Building a new PC

[Delacroix]

Right, well. Thinking of getting me a new PC, a proper gaming machine, and I would like to ask the techies around here for some advice.Basically, what I'm after is a high-end PC that can run games at high graphical quality with proper FPS rate. How much RAM should it have, and what sort of graphics card should I look into? AMD, or Intel processor? I hear the AMD ones are generally more powerful & cheap; how true is that though?

Also, I'm thinking of overclocking it a bit, though I have never done it before. From personal experience, what advice do you guys have that you can share? Dangerous for the PC system, useful / not useful?

[Nikose Tyris]

Intel took the lead for a while but I'm impressed with the AMD Phenom Quad core processor, and it's dirt cheap. Grab the Asus Striker Extreme and whatever it supports and build from there. the striker extreme is the home-builder's dream-board.

[Rant_S_S]

It all depends on how much you're looking to spend. For 1000 bucks you can get a damn good rig. Because the software side of dual and quad core isn't as advanced as the hardware side, you really don't need to worry about going all out with them. Two gigs of RAM will be plenty, and I'd recommend an AMD build over an Intel build. Also, Newegg is EASILY the best place to buy your parts.

[I_Like_Swordchucks]

It depends on what your budget is. RAM is dependant on your operating system. Windows XP 32-bit, 2 GB is all you need. 64-bit, or any Vista, and you really want at least 3-4GB. RAM is also cheap right now, so its okay to splurge.

I'll disagree with the other two, and say its really ridiculous to buy an AMD processor right now unless you're on a tight budget, ESPECIALLY if you're considering overclocking.

So again, it really depends on how much you want to spend. Come back with a budget, and I'll tell you exactly what you should get.

Originally Posted by Nikose Tyris

Intel took the lead for a while but I'm impressed with the AMD Phenom Quad core processor, and it's dirt cheap. Grab the Asus Striker Extreme and whatever it supports and build from there. the striker extreme is the home-builder's dream-board.

Also, you recommend an Intel board but an AMD processor? They aren't compatible. The Striker is really only useful if you've got a big huge budget to work with as its one of the more expensive motherboards on the market, and is overkill unless you want a big expensive quad core processor and SLI.

Originally Posted by Delacroix

AMD, or Intel processor? I hear the AMD ones are generally more powerful & cheap; how true is that though?

Two years ago, it was totally true. Today, its a flat out lie. They are cheap, but consume more power and provide a LOT less performance.

EDIT:
Quick Guide

Intel Core 2 Q6600 - Best value quad core processor. Very overclockable, approximate 20% faster than the similarly priced Phenom 9600. $240
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115018

XFX nForce 780i SLI - Excellent mobo, mail-in rebate, very upgradeable, excellent warranty. $240
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813141005

OCZ Reaper 4GB - AMAZING memory. Big heatspreaders, fast, mail-in-rebate, lifetime warranty. $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227284

XFX Geforce 8800GT - factory overclocked, best bang for buck card on the market, lifetime warranty, mail-in-rebate. $210
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150254

ABS 800W PSU - Don't skimp here. Both SLI and Crossfire Capable, efficient, excellent warranty, MIR. $150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817814006

WD Raptor 150GB - Doesn't seem like much space, but incredibly fast. If you know how to do RAID, you can get two bigger hard drives for the same price. $170
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136012

OCZ Vendetta - Easy to install, drops CPU temp easily 10-12 degrees below stock cooler, excellent for overclocking. $35
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835202005

Make sure your case is big enough to fit everything, is sturdy, and is well cooled. How expensive you want to go is up to you, but I wouldn't go more than $100 (but not less than $50).

You can get a DVD burner for $30.

This all goes for approximately $1250. With such a set up, you can easily clock your Q6600 to 3.0 to 3.2 Ghz and easily run a game like Call of Duty 4 at 1600x1200 on high settings. If you want more oomph and are willing to go up to $1500, throw in a second Geforce 8800GT and run them in SLI.

All these parts are essentially the 'best bang for buck' parts, giving you phenomenal levels of performance without totally destroying the bank.

