My First Time

**subri1249** · Oct 30, 2007, 11:01am

Hi-
Building a Computer: This is my first time and need someone gentle to help me along. Really want to go cheap, and also want to go small - I have the Ultra MicroFly in mind. Need an idea on what is the acceptable (not necessarily the minimum) mobo / power / processor / video to run BioShock. Here's what I have so far:

mobo-Asus M2A-VM
cpu-AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ Retail
ram-2GB DDR2-667
case/psu-Ultra Silver MicroFly w/450-Watt Power Supply -> link
gpu-XFX GeForce 8600 GT XXX -> link
OS is XP Pro (or possibly Windows 2000)
BTW - have sound/HDD/speakers/kb&m already

Biggest questions: Not sure about card, but know I do not want top-of-line, will upgrade 6-9 months after build...what is acceptable for a good game of BioShock? What is base MOBO I should go with intention of growing this (I know I want AM2, probably SLI-ready).

Thanks so much!

**Trotter** · Nov 1, 2007, 11:15pm

If you want a SFF, it looks good. I dunno about Ultra PSUs, but that's because I haven't messed with them.

If you can swing it, go for 800 RAM... a little future-proofing.

A 3600+ X2 is a bit on the low side, but it will work well with the 8600.

Go with XP over 2000.

With the SFF, heat will be your biggest problem.

**Cat-tranz** · Dec 28, 2007, 12:56am

Hi subri1249
Reading your post in a small case SLI may be a problem-room and heat, SLI or Crossfire is great at high res but for a small form PC one good low profile GPU would be your best bet

Nov 1, 2007, 11:15pm	#2 (permalink) Re: My First Time
Trotter Super Moderator Posts: 141 Name: My last name really is Trotter Karma:	If you want a SFF, it looks good. I dunno about Ultra PSUs, but that's because I haven't messed with them. If you can swing it, go for 800 RAM... a little future-proofing. A 3600+ X2 is a bit on the low side, but it will work well with the 8600. Go with XP over 2000. With the SFF, heat will be your biggest problem. __________________ CoolerMaster WaveMaster (black)... Vantec Stealth 520W... DFI LanParty UT nF4 SLI-D... AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+... 2GB (2x1 GB) G.SKILL ZS... Seagate 80GB, 250GB SATA... Razer Lachesis... Sapphire X1950XT 256MB... NEC 19" MultiSync 1970GX...

Dec 28, 2007, 12:56am	#3 (permalink) Re: My First Time
Cat-tranz Babe Posts: 2,477 Name: Cindy Karma:	Hi subri1249 Reading your post in a small case SLI may be a problem-room and heat, SLI or Crossfire is great at high res but for a small form PC one good low profile GPU would be your best bet __________________ New members - before you post please read the TNT Rules

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Oct 30, 2007, 11:01am	#1 (permalink) My First Time
subri1249 Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma:	Hi- Building a Computer: This is my first time and need someone gentle to help me along. Really want to go cheap, and also want to go small - I have the Ultra MicroFly in mind. Need an idea on what is the acceptable (not necessarily the minimum) mobo / power / processor / video to run BioShock. Here's what I have so far: mobo-Asus M2A-VM cpu-AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ Retail ram-2GB DDR2-667 case/psu-Ultra Silver MicroFly w/450-Watt Power Supply -> link gpu-XFX GeForce 8600 GT XXX -> link OS is XP Pro (or possibly Windows 2000) BTW - have sound/HDD/speakers/kb&m already Biggest questions: Not sure about card, but know I do not want top-of-line, will upgrade 6-9 months after build...what is acceptable for a good game of BioShock? What is base MOBO I should go with intention of growing this (I know I want AM2, probably SLI-ready). Thanks so much!