Difference between revisions of "Recommended Hardware"
From TNGCwiki
(First draft) |
|||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
Seems nearly everyone is thinking of an upgrade right now. To avoid repeating myself and give everyone the benefit of my research over the last month I've created this Hardware chart of what is worth considering to buy. | Seems nearly everyone is thinking of an upgrade right now. To avoid repeating myself and give everyone the benefit of my research over the last month I've created this Hardware chart of what is worth considering to buy. | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
There are 3 categories of Hardware; | There are 3 categories of Hardware; | ||
| − | * Budget is the bare minimum you should be considering buying at this moment in time to give | + | * Budget is the bare minimum you should be considering buying at this moment in time to give smooth performance on the lowest settings. |
| − | * Recommended is the best value for money combined with | + | * Recommended is the best value for money combined with smooth performance on higher settings. |
| − | * Performance is for those | + | * Performance is for those who want absolutely flawless performance on the highest settings. |
| − | Components | + | == Components == |
{| align = "center" cellspacing = "0" border = "1" | {| align = "center" cellspacing = "0" border = "1" | ||
| − | |- style="background-color:# | + | |- style="background-color:#FF8040;" |
| − | | Component | + | | style="background-color:#FF8040;" | Component |
| Budget | | Budget | ||
| Recommend | | Recommend | ||
| Performance | | Performance | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | Processor | + | | style="background-color:#FF8040;" | Processor |
| − | | Intel E2180 | + | | [http://www.intel.com/cd/products/services/emea/eng/processors/pentium_dual-core/340988.htm Intel E2180] - Bargin chip that is very cool. Good for gaming because it is easy to overclock to 3GHz (9x333) to give comparable performance to a Core 2 Duo. More then enough to power a 8800 GT. |
| − | | Q6600 | + | | [http://www.intel.com/cd/products/services/emea/eng/processors/core2quad/333380.htm Intel Q6600] - Quad core may not be as fast as Dual Core right now. As more games become Multicore enabled and can take advantage of more then 2 cores then Quad core will out live a Dual Core. Easy to overclock processor similar to the E2180. Simply overclock to 3GHz (9x333). |
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | Motherboard | + | | style="background-color:#FF8040;" | Motherboard |
| | | | ||
| − | | Asus P5K/EPU - Very good overclocking board using the proven Intel P35 chipset with impressive energy saving functionality. This motherboard isn't recommended if you have a case were the PSU is mounted at the bottom of the case. | + | | [http://uk.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=3&l2=11&l3=534&l4=0&model=2075&modelmenu=1 Asus P5K/EPU] - Very good overclocking board using the proven Intel P35 chipset with impressive energy saving functionality. This motherboard isn't recommended if you have a case were the PSU is mounted at the bottom of the case. |
| − | | Asus P5Q range - These are the new Intel P45 chipset motherboards due out June 2008. They are just as impressive P5K range but with faster memory support, better overclocking potential and some handy new features like Express Gate. | + | | [http://uk.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=3&l2=11 Asus P5Q range] - These are the new Intel P45 chipset motherboards due out June 2008. They are just as impressive P5K range but with faster memory support, better overclocking potential and some handy new features like Express Gate. |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | Memory | + | | style="background-color:#FF8040;" | Memory |
| − | | [http://www.corsairmemory.com/products/xms2.aspx Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400] (2GB kit) - | + | | [http://www.corsairmemory.com/products/xms2.aspx Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400] (2GB kit) - Minimum amount of memory you should be considering. |
| [http://www.corsairmemory.com/products/xms2.aspx Corsair TWIN2X4096-6400C5] (4GB Kit) | | [http://www.corsairmemory.com/products/xms2.aspx Corsair TWIN2X4096-6400C5] (4GB Kit) | ||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | Graphics card | + | | style="background-color:#FF8040;" | Graphics card |
| | | | ||
| − | | Asus EN8800GT TOP/G/HTDP/512M - The NVIDIA 8800 GT GPU is still king of the hill in terms of price/performance. The Asus TOP version has a better cooler and squeezes some extra speed out the GPU. | + | | [http://uk.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=2&l2=6&l3=442&l4=0&model=1938&modelmenu=1 Asus EN8800GT TOP/G/HTDP/512M] - The NVIDIA 8800 GT GPU is still king of the hill in terms of price/performance. The Asus TOP version has a better cooler and squeezes some extra speed out the GPU. |
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | Case | + | | style="background-color:#FF8040;" | Case |
| − | | [http://www.antec.com/uk/productDetails.php?ProdID=08300 Antec Three Hundred] or | + | | [http://www.antec.com/uk/productDetails.php?ProdID=08300 Antec Three Hundred] ''or'' |
