I Think I Finally Found a Decent Computer :D

So after coming here many times with 'is this a good computer?' I think I've learned enough to finally found a computer that will be decent for current games.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229100 Keep in mind that's Canadian Dollars

Athlon X2 7850(2.8GHz) 4GB DDR2 500GB NVIDIA GeForce 9500 GT - Everything about it screams decent I think

That's pretty good, right? The graphics card may need a boost in a year or two though. Please comment. Would like to run L4D on medium/high at 60FPS.

The only issues I can see with that are the size of the L2 Cache, for the sake of gaming, it may bottleneck or it may not, I can't really tell. A 2MB L2 Cache isn't particularly a good thing for gaming. The other issue would be the video card. Since it's 1GB, it should last you a while, but like you said, if you plan on playing newer games in the future, an upgrade would do well for you.

The only issues I can see with that are the size of the L2 Cache, for the sake of gaming, it may bottleneck or it may not, I can't really tell. A 2MB L2 Cache isn't particularly a good thing for gaming. The other issue would be the video card. Since it's 1GB, it should last you a while, but like you said, if you plan on playing newer games in the future, an upgrade would do well for you.

Demonsoul98

The VRAM means nothing. That card can no way use 1GB of VRAM. That computer is still on the same level as the other one, except the processor is a bit better for games.

[QUOTE="Demonsoul98"]

The only issues I can see with that are the size of the L2 Cache, for the sake of gaming, it may bottleneck or it may not, I can't really tell. A 2MB L2 Cache isn't particularly a good thing for gaming. The other issue would be the video card. Since it's 1GB, it should last you a while, but like you said, if you plan on playing newer games in the future, an upgrade would do well for you.

joshuahaveron

The VRAM means nothing. That card can no way use 1GB of VRAM. That computer is still on the same level as the other one, except the processor is a bit better for games.

I can't see it being unable to use it. If there is 1GB of VRAM available, chances are the card can use it if demanded.

EDIT: Then again, if there's 4GB of RAM in there in the first place, that 1GB of VRAM is not necessary.

[QUOTE="joshuahaveron"]

[QUOTE="Demonsoul98"]

The only issues I can see with that are the size of the L2 Cache, for the sake of gaming, it may bottleneck or it may not, I can't really tell. A 2MB L2 Cache isn't particularly a good thing for gaming. The other issue would be the video card. Since it's 1GB, it should last you a while, but like you said, if you plan on playing newer games in the future, an upgrade would do well for you.

Demonsoul98

The VRAM means nothing. That card can no way use 1GB of VRAM. That computer is still on the same level as the other one, except the processor is a bit better for games.

I can't see it being unable to use it. If there is 1GB of VRAM available, chances are the card can use it if demanded.

EDIT: Then again, if there's 4GB of RAM in there in the first place, that 1GB of VRAM is not necessary.

A dedicated graphics card cant use normal RAM, only it's own VRAM ...

Also they only make 1gb models of old cards to draw people into buying them.

[QUOTE="Demonsoul98"]

[QUOTE="joshuahaveron"]

The VRAM means nothing. That card can no way use 1GB of VRAM. That computer is still on the same level as the other one, except the processor is a bit better for games.

joshuahaveron

I can't see it being unable to use it. If there is 1GB of VRAM available, chances are the card can use it if demanded.

EDIT: Then again, if there's 4GB of RAM in there in the first place, that 1GB of VRAM is not necessary.

A dedicated graphics card cant use normal RAM, only it's own VRAM ...

Also they only make 1gb models of old cards to draw people into buying them.

I didn't quite mean it that way with the VRAM and RAM, but nevermind that.

Did I entirely miss out on a year of hardware or something, because I don't remember the 9500 being old.

The 9500 may perhaps not be an old card, but it's a mainstream card and therefore, rubbish.

As already mentioned, that 1GB og VRAM is stupid and they only give those cards that much VRAM to attract hardware newbies :)

Go for a 8800GT instead if you want a small but decent card.

