69 replies to this topic

[Major Bill Curtis]

Belorion, on 17 June 2012 - 04:55 PM, said:

Why are you suggesting a cpu with a graphics processor included, and a video card? I think they could get more cpu for their money.

Agreed - for literally a few dollars more (well $20-ish), what about this? I'm asking, not telling here. I don't have the Phenom II X4 965 but I'm thinking about it. Any users? Seems a solid processor for under $120.

I'm also considering the HD6850: seems like a very good card for a good price. People keep saying good things for a down and dirty game machine. Thoughts?

[Odins Fist]

Barbaric Soul, on 17 June 2012 - 11:49 AM, said:

You really need to learn to read alittle better. The upgrade, which included the APU/FM1 MB/RAM/GPU is just over $300, and that upgrade would make a system that actually exceeds the recommended specs released by the Devs. I said in my OP that the full system build would be just under $478 before shipping, and the DOES include the NZXT Source 210 case. When when working on a extremely limited budget that someone would need to be on to build a system this close to the games specs, the free use of Windows8 BETA makes perfect sence.

.
I need to read a little better, "LOL" Ok.. I wouldn't recommend and APU at the moment, not that it doesn't exceed recommended specs, but because I wouldn't build a customer a gaming rig with an APU, but I would put an APU setup together for someone's grandma that played club pogo games... LOL, and I was talking about the "FULL SYSTEM UPGRADE" of APU with compatible Video card, which I would also not do. "Redundancy..."
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Kind of funny, how you're going to need a new PSU if get the Video card huh(300 watt won't cut it), . Also one rule of thumb, "NEVER" cheap out on a PSU, don't believe me, then buy a Diablotek PSU, then in about 3 months tell me what you think made it catch fire...
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Maybe you don't need the new hard drive, but if your OEM version of Windows 7 won't activate, then that's another $99.00 right there.
Windows 8..?? if you have a touch screen monitor ok, if not Windows 7 64 bit is right on the money.... Windows 8, oh no, my desktop looks like a huge I-pod now, but seriously who wants to test an OS, and have it lock up when you are trying to win a Clan match on MWO? I didn't say it's going to happen, but you never know..
.
The seed of doubt...Successfully planted.

[Odins Fist]

Major Bill Curtis, on 17 June 2012 - 05:09 PM, said:

Agreed - for literally a few dollars more (well $20-ish), what about this? I'm asking, not telling here. I don't have the Phenom II X4 965 but I'm thinking about it. Any users? Seems a solid processor for under $120.

I'm also considering the HD6850: seems like a very good card for a good price. People keep saying good things for a down and dirty game machine. Thoughts?

.
I have had, and have sitting right in front of me a Phenomm II 965 (retail not OEM), brand new in the box, and have (past) ran one for at least 8 months clocked up to 3.7Ghz, on the stock cooler, if you have an AM3+ board you could get the something else, if not then if you are trying to save money, than the 965 is a decent choice, but the memory controller only officiallysupports up to 1600 Mhz RAM.
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Are you going to overclock..?? What are your system specs..?? Motherboard etc.. etc..

[razorkill12]

Major Bill Curtis, on 17 June 2012 - 05:09 PM, said:

Agreed - for literally a few dollars more (well $20-ish), what about this? I'm asking, not telling here. I don't have the Phenom II X4 965 but I'm thinking about it. Any users? Seems a solid processor for under $120.

I'm also considering the HD6850: seems like a very good card for a good price. People keep saying good things for a down and dirty game machine. Thoughts?

Nice I have the Phenom II 965 oc'd to 3.8. It runs well with my 6950x2gb

My friend has a 6850 and loves it. I just got a thing in the e-mail from newegg for a 6950x2gb for like $189. good price

[Barbaric Soul]

Belorion, on 17 June 2012 - 04:55 PM, said:

Why are you suggesting a cpu with a graphics processor included, and a video card? I think they could get more cpu for their money.

Major Bill Curtis, on 17 June 2012 - 05:09 PM, said:

Agreed - for literally a few dollars more (well $20-ish), what about this? I'm asking, not telling here. I don't have the Phenom II X4 965 but I'm thinking about it. Any users? Seems a solid processor for under $120.

