I used to build computers etc. but this was more than 2 yrs ago since then I haven't been keeping up to date with advances in PC hardware. What is SATA? I've decided to build a new PC for GTA San Andreas and Doom 3 and wish to run it at its best. Does anyone know any websites with quality information on computer parts? What about some hardware suggestions for a killer gaming PC?
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New PC (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter noneother
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SATA is Serial ATA. It is the replacement for the Parallel ATA, which means faster access, et cetera. 
Tom's Hardware is an excellent guide for hardware information.
Tom's Hardware is an excellent guide for hardware information.
loquasagacious
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You need:
64bit amd chip
SATA
DDR2
nforce4 chip set
gigabit lan
pci extreme graphics
64bit amd chip
SATA
DDR2
nforce4 chip set
gigabit lan
pci extreme graphics
noneother said:
Maybe 2 of them in a SLi configuration, so you need a motherboard supporting SLi. However the X850XT is roughly the same price as 2 6600GT, perform not far and might be cheaper than a SLi motherboard and 2 6600GT, but I don't think cost is much of a concern.addymac said:
insert-username
Wandering the Lacuna
Tom's Hardware is an excellent site for computer hardware as MedNez suggested.
Recommendations for PC spec lines will differ depending on who you ask. Plus, for an absolute "killer" system, you'll be looking at expending well over $3,000, possibly more depending on your peripherals set. It's probably better value to get a system at around $2,000 - $2,500 dollars because it gets progressively harder and harder to tell between mid and upper end systems (apart from the impact on your pocket). Plus, games will only look better up to a point - then a better system just displays it faster rather than better. If you do want a top of the line system, though, look out for:
I think that DDR2 is a little overrated at the moment. DDR2 is slower than DDR for the time being because of its higher latencies - as time goes by and it scales up, it'll start outpacing DDR1, but for now, DDR1 is still faster (and less expensive). SLI's also probably a bit of a waste - twice as many components to break, twice the power usage, more expense all round on graphics and motherboard. nVidia's next generation chip (GeForce 7800) will be out in a few months too, and it's expected to smash the performance benchmarks (as will the next ATi chip etc.). Basically, go for what you can afford - it's your system. Have fun!
I_F
Recommendations for PC spec lines will differ depending on who you ask. Plus, for an absolute "killer" system, you'll be looking at expending well over $3,000, possibly more depending on your peripherals set. It's probably better value to get a system at around $2,000 - $2,500 dollars because it gets progressively harder and harder to tell between mid and upper end systems (apart from the impact on your pocket). Plus, games will only look better up to a point - then a better system just displays it faster rather than better. If you do want a top of the line system, though, look out for:
- AMD Athlon-64 Processor (FX-55 and up)
- At least 1 GB of RAM
- DVD+/-RW Drive
- At least 120 GB hard drive with SATA and an 8 MB cache
- nVidia GeForce 6800 graphics card with 256 MB graphics memory (if you want to play Doom III, stick with nVidia - Doom III was optimised for the GeForce chip and runs worse on ATi systems)
- Sound card, mouse, keyboard, etc.
- The biggest screen you can afford after all that, as well as Gigabit LAN if you want to play multiplayer.
I think that DDR2 is a little overrated at the moment. DDR2 is slower than DDR for the time being because of its higher latencies - as time goes by and it scales up, it'll start outpacing DDR1, but for now, DDR1 is still faster (and less expensive). SLI's also probably a bit of a waste - twice as many components to break, twice the power usage, more expense all round on graphics and motherboard. nVidia's next generation chip (GeForce 7800) will be out in a few months too, and it's expected to smash the performance benchmarks (as will the next ATi chip etc.). Basically, go for what you can afford - it's your system. Have fun!
I_F
SashatheMan
StudyforEver
what do u mean by the stuff i put in bold???markmooks said:
I think what he meant is that you can use the drive either as a system drive where you install Windows and other programs, or as a drive that just holds data (probably in a RAID configuration). Which is rather pointless, unless he's talking about the increase in speed.SashatheMan said:
equiski
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These days, pci sound cards are being made pretty redundant by intergrated chips, especially with motherboards like the nforce3/4 range and high end CPUs to provide processing power. Even EAX is being supported by some recent intergrated solutions. Also, its pretty hard to find a decent, well-priced sound card in Australia as most dealers only sell Soundblaster cards (poor DACs and buggy drivers). They are pretty worthwhile if you must have soundfonts and EAX though.insert-username said: