Computer advice...

[Darakor]

As most have heard in guildchat before (my whinging about my computer is legendary), I am planning on buying a new computer when my bonus check arrives end of next month. So the plan is to buy a new computer early in April.

I have ca. 1,500 Euro (should be ca. 1,100 or so pounds) to spend and do not need a screen or keyboard.

What I am looking at is:

2 Gig Ram
256 Meg Graphics card
a huge ass (that *is* a technical term /nod) HD
DVD Writer that ideally also lets me read and play CDs and DVDs (I know nothing about DVD writers, hence me mentioning this)

Since I have next to no idea about the tech stuff, I am looking for recommendations on what parts to buy.

Since I am also pretty lazy, is it possible to just put my old HD into the new computer as primary HD so I don't have to install loads of software again? Or would that be too much of a hassle to make it work?

Any advice is very much welcome.

Darakor

 

[MarkS]

id go for something like this and try to transfer what i needed and use a smallish partition on the Sata (20g or so) as the boot drive.

 

[Darakor]

First newbie question, do I need some additional kind of cooling for that? I am really sick of the "fan blowing into the side of open case" kind of cooling... ;-)

Darakor

 

[MarkS]

nope, decent size fan in the front and rear of that case so no extra cooling needed unless you wanna do a bert and overclock it to play crappy old games like CoH

 

[Darakor]

Nah, not planning to overclock. I just want to keep the thing running for some time even in warm weather without a loud fan keeping me awake. ;-)

I take it the Athlon 64 is a good deal faster for games like EQ2 than a higher numbered processor with only 32bit technology is?

Darakor

 

[MarkS]

Its not a huge jump atm as most software doesnt take advantage of it, but aside from being 64bit, the new processors also have improved cache and stuff which make them better even without 64 bit apps.

 

[Unbeliever]

If your gonna spend 250+ on a graphics card I'd of thought the new ATI X850 for another twenty quid would be best.

Otherwise nice spec for �1100. Nice to see someone else recommending spending a descent amount on a m/b ... most people have zero clue.

 

[MarkS]

Im still a bit twitchy on ATIs unny, i use a radeon 9800pro but ive seen lots of glitches in games with it. Not sure id go ATI again for a while.

 

[Unbeliever]

Yeh, I know I know ... I know people who wont touch ATIs and other who wont touch Nvidia's.

I have a 9800 pro and have no problem ... though I must admint I'm not the most observant of gamers. I have a 4600ti in my second PC and that has given me no problems at all except when I first got it ... when the drivers just plain sucked I suppose we should be grateful we still have a choice of top end graphics cards.

 

[Darakor]

Well, I am not overly fussed what card I get. I had an ATI ages ago and currently have an nvidia card. The only issue I have with my card that it, too, is prone to overheating.

Which should be something easily solved with plenty of cooling in the case.

Either way, thanks a lot for the advice. I will see whether I can get that stuff when the big check comes in. Not all shops over here sell all components...

Darakor