agoodfella
Prince
Does anyone have the Toshiba Qosmio?
does it run Civ IV?
does it run Civ IV?
Advice on Buying a new Computer for Civ IV!
- Thread starter chad77
- Start date
Thanks for your advice so far everyone. I appreciate it.
In response to people's comments, I think I could build my own machine. I used to keep up with computer technology pretty closely until about 1990, but I've missed a lot since then. I'm pretty familiar with the overall workings of systems. I even minored in computer science in college, but that was a lot of theoretical stuff, programming in assembly language, logic, etc., so that's not much help.
The concern I have with building my own system is making sure everything will be compatible with everything else, and that once I get it working it will be stable. With a retailer you get a warranty and on-site service and guaranteed replacement (provided you pay for it, which I would).
I have a 3-year old Dell laptop which is perfectly good for everyday functions. My new machine I would want mostly for video stuff and gaming. And I want it to last a long time, and not be obsolete in 2 years.
So I don't need a lot of cool software or bells and whistles, I just need power and capacity. Here's what I'm thinking:
Pentium 4 3.0GHz dual core, WELL VENTILATED
2 GB RAM on 2 chips, so it'll be expandable
250-500 GB HD, possibly a dual HD for backup purposes
The best video card I can get, with AT LEAST 256 MB RAM
Dual optical drives, one DVD/RW and one DVD-ROM/CD-RW
XP Pro or media center
Big, expandable case
I guess it would be good to get one of those 9-in-1 or 13-in-1 media readers for digital camera purposes.
I should note that I could get a discount at Dell because I work for the federal government. I built a system like this on dell.com, it was an XPS, and with the discount it cost about $2750. Of course I could apply for their credit line and pay about $90 per month for 36 months (but I would pay it off faster than that).
So could I build my own system for less than this? And is newegg the place to order?
In response to people's comments, I think I could build my own machine. I used to keep up with computer technology pretty closely until about 1990, but I've missed a lot since then. I'm pretty familiar with the overall workings of systems. I even minored in computer science in college, but that was a lot of theoretical stuff, programming in assembly language, logic, etc., so that's not much help.
The concern I have with building my own system is making sure everything will be compatible with everything else, and that once I get it working it will be stable. With a retailer you get a warranty and on-site service and guaranteed replacement (provided you pay for it, which I would).
I have a 3-year old Dell laptop which is perfectly good for everyday functions. My new machine I would want mostly for video stuff and gaming. And I want it to last a long time, and not be obsolete in 2 years.
So I don't need a lot of cool software or bells and whistles, I just need power and capacity. Here's what I'm thinking:
Pentium 4 3.0GHz dual core, WELL VENTILATED
2 GB RAM on 2 chips, so it'll be expandable
250-500 GB HD, possibly a dual HD for backup purposes
The best video card I can get, with AT LEAST 256 MB RAM
Dual optical drives, one DVD/RW and one DVD-ROM/CD-RW
XP Pro or media center
Big, expandable case
I guess it would be good to get one of those 9-in-1 or 13-in-1 media readers for digital camera purposes.
I should note that I could get a discount at Dell because I work for the federal government. I built a system like this on dell.com, it was an XPS, and with the discount it cost about $2750. Of course I could apply for their credit line and pay about $90 per month for 36 months (but I would pay it off faster than that).
So could I build my own system for less than this? And is newegg the place to order?
generalshake
Consigliere
Call my cynical but I'd hold off buying a computer till they fix this lemon of a game. Mine is pretty top of the line and it's not running it for anything. So save your self $50 bucks on the game and the cost of a new computer till ya know.
Figured I'd start dispensing advice as I can't get any heh.
Figured I'd start dispensing advice as I can't get any heh.
generalshake said:
Hey General Shake, I see what you mean. But while I know the game has glitches and is a system hog generally, it'll never run on my laptop with a 16MB video card. I got the game running, I just have the black terrain, choppiness, and cursor problems that others with insufficient systems have. I actually played 20 turns in this condition before I figured out something might be wrong.
I don't actually do a ton of gaming, I like strategy games like civ and sim city, but i would like also to be able to do some video stuff. So eventually I will have to get a new system one way or the other.
generalshake
Consigliere
Ah in that case I understand. Just didn't want to see anyone build a system just for it. My advice would just to make sure to get what ya really want, and leave a little room for future upgrades.
Just didn't want to see anyone build a system just for it. My advice would just to make sure to get what ya really want, and leave a little room for future upgrades.Hey, I'm not sure how much you care about HEAT and sound of fans and stuff, but it's something to keep in mind. Looks like you're going all out. If so, I'd probably stay away from Dell, as the quality isn't all there. They have good main parts, but they fill in the middle parts with low-end cheap stuff to turn a buck.
I'd go with building your own system. If this doesn't sound too unethical, you could always go to a computer hardware store, ask them what they would build you, sparing no expense, make sure they realise you want top quality everything, and then go out on the internet and buy the parts there.
For specific chips, I'd go with AMD, cause they're generally cheaper for similar performance. I noticed no one thought about mentioning this, which I think is good advice.
Something I'd also like to add is that a good power supply is important. Don't skimp on this piece of machinery, shakey voltage can cause your computer to f' up or even burn out.
