New WoW Machine

[Roland]

Hi,

I just realized that Blizzard has been dominating my computer choices.  I built a pair of machines in '97 for Magi and I to play Diablo.  They served well till Diablo II came out and I built a new pair in 2000 for that.  The dearth of games that appealed to us mean that we haven't upgraded since.

Well, the machines I built for D2 are too weak to play WoW, so it is time for me to ramp up my knowledge of computers one more time.  I've been surfing for a few days now and have some ideas in mind.  When I decide on the components that I think will work, I'll publish the list here for additional comments and suggestions. For now, I'm really only interested in two questions:

I have a Mad Dog Predator Blastwave 5.1 sound card that came bundled with a speaker system I once bought.  Does anyone know anything (good or bad) about this card?

Second question is more fundamental.  I've built a number of systems for myself and for others over the years.  Only once did I use an AMD processor, and that system gave me fits from when it first came up till I shut it down for good.  So, one might say I'm an 'Intel man'.  However, it looks to me that going with AMD would get me a lot more bang for the buck.  The specs look good, the reviews are positive, etc., etc.  So, is AMD a viable way to go?  I'm leaning toward it.

--Pete
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Here's the thing. AMD does give you more purported "bang for your buck". They claim that their slower-running processors can compete with Intel's (hence the 3400+ being "comparable" to a 3.4 GHz Intel CPU). This holds up, for the most part (although I think their numbers reach a little high - i.e. I'd compare a 3400+ to a 3.2 GHz CPU - but that's just me; YMMV). However, AMD HAS been plagued by some problems in the past, most notably with memory. For one, there was a time where AMD CPUs and motherboards were having serious memory compatibility issues. This has since been cleared up, but it's information you'd probably want to know. Secondly, it is only with the latest iterations of AMD CPUs that they even begin to utilize DDR2 memory (DDR = double-draw rate; the memory effectively runs at twice the listed speed, i.e. DDR266 is based on a 133 MHz bus; DDR2 is the next evolution of DDR, in which the memory is set to run at even higher speeds while consuming less energy; the jump from DDR to DDR2 RAM is a noticeable one, but as you get higher in memory clock speeds, the gain in performance starts to go down, much like with the latest generations of CPUs). Intel has been supporting it for a LONG time, indeed even trying to further the development of it (although they are slow to adopt the latest "approved" speeds for memory).

I've always been a staunch follower of Intel. This hasn't changed, even though some of AMDs offerings have tempted me to switch my stance from time to time. What it all really boils down to is this: what do you want to get out of your computer? If it's SOLELY for gaming, an AMD 64 processor is the way to go, as they still have the leading edge when it comes to raw FPS in games (for whatever reason). However, for more general utility, Intel comes on top (especially with their Hyper-Threading technology, which becomes very useful when you are like myself - multitasking with dozens of programs open at once; AMD passed on the technology, saying it was "due to be obsolete" with the oncoming future of dual-core CPUs - the irony here being that Intel has combined the two to create a CPU that operates as "four logical CPUs", truly a remarkable feat, although lacking in any truly staggering performance gain). In other words, if the machine is a gaming-only box, go with AMD. If it's going to be your daily driver, so to speak, stick with Intel, IMHO.

Depending on your budget, you can get a decent gaming rig for cheap money (~$1000, or even less). Although, there is something to be said for going a little above the "average", especially now with computer parts prices being fairly reasonable (including RAM). For example: I upgraded my old computer to this current rig, keeping the HDDs, floppy, and CD / DVD drives, and replacing the motherboard, CPU, and case, for under $300 (the case made up over 1/3rd of that total purchase, weighing in at about $110 IIRC). Of course, I also had previously bought a GeForce 6800 (base, not GT, not Ultra) for a couple hundred, but the upgrade allowed me to truly utilize the card, whereas before I was bogged down in the CPU. I also now have the option of increasing the memory to a faster base, as well as expanding to a full 4GB.

With the new 7800's costing as little as $500 (a steal considering the performance they deliver), and 6800's costing as little as $200 - $300 (also quite the bargain, and even more of a bang/buck), you can get some serious gaming goodness right where it matters (the video card) without shelling out close to a grand (like when the 6800's first hit the market). A good, cheap case can be had for as little as $50, sometimes including a PSU, although I'd strongly recommend looking for one that can handle the latest ATX specs, as well as having a high efficiency rating (70% is acceptable, but more is always better - I'd try not to settle for anything less). Lian-Li makes great cases, but they're pricey, so go with what you feel is justified. A decent Intel CPU (socket LGA775 - the latest socket) can be had for under $200, and the performance gains going from a 2.8 GHz to a 3.4 GHz hardly can justify the cost, unless you're looking for that extra longevity, in which case I'd shoot for something in the middle. Motherboards can also be had for under $100, and not "cheap" motherboards, either - good, solid quality motherboards with loads of hardware and software features. Memory is fairly cheap now, as well, with a matched-pair (essential for running memory in Dual-Channel mode, which increases performance significantly over Single-Channel mode - unmatched pairs can cause unbootable computers) totalling a Gig of RAM setting you back by around another $200. 2 Gigs of RAM would be the more long-term effective solution, but you can always expand beyond a gig. I would NOT recommend building a system today without at LEAST a gig of RAM - modern games just won't run properly, especially MMOs like WoW and Planetside. DVD burners have come down in price so rediculously - they can be had for $75 or less, for a pretty decent quality-and-speed drive.

I'd shoot for a budget of at least $1,000, although you don't really need to go much more than that. Going too much less, and you'll be sacrificing in performance and/or quality, although anything beyond $1,500 is overkill, unless you're really looking for bleeding-edge, which I don't think you are.

Hit up THG or ask me about any specifics, and I'll gladly throw in what knowledge I have (free of charge, of course ;)).

Edit:
Hmmm, that was supposed to be in reply to myself earlier in the thread (rather than editing). Oops. Sorry for mucking up the thread more Pete. Try to pay more attention in the future. :blush: