Hi guys. I'm currently thinking of upgrading my existing PC. I'm currently using an X2 3800+, 2GB ram and a 7800GT.
I've decided I want to get back into gaming and I intend to use the PC for multimedia purposes as well (potentially hooking up to a 5.1 amp via optical, maybe to a TV, scart at first, then potentially HDMI). This is going to have to last me 2-3 years as I'm not going to have much, if any spare cash for upgrades in that time.
Ideally I want to get an entire system including monitor (I'm thinking 24" panel, but I'm open to suggestions) speakers, keyboard, mouse and headset. Do you think this is realistic on a £1000 budget if I want to be able to play new releases at reasonable settings for the next 2 years?
I'm also way out of date on tech. Is there a huge performance difference between AMD and Intel at the moment? ATI and Nvidia? Is DDR3 massively better than DDR2. Quad cores a must?
Basically guys, I used to have a clue and now I certainly don't. So if you guys can clue me up, and potentially make suggestions on system builds that would be ace.
If not I'll make a post in every sub section of Hardware to get the lowdown on each component.
Edit - At the moment the games I'd have most interest in would be Empire: Total War, Supreme Commander & Forged Alliance (slide show on my PC) and probably some of the latest FPS games.
I've decided I want to get back into gaming and I intend to use the PC for multimedia purposes as well (potentially hooking up to a 5.1 amp via optical, maybe to a TV, scart at first, then potentially HDMI). This is going to have to last me 2-3 years as I'm not going to have much, if any spare cash for upgrades in that time.
Ideally I want to get an entire system including monitor (I'm thinking 24" panel, but I'm open to suggestions) speakers, keyboard, mouse and headset. Do you think this is realistic on a £1000 budget if I want to be able to play new releases at reasonable settings for the next 2 years?
I'm also way out of date on tech. Is there a huge performance difference between AMD and Intel at the moment? ATI and Nvidia? Is DDR3 massively better than DDR2. Quad cores a must?
Basically guys, I used to have a clue and now I certainly don't. So if you guys can clue me up, and potentially make suggestions on system builds that would be ace.
If not I'll make a post in every sub section of Hardware to get the lowdown on each component.
Edit - At the moment the games I'd have most interest in would be Empire: Total War, Supreme Commander & Forged Alliance (slide show on my PC) and probably some of the latest FPS games.
