40 replies to this topic

[Blackfoot]

Maybe I'm not the only old veteran with this question. I'm a bit computer retarded I must say and just like everyone else here I'm wanting to play MWO as soon as BETA opens up. I've played every MW game since the first one came out, but havent played since NBT days. The current PC I have is about 3-4 years old and I am not sure if it will be able to run MWO. Its a Dell inspiron 530s. 2.5 gig processor, 2GB sdram (4GB max) The RAM upgrade is pretty cheap (about 30 bucks US.) but I'm not sure about the graphics card, its a Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100 Dynamic.Anything you guys can recommend for an old solahma on a budget?

Edited by Blackfoot, 21 April 2012 - 06:20 AM.

[Adridos]

There was an article on Nvidia about how to build a rig to play Crysis 2 on max for a pretty cheap price.

[Blackfoot]

Yeah, I just looked up the article and alot of the commenters were calling foul on the build. Also I was hoping I can still use the graphics card or the processor but I know nothing about the computers running ability yet because I need an operating system on it also. A friend gave it to me recently and I want to get it ready by the summertime to play.

[Gremlich Johns]

I recommend looking at the numerous other "What computer should I have to play MWO". Some of the guys have posted really great ideas over a broad range of prices. You are sure to find something that will fit your budget.

[Catamount]

I think a little more info is needed.

Do you want the cheapest build that will physically make the game playable (ie ~20fps at minimum settings), that could possibly play the game acceptably (30-40fps at low-medium settings), the cheapest rig that can play the game completely smoothly at high settings?

Alternatively, do you have a specific budget in mind? If you tell us what you want to spend, we can give the nicest build(s) within that price range.


Just give us a few more specifics, and we'll get you set up

Edited by Catamount, 21 April 2012 - 06:36 AM.

[The Maestro]

Integrated graphics don't stand a chance on CryEngine. You'll need to build a new rig or buy a prebuilt, because that Dell is about as upgradeable as an iPhone. Give a budget of what you're willing to shell out, and then someone can tell you what is possible.

[Vulpesveritas]

The Maestro, on 21 April 2012 - 07:09 AM, said:

Integrated graphics don't stand a chance on CryEngine. You'll need to build a new rig or buy a prebuilt, because that Dell is about as upgradeable as an iPhone. Give a budget of what you're willing to shell out, and then someone can tell you what is possible.

Unless those integrated graphics are in a Llano or Trinity APU.
Which is most likely your best budget option, if you are having a PC built for you. In which case, I recommend waiting until June. Trinity is being released then.
At bare minimum, if you are going to buy now, I would recommend this in a desktop;
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16883108703
Or this in a laptop:
Either this: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16834230216
or this: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16834158268

[Blackfoot]

I was hoping to get something together that would play the game acceptably on medium settings. I was hoping maybe I could use the same processor and just slap some more RAM in there which would give it 4gb. But arent the integrated cards built into the motherboard and I would have to buy a whole new motherboard to replace the graphics card? I'm not sure because I knew alot about computers 10-15 years ago, but now I'm in the dark on it all. I'm on disability at the moment so maybe 200 bucks is the best I can spend on it. I read alot of the other threads about comp upgrades, but those guys had different setups and much more to spend.

[TheUncle]

I'd say wait for the game to come out first. In 3 months the equipment you buy today may (and in case of GPU will) be outdated.
Newest mainstream Geforce GPU's are just about to come out and when they do, everything a little older will become quite affordable.

Plus you we have no really significant indicators of where the game stands in terms of performance. Of course, one could assume that a build able to play Crysis 2 will suffice, but if there is no other kind of need for new parts, I'd wait anyways.

[neodym]

I say if you have something like Phenom X3 higher clocks or I3 540 and for gpu something like 5770 or better you can have nice high settings and good FPS

[Vulpesveritas]

Well, if you're going to keep your PC, I recommend swapping out the CPU for this: http://www.amazon.co...5/dp/B0037HPZAI
Getting this cooler: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16835226048
and this video card: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814102958
And possibly this PSU: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817151090
At the very least to play, you can upgrade your video card to this, if you're going bare minimum. All you need is a phillips screwdriver and to take off the side panel and back slot;
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814102958

Your core 2 duo will do okay, it's within the minimum requirements for CryENGINE 3, although you are going to either need a new AMD APU with higher end integrated graphics, or a dedicated graphics card. A quad core processor is recommended.

Edited by Vulpesveritas, 21 April 2012 - 09:00 AM.

[Catamount]

No, no, you could add a video card, but there's a question of feasibility there.

To make this work, because the 530s is a slim desktop (is what what "s" means?), you'd have to gut the computer, stick it in a new case (NZXT Gamma; my go-to budget case), that way you have the ventilation for a video card. Then you'd probably get something like a 7770 (http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814161402), at most. Something like a 7750 or 6750 is also an option (the 6770 and 550ti are bad deals; they're only like $10 cheaper than the 7770).

