Sort of off topic "New Computer for Playing BGII and Games"

shesgottahaveit · Post by **shesgottahaveit** » Fri Mar 23, 2001 4:53 pm

Well I just finnished finals and have some spare $ not alot like 1,100 and would like to upgrade my computer since it loads so slow and plays slow during heavy battle.

I need some sugesstions form you hardware types on:

-MB (would like to go with AMD 1.2+ GHZ chip)
-Video card
-How much RAM

Thanks

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You would'nt hurt a lady would ya? hahahehehe

fable · Post by **fable** » Fri Mar 23, 2001 5:10 pm

How much memory have you got? And what video card are you using?

shesgottahaveit · Post by **shesgottahaveit** » Fri Mar 23, 2001 5:14 pm

128 MB..pc-100
RIVA TNT 16 MB

MB-Asus something but fast threee years ago
chip-cerleron 400, over clocked to 450

ltldrgn1 · Post by **ltldrgn1** » Fri Mar 23, 2001 8:55 pm

For your Processor, personally I am more a fan of intel than amd, though by all accounts, amd is a good process.
1.2GhZ is more than adequate, unless you want to run high powered business or science application software.
128MB mem. is enough for most soft. though you may want more if you are into power gaming. with mem. being so cheap, you could easily add more later.
Graphics card: Probably the riva geforce, I like it and most of the reviews are good.

Hope this helps a little.

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Beware of that which sees without eyes, most fear what you most despise.

Waverly · Post by **Waverly** » Sat Mar 24, 2001 10:04 am

I would recommend the video card first if gaming is your concern. Look at the newest offerings from nVidia (GeForce 2) and the Voodoo cards. 32MB should do it unless your monitor is larger than 19". Processor would be 2nd- just buy the fastest Intel product your budget will allow. Your memory seems fine...but more *never* hurts.

Also, don't forget that a good sound card can take some of the processing stress off your mother board...particularly if you use any environmental modes. SB Live is a good choice.

Angelus · Post by **Angelus** » Sat Mar 24, 2001 4:49 pm

If you need it for playing I wouldn't suggest a Voodoo card since most new games use Open GL instead of Glide, especially BG2 doesn't seem to work right with a Voodoo card.

GrimReaper · Post by **GrimReaper** » Sat Mar 24, 2001 4:53 pm

Don't go with AMD. I've had a bad experience with their processors. Intel is better for anything 3d anyway.

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Lars the GrimReaper, mighty member of the Council of Mages and brother of Ghaleon the Mage

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Thu Apr 26, 2001 9:31 am

If you're in the market for a new machine I strongly recommend a visit to [url="http://www.dell.com."]www.dell.com.[/url] (which will then take you to whatever country you're in).When you order directly from the manufacturer it's a bit cheaper, and most importantly you can custom build, thereby obtaining exactly the bells and whistles that you want. I've had my Dell now since Christmas (p3, 1 G processor) and I'm very impressed. Dell is also good to deal with.

Shrylia · Post by **Shrylia** » Thu Apr 26, 2001 9:51 am

I have an AMD Athlon...it has been great! Along with nvidia g-force = happy camper!

Astafas · Post by **Astafas** » Thu Apr 26, 2001 10:48 am

Processor: Absolutely go for a AMD Thunderbird. They are much cheaper and have won against the Pentiums in every single test I've read (and I've read a lot of them).

Graphic Card: A GeForce 2 - they get even cheaper now with the GeForce 3 out on the market.

RAM: 128 MB is enough. I recently upgraded to 256 MB and have seen no significant improvement. However, the RAM comes cheap at the moment...

Good luck!

Quitch · Post by **Quitch** » Thu Apr 26, 2001 11:58 am

AMD Athlon Thunderbird, the only processor worth considering. If you're not much for tech, Intel is a safer bet, but for speed, AMD are the company to be with. Just get the chip before the big price rise (there's always a big price difference between the processor that came out today, and the one that was yesterdays news)

As for video cards, currently it has to be GeForce. Get a GeForce MX 32MB. It's the most cost effective of the GeForce range, and means you could consider a GeForce 3 later. Buy a top of the range GF2 and I doubt you'll want to make a similar investment again, and all top of the range GF2s offer is more memory, where as if you went to GF3 you'd be getting all the extra features.

Ram, 256MB is where you need to go. Everything is getting hungier all the time, and this is the level you want to be at if you wish to be slightly ahead. 128 is going to be behind the times very soon indeed. Don't waste your time with DDR RAM, just get SDRAM. The speed increase isn't enough to justify the price tag.

[ 04-26-2001: Message edited by: Quitch ]

Nightmare · Post by **Nightmare** » Thu Apr 26, 2001 3:43 pm

Processor: Either an intel or amd will do

Graphics Card: A GeForce 2. This is easily the best other then the Geforce 3.

RAM: 128 is good, but your machine will go MUCH faster with 256.