The 9500 may perhaps not be an old card, but it's a mainstream card and therefore, rubbish.

As already mentioned, that 1GB og VRAM is stupid and they only give those cards that much VRAM to attract hardware newbies :)

Go for a 8800GT instead if you want a small but decent card.

Khaine775

its decent, i have a laptop thats on par with that desktop and i can guerrentee it will play any game you want on at least medium. however, if you want more bang for you buck build yourself your own pc, its very easy and there are lots of guides on the internet. http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127420 - 100 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103244 - 100 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184 - 50 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813153132 - 100 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218 - 70 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156098 - 100 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827129043 - 30 cheaper and waaaaay better. quad core proc, plus the gpu will get you to high on even crysis, most games will get about max settings. http://www.gamesradar.com/f/the-2008-pc-builders-bible/a-20080918153014865039/p-26 - a good recent guide on how to do it.joshthor

[QUOTE="joshthor"]its decent, i have a laptop thats on par with that desktop and i can guerrentee it will play any game you want on at least medium. however, if you want more bang for you buck build yourself your own pc, its very easy and there are lots of guides on the internet. http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127420 - 100 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103244 - 100 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184 - 50 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813153132 - 100 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218 - 70 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156098 - 100 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827129043 - 30 cheaper and waaaaay better. quad core proc, plus the gpu will get you to high on even crysis, most games will get about max settings. http://www.gamesradar.com/f/the-2008-pc-builders-bible/a-20080918153014865039/p-26 - a good recent guide on how to do it.brandontwb

[QUOTE="joshthor"]its decent, i have a laptop thats on par with that desktop and i can guerrentee it will play any game you want on at least medium. however, if you want more bang for you buck build yourself your own pc, its very easy and there are lots of guides on the internet. http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127420 - 100 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103244 - 100 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184 - 50 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813153132 - 100 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218 - 70 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156098 - 100 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827129043 - 30 cheaper and waaaaay better. quad core proc, plus the gpu will get you to high on even crysis, most games will get about max settings. http://www.gamesradar.com/f/the-2008-pc-builders-bible/a-20080918153014865039/p-26 - a good recent guide on how to do it.brandontwb

We're not saying it's bad. It will run games ok. But, there are better cards for a similar price, so it makes no sense to get this.

[QUOTE="brandontwb"]

[QUOTE="joshthor"]its decent, i have a laptop thats on par with that desktop and i can guerrentee it will play any game you want on at least medium. however, if you want more bang for you buck build yourself your own pc, its very easy and there are lots of guides on the internet. http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127420 - 100 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103244 - 100 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184 - 50 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813153132 - 100 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218 - 70 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156098 - 100 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827129043 - 30 cheaper and waaaaay better. quad core proc, plus the gpu will get you to high on even crysis, most games will get about max settings. http://www.gamesradar.com/f/the-2008-pc-builders-bible/a-20080918153014865039/p-26 - a good recent guide on how to do it.joshuahaveron

We're not saying it's bad. It will run games ok. But, there are better cards for a similar price, so it makes no sense to get this.

[QUOTE="Khaine775"]

The 9500 may perhaps not be an old card, but it's a mainstream card and therefore, rubbish.

As already mentioned, that 1GB og VRAM is stupid and they only give those cards that much VRAM to attract hardware newbies :)

Go for a 8800GT instead if you want a small but decent card.

brandontwb

[QUOTE="joshuahaveron"]

[QUOTE="brandontwb"]Thanks for the suggestion, but I don't want to have to build my PC. This one has good reviews and it looks like it is reliable, good for gaming, and doesn't come with crappy hard to remove software.. Just what I was looking for.

brandontwb

We're not saying it's bad. It will run games ok. But, there are better cards for a similar price, so it makes no sense to get this.

