New Build Help

[Penguin]

Ok, I am looking to upgrade my current machine. Specs are in my signature. I am looking to upgrade my system to be able to run Command & Conquer's new Tiberium Wars.

The C&C games are the only real games I play. I got this game for my B-day and would like to be able to play it. My question is, What do I need to get this game to run?

Here are the system requirements from the game box.
XP or Vista
2.0 GHz or faster
512 MB ram or more
8x or faster DVD
Video Card with 64 MB or more
ATI Raedon 8500 or greater
NVIDIA GeForce4 or greater

What would be the bare minimum I would need and what recomendations would you give for the new components? Trying to keep the cost as cheap as possible.

I have been out of touch with computers and hardware for about 2 years, so that is why I am asking for such detailed help.

I also have a new Enlight ATX 360W Power Supply still in the box if it helps the new build.

Thanks.

[Kilauea]

First of all, I'd suggest going for Intel Core 2 Duos as they are possibly the bang for the buck on the market right now and there are some expected price drops around april 22nd.

CPU: E6300 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115005
181$

Mobo: Gigabyte DS3 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128012
122.99$

RAM: Corsair DDR2-667 5-5-5-12 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145590
160$ (130 after MIR)

GPU: EVGA 7600GT http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130062
109.99$ (99.99 after MIR)

HD: Seagate 7200.10 320gb http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148140
84.99

Lite-on DVD+RW http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106015
34.99

Case: Antec Sonata II http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129155
99.99

753.95 after MIR

If you want to add a monitor, you could go for an ACER 19" LCD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009100 for 179.99$

That would be a computer able to handle such a game and if ever you want to play some more demanding games, you could get a more powerful DX10 cards when they will be out, unfortunatly by doing so, you risk having to change the PSU as the one included in the Sonata II isn't amazing, but it should do the job for what you got there.

Also, if you wanted to go a little cheaper, you could probably go with the AMD Athlon 64 X2 processors

[pam123]

It's 6 years and that's a geological age in computer terms.
Many of the parts you listed can only be found, used, on ebay and that's going to be risky.
For a really tight budget that wouldn't need great power I'd get the following :
Processor : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103046
$73.99

Motherboard : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813127007
$79.99

Memory : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134065
$90.49

Video card : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814122008
$83.99
(VGA to DSub Adapter)

Your only potential problem is does that new power supply have a 24 pin connector and the 4 pin cpu connector.

This should run C & C with no trouble and see you into a Vista upgrade if that's what you decide on.

edit : You should be able to keep all your other parts to upgrade as money permits.

[Penguin]

I have a new 19" LCD monitor, so I am good for the monitor.

Pam123, the new power supply I have does have the 24 pin connector and the 4 pin cpu connector as well.

I bought it for a frind who wanted to build a P4 machine a couple of years back. He never took it so I got it for free.

Since I have been away from keeping up on new technology for a while, I am looking to see what is the best route to take.

I will do some research on the suggestions both of you made and see what I can swing

Thanks for the help.

[Penguin]

What Socket Type and Northbrige set is the most stable right now? I heard the P965 northbridge was a little unstable with the IDE controllers.

[Alaron]

The Intel Core 2 Duos use socket 775. Read our thread explaining the P965 chipset and IDE controllers: http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=174257 You'll have no problems if you go entirely SATA on your drives.

Does your Enlight unit have dual 12V rails? New builds with PCI-E require that, not only the 24pin power connection.

[Penguin]

No the Enlight does not. I have determined that I need a new Power Supply for my new build.

Thanks for the link.

[Alaron]

I recommend it all the time, but it is a great quality unit for a good price. The FSP 450w: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104954 will be plenty for a build using Kilauea/Pam's parts.