Need Help

arvindrao · Apr 8, 2009

Greetings,

Following is the configuration suggested to me by a hardware dealer:

Core 2 quad 2.66 GHZ Processor -
Intel dg45 chipset motherboard -
Kingston hyperx 2gb ddr2 ram (1gbx2) -
Seagate 80gb sata hdd (for os)
Seagate 1TB sata hdd (for data and games)
Sony 22x dvd writer -
Samsung myst 22" lcd with glossy finish and 2ms response time -
Cabinet with 600w power supply

My requirement was:

1) A high-end machine apt for hardcore gaming.
[My query: is this configuration mentioned above good enough?]

Secondly: My confusion

1) What graphic card should i buy?

He suggested: zotac gtx250 with 512mb [But i'm not too convinced.]

What I need:

1) Suggestions/reviews on the hardware that I specified.
2) Suggestions for the best graphics card that I can get.

[I'm looking to invest a decent amount of cash in the graphics card as i won't upgrade for quite sometime after this]

Eagerly awaiting your replies.

Thanks!

Rick James · Apr 8, 2009

HD 4870 or a 4850 X2

AND i think you should OC that processor to atleast 3ghz

arvindrao · Apr 8, 2009

I appreciate the prompt response, I'm fairly poor in hardware knowledge, i'll be running this with my hardware dealer. So in case if you are suggesting me a card/something, please mention the full model name...

Cheers

error8 · Apr 8, 2009

You have to state your budget, or we'll just recommend you gtx 295, the fastest out there and you're set to game.

Rick James · Apr 8, 2009

Originally posted by: arvindrao
I appreciate the prompt response, I'm fairly poor in hardware knowledge, i'll be running this with my hardware dealer. So in case if you are suggesting me a card/something, please mention the full model name...

Cheers

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102809

Or

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

arvindrao · Apr 8, 2009

Thank you for your replies folks,

Can you please suggest me a card in the GTX range? I was told thats the best and the latest range. [Considering the fact that I'm form india, the latest hardwares aren't available yet] [GTX 280, isn't available, whereas GeForce GTX 260 is, is 'GTX 260' or 'GTX 270' a good card?

AstroManLuca · Apr 8, 2009

Processor looks good (FYI, that would be a Q9400)

Definitely get more RAM. 2x2GB of DDR2-800. No need to spend more for 1066 or 1333. And probably not much reason to get expensive or premium RAM either. Just get the cheapest 1.8V RAM available.

I think one of the better motherboards for Intel is the Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P.

Absolutely no reason to get a tiny, old, slow hard drive as a boot drive. For your boot disk I'd recommend a 640 GB Western Digital Black. For extra storage, if you need it, you could get a second 640 GB drive, or a 500 GB, or maybe a 1 TB if you need it. Anything you want, really.

No reason to get a Sony burner unless it costs the same as a Pioneer or LG burner. I don't know if it does, I just know Sony tends to overcharge a bit. Most DVD burners are $20-$30.

For a monitor, if you can afford to spend a little more money, the Dell 2209WA is a great screen. Better viewing angles and less gradient. You could also look at 21.5" LCDs with 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution, which are also quite cheap.

Power supplies are one of the most overlooked components. What brand is it? A 600W Powmax or Rosewill is going to suck, but a 600W PC Power & Cooling, OCZ, or Corsair would probably be pretty good. Those are just a few examples... there are lots of good PSU brands and even more really bad ones that you should avoid.

As for graphics... it depends. Money no object? GTX 295. If you don't want to spend $500+ on a GPU, though, you'll be fine with a GTX 260, GTX 275, or Radeon 4870/4890 1GB. nVidia GPUs above the upcoming GTX 275 are very overpriced and you're better off with a Radeon 4850X2 2GB at around $300. Remember too that you can add a second graphics card later, depending on the motherboard (make sure you get an SLI-compatible motherboard if you go nVidia or a CrossFire-compatible one if you go ATI... many are compatible with both however).

BTW, there is no "GTX 250." There's a GTS 250, which is not too shabby but isn't very high end, and a GTX 260, which is a solid performer at just under $200.

Rick James · Apr 8, 2009

Originally posted by: arvindrao
Thank you for your replies folks,

Can you please suggest me a card in the GTX range? I was told thats the best and the latest range. [Considering the fact that I'm form india, the latest hardwares aren't available yet] [GTX 280, isn't available, whereas GeForce GTX 260 is, is 'GTX 260' or 'GTX 270' a good card?

Nvidia is overpriced and slower then the 48xx series. Reason why i suggested it.

arvindrao · Apr 8, 2009

Astro,

I sincerely thank you for your in detail explanation, it has definitely helped me [a complete layman] make my decision...