[QUOTE="brandontwb"]

[QUOTE="joshuahaveron"]

We're not saying it's bad. It will run games ok. But, there are better cards for a similar price, so it makes no sense to get this.

joshthor

My suggestion, buy that computer and toss in either a ATI Radeon HD 4850 1GB (993 Mhz Memory Clock Speed) with a stock memory clock speed, or the ATI Radeon HD 4850 1GB (1986 Mhz Memory Clock Speed) with a more than double memory clock speed.

Either that or you could go for VRAM overkill and take the ATI Radeon HD 4870 2GB.

Then, if you want to go the way of NVidia, there's the GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB or the GeForce 9800 GT 1GB.

Any of those should do just fine for Left 4 Dead, though I'd suggest The 9800 GT 1GB because of the price.

Just buy that computer, toss any of those in, and you'll be good to go for more than Left 4 Dead.

My suggestion, buy that computer and toss in either a ATI Radeon HD 4850 1GB (993 Mhz Memory Clock Speed) with a stock memory clock speed, or the ATI Radeon HD 4850 1GB (1986 Mhz Memory Clock Speed) with a more than double memory clock speed.

Either that or you could go for VRAM overkill and take the ATI Radeon HD 4870 2GB.

Then, if you want to go the way of NVidia, there's the GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB or the GeForce 9800 GT 1GB.

Any of those should do just fine for Left 4 Dead, though I'd suggest The 9800 GT 1GB because of the price.

Just buy that computer, toss any of those in, and you'll be good to go for more than Left 4 Dead.

Demonsoul98

[QUOTE="Demonsoul98"]

My suggestion, buy that computer and toss in either a ATI Radeon HD 4850 1GB (993 Mhz Memory Clock Speed) with a stock memory clock speed, or the ATI Radeon HD 4850 1GB (1986 Mhz Memory Clock Speed) with a more than double memory clock speed.

Either that or you could go for VRAM overkill and take the ATI Radeon HD 4870 2GB.

Then, if you want to go the way of NVidia, there's the GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB or the GeForce 9800 GT 1GB.

Any of those should do just fine for Left 4 Dead, though I'd suggest The 9800 GT 1GB because of the price.

Just buy that computer, toss any of those in, and you'll be good to go for more than Left 4 Dead.

brandontwb

That's what I forgot to suggest! Any decent 450-500W power supply would do great for you. I think the 420W would be alright, but I haven't done the math for it. A 450 or higher would put you on the safe side and there wouldn't be anything to worry about for it. I just noticed it, but this power supply is basically a steal at the price right now. $89.99 BEFORE the $20.00 mail-in rebate. That's definitely more power than you need, but that's cheaper than most 500W PSU's.

[QUOTE="brandontwb"][QUOTE="Demonsoul98"]

My suggestion, buy that computer and toss in either a ATI Radeon HD 4850 1GB (993 Mhz Memory Clock Speed) with a stock memory clock speed, or the ATI Radeon HD 4850 1GB (1986 Mhz Memory Clock Speed) with a more than double memory clock speed.

Either that or you could go for VRAM overkill and take the ATI Radeon HD 4870 2GB.

Then, if you want to go the way of NVidia, there's the GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB or the GeForce 9800 GT 1GB.

Any of those should do just fine for Left 4 Dead, though I'd suggest The 9800 GT 1GB because of the price.

Just buy that computer, toss any of those in, and you'll be good to go for more than Left 4 Dead.

Demonsoul98

That's what I forgot to suggest! Any decent 450-500W power supply would do great for you. I think the 420W would be alright, but I haven't done the math for it. A 450 or higher would put you on the safe side and there wouldn't be anything to worry about for it. I just noticed it, but this power supply is basically a steal at the price right now. $89.99 BEFORE the $20.00 mail-in rebate. That's definitely more power than you need, but that's cheaper than most 500W PSU's.

