Buying a new PC

[Marc]

What I want to know is, I dont understand all this "2 quad Q6600 quad core processor 2.4ghz 8mb cache" etc

My current PC is like 6 years old and has a 2.4ghz processor.

Can someone explain the difference please?

Also, the PC im looking at has a 512mb nVidia Geforce 9600GT graphics card. Is this decent enough?

Cheers

 

[Shagrat]

Buy me one as well Marc Im skint.

Ill come and pick it up though.

 

[Syri]

the Core 2 processors are the successor to the pentium 4 range. they can perform more instructions per cycle, so even though it's running at 2.4ghz, it can crunch more numbers during that time. The fact that it's a quad means it's basically 4 CPU's on a single chip, so you get 4 cores each at 2.4ghz, meaning it processes up to 4 apps at the same time even if they're all using all 2.4ghz. As long as the apps support running multi-core, anyway...
as for the graphics card, the 9600 is the new middle range card from nvidia. it's been getting good reviews, and it'll certainly play anything you chuck at it, but don't expect to be playing crysis with everything at full on a 24" monitor at full resolution...

 

[gravi-]

buy nothing less than a 8800gt, not worth the money spent on other cards // fremen

 

[Marc]

Buy me one as well Marc Im skint.

Ill come and pick it up though.

If I could afford to I would mate!

 

[Marc]

the Core 2 processors are the successor to the pentium 4 range. they can perform more instructions per cycle, so even though it's running at 2.4ghz, it can crunch more numbers during that time. The fact that it's a quad means it's basically 4 CPU's on a single chip, so you get 4 cores each at 2.4ghz, meaning it processes up to 4 apps at the same time even if they're all using all 2.4ghz. As long as the apps support running multi-core, anyway...
as for the graphics card, the 9600 is the new middle range card from nvidia. it's been getting good reviews, and it'll certainly play anything you chuck at it, but don't expect to be playing crysis with everything at full on a 24" monitor at full resolution...

Thanks!

But it will run most games easily tho?

 

[Syri]

yeah, it'll be comfortable with most games. crysis is the most ott game out there graphically pretty much. but any average game will be great with that i'd imagine.

 

[Helme]

From what I've seen the 9600 card is bloody brilliant, almost half the price of an 8800GT - and only about 5% performance loss in most games(unless you run obscenenly high resolutions).

Overall I'd say its a very good choice for a card right now, especially considering that in 1-2 years time when it's getting "old" you can easily replace it with the by then very cheap 9800 cards, or even a 10k card, and save a lot of money overall.

 

[Fafnir]

Can always save money on the gfx now and buy an upgrade later.

 

[Chronictank]

Thanks!

But it will run most games easily tho?

yes but not at the higher resolutions, as always if you want to go to the top end you will need to buy a high mid/top end card

But wait a couple of weeks nvidia's new flagship is coming out soon so their current gen will drop in price somewhat

 

[Laddey]

Buy a new compter then when all the new games and stuff comes out you'll have to upgrade again!!1

Xbox 360 all the way

 

[Helme]

Buy a new compter then when all the new games and stuff comes out you'll have to upgrade again!!1

Xbox 360 all the way

Same thing could be said about consoles, and besides - buying a PC could in the long run mean a cheaper deal - I mean, it's way easier to get an not so legal game on a PC than it is on a console.

 

[Laddey]

Same thing could be said about consoles, and besides - buying a PC could in the long run mean a cheaper deal - I mean, it's way easier to get an not so legal game on a PC than it is on a console.

Not if you know my man cHoDaX

 

[Marc]

Buy a new compter then when all the new games and stuff comes out you'll have to upgrade again!!1

Xbox 360 all the way

My current PC is 6 years old and still plays everygame ive bought for it. I just fancy a new one. In 2-3 years a new xbox will be out so you will have to upgrade too. The only games I will play on a console are GTA4, Saints row 2 and the Pro Ev games. PLus, I cant download films, porn or music on an xbox. I also cant use an xbox 360 for work

 

[Marc]

Same thing could be said about consoles, and besides - buying a PC could in the long run mean a cheaper deal - I mean, it's way easier to get an not so legal game on a PC than it is on a console.

If you use newsgroups like me, both are just as easy

 

[Kitarat]

If you use newsgroups like me, both are just as easy

PC is way better then a 360 on PC u can download games.. music.... etc.... and everything... and has the interwebs

 

[Vasconcelos]

buy nothing less than a 8800gt, not worth the money spent on other cards // fremen

A BFG 9600GT OC goes for about 150€ (at least around here) and any 8800GT for around 200€, however check what guru3d have to say:

VGA Charts - Crysis & Call of Duty 4
VGA Charts - Crysis & Call of Duty 4
VGA Charts - Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter 2 & Frontlines: Fuel of War
VGA Charts - S.T.A.L.K.E.R. & Quake Wars
VGA Charts - War Front - Turning Point & World in Conflict

for me, 9600GT is prolly atm the best choice performance/price. You won't regret buying it Marc

Just remember that if its a rig mainly for playing, save your bucks for the monitor+gcard combo as it is the main component for gaming, I'd no doubt go for a 8800GTS 512MB + anything 1680x1050 with a decent but not expensive procesor+mobo.