Need help building decent computer, the cheaper the better!

curtbud · 10-19-2009, 05:02 AM

Hey all, as the title suggests, I need help building a gaming computer and I really need to keep it as cheap as possible - I just graduated from college and have loans to pay lol. I'd say probably in the 500-700 range but let me first tell you what I currently have and what I want to do.
I currently have an alienware computer: (4-5 years old) With an AMD Athlon 64 4000+ processor 2.4 GHz and 2 gigs of RAM (one ram chip recently burnt out so I now have 1 gig) My video card is an nvidia 7600 gs. I used to play wow on this computer and wasn't very impressed with the FPS, it never got over 60 and in cities it always dropped very low, also dropped very low in pvp. I am now currently playing AION with this PC... The game loads VERY slow... When I get into towns like Verteron or Cities like Sanctum, my game pretty much locks up and I spend countless minutes trying to get to where I am going. Not only is this not fun and completely ruins my normal game play flow, but I'd hate to think of what level my characters would be if I have a decent gaming pc from the start, lol.
Thus, with this computer I'd like to be able to play games like AION with a very consistent and high FPS, if I can't manage at LEAST 60 FPS (and I'd love to have even more than that most of the time) at all or 95-99% of the time for 500-700 bucks then I don't want to waste my money. I also plan on purchasing starcraft 2 and other MMO's so think about that when you post me a spec or give me advice.
I just had one question before I left it to you pros, but I've been noticing cheap AMD quad-core processors yet I see you guys suggesting dual core pentiums over AMD quad cores... WHY? lol. Ok, I'm done, your suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

Tumbleweed36 · 10-19-2009, 05:14 AM

Here is a great place to start:

Want to Build A New Intel or AMD Computer? Here are 6 suggested models with Spec

curtbud · 10-19-2009, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tumbleweed36

Here is a great place to start:

Want to Build A New Intel or AMD Computer? Here are 6 suggested models with Spec

thanks, took a quick look, will look more in a few. I did notice people are STILL suggesting Pentium Dual Cores http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115037 over AMD Quad Cores http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103704 and the Quads are $45 cheaper. Please tell me why my logic fails here and set this n00b straight... lol.

**linderman** · 10-19-2009, 07:02 AM

not until the release of the Deneb core AMD quads did Intel receive true competition in the game performance world; until then they were well stuck in the rear view mirror of the intel cpu's from 2005 until now.

therfore I guess its hard to get warm and fuzzy about the AMD platforms given the score. but the Deneb core is a keeper for sure, not that its faster mind you, but equally capable for a cpu in its price range.

curtbud · 10-19-2009, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linderman

not until the release of the Deneb core AMD quads did Intel receive true competition in the game performance world; until then they were well stuck in the rear view mirror of the intel cpu's from 2005 until now.

therfore I guess its hard to get warm and fuzzy about the AMD platforms given the score. but the Deneb core is a keeper for sure, not that its faster mind you, but equally capable for a cpu in its price range.

So you'd still choose a dual core intel processor over an AMD quad, even if it's a deneb? lol. I basically want to get the most bang for my buck. if the intel processors are that much better and only cost about 40-50 bucks more, I suppose I'd go for an intel.

curtbud · 10-19-2009, 07:25 AM

how about http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103471 vs the pentium http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16819115037?

curtbud · 10-19-2009, 07:28 AM

oh, wow, between the time I first posted this and now, they "deactivated" that pentium processor on new egg.... I still like the looks of that AMD a bit more, the Deneb.

**Tyree** · 10-19-2009, 07:57 AM

What Pentium CPU are you referring to? The link you posted is not Pentium CPU's.

curtbud · 10-19-2009, 08:15 AM

this one: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - the link for it is broken now, apparently it's "deactivated"

**Tyree** · 10-19-2009, 08:28 AM

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115037

curtbud · 10-19-2009, 08:42 AM

lol, wow, half the cores and still better?

