Re: Which is the better processor?

**Slurm_Cola** · 01-25-2008, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by |TG|Marine Hotshot

Dude please dont come here and say something if you dont know about it first why dont you read before you post

I think he is pointing out the fact that you have three threads going about basically the same topic(s). I think it's obvious he knows what he is talking about, he is just trying to clear up the confusion. Frankly, I know exactly what I'm talking about, but the three threads you creating are making it difficult for us to help you my friend.

**Duncan** · 01-25-2008, 05:11 PM

Sorry man im just trying to get the most information I can before i make the right choices

**Bamboo** · 01-25-2008, 05:26 PM

And we would all really like to help you, it is why I hang out in this forum!! But you are going about it wrong.
Lets start over. Start from the beginning. We know you have the Compaq computer from bestbuy (I am the one that gave you the link to all the details on what is inside your computer, remember). Were all the things at that link correct? How much memory and what CPU did you get (if there upgrade were options)
What exactly are you trying to do with it, and how much do you want to spend? You said in one thread $600, but I think we can get you running pretty well for a lot less than that, without the need for completely gutting your current rig.

What games do you usually play or are looking forward to playing this year?

How much time have you actully spent inside of a computer?

Do you have a credit card and are going to order online, or are you going to have to buy locally?

Answer these questions for a start, and lets see what we can do.

**Duncan** · 01-25-2008, 11:16 PM

Well instead of wasting money people say to just go the cheaper route and get a AMD motherboard for my current PC cause I can get a good processor for cheaper and considering the fact that Intel has a smaller FSB and AMD CPU's you can get the most GHZ for the less money it is the choice for gaming.

From that site with my system specs I found out the the MB was micro ATX, good thing i didn't buy a MB that was ATX or I would've been screwed!!.

I would buy 4GB of ram so I can run PR and Call Of Duty 4 on high settings.

For the GPU I would get a card with 512MB that is very high in quality but fairly priced and also a power supply that could handle the power.

For the CPU i would get a AMD Athlon 64 X2 processor with no less than 2.5 GHZ speed and it has to be dual core.

I would probably use the HDD from my current PC but I heard if i try that my OS will fail and I would have to get a new copy of Vista.

If you can get me running for less than $600 that would be great!!! I don't have a credit card but new egg takes money orders and I live quite close to Tiger Direct so i can ask my parents to take me there.

P.S. Sorry for taking it in the wrong direction, my first impression was that you were one of those people that come on forums and talk crap but now i understand what you were saying and will definitely take that into consideration when posting a major question again in the forums, it was just out of my own ignorance

**ScratchMonkey** · 01-26-2008, 12:00 AM

Originally Posted by |TG|Marine Hotshot

I would probably use the HDD from my current PC but I heard if i try that my OS will fail and I would have to get a new copy of Vista.

http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/...9287&SiteID=17

I found this by googling for "vista reactivation".

**ScratchMonkey** · 01-26-2008, 12:06 AM

Are you running Vista 32 or 64 bit? 32 bit can only use 3 GB of memory, but I suspect most retail box computers come with the 32 bit version.

When you're done swapping out parts, what do you hope to keep from the old computer? The HDD sounds like a given. What else?

Try not to let forum posts piss you off. Start by applying Hanlon's Razor.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanlon's_razor

(In particular, you can assume my posts are stupid, not malicious.)

**Duncan** · 01-26-2008, 01:16 AM

Vista 32 bit, by the way im keeping my old case i just wanna know if the HDD will work after i get the motherboard

**Bamboo** · 01-26-2008, 02:20 AM

Originally Posted by |TG|Marine Hotshot

Vista 32 bit, by the way im keeping my old case i just wanna know if the HDD will work after i get the motherboard

Chances are it won't work right off the bat just plugging it in, but it might if you do some tweaking like the monkey posted. I have heard it is doable.
As monkey also said, since you are on 32 bit Vista, you will only be able to run 3 gigs of ram, but with the price of ram so cheap, it is pretty much the same to get 3 gigs or 4 gigs after rebate.

