[johnhudd]

These are the parts I have chosen to build my pc, and I was wondering if they would run Empire Total War with no problems. Also, do you see any issues with compatibility, and would I be able to upgrade in the future? Also, is this a complete computer, or do I need something else to use it. I have Windows 7 64-bit os on a disc, so could I just install that?


COOLER MASTER Elite 311 RC-311B-OWN1 Orange Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
TOSHIBA DT01ACA050 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
GIGABYTE GA-970A-D3 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity ...
SONY Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model DDU1681S-0B - OEM
Diablotek DA Series PSDA600 600W ATX12V v2.2 Power Supply
Patriot Gamer 2 Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model PGD38G1333ELK
AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ965FBGMBOX

This is a budget computer, so I cant afford the latest technology. As long as it can run Empire Total War on high settings without problems. Other than that it will be used for basic things like cd and dvd playback and internet browsing. thanks

[johnhudd]

I forgot to mention, if you can tell me any way to reduce unnecessary cost it would be much appreciated. The only demanding task it will be performing is running empire total war on high hopefully. I can upgrade later if I need.

[phillpower2]

johnhudd

One item on your list that I would definitely swap for a better brand is the PSU, see the feedback tab @ http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817822013
PSUs to trust and not to trust http://forum.pcmech....ide-inside.html

Recommended System Requirements
Intel Core 2 Duo at 2.6 GHz or equivalent AMD
256 MB VRAM – DirectX® 9.0c Compatible with shader model 3.0 support
2 GB RAM for Windows XP, 4 GB RAM for Windows Vista / Windows 7
15 GB of free Hard Drive space
Microsoft Windows XP /Windows Vista/Windows 7
DirectX Compatible 9.0c
DVD-ROM Drive

[johnhudd]

I changed my power supply to this: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817139020

My RAM to this: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820231428

And my dvd drive to this: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16827136247

Video card and RAM good for a little gaming? Do you recommend I get another fan on top of the one with the case? Compatibility issues? Thanks

[phillpower2]

My choice of PSU

For the best and most stable performance you should where possible purchase a CPU and Ram that have been tested and approved by the motherboard manufacturer, this is referred to as the QVL ( qualified vendors list ) understand though that there are too many products released for them all to be tested so other hardware will be compatible but not proven to be.

Your Ram is not on the MBs QVL, see memory support tab http://www.gigabyte....spx?pid=3908#ov Ram that is on the QVL http://www.gigabyte....spx?pid=3908#ov

Optical drive will do what you require.

Ram and video card okay for some gaming

[johnhudd]

The RAM seems to be compatible with my motherboard. That specific model is not on the list, but the brand is. Also the Description on the RAM says it works with AMD3+ platforms(my motherboard). Is there still a chance it's not compatible? I could find anything on newegg that was also on the list that I wanted. I want 8GB, but if the one I chose wont work I'll just have to buy 4 2GB sticks that are on the list instead, but I'd prefer not to.

[phillpower2]

Sorry Ram that is on the MBs QVL http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820231314 ( it was almost 1.30am UK time when I replied )

[johnhudd]

No need to apologize. You have been a huge help to me. A lot of people on other forums arent so kind and patient with beginners like me. You've answered all my questions quickly, even though some of them were probably stupid questions. I can't thank you enough. However, I may have to bother you just a little bit longer. Would it be okay if I posted links to all the parts I have decided on, and have you check them one more time, or tell me any issues or concerns you may find?

[phillpower2]

I am happy to look at your list of parts and please ask as many questions as you need to

[johnhudd]

Thanks. I've got to say, you're awesome!!!

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16827136247

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811119248

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822149380

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813128521

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814102908

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817139020

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820231314

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103727
My main concern is that I might need another fan. I'm kind of on a tight budget, but I'd rather spend another $20 or so to make sure I don't ruin any parts from overheating. Any other concerns or comments? thanks

[phillpower2]

You are welcome and thanks

The case is the one thing on the list that I personally would not purchase or recommend, it has no USB 3.0 ports so the ones on your MB would be wasted and it has a poor cooling system and you quite rightly identified the need to add at least one more cooling fan which in turn increases your budget.

I hope you do not mind but I have put you a list of parts together to consider, it is $11 more expensive but you will not have to add any additional cooling fans + there is a better 1TB HDD and faster CPU included.

Let us know what you think http://pcpartpicker.com/p/cJxv

[johnhudd]

I will definitely take your suggestion on the case and hard drive. I was wondering why you changed the motherboard though. Was it just price or is it better? Ive read that gigabyte makes the best motherboards, but you are the expert. Also, for the cpu, I know it's faster, but the reviews I read havent been very good. I read that the Phenom would probably outperform it, especially when it comes to gaming. Again, youre the expert, so if you could tell me what youre thoughts are on this one it would be appreciated.

[phillpower2]

Good decision on the case and Hdd

Changing the MB was partially down to cost but also down to the better reviews, please read the Newegg feedback tab for both boards.

A lot of people who have previously purchased the FX range of CPUs did not do any research first, there are a lot of MBs capable of running the chips but only after a MB BIOS update, this is no problem if 1: you are aware of this. 2: you are upgrading a present CPU as one is needed to update the MBs BIOS to accept the new chip, the problem arises if 1: you are not aware of this (due to lack of research) and 2: you have purchased a new MB without an FX CPU fitted and the board needs a BIOS update before it will support the FX chip, it is a matter of lack of research sometimes.

FWIW: Many people have their preferred brand of MBs and other hardware but nothing is infallible and sometimes manufacturers get it wrong (all of them)

CPU Benchmarks @ http://www.cpubenchm...h_end_cpus.html please take into consideration the cost element of the better performing CPUs - the AMD FX-8150 Eight-Core at $189.99 is placed higher than any Phenom, some of which cost more!

[johnhudd]

Isnt the phenom ranked higher than the FX on the list in the link? The phenom was ranked 200, and the FX 216th. Do you personally think that the FX will be better for any reason? If I do go with the FX and the motherboard you recommend, will I have to upgrade the bios to get it to accept the chip? Are you saying that the FX might be ranked lower because people didn't know they had to update their MB? Is the FX series newer than the phenom, so is that why it would be better? Also, I don't know how to update bios, so could you tell me how that is done? Thaks and sorry for all the questions

[johnhudd]

Would you mind taking a look at this combo? It must have been generated based on my cart and searches on newegg. It has an ssd, and it looks like its a really good value. Its a $100 psu. All I would have to add is an optical drive.