Help me chose a desktop?

So, I'm on Geeks.com, http://www.geeks.com/products.asp?cat=SYS and am looking for something that will run SL fabo, but am clueless when it comes to chip sets and stuff.

I'd like to spend under 400.

Please, speak geek to me and help a girl out.

IMO - "run SL fabo" and "under 400" do not go together. I do not think you can get a fast enough cpu, decent amount of memory, really awesome graphics card that also has tons of graphics memory, all for under 400. The biggest problem with most desktops in that price range is a 'built in low memory cheapie graphics card' and that definitely will hinder SL running anywhere near "fabo".

But, hey - I could be wrong.

You are not wrong.

OP: You need to be looking more in a +/-800$ range.


This is my pretty standard guideline:

You need a decent new processor, any intel with "core" in the name is fine, now days clock speed does not matter so much. I know nothing about AMDs

You need at least 1 gig (1024Mb) of RAM, nothing fancy to it, just make sure it has at least that much. Though 2gigs is preferable.

You need a decent graphics card. Go NVidia, 8800, or 9800. or one of the new 2xx models.


That's it really.

My main suggestion is regarding the graphics adapter aka GPU. Don't waste any time with computers that have integrated Intel graphics, since most can't even display Windlight. You will want a computer with an NVidia GPU, or at the very least ATI.

Avoid integrated intel completly. Some models will not actually run SL at all.

_Try_ to avoid ATI. They are ok, but they are falling off in OpenGL support fairly quickly (OpenGL is the graphics system SL is based on)

Again see my simple guide to choosing a computer in my post above.

You can almost do it with this one:
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=GX620-MAR-1-R&cat=SYS&cpc=SYSbsc

However, you'll need to get another 2 gigs of RAM and a discrete video card (I'd suggest, at least, an nVidia 8600 or 9600 or above). Now that would probably entail another upgrade of the power supply to work properly (the 305 watt PS is about 50 watts too small......especially since that spec is peak, not sustained output). And I suppose you know that that computer does not come with a monitor..........so if you need one that would be another cost to add. It also has a pretty small HD.

I agree "fabo" and 400 bucks don't mix well if you are looking at a prebuilt machine (even a refurbished one). You could probably do it if you built it yourself. Take a look on the internet for "barebones" to get you started if you want to go that route. Or you might try here:
http://www.googlebb.magicmicro.com/pricelist.asp?cid=88&gclid=CP_02dS255gCFRwDagod-3wrcw

Magic Micro has page where you can pick and choose your hardware, software, and features and will give you a total price once you've done that. Though $400 is a little low to get much even if you do build it yourself......$500 gives you a little more room and with $600 I'm sure you can come up a decent computer.

Something like this comes pretty close:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227160

It's $499 and you'll need a monitor if you don't already have one, but it should run SL pretty well. Probably better than anything else in that price range.

Graphics card is lacking a bit. Everything else, great! This computer will run SL decently enough. mediocre really. But amazing deal.

I personaly would buy that, swap out a new card immediately. then a year down the road when the cpu is too far out of date, replace that. I say you could get 3 years out of it that way.

BAH!

Just get one built for you. Cheaper, much longer upgrade path. And depending on what you already have, you may or may not need some of the parts.

For a Quad-Core 3Ghz AMD Phenom II with a Motherboard, 8 GB RAM, and an Nvidia GTX 275, I spent a whole $613. Already had a case, DVD-burner, and Power Supply.

I got tired of the glitchy on-board audio so I picked up the Creative X-Fi sound card for $99 at BestBuy.

Then I switched from XP Pro to Vista Ultimate 64bit.

Photoshop & Firefox literally just 'pop' open. SL runs smooth as silk. My frame rates go off the meter in some places. The only thing holding it back totally? Ain't enough bandwidth to pull it in fast enough. Anyone got an OC3 line I can borrow?

The only issues I've had with Vista so far: Software that doesnt like the Aero Interface. Doesnt matter anyways. I usually shut off "eye candy".

.

This might give you some insight as to what is doable for your price target and a good guide for comparing the components in any pre-built you are considering. If it can do Crysis at 40 FPS it should give you better than excellent FPS in SL:


"Build a Kick-Ass $500 Gaming PC, Play Crysis at 40FPS!"

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/build_a_500_pc_play_crysis_40fps


.

