Ship Simulator

English forum => Small talk => Topic started by: IRI5HJ4CK on October 23, 2009, 18:05:12

Title: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: IRI5HJ4CK on October 23, 2009, 18:05:12
Hi guys,

Went to PC World today, Mum says I'm getting a new computer for Christmas..!

But she said it's something she can't hide because she wouldn't have too much of a clue about Computer specs....And wants me to find out from you guys (Yes, "Mother" does know about the World of Ship Simming),

This was the computer we saw today...And it's not as badly priced as first thought, so she said I can have it this Christmas, rather than next :2thumbs:

Is this computer good enough, and suitable for Future versions of SS..? (Ie, SSE) - I can only think it exceeds it, at 6GB etc. But I want to check with you guys first.

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1455006708.1256317310@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccegadeijfddjehcflgceggdhhmdgmi.0&pageFrom=SimpleSearchProducts&page=Product&sku=375100

Thanks guys,
Jack.
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: Agent|Austin on October 23, 2009, 19:04:54
Can you get me one while you're there?
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: Minime on October 23, 2009, 19:07:38
surely hope it's good enaugh, cause I'm hoping my grandparent's computer can handle SSE until I get a new one, and it isn't as good as that one.
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: Agent|Austin on October 23, 2009, 19:23:26
surely hope it's good enaugh, cause I'm hoping my grandparent's computer can handle SSE until I get a new one, and it isn't as good as that one.

if they have one on display, get it's dxdiag, put it on a USB stick, and post it here, lol.
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: IRI5HJ4CK on October 23, 2009, 19:27:24
Can you get me one while you're there?

My Paypal is... :lol:
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: firestar12 on October 23, 2009, 20:34:08
Good, we can turn your old one into a Linux Server for IJTS! :doh: ;D
(Jk)
Good, I hope it runs the game nice, but won't you miss your current PC that is able to run things that should be impossible?! ;D
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: mvsmith on October 23, 2009, 20:44:14
Hi Jack,
If that machine can’t run Extremes, Terry will be a very busy person.
Regards,
Marty
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: Master Captain on October 23, 2009, 21:04:43
packard bell still exists?? wow, there is an ancient packard bell at my computer repair classroom  ::)
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: Capt. Matt on October 23, 2009, 21:17:10
I know Bell still exits never heard of Packard Bell :P Nice Machine Jack
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: Chris-S1 on October 24, 2009, 00:20:21
hay IRI5HJ4CK have u had a look on www.ebuyer.com/    its one  of the best  places to get  pc's from at the moment   i recont  that pc from  pc world  you  could get on ebuyey   for about £500.  its well worth  the look!   some of the  new  Acer pc's are  very nice   or  have u thot of miby bulding your  own??
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: J3nsen on October 24, 2009, 00:41:14
Verry nice, but i don't like GeForce GT220. It should be GeForce GT260 or higher. So you don't have to buy a new card after few years. :)
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: Dave M on October 24, 2009, 00:52:30
Hi IRI5J4CK,
The good news is that your new computer should be fine for SS08. :)
The only thing that might let it down is the graphics card. I've looked at a couple of sites and they seem to be comparing it to the Nvidia 8500 cards. It isn't that 'I don't like it', (As J3nsen suggests), it is just a little too low specification.
It might be a good idea to see if there is another option available before you buy the system.

Edit;
Hi J3nsen,
You are right, the GT220 isn't really the best solution for SS08.
End Edit.

