How much computer stuff would I need to play Rome Total War 2 for optimum performance and graphics?

Q. Need a new computer. Not really a tech junkie so keep the explanation simple. What kind of computer would be good? How many graphics or Sound cards would I need? How much will it cost me to play this game. Im such a fan I must know

A. Well it's not released yet, so nobody is 100% certain right now. However, it's going to have a new engine and people expect it will have similar requirements to Total War: Shogun 2.

http://diaryofdennis.wordpress.com/2012/07/03/total-war-rome-2-estimated-system-requirements-and-release-date-probably-2013/

So basically, that means a desktop computer around $800-$900. The bottom-line specs you'll want:

1 - Core i5 processor (2nd or 3rd generation)

2 - At least 4GB of RAM (almost all new systems come with 8GB anyway)

3 - A graphics card around $125-$150, at least a Radeon HD 7770 or GeForce GTX 560 SE. Get a $170 card like a GeForce GTX 560 or Radeon HD 6870 and you'll be way in the clear.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/5541/amd-radeon-hd-7750-radeon-hd-7770-ghz-edition-review/14

Building from scratch is the best option, as pre-built systems typically don't have good graphics cards. You could always buy a $600 computer from Best Buy and upgrade the graphics card and power supply yourself, or pay a tech to install 'em for you. You could also look into getting a custom-built system from CyberpowerPC or Ibuypower's websites, but that costs more.

Here are some stock computers that would work:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229335
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227412
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227435

But you'd be better off buying this:
http://www.amazon.com/Gateway-DX-Series-DX4860-UR14P-Desktop/dp/B007W11590/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1349292447&sr=1-2&keywords=gateway+desktop+i5

Then adding these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371031
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130661

If you're planning to play on a full HD monitor (1920x1080 resolution) then you should get a 2GB graphics card. But the card model is more important than the memory. Don't think for a second that a $60 card with 2GB would work. You'll need a gaming-level card, like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129230

Anyway, upgrading a starting computer might save you $100-$150 compared to looking for a pre-built system with the specs you want.

Original Question

Is buying a old computer with newer parts better?

Q. I've been looking on sites like dell.com, and you know other computer websites, and it seems that if you buy a older pc model with newer parts than it is alot cheaper and would run better, is this true?

A. It depends upon how you plan to use the computer.

If you write papers using windows wordpad or Microsoft Word, use spreadsheets, powerpoint presentations, chat and IM, email and perhaps listen to music or watch an occassional You Tube
or other television, and you facebook or online date, an older PC with at least a Pentium 4 at 2 gigahertz is sufficient, and an 80 gig hard drive. Minimum 512 megabytes preferably 1 gigabyte.

However, if you plan on storing music and videoes, and you want to burn CD's or DVD's or you want to use a TV tuner card, you need at least 2006 year technology, which means an Athlon dual core or an Intel core 2 duo. You would need at least 1 gigabyte of ram too. This is
also important if you want to run an operating system such as Window 7 or Vista (Vista had problems, only get it if it is already installed on the older computer you are buying) .

HOWEVER, if you are a gamer, especially if you play highly graphical role playing online games
such as Star Wars - The Old Republic, YOU WILL NOT LIKE AN OLD COMPUTER.

I am not a gamer so I don't understand this fully, but those who play that game are always complaining about processors that seem extremely fast to me. If you are a gamer or plan to
be one, you need a 4 core 8 thread intel processor such as an i7 955 and an extremely powerful
graphics card. That means 2011+ technology such as a radeon hd 6850 graphics card and either
an intel i5 or i7 processor, OR an AMD Phenom ii x4 processor from 840 to 955 or higher. If it is
x6 or x8, that is even better. The x number is the number of processor cores on an AMD processor. If you want to watch Blu Rays or other 1080p multimedia, you need an extremely
powerful processor, although intel i3 or AMD Athlon ii's of at least 2.5 gigahertz should be sufficient.

IF YOU ARE NOT A GAMER, those expensive processors are unnecessary, a simple dual core
is more than enough to accomplish every nongaming task I can imagine (with the possible exception
of multimedia, converting a movie from one file format to another- or working with high definition
video content.


In 2012, you don't, for any task, want any processor older than a Pentium 4, except possibly
if you run Ubuntu or other Linux, a Pentium iii of 1 gigahertz will run ok, for basic tasks.

I would only buy a Pentium III box if it were $12 or less. Pentium 4 boxes upto 1 gigabyte of ram
and up to a 120 gig hard drive WITH A LICENSED COPY of Windows XP should be $110 or less
new and $50 with the licensed XP if used. If you have to get your own Windows XP, then the box should be $40 or less, not including your monitor or including a CRT monitor.

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