help with computer build.

I just want to upgrade my mother board video card and ram. Looking to not go over $500. I haven't been keeping track of things lately, so I don't know how to get the most bang out of my buck. My current computer can't really handle TA and I could use something better for editing videos.

What are your current specs?

My knee-jerk response is that if you're spending $500 you might as well get a new computer.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/build-a-pc-value-overclock,3033.html

http://hi-rez.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/269/~/what-are-the-minimum-and-recommended-system-requirements-for-tribes%3A-ascend%3F

Hope this help
Post edited by Friendo at 11/17/2011 6:10:30 PM

I wanna spend ~1k (can go over if it's worth it) for a new system.

I can use old DVD drive and storage drive.

Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155

CORSAIR CAFA50 120mm CPU Cooler

ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

CORSAIR XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333

XFX HD-695X-ZNFC Radeon HD 6950 1GB

COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

SanDisk Ultra SDSSDH-120G-G25 2.5" 120GB SATA II Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

CORSAIR Builder Series CX600 V2 600W

Comes out to ~1k before tax on newegg.ca

6950 1GB vs. GTX 560 Ti?
SATA II vs SATA III SSD? I hear there's hardly a difference, and this one is like 50 bucks cheaper

Any suggestions?

Also these should be even more helpful

Best Graphics Cards for the Money
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/fastest-graphics-card-radeon-geforce,3067.html

Best Processors for the Money
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-cpu-overclocking,3052.html
Post edited by Friendo at 11/17/2011 8:57:38 PM

Originally posted by: Friendo

http://hi-rez.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/269/~/what-are-the-minimum-and-recommended-system-requirements-for-tribes%3A-ascend%3F

Note: Due to potential programming changes, the Minimum System Requirements for Tribe: Ascend may change over time.

Was this written by dare?

Originally posted by: Meyog
What are your current specs?

My knee-jerk response is that if you're spending $500 you might as well get a new computer.

I figure not having to buy a case, power supply, dvd, hard drive would save me some money. My current system is less than 3 years old.

Windows 7
Intel pentium D 2.80 2800mhz dual core, intel MB
2 GB ram
Nvidia 9500 GT (512mb I think)
Creative Sb X-fi sound

Originally posted by: Friendo
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/build-a-pc-value-overclock,3033.html

http://hi-rez.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/269/~/what-are-the-minimum-and-recommended-system-requirements-for-tribes%3A-ascend%3F

Hope this help

Good stuff Friendo! thanks.

I notice no one mention having a cross fire setup, is this not the thing to do any more? I don't know much about it.

There are not many crossfire/sli options in the $500 range if you are including other parts.

Another problem is Micro-Stuttering.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-geforce-stutter-crossfire,2995.html

Interesting stuff. How much more do you think I would have to pay for a laptop with the same specs as that $500 machine. I am thinking if it is a few hundred more, I just might go that route. I haven't found anything in my searches yet.

Like twice or three times as much, I think. The best single gpus for laptops have about the same performance as the GTX 560 or the HD 6870.

So a laptop with say i7 cpu and a gtx560M would do the trick? I think I see some for around $799. Since I need a new laptop, I might as well kill two birds with one stone.

Yes, I'm willing to bet that that would play T:A well enough. What kind of hard drive does it have?

T:A suks.. upgrade for something else

Many people will offer you different configs... some good, some rubbish.

You best bet is to look on some sites for tested barebone systems.. I.E computers that come with the mobo, cpu, ram and gfx card as a package. They're usually well thought out and cheap as in they will have the perfect gfx card for the CPU and BUS speed so you don't end up buying a motherboard and CPU and getting a graphics card that 20% of it s power is wasted.

Also overclocking is your friend. Spending 30 dollah more on a decent heatsink for a CPU and a couple of decents fan will probably mean you can overclock the CPU and FSB by 33% greatly improving performace with no extra heat or noise. End result you get a far faster machine for your money.

Bottom line is look at retailers who sell guaranteed overclocked barebone systems (mobo, ram, CPU and gfx with a decent heatsink and main cooling fan)

You;ll find your $500 will go on a machine of the samer performance as someone who spent $1000 on hardware without overclocking... and would run pretty much every game on max detail without a problem (crysis 2 excluded)

And I just read your comment re: getting a decent laptop so you can kill 2 birds with 1 stone...

Laptops are terrible performace wise unless you are willing to fork out alot ($2000) for a decent gaming laptop.. and even then you could have gotten an amazing gaming desktop for that money..

My own opinion on the matter is build a decent desktop for gaming and spend a couple of hundred dollah on a laptop that will cover you for surfing etc.

Then you have the best of both worlds with a backup machine. Instead of buying an below average laptop for 800 dollah that covers both you could spend 600 on a decent desktop (excluding monitor) and then buy a cheaper laptop that makes it easier for you to watch porn in bed.
Post edited by EpsilonNav at 11/29/2011 8:55:20 PM

you know a lot about compewtars for someone with apparent access to a pussy

This is true, I have always built my own machines and I have worked in IT for 12 years. Trust me, theres girls out there just as nerdy - few and far between but they are out there.. Pretty cool being a nerd and finding a female educated to the same level who can achive more in life than having babies and being a housewife. Its called equality in a social system. The secret in finding a girl like that? Not being overweight and living your life online playing World of Warcraft.

Building your own rig is hardly complicated anymore, its bascially lego. Even if you don't know what to do, you have access to internet and a vast amount of knowledge.. like guides on how to put together your own rig. All you have to do is research in compatable hardware bundles.. and you don't even have to spend too much time doing that these days as there are many retailers out there now who do the research for you and slap it all in a bundle for you anyways. Most even build the barebones for you. Its hardly complicated.. its a nights work.

And there is always the easy way out if you're not bothered or too stupid to spend 1 night researching and another night building... its called Dell. Does the job but far more expensive compared what you could do with 16 hours of work and the ability to read english.

Don't confuse a GTX 560 with a 560M.

A 560M is below the recommended system but above the system requirements. I expect you could probably play the game on low settings with approximately 45 FPS(this is only an estimate).

By the way, where did you find that laptop?

This is not the one I first looked at, but similar.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1165594&CatId=4938