Need advice building a computer

**D.B. Cooper** · August 24, 2007, 08:44 AM

I'm in the market for a new computer, and I want a computer that can play Med2 on max settings and huge scale. A teensy bit of lag between huge armies I can tolerate but nothing that turns it into a slideshow. Let's say I have an 1700 dollar budget (1800 Canadian dollars). How good of a graphics card, processor and RAM could I get to suffice for what I want? Could somebody recommend some cards, processors or memory to me?

**spartan_phalanx** · August 24, 2007, 08:53 AM

On that budget you should be able to get a very high end system going, the limiting factor would be where you purchase parts (Canadian retailer might be more $). Either way you should be able to get into a C2D E6750 CPU and an 8800 GTX with 2GB-4GB of 800 RAM. Browse Newegg for parts, then go to a Canadian retailer and check prices.

Are you going to be building this yourself?

**D.B. Cooper** · August 24, 2007, 09:18 AM

I'm not sure yet. I've heard by many, many people that it is far cheaper to build one yourself that to buy it retail. I'll do a lot research on putting parts together and then see.

**Freddie** · August 24, 2007, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by ArPharazon

I'm in the market for a new computer, and I want a computer that can play Med2 on max settings and huge scale. A teensy bit of lag between huge armies I can tolerate but nothing that turns it into a slideshow. Let's say I have an 1700 dollar budget (1800 Canadian dollars). How good of a graphics card, processor and RAM could I get to suffice for what I want? Could somebody recommend some cards, processors or memory to me?

Do you need a monitor and a operating system?

**Arakorn** · August 24, 2007, 09:40 AM

Build yourself. I just put my first system together which is similar to the one Spartan described above. What parts you get also depends on if you can salvage anything from your old machine. IE, will you be needing a new monitor (and what kind of in that case? 17", 19"? Widescreen or 4:3?), mouse, keyboard, speakers, HD, Optical Drive, floppy (not needed) etc.

EDIT: Oh, Freddy also posted.

Yeah, add an operation system to the above list.

If you need a new OS, I'd go for an OEM version of Vista (Home Premium probably). If not, go with your old (XP) for now.

**spartan_phalanx** · August 24, 2007, 09:53 AM

Yes you will definitely save yourself some money by building it yourself, plus a sense of pride and ultimately an experience that will save you money years down the road when you need another one.

Honestly I think an 8800GTS 320MB is perfect right now and is half the cost of an 8800GTX. But if the money is there to burn then go for the GTX. How much storage are you looking for? Is this just for gaming or do you have plans to store any large amounts of media (photos, movies ect.)?

You'll want a solid power supply with 2 or more solid higher amp (18 or so) rails.

Memory brand isn't a huge deal but more expensive generally means tighter timings, which isn't that big of a deal anyway with C2D CPU's.

**D.B. Cooper** · August 24, 2007, 10:46 AM

I'll be mainly gaming with it, not much video editing, though I'll do schoolwork on it.

**Freddie** · August 24, 2007, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by ArPharazon

I'll be mainly gaming with it, not much video editing, though I'll do schoolwork on it.

Do you need an OS or monitor???

**Lord Condormanius** · August 24, 2007, 01:59 PM

I definitely recommend building your own. I built my system in January, specifically to run M2TW. I spent less than $700 (including a 22" widescreen LCD monitor) on new parts. I recommend globalcomputer.com or tigerdirect.com for parts.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask me by PM.