[akenbosch]

any way to set it too work with both cores in unison permanently until freespace can handle it without lagging?

[Bob-san]

No you cannot. Don't despair, though... the Core-based processors are faster then Netburst and Athlon processors, even in single-threaded applications. The only thing I know of that has its own thread in Freespace SCP is audio--which would be relatively simple compared to separating other parts (such as AI, collisions, and a bunch of other stuff, so i've heard).

I'd say you get at least a Core 2 Duo E6550--that processor runs at 2.33GHz on FSB1333 (333MHz). Be aware that, if you do that, you'll need DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) or faster RAM, such as DDR2 800, or DDR3 1333 or faster. DDR3 is expensive ($200/gigabyte, I think) and offers little benefit right now (especially compared to the under-$40/gigabyte DDR2).

[BloodEagle]

Freespace runs (the full settings) just fine with my system*.

*System specs:
AMD Athlon 4000+ (2.4ghz) single core.
768MB RAM (I'm going to buy more in a few weeks).
256MB GDDR3 NVidia GeForce 7600GS (overclocked).

[Bob-san]

That's not the point--dual-core processors are the future for other games. Just because Freespace doesn't take particular advantage of dual+core processors, doesn't mean it's a bad idea to get them. I guess I could say Freespace runs fine on reduced settings on my computer....

*System specs:
Intel Celeron 2.0ghz single core (overclocked to 2.2ghz)
512B DDR400 RAM (underclocked to DDR294)
128MB NVidia GeForce FX5200 (overclocked to 300/500)

[BloodEagle]

That's not the point--dual-core processors are the future for other games.

Did I say they weren't?

[Ghostavo]

It's worth noting that there are games being made that supposedly use quad cores to their advantage such as Alan Wake

[Bob-san]

That's not the point--dual-core processors are the future for other games.

Did I say they weren't?

No, but AkenBosch asked about a single-core processor.

[CP5670]

You would have a hard time getting a single core even if you wanted to. They have been phased out of the market at this point and are somewhat difficult to find in normal retail channels, although some low end laptops still include them.

[Bob-san]

Low-end laptops and super-budget desktops. If I remember correctly, Intel only produces 3 single-core processors (Celeron 420, 430, 440) now, and they're all based on Core micro architecture and the Conroe-L core.

[colecampbell666]

 
I looked around and decided to go with NCIX. They actually have a massive selection. Better compy or less!

Case - 70$
Power Supply - OCZ, 600w, - 90$
Motherboard - Asus P5KC ATX - 170$
DVD/CD Burner - 40$
Processor - 2.4 Ghz, quad core - 290$
Hard Drive - 250 Gb - 80$
RAM - 2 Gb - 110$
Video Card - Diamond Radeon 2900XT, 512Mb DDR3 - 480$
Cooling - 20$

Total: 1588$ Canadian - Within Budget (barely)! Now to convince them to spring. I would have to convince my computer illiterate mom that it is better than this

[Bob-san]

\What is wrong with windows 64-bit?
Should I get dual or quad core, with a mind on the future?
Are Nvidia or ATI video cards better?
Should I get Vista or XP?
Is Vista Ultimate worth the price?

1) Windows 64-bit has less driver support then 32-bit
2) Quad-core for the future. You can overclock them quite well, too.
3) nVidia GeForce 8's are generally faster then their Radeon counterparts (with exception of the Radeon HD 2900 XT being faster then the GeForce 8800GTS 640MB)
4) I'd say WinVista--XP is being phased out and will lose support in 18 months (iirc).
5) From what I've heard--Home Premium is the best price/features.

[CP5670]

I looked around and decided to go with NCIX. They actually have a massive selection. Better compy or less!

Told you.

Video Card - Diamond Radeon 2900XT, 1Gb DDR3 - 530$

The 1GB one is not really worth the extra price. It's only about 1-2% faster than the 512MB, which is $460. The extra memory is useless and the higher memory speed doesn't do much either since the 2900 cards have massive memory bandwidth, more than they can effectively make use of.