| − | [http://www.antec.com/uk/productDetails.php?ProdID=08143 Antec Sonata III 500] - Really this is a matter of personal choice. The | + | [http://www.antec.com/uk/productDetails.php?ProdID=08143 Antec Sonata III 500] - Really this is a matter of personal choice. The Antec Three Hundred is in my mind better looking. It also has the PSU at the bottom which gives better overall airflow in your case. This is the better choice if you plan to overclock because of the extra fans you can add to improve cooling. |
On the otherhand the Antec Sonata III 500 comes with a Antec EarthWatts 500watt highly efficient power supply. Which works out at great value for money. The Sonata is also quieter. | On the otherhand the Antec Sonata III 500 comes with a Antec EarthWatts 500watt highly efficient power supply. Which works out at great value for money. The Sonata is also quieter. | ||
| − | | Antec Nine Hundred - This is the bigger brother to the Three Hundred and awesome in just about every way you can think of. | + | | [http://www.antec.com/uk/productDetails.php?ProdID=08009 Antec Nine Hundred] - This is the bigger brother to the Three Hundred and awesome in just about every way you can think of. |
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | Power Supply (PSU) | + | | style="background-color:#FF8040;" | Power Supply (PSU) |
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | Hard Disk | + | | style="background-color:#FF8040;" | Hard Disk |
| − | | | + | | |
| [http://www.samsung.com/global/business/hdd/productSubType.do?group=72&type=61&subtype=63# Samsung Spinpoint F1 HD103UJ 1TB SATAII 32MB Cache] - In a class of its own is this Samsung Hard Disk. Brilliant performance thanks to its large cache and high density platters. Several reviews show it matches the performance of 74GB Raptors but you get 1000GB of storage with the Samsung. | | [http://www.samsung.com/global/business/hdd/productSubType.do?group=72&type=61&subtype=63# Samsung Spinpoint F1 HD103UJ 1TB SATAII 32MB Cache] - In a class of its own is this Samsung Hard Disk. Brilliant performance thanks to its large cache and high density platters. Several reviews show it matches the performance of 74GB Raptors but you get 1000GB of storage with the Samsung. | ||
| − | | | + | | |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | DVD Drive | + | | style="background-color:#FF8040;" | DVD Drive |
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | Soundcard | + | | style="background-color:#FF8040;" | Soundcard |
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| Line 65: | Line 63: | ||
|} | |} | ||
| − | Peripherals | + | == Peripherals == |
{| align = "center" cellspacing = "0" border = "1" | {| align = "center" cellspacing = "0" border = "1" | ||
| − | |- style="background-color:# | + | |- style="background-color:#FF8040;" |
| − | | Peripheral | + | | style="background-color:#FF8040;" | Peripheral |
| Budget | | Budget | ||
| Recommended | | Recommended | ||
| Performance | | Performance | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | Monitor | + | | style="background-color:#FF8040;" | Monitor |
| | | | ||
| − | | [http://www.samsung.com/uk/consumer/detail/detail.do?group=itbusiness&type=monitors&subtype=lcd&model_cd=LS22PEBSFV/EDC Samsung SM 2232BW] - This is exceptionally highly recommended. Several people in the Community have one. All agree it is phenomenal. Its a 22'' widescreen meaning a 1680x1050 native resolution ideal for gaming. Looks amazing too and is really well priced! | + | | [http://www.samsung.com/uk/consumer/detail/detail.do?group=itbusiness&type=monitors&subtype=lcd&model_cd=LS22PEBSFV/EDC Samsung SM 2232BW] - This is exceptionally highly recommended. Several people in the Community have one. All agree it is phenomenal. Its a 22<nowiki>''</nowiki> widescreen meaning a 1680x1050 native resolution ideal for gaming. Looks amazing too and is really well priced! |
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | Speakers | + | | style="background-color:#FF8040;" | Speakers |
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | Keyboard | + | | style="background-color:#FF8040;" | Keyboard |
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | Mouse | + | | style="background-color:#FF8040;" | Mouse |
| | | | ||
| [http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/mice_pointers/mice/devices/359&cl=gb,en Logitech G5] - Really accurate and comfortable. It is Wired and could probably benefit from the Scroll up button being moved in front of the mouse wheel like the old MX510. | | [http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/mice_pointers/mice/devices/359&cl=gb,en Logitech G5] - Really accurate and comfortable. It is Wired and could probably benefit from the Scroll up button being moved in front of the mouse wheel like the old MX510. | ||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | Mouse Pad | + | | style="background-color:#FF8040;" | Mouse Pad |
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
|} | |} | ||
| − | + | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Category:Community]] | ||
Revision as of 21:58, 1 June 2008
Seems nearly everyone is thinking of an upgrade right now. To avoid repeating myself and give everyone the benefit of my research over the last month I've created this Hardware chart of what is worth considering to buy.
