Help! Gaming PC:Where To Start

Coolness said:

delilah95 said:

Coolness said:

First off: Almost all new games support multiple cores, but i agree, for gaming you only need a dual core since most of the work is done by the GPU
Number two: Graphics cards always have a high chance of malfunction. It is recommended that you have a backup as an intergated. Also, 64-bit OS's support 4gb+ RAM, while 32-bits only -4gb. DDR3 is how fast the RAM is, measured in Mhz
DDR3 SDRAM - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hmmm.. right so the OS won't be a factor in that situation. Thanks for the help...I understand that an intergrated backed up graphics card is a good idea, thats interesting but means that some of the specs in mind will have to go down obviously as the motehrboard will cost more...in terms of motherboards with decent processors on AND intergrated graphics card where do they stand because for example a hardcore gamer probably won't be interested in an intergrates graphics card...or will they?

No, youre right, gamers wont be doing anything with that integrated one, but if something fails, you will need to be able to actually open the computer and check settings in BIOS or Windows. This is not possible without a screen. So think of it as an insurance, its costs you, but when something fails, you get re-funded by not having to go out and buy a new graphics card.

extremly good point!! :) just out of interest do most stock computers have backup graphics cards as well?

Wishmaster said:

I would go with a quad if you can swing it. theres a few games that support multi-threading now, and more to come.

Although a dual core will be fine as well for gaming, Quad Core optimized gaming is picking up pace.

A few current games that support Quad cores are: (may be more)
Alanwake
Bioshock
Company of Heros
Dragon Age Origins
Far Cry 2
Half Life 2-Ep 2
Hellgate London
Lost Planet
Ms Flight Sim X
Portal
Rainbow Six Vegas
Stalker
Stranglehold
Supreme Commander
Unreal Tourn. 3
Source Engine
Unreal Engine 3

So if any of these you play, a quad will benefit you. As well as future multi-threaded games.
Still, a dual will be fine for gaming.

Memory Speed itself doesnt have a great impact on gaming. DDR2 will be just as good as DDR3.

However, since building a new machine, DDR3 would be best the way to go.
DDR2 only makes sense if you have a good board that uses it atm and upgrading it a bit. For a new build id stay away from it.
As Frostmourne pointed out, its dying off fast.

youll find you can get DDR3 for the same price as DDR2 now, or cheaper. DDR2 prices have jumped a good deal.

sounds promising so DDR3 is the senisible way to go however (forgive me) i guess its alot factor but what is that makes it factor the layout of make up of components?

delilah95 said:

Coolness said:

delilah95 said:

Hmmm.. right so the OS won't be a factor in that situation. Thanks for the help...I understand that an intergrated backed up graphics card is a good idea, thats interesting but means that some of the specs in mind will have to go down obviously as the motehrboard will cost more...in terms of motherboards with decent processors on AND intergrated graphics card where do they stand because for example a hardcore gamer probably won't be interested in an intergrates graphics card...or will they?

No, youre right, gamers wont be doing anything with that integrated one, but if something fails, you will need to be able to actually open the computer and check settings in BIOS or Windows. This is not possible without a screen. So think of it as an insurance, its costs you, but when something fails, you get re-funded by not having to go out and buy a new graphics card.

extremly good point!! :) just out of interest do most stock computers have backup graphics cards as well?

Yeah, it depends on the mobo, but most computers have a intergrated "backup" graphics card.

Coolness said:

delilah95 said:

Coolness said:

No, youre right, gamers wont be doing anything with that integrated one, but if something fails, you will need to be able to actually open the computer and check settings in BIOS or Windows. This is not possible without a screen. So think of it as an insurance, its costs you, but when something fails, you get re-funded by not having to go out and buy a new graphics card.

extremly good point!! :) just out of interest do most stock computers have backup graphics cards as well?

Yeah, it depends on the mobo, but most computers have a intergrated "backup" graphics card.

right ok sounds like it'll be on the mobo anyways....

delilah95 said:

Coolness said:

delilah95 said:

extremly good point!! :) just out of interest do most stock computers have backup graphics cards as well?

Yeah, it depends on the mobo, but most computers have a intergrated "backup" graphics card.

right ok sounds like it'll be on the mobo anyways....

I've seen a decrease in the amount of intergrated cards in newever mobos. Choose well, peace

with any PC a good place to start is the processor, with gaming PC make sure you leave plenty of room for a nice graphics card and consider future upgrade possibilities for crossfire or sli support depending on which card you go for.