Help with a PC that plays SupCom :D

[BoB_DoG]

Alright Guys, ive finally decided to cough up the cash on a new rig, after supreme commander continuously locks up at VITAL moments (like when i attack. haha, no its really not funny)

Ive saved a couple of grand for a rainy day, but im a tight git, so want to keep it well below that.

I believe that the peripherals are the most important features on a pc, so i think im gonna spooge on a dell 24", and i recently got myself some decent wireless logitech KB/mouse combo.

All that said, what do you think i should get. forget future proofing, forget sli/crossfire i dont think im gonna need em (unless they are available at minimum extra cost).

My guess with the recent price drops is:

C2D E6600

couple of gig PC6400, (this i might like to upgrade to 4gig in the future as vista can actually use it)

MSI P965 platimum OR an Asus P5B (the regular one should be ok, although a couple more SATA ports is nice, hence the MSI as an option too)

whatever is cheapest decent brand (eg. tagan, seasonic, corsair) SILENT PSU, 500W would probs be ok, although a few more watts never did anyone any harm

I'll probs get a 500gig hdd to add to my two current 120gb seagates, wondering if there is any merit in getting a small 36Gb raptor as my Os/critical app drive, with all the other crap going onto the 500Gb, and all my work and essential files going onto the 120Gb's in raid 1.

advice on a QUIET cpu fan would be appreciated, a zalman or a scythe woiuld probably be the way to go

as for case, DVD drives fans etc. im not going to worry about ive got some old panaflo's knocking around and the rest is all aesthetics!

If you didnt notice so far, i would really like a quiet pc, so the GFX card is quite a struggle. Do i go down the 8800 route, or should i look at an 8600. i dont need the top end stuff, 3/4 of the top is good as i can always buy a new GFX card in 18 months or so.

let me know your opinions please, im open to suggestions


Cheers

[dangel]

I'd go with a 8800 GTS for gaming - the 8600 isn't really a gamers card (I bought one for a HTPC project) IMHO as it's crippled by a crappy memory bus and just isn't in the same league as the GTS. Yes, the 8600 is quiet - mines passive - but it's not screamin' gamin' card..

[saltynay]

in relation to graphics card get an 8600 by evga that way you can use the 90 day step up program and pay the difference and just change to a more powerful 8800

[chuckskull]

I think you're on the right track specs wise. For graphics the 8600 just barely cut's it for today's games especially on a 24inch panel. In 6 months it will be coughing and spluttering a lot.

I have a 8800GTS 320mb and it keeps supcomm churning along nicely. You might want to go for a 640mb with the bigger screen. For a quiet and cheap PSU that wont explode and take your shiny new system with it the HX620 from corsair is very good.

If you want 4gig RAM remember to get Vista x64, also RAM prices are very cheap now. you can pick up 4gig(4x1GB) for not much more than £150, and 2x2GB for £180, have a scoot over to the bargains forum.

[BoB_DoG]

thanks for the replies guys, ive not seen ram this cheap in a while. Im clearly going to OC my e6600, as its so damn easy, only till it needs enough airflow to be noisy.

How much difference does the 800mhz ram make to the OC in comparison with 667mhz (or the deficit compared to the faster 1033). Remember im not going for extreme OC, just getting a bit extra for free.

[kalniel]

None at all.

I'd second the call for a 8800GTS, great card. I'd consider dropping to a E6320 to counter that - it's still more than fast enough and an easy overclock.

Stick to 667 ram as suggested, 2gb is plenty.

500W is overkill, but I can highly recommend the silverstone unit for silent running http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=355398

[Flewis]

Get a E4300, overclock it and get an 8800GTS. The difference in cache wont make much difference in performance.