Halo 1 & 2 for PC
This topic has moved here: Subject: Help me build a PC? are these parts any good?
  • Subject: Help me build a PC? are these parts any good?
Subject: Help me build a PC? are these parts any good?

WARNING! INCORRECT USING THIS FEATURES MAY CAUSE YOUR SYSTEM BROKEN!

Right so my current PC is getting kind of old, I built it about 5 years ago with the intent of being able to play H2V. It has a Experience index thingy of 4.8 and the specs are:

8600gt 512mb
Intel Core 2 Duo @ 2.00GHz
2gb Ram
not sure about the other stuff it's been too long

Here's the stuff I want to get:
Graphics Card http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/pny-nvidia-geforce-gt-430-pci-e -graphics-card-1gb-08623397-pdt.html
CPU http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/intel-core-i7-950-processor-079 08140-pdt.html
MoBo http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/gigabyte-ga-x58a-ud3r-intel-x58 -atx-motherboard-lga-1366-socket-07685649-pdt.html
Audio Card http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/asus-xonar-d2x-7-1-channel-pci-e -sound-card-07908209-pdt.html
PSU http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/ocz-700w-modxstream-pro-atx-pow er-supply-unit-07656726-pdt.html
RAM http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/integral-pc3-10600-ddr3-1333-di mm-ram-memory-module-4gb-09641820-pdt.html get 2 of these
HHD http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/hitachi-coolspin-hds5c3020ala63 2-internal-3-5-sata-hard-drive-2tb-07272655-pdt.html Maybe get 2 of these too

I've added it up and it's about £750 so that's round about my budget

Obviously it's been a while since I build a PC and I had a lot of help back then so if I've missed anything then let me know. And if you think you could build a better one for the same price or for less or one just as good for less then let me know what components you would use.
I'm not wanting this to really be a gaming rig I just want to be able to play H2V and record it with Fraps at the same time. Also it would be nice to render vegas files quicker and I'm sick of waiting 2 hours to render a 5 min 720p video.
I also do a bit of free lance audio production and it would be nice to be able to have more than 10 tracks of audio going at the same time without it lagging, currently I have to mix 10 then bounce them down and mix them with another 9, similar to how the Beatles did it and it's so frustrating.

So yea if you could help me please do :)

-Doug

[Edited on 08.24.2011 1:00 PM PDT]

  • 08.24.2011 12:55 PM PDT
  •  | 
  • Noble Legendary Member

Halo 1&2 PC forum's resident OC ReMixer. Like rockified and metalized video game music? Subscribe to my YouTube channel.

Yeah. That's right. I don't have a 50 in H3. I never got Onyx in Reach. If a game sucks too much, I won't even bother trying for such trivial "accolades". Besides, I've done way more things that take far more skill and talent than anything that can be done in a video game.

The video card's a bit low-end. More VRAM doesn't necessarily mean better performance.

The CPU's from Intel's previous generation. You could probably find better. If you really wanna go with i7, an i7 2500K or i7 2600K would be better than your choice.

Of course, choosing another processor would mean you'd need to get a different motherboard. Those i7's I mentioned are LGA 1155's.

An audio card is longer longer a worthwhile investment unless you're going into music production, and even then, there are USB devices that do the job just fine. Spend that money on something else. Maybe a video card that will actually run games well.

That HDD has a really slow speed. Space is nice, but it'll suck waiting on it. I dunno how anyone could live with anything under 7200 RPM.

RAM's also fairly low-end.

PSU's a very good choice.

  • 08.24.2011 1:20 PM PDT

WARNING! INCORRECT USING THIS FEATURES MAY CAUSE YOUR SYSTEM BROKEN!

I am actually going into music production but I do most of that on my mixing console which is all separate but I do add the final effects and stuff on my PC which is why I want to be able to mix more than 10 tracks at a time. would I still need an audio card or would the on board one do fine? Also it would need to be at least 5.1 because some of the bands I mix want 5.1 mixes.

But like I said it's been years since I last did this so I have no idea about anything, I just went through and made sure I got better stuff than what I already have, if you could direct me to better parts then please do, I don't mind what goes in there as long as it's around £800. You don't have to though I'm sure I'll figure it out eventually.

