Slowly and Gradually Building New PC.

[mfenn]

I figure I'll go for the 6950 2GB flash to 6970. With a guide, should I go for it?
Here's an update for speed and ping. I only think I'm using one Cat6 cable from the router and from the switch either Cat5/Cat5e.
I have even more games which I own and more to buy, should I update the post or pass?

First rule of the Internets, never post a speed test. Somebody is always (always) faster. Case in point:

I suspect that my download speed is capped by that server at 100Mb/s, I should be able to do a gigabit to/from an I2 site. Second, the type of cable you use from your router to your PC doesn't really matter. Even 100Mb Ethernet is faster than your Internet connection.

Updating games list. I wonder what sort of framerate I achieve along with the 4GB patcher application? Of course completely annihilating my current Compaq/Pre-built piece of shit.

Most of the games on your list are older and will have no trouble running on any modern machine. You do have some demanding games in there, but I'd say that single 6950 2GB would be plenty.

 

[Davidh373]

I suspect that my download speed is capped by that server at 100Mb/s, I should be able to do a gigabit to/from an I2 site. Second, the type of cable you use from your router to your PC doesn't really matter. Even 100Mb Ethernet is faster than your Internet connection.

 

[Ray_Rogers2019]

First rule of the Internets, never post a speed test. Somebody is always (always) faster. Case in point:

I suspect that my download speed is capped by that server at 100Mb/s, I should be able to do a gigabit to/from an I2 site. Second, the type of cable you use from your router to your PC doesn't really matter. Even 100Mb Ethernet is faster than your Internet connection.



Most of the games on your list are older and will have no trouble running on any modern machine. You do have some demanding games in there, but I'd say that single 6950 2GB would be plenty.

But I am downloading quite alot of high resolution texture mods for various games. Well, stock but better resolution type along with ENB/etcetera and very nice detailing. Current CRT monitor for now then going to buy a 1080p or 1920x1200 LCD monitor with nice contrast levels. Then going to calibrate it.
For the internet speed, I figure to future-proof if the USA ever does decide to go for better speeds at way lower prices. Especially since I've been considering getting a few 1.5TB HDDs altogether which would equate to 6TB. Mostly games and yes with Comcast there's a 250GB cap which is erroneous due to current internet speeds.
Oh, it's the modem to the router and then to the Gigabit switch since I have various electronics I connect to.
For the much older games I own, are there any patches or even work-arounds, possibly even the Virtual Operating System, so I can still play them? Damn, I believe I'll be forever updating my game list.

EDIT: So I wouldn't have to worry about possible CrossFiring or would it be overkill?

 

[fffblackmage]

For the internet speed, I figure to future-proof if the USA ever does decide to go for better speeds at way lower prices.

I don't understand.

EDIT: So I wouldn't have to worry about possible CrossFiring or would it be overkill?

I'd say there aren't any or enough games such that it's worth considering an SLI/CFX setup for 1080p.

 

[BoomerD]

But I am downloading quite alot of high resolution texture mods for various games. Well, stock but better resolution type along with ENB/etcetera and very nice detailing. Current CRT monitor for now then going to buy a 1080p or 1920x1200 LCD monitor with nice contrast levels. Then going to calibrate it.
For the internet speed, I figure to future-proof if the USA ever does decide to go for better speeds at way lower prices. Especially since I've been considering getting a few 1.5TB HDDs altogether which would equate to 6TB. Mostly games and yes with Comcast there's a 250GB cap which is erroneous due to current internet speeds.
Oh, it's the modem to the router and then to the Gigabit switch since I have various electronics I connect to.
For the much older games I own, are there any patches or even work-arounds, possibly even the Virtual Operating System, so I can still play them? Damn, I believe I'll be forever updating my game list.

EDIT: So I wouldn't have to worry about possible CrossFiring or would it be overkill?

Then by all means, your new system has to have this:

http://www.bigfootnetworks.com/killer-nic-m1/

"Killer NIC® M1 provides smoother, more responsive gameplay in all of your favorite MMO and FPS games. The Killer NIC® M1 increases frame-rates and minimizes lag that occurs in high-action or crowded games.

