Possible to turn my HTPC into a gaming rig?

[Syringer]

I currently have one of these: http://www.buy.com/prod/zotac-gf9300...213903889.html

Paired up with a e1400 2.0 Ghz Celeron and 4gb of ram, which works great for watching movies AND running an n64 emulator on it.

But if I wanted to get a bit more serious with it, and play a game like Need for Speed The Run which based on the commercials looks like I could waste some time on it...what's the minimum CPU/video card upgrade that I can get away with?

Having been out of the "game" for a while, the bits of reading I've done show that these latest video cards have pretty powerful GPUs on it, does that nullify the importance of a CPU at all, or is that independent from it?

 

[ther00kie16]

what resolution and quality?
http://www.systemrequirements.in/system-requirements-for-need-for-speed-the-run.html

lots of core 2 quads on ebay for ~$100 (mostly 6600, 8200 and a 8300). see a q9400, which can be oc'ed considerably more (some to close to 4ghz) for $135.
then maybe a 560 for $150 after rebate during sales.

 

[DominionSeraph]

I'm not sure a hefty video card will even fit without blocking the SATA ports. And if you have a mini-ITX case space and cooling might be an issue. PSU will almost certainly be an issue if you sized it for an HTPC.
Throwing a C2Q in there will destroy your power efficiency for its HTPC role, too; especially overclocked.

 

[ther00kie16]

True, but if he gets a q9400, he probably won't have to overclock or just overclock when he wants to game.
And it's true the GPU will be somewhat limited by your case & environment.

So give us some more info about your system, specifically case and psu, and your budget.

 

[jacktesterson]

He can do it. Just needs a decent case

 

[Syringer]

It'll be played on my current 42" Plasma.

Right now I have a caseless system (my motherboard is literally mounted on a wall) and a 500W power supply so cooling hasn't been an issue for my basic set up.

Any video card recommendations? How does the GF 9300 rank with the 9800GT?

As for budget..if I can get it under the price of a PS3 that would be ideal, so ~$125 for each of the CPU/video cards..definitely okay with an ebay/used route.

Can also someone explain the "differences" between a 6600, 8200, 8300, q9400? Although I'm not sure how one would do that with a bunch of cpus.

 

[Ken g6]

http://ark.intel.com/compare/29765,36547,39107,35365

The 6600 would use more power and generate more heat.

 

[Syringer]

Awesome chart..just took the plunge for a Q9400. Need some video card recommendations now!

 

[ther00kie16]

What resolution is your plasma? 720p or 1080p?
What brand and model is your power supply? Actually, since it's open, also tell us the +12V rails' rated current or wattage, whichever is given.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_Core_2_microprocessors#.22Kentsfield.22_.2865_nm.29
The q6600 is older and slower. The q8000/9000 series are all fairly close but the 9000's have more cache. The higher the 2nd #, the faster it is so q9400 is the best card of the group.

The gf9300 is an integrated video card and only adequate for HTPC needs. A 9800gt is still quite old.

If you can stretch your budget slightly, I'd recommend the q9400 @ $135 or the $110 q8300
You could save a little trying to win an auction as I see many of those 8200/8300/9300 sold in the 80-100 range in the past 30 days.

and a 6850 would be a good buy
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ription=6850&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=100

I wouldn't recommend buying a used video card but if you don't mind, about the same price could net you a 5850, which is a bit more powerful.

The motherboard apparently supports 130w CPUs such as the qx9650 so there should be some room to overclock as well, assuming your PSU can handle it. Something like 3.4ghz should be within reason, which would be enough to play almost any game at 1080p.

 

[Syringer]

Awesome..like I said above I just got the Q9400.

I'll take a look at that video card. My mobo specs according to the buy.com page says it has a PCI Express x16 slot but no mention if it's 2.0/3.0. Will that matter?

 

[ther00kie16]

Awesome..like I said above I just got the Q9400.

I'll take a look at that video card. My mobo specs according to the buy.com page says it has a PCI Express x16 slot but no mention if it's 2.0/3.0. Will that matter?

Oh it doesn't matter if it's 2.0 or 3.0. Current video cards don't even take full advantage of 2.0 x8 so even if you have 1.0 x16, it won't matter as they are all backwards compatible.

I edited my recommendation to the 6850s as they are new and come with free game + warranty.

Came across a better deal that warrants a new post though:
http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=3540256
$127 shipped after a coupon code and a smaller rebate.

 

[Syringer]

Do they not make "normal" video cards anymore? All they all "double" video cards now?

 

[dpodblood]

Pretty much every "gaming" video card will take up 2 slots.

 

[Syringer]

Pretty much every "gaming" video card will take up 2 slots.

Are there any issues with a PCI-E riser cable with such a powerful card?

 

[mfenn]

Are there any issues with a PCI-E riser cable with such a powerful card?

Not as long as the cable is electrically sound (i.e. will work at the rated speed) and there are no mechanical loading issues (i.e. don't hang a heavy GPU off a slot without some sort of support).

 

[Syringer]

MAkes sense..after some more research I think I'm going to go full on for a Radeon 6950.

Is there an "equivalent" to it in terms of price range that Nvidia offers? And are there pros/cons between either?

 

[GoStumpy]

Am I the only one that saw "SLI Support" in a single-PCIE board?

 

[ther00kie16]

MAkes sense..after some more research I think I'm going to go full on for a Radeon 6950.

Is there an "equivalent" to it in terms of price range that Nvidia offers? And are there pros/cons between either?

If you are getting a 6950, go for a 2gb version that can be unlocked to 6970.
Cheapest is $200 after rebate during sales.

Nvidia's 570 is a bit better but also pricier at $250 after rebate at its cheapest.

 

[mfenn]

MAkes sense..after some more research I think I'm going to go full on for a Radeon 6950.

Is there an "equivalent" to it in terms of price range that Nvidia offers? And are there pros/cons between either?

The 6950 2GB is slotted in between the GTX 560 Ti and GTX 570. The GTX 560 Ti is a bit slower and less expensive whereas the GTX 570 is a bit faster (at least until it runs out of VRAM) and significantly more expensive.