LAN Gaming center

[ApacheChief]

I'm very confused as to what directions to go. I've been to busy to read many hardware articles lately. SLI/dual core/etc. are, frankly, feaking me out!

So I ask you, hardware guru's, to suggest to me (a future LAN Center owner) what you'd like to see in a LAN Center computer. I'd like to spend as little as possible, therefore I'll be overclocking the living hell out of each and every computer I setup. Hopefully that'll save enough money to get the best out of my computers for a good 3~ years.

 

[raincityboy]

your post scares me.

you say SLI, and dual core= saving money

 

[ApacheChief]

That's why they're freaking me out, I have a feeling people will demand them

 

[nick1985]

budget?

 

[ApacheChief]

Probably around 1,200 a computer. I have no idea yet. Trying to figure out a system right now.

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: insolence
Probably around 1,200 a computer. I have no idea yet. Trying to figure out a system right now.

does that $1200 include monitor and speakers? mouse and keyboard? if not, then $1200 will get you a sweet machine, no need to OC.

 

[imported_Kensai]

As nick said. This is what I ask out of a LAN party computer,

A64 @ 2.4GHz or higher
Something with at *least* 8 pipelines (VGA)
At minimum 1GB Ram
10K+ RPM SCSI/SATA drives.
17" LCD
Wireless mouse, wired keyboard.
2.0 Speakers w/' headphone jack.

 

[amdskip]

Don't overclock them, you want stable running machines.

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: amdskip
Don't overclock them, you want stable running machines.

overclocking != unstable


see sig

 

[ApacheChief]

No need for HDD's like that. LCD's are bad for gaming, I hear. Speakers, at a LAN center? Are you nuts? Wireless mouse... batteries/stealing issues are too expensive/risky.

http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/WishList/WishShareShow.asp?ID=1489712 Is the basics I have so far.

 

[nick1985]

meh, im not impressed. i could shave off a couple hundred bucks and take no performance hit

 

[cpush]

definitely no speakers, I'd go with a nice 19inch crt, bestbuy had the samsung 997df for $160 last time I was there. Buying a couple dozen of those videocards is going to take quite a toll, if I were you I'd go for machines with x800xl's and motherboards without SLI. just my opinion. then pick up some logitech elite keyboards, which are around $22 bucks, and a bunch of logitech mx310's.

 

[amdskip]

I know its not unstable but do you really want to be messing with overclocking in a setting like a cafe?

 

[hippotautamus]

Unless your customers need 8xAA and 16xAF, here's what you'd want in a LAN gaming centre computer for a decent budget.

Athlon64 3200+
Any Nforce 3 or 4 mainboard...I would recommend an a8n or Neo4 Platinum for stability, if not OCing too hardcore
1gb of ram (1024mb is the sweet spot with AMD boards right now, it doesn't have to be high performance ram. Just get some corsair VS, overvolt it a LITTLE BIT and see if you can get some decent timings out of it)
A single sATA HDD will do, recommend Samsung's 120gb model for low noise and heat (becomes a big issue with lots of computers in one room)
nVidia 6600GT OR x800XL - the definite price-performance sweetspot right now for video cards. If you really want, a 6800GT is better, but you pay for having the latest and greatest, so to speak
The case and PSU don't have to be super expensive. Get a sleek, clean, tidy case (ie ABSOLUTELY NO VIPER GAMING CASES) and a reputable 400+ watt PSU. If it's a decent brand (read: Vantec, OCZ, thermaltake, Enermax, Ultra, etc) then you don't need a 500+ Watt beast.
I recommend a CORDED MX518 gaming mouse (used one myself, feels and performs well) - cheap too and pair it with a decent wired keyboard (logitech is good stuff)

As for monitor, 17" LCD is a good size, just make certain it has Digital (DVI) input and 16ms or better response time. Samsung, LG, and Sony all make excellent LCDs in this range, but if budget becomes a problem, BenQ is a decent up and comer as well.

Another thing - since it's a LAN centre, make sure the rooms are well ventilated, and that each computer has at least an extra 120mm or a pair of 80mm cooling fans installed. If you don't, you will have very high ambient temps in the room and inside the computers, which equals instability (trust me, lol). This is imperative if you plan OCing at all as well.

Good luck with your LAN centre, I have many a time entertained thoughts of opening one, but that costs $ and time.

By my quick and somewhat overestimated quote, that's about $1500 Canadian - or about $1200 American. Perfect

EDIT: Plus $25 ish for a pair of headphones I guess, but that's overestimated a bit, I just tallied it up without checking actual prices. I'm building a system similar to that, though, since it will run any currentgen game very well.

 

[ApacheChief]

Excellent post hippo, but I'd like to have flexibility later on. That means SLI and 6800GT is required. These new Venice cores look appealing, and a nice DFI board to really take advantage of them.

I'm going to be overclocking later on, when I need to.

Any more suggestions.

 

[iamskew]

well if SLI and a 6800GT are required, you better open up your wallet or find someone to give you very sweet "bulk" prices for multiple parts...

 

[ApacheChief]

I don't have to get the extra 6800GT now. It still shouldn't run over 1,500. Including monitor/mouse/chair/etc.

 

[NokiaDude]

LCD's aren't completely set for gaming. CRT monitors are much more cheaper and are the standard today. Response rates for LCDs just aren't low enough yet to elimnate ALL blurring. Even at 16ms I notice minimal ghosting that bugs me if I pay attention to it. Plus CRTs are better at contrast.

I'd want to see 6800GTs in least 4 "hardcore" computers. 6600GTs in the rest.

 

[ApacheChief]

Then we'd have fighting

Besides, I think if this place fails, I can sell the computers... maybe even for a profit!