Fwiw, here is my desktop:

Pentium Dual Core 3GHz
2.00GB RAM
GeForce 7800 GTX (256 MB)

I think it's almost 3 years old now. It was close to cutting edge when I first bought it (except I didn't spring for SLI with dual video cards). This system runs SL perfectly fine. It takes a noticeable performance hit with the Ultra graphics settings, but I just leave it at "mid" and it's fine.

Imo, the graphics card is the single most important decision. Get the best you can afford.

I think you can get a decent SL desktop for under 400. I just went to hp.com and put together one starting with the p6100z for $391.

Thank you everyone for your imput... I have a lot of research to do!

Am non geek, so... building something myself...uber scary!

uh. . .

Not to go against the collective wisdom here. . .

But a few of those computers, with say an nvidia 8800 or 9800 video card, and some memory would do a decent job running SL and could be done within budget.

PCIe slot for video upgrade is the key here.

But remember--these are refurbs. They went back for a reason.

What are the details?

I don't recall the details, that was posted a month ago!

That takes care of the GPU, do you have a machine to put it in?

Actually, you can get a dual core machine with 4 GB memory for 500 to 600 USD and pick up a modest but good graphics card for 150 to 200. That will run SL ok with 128 draw distance, graphics option on high but not maxed and still have enough to turn anti-aliasing on. You will need to turn it down some when going to crowded areas tho.

This has nothing to do with the choice of a desktop itself. It has to do with the hardware setup.

heyas;

i'm not as geeky as i used to be, and i haven't been keeping up with what's current at ALL.

i get my machines pre-built here (yah, im too old to build my own any more -- too much hassle)
http://desktop-computers.avadirect.com/Desktop_Computers


main questions are...

intel or amd? (the gaming computers seem to have all gone intel)
and any specific intel or amd flavor??

dual or quad core?

any particularly specific nvidia card? there's ge, there's uberoverclocked there's... lotsa numbers and abbreviations. 896mb onboard memory huh???



im also thinking of upgrading my power cords and getting a ups. if i do get a ups, do i NEED a surge protector power cord, or is that redundant?



ps: i'd like it to run assassin's creed very well, too ;)

Got my new computer from AVAdirect, has run for two years with no problems.

You can run SL on the near-Ultra settings at decent framerates on any card above a 7950GT 512MB:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-graphics-card,2387-7.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-graphics-card,2387-7.html

(I know cause thats what I have).

2GB of main memory at least, and a CPU fast enough to keep up with your graphics card, but the graphics card is the most important thing to get right, since SL is so graphics-heavy.

Note that framerates will vary all over the map depending on where you are and how busy it is, and "lag" while downloading a new location has nothing to do with your computer (well, very little if its not ancient) and everything to do with the server at their end.

Your machine makes me drool . What about the monitor? Does 2 ms make much difference compared to 5 ms? I am looking at some TV /Monitor combos but they are all 5ms.

What kind of mps do you shoot for on your network connection?

Thx,
BT

AMD Phenom II 965 3.4GHz Quad Core
AMD 790FX AM2+ Motherboard
8GB Kingston HyperX DDR2 1066
ATI Radeon HD 5870 1GB Graphics
Seagate SATA 10K Raptors in Raid 0
WinVista 64

will do SL at Ultra Settings, 8x Anti-aliasing at 512 draw distance without problems.
VBO is getting better as of Catalyst 9.9 drivers and can actually be 'enabled' in the Snowglobe 1.1.2 (2584) viewer.

a minimum of ATI 3000 series ie. ATI 3870 or higher is required to display real-time shadows in SL.

...to address your budget,

if you are interested in AMD, and/or ATI based system:

Select a Phenom II 2.6GHz processor or higher, and an ATI 4850 will still do full detail inSL on Catalyst 9.7 - 9.9 drivers for a more affordable price range.
Minimum of 2GB ram for WinXP or Windows Vista 32.

What is VBO...and what is Catalyst?

thx

VBO - Vertex Buffer Object, a tool in OpenGL that the SL client can use to optimize graphics... but often doesn't work right on ATI cards. It can be turned off in the SL preferences panel.

Catalyst is ATI's name for their video drivers.

I finally ordered my new computer. Since I got it just so I can see better on SL, I sure hope it works well.
BT