2) Quad-core for the future. You can overclock them quite well, too.

Well, the current 65nm quads generate a lot of heat when overclocked and may not go up very far in a SFF case. One option is to get a cheaper dual (E4400 or E6750) for now and upgrade once the 45nm Penryn quads come out early next year. That's what I am doing.

4) I'd say WinVista--XP is being phased out and will lose support in 18 months (iirc).

I would also recommend using Vista for a brand new build. However, driver and game compatibility is still a bit better on XP, even in recent games like Bioshock.

[colecampbell666]

is the 2900 XT 512 better than the 8800 GTS?
Are these the same? 1 2

2) Quad-core for the future. You can overclock them quite well, too.

Well, the current 65nm quads generate a lot of heat when overclocked and may not go up very far in a SFF case. One option is to get a cheaper dual (E4400 or E6750) for now and upgrade once the 45nm Penryn quads come out early next year. That's what I am doing.

My parents will probably not be willing to upgrade.

4) I'd say WinVista--XP is being phased out and will lose support in 18 months (iirc).

I would also recommend using Vista for a brand new build. However, driver and game compatibility is still a bit better on XP, even in recent games like Bioshock.

Which Vista? What is wrong with 64-bit?
I find it hard to believe that XP is being phased out as up until last year Win98 was supported.

[BloodEagle]

Don't get Vista. It's a resource hog, buggy as all Hell, and worst of all it's the latest OS by Micro$oft.  Seriously though, it won't be worth getting Vista for at least a year.

-----------

By the way, I could have sworn 64-bit processors fully supported 32-bit applications. Am I wrong?

[CP5670]

is the 2900 XT 512 better than the 8800 GTS?
Are these the same? 1 2

They switch places depending on the game, but overall the 2900XT is slightly faster than the 640MB GTS. (although it's also a bit more expensive)

All the 2900XT cards of each memory size are identical. The Diamond one is the cheapest, so you might as well get that.

Which Vista? What is wrong with 64-bit?
I find it hard to believe that XP is being phased out as up until last year Win98 was supported.

As Bob-san said, Home Premium seems to be a good option, and the current 64-bit drivers for many types of hardware are not up to scratch.

You can certainly use XP if you want though. I have no plans to get Vista for a while as XP is still better in terms of game compatibility, but Vista will pull ahead later on and you're going to want to switch to it at some point anyway.

[colecampbell666]

Will the Diamond one use the ATI supplied drivers?
I have a copy of XP Pro 32-bit and will probably switch to Vista when the time comes.
Will I have problems with 2Gb of RAM with 32-bit? I assume not.
Would I be better off getting a GTS and saving the price?

[colecampbell666]

Case - 70$
Power Supply - OCZ, 600w, - 90$
Motherboard - Asus P5KC ATX - 170$
DVD/CD Burner - 40$
Processor - 2.4 Ghz, quad core - 290$
Hard Drive - 250 Gb - 80$
RAM - 2 Gb - 110$
Video Card - Diamond Radeon 2900XT, 512Mb DDR3 - 480$
Cooling - 20$

Total: 1588$ Canadian - Within Budget (barely)! Now to convince them to spring. I would have to convince my computer illiterate mom that it is better than this

[Hades]

That is not really bump.

[colecampbell666]

That got in there by accident.

[CP5670]

I think he just copied his earlier post.

Will the Diamond one use the ATI supplied drivers?
I have a copy of XP Pro 32-bit and will probably switch to Vista when the time comes.
Will I have problems with 2Gb of RAM with 32-bit? I assume not.
Would I be better off getting a GTS and saving the price?

1: Yes.
2: That works.
3: No.
4: Maybe. Depends on what games you play. I think the GTS is overall a better option due to its prices and the fact it has less of a performance hit with AA, but the 2900XT seems to be pulling ahead in the most recent games. The 2900XT also uses considerably more power (and expels more heat), which I don't care about, but some people do. You said you wanted an ATI/AMD card though, so it doesn't seem like a hard choice.