That's about $180 there, give or take. Then you'll need a suitable PSU

If you do mail-in rebates, go with the Corsair CX430; http://www.newegg.co...Corsair%20CX430 $26 for a power supply that actually works just doesn't happen, period, so this is a good deal


If you don't like MiRs, and most don't, then you're going with this: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817371034

As far as I know, that's the cheapest useable PSU without rebates (Rosewill Stallion PSUs might work too, but I know nothing about them)


So now you're at $220

I assume you're using a micro-atx board, and those often only have two RAM slots in machines like that, so a 4GB kit of DDR2-800 is needed too. That's only $51: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820231207


So to recap:

Case: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811146061 $46

PSU : http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817371034 $40

Video Card: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814161402 $137

RAM: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820231207 $51


Total cost: $274

You could save $20 or $30 by getting a cheaper video card, or by doing the PSU with the rebate; in my opinion you might as well spend the tiny bit extra.



Is it worth doing? Your Processor is really pretty darned old. It might work, but it might not work well for MWO.

If it doesn't, the cheapest viable setup would probably be a Phenom II X4 setup

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813131839
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103727


That adds $170 extra. Now you're up to $444. Unfortunately, that also means a copy of Windows 7 (they won't transfer an OEM license), so it's $544.


Now, 550 bucks is pretty darned good for a machine, but since you don't lose anything trying the upgrade option, I'd give it a go. At worst, you're out some labor to replace the motherboard and processor if the Core 2 Duo is too slow for MWO. So I'd go ahead and try the sub-$300 upgrade first



EDIT: You could also take Vulpes' option of upgrading the CPU alone; that would save the need for a new Windows copy

Edited by Catamount, 21 April 2012 - 09:13 AM.

[Gremlich Johns]

Is he running 64-bit OS? No?. 2 GB if you are only running XP SP3.

[Blackfoot]

I really appreciate everyones help and input. Maybe waiting a bit is the bet thing and saving what cash I can to spend on it in the meantime is the best option. It would be nice if the devs could give a ballpark on the specs, all in due time though. Thanks everyone. I have some really good options now. This is what I missed the most about MW is the way the community bands together to help each other out.

[neodym]

omg I have an idea! if you want best bang for buck buy some cheap GTX 460,like MSI..... that thing is cheap,powerfull and big OC headroom,its like clear choice if your tight on budget


also about the OS...

Edited by neodym, 21 April 2012 - 01:36 PM.

[Vincent Vascaul]

First of all don't pirate your OS, its not worth it. You can always just download the Win 8 beta till you can afford a copy of win 7. Second, I am working on a walkthrough for building a budget rig just for MWO but I have to wait until we get more specs on Sys reqs. I would recommend a Llano, they are greay proccessors, I was pretty impressed with the last one I built.

[Catamount]

(removed by Grimm)

But beyond saying they don't really work (not well, anyways), I'm not going to comment further on Windows hacks or pirating, since we already had a thread shut down for that a day or two ago.

Edited by Mason Grimm, 22 April 2012 - 09:20 AM.
Yes, I came and removed the bit about admission of guilt and all that. You are welcome ;)

[Chas]

Blackfoot, on 21 April 2012 - 05:31 AM, said:

Anything you guys can recommend for an old solahma on a budget?

Go out and hunt bandits?

Just kidding.

The big thing is "what does your budget look like in REAL DOLLARS".

That, in addition to your current system, will give people a good, solid set of parameters to work within.

[SNOWHOUND]

i take it the mobo uses a PCI-E graphics slot - if so you could probally get away with a graphics card upgrade and some more DDR2 RAM. either a GTX 560TI 1GB or an ATI Radeon 6950 1GB would come in at about £160 ($250).

note the production of the 6950 has been discontinued but theres still a large support base for it.

Plus with the 6950 if you could get your hands on a reference model the bios can be reflashed to give the performance of a 6970 (which costs a hell of alot more) - the bios can also be reflashed with the newer PCBs but it does not utilize the dual bios so there is a risk of bricking it permanentely.

hope this is of some use.

[Vulpesveritas]

SNOWHOUND, on 22 April 2012 - 06:03 AM, said:

i take it the mobo uses a PCI-E graphics slot - if so you could probally get away with a graphics card upgrade and some more DDR2 RAM. either a GTX 560TI 1GB or an ATI Radeon 6950 1GB would come in at about £160 ($250).

note the production of the 6950 has been discontinued but theres still a large support base for it.

Plus with the 6950 if you could get your hands on a reference model the bios can be reflashed to give the performance of a 6970 (which costs a hell of alot more) - the bios can also be reflashed with the newer PCBs but it does not utilize the dual bios so there is a risk of bricking it permanentely.

hope this is of some use.

Problem is he has a slimline computer with only low profile expansion slots.