Is this a good computer?

**TestudoAubreii** · June 20, 2007, 12:02 PM

Greetings,

I would like to know if this is a decent computer set up. I am looking to play PC games (especially MTWII) and I thought I would post this here instead of in MTWII Tech Threads because I want to know more about the inside of this computer. Here it is:

2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
1GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM - 2x512
250GB Serial ATA Drive
ATI Radeon X1600/128MB VRAM
SuperDrive 8X (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)

Is this o.k.? Thank you in advance for any and all responses.

morrisoniucs

**Doono** · June 20, 2007, 01:00 PM

This a prebuilt? You cna get alot more bang for buck by building your own.

But if your goign to buy that id drop the ATI x1600 and get either a 8800GTS or a x1950pro and another GB of RAM

**TestudoAubreii** · June 20, 2007, 02:27 PM

Yes, it is pre-built. Perhaps I will give building my own a shot, that is once I learn my way around the computer a bit more. Thanks for the response.

**cudakite** · June 20, 2007, 02:42 PM

what company are you buying from? what is you budget?

**Erik** · June 20, 2007, 04:23 PM

I would definitely go for 2GB of RAM, instead of 1GB.

And if you know how to use a screwdriver you will be able to build your own PC.
It's really not that hard.
I highly recommend it, not just to save money, but also because it's a good learning experience that will make upgrading and fixing your computer a lot easier in the future.

What's your budget?

**Justinian** · June 20, 2007, 08:33 PM

Buying a near-top-of-the-line computer (quad core, 2 GB of RAM, 300+ GB HD, top of the line nVidia graphics card, etc) and 19" LCD monitor from ibuypower.com or another relatively cheap site will set you back about $2225 (I'm looking into buying a new desktop so I went there and assembled a nice comp). Buying the same or better parts on newegg.com and then putting them together yourself costs $1500.

So you should always buy the parts. Manufacturers get you with the assembly and way overpriced peripherals (nice Logitech speakers from ibuypower, $80 - newegg, $29.99). Then putting it together is the easy part.

**metalhead117** · June 21, 2007, 04:06 AM

The quick answer to your question is "no", i.e. this is definitely not a good computer for gaming

Let me elaborate:
1. The CPU is definitely good, the only good part by the way
2. The video card is very poor - x1600 will choke with medieval 2, don't waste your money on it
3. No mention of what the motherboard is whatsoever - so i guess it is the worst one
4. The ram is not enough - 2GB is the best now, as in the moment RAM is very cheap, really, prices dropped trice since last autumn. Also, go for 800MHz, it is only 1-2$ more expensive than 667MHz

Finally, make your own build, read forums for a couple of days, you'll quickly get an idea which parts are best for the money, and you'll make a really good computer. Because the one they offer you is not good for gaming at all.

Tell us your budget and we can help you choose the best parts for the money

**Freddie** · June 21, 2007, 05:26 AM

Originally Posted by morrisonicus

Greetings,

I would like to know if this is a decent computer set up. I am looking to play PC games (especially MTWII) and I thought I would post this here instead of in MTWII Tech Threads because I want to know more about the inside of this computer. Here it is:

2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
1GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM - 2x512
250GB Serial ATA Drive
ATI Radeon X1600/128MB VRAM
SuperDrive 8X (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)

Is this o.k.? Thank you in advance for any and all responses.

morrisoniucs

Your system is fairly strong (a very good CPU which will overclock well) although a extra gig of ram would help, but your graphics card is about as good for gaming as eating 20 pounds of lard is for your health. If you can push the boat out get an 8800 GTS 320Mb, if you’re serious about gaming. You might also want to consider building it yourself, which should lead to some savings which in turn you can put to more ram and a better video card!

It's a shame C.A didn't code MedII to be dual core compatiable, one of the reasons why TW games slow is because the vast amount of A.I processing the games put on CPU.

**TestudoAubreii** · June 21, 2007, 07:47 AM

Wow, thanks for all the responses. Well, I'd say that my budget would have to be around $1750. I have a PC that I use to play RTW, MTWII and BF2, however the didn't paly well and had to have the settings on the bare bottom. Now I use it strictly for internet gazing. I have an iMac for school and I installed bootcamp on it. I then installed a game on it and it ran pretty good, but I got paranoid and didn't want to ruin my system (if that is possible to do from gaming), becuase if I do not have it, I do not pass my classes.
To make a long story short: yes, I would love a new gaming computer becuase I do want to enjoy the entire gaming experience. Thank you all for the advice and ideas and I give building my own a shot. I especially like the idea of saving a bit of money.

morrisonicus

**Doono** · June 21, 2007, 08:21 AM

With $1750 You can build soemthing way better than that lol.

Take what i listed here and substadise the parts i list in this thread for even better stuff
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=104206

CPU Conroe E6700 $317.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115002

GPU EVGA 8800GTX $559.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130072

Once you have exchanged these parts it comes to $1395.95

That leaves us with $354.05 to spend on a case to house it all and anyother additions you may want to add. Obviously if your in need of a monitor and other peripherals you may need to modify the choice of cpu or graphics card.

**Oppius Maximus** · June 21, 2007, 08:29 AM

Originally Posted by Doono

With $1750 You can build soemthing way better than that lol.

Take what i listed here and substadise the parts i list in this thread for even better stuff
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=104206

CPU Conroe E6700 $317.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115002

GPU EVGA 8800GTX $559.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130072

Once you have exchanged these parts it comes to $1395.95

That leaves us with $354.05 to spend on a case to house it all and anyother additions you may want to add. Obviously if your in need of a monitor and other peripherals you may need to modify the choice of cpu or graphics card.

Thats a very good guide Doono, +rep