Finally, really, the best advice is to look up a comprehensive site like www.tomshardware.com, and do your research. and I mean a LOT of research. Nothing like plunking down a couples gs of your hard earned cash, only to realise you got gyped / bought soon to be obsolete tech /etc.
-Alan
I'd go with building your own system. If this doesn't sound too unethical, you could always go to a computer hardware store, ask them what they would build you, sparing no expense, make sure they realise you want top quality everything, and then go out on the internet and buy the parts there.
For specific chips, I'd go with AMD, cause they're generally cheaper for similar performance. I noticed no one thought about mentioning this, which I think is good advice.
Something I'd also like to add is that a good power supply is important. Don't skimp on this piece of machinery, shakey voltage can cause your computer to f' up or even burn out.
Finally, really, the best advice is to look up a comprehensive site like www.tomshardware.com, and do your research. and I mean a LOT of research. Nothing like plunking down a couples gs of your hard earned cash, only to realise you got gyped / bought soon to be obsolete tech /etc.
-Alan
I see what you mean aylw. I was planning to go to some stores where they build, and tell them right off I am just browsing, to see if I can get something there cheaper than I can with my federal employee discount. If I order parts on the internet, there should be some instructions for making sure I connect everything correctly, right?
Regarding processors, it seems almost universally accepted on this board that for best performance, especially with games, you should go with an actual Pentium. Can you go into more detail about why you suggest an AMD, other than the price?
I know all about the problems a bad power supply can create. I've had voltage spikes in a couple of my older systems that I got cheap, and that really screwed a lot of stuff up. I was just looking at power supplies, and I was thinking about the MGE 600W power supply which got a great review on gotapex.com.
Regarding heat, I think the dual core pentiums come with a double heatsink/fan as well, no? Either way I will go with the best cooling system I can get. I was even looking at some water cooling systems, also on gotapex.com. HEAT is the enemy of electronics!! I wonder if it would be safe to fill the water cooling system with antifreeze...
I was thinking of an AIW video card... anybody know if there are video cards that have or can take more than 256MB of RAM?
Again thanks for everyone's comments.
Regarding processors, it seems almost universally accepted on this board that for best performance, especially with games, you should go with an actual Pentium. Can you go into more detail about why you suggest an AMD, other than the price?
I know all about the problems a bad power supply can create. I've had voltage spikes in a couple of my older systems that I got cheap, and that really screwed a lot of stuff up. I was just looking at power supplies, and I was thinking about the MGE 600W power supply which got a great review on gotapex.com.
Regarding heat, I think the dual core pentiums come with a double heatsink/fan as well, no? Either way I will go with the best cooling system I can get. I was even looking at some water cooling systems, also on gotapex.com. HEAT is the enemy of electronics!! I wonder if it would be safe to fill the water cooling system with antifreeze...
I was thinking of an AIW video card... anybody know if there are video cards that have or can take more than 256MB of RAM?
Again thanks for everyone's comments.
Citizen Philip
Chieftain
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2005
- Messages
- 41
chad77 said:I see what you mean aylw. I was planning to go to some stores where they build, and tell them right off I am just browsing, to see if I can get something there cheaper than I can with my federal employee discount. If I order parts on the internet, there should be some instructions for making sure I connect everything correctly, right?
Regarding processors, it seems almost universally accepted on this board that for best performance, especially with games, you should go with an actual Pentium. Can you go into more detail about why you suggest an AMD, other than the price?
I know all about the problems a bad power supply can create. I've had voltage spikes in a couple of my older systems that I got cheap, and that really screwed a lot of stuff up. I was just looking at power supplies, and I was thinking about the MGE 600W power supply which got a great review on gotapex.com.
Regarding heat, I think the dual core pentiums come with a double heatsink/fan as well, no? Either way I will go with the best cooling system I can get. I was even looking at some water cooling systems, also on gotapex.com. HEAT is the enemy of electronics!! I wonder if it would be safe to fill the water cooling system with antifreeze...
I was thinking of an AIW video card... anybody know if there are video cards that have or can take more than 256MB of RAM?
Again thanks for everyone's comments.
No games take real advantage of dual core processing: I would however recommend AMD over Intel. AMD run games faster, Intel will run graphical applications faster (Photoshop), the difference is very little to a non-professional user. 4 sticks for 2 Gigs is better than 2 sticks for 2 Gigs, 4 sticks runs a bit faster.
The ATI X1800 (1600?) XT will have 512 RAM, it is being released, this week. You may consider a two part upgrade: a mobo and PSU that will run an X1800 now and then upgrade with an Xfire mobo, master card and PSU later; I understand that Nvidia will be releasing a 512 version of the 7800, I have no details. Heat maybe the enemy of electronics but water is the anathema of electricity, I would avoid it unless your technically proficient.
All that being said: I would hold out for ATI x1800 (that is what I am doing), the technology is brand new and has the potential for much improvement: the Nvidia 7800 is ready right now, but it's at the end of its particular architecture, it's not going to get better.
As I mentioned earlier, stay away from "named" companies and buy from smaller dealer component by compnent, higher quality.