Regards, Dave
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: kerNeli on October 24, 2009, 01:59:53
Nice machine at first look. But cause it is OEM computer it have cheap mobo, cheap memory, and maybe even cheap HDs. And as ppl here have said GT220 is bad choise for GPU. Its only bad OEM card.
And that processor is not best you can get for that price. Ya it is Quad-core and thats sounds cool for allmost everybody, right? But do you really need them? If you get like 3,2gHz dual-core (and maybe do little overclocking) it will win that quad-core in meny games (except the newest high-end games wich suppot fully all 4 cores) and it have more cache.
So if you think you really play or do things wich supports all 4 its okay but if you dont think i suggest to think again.
Sorry all that disliking. That computer is good compared to meny other OEM computers.  :D
 I like build my computers myself and nowdays OEM computers have too much air in prices. So if you think you or some of you friends can build computer i suggest to think it as potential choice. Cause then you can get excatly what you need/want in it. And it is much cheaper way.
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: Capt. Matt on October 24, 2009, 02:03:32
Overclocking is not a good way to ahve a faster CPU it is dangerous , and can damage the CPU  :P

Also you may want to watch the language  :thumbdown: , It isnt that bad but remember the younger ones ;)
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: kerNeli on October 24, 2009, 02:06:17
Overclocking is GOOD way to have faster CPU :) And it is not dangerous nowdays cause allmost all GOOD mobos have own systems etc. for it. Even most idiotest 11y can super overclock computers now. Sorry if that hurts someone ;)
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: Capt. Matt on October 24, 2009, 02:10:12
Well This will be my last 10 cents on this topic however, if you do a search on overclocking, my computer teacher in school, MC's Computer Repair Teacher both agree that overclocking is dangerous and an unstable way to make a CPU faster :-\

OK Im Done
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: kerNeli on October 24, 2009, 02:14:56
It depends. But okay lets keep offtopic off =)
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: bsm2003 on October 24, 2009, 02:15:29
packard bell still exists?? wow, there is an ancient packard bell at my computer repair classroom  ::)


Only sold in the EU countries. been dead here in the us for decades.
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: mvsmith on October 24, 2009, 02:53:39
Perhaps someone who is not, apparently, a registered SS2008 user is not the best source for advice on a system to run Ship Simulator.
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: Master Captain on October 24, 2009, 03:36:11
Overclocking is GOOD way to have faster CPU :) And it is not dangerous nowdays cause allmost all GOOD mobos have own systems etc. for it. Even most idiotest 11y can super overclock computers now. Sorry if that hurts someone ;)
i need to input here, "overclocking is a risky and dangerous way to increase the speed of your computers cpu, this can potentially damage your computer" taken right from my computer repair book clear as a bell and my other 2 cents. Alot of programs can't use all 4 cores on the computer, so while 2 are working like crazy the other 2 are just hanging out which can be useful, my own opinion is get a high performance Intel Core 2 Duo processor, fastest intel makes in 3.33ghz which i think is plenty fast enough, together with the right parts you can have a great computer. my rant for the day
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: Capt. Matt on October 24, 2009, 13:31:17
As I previousely said  ::)

 
Well This will be my last 10 cents on this topic however, if you do a search on overclocking, my computer teacher in school, MC's Computer Repair Teacher both agree that overclocking is dangerous and an unstable way to make a CPU faster :-\

OK Im Done

Duel is best I think as Keane said, but really it depends on what you need your PC for  ;) For the Game and what most typical people use a computer for I think a fast duel is plenty, I have an Intel Core 2 Duo @ 2.8 GHz and the game runs perfectely for me ;) Intel E7400  ;)
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: The Ferry Man on October 24, 2009, 15:22:23

Only sold in the EU countries. been dead here in the us for decades.

Strange. Any reason why?

All My Computers have all been Packard Bells
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: kerNeli on October 24, 2009, 16:28:23
i need to input here, "overclocking is a risky and dangerous way to increase the speed of your computers cpu, this can potentially damage your computer" taken right from my computer repair book clear as a bell and my other 2 cents. Alot of programs can't use all 4 cores on the computer, so while 2 are working like crazy the other 2 are just hanging out which can be useful, my own opinion is get a high performance Intel Core 2 Duo processor, fastest intel makes in 3.33ghz which i think is plenty fast enough, together with the right parts you can have a great computer. my rant for the day

