Halo 1 & 2 for PC
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Subject: PhysX, Halo PC, Crysis, CellFactor, Gaming computer.....

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Okay everyone, just wondering if there's anywhere I can check out how to get parts for a High-end gaming PC (Meaning can run things like Crysis, GRAW, and CellFactor) seperately, and I can have a friend put them together with me?

I'd really appreciate it, my computer is crap, so I'm looking to buying a new one, or building a new one for under $1300...I miss playing Halo PC :(

Also, my 360 has recently broken, so I won't be able to play Halo on Xbc which is one of the reason's I'm looking to get into PC gaming again. Anyone know when Vista and H2V is coming out?

Okay, I think I found out what I'm going to do, I'm going to buy, not build. I found a PC which totalled to $1,120 and I upgraded a few things, and now it's $1,270.

Modified Dell XPS 410
Processor
Intel ® Core™2 Duo Processor E6600 (2.4GHz, 1066 FSB) [add $150]


OS
Genuine Windows® XP Media Center 2005 Edition with re-installation CD [Included in Price]


RAM
2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz- 2DIMMs [Included in Price]


HDD
250GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™ [Included in Price]


Drives
Single Drive: 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability [Included in Price]


Monitors
Note: I will use my TV, which has no Cable input since I broke it, for my Monitor.


Video Card
256MB nVidia GeForce 7900 GS [add $200]


Physics Accelerator
None


Sound Card
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio [Included in Price]


Keyboard
Dell USB Keyboard [Included in Price]


Mouse
Dell Optical USB Mouse [Included in Price]


Anti Virus
PC-cillin Internet Security with AntiVirus and Spyware removal 15-months [Included in Price]


Warranty
1Yr Ltd Warranty, 1Yr At-Home Service, and 1Yr HW Warranty Support [Included in Price]

[Edited on 9/26/2006]

  • 09.25.2006 4:44 PM PDT
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well if you want to build a computer, order parts from newegg.com, if you want a whole new computer, go to dell.com.

  • 09.25.2006 5:03 PM PDT

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The Halo REACH Script (post thoughts in thread)

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I heard Dell comps are really bad lately..I was looking into iBuyPower.com though, they seem pretty good IMO..

  • 09.25.2006 5:08 PM PDT
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Hey! Welcome to the Mawzors!

I think you should check out the stickies here, they offer a wealth of information including info on where to get the good PCs.

  • 09.25.2006 5:11 PM PDT
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I assume you are going to be using this thread from now on. From newegg, under $1300, in April, I managed to get quite a good system, though without monitor.

TforceU Motherboard
7800GT
4200+ X2
160 gig hd
1 gig ram
really nice coolermaster case
500 w PSU
XP pro, required for dual core
and some other extras like a good gaming mouse and speakers.

For building, newegg.com is the way to go. Nowadays though, building doesn't have much advantage. In fact, I've said it before, but sometimes building can be more expensive. Anyway, since you said you want a monitor, it'll probably be ~$250, plus some more for shipping, so we'll say your basic comp will be ~$1000. One thing to point out, is that buying monitors online is not a good idea. Firstly, most local stores have good monitors. Second, you can't tell image quality by looking at an image of an image. Third, dead pixels and other malfunctions are annoying to fix, and Fourth, lots more shipping fees for a monitor.


So um yeah....let me check some current newegg prices

An average 7900GT is about $280 or so...
2 gigs ram may be a little much, you may be able to fit 2 into budget, but 1's probably ok for now. It depends on what you'll be doing(besides gaming)
Processor, it really depends on what you're going to be doing with your comp.
PSU-make sure to get a good namebrand and read newegg reviews
case-mostly up to you, make sure it's got good functionality and cooling
OS-Don't forget to put aside a chunk of cash for windows(you need pro for a good processor)
HD-again, up to what you'll be doing.

So that totals up to be $280....haha you wish
Nah, the biggest part of building a comp is deciding, on the many choices. Most likely, one week after you build you'll be regretting something, when something comes out and prices fall, or you find something else that runs better. So yeah, mainly you should post what you're thinking about, and we can critique

  • 09.25.2006 5:17 PM PDT
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Don't buy from cyberpower or ibuypower (same company), I've heard nothing but bad things about them, start a thread at any PC gaming forum and you'll know what I'm talking about. Don't buy the PhysX card yet as the price isn't justified, and physics can be run on a second processor (if you've got dual-core). Are you going to build yourself or buy pre-built?

