Can someone evaluate the computer I am about to build please.

[nicknitro]

About to build a new computer for Empire: Total War and would like some advice on what to change, what not to change..ect. Thanks

Cost: $1,312.54
After mail in rebates:
$1,227

Processor:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80569Q9550 - Retail

Will most likely overclock to 3.0 ghz.

Motherboard:
ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Case:
NZXT Apollo Black SECC Steel Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Video Card:
EVGA 01G-P3-1285-AR GeForce GTX 285 SC Edition 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

Power Supply:
CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

RAM:
CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5 - Retail

Hardrive:
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500AAKS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

Extras:
Thermaltake SpinQ Performance Series cooler
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM

 

[rohan23]

If that's your budget, you should go with an i7 build. Where do you live in the world? What site do you order from? What size monitor are you using?

 

[nicknitro]

If that's your budget, you should go with an i7 build. Where do you live in the world? What site do you order from? What size monitor are you using?

USA, Newegg..my monitor now is a pretty big CRT, the max resolution is 1920 x 1440 I believe.

 

[worshipme]

An i7 920, motherboard and RAM is going to cost $630, compared to $460 for a Q9550, P45 and 4GB DDR2.
It depends on what you want this build for, the Q9550 will most likely keep up with the i7 in single threaded apps and games, but in multi threaded apps, the i7 will be noticeably faster, so it depends on what you're going to do with the system.

I'd also go with a modular PSU, like the Xigmatek 750W, it's manufactured by the CWT like the Corsair TX line, but has modular cabling which is really useful.

 

[JogaBonito1502]

I'd also go with a modular PSU, like the Xigmatek 750W, it's manufactured by the CWT like the Corsair TX line, but has modular cabling which is really useful.[/QUOTE]

Agreed!

It seems to me like this is a gaming computer. I'd consider cutting back on the C2Q and go with something like a C2D E8600. Since games are mostly dual-threaded applications you will benefit for higher clocks over more cores. I'm not so sure on what kind of game Empire: Total War is, but if you want to give the edge of technology a try you could get the nVidia 3D Vision Kit. For $200, you will get a pair of 3D goggles (legit ones) that will play your game in 3D. Since the later games are already programmed with some 3D planes (for depth and texture and such) you can actually get some 3D effects. I'd research the game a little more to see if it applies. It could be something very interesting to have. One hardware requirement however is a 120Hz refresh rate on the monitor. The reason I recommended these is because there's only one LCD monitor that has this, the rest are all CRTs.

 

[spywarebanisher]

LOL. empire total war definitely does not need these kinds of specs.

if it does, the game developers suck at optimizing games.


btw, go lower on the power supply and save some money. dont overspend.
850w for that comp is overkill unless you are running all the lights in your house from the computer...

a 600W is more than enuff. if it was me, i would go for a 500 W antec earthwatts psu.

 

[Atomic Rooster]

There's only one problem with your suggestion of the Antec Earthwatts 500W spywarebanisher, the GTX 285 requires at least a 550W PSU with 40A @ 12V. I wouldn't go with anything less than a high quality 600W for that setup.

 

[spywarebanisher]

There's only one problem with your suggestion of the Antec Earthwatts 500W spywarebanisher, the GTX 285 requires at least a 550W PSU with 40A @ 12V.

no it does not. clearly from my statistics graph, it does not.

edit: i just added one. xD

 

[JogaBonito1502]

Oh, Empire: Total War is not the kind of game to use the 3D nVision. Scratch that idea.