I think keeping that case is going to lead to problems.
Right now you are talking about gutting your current computer and just reusing the case right. But it is a micro-atx case, which are ok (my 1st gateway computer was micro), but it really limits your options, all just to keep one of the cheapest parts of the computer.
Hell, you could by a $20 case and not go through all the trouble.
Would you consider this instead?
Keep your current computer in tack and sell it, probably getting $350-$400 for it if you sell it right, and add that to your current $600 for a killer rig, without all the hassel like what you are thinking of doing. Plus, you get to pick your own case, one that you will like. And really good news for you is when you put together your own rig you won't have all the bloatware crap that came on your Compaq. Having that makes your current rig run even slower. Thank you Compaq!
Please read this thread I posted last week:
http://www.tacticalgamer.com/hardwar...crysis-pc.html
For $800 to $900, you can put together a really good rig. Of course we would switch a few things out like Vista and more ram. And 600watts for the rig they posted is a little excessive if you actually have a good power supply.
Also, about AMD vs. Intel. I have been a big fan of AMD, and am so thankful they exist to pressure Intel to always be working on something better, but the truth is right now, they don't have anything that can keep up with Intel. They were in the lead for gaming up to about 12 months ago, and was actually all set to buy, but then the Core 2 Duo came out, and it is awesome. You can buy a cheap $180 CPU and overclock it to a $500 CPU speed with no problem, espically since the new e8400 came out last week. Have you noticed that game reviews and benchmarks for graf. cards over a year old used AMD in their test rig, but in the past year they pretty much always use Intel? There is a reason.
If you have your heart set on a AMD, that is what we will look at for you, but just throwing it out there. And I really do have my fingers crossed that AMD gets their stuff right over the next 9-10 months and stages a comeback. I really do.
Anyway, think about what you want to do and get back to us.
By the way, which tiger direct do you live near?

**ScratchMonkey** · 01-26-2008, 07:11 AM

I have to agree with Bamboo on the Intel. I've long been an AMD fan (to buy from, not to work for), but Intel finally came in under the price/performance point set by AMD.

Buy Intel today, and hope AMD comes back competitive next time around.

I'm not buying Vista for awhile yet, but when I do, I'll be getting the 64 bit version so that I can expand the memory and use all of it.

**Bamboo** · 01-26-2008, 11:19 AM

I am on Vista 64 as we have talked about in other threads, and am happy with it, but not sure it is for a 1st time person.

ScratchMonkey, what to do think of the idea of selling the old rig and starting over?

By the way, I spent some more time looking at your current motherboard:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...548670&lang=en
(really good link with everything you need to know!!) and was thinking maybe you should just spend a few hundred and upgrade
what you have. It isn't that bad of a MB since you at least have a 16X PCI-E slot (many computers like this don't have that), and can handle 2 gigs and a good Core2Duo.
Consider this
Processor upgrades (can work with 4x00 cpu's):
Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 $125
Intel Core 2 Duo E4600 $148
Both very highly rated!

Memory : PC2-4200 (533 MHz)-- *OR*-- PC2-5300 (667 MHz, runs at 533 MHz), up to 2 gigs allowed:
Kingston 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) $41
That is just the best rated one at the moment.

Graf. Card 8800GT:
GPU : GeForce 8800GT - Just pick one, depending on if you want a free game, want to spend an extra $30 for an overclocked one, etc.
Average = $260

Total= ~$450 including shipping

It would be a huge bump from where you are now, and would get you through at least 1+ years, and probably much longer. By the time you out grow this computer, you will be ready to buy an all new computer and build it yourself. I would save the rest of your $600, or buy something like a good gaming mouse or a sound card (to give your CPU an even bigger boost by taking the pressure off). Would also sell your old CPU and Memory on like E-bay or Craigslist if you have a local one.

This plan would also give you minimum down time. You would be ready to go in less than an hour!

**Duncan** · 01-26-2008, 12:19 PM

Thanks alot for the help!! By the way what power supply would i need to run my graphics card. My current one is a 20 pin 250w max PSU which will explode if i get a 8800gt

**Duncan** · 01-26-2008, 12:23 PM

My main reason that I want to upgrade my computer is that i get alot of lag playing PR when my ping is around 45-50 and it also takes long for me to load in a map. Do you know what can possibly be the problem?