A 3800 X2 is all most people need. At least 1.5 gb ram, Battlefield 2 uses almost 1 gb of my ram (maxed at 1280 x 1024) and Crysis will definitely use alot more. 80 gb hard drive minimum, a 7600gt will suffice for now if you want to upgrade when Dx10 comes out, but high end cards are fairly cheap at the moment.

[Edited on 9/25/2006]

  • 09.25.2006 5:22 PM PDT

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The Halo REACH Script (post thoughts in thread)

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Posted by: Pet0sh
Nah, the biggest part of building a comp is deciding, on the many choices. Most likely, one week after you build you'll be regretting something, when something comes out and prices fall, or you find something else that runs better. So yeah, mainly you should post what you're thinking about, and we can critique
I was looking for something with 2GB RAM, I heard Crysis will require 2GB, though it may have been a rumor. I actually found 4GB of RAM somewhere for a Special Upgrade Price from the 2GB, I'll go look..

I'm looking for a computer mainly for gaming..I want a computer that will be better than a 360 and a PS3.

My 360 recently broke, and I don't want to drop another $400 on one if I know it will break again..my friend has went through 4 in 3 months, and it costs $120 to get them fixed my MS.

Fast processor, 250-320gb HDD optimal..2-4GB RAM, high-end video card, maybe dual core..and I need help on motherboards, I'm not too knowledgable in that region..


Well yeah, thanks for the help..I'm still undecided on wether to just build it or buy it..lol

  • 09.25.2006 5:28 PM PDT

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The Halo REACH Script (post thoughts in thread)

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Posted by: Lucifuge777
Don't buy from cyberpower or ibuypower (same company), I've heard nothing but bad things about them, start a thread at any PC gaming forum and you'll know what I'm talking about.
:-o what kinds of things...? Don't buy the PhysX card yet as the price isn't justified,Yeah, I was just talked out of it a few hours ago..$300 for one game isn't really worth it. and physics can be run on a second processor (if you've got dual-core). Are you going to build yourself or buy pre-built?How would I go about doing that? And I dono if I should buy or build yet...


My TV Productions teacher is a lucky bastard..he just got two computers for our lab..each has quad processors, dual video cards, and 2 terabytes of storage..

[Edited on 9/25/2006]

  • 09.25.2006 5:30 PM PDT
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Complainants allege the company sells defective merchandise, and fails to provide warranty service as agreed. Some complainants allege they receive merchandise which is inoperable or defective at the time of delivery. In other cases customers complain they return defective components two or three times for the same repair, or, repair items are retuned without the repairs performed , in the same condition as when they were sent ior repair. "Complainants are generally dissatisfied with the level of customer service provided, claiming they are unable to reach company personnel by phone, and e-mails are not responded to. Some complainants who request refunds on defective products are dissatisfied with the company's policy of deducting S & H charges from the refund amount.

The company has responded to most complaints by issuing RMA's for exchanging defective products, providing refunds, or offering additional repair assistance. In some cases, the responses provided did not address the complainant’s allegations. Some customers disputed the company's responses claiming the company did not follow through on promised resolutions, or that repairs performed did not remedy the original problem.


Listed by the Better Business Bureau for cyberpower

  • 09.25.2006 5:40 PM PDT
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Like everyone else has said, check Newegg or Tigerdirect. Also, since your budget is really high, check out http://www.alienware.com/ and you can match one of their computers part for part from another site. You'll save a boatload of money, and you can pick your own case!

  • 09.25.2006 5:46 PM PDT
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These are parts that i ordered from newegg.com for a gaming computer just over 2 weeks ago. It runs just about everything at max settings without ANY trouble.


ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce SPP 100 ATX AMD Motherboard

eVGA 01G-P2-N592-AX Geforce 7950GX2 1GB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Dual GPU Video Card

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ Toledo 2.4GHz Socket 939 Dual Core Processor Model ADA4800CDBOX

CORSAIR XMS 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model Twinx2048-3200c2

it totals up to be $1,226.97

Those are just the core necesities.You'll still need a harddrive, Windows XP Pro, power supply, case, DVD drive, monitor, mouse and keyboard. Those additional parts might unfortunatly push it slightly beyond your budget. You can choose whatever you like for those - personally i bought those parts offline.

