pwning Crysis

[GoodGame]

I have a friend that wants to build a computer that owns Crysis with his tax rebate. So what would you recommend. He had his heart set on a crazy custom $5000 rig from Alienware, but I convinced him building his own would be cheaper and better. A price range of $1500 (no monitor, no other parts lying around) is the goal.

SLI-ing twin 8800 GTSs is an option, but so is just going for a single 8800 Ultra.

My thoughts:
1. I see no reason to go quad core at this point, since this will be mostly for recreation, not work.
2. Not sure if X38 or 975X (basically DDR3 or DDR2) is best. I'd lean towards future proofing the rig with DDR3.
3. I know nothing about the ESA standard for cases other than it's supposedly a first and makes fine tweaking the system easier. The Silverstone case seems to get good reviews for cooling the video card, and I'd like to play with it so I recommended it. Any opinions on it?
4. Apparently reviews say that the new GTS owns Crysis without doubling up on it.


SILVERSTONE ESA Edition TJ10B-WESA Black Aluminum Computer Case

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$359.99




XFX PVT88GYDF4 GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

XFX PVT88GYDF4 GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814150261
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

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$20.00 Mail-in Rebate

$329.99
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XFX PVT88GYDD4 GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB XXX 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

XFX PVT88GYDD4 GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB XXX 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814150267
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

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$329.99
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G.SKILL 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK

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Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy

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Intel BOXD975XBX2KR LGA 775 Intel 975X ATX Intel Motherboard

Intel BOXD975XBX2KR LGA 775 Intel 975X ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
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Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy



$229.99




GIGABYTE GA-EX38-DQ6 LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard

GIGABYTE GA-EX38-DQ6 LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
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$269.99



Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 Conroe 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80557E6850
CAPCOM Lost Planet Extreme Condition – PC Game, Gift with Intel Purchase

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Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 Conroe 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80557E6850 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115028
Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy


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CAPCOM Lost Planet Extreme Condition – PC Game, Gift with Intel Purchase - OEM
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[Genocidicbunny]

Could you please edit those to be links? Its really hard to help when it takes 30 minutes just to find what you're thinking of buying.

 

[illram]

Have you looked at ibuypower.com? It's just a tad more expensive than building it yourself (maybe $100) and is highly customizable.

 

[azzaman333]

I don't think any current computer setup has the capability to pwn Crysis.

 

[warpus]

"Dual Channel memory" is a rip-off.

You can buy 2 sticks of the same kind of RAM and run it in dual channel mode. Does the same thing and will save you a bit of $.

 

[Speedo]

"Dual Channel memory" is a rip-off.

You can buy 2 sticks of the same kind of RAM and run it in dual channel mode. Does the same thing and will save you a bit of $.

Er, most of the time matched sets are the better deal price wise, unless maybe you're going for the cheap-o memory.

 

[warpus]

Er, most of the time matched sets are the better deal price wise, unless maybe you're going for the cheap-o memory.

I suppose it depends on where you're buying from. When I was putting together my machine a year ago, all the "Dual Channel" kits that I found were more expensive than if you bought 2 sticks of the same kind of RAM individually.. or even 2 sticks of the same kind of ram that were bundled together (they just weren't labelled as "Dual Channel"). Either way, it is something to watch out for, when you're buying RAM. "Dual Channel" is not a property of RAM, and you shouldn't be paying more for it. You can make any RAM dual channel, provided it's DDR and your motherboard supports it (and if it's new, it should).

As for Crysis.. I can run it on high in 1280×1024, without any slowdowns. Like I said, I put my machine together a year ago, and didn't spend more than $2k CDN on it, so you don't have to go overboard here to "pwn" it.

I have an EVGA 8800GTS 640
2GB of OCZ RAM running in dual channel running @ 800mhz
Athlon 64 X2 dual core 4800+ AMD chip
2 320mb SATA drives running in raid-1
EVGA nForce 590i motherboard
windows XP 32

 

[GoodGame]

I think I forgot to mention my friend wants to run it at 1600x1200 with full AA and linear filtering (or 'DVD' grade as he put it). So Warpus, what kind of FPS do you get if you krank up the settings to 1600?

 

[Zelig]

I think I forgot to mention my friend wants to run it at 1600x1200 with full AA and linear filtering (or 'DVD' grade as he put it). So Warpus, what kind of FPS do you get if you krank up the settings to 1600?

DVD resolution is 720x480.

And a computer like that should be running a 24" screen that does 1920x1200, you can pick one up for $350.

Regardless, no current setup is going to be playing Crysis maxed out with full AA/AF at 1920x1200. A pair of 8800 GTS G92 cards is about the best you'll be able to do.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

1600x1200 on max settings with full AA is impossible right now. Its almost impossible to do 1024x768 on highest with full AA as is. Tell your friend to either settle for quite a bit less, or wait a few years.

 

[azzaman333]

I don't think any current computer setup has the capability to pwn Crysis.

I think I forgot to mention my friend wants to run it at 1600x1200 with full AA and linear filtering (or 'DVD' grade as he put it). So Warpus, what kind of FPS do you get if you krank up the settings to 1600?

. .

 

[warpus]

I have no idea; I will check. I play all my games at my display's native resolution.

edit: Somehow I don't think I'm going to be too eager to upgrade my 19" Viewsonic display after I see the results