[QUOTE="Demonsoul98"]

[QUOTE="brandontwb"]Thanks! I'll look into the cards! I was kinda on the edge about the graphics card but now it all makes sense. I think I have one more issue: powersupply. Do you think I would one if I upgraded to one of those graphics cards?brandontwb

That's what I forgot to suggest! Any decent 450-500W power supply would do great for you. I think the 420W would be alright, but I haven't done the math for it. A 450 or higher would put you on the safe side and there wouldn't be anything to worry about for it. I just noticed it, but this power supply is basically a steal at the price right now. $89.99 BEFORE the $20.00 mail-in rebate. That's definitely more power than you need, but that's cheaper than most 500W PSU's.

You are quite welcome, glad to help. Sounds like a plan. I think you'll be satisfied with the computer, as you are doing mid-range gaming. The prices on both the video cards and PSU's of all kinds will hopefully drop by then, so good luck!

[QUOTE="Khaine775"]

The 9500 may perhaps not be an old card, but it's a mainstream card and therefore, rubbish.

As already mentioned, that 1GB og VRAM is stupid and they only give those cards that much VRAM to attract hardware newbies :)

Go for a 8800GT instead if you want a small but decent card.

brandontwb

Why don't you just get a 9600GT? It's much better for gaming and it's not that expensive. I've got one at the moment and it's served me well so far.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102810

here's a bargain

XFX 9800 GT 512MB GDDR3 | $99.99 - under $100 dollars.. (I wouldn't consider anything lower than this for gaming..)

Personally, don't see the use of buying hardware thats aged out of the box. Save ur money and at least go for a core2duo E8000 or perhaps an amd phenom x3 cpu, a better quality case and psu, and no less than a 9800gt or 4850. Stands to reason to spend a little more for a greater boost in performance now and you will be able to postpone the inevitable upgrades a year or two.

[QUOTE="brandontwb"][QUOTE="Demonsoul98"]

That's what I forgot to suggest! Any decent 450-500W power supply would do great for you. I think the 420W would be alright, but I haven't done the math for it. A 450 or higher would put you on the safe side and there wouldn't be anything to worry about for it. I just noticed it, but this power supply is basically a steal at the price right now. $89.99 BEFORE the $20.00 mail-in rebate. That's definitely more power than you need, but that's cheaper than most 500W PSU's.

You are quite welcome, glad to help. Sounds like a plan. I think you'll be satisfied with the computer, as you are doing mid-range gaming. The prices on both the video cards and PSU's of all kinds will hopefully drop by then, so good luck!

[QUOTE="joshuahaveron"]

[QUOTE="Demonsoul98"]

The only issues I can see with that are the size of the L2 Cache, for the sake of gaming, it may bottleneck or it may not, I can't really tell. A 2MB L2 Cache isn't particularly a good thing for gaming. The other issue would be the video card. Since it's 1GB, it should last you a while, but like you said, if you plan on playing newer games in the future, an upgrade would do well for you.

Demonsoul98

The VRAM means nothing. That card can no way use 1GB of VRAM. That computer is still on the same level as the other one, except the processor is a bit better for games.

I can't see it being unable to use it. If there is 1GB of VRAM available, chances are the card can use it if demanded.

EDIT: Then again, if there's 4GB of RAM in there in the first place, that 1GB of VRAM is not necessary.

[QUOTE="Khaine775"]

The 9500 may perhaps not be an old card, but it's a mainstream card and therefore, rubbish.

As already mentioned, that 1GB og VRAM is stupid and they only give those cards that much VRAM to attract hardware newbies :)

Go for a 8800GT instead if you want a small but decent card.

brandontwb

its a bad card when you used to not even being able to run games any card looks like a great card but wow your gonna put that card into a gaming rig! the minimum for me would be a 4650 512mb even that is a much more powerful card and cost the same as a 9500gt and spending some extra money to get a 4670 or even a 4830 would greatly enchance your rigs power for not alot of money

and where not trying to recommend u a beast of a card..... where trying to give u a card that will run games well and not cost so much the price of decent video cards has dropped so much i'm not sure why anyone would even think of picking up a 9500gt.