Well, here's hoping a new RPG comes out soon, because I finally have a computer that I feel like can truly run Oblivion properly...
My motherboard went out, and I just couldn't make myself get it repaired...so, I scraped together money by selling my old RAM, and got a new one...
Then, while on vacation in Sacramento, CA, I visited Fry's Electronics for the first time in my life...and they had the processor I'd been pining for at nearly $50 below online price....
Finally, I upgraded my graphics card yesterday...selling the old processor, two hard drives, and a RAID card should pretty much pay for that.
So, I've really only netted buying the processor!
Anyway, I learned a lot, so here's some advice for you all who may be doing the same:
- The HD 2600XT is a great graphics card...don't listen to the reviews, because the latest drivers make them great value-cards.
- Dual core processors are nice for some programs, but you won't notice a difference on everything.
- Try to avoid buying from Micro-Star International (MSI). They made my motherboard and graphics card, but really. They're a terrible company. If I wasn't so cheap, I'd have gone with a different company.
- 1 GB of RAM is enough to run Oblivion...on faster components.
- The average user really doesn't need RAID 5...or even RAID 0.
- High performance components will heat up your house...new, mid-level components won't.
- If you have the budget, a larger heatsink/fan for your processor that runs at a slower RPM reduces noise by a noticeable margin.
So, maybe more to come, but feel free to add your wisdom to mine.
Oh, and Hosscat (my computer) has new stats:
Processor: e4300 intel
Graphics: HD 2600XT (from MSI) 256MB DDR4
Only
2 (instead of 4) 250 GB hard drives.
DDR2 800 motherboard (from MSI :sign0186
Cobalt-blue painted Eagle-Tech Server case I've had for three years.
550 W power supply that is a bit excessive.