Built For Gaming

Killer NIC® M1 is the ultimate gaming networking card for the ultimate online experience. From its custom-crafted K-Blade ThermaltakeTM heatsink to its overclocked 400MHz Network Processing Unit (NPU), the Killer NIC® M1 sacrifices nothing to pure performance. Combine its native acceleration and offloading with even more new features: Killer Hardware Bandwidth Control to manage your PC's non-game traffic and Killer Hardware Firewall to live fast and worry-free in your router's DMZ, and you can have unprecedented online gaming speed on your PC."

 

[Ray_Rogers2019]

Alright since the PSU I chose is always out of stock since it's been on sale, I've decided to go with this one. Is good choice and enough connectors?

 

[mfenn]

Alright since the PSU I chose is always out of stock since it's been on sale, I've decided to go with this one. Is good choice and enough connectors?

Hec is god-awful. Stick with the XFX 650W that I recommended before.

 

[Davidh373]

Hec is god-awful. Stick with the XFX 650W that I recommended before.

Ditto on that one... Antec, Seasonic, XFX, Corsair, all good brands. The rest might as well be scrap metal.

 

[Ray_Rogers2019]

Okay what should I do if I want to do PhysX? Get a nVidia 9800? Or should I read on the thread for it? I know my 8400 GS will not cut it.

EDIT: Since I'll be using this as a multi-region DVD/Blu-ray disc player also, along with AnyDVD HD, would MPC HC be alright? Already has a built-in codec pack install.

 

[mnewsham]

Hardware phsyx is only supported by small number of games

Batman: Arkham Asylum
Crazy Machines 2
Cryostasis: Sleep of Reason
Dark Void
Darkest of Days
Hot Dance Party
Hot Dance Party II
Mafia II
Metal Knight Zero Online
Metro 2033
Mirror's Edge
Nurien
The Saboteur
Sacred 2: Fallen Angel
Sacred 2: Ice & Blood
Shattered Horizon
Star Tales
Star Trek DAC
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2
Unreal Tournament 3 (and Extreme Physics Mod)
U-WARS
Warmonger: Operation Downtown Destruction

If you are playing these games and feel you NEED the best physx then by all means pick up a GTX 460 or 560 for dedicated Physx but IMHO it is a waste of money spending money on any GPU for Physx is a waste.

 

[Ray_Rogers2019]

Hardware phsyx is only supported by small number of games

Batman: Arkham Asylum*
Crazy Machines 2
Cryostasis: Sleep of Reason
Dark Void
Darkest of Days
Hot Dance Party
Hot Dance Party II
Mafia II*
Metal Knight Zero Online
Metro 2033*
Mirror's Edge*
Nurien
The Saboteur*
Sacred 2: Fallen Angel
Sacred 2: Ice & Blood
Shattered Horizon
Star Tales
Star Trek DAC*
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2*
Unreal Tournament 3 (and Extreme Physics Mod)*
U-WARS
Warmonger: Operation Downtown Destruction

If you are playing these games and feel you NEED the best physx then by all means pick up a GTX 460 or 560 for dedicated Physx but IMHO it is a waste of money spending money on any GPU for Physx is a waste.

Asterisk are games I'm going to get.

What about the discs which came with the motherboard and everything else? Should I load those up when I get the computer completed? Completed Mk. I due to I can still play games without the stand-alone GPU but not very well. Any links to guides on full computer installation prior to OS install?

 

[mnewsham]

I usually download the latest drivers directly from the website of the manufacturer (or in GPU case form either AMD/Nvidia)

 

[Ray_Rogers2019]

I usually download the latest drivers directly from the website of the manufacturer (or in GPU case form either AMD/Nvidia)

Okay so when I'm installing Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit on the computer I'm building and when it asks for drivers, just use the CDs which came with everything? THEN update after full installation? I hope I have my enclosure ready when I want to move over the data with my current HDD to the new one. How fast is data transfer with USB 3.0 on average?