I'm also considering the HD6850: seems like a very good card for a good price. People keep saying good things for a down and dirty game machine. Thoughts?

Odins Fist, on 17 June 2012 - 05:26 PM, said:

.
I need to read a little better, "LOL" Ok.. I wouldn't recommend and APU at the moment, not that it doesn't exceed recommended specs, but because I wouldn't build a customer a gaming rig with an APU, but I would put an APU setup together for someone's grandma that played club pogo games... LOL, and I was talking about the "FULL SYSTEM UPGRADE" of APU with compatible Video card, which I would also not do. "Redundancy..."
.
Kind of funny, how you're going to need a new PSU if get the Video card huh(300 watt won't cut it), . Also one rule of thumb, "NEVER" cheap out on a PSU, don't believe me, then buy a Diablotek PSU, then in about 3 months tell me what you think made it catch fire...
.
Maybe you don't need the new hard drive, but if your OEM version of Windows 7 won't activate, then that's another $99.00 right there.
Windows 8..?? if you have a touch screen monitor ok, if not Windows 7 64 bit is right on the money.... Windows 8, oh no, my desktop looks like a huge I-pod now, but seriously who wants to test an OS, and have it lock up when you are trying to win a Clan match on MWO? I didn't say it's going to happen, but you never know..
.
The seed of doubt...Successfully planted.

You guys do realise that the 2600k is also equipped with a integrated gpu chip. Just because it has it, doesn't mean you have to use it. $20 is $20 if someone's budget is stretched so tight that a build like this is thier only option.

@ Odin

Why suggest a more expensive CPU when the $100 APU will do the job for less. That is exactly why I picked it in the first place.

Cheap PSU? Did I not list a Antec? Are Antec not decent power supplies? Infact, does it not have more power for less money than the Corsair that was suggested? Some people may need a PSU, some won't. It's that simple.

And about Windows 8, like it or not, it won't be long before you can't buy a computer with Windows 7. Windows 7 is not right for the money if the buyer doesn't have the money. And for the record,I prefer 7 myself. But if it meant me being able or not to buy a computer that meets or exceeds the specs for MW:O, yeah I'll use 8 until I can afford or obtain a copy of 7, but I won't sacrafice my hardware if I have a alternative.

So take your seed of doubt, use you imagination, and go plant it somewhere else.

Edited by Barbaric Soul, 17 June 2012 - 08:39 PM.

[Homeles]

Barbaric Soul, on 17 June 2012 - 08:34 PM, said:

You guys do realise that the 2600k is also equipped with a integrated gpu chip. Just because it has it, doesn't mean you have to use it. $20 is $20 if someone's budget is stretched so tight that a build like this is thier only option.

There are much better options.

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@ Odin
Why suggest a more expensive CPU when the $100 APU will do the job for less. That is exactly why I picked it in the first place.

The issue with the CPU you picked is that APUs are essentially worthless in the desktop space if you're going to use a discrete graphics card. They're great if you're really tight on cash and can't buy a discrete card though.

Llano overclocks like crap, and a Sandy Bridge Pentium or Celeron offers better performance for less money. If you're hell-bent on using AMD, the 3.1 GHz Athlon II X4 645 would be a much better choice at the same price. Also, as linked earlier, the Phenom II X4 965 is a great choice for an addition $5. Still, unless you're overclocking, I'd suggest a Pentium G870 at the $100 price point, or save some money and get a Celeron G550 for $60. Intel wins handily in gaming workloads.

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Cheap PSU? Did I not list a Antec? Are Antec not decent power supplies? Infact, does it not have more power for less money than the Corsair that was suggested? Some people may need a PSU, some won't. It's that simple.

Some Antecs are... their high end stuff is great. The one you linked is actually pretty good for the price... definitely not a ticking time bomb or anything.

Edited by Homeles, 18 June 2012 - 09:04 AM.

[Barbaric Soul]

Homeles, on 18 June 2012 - 08:56 AM, said:

The issue with the CPU you picked is that APUs are essentially worthless in the desktop space if you're going to use a discrete graphics card. They're great if you're really tight on cash and can't buy a discrete card though.

