Suggestions for games parlour
 

I'm setting up a small computer games parlor for a friend to go along
with his existing cybercafe, and I'd appreciate your inputs -
suggestions, experience, etc. especially re the mobo, gfx and CPU.

Price-performance ratio is very important, and the machines should be
much cheaper than the hard-core gamer's personal high-end
configuration. But they should not become obsolete too soon either.
E.g., I was considering something along the lines of GF4 or FX 5200
display, and Athlon XP 2000+ to 2600+ CPU. Monitors will probably be
the Samsung 763MB (17" flat screen).

I'm rather biased towards AMD systems and I've built more than 30
computers based on the Asus A7N266-VM mobo, but the nForce chipset
with its GF2-class display is getting long in the tooth, and I think
this mobo is being phased out anyway. The A7N8X-VM with nForce2 and
GF4-MX class gfx still costs nearly 200 USD here. I've recently bought
the similar K7NCR18GM by Leadtek which is somewhat cheaper. An account
of your experience with these boards will be very helpful.

Consideration is NOT limited to Asus or integrated gfx, but the
combined price of mobo and dislay card should not exceed that of the
A7N8X-VM. Of course, rock-solid stability is very important. A
whimsical mobo that has to be coddled is a no-no. What about variants
of the MSI KT4 ? Any favourite Gigabyte boards ?

TIA for your inputs.

The 2400+ is the sweet spot right now at $75 (NewEgg). I'd go with the
A7N8X-X. For video, I'd say Radeon 9600 Pro. The 256MB version isn't even
that much more than 128. Since these are supposed to be gaming machines, I'd
steer very clear of integrated graphics, as they steal way too much memory
bandwidth.

"Zotin Khuma" wrote in message
om...
I'm setting up a small computer games parlor for a friend to go along
with his existing cybercafe, and I'd appreciate your inputs -
suggestions, experience, etc. especially re the mobo, gfx and CPU.

Price-performance ratio is very important, and the machines should be
much cheaper than the hard-core gamer's personal high-end
configuration. But they should not become obsolete too soon either.
E.g., I was considering something along the lines of GF4 or FX 5200
display, and Athlon XP 2000+ to 2600+ CPU. Monitors will probably be
the Samsung 763MB (17" flat screen).

I'm rather biased towards AMD systems and I've built more than 30
computers based on the Asus A7N266-VM mobo, but the nForce chipset
with its GF2-class display is getting long in the tooth, and I think
this mobo is being phased out anyway. The A7N8X-VM with nForce2 and
GF4-MX class gfx still costs nearly 200 USD here. I've recently bought
the similar K7NCR18GM by Leadtek which is somewhat cheaper. An account
of your experience with these boards will be very helpful.

Consideration is NOT limited to Asus or integrated gfx, but the
combined price of mobo and dislay card should not exceed that of the
A7N8X-VM. Of course, rock-solid stability is very important. A
whimsical mobo that has to be coddled is a no-no. What about variants
of the MSI KT4 ? Any favourite Gigabyte boards ?

TIA for your inputs.

Zotin Khuma wrote:

I'm setting up a small computer games parlor for a friend to go along
with his existing cybercafe, and I'd appreciate your inputs -
suggestions, experience, etc. especially re the mobo, gfx and CPU.

Price-performance ratio is very important, and the machines should be
much cheaper than the hard-core gamer's personal high-end
configuration. But they should not become obsolete too soon either.
E.g., I was considering something along the lines of GF4 or FX 5200
display, and Athlon XP 2000+ to 2600+ CPU. Monitors will probably be
the Samsung 763MB (17" flat screen).


I've been happy with the later sis based boards for "low end" systems. Very
stable and no weird problems with "4in1 drivers" etc. Something like a
A7S333 with DDR333 ram and a Ti4200 should work fine and be fairly cheap.
Get whatever tbred CPU is the right price now and you should be in good
shape. I too like the A7N266-vm's but these SIS boards are faster and you
really need a seperate card for best performance. As always I sugest you
stay AWAY from Via boards unless you enjoy tech support and sorting out
other people's problems! :-) You might luck out and it work fine but I
wouldn't count on it.
--

Stacey