 

[mnewsham]

It depends on the drive and if it supports USB 3.0 i haven't done a transfer with USB3 yet so idk. And with GPU and such i dont even bother with the disk.

 

[Davidh373]

Dedicated PhysX will gain you around 5fps in those games man... I'd rather add that $250 to your build in the form of an i7 and an extra $150 toward a better base GPU (even though these are even a bit overkill). You will see a much larger jump in performance. PhysX is literally intended for those competing for the best Bench results IMHO. Like those people who "need" 4 way SLI 580s and they might dedicate PhysX to a 570 or yet another 580 (Requiring at least a 1200W PSU). They are the kind of people who get 32GB RAM and RAID like 5 120GB Intel SSDs. These are the people who also OC their CPU to like 6Ghz. It's a huge waste of money IMO.

 

[Ray_Rogers2019]

Dedicated PhysX will gain you around 5fps in those games man... I'd rather add that $250 to your build in the form of an i7 and an extra $150 toward a better base GPU (even though these are even a bit overkill). You will see a much larger jump in performance. PhysX is literally intended for those competing for the best Bench results IMHO. Like those people who "need" 4 way SLI 580s and they might dedicate PhysX to a 570 or yet another 580 (Requiring at least a 1200W PSU). They are the kind of people who get 32GB RAM and RAID like 5 120GB Intel SSDs. These are the people who also OC their CPU to like 6Ghz. It's a huge waste of money IMO.

I've researched more AMD compared to Intel and dead set on what I'm purchasing. Wouldn't a PhysX card be able to go for on the cheap? Possibly a 9800?
For SSDs I'd be more willing to buy one when they become far more affordable.

EDIT: For GPU I'll be buying the 6950 2GB and unlocking to 6970. So yep 8GB RAM for me instead of 4GB.

 

[mfenn]

I've researched more AMD compared to Intel and dead set on what I'm purchasing.

:facepalm:

If you're dead set on being a dumbass, I guess there really isn't much we can do to help you.

Wouldn't a PhysX card be able to go for on the cheap? Possibly a 9800?

No, not really. A 9800 would likely slow down your overall processing because it wont be able to compute the physics fast enough to keep up.

For SSDs I'd be more willing to buy one when they become far more affordable.

Put that PhysX money towards the SSD. It'll make much more of a difference in overall performance.

EDIT: For GPU I'll be buying the 6950 2GB and unlocking to 6970. So yep 8GB RAM for me instead of 4GB.

Though it's not like you can do PhysX with an AMD GPU as your primary card anyway unless you use hacked drivers.

 

[aphelion02]

I've researched more AMD compared to Intel and dead set on what I'm purchasing. .

Your research skills are pretty bad.

 

[Davidh373]

^mfenn is right about everything. The oldest thing that CAN be useful for PhysX is really a 280 or better. Everything else will be too slow. You CAN use a 9800GT for PhysX, but it will actually subtract from your experience rather than add to it. It also subtracts from your wallet because you need a more expensive motherboard, and also a higher output PSU.

I've researched more AMD compared to Intel and dead set on what I'm purchasing. Wouldn't a PhysX card be able to go for on the cheap? Possibly a 9800?
For SSDs I'd be more willing to buy one when they become far more affordable.

EDIT: For GPU I'll be buying the 6950 2GB and unlocking to 6970. So yep 8GB RAM for me instead of 4GB.

WOOOH, did NOT read in full!

1. AMD + NVidia GPUs is a massive fail. They are incompatible. Especially when talking PhysX.

2. AMD has good GPUs, but are WAY behind Intel processors until Bulldozer releases. The Phenom II X4 is $20 less than the Intel i5 2500K and is HALF the performance.

