Getting a new PC, advice appreciated Options

[Ramirez]

So, I can now consider getting a new machine that will be able to play the game but I am somewhat overwhelmed by all the components on http://www.ebuyer.com (where I will almost certainly be buying them). A friend is going to help me build the thing but I'd like some idea o what I need before we go and order parts. Right now I am not entirely sure what I need to be able to run the game reasonably well. I checked the system reccomendations and they looked easy enough, but when it came to looking at the components I got all confused I don't want to spend much more than £500... I guess I could go nearer £600 but I would prefer not to... it is just all very confusing. I don't need to play the game on the highest settings, just... reasonably well

For example, this http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/63119 caught my eye when I was browsing but I'm not exactly sure what I'm looking at. Then there are the dual core things

Then I started looking at graphics cards and got even more confused... Something like this http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/115739 is a nice price but I have no idea what it does.

Nothing is certain at the moment and my friend can probably help when he gets back but I was just hoping some people here coul give me some pointers before I go spending.

This post has been edited by Ramirez: Sep 24 2006, 10:28 AM

[Saffas Missionary]

Ok, when I buy computers, I spend hours planning them out. What you would want to do in theory (Depends how good you are with computers) is to buy parts and assemble (what your doin I think...). Well, AMD athlon 64 is basically the best processor you can get, but the problem is, normal versions of windows DO NOT support 64 bit processing. This makes for spending an extra $200 (not sure in £). If you do not wish to pay that for 64 bit processing, then the best intel processor is the new core duo. This provides fairly fast duel core processing (Once again, duel core does NOT double application speed, it mearly speeds up when running multiple operations which is almost all the time). A cheaper way to go would be the Intel Pentium 4 Hyper Threading 3.4 Ghz (not sure exact model, costs about 140-180), or the 1.66 Ghz duel core in same price range. Both of these cause major overheating problems which means you are going to have to get a better heatsink/processor fan as opposed to the cheap packaged ones.

As for motherboard, you are looking for high bus speed with the right slot. I do not know all the slots off hand, but I believe the HT 3.4 intel pentium 4 is a slot LGA775. You should not have to spend more than about $80 on a motherboard.

Ram you should get 1 gig of DDR ram (or 512 Is ok I guess).

If you want fast graphics, You want a PCI express graphics card (DO NOT GET A REGULAR ONE ).

blah balh blah im tired of typing... so hope thats remotely helpful ><