And you "computer repair book"  is from? 90's? ;) As i said nowdays mobo and cpu manufactures make it easy and SAFE. But if your oldschool teacher say so maybe i must believe ;DDDD I have doing overclocking long time and i have studying computers too so maybe i know what i am saying. But maybe the overclocking scene is bit new for you then ;)
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: saltydog on October 24, 2009, 16:30:49
I recently read my graphics-card (nVidia XFX 8800GT Alphadog) is standardly overclocked..
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: kerNeli on October 24, 2009, 16:33:53
GPUs are even more easier to OverClock without damage cause allmost everyone of them can take 120C and then turn itself off. So dumbass cant broke them without volt mods etc. And i am talking about normal or little clocked cards. there is too those cards wich dont have those safe systems
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: Capt. Matt on October 24, 2009, 16:47:29
Ugh actually my books are only 6 months old so believe what you want :-\
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: Traddles on October 24, 2009, 16:47:56
Hello Jack,
I attach my Dxdiag which you can see is actually below the specs of the one you are interested in, apart from the graphics card. I am not au-fait with the card which is included with your choice. However I can tell you, without divulging any secrets, that my machine happily runs SSPro2 with no problems. That being the case I think that you should probably have no problems with SS Extremes. Please do not take this as gospel though, just my opinion.

Angus
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: saltydog on October 24, 2009, 17:01:20
Temperature is no problem.. I replaced the standard cooler with this..(mostly to keep the noise down)   :)
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: Capt. Matt on October 24, 2009, 17:07:10
That fan big enough  :doh: My computer has 4 Fans  ;)
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: llamalord on October 24, 2009, 17:12:32
My new one has seven! ::) and yet it is really quiet...
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: firestar12 on October 24, 2009, 17:16:36
Do the fans actually help the system's performance?
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: llamalord on October 24, 2009, 17:20:30
They mostly keep it cool because of it's high performance.
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: firestar12 on October 24, 2009, 17:23:29
But without the fans, would they have even worse performance because of the heat?
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: saltydog on October 24, 2009, 17:36:35
I don't think they have any effect on performance, I just like a quiet computer.. :)
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: CaptainMike1 on October 24, 2009, 17:43:53
Jack

If you have a John Lewis anywhere near you the price will be better, the service is great, and if you have any problem they will usually replace. I bought this current one from PC World last year and had awfull problems getting them to replace the hard drive which went after 6 months.

Mike
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: llamalord on October 24, 2009, 18:05:13
I don't think they have any effect on performance, I just like a quiet computer.. :)

The main reason that you should have fans to keep your machine cool is because the high temperatures will cause your components to fail sooner and it will also cause overheats and shut-downs.
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: saltydog on October 24, 2009, 18:08:13
The main reason that you should have fans to keep your machine cool is because the high temperatures will cause your components to fail sooner and it will also cause overheats and shut-downs.

I don't think that would normally happen..(unless you go berserk and start overclocking willynilly)   ;)
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: mvsmith on October 24, 2009, 18:17:35
Hi Firestar,

Fans help by keeping it from dropping to zero, accompanied by smoke.

It’s hard to predict what the actual requirements for Extremes will be. Rather, it is hard to predict how a specific computer will perform; there are tradeoffs between processor speed and graphics performance because they affect the frame rate in different ways.

For the graphics card, it is important that it have enough RAM on the card so that it does not need to share RAM with the motherboard. Cards with 1 GB are becoming the norm.
It is also important that the card provide all of the necessary features that SS needs, such as shaders, particle generators, etc. Without specific information from VSTEP, which they may not yet know, it is difficult to predict the performance in Extremes.

I do not even know whether Extremes will use QuestViewer as its engine. While QV is an excellent platform for the other kinds of applications that VSTEP makes, the present architecture of SS has severe limits. Getting much farther will eventually require either an entirely new engine or significant changes to QV.

As Angus pointed out, what we have seen with the Pro betas would indicate that that the requirements for Extremes would not be extreme if it was simply a “lite” version of Pro.
The announced additions for Extremes, aside from the sea model and, perhaps, a busier environment in Sydney, are not that significant when speculating on any increase in demands on the system.

