Bay 12 Games Forum

Finally... => Life Advice => Topic started by: ¿ on March 11, 2009, 08:31:55 pm

Title: New Computer
Post by: ¿ on March 11, 2009, 08:31:55 pm
500$. Don't need another screen. I need a lean, mean, (preferably green) DF churning machine.

I'm having trouble deciding on an AMD or Intel based computer. That 720 BE at 145$ with overclocking sounds like a real deal maker. But with 3 cores just barely outperforming 2 core Intels, I think that the Intels may have a better core-for-core power and may be better for single threaded apps like DF.
Title: Re: New Computer
Post by: umiman on March 12, 2009, 01:34:16 am
If all you care about is DF, you buy the best damn single core processor money can buy, decent RAM, and screw everything else. Intergrated graphics, 80gb harddrive, the works.

If you're in the US, look for Cyberpower. They've got super cheap systems though their customer support is like ass.
Title: Re: New Computer
Post by: ¿ on March 12, 2009, 05:52:45 pm
A single core processor would also have to deal with OS and winamp. I need at least a dual core to dedicate an entire core to DF.
Title: Re: New Computer
Post by: Mulch Diggums on March 13, 2009, 10:54:11 am
You post the amazing forts that will come of this, and I'll be extremely happy.
Title: Re: New Computer
Post by: ¿ on March 13, 2009, 04:05:07 pm
Quote
You post the amazing forts that will come of this, and I'll be extremely happy.
I will, as soon as I figure out what I'm going to order.

What has the best processing power per core for about under 200$? Anyone?
Title: Re: New Computer
Post by: Tormy on March 13, 2009, 05:52:07 pm
A single core processor would also have to deal with OS and winamp. I need at least a dual core to dedicate an entire core to DF.

This (http://processorfinder.intel.com/details.aspx?sSpec=SLB9L) is what you need.  ;)

*edit*
Oops.....you only wanna spend 500$? Okay, forget about the E8600 system in that case.  ;D
Title: Re: New Computer
Post by: mainiac on March 13, 2009, 06:49:07 pm
Is it possible to do parallel processing with non-identical processors?
Title: Re: New Computer
Post by: ¿ on March 16, 2009, 12:15:51 pm
Quote
Is it possible to do parallel processing with non-identical processors?
I'm not sure, but I doubt it without a special software layer to translate in between which would cause a slowdown anyway.

E8400 at 165$ can overclock to 3.8 Ghz from what I see, but there's a chance I might not get a good stepping as compared to the 85 or 8600 which can barely hit 4.0 Ghz. I think it's worth the price difference.

Sorry AMD.

Alright, I'm fairly certain of what I'm getting now.

EDIT:
Ever notice how newegg pairs up the combo deals with either really overpriced parts that even with the discount are still overpriced, or items that appear to have a defective rate above 33% according to reviews?
Title: Re: New Computer
Post by: Darkone on March 21, 2009, 08:31:57 pm
You're not likely to get much more performance out of supping up your processor just for single threading. Not to mention that you're sitting on a dual core when new games are being designed for multithreading by quad+, as well as price - you're paying 165$ for a dual when you could get a quad AND motherboard for that. And unless you play nothing but DF, you're going to want a good graphics card. So, assuming that you also have case, and CD drive... You'll need proc, mobo, ram, graphics card, HDD, and a power supply. Thats quite a bit thar.
Title: Re: New Computer
Post by: ¿ on March 22, 2009, 12:14:28 am
Much DF performance would be in the RAM as well I think.

I'm looking at the E7xxx series now. 110$ for something decent. When I really need a quad, the Q9xxx series will finally be reasonably priced.

GTS 250 is looking like a good budget deal too.
Title: Re: New Computer
Post by: Micro102 on March 22, 2009, 10:25:16 pm
500$? i have 1400 dollars im gonna use on a new super laptop so i will never face lag again.

and suggestions? (preferably in the range of 1000 dwarf population, and if possible cats)


and yes i was massive graphics ability....stupid vista
Title: Re: New Computer
Post by: Yanlin on March 23, 2009, 10:58:00 am
About CPU cores:

A 5GHz single core can't beat a 2 GHz per core dual core. Mainly because it's not all about GHz.

