CoD6: Modern Warfare 2 - So excited I just might pee.

[Fozzy]

So Im getting the bug for gaming again..

I have switched to Mac for my everyday computer. Not really interested in console FPS.

Recommend me a budget system that will get me Play COD6 and things like it on reasonable settings.

I dont have an unlimited budget. I only need the box as I have all the other shit. I xan assemble myself so just recommend parts.

[taboo_]

Fozzy man, I've just got an ABN and am trying to start up a sole tradership where I do things almost exactly like that (fix peoples' PC problems and build new systems for them).

I'm not quite ready to be charging people yet so this is by no means me trying to get your business but I do have a bit of experience with this stuff.

Essentially I can tell you if you're paying more than $1000 for a PC these days you need to be asking yourself why (so shit ain't as expensive as you may think).

I built my compy at the beginning of the year (I already had a monitor, keyboard/mouse, speakers etc.) - it cost me $1050. I haven't found a single game that wont run at full graphics with a playable frame-rate yet.

But the big question is what's your budget? Just name the number man and we'll have something to work to .

-taboo_

PS. Otherwise (depending on the Mac) if it's an intel processor dual boot it and use that to play games on.

[taboo_]

Otherwise a good place to start is to go to a newsagent and buy the latest PCPowerplay magazine. Toward the back they always have a page where they design a low, mid-low and mid budget computer. They always then have ~$2500 that they call "The Beast" which is what they consider to be a very acceptable gaming machine at a very acceptable cost made out of parts they have reviewed and consider good.

That said if you do check it out and find something you like DON'T just go out and start buying stuff at the prices they recommend until you run it by someone that knows the market place. I'm about to make a gaming compy for ENKC, he decided he liked last months Beast - the magazine thought $2550 was a very acceptable price for it (and it would be for the mass majority of people). I however then did my own research and (with only VERY minor changes (mostly improvements)) I ran it up for about $1300.

So just be careful man, don't rush into it.

-taboo_

[Fozzy]

So Far I had looked at

Intel Core i5 750 $229
Gigabyte GA-P55-UD3 $149
GIGABYTE HD4890 $249
4gb Ram to suit ~$150
500gb HDD $75

Thats ~800 Which is prolly at the upper end of my budget to be honest but I cant see many ways to do it cheaper.

Other shit to think of Case, Cables, Optical Drive

[taboo_]

Yeh man, that sounds like a real sweet set up. And if you're sure you can get it for those prices they're not too far off what I consider a good price.

The only thing I can suggest if you want to save some money right now but still get gaming is drop the 4890 and get a 4870 or even a 4850. I had a 4850 and it ran CoD6 perfectly acceptably (a 4870 won't give you ANY dramas). Then in 3mths time when you feel like you want those extra 30 frames per second buy a second one and run them in Crossfire.

Two 4850s with cost you less than one 4890, you can divide the cost over a couple months AND you'll probably even get better performance with 4850x2.

Just a thought.

-taboo_

[taboo_]

Actually man read this. People will argue it black and blue whether a 4890 or 4850x2 is the better buy and really there is no right answer but this might give you an idea: 4850×2 vs 4890 - Pc Gamers Era

-taboo_

[Fozzy]

Prices are just from PLE/Austins

Only local price I could find on 4850s was 135 each.. So more than likely better off just going a 4890

[Kingy]

I just had that delimna myself... 4890 vs 4850. I went with the 4850 in the end.

It was $100 cheaper (so nearly half the price) and the 4890 was only about 20% better IIRC frame rates. Initially I was just going to upgrade the grpahics card so I could play CODMW2 in 1920 x 1080, but by saving $100 I then went from a E6400 CPU to a Q9400 which was from benchmarking I saw about 3 times faster CPU and of course quad core.

So I got much more bang for my buck than going for purely the faster graphics. I was running FRAPS on CODMW2 and I am not 100% sure if it was full settings but certainly close (4xAA, high textures) and I was getting over 60 FPS multiplayer on 1920 x 1080.

Don't get me wrong I really like the 4890 and for the price it is very good if you dont want DX11 support. I actually bought one but due to a mix up found the particular model I got did not have S Video out so i had to exchange it and in the meantime decided to change to the 4850 and Q9400.

