Cheapest way to your FPS's heart.

[Aro]

I've decided to finally upgrade my PC (after my old 6-year old pc died) and I'm looking for the cheapest way to hit High settings (with little to no lag) on Aion.

The requirements on Aion are as follows (Minimum - Recommended)

http://static.plaync.co.kr/aion-obt/.../pop_03_01.jpg

Basically I want to hit max settings - and keep my FPS higher than 50. And I'd say my price range is max $1000 maybe a little over if it makes a large improvement.

Any recommendations on what video cards/processors are what I really want, since I can buy RAM, case, power supply, etc. Because it's mostly video card/processors where I can't gauge the difference.

------
I was also wondering if anyone knows of a good Newegg Canadian equivalent (in terms of good deals and such)

[Akiyama]

You could do a shit-ton with 1000 bucks. I've got a decent quad core build ready for about.. $650. That's with AMD stuff, though. You could probably go with an i7 or something.

Ahh.. nevermind. You can't use Newegg. D: Damn, that sucks. Check this site.

bit-tech.net | Hardware Index

Has a lot of reviews for good hardware and what not. Lists lowest Canadian prices as well.

[Kryssan]

If you can find an i7 for cheap....



But yeah, more realistically, the graphics card thing is based on preference for nV or ATI. You can get a really high end ATI card for cheaper than the nV competition though, so something to consider. Same could be said with a AMD Phenom as far as processors go. You can get a 3GHz Phenom x4 for 190$. Intel would probably run you closer to 330$. But yeah, also kind of a preference thing~ unless you're only in it for the bang/buck factor.

[Kisamoo]

Have you tried... Newegg.ca ? Serious question.

[Epical]

Newegg.ca is GARBAGE, use NCIX, they're very good.

[Olo401]

$1000 Canadian can be rough.. I want to say you can probably build a Core i7 or Phenom II-AM3 system for that much but I always get screwed up on the exchange rates. If it comes down to cost at this point get an AM2+/AM3 board with like a Phenom II 810 proc for the moment - that way you have a wider upgrade path later on.

And yeah for parts NCIX is the place to go - Newegg.ca unfortunately tends to be overpriced in comparison, which is kinda sad.. BTW I'm not sure if they have Microcenters in Canada or not but they're a good option for walk-in discounts (I know here in the states they sell the i7 920 for like $230 USD, walk-in only).

[Avryll]

My boyfriend helped me with my pc, but we bought it off of ibuypower.com and it works wonderfully. You could try there.

[Aro]

Have you tried... Newegg.ca ? Serious question.

Honestly I did not XD

Thanks for the help so far, looks like I'll probably invest another like $100~200 if needed to get an i7.

What graphics cards specifically are worth it right now? I would say ATI since I have some remote experience with it and so far it has not let me down.

----------------

EDIT: now that I think about it I'm not sure which Motherboard would be best, any tips? XD

--------------

EDIT again!: I decided to do a rough build, so it's easier to give advice on improvements and such.

EDIT: Epical Advice Update.

Board: Gigabyte MA790X-UD4P ATX AM3 AMD790X DDR2 CrossFireX 2PCI-E 2PCI SATA2 Sound GBLAN Motherboard 139.99 CAD (??)
Card: XFX Radeon HD 4770 750MHZ 512MB 3.2GHZ GDDR5 2XDVI TV Out PCI-E Video Card 124.99 CAD
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300 Quad Core Processor LGA775 2.5GHZ Yorkfield 1333FSB 4MB Retail Box 228.98 CAD
Case: Antec Nine Hundred Mid Tower Gamer Case 900 ATX 9 Drive Bay No PS Top USB2.0 1394 Audio 137 CAD
RAM: Corsair XMS2 TWIN2X4096-8500C5 4GB 2X2GB PC2-8500 DDR2-1066 CL5-5-5-15 240PIN Memory Kit 60.99 CAD
HD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB SATA2 3.5IN 8.5MS 7200RPM 16MB Hard Drive OEM *3YR MFR Warranty* 64.98 CAD
CPU Cooler: Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro LGA775 2500RPM 45CFM 32.25 CAD

Motherboard/Power supply advice needed :3.

all of these were found on NCIX (thanks a lot for the tip Epical)

[Epical]

I'd suggest changing your card to the Sapphire or XFX models, Powercolor definitely isn't the best ATI manufacturer.