Phædrus2401 · 10-19-2009, 09:43 AM

Quote:

So you'd still choose a dual core intel processor over an AMD quad,

For certain types of games, yes. The Wolfdale core CPUs are very powerful when running dual threaded applications, for instance the majority of first person shooter and third person action games. They simply provide the best bang for the buck. A 3.0GHz dual core will outperform a 2.6GHz quad core if the program only uses two cores.

Quote:

lol, wow, half the cores and still better?

For dual threaded apps? Yes.

The AMD Phenom II x4 CPUs have a place in upper-mid-range workstation and gaming builds where a quad core would be preferable, but a high-end Core 2 Quad or Cord i5/i7 would be too expensive.

EDIT: Also, Core 2 Duo is not Pentium. There is a line of Pentium Dual Core CPUs, such as the E2000, E5000, and E6000 series (excluding the E6600 and up), which is targeted at budget builders. We do recommend the E6300 and E6500 in place of the E7400 and 7500 because of the negligible drop in performance for the massive decrease in price, and also the lower-end E5000 CPUs in extreme budget builds. However, for gaming we recommend CPUs from these lines, depending on the user's needs and budget:
Core 2 Duo (E8000 series)
Core 2 Quad (Q6000 and Q9000)
Phemom II X4
Core i5

curtbud · 10-19-2009, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phædrus2401

For certain types of games, yes. The Wolfdale core CPUs are very powerful when running dual threaded applications, for instance the majority of first person shooter and third person action games. They simply provide the best bang for the buck. A 3.0GHz dual core will outperform a 2.6GHz quad core if the program only uses two cores.

For dual threaded apps? Yes.

The AMD Phenom II x4 CPUs have a place in upper-mid-range workstation and gaming builds where a quad core would be preferable, but a high-end Core 2 Quad or Cord i5/i7 would be too expensive.

EDIT: Also, Core 2 Duo is not Pentium. There is a line of Pentium Dual Core CPUs, such as the E2000, E5000, and E6000 series (excluding the E6600 and up), which is targeted at budget builders. We do recommend the E6300 and E6500 in place of the E7400 and 7500 because of the negligible drop in performance for the massive decrease in price, and also the lower-end E5000 CPUs in extreme budget builds. However, for gaming we recommend CPUs from these lines, depending on the user's needs and budget:
Core 2 Duo (E8000 series)
Core 2 Quad (Q6000 and Q9000)
Phemom II X4
Core i5

Thank you, kind sir. I just wanted to be sure before buying a Dual Core processor that it wouldn't be a waste of money and technologically obsolete and useless a few months down the gaming road. I've never tried pentium before :)

curtbud · 10-19-2009, 10:11 AM

as stated way above, I'm currently using an AMD Athlon 64 4000+ dual core processor and I get very low FPS in games such as WOW and anything newer, especially Aion, I've tried low graphics settings and high graphics settings so wouldn't that mean my cpu is the bottleneck? Is there a huge difference between 2.41 and 3.0 ghz? What sort of FPS could I presume with say the intel core 2 duo E8400?

**linderman** · 10-19-2009, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by curtbud

as stated way above, I'm currently using an AMD Athlon 64 4000+ dual core processor and I get very low FPS in games such as WOW and anything newer, especially Aion, I've tried low graphics settings and high graphics settings so wouldn't that mean my cpu is the bottleneck? Is there a huge difference between 2.41 and 3.0 ghz? What sort of FPS could I presume with say the intel core 2 duo E8400?

which video card are you running now?

IMHO; I would say the Deneb at 3.0ghz would be equal to the E8400

the E8400 will eat WOW for lunch with a decent video card

**linderman** · 10-19-2009, 04:26 PM

I would not hesitate to buy this cpu instead of the E8400 >>>but the Intel overclocks much better ?????

