Building A Computer with The System Requirements

[rendelgrendel]

Long Computer Build Post Ahead. Any help appreciated.

I now have official system requirements:

The initial system requirements for Darkfall are as follows:

Operating System: Windows XP, Vista
Processor: 2.5GHz Pentium 4, or equivalent
RAM: 1GB for Windows XP, 2GB for Windows Vista
Graphics Card: 128MB PixelShader 2.0 support
Hard Drive Space: 12 GB Free Space Minimum

However I don't know whether these are minimum or recommended requirements. With the news of these requirements I want to show a list of parts I already had planned for my very first computer build. I'm sure my build will run Darkfall but I'd still like to get feedback.

Note:

Budget is $2,500.00 for whole build, including peripherals.

This is my first computer build. My goal is to build a computer that will play Darkfall on maximum settings. I'm willing to pay a premium for being guaranteed be able to run all graphics, options ect within Darkfall at maximum settings. However I'm not an avid computer gamer. Darkfall will be the only computer game I'll be playing.

Therefore I don't plan to play Crysis or other 1 player graphic intensive games. The goal is very specific: build a computer that will run Darkfall Online at maximum settings. Since I don't plan on playing other games, especially graphic intensive single players ones - I would like to save money where performance will not be seen in Darkfall.

Unfortunately I don't have any spare parts, not even a monitor, keyboard ect. So I've also picked out a monitor, speaker set, keyboard ect. I will be getting a copy of Vista Ultimate free through a legally approved program. I would prefer to stay with Intel and Nvidia for the CPU and GPU. Please keep religious arguments for manufacturers out of this, I've just heard these brands have more driver support and that's why I'd prefer them.

I do not plan to overclock at least for starters.

--------------------
Questions:

- For my GPU should I move up from the gtx 260 to the gtx280 or gtx285?

- I've heared PC Power and Cooling is the most reliable PSU. Should I downgrade?

- Is my chosen CPU too old and slow? Should I upgrade to an I7? Requirements say for a "Pentium 4 2.5ghz". I assume that's an old single core so even though I'll be clocked at 2.4ghz I guess it should be fine since it's a quadcore?

- Is my ram too slow? Should I upgrade to faster timings?

--------------------
Build:

Case: $399.99
LIAN LI PC-P80 Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112159

Motherboard: $179.99
EVGA 123-YW-E175-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188026

Graphics Card: $229.99
EVGA 896-P3-1255-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130434

Power Supply: $249.99
PC Power & Cooling PPCT860 860W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703013

Processor: $196.99
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

RAM: $59.99 x 2 = $119.98
CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184

Hard Drive: $74.99
Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136320

Keyboard: $6.99
Microsoft ZG6-00006 Black 103 Normal Keys 10 Function Keys PS/2 Wired Standard Keyboard 500 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823109032

Monitor: $389.99
Acer G24 Orange 24" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor 400 cd/m2 50000:1 (ACM) - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009155

CD/DVD Burner/Reader: $25.99
LG Black 22X (CAV) DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X (CAV) DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136153

Speakers: $78.99
Logitech X-540 70 watts 5.1 Speaker - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121006

edit:

Total build cost so far: $2,133.77

And I'd like to add, I want to run resolution at 1900x1200.

[[LoD] EE]

I was running the game fine on a AMD 64 x2 4200+ 2.2 ghz
4 gigs ram
Vista
Geforce 7600gs 512meg PCIE video card.

60-70 fps in open areas
45-60 fps in small to medium battles.
30-45 fps in larger battles 10 vs 10.
12-30 fps depending on the direction I was facing in epic battles 25 vs 25 ish.

[Retsaki]

dude these are rip off prices I got my 1gb bundle for 70$(emart) and my video card ( radeon HD 4350) for 31$(ebay) my cpu is like a 399$ emachine if that 1.8 AMD sempron (which can be overclocked to 2.2) I play crysis, cod5 games like those on high just fine 40-50 frames. come on..

EDIT: the graphics card is also 1024 mb.
EDIT2: my powersupply is like 450w came with emachine

[Tzacharu]

I would ease up on the case there and get a better graphics card. If you want to run Darkfall on the highest settings, an enormous case won't really help as much as getting a better graphics card. I recommend a GTX 280 or the 2xHD4870. The PSU is a little overkill for the 260 too.. you really don't need that much power.

RAM isn't much of a big deal, there's not so much of a difference between 800 and 1066, but since your budget is pretty big and your motherboard supports 1066 mhz, I'd get that kind of RAM.

I really don't know what to say about your CPU, I've heard mixed reviews of it in beta and in games in general. I personally would stick with a dual core or if you want, buy a more expensive quad so you don't have to upgrade for awhile.

[rendelgrendel]

I would ease up on the case there and get a better graphics card. If you want to run Darkfall on the highest settings, an enormous case won't really help as much as getting a better graphics card. I recommend a GTX 280 or the 2xHD4870.

I don't mind upgrading to a higher card, but my question is will a higher card even make the game look noticeably better or run faster? I'm perfectly willing to spend several hundred more dollars if it does. But I won't be playing Crysis or games like that. So I'm wondering if there will be any noticeable differences in Darkfall exclusively if I upgrade my card.