Regards,
Marty
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: saltydog on October 24, 2009, 18:21:19
What about the processor speed..?  It says 2.5 Ghz..Will that be ok..?
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: Dave M on October 24, 2009, 19:23:56
Hi saltydog,
Don't forget that the system that Jack is looking at is using Windows 7 64bit. I don't know, but it could be that Windows 7 can use all four processors to speed things up.

As I said earlier, my only reservation is the graphics card. It could be ok but I think that you may find it a bit slow.

Edit; I have just had a look around and I was wrong. The Windows 7 64 bit Ultimate version will only use two physical CPUs, (but will probably do it better and faster than anything else).

Regards, Dave
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: Capt. Matt on October 24, 2009, 19:30:56
Well its definately better than what he has  ;)
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: saltydog on October 24, 2009, 19:34:41
I'm not up to date with modern processors, it would be a shame though if it later turned out to be too slow..
The graphics card seems to be very fine..
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: firestar12 on October 24, 2009, 22:29:25
Yeah...2.5 seems dangerously risky. Jack could end up having to update very soon if he gets that machine.
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: Master Captain on October 24, 2009, 22:55:30
And you "computer repair book"  is from? 90's? ;) As i said nowdays mobo and cpu manufactures make it easy and SAFE. But if your oldschool teacher say so maybe i must believe ;DDDD I have doing overclocking long time and i have studying computers too so maybe i know what i am saying. But maybe the overclocking scene is bit new for you then ;)
my repair book is nearly brand new we're learning about current things and the program is tied in with Cisco computer systems, we take online tests and everything is up to date. My teacher is an excellent teacher and he is not "old school" this is modern stuff, so believe me when i say i know what i'm talking about, no matter what the processor is there is always the risk of damage, if you give the processor too much voltage you could ruin it, it could easily overheat if the computer is loaded with dust or you dont have adiquite cooling equipment. Now the GPU, its not smart to overclock them so much that they have to shut off because they're too hot, that means you're making the GPU work too hard or you do not have proper cooling system and if you do that too many times thats how you're going to damage the GPU, computers are made the way they are because it works properly, and doesn't overheat. If the factory settings are not fast enough for you then you should have bought a faster GPU or CPU, my rant for today
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: Capt. Matt on October 24, 2009, 23:15:55
my repair book is nearly brand new we're learning about current things and the program is tied in with Cisco computer systems, we take online tests and everything is up to date. My teacher is an excellent teacher and he is not "old school" this is modern stuff, so believe me when i say i know what i'm talking about, no matter what the processor is there is always the risk of damage, if you give the processor too much voltage you could ruin it, it could easily overheat if the computer is loaded with dust or you dont have adiquite cooling equipment. Now the GPU, its not smart to overclock them so much that they have to shut off because they're too hot, that means you're making the GPU work too hard or you do not have proper cooling system and if you do that too many times thats how you're going to damage the GPU, computers are made the way they are because it works properly, and doesn't overheat. If the factory settings are not fast enough for you then you should have bought a faster GPU or CPU, my rant for today

What He said :P No Really Keane I dont think abyone could have said it better  :doh:

And your rants are always fun to listen to lol  ::)
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: saltydog on October 24, 2009, 23:18:09
Let's get down to earth guys, we're talking about a stock computer here.. :)
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: kerNeli on October 25, 2009, 00:14:38
I think 3,33gHz Dual-Core would be better if not playing the most newest übergames wich supports more than 2 cores.
And about that overclocking... lets keep it out from here. I send message about it for Master Captain and if he wants publish it lets make new topic
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: Master Captain on October 25, 2009, 00:20:04
3.33ghz dual core is plenty fast enough for the current games, its more than the CPU that makes a computer, you have ram and the gpu that also have a major effect on a computers performance.
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: kerNeli on October 25, 2009, 00:24:05
Yes ofcourse but i was just saying if not playing the newest ones you should stay on 2 cores. I wasnt talking about memorys etc.
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: Capt. Matt on October 25, 2009, 02:00:23
Oh Boy  :P