**Bamboo** · 01-26-2008, 03:02 PM

I think the move to 2 gigs of RAM will help a lot.
And as for a power supply, I forgot to add that to the above.
Here is a good one if you buy it a.s.a.p. and get the huge mail in rebate
Antec earthwatts EA500 ATX12V v2.0 500W Power Supply
You will have to buy it by 1/31/08 to get the rebate, but it is good deal for $50. If you can't buy it before then, come back and tell us and we will pic a different one. I like that because it is nothing too fancy, just a good solid PSU with high efficiency and a reliable brand at a great deal.
As far as the loading, you should notice a good jump if you got the parts listed above.
Only other thing you might do is to buy a seperate harddrive to put your games on, so one drive is running your OS (vista), and the 2nd one can deal with the game. That would cost you at least about $60-$75 for a good fast drive though, so might want to think about later, after you try what is below.
Right now because you only have 1 gig of memory, and vista likes at least 2 gigs, anything your computer is doing above vista is having to use your harddrive like magic ram, but it is really slow, constantly having to write and rewrite to the harddrive, all while also doing other things. Really slows you down. With 2 gigs, it will take a lot of pressure off the HD.
Also, I would suggest you go now and pick up a ReadyBoost compatible USB thumb drive. You can get a good 2gig one for $20, and when you plug it in it will ask you if you want to use it as a ready boost drive. Just click yes, and leave it in the USB port. Lots of people poopoo ready boost, but I have seen reviews that show it actually does help when you don't have much memory, like only 1 gig. When you have 2 gigs or more, it doesn't help because you have tons of unused memory already in the memory slots. Ask the folks to give you a lift to like bestbuy or circuitcity this weekend. It might help you get a boost until you can buy your new parts, and maybe some afterwards. Just plug it into one of your rear USB ports and leave it. Don't expect to go from a slow rig to a killer rig with it, and it does take a little while to start working, since it is learning what you use the most and what needs to be put on the drive.
MAKE SURE YOU GET ONE THAT SAYS READY BOOST ON THE PACKAGE!!!
I decided to look and see what what on sale at those 2 stores, and was about to pass this sale onto you, then I went to the Manf. website, and in little tinny letters it says Not Ready Boost Compatible.
Kingston 2GB DataTraveler 2.0 - Black <--link what not to buy
PNY - 4GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive --this one at best buy says boost ready, but if you read the reviews, people say its not.
Best thing to do is pick one you like from their online store, then go look it up on newegg, and see what people are actually saying about it, then check to see if it is in stock at the local store, and then go pick it up.
I have this one-- SanDisk 2GB ReadyBoost Flash Drive -- and really like it. Very fast and small, so it won't get in the way in you pocket or on the back of the computer. Make sure if you do this to put it in one of the USB where it won't get yanked out or broken if you pull to hard on your mouse cord or keyboard cord.
Keep us up to date on what you do...............

EDIT: Since I have 4 gigs of 1066 memory already in my rig, I hadn't actually tried using my thumb drive for ready boost before, and decided to try it now.
Guess what.
My computer normally uses about 1300MB of ram (1.3 gigs) at idle. So I plug in my thumb drive, which is 2 gigs and about half full of my documents, and so I use 1 gig for ready boost. Look over at my memory monitor, and now my computer is only using 935MB of memory.
Thing is, I'm not sure if it is actually just using less, or is not reporting usage right because of the thumb drive or what. Will have to ask some other people and get back to you.

**ScratchMonkey** · 01-28-2008, 04:14 AM

I hadn't heard of ReadyBoost before. Interesting idea. Linux has been using a boot-time disk optimization for a few years now.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ReadyBoost

I don't see any problem going 64 bit for a first-timer. If the drivers are there, the 64-bitness isn't really visible to the end user, except that you get to use all the memory beyond the initial 3 GB, and you see a speedup from the kernel having more registers available.

I got XP64 just about the time drivers started becoming available, so it was just a matter of clicking the 64 bit link on hardware vendor websites (eg. nVidia, Logitech).

Ping is unlikely to be related to the local machine. Lag might be, just from too little memory, so first try to expand the memory. I did find map loading on BF2 improved significantly going from 1 to 2 gig.

I agree that, if you must replace the mobo, get a new case that gives you more flexibility. Cases are comparatively cheap. Esp. if you don't insist on one with lots of bling. (I got an Antec LANboy a few years ago that was lightweight sheet aluminum, dents like a soda can, but is ultralight for dragging to a friend's house which is what I was looking for.)

**Duncan** · 01-28-2008, 04:42 PM

Does my processor speed of 1.6ghz affect the lag that i get in game or is it just strictly memory?

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