What Computer to Buy

[5]

Im in the market for a new PC.
I basically want to play fast games and do other high intensity applications. What specs should I go for as far as CPU, RAM, and Video Card should I go for. I want this to be a gaming machine.

[spdsk8r]

For gaming, I would suggest:

-> AMD K6-2 or 3 450Mhz.
-> 128MB PC100 RAM
-> 40X or above CDROM
-> Riva TNT AGP 2X
-> (2) Voodoo 2 cards or Voodoo 3(when available)
-> 9.1GB Wester Digital UDMA/66 7200RPM IDE Drive
-> Creative Labs 128bit sound card or SB Live
-> Motherboard of your choice (one that supports UDMA/66)

I wouldn't suggest the P3 because it's not worth the extra $$$, there aren't that many new features - also, make sure you go with the 7200RPM UDMA/66 drives, they're a lot faster and cost a lot less

[Fallen Kell]

YOu should however look into the P2 450 or 400. Even though the 400 would be slower mHz wise it still out performs the K6-2 in 3D applications. The floating point calculations that the P2 has can't be beat by anything except for the P3.

Also, if you are going to get the UDMA/66 hard drive, you will most likely have to buy a PCI based controler card for it. This would mean that you will need a motherboard with at least 5 PCI slots on it cause, 1 PCI controler card, 1 PCI sound card, 2 PCI voodoo2's, and if you want an ethernet card, you are most likely looking at a PCI card now (you can still get it in ISA but the PCI's are better cards usually) and this adds up to a total of 5 PCI slots needed. Modems are starting to be PCI too, so its either the ethernet card or modem.

[RobRich]

What to buy? Try this:

K6-3
256 meg PC100 SDRAM
Voodoo3 video card
SB Live SndCrd
SCSI-3 Harddrive (>7200 rpm)or A/V drive
ATX style m/b
WinNT 4.0 O/S

I know the 256 meg of mem is a little overoard, but I find its an easy way to increase performance for relatively little money. Two 128 meg dimm's should only set you back about $325. Also for 3D, the K6-3 is on par with the P-III.

[seti]

celeron 400
Abit BX6 2
Diamond Monster MX300 sound
Any TNT card
128MB of good ram
UDMA/66 isn't really important yet.
everything else is standard.

that would give you a good system for a low price.

It would be stupid to buy a top end rig right now. I'd wait for the AMD K7. Or wait until coppermine to buy high end gear. And then you'll be able to stick a TNT2 in there. (the reveiws are out...voodoo3 is behind)

[TJ]

Beware!! the floating point unit for any AMD is very weak. So for 3d intensive games, go with a pentium II or III. (I know 'cause I have an AMD)

[Jeff]

Wait untill the TNT2 is out in about a month, and get the fastest Celeron avalible to go with it. The K6-2/3 has an anemic FPU for playing games - they run half as fast as a Celeron. A PII or PIII is a waste since they arent any faster than a Celeron.