EDIT: These any better?
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/pny-nvidia-geforce-gts-450-pci-e -graphics-card-1gb-08623351-pdt.html
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/seagate-barracuda-internal-3-5-s ata-hard-drive-1tb-07685680-pdt.html

[Edited on 08.24.2011 1:47 PM PDT]

  • 08.24.2011 1:35 PM PDT

I know that you may not necessarily be playing games on this PC. But i wouldn't settle for anything lower than a gtx 460, if you can find it cheap. 450 and below seems to be considered low end these days, while a GTX 460 is still able to keep up with most os todays needs. Anyways, thats just my 2 cents and can be disputed by other members.

I agree with DusK on the i7's, go for the Sandy bridge 1155 models, much better overclock ability, and a high stock speed. 4GB ram is plenty although im not too familiar with the frequencys. 7200Rpm Hard drive minimum.

  • 08.24.2011 4:58 PM PDT

I'm going to pop in and say my GTX 260 can run any game under the sun at maximum graphics.

  • 08.24.2011 5:38 PM PDT
  •  | 
  • Noble Legendary Member

Halo 1&2 PC forum's resident OC ReMixer. Like rockified and metalized video game music? Subscribe to my YouTube channel.

Yeah. That's right. I don't have a 50 in H3. I never got Onyx in Reach. If a game sucks too much, I won't even bother trying for such trivial "accolades". Besides, I've done way more things that take far more skill and talent than anything that can be done in a video game.

Posted by: Sgt El Zilcho
I am actually going into music production but I do most of that on my mixing console which is all separate but I do add the final effects and stuff on my PC which is why I want to be able to mix more than 10 tracks at a time. would I still need an audio card or would the on board one do fine? Also it would need to be at least 5.1 because some of the bands I mix want 5.1 mixes.

Normally, that stuff is handled entirely by your processor. The main reason to ever buy a sound card for music production would be the inputs; I have yet to see a PC that comes with an onboard XLR or 1/4 jack. That said, a POD Studio has those and more, and it's a great option, especially if you're mixing guitar-driven music. I've mixed upwards of 15 or so tracks in FL Studio, multiple plugins running on each, and my mixing comp's 2.1GHz triple-core handles it decently (though admittedly, FL Studio is light on the processor load compared to, say, Pro Tools). I'd imagine having a stronger processor (such as those i7's I mentioned) would put you well in the green for anything you want to do without needing an extra boost from an audio card.

Here's a good thread, though the guy primarily does electronica, and his personal preferences are clearly tailored to what he needs to produce that kind of music.

Posted by: Sgt El Zilcho
But like I said it's been years since I last did this so I have no idea about anything, I just went through and made sure I got better stuff than what I already have, if you could direct me to better parts then please do, I don't mind what goes in there as long as it's around £800. You don't have to though I'm sure I'll figure it out eventually.

EDIT: These any better?
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/pny-nvidia-geforce-gts-450-pci-e -graphics-card-1gb-08623351-pdt.html
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/seagate-barracuda-internal-3-5-s ata-hard-drive-1tb-07685680-pdt.html

Not sure about pounds. I'm from across the pond. But that HDD choice is much better than your last. The video card... eh... if you can at least shoot for a 460, go for it.

  • 08.24.2011 8:37 PM PDT


Posted by: Zetren
I'm going to pop in and say my GTX 260 can run any game under the sun at maximum graphics.

The GTX 260 is a brilliant card. I guess i wasn't clear when i was trying to explain :L. I meant that with Nvidia cards, anything below X60 (e.g. Gtx 260, 460, 560 etc) is usually not a brilliant card (there are exceptions however).

  • 08.25.2011 4:17 AM PDT

WARNING! INCORRECT USING THIS FEATURES MAY CAUSE YOUR SYSTEM BROKEN!


Posted by: DusK
Posted by: Sgt El Zilcho
I am actually going into music production but I do most of that on my mixing console which is all separate but I do add the final effects and stuff on my PC which is why I want to be able to mix more than 10 tracks at a time. would I still need an audio card or would the on board one do fine? Also it would need to be at least 5.1 because some of the bands I mix want 5.1 mixes.

