24 replies to this topic

[bikerbass77]

I built the core of my PC a bit under 6 years ago. As you would expect, it is now showing its age. As a Core 2 Duo based machine, it is struggling to have anything near steady or good frame rates in MWO. Right now, I need to get some recommendations as to how best to upgrade.

This is complicated by the fact that I am quite poor. I have been unemployed since June and am just in the process of going self employed so money is tight. My graphics card is good, an Nvidia GTX460 1gb, so it seems that my main bottleneck is going to be the CPU which is an E7200 clocked at 3.6ghz.

Now, from my understanding, Cryengine 3 works best with quad core CPU's. So I am looking for those with similarly powered graphics cards to volunteer how well their systems are performing. What I am looking at is the minimum FPS you experience while in game.

Currently, with the latest patch, performance has been a lot better. Still, I have frame rates between the mid 20's to the late 40's depending on the map and how many mechs are on screen.

Right now, I am looking towards AMD solutions as they seem to be a lot cheaper for multi core systems. If I had the money I would go out and buy an I5 based system, but for me that is far too rich right now to be remotely possible.

[Bloodshed Romance]

I would buy a quad core FM1 or FM2 combination.. those have decent graphics bundled together... best bang for buck..

[Bloodshed Romance]

this is with the biggest FM2 chip you can get..

Processor ($130): http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819113280
Motherboard ($55): http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813157331
Ram ($33): http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820231607

[Phelan Ward-Kell]

If you're preference is Intel procs, I recommend an Intel Core i5 **SOCKET 1155**
You can get a quad core option with solid performance and a plethora of motherboards to choose from.

CPU: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819116781
Mobo: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813157315


It's about $50 more than that AMD ****, but better performance and quality in my opinion.

Edited by PhelanPatrickKell, 24 October 2012 - 04:29 PM.

[Skrapheap]

Assuming you already have a decent ATX mid tower case you should be able to build a relatively modern rig for around $400. I would go with an AMD A6-3650 ($85 US) and pair it with an ASRock A55M-HVS ($50 US), as well as 8 GB of ram ($40), a 500 watt PSU ($60), a 500 GB hdd ($70), and your choice Windows 7 or 8 64 bit ($99). Now the mobo does not have much space for expansion, and the CPU is not an unlocked version, but it should be enough to get you through until you can build something with a bit more punch.

[Bloodshed Romance]

well I was doing my sample build considering the fact he could reuse his hard drive, powersupply, and case..
he hasn't specified what he already had other than his CPU.. so.. idk

[Sir Roland MXIII]

Bloodshed, why are you recomending FM1? If Trinity's were Ford Mustangs rather than APUs, Llano APUs would be a toddler's tricycle.

Besides, he says he has a decent GPU. So suggesting an APU seems rather counterintuitive. He wants new CPU suggestions. He doesn't seem to want or need an APU.

Edited by Sir Roland MXIII, 24 October 2012 - 05:23 PM.

[Bloodshed Romance]

i'm not familiar with the nvidia cards... or at least not one like a 460 because I know the latest ones are like 660s and up..
but if thats a decent card then i'd recommend the FX4100 which is still with the $100 range, AM3+ motherboard and 8GB ddr3..

[Sir Roland MXIII]

The system requirements for MW:O say the recomended spec for Intel GPU is GTX 285, so a 460 is peachy.

As far as the CPU goes, I agree that a AM3+ socket is the way to go here, since that socket will be upgradeable for a while, according to AMD. With the release of the Vishera, the other AM3+ CPUs should come down in price a bit.

[Bloodshed Romance]

FX4100 and AM3+ motherboard with 8 GB ram and his 460 should be fine then.. i'll get links:


Motherboard ($60): http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813138345
CPU ($110): http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103996
Ram: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820231607

here is the new Vishera FX4300 but its $130 http://www.newegg.co...113287&Tpk=4300

thats why I was kinda suggesting the FM2 but, AM3+ is still a very good choice for upgrades later IE: more core chips..

[Frenchtoastman]

That am3+ board can be paired with a phenom II X4 quad for a penny pinchin' $79
Though I'm running with a 4100 right now and have yet to see it go passed 80% mechwarrior-ing and it stays cooler than the phenonses. If you've got a little extra to go for a 4100 over the PH, go for it.

http://www.tigerdire...5717&CatId=4431

Edited by Frenchtoastman, 24 October 2012 - 06:12 PM.

