Gaming Machine -- Build out Help

[rajs]

Hi -- I have a Dell 9100 Dimension and am considering returning it since I am not getting the perf I would like outta it -- Intel Pentium D 820 2.8 GHz w/1GB RAM (533 rating), 160 GB SATA HD, Audigy 2ZS, Dual Layer DVD Burner and nVidia 6800 GeForce Card and 802.11 USB Card. The total cost was ~ 980 bucks.

I ripped the 6800 card out and put in a eVGA 7800GTX card in but don't like the overall perf of it in BattleField2 (1600x1200 res with all setting at high) and also the 3dMark05 was ~ 6500 rating.

Was thinking possibly the CPU isn't keeping up with the new graphics card. I am willing to return the Dell Box and all but would like suggustions for ~ 1000 bucks or as cheap as possible at least for better performing machine that I can buy or I can put together top to bottom:

I will keep the 7800GTX card -- which I've been able to easily OC to 491 Mhz (CPU) and 1300 Mhz (Memory). I've seen in RivaTuner show the CPU speed up to ~ 525 MHz while in BF2 on the card (not sure how accurate that is though) -- but still have seen BF2 stutter a little at times. I am also keeping the Dell 2405 24" LCD which I was able to pick up for ~ 733 bucks taxed and delivered to me. I am also keeping the Logitech 518MX mouse and Nostromo Keypad I picked up else where.


So I guess what would you recommend as a full system from somewhere or something I can put together that has the following at least (any specific recommendations of which explicit model / part number would really help)

CPU (should I consider the Intel Pentium D or Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon 64 3800+, etc)
Motherboard (Should support the CPU above and support a PCIe slot for the 7800GTX video card)
Power Supply
Case
Keyboard
DVD Burner - Dual Layer
Floppy Drive
802.11 Card
SATA Hard Disk of at least 160 GB @ 7200 RPM
RAM -- please suggest based on which CPU / MB you recommend
Sound Card (I like using very high quality headphones that are ~ 500 bucks so am not worried about 5.1 speakers configs, etc)
And anything else I might've missed as a component that is needed.

Thank you VERY MUCH for your thought and assistance.

- raj

 

[Rock Hydra]

n/m

 

[Bona Fide]

Dual-core and less than $1000? Next to impossible unless you buy premade from Dell or eMachines or something.

 

[Aquila76]

I'd try (after making a backup of the system) to unload any crapware that the PC makers like to fill the system with. With that hardware, you should have zero issues running BF2, so something has to be hogging your memory.

 

[DarkKnight69]

get another gig of memory, BF will use 1.5 gigs if you have 2.

 

[Varun]

Welcome to the forums

Actually I have heard BF2 likes 2GB of RAM, so you could just do that.

If you do want to build a new system, read one of the million posts that others have made, and use the feedback they got to build yourself a nice system.

 

[rajs]

DarkKnight69 -- I've considered going to 2 GB RAM -- but wanted to make sure I was going to keep the machine or not first before buying.

Aquila76 -- I check using SYSinternals ProcessExplorer and had turned off all things and killed all programs -- RAM was free'ed up and also nothing was hogging CPU or even running -- i.e. no Adware, Spyware, etc and also I'd killed of Norton.

Varun - Thanks... I've been reading the other posts also but wanted to get some specific suggustions as Anand just reviewed the the AMD Athlon Dual Core 64 X2 3800+ chip recently, etc.


Thanks

- raj

 

[Aquila76]

Originally posted by: rajs
DarkKnight69 -- I've considered going to 2 GB RAM -- but wanted to make sure I was going to keep the machine or not first before buying.

Aquila76 -- I check using SYSinternals ProcessExplorer and had turned off all things and killed all programs -- RAM was free'ed up and also nothing was hogging CPU or even running -- i.e. no Adware, Spyware, etc and also I'd killed of Norton.

Varun - Thanks... I've been reading the other posts also but wanted to get some specific suggustions as Anand just reviewed the the AMD Athlon Dual Core 64 X2 3800+ chip recently, etc.


Thanks

- raj

In that case 2GB seems to be your best bet, if you're keeping this.

 

[Hacp]

I think your being a little overambitious.... Also, why did you go dual core, when you could have gotten the 3.2 P4 for less than the dual core? It is a gaming machine after all.

 

[Varun]

Is BF2 multithreaded? If it isn't you could save some money or get a faster single core processor, however if you purchased a dual core because you do a lot of multitasking that wouldn't be the best option.

I'll just throw some parts out here:

3800+ or 3700+
6800GT
2GB Ram
MSI Neo4 Platinum
450W Antec PS

Or, keep your current computer and upgrade to 2GB ram.

 

[rajs]

I'd say because I am a MORON <grin>. I have a PowerMac G5 at home that I'll use for everything else ... so I think I made a mistake and should've gone for the P4 instead now ... which is still an option .. I just call Dell return the current box and get another one with the right CPU, etc.

The reason I posted the thread was because it seemed like the AMD chips out there might be better at this point ... I was foolish to think the CPU wouldn't make that big a difference ... but apparently with the 7800GTX card it does ...

Originally posted by: Hacp
Also, why did you go dual core, when you could have gotten the 3.2 P4 for less than the dual core? It is a gaming machine after all.

 

[Hacp]

Ya, with the 7800GTX, the gpu is no longer the bottleneck for most games, and a FX-57 will have a hard time keeping up.

 

[rise]

of course a p4 isn't really the answer either get yourself a single core a64.

 

[BOLt]

Originally posted by: Varun
Welcome to the forums

Actually I have heard BF2 likes 2GB of RAM, so you could just do that.

If you do want to build a new system, read one of the million posts that others have made, and use the feedback they got to build yourself a nice system.

They fixed the memory leak with the 1.02 patch.