Normally, that stuff is handled entirely by your processor. The main reason to ever buy a sound card for music production would be the inputs; I have yet to see a PC that comes with an onboard XLR or 1/4 jack. That said, a POD Studio has those and more, and it's a great option, especially if you're mixing guitar-driven music. I've mixed upwards of 15 or so tracks in FL Studio, multiple plugins running on each, and my mixing comp's 2.1GHz triple-core handles it decently (though admittedly, FL Studio is light on the processor load compared to, say, Pro Tools). I'd imagine having a stronger processor (such as those i7's I mentioned) would put you well in the green for anything you want to do without needing an extra boost from an audio card.

Here's a good thread, though the guy primarily does electronica, and his personal preferences are clearly tailored to what he needs to produce that kind of music.

Posted by: Sgt El Zilcho
But like I said it's been years since I last did this so I have no idea about anything, I just went through and made sure I got better stuff than what I already have, if you could direct me to better parts then please do, I don't mind what goes in there as long as it's around £800. You don't have to though I'm sure I'll figure it out eventually.

EDIT: These any better?
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/pny-nvidia-geforce-gts-450-pci-e -graphics-card-1gb-08623351-pdt.html
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/seagate-barracuda-internal-3-5-s ata-hard-drive-1tb-07685680-pdt.html

Not sure about pounds. I'm from across the pond. But that HDD choice is much better than your last. The video card... eh... if you can at least shoot for a 460, go for it.


Ah well I don't need many inputs I just need one of the pink mic inputs, like I said I record onto my desk and then I just transfer it over by USB but some times I run a jack to jack from the desk to my PC to use one of the mics coz I don't have a PC mic or headset. Guess I'll just spread the money out across the other stuff. I do plan on upgrading to ProTools though but atm I'm just using Sony Vegas or Acid Pro.

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/zotac-nvidia-geforce-gtx-460-pc i-e-graphics-card-1gb-07656678-pdt.html That a better graphics card?
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/pny-pc3-10660-ddr3-pc-memory-4g b-dimm-ram-10016217-pdt.html and is that RAM any better?

Not sure about processors, does it have to be intel to go with that MoBo? and is all of this stuff even compatible with each other? I forgot to even check.
Thanks for the advice on the 460 guys :)


EDIT: £800 is about $1,320

[Edited on 08.25.2011 7:28 AM PDT]

  • 08.25.2011 7:23 AM PDT
  •  | 
  • Noble Legendary Member

Halo 1&2 PC forum's resident OC ReMixer. Like rockified and metalized video game music? Subscribe to my YouTube channel.

Yeah. That's right. I don't have a 50 in H3. I never got Onyx in Reach. If a game sucks too much, I won't even bother trying for such trivial "accolades". Besides, I've done way more things that take far more skill and talent than anything that can be done in a video game.

Posted by: Sgt El Zilcho
Ah well I don't need many inputs I just need one of the pink mic inputs, like I said I record onto my desk and then I just transfer it over by USB but some times I run a jack to jack from the desk to my PC to use one of the mics coz I don't have a PC mic or headset. Guess I'll just spread the money out across the other stuff. I do plan on upgrading to ProTools though but atm I'm just using Sony Vegas or Acid Pro.

That severely inhibits sound quality from your recordings. I definitely recommend you get something like the POD Studio Pro. I used to do what you do, and when I switched, I couldn't live without it.

Posted by: Sgt El Zilcho
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/zotac-nvidia-geforce-gtx-460-pc i-e-graphics-card-1gb-07656678-pdt.html That a better graphics card?
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/pny-pc3-10660-ddr3-pc-memory-4g b-dimm-ram-10016217-pdt.html and is that RAM any better?

Both definitely better choices.

Posted by: Sgt El Zilcho
Not sure about processors, does it have to be intel to go with that MoBo? and is all of this stuff even compatible with each other? I forgot to even check.
Thanks for the advice on the 460 guys :)

Well, processors directly correspond to mobo chipsets, so a newer Intel wouldn't be able to go into that mobo.