Llano overclocks like crap, and a Sandy Bridge Pentium or Celeron offers better performance for less money. If you're hell-bent on using AMD, the 3.1 GHz Athlon II X4 645 would be a much better choice at the same price. Also, as linked earlier, the Phenom II X4 965 is a great choice for an addition $5. Still, unless you're overclocking, I'd suggest a Pentium G870 at the $100 price point, or save some money and get a Celeron G550 for $60. Intel wins handily in gaming workloads.

Seems LegitReviews.com disagrees.

Quote

Legit Bottom Line: The AMD A6-3650 APU is a very capable processor that can do anything you ask it to and it overclocks very well as our chip got up to 3.8GHz!

http://www.legitrevi...article/1655/1/

Look people, I'm fully aware the 3650 is not the strongest CPU/APU available. I know it's not an ideal pick for a gaming computer. And I also know it is strong enough to play MW:O without any issues. If a Q6600 has no problems with MW:O, the 3650 APU will handle it.

[JabberJon]

Odins Fist, on 17 June 2012 - 05:26 PM, said:

Maybe you don't need the new hard drive, but if your OEM version of Windows 7 won't activate, then that's another $99.00 right there.
Windows 8..?? if you have a touch screen monitor ok, if not Windows 7 64 bit is right on the money.... Windows 8, oh no, my desktop looks like a huge I-pod now, but seriously who wants to test an OS, and have it lock up when you are trying to win a Clan match on MWO? I didn't say it's going to happen, but you never know..

Not sure what version you have, but my Windows 8 beta lets me switch from Metro to Classic, so it behaves just like 7. In a pinch, Windows 8 would work just fine.

[Homeles]

Barbaric Soul, on 18 June 2012 - 09:18 AM, said:

Seems LegitReviews.com disagrees.



http://www.legitrevi...article/1655/1/

Look people, I'm fully aware the 3650 is not the strongest CPU/APU available. I know it's not an ideal pick for a gaming computer. And I also know it is strong enough to play MW:O without any issues. If a Q6600 has no problems with MW:O, the 3650 APU will handle it.

A 3.8GHz overclock is not really that great. For Llano it is... but everything else can go higher.

If it's not an ideal pick, than why are you reccomending it? A Q6600 wrecks the 3650, by the way.
http://www.anandtech...oduct/403?vs=49

[Barbaric Soul]

Because this is a bottom of the barrel upgrade/build suggestion for the people that are still using old 1.5ghz single core pentium or celeron/17" 800*600 crt monitors that don't want to or dont have alot of money to spend on upgrading for this game.

Oh and FYI, though PM, I just recommened someone going with a 965 system over the 3650 system if they could afford to added cost.

[Homeles]

Barbaric Soul, on 18 June 2012 - 09:31 AM, said:

Because this is a bottom of the barrel upgrade/build suggestion for the people that are still using old 1.5ghz single core pentium or celeron/17" 800*600 crt monitors that don't want to or dont have alot of money to spend on upgrading for this game.

Oh and FYI, though PM, I just recommened someone going with a 965 system over the 3650 system if they could afford to added cost.

Still, there are better options: Sandy Bridge Pentiums, the Athlon II X4 645 (same CPU architecture, higher clock speed... can't argue with that).

[Barbaric Soul]

I'm not 100% sure the Pentiums are actually a good choice with Russ' comments about how a C2Q handles the game ALOT better than the E6750 at 2.66ghz.

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Well at home I have a Intel Core 2 Quad but I forget the MHZ but the point is that machine is maybe 1 year newer than the Core 2 Duo system we test on internally as the min spec but it performs leaps and bounds better. The bottom line is that CryEngine really wants to have a Quad core system and it seems even the entry level Quad core systems run very respectably.

The Athlon X4 your reffering to is OEM, meaning it doesn't come with a heatsink. More money to spend meaning the APU build is still less expensive. If the buyer has more money for the budget, everything is upgradeable.