3. I would rather have a $120 SSD that sped up my system over a $120 PhysX GPU that slowed it down...

 

[Ray_Rogers2019]

:facepalm:
If you're dead set on being a dumbass, I guess there really isn't much we can do to help you.
No, not really. A 9800 would likely slow down your overall processing because it wont be able to compute the physics fast enough to keep up.
Put that PhysX money towards the SSD. It'll make much more of a difference in overall performance.
Though it's not like you can do PhysX with an AMD GPU as your primary card anyway unless you use hacked drivers.

Only considering a PhysX card way down the line but if I can used hacked drivers so be it.
For SSD they'd need to be priced more affordable so I might buy one a couple years from now and re-install the operating system. Too out of my budget for what it offers. Same thing with me and Blu-ray format along with a stand-alone player. The fuck? For what I could pay for an SSD right now I could say fuck-it-all and actually afford to CrossFire instead of that bullshit.

^mfenn is right about everything. The oldest thing that CAN be useful for PhysX is really a 280 or better. Everything else will be too slow. You CAN use a 9800GT for PhysX, but it will actually subtract from your experience rather than add to it. It also subtracts from your wallet because you need a more expensive motherboard, and also a higher output PSU.



WOOOH, did NOT read in full!

1. AMD + NVidia GPUs is a massive fail. They are incompatible. Especially when talking PhysX.
2. AMD has good GPUs, but are WAY behind Intel processors until Bulldozer releases. The Phenom II X4 is $20 less than the Intel i5 2500K and is HALF the performance.
3. I would rather have a $120 SSD that sped up my system over a $120 PhysX GPU that slowed it down...

Again SSDs for me, since I don't have a readily vast disposable income, are way too out of my budget. So yes I will be slow again to adapt to this new, to me, technology. If I were to buy one eventually, which is greatly possible, which brands of SSD manufacturers are the most reliable?
I'm actually planning on having my complete HDD be 6TB with four 1.5TB HDDs. Any recommendations for this and to keep the recycle bin in the same place?
How about using IEEE 1394a 4port to 6port with a DVR box for capturing HD broadcasts of films which aren't on Blu-ray yet? I don't want any loss in quality as per the Blu-ray disc burner I'll be making interim Blus. Or I could find torrents which keep all the film grain and aren't DVNR'd to fuck and back but good look with it. Many HD watchers hate film grain which is unfortunate. What about re-encoding these at high enough bitrates they'd fit perfectly on a SL BD-R? AVCHDs are damn easy to make for me but I figure I should do more research. Perhaps even get some re-writables so the discs will also be able to work on stand-alone players.
Maybe even a disc of nothing but HD trailers for many films would be a good starter project so I could add chapters. Each chapter could be a trailer. Especially for older films.
Yep, I'm a heavy film enthusiast and would it be an alright idea if I posted the link to my collection/wishlist from Blu-ray.com?

 

[mnewsham]

^ you sir are uninformed, arrogant, and obviously no idea what you are doing.

 

[BoomerD]

^ you sir are uninformed, arrogant, and obviously no idea what you are doing.

Plus, sadly, he has no desire to become informed.

Let him buy whatever he wants. He doesn't want advice...he wants someone to tell him that the hardware he's set on is good.

Ray, just go ahead and buy the stuff on your list. We don't know a damned thing about this stuff and are actually all on the payrolls of the various equipment manufacturers and etailers...and our recommendations are only designed to make us more money.


Have fun with your build.

 

[Davidh373]

Plus, sadly, he has no desire to become informed.

Let him buy whatever he wants. He doesn't want advice...he wants someone to tell him that the hardware he's set on is good.

Agreed. I've dealt with enough people like this lately. Good luck Ray... you're gonna need it...

 

[Ray_Rogers2019]

To all prior posters to this post, I'd just want to know whether or not to hold off on SSD drives for now due to pricing and the PhysX card was a random idea which I doubt I'd go forward with.
Sorry I'm boring everyone with film babble so I'll kindly shut the fuck up now and stop posting in my own thread.
Actually, instead of wasting my fucking money on the current vastly overpriced SSDs, might as well go for CrossFire.

 

[mnewsham]

The SSD is the only single piece of technology that will give you greater then 100% improvement over what you currently have you dolt.