However, is it possible for you to kinda break it down further,

From what I gather from your reply is, that I should go for either on of the below graphics card:

1) GTX 260
2) GTX 275
3) Radeon 4870/4890 1GB

[I belong to India, $300 [roughly INR 15,000] is a fair enough deal for me, i'm willing to spend upto INR 20,000 which is about $400]

So I finally need the following:

1) Your best recommendation of the above cards.
2) If possible the exact model number [i.e. the full form]
3) Your view on, whether this will be a good upgrade for the next about 3 odd years atleast.

lasoski311 · Apr 8, 2009

lasoski311 · Apr 8, 2009

i'm willing to spend upto INR 20,000 which is about $400

well for $400 range i suggest this...

GTX 285
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814143172

error8 · Apr 8, 2009

I don't think newegg is a solution for someone who lives in India!!!!

lasoski311 · Apr 8, 2009

thats a good point....i dont really nowhere to look for india though

error8 · Apr 8, 2009

Originally posted by: lasoski311
thats a good point....i dont really nowhere to look for india though

Nobody does. :laugh:

And you can't even make an idea about what he could get with 400$. In US you can buy the best card possible, in India, that might not be enough even for a GTX260. This is probably why, OP is requesting the exact model when he wants a recommendation.

error8 · Apr 8, 2009

I'd say you need to buy one of the following: 4870 1gb/gtx 260 C216 ( with 216 shaders ). Both of them are at the same price and performance level, great cards for 1920X1200 and lower. If those 400$ are enough, you can also get 4890/GTX 275, with a slight performance plus. Again these cards are equal and I'd get the cheapest out of them, although I think there is still some time until you find them available in India. Everything above these, doesn't probably fit in those 400$ you have.

error8 · Apr 8, 2009

Originally posted by: arvindrao
Astro,

2) If possible the exact model number [i.e. the full form]
3) Your view on, whether this will be a good upgrade for the next about 3 odd years atleast.

Manufacturer of the card is not that important, IMO. You can look for what card has the best warranty, if that's important to you. Other then that, I would get which one is cheaper, out of those pairs.

habbakuk87 · Apr 8, 2009

http://techshop.in/store/advan...p?keywords=gtx&x=0&y=0

http://www.yantraonline.in/Product.asp?SubCatId=68

OP look around in these sites for price information etc, prices will be around this for almost whole of India.
And OMG gtx 280 is listed at almost $773.

zagood · Apr 8, 2009

Good advice all around, except from your hardware dealer. The GTS250 512mb isn't a good choice.

Assuming that the monitor resolution is 1680x1050 (not familiar with that model), you probably don't need anything more powerful than the 4890, but if you can afford it, a better card will allow you more eye candy for games with higher requirements.

Without a specific model# it's hard to tell, but that motherboard probably won't be very good for overclocking if that's your intention. If not, don't worry about it.

Be careful with the power supply. 600w is a good number, but if it's a low quality brand it won't matter.

arvindrao · Apr 9, 2009

Ok, this is my final config which i'll be submitting my hardware dealer:

PROCESSOR:
Core 2 quad 2.66 GHZ Processor

MOTHERBOARD:
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P

RAM:
2x2GB of DDR2-800

HDD:
640 GB Western Digital Black
1TB GB Western Digital Black

DVD WRITER:
Sony 22x dvd writer

MONITOR:
Samsung myst 22" lcd with glossy finish and 2ms response time

Or

Dell 2209WA

GRAPHICS CARD: [Whichever is in the $400[INR 20,000] mark]

Radeon 4870
[Can please someone help me out with its full form / exact model number.]

Or

Radeon 4890 1GB
[Can someone help me out with its full form / exact model number.]

Or

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 216SP XNE/TX260+T394 896MB GDDR3 Sonic Edition Graphics Card

Or

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 275 ZT-275E3KB-FSP 896MB GDDR3 Graphics Card

CABINET:
Cabinet with 600w power supply

MOUSE:
Razer gaming mouse with Razer mouse pad
Or
Logitech MX510
Or
Any standard good mouse

KEYBOARD:
Logitech Keyboard

Phew... okay, your final comments please, post which i'll shoot this in an email to my dealer.

TC91 · Apr 9, 2009

Grab one of EVGA's GTX 275 cards, you won't regret it.

alcoholbob · Apr 9, 2009

You can't go wrong with the 275 or 4890 both are amazing for the price.

palladium · Apr 9, 2009

Originally posted by: AstroManLuca

Power supplies are one of the most overlooked components. What brand is it? A 600W Powmax or Rosewill is going to suck, but a 600W PC Power & Cooling, OCZ, or Corsair would probably be pretty good. Those are just a few examples... there are lots of good PSU brands and even more really bad ones that you should avoid.

He mentioned 'cabinet with 600W PSU', so it's probably gonna be one of those cases with built in PSUs.

To OP: Unless your case/PSU is an Antec brand, I would get a case w/o PSU and a seperate quality PSU like Astro suggested.

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