[Bloodshed Romance]

I will also post that my 8 core build thats in my signature.. MWO uses all 8 of my cores and my CPU will sit at about 45-50%.. I get 60 frames at 1080P with all settings maxed.. while standing still when I start moving it drops to around 40-50... when the server starts lagging I drop to 30.. then theres games where i'm down to 10 frames cause the servers screw up from time to time.. but thats all part of beta...

[ackack47]

I3-2100 or the Ivy Bridge equivilant are good enough. My smaller computer has an I3-2100 and a GTX 580 and it maxes MWO out at 1440p with over 60fps steady.

[Sir Roland MXIII]

Frenchtoastman, on 24 October 2012 - 05:51 PM, said:

That am3+ board can be paired with a phenom II X4 quad for a penny pinchin' $79

Huh. I'd quite forgotten the fact that AM3 chips worked in AM3+ motherboards. Good call.

[Hellgardia]

Since you're in the UK:

ASRock 970 Extreme3 AMD 970 (Socket AM3+) DDR3 ATX Motherboard - 65.99£

AMD Phenom II X4 Quad Core 955 Black Edition "125W Edition" 3.20GHz (Socket AM3) - Retail - 59.99£

Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo - 26.99£

Avexir MPower Series 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit - 29.99£

Total - 182.96£

You'll get great performance and overclockability.
If you have a bigger budget you could go with an i5-3570k and intel motherboard.

Cheers

Edited by Aniquilator6, 24 October 2012 - 11:34 PM.

[bikerbass77]

Bloodshed Romance, on 24 October 2012 - 05:59 PM, said:

I will also post that my 8 core build thats in my signature.. MWO uses all 8 of my cores and my CPU will sit at about 45-50%.. I get 60 frames at 1080P with all settings maxed.. while standing still when I start moving it drops to around 40-50... when the server starts lagging I drop to 30.. then theres games where i'm down to 10 frames cause the servers screw up from time to time.. but thats all part of beta...

Thanks Bloodshed, this was the kind of info I was after. From what I have read, the engine is not good with dual core CPU's at all and the lack of support for the AMD designs within Windows 7 had me concerned about their performance as they are not reputed to be good for gaming systems.

I saw a mention that I had not posted by spec. Sorry about that but I thought I had it on a sig, but that is on another forum I think. The full spec of my system is Core2Duo E7200 @ 3.6ghz, 6gb PC6400 Ram, Nvidia GTX460 1gb, 1TB Seagate Barracuda HDD, Creative X-Fi Extreme Gamer, Asus XONAR DX, Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L, Jeantech Storm 750w PSU.

Edited by bikerbass77, 25 October 2012 - 03:44 AM.

[bikerbass77]

Aniquilator6, on 24 October 2012 - 11:34 PM, said:

Since you're in the UK:

ASRock 970 Extreme3 AMD 970 (Socket AM3+) DDR3 ATX Motherboard - 65.99£

AMD Phenom II X4 Quad Core 955 Black Edition "125W Edition" 3.20GHz (Socket AM3) - Retail - 59.99£

Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo - 26.99£

Avexir MPower Series 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit - 29.99£

Total - 182.96£

You'll get great performance and overclockability.
If you have a bigger budget you could go with an i5-3570k and intel motherboard.

Cheers

Thanks for the links, I had been considering a very similar build to what you are suggesting.

[Nuisance Value]

ahh you know your current system will probably be just fine. no need to rush out and buy new stuff if you are on a budget.
You should at least wait until the devs have sorted out the duo core compatibility issues.

[bikerbass77]

The thing is I don't think that the devs will be able to fix dual core performance. Even with Crysis 2, which had a full production cycle and has been fully patched my system performance is below what my graphics card is capable of. I think that the issue is inherent with the Cryengine 3 and without re-writing the core code (a mammoth task, especially this late in the development process) there is little that the devs can do on this point.

Currently I am looking towards this kind of build:

http://www.dabs.com/...3-atx-7XNH.html
http://www.dabs.com/...b-95w-8BXJ.html
http://www.dabs.com/...mance-83WR.html

I am currently trying to decide between 3 CPU coolers

http://www.dabs.com/...ooler-861N.html
http://www.dabs.com/...294963789&src=3
http://www.dabs.com/...294963789&src=3

This all leads to a total cost around £250. For the lowest cost I5 it would be over £300 (keeping the motherboard features I need).

Edited by bikerbass77, 25 October 2012 - 05:30 AM.

[Bloodshed Romance]

AMD systems are fine, its the DX9 thats killing us... I cant wait till DX11 (which is hopefully in the next patch) gets here...