  • 09.25.2006 5:52 PM PDT
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Download Halo Custom Edition for user created maps!
Link
http://hce.halomaps.org/index.cfm?pg=3&fid=410
The few, the proud, the leet.

Buy a 7600 or 1800 for your video card right now. DX10 cards are just around the corner.

  • 09.25.2006 6:02 PM PDT
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For MB, don't worry about SLI or any of that fancy (mainly) useless stuff. Anything under $100 and above $70 or so should suffice. Make sure you get a sound card, I know they are overrated, but they do take at least some load off of the processor. If you were to buy, where would you buy from? We can't compare two things if we don't know about one. So 2 to 4 gigs eh, I don't know much about crysis, to me it's always been "Hey we got cool plants, now lets put some guns in there and brag about the plants. Oh wait, have we told you about our plants?"
But anyway, it sounds high-endish, get a dual core AMD from the x2 family, or an intel equivalent, as I don't think you can get the newer generations with your budget and the high ram and vid card. Which is the next point. Get good vid card now, and wait it out? Or get bad, and upgrade later with DX10? So yeah, do you plan on upgrading? Buying for the long run is usually cheaper, but then you won't have the best hardware all the time. I find it odd that you name halo pc in the title. you could probably play halo PC at full ~$500.

But yeah, my ramblings are done, you may now attempt to understand them.

  • 09.25.2006 6:03 PM PDT

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The Halo REACH Script (post thoughts in thread)

Writing Lead of Whisper Studios. Check out Heron!

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I think I'll wait to upgrade. PC parts become much better every...6 months? If so, I'd probably upgrade every 12 months..story and gameplay usually come first with me, then graphics, but I want to maximize my PC's performance. I was thinking of one of these video cards:

-Radeon x1900 XT / XTX
-Geforce 7900 GTX

I hear they're reall good, though they probably cost alot..

-Geforce 7950 GX2 (roughly $600 pre-tax) I can only dream..lol


I'm going to check ot Alienware again, last time I tried to configure a good comp there it came out to 1202 and that seemed a little much as I only had 1GB of RAM as oposed to the 2GB I was wishing for..

And I know I didn't have to list Halo PC there, but that's one of the games I will be playing most, probably right next to Crysis, F.E.A.R. and maybe GRAW, until Crysis comes out.

[Edited on 9/25/2006]

  • 09.25.2006 6:24 PM PDT
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DO NOT check alienware. 99% of self respecting computer people will laugh at you. Do a test. Get a system on some other site, and see its price. Now find the individual prices totaled. Now try it on alienware. These were the results of my test:

Build:~$1400 including shipping
Cyberpower:~$50 less than build including shipping
Dell:~$1700
Alienware:~$2200 including shipping.

One thing I think is funny is Alienware likes to make a big deal out of grips on their laptops, amazing lights(woah diodes!!), alien decals, and generally overprice those flashy things that are really cheap.

I can't really vouch for Cyberpower, as I've never personally used them. Years ago, when I started building, they were great. But like a few people here have said, it seems they may not be so good anymore. Looks like they are going the alienware route?

  • 09.25.2006 7:17 PM PDT

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The Halo REACH Script (post thoughts in thread)

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Look... I'm on bungiepedia!

I just checked Alienwar again and wow..they are extremely expensive.

Check the first post please, I put up what I think would be good to get for just under 1300, minus S/H and a Monitor. I can just use my TV as a Montor, right? Maybe you could point me in the right direction with Processors and Vid cards, I think I got a great vid card and a good processor..

I have a big ass TV, but I can't watch Cable TV on it because I broke the littl plug out of the back a while back, so it's mainly for gaming and movies now..

  • 09.25.2006 7:38 PM PDT
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Excellent. Minus two things.

HA! tricked you...obviously checking if you were paying attention. For dual core vs dual cpu stuff look below, and disregard this if you read it earlier.

Also, a sound card, any creative audigy/soundblaster at about $20, pretty cheap, but will take the load off your processor.

Also, you're sure you don't want a dvd drive? unless you already have one you plan to be moving in, it'll be pretty hard to set up an OS.