Im doing everything in my power not to say whats on the top of my head someone doesnt know much about computers There  ::)
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: mvsmith on October 25, 2009, 02:08:24
Thank you for exercising restraint Matt. I’ve already given my opinion of his opinions.
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: Capt. Matt on October 25, 2009, 02:38:47
Yes and they are very good opinions let me try to get a message to him YOU DONT KNOW MUCH ABOUT COMPUTERS  :thumbs: There we go
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: Master Captain on October 25, 2009, 02:53:49
errr, take it easy matt :P
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: Chris-S1 on October 25, 2009, 03:02:39
Ye calm down matt this is a we chat about some computers no need to get upset or angry :)
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: mvsmith on October 25, 2009, 03:08:45
If he advised users to overclock on the Technical Support board, he would be in violation of forum rules, and his posts would probably be removed. As it is, he couldn’t do that because he is not a registered user, and probably knows diddly about what it takes to run SS08.
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: IRI5HJ4CK on October 25, 2009, 13:49:13
Hi guys!

Thanks for the massive input!!

So, You're saying the Graphics card isn't fantastic...Someone also questioned the processor.

What Graphic card would be you recommend?

Jack.
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: Capt. Matt on October 25, 2009, 14:11:36
One that works well  :doh: I believe Terry Mentioned something about a Nvidea GTX or something like that, I could be wrong but he praises that card I have the ASUS EAH4670 series, has 1gb of dedicated memory, which I believe is all you really need, sure you can go all hardcore gamer, but to run the game smooth its perfect to me, I have a Intel Core 2 Duel Core @ 2.8Ghz and with that and 4gb of Ram my PC runs Ship Sim beyond well  :thumbs:
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: kerNeli on October 25, 2009, 14:51:13
Okay there is obviously too much hate and misunderstandings here so i think i leave you guys alone and do something real.
And about that i am not registeres SS player is cause account wich i play is my little brothers and he dont want me to register it here. So bye bye.
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: TerryRussell on October 25, 2009, 15:40:35
One that works well  :doh: I believe Terry Mentioned something about a Nvidea GTX or something like that, I could be wrong but he praises that card I have the ASUS EAH4670 series, has 1gb of dedicated memory, which I believe is all you really need, sure you can go all hardcore gamer, but to run the game smooth its perfect to me, I have a Intel Core 2 Duel Core @ 2.8Ghz and with that and 4gb of Ram my PC runs Ship Sim beyond well  :thumbs:

GTX8800 and the very close 8600 series work wonderfully for me. But they must be starting to show their age now. I think that most of the NVIDIA range will be plenty good enough. ATI/Radeon seem to cause a lot of grief with Ship Simulator, though.

I don't think the card in your PC is at all bad, Jack. It looks quite reasonable to me. But in any case, by the time you get the PC, that card will have been replaced six times over by newer cards, I expect.

Whatever card you get, make sure it has its own memory. A gigabyte would be good. No "sharing" with your PC, though!
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: Capt. Matt on October 25, 2009, 15:45:50
I knew Terry would appear as soon as his name was mentioned :doh:

Really, I find the ATI card works wonderfully for me  :-\

Look at the pic I took, the water specifically
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: saltydog on October 25, 2009, 16:11:11
Nice shot, the bridge looks a bit messy though.. ;)
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: Capt. Matt on October 25, 2009, 16:26:55
My graphics settings were on medium :P It was more to demonstrate the water quality lol Thanks though  ;)
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: saltydog on October 25, 2009, 16:34:58
I thought so..I have my graphics set on quality rather than performance..Hence I get about 12 fps..  ;)
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: Master Captain on October 25, 2009, 22:16:04
my signature bar below says it all about NVIDIA, "mess with the best, die like the rest"
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: eviss on October 25, 2009, 23:36:45
Hi all,

Just had a full crash on my previous PC, last sunday; nothing to see but black screens after startup.

