£1500 gaming rig - suggestions guys?

[noTHINGface]

Hi all

Ok, I'm going to ask you lot this. I'm a lazy gamer and I just cant be bothered building my own rigs any more but I still enjoy PC gaming. My current rig (bought from Mesh a couple of years ago) is a single core A64 4000+, 2Gb, 7800GT and im playing on a 19" Viewsonic panel at 1280x1024. Its getting a little long in the tooth now and Im having to clock it to get a decent level of performance on modern titles (Rainbow six Vegas for example).

I'd like a 1/2 decent machine, dual core, 8800 series card and monitor package (22" +) for around £1500. Price is flexible to a point for a good deal. Short list is from Mesh (as I trust them);

Elite E6700 Vista Pro G80
http://www.meshcomputers.com/Default...UCT&KEY=147379
E6700 X-Treme PCA
http://www.meshcomputers.com/Default...UCT&KEY=169459

With upgrades to 8800GTX, digital 22" panels and I'd loose the speakers and mouse/keyboard for my own.

Do these look ok to you guys? They only have 2Gb of memory but I would intend to up that to 3/4Gb myself (Mesh, your memory upgrade prices are steep!).

Anyone else seen a decent system integrator bundle that could more favourably compare?

Thanks.

[staffsMike]

I wouldn't bother with a GTX for a 22" pannel. The GTS will max graphics in any game at 1680 x 1050 .. you will have a similar rig to me and it gives great fps in any game i've tried so far including Rainbow Six Vegas which is a bugger at any res

Saying that if its fairly inexpensive to upgrade to a GTX..why not

If it were me I would have the G80 as it is.

[staffsMike]

After thought..

Have you checked scans 3XS systems?

[chuckskull]

Yeah I'd have to recommend Scan over Mesh everytime. Little more expensive sometimes, but you only have to compare their respective forums to see why. Plus their a lot more customisable than Mesh boxes I've found.

[DanceswithUnix]

As an experiment, try running your game at a lower resolution. If it goes faster, then you are graphics card limited and you only need upgrade the graphics card (and monitor seeing as you want one).

I suspect changing the motherboard/cpu/memory/case will only get you a tiny increase from a 4000+, and that is a lot of money to spend.

[MSIC]

I agree with the monitor comment - at that sort of budget, why not consider upgrading your current system as follows:

Dell 27" monitor, 1920 x 1200 resolution for 780 quid.

(or even the larger 30" for just over 900 quid)

Then swap the 7800 for this 8800 GTX for 350 quid, and job done.

You will have one kick-ass gaming system, providing that you are happy to keep your current case, keyboard & mouse etc.
Of course, the other point is that you wont have an entire computer spare to donate to someone, but that's my advice to consider

PS I acknowledge you not wanting to build a whole new system, fair enough, but my suggestions are dead easy and wont even require a re-install of windows, applications or anything

[staffsMike]

nice to see dell are being more reasonable with the price of the 2707wfp. I'd be tempted..its a monster

[arbitor]

i seceond what chuck said for a bit more you get alot more in terms of service and attention to detail in scan.

i mean mesh send pcs out without screens scan would NEVER do that so.. plus the scan systems look better imo.

if a gts maxes ny game on a 22 inch screen (which btw should support high than the res you said) then what could possbily need two gtxs?

[staffsMike]

something running a 30" screens resolution with max settings lol

[noTHINGface]

I agree with the monitor comment - at that sort of budget, why not consider upgrading your current system as follows:

Thanks for that - I just wonder though whether I should jump over to a new architecture like c2d. The A64 is a little long in the tooth and has limited shelf life as more and more games are making use of dual core CPUs?

Though - I do take your point. Perhaps I should go for upgrading to 8800GS now with a new monitor, then wait a buy a c2duo base and drop the 8800 in there at that point in time.

[staffsMike]

so in effect..you will build yourself a new pc a slightly lazy way

Well there a few GTS's around for about £225 at the moment..one for £200. I've done a couple of threads for them recently.

Cheapest one otherwise I would say is the the leadtek on www.lowestontheweb.com, its £250 now.

22" monitor.. Theres a very nice LG one

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=564708

its not £190 today but only £5 more.

[Biscuit]

personally i would say get a new monitor + c2d system without graphics card atm as a 7800GT isnt bad then wait around for 8900/r600.

[noTHINGface]

Scan - yeah, I have love for scan(!) I bought GPUs and sound cards from them. I did look at this;
3XS Core2 Duo-OC - Water Cooled(PCW) http://3xs.scan.co.uk/ShowSystem.asp?SystemID=613

But I have zero desire to go down the water cooled route. I guess I can build this air cooled - perhaps I need to give them a bell.

[MSIC]

Thanks for that - I just wonder though whether I should jump over to a new architecture like c2d. The A64 is a little long in the tooth and has limited shelf life as more and more games are making use of dual core CPUs?

Though - I do take your point. Perhaps I should go for upgrading to 8800GS now with a new monitor, then wait a buy a c2duo base and drop the 8800 in there at that point in time.

I've been in the PC owning/upgrading circles since the mid 90's, which is not as long as some here but long enough to be familiar. There is this strong notion that computers are upgradable and that people such as ourselves should be more interested in the technology, socket interfaces and upgrade potential than the actual direct abilities of the hardware.
Poppycock.
A thing will do what a thing will do. Specifically, the A64 CPU is a great chip for gaming, provinding that we are talking single threaded apps here. If you know that you need multi-threaded, fine, but buying / upgrading for that 'just-in-case' moment is sheer lunacy, considering your situation and the cost involved.

How many times have we all seen (or ourselves considered) upgrading to a base level of one thing (such as a socket 939 Athlon 3000) in 'readiness' to upgrade in the future, only to jump ship (eg to a base level core 2 duo) when the time comes (with 'readiness to upgrade' again). Buy a thing to do a thing. If you know you need dual core now, fine, but otherwise be happy with what you have.


-----breathes deeply------

Rant over
Sorry mate, sorry for going on but i hate to see wasted money and ultimately disappointment.

Edit: PS looked at that Scan system
http://3xs.scan.co.uk/ShowSystem.asp?SystemID=613
and to be honest it's really not a huge jump above the current system. My view is it would be a poor upgrade for the cost involved, sorry. I rate Scan highy too, so no slight on them, but you do have a currently good system.

[Biscuit]

How many times have we all seen (or ourselves considered) upgrading to a base level of one thing (such as a socket 939 Athlon 3000) in 'readiness' to upgrade in the future, only to jump ship (eg to a base level core 2 duo) when the time comes (with 'readiness to upgrade' again).

So true... its the ONLY reason i have an SLI mobo. 'Its ok when my graphics card gets out of date il get another one and link it up to keep me going' that was when i had a 7600gt and iv had an x1950 and now im on 8800gts and sorely regretting the purchase of this motherboard. The fact i payed so much for it was why i got the opty instead of selling up and moving to c2d myself well iv learned my lesson now ( )

[noTHINGface]

Rant over
Sorry mate, sorry for going on but i hate to see wasted money and ultimately disappointment.

No need for an apology boss - I know what you mean, Im in my mid thirties now and seen the fads come and go The reason I mention moving to c2d is that I have to clock the 4000+ to get a decent gaming experience, not all the time of course. I like to play all my games at the best fidelity I can (within reason of course). Rainbow six is the prime example - I get a performance gain by clocking to 2.6 . Im not desperate to spend money for moneys sake, just glancing up and taking a look a little further up the road to see what is coming...