Building the perfect PC for ArmA

[B-rad 0]

G'day,

I live in Australia and am looking to set up a gaming PC for ArmA. I have set aside no more than $5000 (AUD) to spend.

Unfortunately, because of some of the hardware and software compatibility issues with ArmA I can't just go out and buy the best specs available. That's a shame because it means that I'm limiting the number of upcoming new games like Crysis etc that I'll be able to play. But I suppose that's just the way it goes.

From research on the net I understand that Arma especially has issues with any of the following a) Windows Vista, b) 8800 video cards, c) using 2 video cards simultaneously (SLI), d) 4GB RAM.

Given that, I'm hoping someone can recommend a rig that I can get put together in Australia that is going to have the best screen-size, FPS', draw-distance, etc etc that I can physically get (without overclocking) while still avoiding compatibility issues. For all I know, perhaps there's an ideal rig setup that even includes Vista, an 8800 video card etc. etc. when chosen wisely.

The system I've come up with so far is (and includes some of the risky elements):

OS: Windows XP Pro x64 (later on dual-boot it with Vista)

Processor: Quad-core QX6800 2.93GHZ.

Video card: 768MB PCIex16 NVIDIA® GeForce® 8800 Ultra. I'm thinking I'll leave open the option to get a 2nd 8800 ultra card in the future for other games.

RAM: 4GB (4X1GB) NECC Dual Channel DDR2 800MHz SDRAM Memory

Sound: I just use a Logitech USB headphone so won't need an especially fancy sound card.

Monitor: I'm probably going to use a 19" monitor I already have. I might get a wide-screen 20" or 22" inch LCD some time down the track.

Please share with me any of your advice, experience, specs, etc, your take on the rig I've suggested above, or an alternative rig. I appreciate it.

Cheers,

Brad

[Madus_Maximus 0]

The quad core might be a bit over the top for a gaming rig, seeing as the vast majority of games aren't even optimised for dual core at the moment. Quad core (right now at least) is more for servers and if you do a lot of editing like 3d modelling and the like. Just save a bunch and get a core 2 duo or an am2.

The issues ArmA has with the 8800 cards is seen in many games on the current gen DX10 cards. They've changed the way things like fog are rendered, so games with DX9 fog can be effected by it. Anyway, nvidia have improved things a lot there with their latest drivers, no idea about ati, I don't really follow them. The new 1.09 patch is also addressing said fog issue.

I think the 4gb ram issue is related to Vista and the way it assigns memory to games. Vista is a resource hog all on its own so never mind a game running on top of it. I tried Vista and ArmA ran fine on it for me, but I just didnt like the OS on the whole so I went back to XP.

Dual-booting seems to be the best way to go if you have the hard drive space. A lot of people leave XP on for things that don't work in Vista like some games. The only thing I think Vista offers to make it worth getting and using is DX10, but it'll be a while before we actually need that. You can still run DX9 games on DX8 hardware, just doesnt look as pretty or run as well, but it's still possible. I'm not touching it again untill I've read reviews on SP1 when it's released early next year.

Anyway. AMD are cheaper than the Intel equivilent, but Intel seem to have the higher ground in terms of top end performance right now, but then again you really do notice a hole burn in your wallet if you get it. Personally I'd go with an AM2 Athlon 6400+. Check out the nvidia site for their new snazy motherboard with nForce 680i. That board seriously looks the dogs and offers you a lot of futureproofing and expanding.

I hae no idea where to find the best deals as I'm in the UK by the way. Just remember to try several places for the best prices!

[MehMan 0]

I'd rather wait before buying a Dx 10 card. IIRC Dx 10.1 is going to make them obsolete which is a shame.

[Sniperwolf572 758]

This pinned thread in OT forums is the best place to discuss such things.

Closing.