Buy the best damn dual core you can. At least dual core. If you can, go quad core. Future proof yourself. Play DF 0.5. (1.0 will require 64 cores to run at 5FPS.)
Title: Re: New Computer
Post by: Micro102 on March 23, 2009, 12:34:12 pm
wow i had so many typos....and is there any downside to having extra cores?

i also heard that XP was no longer in production...so what am i suppose to use for games? vista lacks 3D ability and cant run many games
Title: Re: New Computer
Post by: umiman on March 23, 2009, 12:50:59 pm
Sure there is. It's expensive. Other than that, not really.

You can still buy Windows XP, you just won't get it in a bundle any more.
Title: Re: New Computer
Post by: Micro102 on March 23, 2009, 01:06:58 pm
get it in a bundle? i dont get it.

also, how expensive would a 4 core computer be?
Title: Re: New Computer
Post by: umiman on March 23, 2009, 01:13:20 pm
You know how when you buy from a major dealer like Dell, Acer, HP, etc. You buy stuff in bundles? PC packages. You won't get XP as part of the package choices any more. So if you wanted to buy a premade computer with an OS, chances are you won't get XP.

A quad-core will eat your budget.
Title: Re: New Computer
Post by: Micro102 on March 23, 2009, 02:07:34 pm
budget? it requires monthly payments or something?

all I want is a laptop, power adapter, and wireless so i dont think ill need a PC package
Title: Re: New Computer
Post by: SirHoneyBadger on March 26, 2009, 02:07:48 pm
How would an AMD Phenom 11 x4 810 2.6ghz socket AM3 95w quad do?

With G.SKILL 4gb 240 pin DDR3 SDRam and DDR3 1600?

Anybody have an idea?
Title: Re: New Computer
Post by: qwertyuiopas on March 28, 2009, 06:57:27 am
Well, they aren't really selling windows XP anymore, at least not in bulk, but you can still get it on it's own. Wait a year after they stop selling XP entirely, and someone will have a hacked XP that can be downloaded for free and doesn't need an install code.
Title: Re: New Computer
Post by: Tormy on March 28, 2009, 08:10:08 am
get it in a bundle? i dont get it.

also, how expensive would a 4 core computer be?

You don't want to buy quad core processor. It's simply pointless. Dual core is what you need.  ;)
Title: Re: New Computer
Post by: Micro102 on March 28, 2009, 08:44:36 am
i would really like to know excatly what i should buy to run high graphic games AND old games that might not work on vista. last time i tried figuring it out on my own i get this *points to laptop*

Title: Re: New Computer
Post by: Vucar Fikodastesh on March 28, 2009, 10:36:48 am
If you have any games that REALLY won't work on XP, you could just dual boot XP and Vista, or run them in a virtual machine.
Title: Re: New Computer
Post by: Micro102 on March 28, 2009, 06:59:47 pm
no some games dont work on vista...Xp is the one that can run a lot of games.

for 1200-1400 dollars, what computer would you guys buy? plz make it have XP unless there is some sort of super vista that has fixed all the game problems.

so far ive got

dual core, XP, numpad installed
Title: Re: New Computer
Post by: Tormy on March 29, 2009, 07:24:32 am
no some games dont work on vista...Xp is the one that can run a lot of games.

Examples? Even DOS games are running on my x64 Vista Ultimate.
Title: Re: New Computer
Post by: Micro102 on March 29, 2009, 08:51:36 am
I of the Dragon, settlers 3, Xcom, and a lot of others in gametap. plus they dont support 64 bit games.....
Title: Re: New Computer
Post by: Tormy on March 30, 2009, 07:17:53 am
I of the Dragon, settlers 3, Xcom, and a lot of others in gametap. plus they dont support 64 bit games.....

Huh...that's pretty weird, because I can play with X-com on this computer. [x64 Vista]
Title: Re: New Computer
Post by: Micro102 on March 30, 2009, 08:33:48 am
yeh but gametap doesnt support 64-bit...................................................
...god i hate my laptop