BTW I also just speced up a new system for my Dad from netplus. $887 for the box. i5, Giagbyte MB, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, but only a 4650 grpahics card. It was chepaer but I had to upgrade to the Coolermaster Case as they did not have the cheaper one in stock and it needed a better PSU.

[Kingy]

Prices are just from PLE/Austins

Only local price I could find on 4850s was 135 each.. So more than likely better off just going a 4890

Yeah and the cheapest 4890 is around $235?

So like taboo says... buy one now, it will play all the games fine. In 3 - 6 months time you buy another one for abotu $100. Overall you come out about the same in $ and performance but you save dishing out the extra $100 now and you may even find you dont need the extra depending on how many games you end up palying and what ones.

Of course if you have the $100 available then yeah i would go that, and then buy another one of those in 6 months time and then crossfire!!! That would be sweet!

[Pman]

Bought the game, TV broke, setup on the kids tv but after 5 minutes of play it starts going dark and vhold goes unstable, i think its just old and uncompatable.

But if anyone has any other ideas love to hear it.

Oh yeah and if anyone got a tv to sell/donate please let me know, think of the children!!

[Cap'n James086]

You know you want to!

[taboo_]

As per usual the ONLY computer problem I don't have an instant solution for is for my OWN computer. You all seem to be ripping out FAR better FPS than me. I was initially starting to think there was something wrong with my computer as a whole but it runs flawlessly. I think I've now narrowed it down to a sever case of CPU bottlenecking. As I've said I've got two 4850's running in xfire and I'm only running at 1680x1050 (max graphics) and I'm pulling a fairly jumpy 45ish FPS .

I've got an E8400 CPU so I think I might need to look into what you were talking about kingy - upgrading to a quad *scratches head*.

So Kingy does make a really good point - don't think we're trying to change your mind or anything Fozzy - but it is becoming quite clear that as GFX cards are starting to overtake CPUs it is far more important to balance your GFX with your CPU rather than just getting the best GFX on the market and have it completely under perform (as I'm seeing atm). 3DMark Vantage gives me a fairly staggering 10,800pts for graphics but only 4050pts for CPU - it's not hard to see what's holding my system back .

[Teedo]

I bought a Q9400 for around $230 and have it overclocked to 3.4ghz no worries
I recommend it if you are still stuck on the 775 socket.

[ButtNekid]

mine just arrived in the post prepare to die bitches (unless coop) hehe

[Cap'n James086]

Has anyone done the "Echo" Spec Ops missions? The juggernaut ones are insane!

[mark00001]

Na I need to find people on when I'm doing them so I can knock off the co op missions ... On at random times though haha

[ENKC]

+1 on the ps3 can hit people in an instant, some times on the second shot if they're lucky =P

Not wanting to be a dick about this, but console versions have a limited auto aim function to compensate for the relative imprecision of the control mechanism. So the reason people can hit as accurately as on PC is not 100% skill based.

Also, I can vouch for taboo_'s PC building knowledge and general expertise. While I'm here, the reaction to this game on PC is pretty much exactly what the hardcore fans expected. Professional reviews all across the world have been scathing of the lag and other multiplayer issues. Good Game on ABC tv just ranted on that at some length. Observe:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZewC756meA"]YouTube- Good Game: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 - S5 Ep 41[/ame]

No XP in private games? BS. I sincerely hope they do something to fix these problems, and soon.

Also Taboo_, where did you first hear about that epic knife kill video which has set the whole internet on fire? Well, not literally on fire. That would be problematic.

[taboo_]

Erm, not sure... quite possibly on Facebook. Quite possibly on your facebook *?*.

I remember seeing it, downloading it, showing everyone, forgetting how I saw it originally and then putting it up on here. I would say I saw it on your facebook though so all praise the great EN .

[Arbite]

I've got an E8400 CPU so I think I might need to look into what you were talking about kingy - upgrading to a quad *scratches head*.
3DMark Vantage gives me a fairly staggering 10,800pts for graphics but only 4050pts for CPU - it's not hard to see what's holding my system back .

Seems odd, I run almost exactly the same system (e8400, 2x4850) and i pull ~60-70 fps with no problems at all. CPU shouldn't be bottlenecking. Try overclocking it a little. Mine is currently running at 4.1ghz under a TRUE. I'm also running at 1900x1200.

[Calculus]

Just finished this game.
As a total FPS noob I struggled to finish the estate level on normal so had to drop down the difficulty to recruit. Darn :p
Awesome game though!