Gaming PC Help (Specs)

[I Am Oedipus]

Hi, I'm looking to buy a Pc for only NBA 2k11. I can't stand the lack of customization on the console version. I'm not too knowledgeable about pc specs, but I've found a few computers on ebay with the following specs. I was wondering if any of them would be able to run 2k11 on high settings, or would it be cheaper to custom build one? Anybodies feedback is appreciated. Thanks

Option 1: 9800 GTX vid card, 4 GIG RAM and Intel Core 2 Duo @ 2.20 GHZ - $300
Option 2:AMD II X4 620 CPU, Radeon 4850 IceQ graphics card with 512 DDR3, 2 GIG DDR2 - $350
Option 3 REMOVED
Option 4: Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit, FATAL1TY AN9 32X Gaming Motherboard, AMD Anthlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5600+ 2.8ghz, 4.5 GB DDR2 Ram, 9800 GT 512mb Video Card - $300
Option 5: 2GB Ram, AMD 6000+ (3.0ghz), XFX 4850 1gb video - $300

[benji]

It's probably cheaper in the long run to build one yourself instead of buying a used one. (In terms of that you'll spend more now but have better upgrade paths and a longer life with the tech.) That said, all of those except #3 should be able to play on or around high at say 30 fps.

If I had to pick one, I'd probably lean towards #5 because of that card. 2GB of RAM is fine and RAM is cheap enough you can add more easily. Then again, is #4 the only one that comes with Windows? Because that's added cost so that might sway me to it.

[I Am Oedipus]

Thanks for your opinion, I really appreciate it. I have Xp and Windows 7 install discs already, so I can install either which ever computer. I'm not really concerned about upgrading in the future, all I really want is a computer that can play this game without stuttering and with beautiful graphics. Is 30 fps decent w/o any lagging/stuttering? I see all of these cyberface mods on this site, and am dying to try them out. They truly blow the console version away.

[benji]

If you already have Windows 7 64-bit, I'd lean for option five then, you can usually pick up extra RAM pretty cheap on the internet, especially during sales, if you'd like to double that up to 4GB. (Or up to 3GB if it was 32-bit.) But you don't necessarily have to upgrade that RAM though it is fairly simple.

There is lagging/stuttering that is inherent in the engine, but option five should run the game pretty well at highest settings other than that. Easily better than the consoles do even despite the higher resolutions. Obviously spending more you would get better performance, but for $300 (price of a PS3!) you should be getting well enough performance with almost any of those options sans #3. (Definitely avoid #3.)

[wicked waway]

I got a performance boost going from an e8400@ 3.6Ghz to a Core i7 950 stock..I guess the game benefits a lot from having 4 cores..With that in mind, I say go for option 2

[fivestringer]

I got a performance boost going from an e8400@ 3.6Ghz to a Core i7 950 stock..I guess the game benefits a lot from having 4 cores..With that in mind, I say go for option 2

agree with kababayan wicked waway ... still using an old 9600gt on an amd x4 phenom, all settings are high and on, framerate is very good

[Lunatic Wolf]

The 4850 should give you max settings at 1920x1200 with some AA and AF at 60 frames.

[I Am Oedipus]

Thanks everybody. The only 2 remaining computers left for sale that I'm looking at are Options 1 and 4 from above Here's some updated info for Options 1 & 4.

Updated, now with 6Gigs of RAM
Option 1: Custom built Dell Inpiron Gaming Tower
-2.20GHZ core 2 duo
- 6 gig of RAM
- Nvidia 9800 GTX 1GB DDR3 graphics card
- 500 GIG HD + 160 GIG Empty drive ,TV tuner, wireless Capable, 550 watt power supply. wireless Microsoft keyboard and Mouse., X-BOX wireless controller

Option 4:
- AMD Anthlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5600+ 2.8ghz
- 4.5 GB DDR2 Ram
- 9800 GT 512mb Video Card
- Solid Aluminum Black Lian Li Case with clear side panel
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... -_-Product)
- FATAL1TY AN9 32X Gaming Motherboard

Basically the questions I have are is the 9800 GTX 1Gb better w/2.20ghz compared to the 9800 GT 512mb w/64 X2 Dual Core 5600+ 2.8ghz? The recommended processor speed for NBA 2k11 is 3.0ghz also.

[Ashman23]

Option 1 would be my pick of the two

[I Am Oedipus]

That's what I was thinking too, but the games recommended to run with 3.0ghz.

[jenz]

core2duo 2.2ghz > 3.0ghz.

[Lunatic Wolf]

That's what I was thinking too, but the games recommended to run with 3.0ghz.

Ignore that.

Core2Duo is faster because it does more work for each gigahertz.

[wicked waway]

That's what I was thinking too, but the games recommended to run with 3.0ghz.

That "recommended" speed is applicable to the slowest processors possible (I never really bothered checking hardware requirements but maybe it was referring to a Netburst based system)..Anyway, just to let you know, Core i7 920's stock speed is less than 3Ghz so there goes the 3Ghz recommended speed

from your two options here are my thoughts

Core 2 Duo > Athlon 64 x2
9800GTX > 9800GT
6Gb RAM > 4.5Gb Ram (why the odd value?)

To be honest..those are quite old specs..why dont you choose newer ones..I dont think they would be a lot more expensive..And please consider a quad core..if you do not upgrade often, a quad will last you longer

[I Am Oedipus]

Wicked waway, I found a computer with a quad core processor like you suggested. Here are the specs:

- AMD quad core gaming machine, 9750 processor
- 3870 512mb video card
- 4 Gigs OCZ Reaper RAM
- 320Gig harddririve
- 2 DVD drives one is a combo the other DVD burner
- Biostar TA790GX 128M motherboard, this board can be set up with dual cards in crossfire
- Antec 430 watt power supply

What do you think? I was thinking get this and pick up a EVGA 896-P3-1255-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB from craigslist for $80. Total around $300 again.

[wicked waway]

replacing the 3870 (they still sell those?!) with a GTX 260 (old more than enough for 2k11) is good but to be honest,the AMD 9750 isnt a very potent Quad..its slower than the old Q6600..plus Im not so sure about the PSU.

Can you order from newegg (or any etailer accessible to you?)? maybe i can see if there are better deals

[I Am Oedipus]

Yes, I can order from Newegg.com. Just let me know what you can find, that'd be really helpful.

[benji]

Can you put together a PC by yourself?

If you can and can wait, I'm sure we collectively could give you something pretty great via NewEgg.

[I Am Oedipus]

I have a friend who could install all the parts so that wouldn't be a problem. I can wait if there's a better option out there.

[benji]

One important thing then would be, what's your budget and what do you have?

[I Am Oedipus]

All I have is a monitor, 500gb hdd, keyboard & mouse. Budget would be around $350 but hopefully closer to $300. I don't need the latest tech, all I want is a computer that can play 2k11 at max settings. I play all my other games on the console so I'd just be using this for NBA this year.