As I have mentioned before, I always build my own “White Box Special” computers; ….and I encourage others to do the same! The reasons are simple: ….Cost Effectiveness and Performance.

The only problem is that I do it about every three years; ….which means that every “build” is preceded by a frantic effort to “get back up to speed” on what is the current best deal from a performance/cost point of view.

Here’s my suggestion: ….Let’s put together a thread that defines the best “Basic System”, “Mid-Range System”, and “Top Drawer System” for the Spring of 2008.

The standard benchmark would be, of course; ….”How does it run SH4??”.

I think such a thread would be a HUGE asset to almost everyone here; ….as it would be a reference to consult when hardware issues pop up!



So: ……..Post your description of the optimum system in each of the three categories here, and share your knowledge!


klcarroll

An excellent idea!

I think the major driving factors in all of this will come down to two things: Graphics Card and Ram. Much like yourself Kl, I have built my own PC's for the last 3 or 4 years. I have always used Nvidia graphics cards and AMD processors but I know it's high time I went for say, the Intel E6750 processor for top end performance, for example. I'll be really interested to see what people have to say in this thread when it comes to running SH4 with differing components.

How should we benchmark it? Frames Per Second? (FPS) or just a general opinion. Perhaps a fairly generic screenshot of sub surfaced, sideways on, at 3 knots might help illustrate the difference in components in different 'tiers' of machines.

intel core2 duo e6750 2.66ghz thermaltake big typhoon cpu cooler
asus p5wdh deluxe
twin 100 gb hdd's raid 0 sata
asus EAH3850 512mb x2 crossfired video cards/w/zalman vf700-cu vga coolers
creative x-fi extreme gamer fatality pro soundcard
coolermaster realpower pro 850 watt psu
dvd r=rw
dvd r=rw dl df
floppy drive
11 in 1 card reader
2 gb pc2 6400 oc'd ocz crossfire memory
1 120 mm front intake fan
1 120mm rear exhaust
1 90 mm top exhaust w/controler
1 90mm rear exhaust w/controler
logitec 5.1 surround speakers/turtle beach 5.1 surround headset
saitek eclipse keyboard
razer deathadder mouse
xp pro sp2
20inch viewsonic vx2035wm
thermaltake armour steel case


3Dmark06 score 14264

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bunkerratt,

Your idea has much merit, klcarroll. It does take some high end equipment to get SHIV to behave itself. But the equipment sometimes isn't enough as I have found out. Following the steps that I outlined in my SHIV Guide has helped me immensely in getting SHIV to run great on my computer. Not all people can afford high end computers but still can get SHIV to play well by following tips and suggestions volunteered by people here at the forums. I always try to help out when I can.


The specs for my new computer which will get built in the next week or two depending on what motherboards will be available in the coming weeks.


OS - Vista Ultimate (64-bit)
CPU - Intel Duo 2 Core e8400 (3.0 Ghz), Thermalright SI-128 w/120mm cooling fan
Mobo - Asus Maximus Extreme (or X48 chipset if they come out soon enough)
Memory - (2x2GB)G.Skill DDR3 1600 Mhz
GPU - XFX GeForce 8800 GTX
Soundcard - X-Fi XtremeGamer
Case - Lian Li PC-G70B Full Tower
DVD Burners - Plextor PX-760A, PX-810SA

A 64 bit operating system is a must for a higher end machine. when I went up to 64 bit it decreased my load times of silent hunter dramatically (1 min 20 sec with a 32bit system, just 20 sec for the 64 bit system, nothing but the operating system changed.)

If you are straped for cash go talk to a actual computer store (not a box pc seller ie. walmart, future shop, or any company that you order by phone or on line, do you really want to buy your dream rig from a 14 year old working for middle wage?) start with a good base and build up from there, mother boards now come fully loaded with decent sound and video drivers to get you started and can be upgraded gradualy.

and the most important thing is "ask your forum members" get the opinion of many people who have experience with all kinds of systems and find out what they are running now.

thats my 2 cents good luck with your new rig!

i think one of the biggest mistakes that most folks make is thinking that if they just get a large vid card all will be fixed ..a common mistake you need a good motherboard with a fast chipset on it ..the same holds true for what type of video you run ..if you like nvidia ...get a mobo that 's based for nvidia ..the same for ati cards..

