New Build for Warhammer Online + Dual monitors

[magma]

Original post

Hi all.

My PC will be used for mainly playing Warhammer Age of Reckoning and a few other new titles. I like to use dual monitors (Game + Internet, Game + Gideo, Video + Internet) so i think a quad core will be better value than the dual core.

I plan to overclock the CPU so I am looking for a motherboard that is userfriendly to help out a beginner overclocker. As I use dual monitors crossfire would be a nice feature if I decide to get dual graphics cards later.

Motherboard Well Documented/Easy to overclock, Crossfire compatible too if it does not cost much more.

Processor Intel Q6600

Ram 2x1GB PC-5300 - Already bought

Graphics Card 8800GS - Already bought

Power Supply Depends on Crossfire or not, Probably get a Corsair one.

Case About £50 - Side window would be nice, Does the case make that much difference?

Hard Drive 320GB SATA - From old computer, as I have a new moterhboard and CPU will the liecnce be valid?

OS XP Home - On hard drive already

Monitor 19" Standard Dell - Already bought

All suggestions welcome.

Thanks in advance, Jon

Update

After doing some more research I have found this article.

http://www.pcgameshardware.com/aid,660322/News/PCGH_Tuning_Warhammer_Online_-_Age_of_Reckoning/

Since Warhammer Online - Age of Reckoning has a good multi-core support you should use a dual-core CPU. In our processor benchmark you can see that the fps in WAR depend on the CPU in use. But a quad-core processor doesn't deliver any benefits compared to an equally clocked dual-core. We deactivated two cores of a Phenom X4 9550 (2.2 GHz) and the framerate was still at 53 pictures per second.

Since I will often have a other apps running as well as WAR should I get a processor with more than 2 cores as if it already using 2 of the cores for the game, the additional core would hopefully be used well. Or would I be better off with a higher clocked dual core CPU as WAR is very CPU dependent unlike other games which are GPU dependent.

Also with the new AMD CPUs coming out soon would it be better to get an AMD system so that I can upgrade just the proccessor later.

Ideas so far

Q6600
E8400
X3 2.4Ghz Black edition
AMD dual core

If I go AMD it will have to be cheaper than the intel as I will upgrade it later. I live in the UK so I will be buying at UK prices. I actually work at an IT distributor but for low margin product like processors its cheaper to buy from the people we sell them to!

So suggestion for CPU + motherboard combo will be great.

Current build idea

Already purchased, can’t take back
Ram ~ 2x1GB PC-5300 – Will upgrade when overclocking CPU

Graphics Card ~ 8800GS - Will upgrade later.

Monitors ~ 19" and 15.4" Standard Dell

Components to purchase
Processor ~

Motherboard ~

Power Supply ~ Corsair 650W TX Series PSU - 120mm Fan, 80+% Efficiency, Single +12V Rail

Case ~ Antec 900

Hard Drive ~ Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB SATA-II 32MB Cache
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-244-WD

OS ~ Vista Home Premium 64bit

 

[Proximon]

I can tell you from first hand knowledge... I'm in a large gaming clan and several people have the Q6600 and 8800GT

I on the other hand have an E8400 overclocked to 3.6 and an 8800GT.

I get far smoother keep battles than they do, compared live over vent as we fight.

I would recommend a Q9550 and a P43 motherboard, along with 4GB RAM and a mild overclock.

I have a parts list here is you need some ideas:

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/257075-31-what-parts-choose

 

[dirtmountain]

Including the newegg links just for reference.

If you do go the AMD route and get the X3 CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103295

go with the 790GX or 790FX with the AMD750SB, the GX is capable of 8x/8x crossfire
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138128

the FX with 16x/16x crossfire or triple 16x/8x/8x or quad 8x/8x/8x/8x
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131339

personally with your uses i'd go the Q6600 overclocked to 3.0 + and a crossfire P45 motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131299

 

[Kaldor]

I can tell you from first hand knowledge... I'm in a large gaming clan and several people have the Q6600 and 8800GT

I on the other hand have an E8400 overclocked to 3.6 and an 8800GT.

I get far smoother keep battles than they do, compared live over vent as we fight.

I would recommend a Q9550 and a P43 motherboard, along with 4GB RAM and a mild overclock.

I have a parts list here is you need some ideas:

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/257075-31-what-parts-choose

QTF

Im using a E8400 @ 4ghz, 4 gigs of RAM, 2 4850's Xfired and Warhammer flies.

In your case I agree with Prox. Get a P43 mobo, either an E8400 or a Q9550, 4 gigs of RAM and run. When you get the money, maybe put in a single 4870 or 260 video card. The rest of your stuff looks fine.

 

[jerreece]

I've been playing Warhammer Online with the system in my signature below. Things run well. I recently OC'd my Q6600 from 2.4Ghz to 3.2Ghz. I haven't played Warhammer since I did this, so I'm not sure how much affect that will have on my FPS at all.

However, I can tell you that I've noticed Warhammer Online does use all 4 cores on my Q6600 when I'm playing. With all stock settings (CPU & GPU) with everything in game maxed (not many settings frankly) I would get some stuttering when in large RVR scenarios. When you get 20 people on screen all casting spells and such it would get a little choppy.

Not sure if this is due to CPU, GPU, or Latency (unfortunately Warhammer has no in game latency/ping display). I play at 1440x900.

 

[magma]

I am not going to be able to afford a Q9550.

Warhammer online does can use 4 cores but mainly uses just 2. The test that show it not using the 3rd and 4th core are because they never played the game in an area where it would utilise the additional cores. Gaining 20 FPS in PvE when I already have 60 FPS is irrelevant compared to gaining 5 FPS in huge RvR when I have 20 FPS.
Will the new AMD processors be compatible with the current range of motherboards? as maybe it would be better to get the cheaper X3 and have the option to upgrade later if I need to.
Also what is the top of the range processor that the current LGA775 motherboards will be able to support?

Thanks for the replies

 

[balearic]

Just for peice of mind in Warhammer Online if you have an E8400 and keep it stock at 3.0Ghz, your FPS will never drop below 60. It has never dropped below that with my experience it fluctuates from 62-80 fps. Once you overclock it to 3.6Ghz, fps will increase to 80-95. If you OC to 4.0+ it pretty much stays 90-100FPS and doesnt budge when you select option "Fastest Framerate" when doing RVR scenarios. I tested this with a 4870 512MB though, with 4 gigs of ram using FRAPS.

Warning: E8400's have temp issues and you never can tell how hot its running. My temp sensors are stuck, or at least one is, and this is a very common complaint. But i've overclocked it about 20 different ways and have not had problems since its release date. Easy overclocker.