've got a Compaq Presario, and everything except the RAM and the video card is the same as it was out of the box.

As for money, I'm working on getting a job (I'm 16) and I can save up as much as I need to, but I think $700 would be a pretty high limit. I'd like to keep it between $500 and $600 if it's possible. I'd like to get everything from scratch, too.
 
That is quite reasonable.

http://gamereplays.org/hardware/task.php?nameid=specme_mar08

Look at the obvious obsolete - not really, it has about the same power as mine and I can run Crysis on medium. Choose whichever, but the man who makes the builds is quite talented and you should buy the parts for the one "recommended."

Going from a FX5200 and a 2.6GHz Pentium 4...you will certainly feel the upgrade.
 
Optical drive technology hasn't really changed that much in the last few years, aside from everything moving to SATA. You should be able to reuse your DVD drive in your new build.
 
Well yeah, I know I can reuse a lot of the parts, but I live with my mom (I'm 16) and she uses the computer all the time for her own things, so I'd just rather build a whole one for myself.

Another question that's completely off-topic. Is there a way I can make it so TF2 doesn't take ten minutes to launch? It does that every time. Then it takes it forever to connect to a server the first time, but it's forgivable every time after that for the day. I've got cable internet, so it's not a slow connection thing, and my router's ports are forwarded for TF2.
 
well thats probably due to the hardware your using. ill try to see if i can get a decent pc built for ya and post the parts on here.
 
ok so heres what ive come up with that should put out better performance than what you got. It does nto include keyboard, mouse or monitor though. this is all assuming you want to build it yourself. if you dont know how im sure me and some others could help walk you through it. the total without shipping is [edit] $582.91 USD. but the video card has a $30 mail in rebate.

video: [link=hyperlink url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150229[/link]
DVD: [link=hyperlink url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151152[/link]
case: [link=hyperlink url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811208013[/link]
hdd: [link=hyperlink url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811208013[/link]
motherboard:[link=hyperlink url] http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138074[/link]
power supply: [link=hyperlink url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182016 [/link]
memory: [link=hyperlink url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145098[/link]
processor: [link=hyperlink url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103194[/link]
os: windows vista system builders kit. [link=hyperlink url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116204[/link] <--if you dont want vista i think xp builders pack is $20 cheaper.

this pc should give alot better performance but if you really could wait a few months and save up some more money id do that and go with an intel processor and motherboard intel is much better!
 
smoochee's got the right idea, good stuff there. newegg is a fantastic supplier, and I've never had a single problem with them. unlike several other dealers I could mention......
 
For that money he can do WAY better than an 8600GT. Motherboard is a generic pos. Ram should be DDR2800 (he can afford it). You posted the same link for the case + hd, but get a case from a reputable manufacturer - that one is kind of iffy. Coolermaster, antec, etc. will be fine. Rosewill PSUs suck, they are Newegg's "store brand."

Getting an AMD board is stupid atm what with Intel ahead in the processor market plus Intel just made a huge reduction on prices. Not to mention the fact that AMD owns ATI and you are suggesting a Nvidia card...

Research your builds more before posting. That is a REALLY bad computer for the price. Here is my build ASSUME NO OS/SHIPPING (tax is null unless you live in cali).

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135059 (ECS P35, great manuf+board)
Processor: Core 2 Duo E8200 - $163 (not yet available at newegg/tigerdirect
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817189014 (500W Xclio Stablepower)
Memory: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820208283 (2GB Transcend DDR2800 value)
case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147095 (rosewill 120MM single)
GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814134038 (ECS 9600 GT 512MB/256bit)
HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148262 (Seagate Barracuda 250GB 16MB)

$600 or so, tax is null, shipping maybe ~$50, OS whatever

Then you can tweak from there. A different chipset mobo (perhaps 650/680i, though expensive), 4GB of RAM, 3870 or 8800GTS 512 if you can find it cheap, etc. If you want the OS included in that build, just drop the HDD down to 160GB to shave abit, get a similar quality PSU for cheaper, etc. Plus there are ways of acquiring software that you can't with hardware.

My advantages:

Intel board
Much better GPU
reliable PSU
Better Mobo
faster memory

How do you fancy TF2 all high?

I assume you can just pirate a DVD from your old computer...surely your mom doesn't use that often.
 
i spent 400 amd can run it at the highest settings with no problem what so evevr
 
im sorry i was wrong about hte total its actually like $582.90 i think?? it was close to that. i forgot to go back into the shopping cart after i changed a few parts.
 
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