Because of the age (3 years) and SSE in mind I had to find a new one.

Found this one / up and running now looks OK sofar. Still on Vista 64 bit version, planning free upgrade to W7.

https://www.dynabyte.nl/artikel/7113714/

Hope you'll agree my choise; happy to hear expert comments.  ;D

vr. gr. / kind regards, Erik


Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: Capt. Matt on October 26, 2009, 00:13:56
Keane you dont have that sig on this forum lol  ::) , I get about 60 Framerates Per Second :thumbs:
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: Master Captain on October 26, 2009, 00:23:58
yea oops :P i have it on every other forum, forgot i didnt have it here :doh:
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: Dave M on October 26, 2009, 00:44:06
Hi Erik,
I don't need to say, that is a very nice system :thumbs:. I had a look around to see how the graphics card performed and all the reviews said that it was a good choice for gaming.  :thumbs:

Edit;spelling
Regards, Dave
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: eviss on October 26, 2009, 01:00:11
Thank you Dave,

That card was in my thought's as well, since ATI/Radion is "not" done, I hear.

Sofar so good seeing the performance. That was just the thing:

I was waiting to buy "after" releasing the next version: SSE.

This "let me down" action forced me to buy it now !  ;D

vr. gr. / kind regards, Erik
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: TJK on October 26, 2009, 01:41:25
HI Erik

As i say to you, that PC are a real good one and mush PC for the money :thumbs: ;)  and ATI drivers for win7 64bit are beater an they was on vista

Tore
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: eviss on October 26, 2009, 08:33:38
Hei Tore,

Thanks for the advice, you were very much helpfull there.  ::)

I was just moving into the next World testing the maschine!  :o

Hoping it will worke out fine for the future "things" :doh:

The sleeping-pils hit me, so here the answer (this morning).  ;D

Erik
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: Captain Spencer on October 26, 2009, 11:00:40
Well Jack,

You know my input on the subject as we've spoke elsewhere, but either way you look at it you will get something that you will be happy with.

Put it this way, whatever you get it should play SSE. You should be happy that your parents card afford to buy that for you for christmas :)

Hope you get something you want :)
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: IRI5HJ4CK on November 12, 2009, 20:14:13
Hi again guys,

Sorry to raise a topic..But,

We've been looking at another computer. Because of issues raised about the graphics card of the first computer. As well as the processor.

Here's the link:

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0625909761.1258052997@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccjadeikmmjjkhcflgceggdhhmdgmk.0&pageFrom=SimpleSearchProducts&page=Product&sku=000758

Is it worth the extra money..?

Jack :)
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: laganviking on November 12, 2009, 20:49:18
Hi Jack,

The processor speed is dangerously close to the edge.....all it takes is for VSTEP to up the minimum requirements for the processor (because of there being Dover - Calais in the one environment ;)) and your computer no longer has enough edge to provide quality results.

The RAM seems fine though :)

But a penny off £1000? Is it not a bit much?

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/product/seo/792913#productInformationSection
I'd say that would be fine for over half the price, even if the RAM is a bit low (you could always rip it out and shoehorn more in). Plus AMD processors are better than intel so I have heard; Windows 7; Nvidea....might actually consider this myself :)... after my current hardships with my 5week old dell at present :(
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: Dave M on November 12, 2009, 23:15:45
Hi Jack,
That looks like a nice system, it has been built with gaming in mind. It has an 8 MB CPU cache which I have said elsewhere is important. The Windows 7, (64 bit I would have thought, it wouldn't make sense to have 6 GB of memory otherwise), GUI is a good choice. It only has one PCIe slot that will have your graphics card in it.
All in all I would say that it is a system worth considering.

As I have also said elsewhere, Vstep would be silly to exclude most of their player base by making a game that would not work on the existing minimum specifications, there are not that many people who have a CPU rate faster than 2.6 GHz. I do not have any inside knowledge about SS Extremes.