Posted by: Sgt El Zilcho
EDIT: £800 is about $1,320

That's a much higher budget than my rock-solid gaming comp that ran me $1020. There's no reason you shouldn't shoot for something beastly. Lemme look around a little later today, and I'll post again with a sweet build for your budget.

Or R2D2 could come into the thread and do the same, as long as he remembers that processor power, RAM, and HDD speed is extremely important for music production *wink wink nudge nudge*.

  • 08.25.2011 11:00 AM PDT

WARNING! INCORRECT USING THIS FEATURES MAY CAUSE YOUR SYSTEM BROKEN!


Posted by: DusK
That severely inhibits sound quality from your recordings. I definitely recommend you get something like the POD Studio Pro. I used to do what you do, and when I switched, I couldn't live without it.


Oh I know I just use that for skype calls the USB method just transfers the files which are 48KHz 24 bit .wav files, sorry if you misunderstood

Posted by: DusK
That's a much higher budget than my rock-solid gaming comp that ran me $1020. There's no reason you shouldn't shoot for something beastly. Lemme look around a little later today, and I'll post again with a sweet build for your budget.

Or R2D2 could come into the thread and do the same, as long as he remembers that processor power, RAM, and HDD speed is extremely important for music production *wink wink nudge nudge*.


Oh thanks so much :)
I'd still like it to be a gaming rig too if it's not asking too much.
I'm only in a position to build a new PC because we're moving house and we're downsizing so not only will we have money left over from the new house but we've got to get rid of about 3 rooms worth of stuff. If it weren't for the move I'd be stuck with this PC for a while longer.

  • 08.25.2011 12:14 PM PDT
  •  | 
  • Noble Legendary Member

Halo 1&2 PC forum's resident OC ReMixer. Like rockified and metalized video game music? Subscribe to my YouTube channel.

Yeah. That's right. I don't have a 50 in H3. I never got Onyx in Reach. If a game sucks too much, I won't even bother trying for such trivial "accolades". Besides, I've done way more things that take far more skill and talent than anything that can be done in a video game.

Bah. These UK sites. I wish you guys had Newegg. It'd make this whole thing a lot easier. XD

  • 08.25.2011 11:44 PM PDT

WARNING! INCORRECT USING THIS FEATURES MAY CAUSE YOUR SYSTEM BROKEN!


Posted by: DusK
Bah. These UK sites. I wish you guys had Newegg. It'd make this whole thing a lot easier. XD


play.com has some stuff if you haven't tried there.
If worst comes to worst you can make the list using whatever websites you want and I can try and find the parts in the UK.

[Edited on 08.26.2011 6:50 AM PDT]

  • 08.26.2011 6:49 AM PDT


Posted by: Sgt El Zilcho

Posted by: DusK
Bah. These UK sites. I wish you guys had Newegg. It'd make this whole thing a lot easier. XD


play.com has some stuff if you haven't tried there.
If worst comes to worst you can make the list using whatever websites you want and I can try and find the parts in the UK.

Just a word of note, the UK equivalents tend to be overpriced compared to the U.S counterparts. My PC build at the time was cheaper in the States than it was here. This may not be the case now but be warned just in case.

  • 08.26.2011 11:35 AM PDT

WARNING! INCORRECT USING THIS FEATURES MAY CAUSE YOUR SYSTEM BROKEN!


Posted by: Wilis_kid

Posted by: Sgt El Zilcho

Posted by: DusK
Bah. These UK sites. I wish you guys had Newegg. It'd make this whole thing a lot easier. XD


play.com has some stuff if you haven't tried there.
If worst comes to worst you can make the list using whatever websites you want and I can try and find the parts in the UK.

Just a word of note, the UK equivalents tend to be overpriced compared to the U.S counterparts. My PC build at the time was cheaper in the States than it was here. This may not be the case now but be warned just in case.


Yea actually you're right, it just occurred to me. Games in the US aren't the same price as they're UK counterparts, I mean they're not the price they should be if you put them in a currency converter.

here's some sites:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/index.php
http://www.computerorbit.com/
http://www.play.com
http://www.amazon.co.uk

  • 08.26.2011 3:42 PM PDT