Since I decided to make the leap to quake4, I started building up a new PC to test the requirements of the game. I am not wealthy, so I am looking for the best hardware for the price. I have Q4 up and running on this machine at max resolution with no problems. I have no games that cause this machine to flicker at max resolution.

If you doubt the power of 64-bit processing read on. The Moving-Target is convinced that no money should be spent on 32-bit upgrades because 64-bit is awesome. There are some problems with the new technology, but they are well worth working around. [break]

Moving-Target Test Machine

The new Target test gaming station is beginning to take shape. The preview components consist of the following items:

Generic case
Generic 350-watt power supply
Generic 21” monitor
Generic keyboard
Razer Copperhead mouse
Ratpadz gs mouse pad
Asus A8N-E 64 socket 939 mobo
AMD 3500 64 bit processor
OCZ DDR ram, 512mb 400mhz 3200
Sapphire Radeon X800GTO2 256mb video card
No sound card or speakers

Windows XP64
Windows XP
Ubuntu Linux 64

Ubuntu Linux is the best 64 bit OS that I have tried. Building my own drivers for stuff like the web cam is not fun but the OS works very well. XP64 is quirky and a bit unstable. Unfortunately, most new games are for windows.

Windows XP64 did not recognize the Radeon X800 or allow a complete install of the drivers from the disk. It did see enough of the drivers to allow a clean resolution change and an install of Quake 4. It did not allow me to play quake 4. I had to install an old version of windows XP 32 bit.

XP32 saw the X800 video card with no problems. I installed the driver disk with tremendous results. I went from clean resolution change to user selected resolution change. Quake 4 runs at high resolution on-line getting an average 62 fps! I upped the ante to ultra high resolution for single player and played at 29-60 fps with excellent clarity.

The old Barton 2500 cpu with ddr 3000 ram and an FX5700 video card rolled along at the lowest resolution with an average fps of 40 in single player and 25 in multiplayer with no other players in the game!

More ram is on the way. A case with a 500-watt power supply is standing by, ready for action. Speakers and sound card are in limbo at the moment because I haven’t given it much thought sound yet.

I am not happy with Windows XP64 not having drivers or backward capability like they advertise. It is pointless to have a 64-bit CPU running 32-bit software. I very happy with the performance of the X800GTO2 video card. Having the multiplayer fps jump from the low 20’s to the low 60’s is fantastic. The rail shoots right where I aim (unfortunately, I rarely aim at the target I intend to hit). When I move the mouse, the cursor actually moves with the mouse.

I like the GTO. If you have PCI-e and are considering a $300 card, take a look at this one. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102596

I heard 64bit driver right now are limited, basically beta!

I can't and won't even try to lie about how much 64-bit drivers suck. Please remember that Microsoft Vista will be a 64-bit OS, so companies will be fixing their drivers very fast.

Have you ever did a review on a OPC machine? I wouldnt mind getting 1 if I had the money.

http://www.overdrivepc.com:8080/opc/...sp?site=gaming

By the way, MT, the system has 1GB of RAM!

Vayne: I have used an OPC in the past. Although it was for only like 45 minutes, I have to say that it gave me a very good first impression. I will admit that it was a few years ago, before PCI-E/SLI and DDR were dominating the market.

I don't know much about factory built machines. All of the parts listed above were laying around and put to for this project. That is how target machines are built.

I spec out Coldblooded machines but most people don't want to pay for them. My specs are low end compared to some of the Fatality machines. The FX chips and SLI stuff is really expensive but not enough of a software boost to drop an extra $3,000 for the top video card and cpu.