Hi laganviking,
The system that you are looking at is not so good. The Nvidia 9200 is an integrated chip set, all of the memory will be taken from system memory. It has a small 1.5 MB CPU cache.
I couldn't see how many PCIe slots it had, but I would have thought that it would have at least one.
It will do what it says on the box, 'all your day to day needs for the home and office', maybe not pointed at gaming.
SS Extremes may run on it, but,,, maybe not at the best quality.

Regards, Dave
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: Master Captain on November 13, 2009, 00:24:55
That most certainly is a great computer, has tons of RAM, plenty of Hard drive space and a great graphics card, but as others have said the processor speed is a little low, as is my laptop at only 2.5 ghz (fastest option when i bought it, geez i have technology progression sometimes :P) there is some websites that allow you to custom build computers completely and they assemble it. www.ibuypower.com (http://www.ibuypower.com) is a good one. Really shop around, usually you can customize computers off the manufacturers website and alot of times this is your best bet, so shop around and i'm sure you'll find what you need ;)
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: laganviking on November 13, 2009, 00:31:42
Hi Dave,

So the rule of thumb is if its intergrated graphics is part of the motherboard? ie cant just pull then out and out new ones in?
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: Master Captain on November 13, 2009, 00:40:44
That is correct, integrated means its part of the motherboard, and in order to use a seperate card you have bought you have to go into the sytem BIOS and disable it.
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: Dave M on November 13, 2009, 00:43:17
Hi Master Captain,
That is similar to how I built my own system.

The things that you have to keep in mind are that,
(1) You have to buy a GUI, (in this case Windows 7), that is extra cost.
(2) You have to buy a hard drive, that is extra cost.
(3) You have to buy a DVD drive, that is extra cost.
(4) You need to know what you are doing when you install or request certain extras.

As I said earlier, the system that Jack is looking at is built with gaming in mind and should cope well with any graphics intensive game. It is reasonably priced as well. I looked on some other sites and for the same spec. computer with an LCD screen the price was huge.

Regards, Dave
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: Dave M on November 13, 2009, 00:54:46
Hi Dave,

So the rule of thumb is if its intergrated graphics is part of the motherboard? ie cant just pull then out and out new ones in?
That is right as far as it goes.
As the system that you are looking at is a desktop system then you should have at least one PCIe slot. (I don't know if that is right for that system).
A PCIe slot would allow you to buy a better graphics card and install it there. But.......
The Packard Bell iMedia A2620uk is designed for everyday computer use, not for gaming.

Regards, Dave
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: laganviking on November 13, 2009, 01:04:23
Ahh get you now Dave.

Best going for something under the 'Gaming' headings then?

Whilst we're here... anyone any ideas how hard it would be to fit extra RAM to one of these?
http://uk.shopping.com/xPO-Dell-Studio-One-1909-8752-Intel-Core-2-Duo-E7500-2-93-GHz-Genuine-Windows-Vista-Home-Premium-3072

Thats my computer as it stands at present...but it needs extra RAM.

http://support.euro.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/STD1909/en/sm/memory.htm#wp1188716 - shows me how to do it.

Im stuck between a rock and a hard place at present  :( Sell the 5 week old Dell and go for something more gaming orientated, or add the extra RAM.

Cheers for the help guys
Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: Dave M on November 13, 2009, 02:27:17
Hi laganviking,
I'm sorry, I should have remembered.
I had a look at your system in 'Technical Support'. It is a very nice system.
How well does it run SS08? (I can't remember what you posted there for,  :doh: ).
As I said earlier, Vstep wouldn't be silly enough to produce a game that no-one can play so if you are anxious about SS Extremes then I should wait until it comes out and then see how it plays.

Regards, Dave

Title: Re: Finally Found a computer!!
Post by: IRI5HJ4CK on November 13, 2009, 08:36:25
Hi Guys,

Thanks for the help!!

Either way, it's a step up from my current system....Nvidia GeForce 7300, and 1 GB of RAM :lol:

I won't know what to do with 6!! :doh: :lol:

Thanks again, I'll let you know what happens,

Jack.