New computer for Civ4 - what do you suggest?

[Underdawg]

Here's a good base system:

Motherboard: ASUS A8N-E Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131530

CPU (Processor): AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Venice 2000MHz HT 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor - Retail $118.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103533

System Memory (RAM): Crucial Technology 1GB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) System Memory - OEM $104.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146545

GPU (Video Card): eVGA 256-P2-N553-AX Geforce 7600GT CO 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail $169.99 (-$20.00 w/ Mail-in-Rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130283

Computer Case & A Decent Power Supply: Antec LifeStyle SONATA II Piano Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 450Watt SmartPower 2.0 ATX 12V V2.0 for AMD & Intel systems Power Supply - Retail $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129155

The above parts cost: $583.95

If you don't have a Windows Operating System Disc:

Microsoft Windows XP Home With SP2 - OEM $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16837102059

Of course, plus shipping and handling, and the assembly (If you are not going to do it yourself).

 

[Caine13]

Since we are on the subject of pcs I have a question about laptops. I am about to hit the road and I want to get a laptop suitable for gaming. Not just Civ but games in general. I have been eyeing a few on Tiger Direct when they have sales but I am not real sure on what exactly I need. If possible I want to stay under a grand but I don't know how realistic that is. Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[dojoboy]

Anyway, please suggest to me the best configurations for a new computer (well, not extravagent, but good.)

Intel G5 dual-core iMac w/ 256Mb video card.

 

[surt]

For most applications, 2 gig isn't needed. But, it is relatively cheap (certainly reachable on a $2000 computer), and it will be a boon to civ4 if you like playing on big maps. Huge maps are really pushing it on 1 gig, and will likely crash (out of memory) later in the game.

So if you're a fan of large maps, get the 2 gigs of ram.

I'll also agree with everyone who said that if you can possible hold out til after Intel's big new product release, you'll get a hugely better deal out of it.

Assuming you want this computer to last you a little while, get a dual core. Dual core will be nearly twice as fast running certain applications, and the number of those applications will be rising quickly over the next couple of years. The price difference between dual core and single just isn't worth getting locked into a single core system for any length of time.

 

[Chazumi]

Build your own computer, it's cheaper, and the experience you gain from it is invaluable, and will be an assett for ages to come.

 

[Gumbolt]

Since we are on the subject of pcs I have a question about laptops. I am about to hit the road and I want to get a laptop suitable for gaming. Not just Civ but games in general. I have been eyeing a few on Tiger Direct when they have sales but I am not real sure on what exactly I need. If possible I want to stay under a grand but I don't know how realistic that is. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Hmm i think Intel have a new range of Merom based laptops coming soon too. If the chips are priced like the new desktop chips that will be worth having. wait 2-3 months and buy. That being said pentium M processor in centrino laptops are reasonable.

 

[ShadowDagger]

I still maintain my suggestion that you custom order the components then if you have computer nerd friends have them build it for you, or just pay to have it built at a computer store.

Here is the problems with buying from Dell. They force you to buy their warranty. Most components come with a warranty on them when you buy them custom.
Dell also forces you to buy WinXP. If you have a WinXP disk lying around from your old computer you can install XP on your new computer using that disk. It may force you to register by phone due to Microsofts antipiracy stuff. Legally you have to uninstall it on your old computer then you can call them and tell them that. You read them the code it says on the installation screen, then they read you back a new code that you type in. Bam, valid installation of XP. *COUGH* If you don't uninstall on your old computer they have no way of knowing *COUGH*.
They also install all sorts of software that you don't want/need. Why should I have to buy Mcafee or Norton virus protection when I get it for free from comcast? Why should I be force to buy an office package when I have a copy of Microsoft Office 2003 lying around? You also have to go through and uninstall stuff such as AOL free trials and other advertising that Dell gets paid to install on your PC.
Dell also doesn't offer much selection of components. As we have been talking about, faster RAM is better than bigger RAM. You can't get any faster RAM than what they give you, and you don't know the timings until you get the computer. You also can't get AMD processors through Dell. As people have mentioned, Intel is going to take back the lead soon, so this won't be much of an issue, but currently AMD processors are better for gaming.
Another issue with the limitation of parts from Dell, is you can't get better deals. When custom building, you can choose from dozens of manufacturers to find the cheapest (reliable) components. With Dell, you have to buy Dell components.

BTW- You mentioned what resolution you will have. With the specs that Underdawg suggested you should play 1280x1024.