[Barbaric Soul]

Homeles, on 18 June 2012 - 09:25 AM, said:

If it's not an ideal pick, than why are you reccomending it? A Q6600 wrecks the 3650, by the way.
http://www.anandtech...oduct/403?vs=49

You have the wrong benchmarks there bro. That's comparing the Q9650 (which is what I replaced with my 2600k) with the 3650 APU. If you look at the Q6600 vs the 3650 APU, you'll see they trade blows. On Anandtech benchmarks, which you listed, the 3650 beats the Q6600 in 16 of the benchmarks while the Q6600 beats the 3650 in 11 of the benchmarks(one of them being by only .1 of a point), and they tie one benchmark.

http://www.anandtech...oduct/403?vs=53


BTW, there is a huge difference that is relatively easy to notice between the Q6600 and Q9650. I've had both CPU's in the same motherboard/RAM combo.

Edited by Barbaric Soul, 18 June 2012 - 10:04 AM.

[Homeles]

Barbaric Soul, on 18 June 2012 - 09:51 AM, said:

I'm not 100% sure the Pentiums are actually a good choice with Russ' comments about how a C2Q handles the game ALOT better than the E6750 at 2.66ghz.

Yeah, I had forgotten that this game is using Cryengine 3, which hopefully supports 4 cores at minimum. So many garbage game engines have gotten me in a habit of saying "screw quad cores" on a budget.

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The Athlon X4 your reffering to is OEM, meaning it doesn't come with a heatsink. More money to spend meaning the APU build is still less expensive. If the buyer has more money for the budget, everything is upgradeable.

I actually figured out your reasoning with the boxed cooler thing earlier, and it seems sound. Still, if it were me on an extreme budget, I'd use some mayonnaise as TIM (I'm not kidding) and reuse my old cooler.

Still, for $5 more (I think we've agreed on this), the Phenom II 965 is definitely worth it.

Barbaric Soul, on 18 June 2012 - 10:00 AM, said:

You have the wrong benchmarks there bro.

Whoops. Mixing up my 6's and 9's.

Still, kind of sad that the Q6600 is 5 years old.

Edited by Homeles, 18 June 2012 - 10:06 AM.

[Vander StarStrife]

Lol, well .... I think you put together a great bottom of the barrel computer for those that have very little money. Great Job!!!!

[Major Bill Curtis]

Barbaric Soul, on 17 June 2012 - 08:34 PM, said:

So take your seed of doubt, use you imagination, and go plant it somewhere else.

Uh, OK then: apologies for having a conversation, making a suggestion, asking a question, and soliciting advice in your cheap hardware thread.

Here, have a free bump as a parting gift.

Edited by Major Bill Curtis, 18 June 2012 - 10:17 AM.

[Barbaric Soul]

Major Bill Curtis, on 18 June 2012 - 10:16 AM, said:

Uh, OK then: apologies for having a conversation, making a suggestion, asking a question, and soliciting advice in your cheap hardware thread.

Here, have a free bump as a parting gift.

That comment wasn't directed towards you Bill. I have no problem with conversations. That comment was meant for Odin's Fist in response to his finishing comment-

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The seed of doubt...Successfully planted.

My reply to you was the first section where I said-

Quote

You guys do realise that the 2600k is also equipped with a integrated gpu chip. Just because it has it, doesn't mean you have to use it. $20 is $20 if someone's budget is stretched so tight that a build like this is thier only option.

My apologies if you felt my comment was directed towards you. That was not my intention.

I will also PM you with an apology.

Edited by Barbaric Soul, 18 June 2012 - 10:45 AM.

[jrock]

ok once all you yahoo's make up your mind on what the specs should be, someone should call newegg and tell them we need 100 of these things and ask them if we can get volume pricing.

I'm guessing that they would give at least 5%.

[Meldarth Sunphot]

http://www.legitrevi...article/1838/1/

Such as the rumor FX line isn't good for games - lie -

You' won't see a difference.....unless you're doing a lot of video editing - even then difference is in minutes; not hours.....similar with 3d rendoring........but if you're seriously doing that you'll be running Iron.......

[nano]

Oh man Barbs...no good deed goes unpunished I guess. Cudos to you for sticking with this thread.