But otherwise, here's how I would rate it:

graphics:10
processor:7/8(maybe the one place to upgrade in the future)
Ram:9.5
other essentials:7-9

Not very accurate, I know. But I remember looking at that motherboard, months ago, and it was very popular because an Evga 7900GT came free with it. There were many complaints, not sure if it's been fixed. Also, google your case and read reviews/installation instructions. If there're features like a motherboard tray and drive rack, those'll be a huge help.

As for connecting to tv, i've never done it, but 7950 description says it has a tv out, you should probably see if it comes with the cord.

[Edited on 9/26/2006]

  • 09.25.2006 8:38 PM PDT
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My suggestions would be a dual core processor with at least 2.0 Ghz. I would get at least 2GB of RAM. I would just wait and buy and new graphics card when DX10 comes out. No sense in buying two.

Also DO NOT BUY XP!! Just wait and buy vista when it comes out.

I am actually in the process of preparing to make one and I will not be buying grapics cards until DX10 and I will not be buying an OS until Vista. I just see no reason in buying two of something.

  • 09.25.2006 8:43 PM PDT

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Posted by: Iggwilv

*hands Kim a crowbar*
Here you will need this to help you get your foot out of the back of your throat, looks llike its in there pretty deep. And what is that on your face? Egg?! *hands Kim a washcloth*

Posted by: Pet0sh
Excellent. Minus two things.

BIG THING MAKE SURE to get windows xp pro edition. Dual core simply will not work with home. Or at least as of when I built my comp.

Also, a sound card, any creative audigy/soundblaster at about $20, pretty cheap, but will take the load off your processor.

Also, you're sure you don't want a dvd drive? unless you already have one you plan to be moving in, it'll be pretty hard to set up an OS.

But otherwise, here's how I would rate it:

graphics:10
processor:7/8(maybe the one place to upgrade in the future)
Ram:9.5
other essentials:7-9

Not very accurate, I know. But I remember looking at that motherboard, months ago, and it was very popular because an Evga 7900GT came free with it. There were many complaints, not sure if it's been fixed. Also, google your case and read reviews/installation instructions. If there're features like a motherboard tray and drive rack, those'll be a huge help.

As for connecting to tv, i've never done it, but 7950 description says it has a tv out, you should probably see if it comes with the cord.


XP Home will work just fine with a dual-core. It's dual cpu that you are thinking of.

  • 09.25.2006 8:57 PM PDT
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Yeah don't buy XP.. you can have it without paying for it sometimes. XP is a waste of money anyway..

[Edited on 9/25/2006]

  • 09.25.2006 9:17 PM PDT
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? What's difference between dual core and dual cpu? And isn't 4200 X2 dual CPU/Core, whichever one requires xp pro?

I must be confused or something.

  • 09.25.2006 9:30 PM PDT

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Posted by: Iggwilv

*hands Kim a crowbar*
Here you will need this to help you get your foot out of the back of your throat, looks llike its in there pretty deep. And what is that on your face? Egg?! *hands Kim a washcloth*

dual core-two cores on one CPU in one socket.
dual CPUs-two CPUs in two different sockets.
home supports one socket where as pro supports two sockets. you can have 50 cores on one socket and home would be able to use all of them.

  • 09.25.2006 10:49 PM PDT
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Errr, ignore the people saying dont buy XP. They are being stupid to the point of retarded. If you want this PC in the next 6 months, you will have to get XP.

I strongly suggest you dont rely on Vista. Regardless of how good it is, many many programs wont work with its release. Thats just the way it is. By all means get Vista when released (Id advise waiting, but up to you), but at least have dual boot so you can fall back to XP when you need to get something to work.

One thing I notice is that you have socket 939, not AM2. While 939 is very good, they are stopping production of the processors soon. If your buying parts and building, AM2 isnt much more than the 939 mobos and processors. However, I think because its 'new' your going to get bummed if you buy an AM2 system prebuilt.

Im assuming your working in $'s, or Id do a quote for you.

  • 09.26.2006 1:34 AM PDT
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Ok, ignore my advice about xp pro then. I somehow messed up somewhere down the line.

  • 09.26.2006 6:37 AM PDT
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Definately WAIT for Direct X 10 Graphics cards to come out (ETA - November for Nvidia, later for ATi). If you abosolutly cannot wait, buy a cheaper graphics card such as a 6600 to hold you over.

And also, considering you are looking at ibuypower and alienware, you arent planning on building your own, are you?

  • 09.26.2006 6:42 AM PDT

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