Need Tips of New Build!

nolonger · Rated R Joined: 19 Apr 2009 Posts: 98

Yep, another one of these threads.
I'm buying a computer in Paraguay in June and I've got to decide what I want on it. I have a basic idea so I'll layout the parts I've been thinking on getting with alternatives and their prices. This computer will be used mostly for gaming and I want it to be able to play AoC on DX10 and max settings with a 1280x1024 resolution. Here we go:

CPU
Core 2 Duo E8400 U$185
Core 2 Duo E8500 U$212
Phenom 9950 U$196
Phenom II 920 U$226
Phenom II 940 U$253

GPU
Sapphire HD4870 1GB GDDR5 U$247,50
Sapphire HD4870 512MB GDDR5 U$235
ATI Radeon HD4850 1GB DDR3 U$192

MB
Asus P5Q-E U$167
Asus P5QC U$149
Asus P5N-D U$126
Asus M3N72-D U$128
Asus M3N78-VM U$91

I don't think I'm going to upgrade the system, I'm most likely going to just buy a whole new system in 2 years. So what are your suggestions? The max I intend on spending is U$500. I could save up more if a few bucks give me a nice performance upgrade. As to the other components, I have a pretty much solid idea of what I'm getting, the MB, CPU and GPU are the only ones giving me some kind of trouble.

Prozium · Rated PG-13 Joined: 22 Apr 2009 Posts: 30

at that resolution just about anything there will work for you.

Core 2 Duo E8400 U$185
ATI Radeon HD4850 1GB DDR3 U$192
Asus P5QC U$149

or

Phenom II 940 U$253
ATI Radeon HD4850 1GB DDR3 U$192
Asus M3N72-D U$128

note that the intel set up uses ddr3 memory

all so, if you buy an AMD setup the ASUS M4A78-E is a better board for about the same price.

BTW the Phenom II 940BE is only $189.99
and the SAPPHIRE HD 4850 1GB is only $144.99
(the prices you posted for the mobos match the newegg.com prices with in $1 or $2 so IDK if the other prices are just out dated or what.)

nolonger · Rated R Joined: 19 Apr 2009 Posts: 98

The store I'm buying them at has different prices. I don't think they sell that motherboard, but I'll take a look. How about if I wanted to upgrade to a HDTV res, such as 1600x1080 (think this is what it is)? What video card would I need?

burnin8r · Rated R Joined: 15 Apr 2009 Posts: 54

nolonger · Rated R Joined: 19 Apr 2009 Posts: 98

Thought the W represented how hot it could get before a meltdown. Laughing

SAMSAMHA · Rated NC-17 Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Posts: 112

if you are playing games at 19x12 resolution, i woudl suggest go for the 1gb version. it usually has a better perofrmance with larger ram.

papajohn · Rated PG-13 Joined: 29 Apr 2009 Posts: 39

any of these components will work... good choice on graphics cards and CPUs

SUSHRUKH · Rated NC-17 Joined: 28 Jan 2007 Posts: 137

You can go either AMD or Intel way.I would say :-

Core 2 Duo E8400 U$185
Sapphire HD4870 1GB GDDR5 U$247,50
Asus P5Q-E U$167

zachig · Rated XXX Joined: 22 Mar 2005 Posts: 313

nolonger · Rated R Joined: 19 Apr 2009 Posts: 98

I just saw a Pentium Dual Core E5300 and I was stunned by its performance. The guys at Techgage managed to overclock it to 3,75Ghz with 1.4vcore (link). I'd think this would outperform a Core 2 Duo E8400, even when overclocked. What do you guys think? The E5300 is going for $80 at the store. I wouldn't mind spending an extra $30-40 on an after market cooler.

I'm trying to get the best performance out of a cheap build.