Specs question - calling all computer geniuses

[cringe 0]

Soon i will get a new desktop computer with the following specs:

CPU - AMD 939 64 3200
Motherboard - ASUS A8N-VM
RAM - Dual Core (aka 2) 512mb pc3200
Video/graphics card - integrated Nvidia 6150
HDD - 200GB

The only problem is, it's being custom made, and the guy making it chose those specs, and because I'm used to stuff like P4 instead of AMD, I have no idea what half of that means. Basically I have tried Googling it to no avail. I am considering making the RAM bigger, but money is an issue. At the moment its

[Rymac91 15]

Thanks pretty Good...I used to be a Intel person but then I swiched to Athlons and I love them..they seem faster then Intels in My Opinion.I don't think you'll need more RAM right away...only in a matter of time problobly when you have enough money to Afford more RAM.

[cringe 0]

OK thanks, one more question, if i have dual core, does that mean that i only have 512MB assigned to SC4, or can i use both CPUs simultaniously for SC4?

[redmonkey 0]

Those specs seem fine, except, you might not want to get an integrated video controller. Video cards are usually better than the integrated controllers. Another thing, when you run a program, Windows uses all the RAM that it needs to. It doesnt matter if you have one RAM stick or two. To answer your second question, RAM is not dual core, the processor is, and yes, if it is dual core, you have all the resources devoted to Simcity. The processor being dual core just means that it can process two commands at once, it's a bit like having two processors in one. Hope this helps.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Date: 1/10/2006 3:38:29 PM
Author:cringe
Soon i will get a new desktop computer with the following specs:


CPU - AMD 939 64 3200

Motherboard - ASUS A8N-VM

RAM - Dual Core (aka 2) 512mb pc3200

Video/graphics card - integrated Nvidia 6150

HDD - 200GB


The only problem is, it's being custom made, and the guy making it chose those specs, and because I'm used to stuff like P4 instead of AMD, I have no idea what half of that means. Basically I have tried Googling it to no avail. I am considering making the RAM bigger, but money is an issue. At the moment its

[cringe 0]

OK, thanks alot, I will talk to the people making it. They say they are gonna put in XP home.

[SamFlash 0]

Welcome to Simtropolis Cringe.   SC4 is a huge ram hog so more is better.  Ram for your system is relatively cheap right now so try to get 1GB.  Intergrated graphics is not ideal but you can always upgrade that later.  For now it will work okay.  Enjoy your new system and have fun playing SC4.

[Nomad1 53]

I'd say that's a pretty good start.  I suppose it all depends on what you will be using this computer for.  For high performance new games, you will defintely need a better gfx card and a gig more ram.  Fortunately you are getting a nice motherboard that allows for future upgrades such as more ram (4gb), a much better gfx card using the pci-express slot, and a higher processor(939 socket).  BTW, what power supply will it have and will there be a dvd-r drive? 

 

As far as AMD vs. Intel, I think most computer people will tell you to go with AMD.  The numbers, such as 3200, would be like a 3.2 ghz pentium 4.

 

[cringe 0]

The power supply is 450W PSU ATX2, and the DVD R drive is 16X dl +/- DVDRW.

[pepsi71ocean 2]

Date: 1/10/2006 3:38:29 PM Author:cringe Soon i will get a new desktop computer with the following specs: CPU - AMD 939 64 3200 Motherboard - ASUS A8N-VM RAM - Dual Core (aka 2) 512mb pc3200 Video/graphics card - integrated Nvidia 6150 HDD - 200GB The only problem is, it's being custom made, and the guy making it chose those specs, and because I'm used to stuff like P4 instead of AMD, I have no idea what half of that means. Basically I have tried Googling it to no avail. I am considering making the RAM bigger, but money is an issue. At the moment its

[jacqulina 162]

i wouldnt go for integrated graphics go more for an nvidia 5900 fx geforce or upwards it will work better with games and other things wonderfully,the rest of your specs seem fine although you could upgrade at a later date

[Nomad1 53]

Date: 1/11/2006 12:01:12 PM Author: pepsi71ocean

Date: 1/10/2006 3:38:29 PM Author:cringe Soon i will get a new desktop computer with the following specs: CPU - AMD 939 64 3200 Motherboard - ASUS A8N-VM RAM - Dual Core (aka 2) 512mb pc3200 Video/graphics card - integrated Nvidia 6150 HDD - 200GB The only problem is, it's being custom made, and the guy making it chose those specs, and because I'm used to stuff like P4 instead of AMD, I have no idea what half of that means. Basically I have tried Googling it to no avail. I am considering making the RAM bigger, but money is an issue. At the moment its

[cringe 0]

After looking at different game's requirements, it says that the minimum is something like Pentium 2.5 Ghz or AMD Athlon 2500, so does that mean that AMD is jusst more advanced? I'm getting rather confused (as im sure some of you are!) about which to go for. I'm still about a month away from them even starting to build it, i need the money first!!

I just need to know, what is better, the AMD one I am currently opting for, or a Pentium 4 3.2Ghz?

EDIT: I just found this VERY useful piece of information

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Well, I used to be an old computer sweat, but I have dried off now. The AMD/Pentium argument is just a matter of a spitting contest. As an old IT pro I prefer the AMD architecture because it doesn't have a micro-code layer between the actual processor and the external world. The pentium actually emulates its decor with a very fast RISC base. The AMD is a CISC machine, and every instruction is interpreted by the logic directly.

CISC = Complete Instruction Set Computer
RISC = Reduced Instruction Set Computer

With a RISC processor, the best analogy is putting smaller wheels on your car. They are cheaper, but you have to run the engine at higher revs to go the same distance because the circumference of the wheels is smaller.

[hoa_quynh_dem 0]

As a Computer seller, I just have a few (kind of technical) points I want to say - please forgive me if I confuse you. 

-  The ASUS m/b is a sweet one if you dont think of adding extra PCI Cards in the future.  If you may want to add a Powerful soundcard, a Wireless Network Card, a TV Capture Card and so on choosing this motherboard is a not a good idea -->  It has only 2 slots for those mentioned cards, which means you can put only two extra cards in the future.  This motherboard supports DDR ram only, so you will miss out on the new DDR2 Ram thing. 

 

- If you build this PC to play games, I think you should choose a PC with a separate graphic card.  Integrated one like this would use part of your PC memory (the RAM) to power so a seperate one with dedicated memory on the card is much better.   Some games wont run with an integrated graphic card,  some require DirectX 9 compatible graphic card so this is another point to consider.

 

- the RAM:  you mentioned DUAL, i think you want to say DUAL Channel Memory.   I would definitely recommend you get:  1) A matched pair of RAM.  2) A brand-name Ram.   I have seen so many computers crashed because of generic RAM running dual channel.  Kingston, Corsair Value Ram are 2 affordable brands i would suggest.  And if you buy RAM to run in  dual-channel mode , buy those in a twin pack - 2 identical RAM sticks in a pack.

 

Just a few points to share with you.  Hope you have the best PC.