Computer Build

ScarySquirrel · Post by **ScarySquirrel** » 15 Mar 2010, 10:36

I'm building a computer, on which I will play Spring in dual monitor mode, and run a 3d desktop environment in GNU/Linux.
$600 to $800, then $200/year of upgrades, including RAM, then graphics card.

Thanks to all your help, I have decided on everything.

CPU: I5 750 $200 http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... u=I69-0750
CHIP SET: LGA 1156
MOTHERBOARD: $150 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 67296&SID=
POWER SUPPLY: $100 CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V http://www.newegg.com/product/product.a ... 6817139005
HARD DRIVE: Old 160GB Western Digital drive stolen from someone's enclosure. $0
RAM: Corsair XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM 1600 $120
GPU: GeForce 9500 GT $50 http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... =B450-9506 (I'm going to get the GTX260 as a Christmas present, whether from myself or from others)
CASE: Antec 300 Illusion $75 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... -_-Product
Linux + Spring <$700: Amazing
TOTAL: $696 (Includes +$36 Tax -$30 Rebates)

At least the idea of a Spring gaming computer is possible. Not sure about linux...

I posted on the Ubuntu fora: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php? ... ost8969654
Got jack shit for responses there

I have posted at the TomsHardware forum, too: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/28267 ... patibility

Thanks again for all of your help. When I posted this I would never have thought that there would be thirty-five responses.

Post by **Auswaschbar** » 15 Mar 2010, 11:02

Every gfx card with more than 1 vga / dvi /displayport / hdmi link allows for a dual-monitor setup. If I were about to buy a new card, I would probably go for a GT240 type.

Post by **hoijui** » 15 Mar 2010, 11:41

i agree with Aus, and i would recommend AMD CPU.
also remember, its just a computer.. would be stupid to go insane about this.

manolo_ · Post by **manolo_** » 15 Mar 2010, 12:17

okay its in german, but the name of the pc-components are the same, there is a list of a good combinations for different money limits:

http://extreme.pcgameshardware.de/kompl ... l-amd.html

CarRepairer · Post by **CarRepairer** » 15 Mar 2010, 19:33

Don't forget the 3D monitor.

Tribulex · Post by **Tribulex** » 15 Mar 2010, 19:45

srs? how 2 werk?

ScarySquirrel · Post by **ScarySquirrel** » 15 Mar 2010, 22:24

Thanks for all the responses. I did not expect this post to attract attention so quickly.

I read a bit of the link you provided, [link], using google translator since my german is poor, and will read more of it later. It seems like excellent advice about just the questions I am asking myself. However, my dual monitor question is specific to Spring. Do we have a way of using two separate views of a battlefield on two separate monitors without two separate Spring processes?

I know about the use of VGA and DVI ports, but what I am looking for is using two windows of Spring, similarly to Supreme Commander, I think, with one for an overview or unit view, and another for tactical overhead view.

I'm not entirely sure, but I don't think the regular dual monitor setup, which I already use on a regular basis, will work for having two Spring windows for one spring game.

Please let me know or link me to more information about Spring dual monitors and graphics cards that work well with Spring/linux.

ScarySquirrel · Post by **ScarySquirrel** » 15 Mar 2010, 22:25

By the way, a 3d Monitor is too far outside the range of my budget and expertise for me to even consider.

Tribulex · Post by **Tribulex** » 16 Mar 2010, 03:09

Yes, join a game with a separate spectator account, and move that spring window to the other screen. This way you can even see the enemy units too! A favourite technique among pro spring players.

ScarySquirrel · Post by **ScarySquirrel** » 16 Mar 2010, 06:37

Apparently, Spring does not, in fact, yet support dual monitors in fullscreen mode, with two separately oriented displays, without two separate instances of Spring. Anyone know? Does that require multi-threading?

My dreams of running Spring well on two monitors of different resolutions in fullscreen mode were destroyed by this post: Duel Monitors

ScarySquirrel · Post by **ScarySquirrel** » 16 Mar 2010, 06:38

This thread also precludes non-span dual monitor support: http://springrts.com/phpbb/viewtopic.ph ... or#p415063

ScarySquirrel · Post by **ScarySquirrel** » 16 Mar 2010, 06:40

Tribulex, does the solution you discuss require something like intel's "hyper-threading"? I am buying a processor without one, and I was wondering if I need to get a hyperthreading cpu for running two Springs at the same time.