If you want to go cheaper, go for a Core 2 Duo E8300, a cheaper motherboard that isn't SLI capable, a lower power supply, and a Radeon 3850 or Geforce 9600. You won't be able to game quite as well, but still a good deal of performance at a 1280x1024 resolution.

[Rant_S_S]

Intel has some better quads out than AMD at the moment, yes. First off, most software isn't even fully optimized to take advantage of all those cores, and second, it's overkill. The most popular Intel dual cores are 2.4 from what I've seen. Who cares if you can over clock that to like 3.0 if an AMD that's around 50 bucks cheaper comes 3.2 standard, then can probably over clock to 3.4 from there? For just a dual core I'd say AMD is EASILY better.

Also, there's really no point in using Vista. Most games out aren't using DX10, and even for the ones that do, the small bump up in graphics doesn't make up for the horrible operating system.

[I_Like_Swordchucks]

Originally Posted by Rant_S_S

Who cares if you can over clock that to like 3.0 if an AMD that's around 50 bucks cheaper comes 3.2 standard, then can probably over clock to 3.4 from there? For just a dual core I'd say AMD is EASILY better.

HAHAHAHAHA!!!! Thats so completely inaccurate its funny. The Core 2 Duo running at 2.4Ghz is ALREADY faster than the Athlon X2 at 3.2Ghz. The Athlon X2 6400+ and the C2D E6750 are only $10 apart on newegg, the E6750 boasts 10% performance over the 6400+ AND is FAR more overclockable on top of that. It also runs much cooler, and draws less power thereby reducing the electrical bill. You're making the mistake of comparing clock rates, and ignoring the fact that the two processors have a completely different architecture and have a different efficiency/clock. Any Core 2 Duo chip clocked to 3.0Ghz is faster than every single AMD chip out there Phenoms included.

The only way AMD is good is in the sub $150 category. For anything more than that, any computer enthusiast will tell you than the Core 2 Duo/Quad is VASTLY superior.

Also, there's really no point in using Vista. Most games out aren't using DX10, and even for the ones that do, the small bump up in graphics doesn't make up for the horrible operating system.

A lot of newer games coming out over the next six months can use DX10, and Vista is actually quite good once you know how to use it and have adequate RAM. I've been using it for seven months now with nary a problem. I play Crysis on very high settings and get 40+ fps. But I'm not sure how that even matters, as we're discussing computer parts and not OS. Whether he chooses Vista or XP, I'd suggest he get the 64-bit edition and take advantage of increased RAM.

[Rant_S_S]

I've messed around with both, and for me, the AMD ran better. Now when it comes to the Intel being "much" cooler, how cool are we talking?

[I_Like_Swordchucks]

Originally Posted by Rant_S_S

I've messed around with both, and for me, the AMD ran better. Now when it comes to the Intel being "much" cooler, how cool are we talking?

If you messed around with Pentium 4s and Ds, then yes the AMD ran much better. But if you think that an AMD chip runs better than a Core 2, then you are alone in the world. EVERY* review site, EVERY* benchmark out there, all back up the Core 2s.

*Every one I have read, which is a lot.

As for cooler, I have a Core 2 E6600 clocked to 3.1Ghz, and it idles at 27C and 41C at full load. In order to get similar performance, an Athlon X2 would have to be clocked to 4.0Ghz, and there is NO way it would be that cool unless you had liquid cooling installed. That is, if you even managed to get the X2 to 4.0Ghz without it burning out...

[Nikose Tyris]

I realise AMD Chip + Asus Striker aren't compatible, I never said to get both. I just said that board is the home builder's dream right now. If he goes AMD, he should totally use that board as a base- boards are the core of the system and determine how far you can upgrade, and that is the most solid, powerful board I've seen in ages. Slap in just about any Dual/Quad core, 4 gigs of RAM, Copy of Vista Ultimate edition and a 500 GB hard drive and you've got the basis of a powerhouse computer. Not to mention the fact that the onboard sound on the striker extreme is better then my current soundcard. >.>

[Rant_S_S]

I'll give it to you, ILS. You seem to know more about this than I do. None the less, I still say Vista is a piece of shit. There's other things to consider, but we'll get to that once Dela gives up a price range.