[strayfe]

you an idiot, thats all overpriced.

[rendelgrendel]

you an idiot, thats all overpriced.

I have the luxury of not needing to go through a bargain bin of shit to find one good item. Enjoy your life hunting and pecking for hours on ebay or whatever other questionable online retailer you go to. I hope you buy some dammaged hardware for half price and get scammed. I don't really need to worry about that, cause I have the luxury of being able to buy from reputable online retailers that are backed by good warranties and customer service.

Seriously some people are born fucking morons, I'm sure you can probably find any item for a lot cheaper. I never understood the logic though of bargain begin store hopping and searching for two weeks for an item that is slightly less money. I value my time and the amount of money I lose by searching for cheaper items doesn't cover the amount of money I could of made in that time period.

Also I only buy things when I have more than enough money. This is a luxury, unlike you I'm not depleting my bank account for one stupid doodad. Like I said computer gaming isn't even my main hobby.

MOVE THE FUCK ALONG SMURF. All these punk ass misfits trying to get in where they dont fucking fit in.

[Tzacharu]

I don't mind upgrading to a higher card, but my question is will a higher card even make the game look noticeably better or run faster? I'm perfectly willing to spend several hundred more dollars if it does. But I won't be playing Crysis or games like that. So I'm wondering if there will be any noticeable differences in Darkfall exclusively if I upgrade my card.

Yes, there will definitely be a noticeable difference in both performance and speed. The graphics card is the core of any game, not just the high end games. Darkfall isn't too high end, but if you want to get the most out of it, I would definitely buy a high tiered graphics card like the GTX 280 1GB versions,. The 295 isn't really necessary for Darkfall in my opinion.

I would also change your monitor, the reviews on that one are kind of iffy. How about something like this?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236047

[Phenax]

Switch your system to AMD and get http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103471 and get a decent Asus motherboard with an nForce chipset.

Buy http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236047 instead of your current monitor.

Add http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104178&Tpk=logitech%20mx518 for your mouse.

[Retsaki]

I have the luxury of not needing to go through a bargain bin of shit to find one good item. Enjoy your life hunting and pecking for hours on ebay or whatever other questionable online retailer you go to. I hope you buy some dammaged hardware for half price and get scammed. I don't really need to worry about that, cause I have the luxury of being able to buy from reputable online retailers that are backed by good warranties and customer service.

Seriously some people are born fucking morons, I'm sure you can probably find any item for a lot cheaper. I never understood the logic though of bargain begin store hopping and searching for two weeks for an item that is slightly less money. I value my time and the amount of money I lose by searching for cheaper items doesn't cover the amount of money I could of made in that time period.

Also I only buy things when I have more than enough money. This is a luxury, unlike you I'm not depleting my bank account for one stupid doodad. Like I said computer gaming isn't even my main hobby.

MOVE THE FUCK ALONG SMURF. All these punk ass misfits trying to get in where they dont fucking fit in.

Dude everyone I buy from I make sure is reputable plus im 17 so I don't really have the fantasticly amazing income that you have sorry.

Also it took me like 10 minutes to use pricegrabber and find way better deals.

You could probably buy something useful with the money you save(like say to another one of your hobbies?). I was just trying to be helpful and all you're doing is making yourself look like the biggest dick.

[t1337Dude]

You could max Darkfall for $600.

[Brezick]

Ease up on the case there. Get an Antec 900, best case around for reasonable price.

If you do not plan on overclocking and only building for DF, build around a Core 2 Duo E8400, best bang for buck clock for clock for dual cores, and i doubt DF will support a quad yet.

Then get the GTX 280 - the 260 will do fine, but the 280 is much better for the future. the 285 will not be fully optimized with it being a multi gpu solution.

Still, most of this is overshooting what is required for max DF settings.

[Voodoo Hoodoo]

It would be a smart idea to assume those are minimum specs listed.

[entrailsgalore]

I'm not sure if you will be able to run it at 1900x1200 BUT I know with a 24-inch monitor you will be able to run it at 1920x1200.

[entrailsgalore]

Ease up on the case there. Get an Antec 900, best case around for reasonable price.




Yeah for the price. But his budget is 2500, if it is within his budget why can't he get a better case?

[Phenax]

Yeah for the price. But his budget is 2500, if it is within his budget why can't he get a better case?

Because it is not necessary to spend so much on a case when your goal is to play Darkfall maxed out with reasonable frames per second..

[Retsaki]

It would be a smart idea to assume those are minimum specs listed.

I would assume around 3ghz proccessor 2gig(XP) 3-4gig(Vista) ram 512 vid card 3.0 shader as recommended but thats just me.

[entrailsgalore]

Because it is not necessary to spend so much on a case when your goal is to play Darkfall maxed out with reasonable frames per second.. I didn't say it was necessary, you can put all your components in a card board box and still run DF on max settings just fine. But Why would you want a cardboard box when you have the money for a nice case? If it is within his budget, and he has all his components, why not get a better case? The Antec 900 is a sweet case, but so is the Lian Li he picked out. Personally I would pick the Lian Li over the Antec.