ScarySquirrel · Post by **ScarySquirrel** » 16 Mar 2010, 07:05

GRAPHICS CARDS:
I list the graphics cards I intend to eventually use below:

1. GTX260 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... -_-Product

Are these compatible with Spring games like Complete Annihilation?

Post by **hoijui** » 16 Mar 2010, 08:24

gfx card is good.
HyperThreading... no.

I still recommend AMD CPU, now even more (seeing you talk about HyperThreading).

what you want, two separate views of the battlefield within a single spring instance, and multi-screen support with the screens using different resolutions, are two separate things, and they both need changes in the spring code, the first one a lot, the second one less, but they are both non-trivial.

Spring needs a good CPU (especially lots of GHz, not many cores or HyperThreading), the rest is not very important. so... if you are happy with a CPU, get any NV GPU and do not care much for the rest of parts. better spend more time learning to code and improve spring source

zerver · Post by **zerver** » 16 Mar 2010, 11:45

HyperThreading does not hurt, but what you should look for is dual/quad core. If you can find something within your budget range, I would recommend the cheapest Core I7 which has 4 cores and hyperthreading also. If not, go for AMD since Intel's lead has diminished lately. You only need a medium good graphics card.

ScarySquirrel · Post by **ScarySquirrel** » 17 Mar 2010, 15:36

hoijui, your reply answers all of my questions, your status as a developer lends them some authority, and they match most of what I have read on the rest of the forums.

Dual Screen: I guess if I am to get this feature, I would need to patch it in myself.

AMD: A friend of mine, who I consult for this build, recommended AMD as well. On the strength of both of your recommendations, I will reconsider AMD CPUs. The reasons I chose the i5 follow:
The i5s cost less than $200.
The i5 750 has four cores, the better for handling many tasks at once, I suppose.
I have tried an AMD athlon 3500+ chip in my laptop, but though it had good performance in terms of GHz, it also had an overheating problem, and was outperformed with Spring by a computer with less RAM and a Pentium M.

Post by **hoijui** » 17 Mar 2010, 15:53

ahh.. here AMD CPUs are much cheaper then Intel ones with comparable performance, that is why i recommended them. there are also AMD Quad Core CPUs. if Intel is cheaper for you, i guess that is the better option then.

Apollo · Post by **Apollo** » 17 Mar 2010, 16:15

ScarySquirrel wrote: I have tried an AMD athlon 3500+ chip in my laptop, but though it had good performance in terms of GHz, it also had an overheating problem, and was outperformed with Spring by a computer with less RAM and a Pentium M.

CPUS ARE LAPTOP AND DISCONTINUED YEARS AGO, POINT NOT VALID, DOES NOT COMPUTE. ZOMFG WTF LOL FAIL LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL OMFG.

Caydr · Post by **Caydr** » 18 Mar 2010, 04:31

Tribulex is just being a douche, ignore him.

1) Try waiting until the second week of April to buy your graphics card. By this time, Nvidia's new graphics card will have been released. Regardless of whether it's any good, a lot of people are waiting for it to be released before making their purchasing decisions, which will probably give you the opportunity to pick up a used card for cheap. A Geforce 9800/250 (same thing, different label IIRC), or above would be a good choice for someone that uses Linux frequently. Fermi's release may possibly lead to a general price reduction for GPUs if they prove to be any good.

2) Don't skimp on your power supply or motherboard, these two components can determine the stability of your entire computer. An efficient power supply (rated "80 Plus Silver" or Gold) will waste half as much power and create half as much heat as a typical power supply.

3) Asus, a few years ago, was the very best motherboard manufacturer around and I'd recommend them to anybody. Now they've shifted their focus a lot and it seems their motherboards are not always so good. They're still a solid brand, but I'd also equally recommend Gigabyte or MSI.

4) Put my name on the list of people recommending an AMD CPU. Intel has an advantage at the high end, but only at ridiculously high prices. Anything at the i5 level of performance or below can be matched by a cheaper AMD part.

Tribulex · Post by **Tribulex** » 18 Mar 2010, 05:10

This is mysterious. My posts are being eaten by some beast.

Spring RTS Engine

Computer Build

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3d Monitor

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NO Dual Monitor Support

Two Springs

GRAPHICS CARDS

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Answers + AMD

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