Here's a good base system:

Motherboard: ASUS A8N-E Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131530

CPU (Processor): AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Venice 2000MHz HT 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor - Retail $118.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103533

System Memory (RAM): Crucial Technology 1GB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) System Memory - OEM $104.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146545

GPU (Video Card): eVGA 256-P2-N553-AX Geforce 7600GT CO 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail $169.99 (-$20.00 w/ Mail-in-Rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130283

Computer Case & A Decent Power Supply: Antec LifeStyle SONATA II Piano Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 450Watt SmartPower 2.0 ATX 12V V2.0 for AMD & Intel systems Power Supply - Retail $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129155

The above parts cost: $583.95

If you don't have a Windows Operating System Disc:

Microsoft Windows XP Home With SP2 - OEM $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16837102059

Of course, plus shipping and handling, and the assembly (If you are not going to do it yourself).

Just one change I would make. Instead of getting the 1gig stick I would go for the 2x512 sticks. This is the memory that I have. I bought 1 set of them and plan on buying a second set soon to get 2GB. They are slightly cheaper and have faster timings than the 1GB stick you mentioned
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820148007

You also left out the monitor, he said he was looking for a 20". I suggest this 19" LCD (you wont notice the 1" loss). I got this monitor, came with no dead pixels, and I have no complaints about it. Plus it is cheap.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824179018
I suggest 19" instead of 20" because there is much less selection for 20" and there is a noticeable price increase.

Also, if you like to use your computer for playing music you might want to upgrade your soundcard and speakers. If you don't care about sound quality just jack the soundcard from your old pc or use onboard sound, then jack your old speakers.

Also read reviews about the ventilation of a case you get. It might not hurt to throw in another fan.

 

[Underdawg]

Learn about hardware. All the cool kids are doing it. LoL.



Oh yeah. I forgot the monitor.

I put a 1GB stick because frankly, AMDs aren't too keen on 4 ram sticks, its too much for the memory module. So I put a 1GB stick so that in the future he can put another one for dual channel goodness.

 

[Tae]

Definately wait till July 24th. There are going to be VERY significant drops in AMD CPU's to compete with Conroe.

A Dual Core X2 AMD CPU is what I would recommend to anyone buying a PC right now...but only after the price drops.

But if you won't build and must do Dell...

Get this...
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=DXPS600G1&s=dhs

That would be my target, but maybe wait till Conroe hits and see what is offered. OEM's like Dell will have first dibs on the chips.

 

[Gumbolt]

What the user failed to mention was what pc they had and the fact they are not using win xp DOH. (Read another post) So much for going on about Window vista!

Would be good to know your current setup!!!!!!

If your systems 3-4+ years old then a refresh will provide a increase in performance. Going from pentium II 400 to P4 3.2ghz was a big jump for me and civ 4 runs fine. The internet is fast and word etc runs reasonably. I have had this sytem for just over 1 year and it does all i need.

Perhaps the question is over gaming performance on the new intel Processor in a month or so but i think the current generation will probably do all you want.

I think even on the Pentium 2 i ran windows xp. if your worried about system speed play small maps on civ4 till you buy new system. Theres no harm installing it. For the sake of 30 dollars its no big loss.

There are over 200mb of updates for windows xp so make sure to get the most recent copy.

Go buy a system and we can close this post.

Nothing to read here ladies and gentlemen. Moving on.

 

[surt]

Perhaps the question is over gaming performance on the new intel Processor in a month or so but i think the current generation will probably do all you want.

The reason to wait a month is that even if he just wants an old processor, the prices on the old processors are dropping as much as 60%, so he could save a couple of hundred dollars there, and get more ram or a better video card if that's what he wants.

 

[stwils]

But if you won't build and must do Dell...

Get this...
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=DXPS600G1&s=dhs

That would be my target, but maybe wait till Conroe hits and see what is offered. OEM's like Dell will have first dibs on the chips.[/QUOTE]

 

[stwils]

Thanks to all of you for helping me decide about a new computer.

And Tae, special thanks to you for going to the trouble to configue a Dell computer that would meet my needs.

So now I am going to sit tight and see what happens in late July. Also, I think I will try to go to one of the Dell computer stores in Atlanta, and play around with some of the computers and see what they say.

Also I am wanting to see the Dell 20 monitor (not the wide one) but I hear if you want to look at some things at 800x600 the 20 inch monitor, for mathematical reasons, would be clearer at that resolution.

Thanks again.
stwils