I like the most bang for the buck. Many people think you need a super high end system for SH4, and this isn't true.

This system is all middle /lower priced parts but can run anything in SH4 with graphics options maxed and resolutions up to 1600x1200. I typically run at 1280x960 or 14440x900 because I don't like ho small the HUD gauges get at higher resolutions. With a 3800+ CPU, in port drops to ~24fps, but the rest of the time it's been 40fps+

CPU notes- at the time I built this system, the 3800+ was running ~$115, so that's what I installed. For around $100 Newegg has a black box edition of the 5000+, so that would be the better choice


AMD 64x2 5000+ AM2 black box ($100)
Abit An52 MB ($68-$75)
Supertalent DDR2 800 RAM matched memory capable of 4-4-3-8 ($65 at Newegg for 2GB)
PCI-e firewire card- $25
ATi HD 3870 ($160)
Seagate SATA300 320GB HD

I tried a separate sound card and gained NO performance increase over the on board sound- that was the first time that's ever happened. On board sound is very nice.

The Abit board has a LOT of overclocking features, which is good because the black edition CPU's easily overclock and the memory latency setting really improve performance.

Don't know if you can find an 8800 vid card with equivalent performance to the 3870 in the same price range. The HD series does have the sun glare and water rendering is better. There is an issue with the sun texture being rendered through 3D objects though.

I actually built mine on a budget a couple of years ago but it does run SH 3 an 4 decently at the time of the build I was building it to run an old Flight Sim of mine that seemed to be very picky on graphics. Also use it more for Recording an work than gaming

MSI K8T Neo V socket 754 mobo
BFG 800 watt PSU
AMD Athlon64 3300+
gig and a half of RAM, 3200 DDR (will soon be going to 2 gigs)
BFG 7800 GSOC AGP 256 meg video ram
Sound Blaster X-FI Platinum Edition with I/O Drive bay

granted it's antiquie but if it ain't broke don't fix it , seems to run whatever I throw at it

I cannot build my own and have to get someone to do it for me.....next time maybe.

Intel Core2Duo E6850 @ 3.00ghz
Asus P5N-E Sli
Epsilon 800W Power unit.
2 x Nvidia GeForce 8800GT.
4 GB Ram.
HDD 1 160gb@7200rpm. Partitioned into
40 + 40 + 80.
Microsoft Vista 32 bit on Partition 1
Microsoft XP 32 bit on Partition 2.
HDD2 465gb @ 7200.
Creative Soundblaster Gamer extreme sound card....(shouldn't have bothered the on board sound is more than sufficient).
52 in 1 built in Card Reader.
2 x DVD/RW/DVD ROM etc.
Samsung 22" Wide Screen.

Load times for SH4

Stock SH4 11 Seconds
Uboat Add on 27 Seconds
Trigger Maru 10 Seconds.

Framerate on SH4 TM.....internal control room...80 - 120
Bridge View ..........50 - 90
External view.........50 - 90.

When on map mode at Time Acc x 8162 frame rate of 30 fps.

Pros of machine....quick, stable and well built.

Cons............. Cannot get the 'sun glare' effect, (have looked at all the posts I can find..no luck...help?? anyone). I will post a screenshot when I get this sorted.

Well worth the money I paid.

Maverick

quote:

Originally posted by Maverick_U2007:

Cons............. Cannot get the 'sun glare' effect, (have looked at all the posts I can find..no luck...help?? anyone). I will post a screenshot when I get this sorted.

Well worth the money I paid.

Maverick

Go here. This is a settings isssue and this thread will show you lot's of things you can tweak in your nvidia card
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=128517

This is the sort of information I was hoping for in this thread!

I think it's particularly great when you guys explain WHY you chose a particular component.

