A good computer...?

[Doomwaffle]

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6420 (2x 2.13GHz/4MB L2 Cache/1066FSB)

MoBo: Asus P5N-E SLI nForce? 650i SLI Chipset w/6-channel CODEC, Gb LAN, S-ATA Raid, USB 2.0, IEEE-1394 Dual PCI-E MB

Memory: 2048MB [1024MB X2] DDR2-800 PC6400

Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 8800GTS 640MB w/DVI + TV Out Video

Hard Drive: 500 GB HARD DRIVE [Serial-ATA-II, 3Gb, 7200 RPM, 16M Cache]

OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (Thought I'd give it a try, can always "Upgrade" to XP)


This is my brother's new computer he ordered. 8 FRIGGIN TIMES the ram our current PC has! Is this a good one? Price about $1,500. (Custom built w00t)

 

[ImmuneEntity]

Yes, it's good, depending on how you define good. It's certainly better than my comp I built three years ago Core 2 Duo is definitely the way to go right now, and you'll definitely want at least 2 gigs of RAM if you're using Vista (and gaming I assume). I'm not too familiar with the NVIDIA cards right now, but it looks like a good one The only downside in my opinion is that the hard drive is not 10,000 RPM (I like my hard drives fast). Other than that, pretty nice for 1500.

 

[arcthemonkey]

It's not a bad PC by any means, but I have three thoughts.

Dual Core processors are notoriously bad for gaming right now, since many games (older games, mostly) aren't threaded correctly to benefit from dual core, leaving them running on one, pretty darned slow core. It probably won't be a huge deal, but it's something that may present itself.

The GeForce 8800GTX series is pretty much the hottest GPU out there, and eats DX9 and DX10 for breakfast. The GeForce 8800GTS card is, from what I understand, actually approx. a 7800GTX with DX10 support, meaning it's not as good as it sounds. I COULD be wrong about this - there might be a 8200GTS or something that I'm thinking about.

Chances are equally good that the 8800GTS (especially with so much RAM) kicks ass as well. I'm just sort of rambling.

HOWEVER, $1500 is a little steep, but is a decent price for a computer he didn't have to build himself. Self-built it probably would have run maybe $1000 - $1100, not counting monitor or OS. Then, of course, you'd have to build it yourself, too.

It's a good computer, is my point. You'll prolly need a second GPU SLI'd in there to crunch something like Crysis, but it's gonna get you through a lot.

 

[Doomwaffle]

My brother wants to get supreme commander and FEAR and quite possibly Crysis. SOOO new games all the way!

 

[ImmuneEntity]

Dual Core processors are notoriously bad for gaming right now, since many games (older games, mostly) aren't threaded correctly to benefit from dual core, leaving them running on one, pretty darned slow core. It probably won't be a huge deal, but it's something that may present itself.

Yes, but this is Core 2 Duo, which I believe is the highest recommended for gaming right now, and basically the most efficient consumer processor out there. It knocks the socks off of anything AMD. Many articles and posts I've read from those who use Core 2 Duo report virtually no latency in any games.