There are 3 categories of Hardware;
- Budget is the bare minimum you should be considering buying at this moment in time to give smooth performance on the lowest settings.
- Recommended is the best value for money combined with smooth performance on higher settings.
- Performance is for those who want absolutely flawless performance on the highest settings.
Components
| Component | Budget | Recommend | Performance |
| Processor | Intel E2180 - Bargin chip that is very cool. Good for gaming because it is easy to overclock to 3GHz (9x333) to give comparable performance to a Core 2 Duo. More then enough to power a 8800 GT. | Intel Q6600 - Quad core may not be as fast as Dual Core right now. As more games become Multicore enabled and can take advantage of more then 2 cores then Quad core will out live a Dual Core. Easy to overclock processor similar to the E2180. Simply overclock to 3GHz (9x333). | |
| Motherboard | Asus P5K/EPU - Very good overclocking board using the proven Intel P35 chipset with impressive energy saving functionality. This motherboard isn't recommended if you have a case were the PSU is mounted at the bottom of the case. | Asus P5Q range - These are the new Intel P45 chipset motherboards due out June 2008. They are just as impressive P5K range but with faster memory support, better overclocking potential and some handy new features like Express Gate. | |
| Memory | Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400 (2GB kit) - Minimum amount of memory you should be considering. | Corsair TWIN2X4096-6400C5 (4GB Kit) | |
| Graphics card | Asus EN8800GT TOP/G/HTDP/512M - The NVIDIA 8800 GT GPU is still king of the hill in terms of price/performance. The Asus TOP version has a better cooler and squeezes some extra speed out the GPU. | ||
| Case | Antec Three Hundred or
Antec Sonata III 500 - Really this is a matter of personal choice. The Antec Three Hundred is in my mind better looking. It also has the PSU at the bottom which gives better overall airflow in your case. This is the better choice if you plan to overclock because of the extra fans you can add to improve cooling. On the otherhand the Antec Sonata III 500 comes with a Antec EarthWatts 500watt highly efficient power supply. Which works out at great value for money. The Sonata is also quieter. |
Antec Nine Hundred - This is the bigger brother to the Three Hundred and awesome in just about every way you can think of. | |
| Power Supply (PSU) | |||
| Hard Disk | Samsung Spinpoint F1 HD103UJ 1TB SATAII 32MB Cache - In a class of its own is this Samsung Hard Disk. Brilliant performance thanks to its large cache and high density platters. Several reviews show it matches the performance of 74GB Raptors but you get 1000GB of storage with the Samsung. | ||
| DVD Drive | |||
| Soundcard |
Peripherals
| Peripheral | Budget | Recommended | Performance |
| Monitor | Samsung SM 2232BW - This is exceptionally highly recommended. Several people in the Community have one. All agree it is phenomenal. Its a 22'' widescreen meaning a 1680x1050 native resolution ideal for gaming. Looks amazing too and is really well priced! | ||
| Speakers | |||
| Keyboard | |||
| Mouse | Logitech G5 - Really accurate and comfortable. It is Wired and could probably benefit from the Scroll up button being moved in front of the mouse wheel like the old MX510. | ||
| Mouse Pad |