As for the processor, I recommend going with something like this (Intel C2Q Q8300) over the AMD due to it just being superior.

Case I guess is fine. I have the Antec 900 myself. VERY roomy and lots of good airflow.

Ram/HDD look fine. For CPU cooler, go with the tried/tested/true Freezer 7 Pro.

I don't have enough time to look at that mobo at the moment, so this is all I can offer to you at a glance.

[Aro]

Thanks a lot for the tips. I'm guessing those parts aren't compatible with the AM3 motherboard so I'm going to need to replace the board anyways.

[Mansin]

Christ on a bike I hated my 900.

As for a motherboard, I'm using the 2 PCI-E version of this:
Newegg.ca - GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3L LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

Overclocks really well and has room for everything you should need. Just make sure your card will fit in with that heatsink blocking the PCI lane. Judging on the card you have picked, it'll be okay.

[Knyghtmayre]

LU Computers

It's even Canada-based D;

[Aro]

Would that motherboard be a good choice If I'd want to upgrade my parts? Because if it's a tight squeeze that might limit my choices in the future.

[Akiyama]

What are you guys' opinion on the Antec 300?

Newegg.com - Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

That was a mid tower I was looking to snag when I got around to building my machine. My total cost was gonna come out to about $600ish.

[Cjskater]

If you plan to ever use that Windows XP thing in Windows 7: I wouldn't buy the Q8300. It doesn't have Virtualization, which is required to run it.

Which Intel CPUs Support XP Mode Virtualization? - Tom's Hardware

[Blabj]

I have an Antec 300, it's definately smaller than the 900, so you'll wanna keep your cabling neat to get the best air flow. Luckily, you can tuck most cables behind the motherboard tray, which will give you room to get everything airated.

A note on the ATI cards, get a card that doesn't have a reference cooler (by this I mean the tiny little 1 slot copper heatsink/fan) since most of the current architecture tend to run hot on reference coolers, which might cause you some problems in heavy gaming, where the graphics are doing a lot of the leg work. Go for something with a 2 slot cooler, or failing that, have a contingency for a 3rd party heatsink, should you find you have problems!
I'm not saying you definately will, I only have limited experience with one specific type of card and branding, and I know others don't seem to have the problem with over heating on some ATI cards. From what I've seen though, the 4770's look decent, especially crossfired, and I've heard good reviews, so I shouldn't think you'll run into too much trouble!

[Akiyama]

I have an Antec 300, it's definately smaller than the 900, so you'll wanna keep your cabling neat to get the best air flow. Luckily, you can tuck most cables behind the motherboard tray, which will give you room to get everything airated.

I actually watched a review/custom thing for the Antec 300 and saw that. That's pretty cool. Is it big enough to fit a 4770 in the case without it causing much problems with stuff elsewhere? I didn't want to go too small.

[levish]

if you have left over money go with a 4890 or two

[Aevis]

about the aion subject, i have:

- a dual core e6750 2.66ghz overclocked @ 3.2~ (works with box fan and no voltage adjustment needed)
- asus p5k motherboard
- ati radeon x1950 pro
- 2gb ddr2 6400 (800mhz)

running aion at max spec and i don't have any lag at all except the 5 seconds when i teleport/log into a city and it needs to load all the npcs and pcs.

[Akiyama]

about the aion subject, i have:

- a dual core e6750 2.66ghz overclocked @ 3.2~ (works with box fan and no voltage adjustment needed)
- asus p5k motherboard
- ati radeon x1950 pro
- 2gb ddr2 6400 (800mhz)

running aion at max spec and i don't have any lag at all except the 5 seconds when i teleport/log into a city and it needs to load all the npcs and pcs.

Wow. Seriously? I was actually looking at going with the
Phenom II X4 940 (3.0Ghz, no overclocked)
a GIGABYTE 790X mobo
a radeon HD4770
4GB ddr2 8500 (1066mhz)

and I was worried if I'd be able to run things.