I'm sure EVERYONE thanks those who have posted so far!!


klcarroll

another thing is that if your going to run a multi gpu set up SLI or CROSSFIRE be shure that psu is rated for multi gpu ..also ..as i aslwys do ..i replace the factory gpu coolers with aftermarket coolers as well as using heatsinks for the graphics memory...i also belive that using the biggest case you can buy is worth it ...for future upgrades as well as air flow ...if not ease of working in a case ..another way too overlooked helpfull idea is to read the motherboard manual...granted some folks may have a problem comprehending the information...it's often the best place to solve system problems..

quote:

Originally posted by bunkerratt:
another thing is that if your going to run a multi gpu set up SLI or CROSSFIRE be shure that psu is rated for multi gpu ..also ..as i aslwys do ..i replace the factory gpu coolers with aftermarket coolers as well as using heatsinks for the graphics memory...i also belive that using the biggest case you can buy is worth it ...for future upgrades as well as air flow ...if not ease of working in a case ..another way too overlooked helpfull idea is to read the motherboard manual...granted some folks may have a problem comprehending the information...it's often the best place to solve system problems..

Great suggestion, bk. If you are going to run either or a SLI or Crossfire setup make sure you get a PSU that is rated for it. Make sure it has the right connectors and is something that you don't have to special order from the company of the PSU. I had that happen to me one time when I bought a Ultra PSU a few years back.

My rig.

Case: Antec P-182
PSU: Corsair HX520W
Mobo: Gigabyte P-35 S3
Ram: Pc 6400 DDR2 4 X 1gig corsair XMS2
CPU: E6850 @ 3gig (will over clock soon, have fiddled a little but want a bigger cooler and a game that really needs it before i'll take it up a notch)
GPU: XFX 8800 GTS 320

All running on a 22' LG with vista 64 home premium.

Runs SH4 with ROW very nicely.



Top tips, if your running a res 1680 X 1050 or lower i wouldn't even think about SLI or Crossfire (unless you plan to go bigger in the futeure) Just a waist of money.
A single good card is more than enough.

You can tend to get hooked buy things that sound good, but when your running a lower res, arn't needed.
You can end up throwing money at somthing thats mostly going to waist and just ends up being an E pen1s, so you look good when comparing others. Mines bigger than yours (that sort of thing)

Another popular one, you always get people that go way OTT with the PSU spec needed, a good spec machine with a single GPU shouldn't need to consider anything more than a 550W at the most.

Of corse if money isn't an issue none of that matters

My system:

Windows XP Pro
Core 2 Duo E6600 at 2,4ghz (stock)
2GB DDR2 PC6400
Abit AB9 Pro
MSI 8800 GT 512MB
1 terrabyte harddrives (4x 250GB)
Lian Li Midi tower
Mist 500w PSU

I have always had some problems with stutters in SH4, even when the game runs in 100+ fps. I solve this by manually forcing the game to run on one core. (Task manager/right click sh4.exe/set affinity)

But what I notised a few days ago, was that my Realtek onboard sound drivers were outdated. I updated these, and wow. The game runs so fluent now, and no or very few small pauses when f.i. a ship blows up. Earlier there would be a very noticable pause from time to time. In addition the game itself runs smoother. So, if you use Realtek drivers, go to their website and check if the one you are using is old(er).

quote:

if your running a res 1680 X 1050 or lower i wouldn't even think about SLI or Crossfire (unless you plan to go bigger in the futeure) Just a waist of money.
A single good card is more than enough.

@Andy3536;

That's a GREAT point for those people who are, for reasons of cost, looking at a "Midrange" system!

klcarroll

as you see in my sig i am running the 6400+ black edition AMD i have heard that they over clock nicely but have always been a wimp and never done it, I was led to believe that over clocking can shorten the life span of the chip or cause other problems. my mother board is a brand new gigabyte with an overclocking program on it but is it safe to do so?? also i have great proformance with it as is and would hate to lose my reliability.

anyone have any ideas on this?

if your going to overclock..start in little steps...a good rule is not to clock more than 10% if you do clock i would say not to do it with stock cpu cooler

I do have a big zalman cpu cooler but i guess my real question is: is it realyl worth it for me?

i guess it depends on what you want to do by overclocking...i clock my cpu and gpu's ...at stock clocks i can get 3dmark scores of 12500's if i clock the board i get scores like 14264 when i'm done benchmarking i reset the clocks to stock...