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103675

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103674

10-19-2009, 05:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
curtbud Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 16 OS: xp	Need help building decent computer, the cheaper the better! Hey all, as the title suggests, I need help building a gaming computer and I really need to keep it as cheap as possible - I just graduated from college and have loans to pay lol. I'd say probably in the 500-700 range but let me first tell you what I currently have and what I want to do. I currently have an alienware computer: (4-5 years old) With an AMD Athlon 64 4000+ processor 2.4 GHz and 2 gigs of RAM (one ram chip recently burnt out so I now have 1 gig) My video card is an nvidia 7600 gs. I used to play wow on this computer and wasn't very impressed with the FPS, it never got over 60 and in cities it always dropped very low, also dropped very low in pvp. I am now currently playing AION with this PC... The game loads VERY slow... When I get into towns like Verteron or Cities like Sanctum, my game pretty much locks up and I spend countless minutes trying to get to where I am going. Not only is this not fun and completely ruins my normal game play flow, but I'd hate to think of what level my characters would be if I have a decent gaming pc from the start, lol. Thus, with this computer I'd like to be able to play games like AION with a very consistent and high FPS, if I can't manage at LEAST 60 FPS (and I'd love to have even more than that most of the time) at all or 95-99% of the time for 500-700 bucks then I don't want to waste my money. I also plan on purchasing starcraft 2 and other MMO's so think about that when you post me a spec or give me advice. I just had one question before I left it to you pros, but I've been noticing cheap AMD quad-core processors yet I see you guys suggesting dual core pentiums over AMD quad cores... WHY? lol. Ok, I'm done, your suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

10-19-2009, 05:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,712 OS: XP Professional	Re: Need help building decent computer, the cheaper the better! Here is a great place to start: Want to Build A New Intel or AMD Computer? Here are 6 suggested models with Spec __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

10-19-2009, 07:02 AM	#4 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,442 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Need help building decent computer, the cheaper the better! not until the release of the Deneb core AMD quads did Intel receive true competition in the game performance world; until then they were well stuck in the rear view mirror of the intel cpu's from 2005 until now. therfore I guess its hard to get warm and fuzzy about the AMD platforms given the score. but the Deneb core is a keeper for sure, not that its faster mind you, but equally capable for a cpu in its price range. __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

10-19-2009, 07:25 AM	#6 (permalink)
curtbud Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 16 OS: xp	Re: Need help building decent computer, the cheaper the better! how about http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103471 vs the pentium http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16819115037? Last edited by curtbud; 10-19-2009 at 07:26 AM.

10-19-2009, 07:28 AM	#7 (permalink)
curtbud Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 16 OS: xp	Re: Need help building decent computer, the cheaper the better! oh, wow, between the time I first posted this and now, they "deactivated" that pentium processor on new egg.... I still like the looks of that AMD a bit more, the Deneb.

10-19-2009, 07:57 AM	#8 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,828 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Need help building decent computer, the cheaper the better! What Pentium CPU are you referring to? The link you posted is not Pentium CPU's. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

10-19-2009, 08:15 AM	#9 (permalink)
curtbud Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 16 OS: xp	Re: Need help building decent computer, the cheaper the better! this one: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - the link for it is broken now, apparently it's "deactivated"

10-19-2009, 08:28 AM	#10 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,828 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Need help building decent computer, the cheaper the better! Intel Core 2 Duo E8400. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115037 __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

10-19-2009, 08:42 AM	#11 (permalink)
curtbud Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 16 OS: xp	Re: Need help building decent computer, the cheaper the better! lol, wow, half the cores and still better?

10-19-2009, 10:11 AM	#14 (permalink)
curtbud Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 16 OS: xp	Re: Need help building decent computer, the cheaper the better! as stated way above, I'm currently using an AMD Athlon 64 4000+ dual core processor and I get very low FPS in games such as WOW and anything newer, especially Aion, I've tried low graphics settings and high graphics settings so wouldn't that mean my cpu is the bottleneck? Is there a huge difference between 2.41 and 3.0 ghz? What sort of FPS could I presume with say the intel core 2 duo E8400?

10-19-2009, 04:26 PM	#16 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,442 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Need help building decent computer, the cheaper the better! I would not hesitate to buy this cpu instead of the E8400 >>>but the Intel overclocks much better ????? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103675 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103674 __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial Last edited by linderman; 10-19-2009 at 04:29 PM.