Crysis Max settings rig for $400

LAN_deRf_HA · Aug 7, 2008

Edit* I just changed a few things around, brings the total down to a crazy $338 after rebates. I now would recommend everyone check out the recommended upgrades section before making purchase decisions, unless they literally can't afford over $350

I've been selling Crysis oriented systems in the sub $600 price range for a few months now, and just thought some of you might find this parts configuration useful.

Starting with the processor, this core 2 based dual core tops out on average at 2.9-3.2 Ghz. I've been setting them at 2.66 to be safe. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116064

For the motherboard this might put some of you out of your comfort zone, but I must say I've been extremely satisfied with the $50 price range boards and their overclocking features. This one even has voltage control. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813500005

This powersupply sets this apart from other cheap builds, it will not fail you in 3-6 months like many cheapies. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153023

Ram, not much to say. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227139

One of the faster and more reliable drives out there, particularly at this price. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136075

Yet to have an issue with these burners. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106228

This card is really what makes this work. It's unlike all other 9600 GSO cards because it's shader to core multiplier is 2.8 versus the standard 2.5. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121251

This is an excellent case, and can't be beat on the price to quality ratio. For those wondering, Rosewill is actually newegg's in house brand. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147073

After shipping total: $398.91
After rebate: $338.91

If it plays Crysis it can play anything. Expect 12-42 (24 average) FPS at 1024x768 on Very High. Hope this is helpful for those on a budget.

Edit*

A lot of people are suggesting upgrades to the parts I've listed, having tested this out numerous times I can tell you performance is good as is, but here are a few decent upgrades none the less.

For the Cpu I'd try an E2180 for $20 more, I really don't feel more cache is necessary. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116052

For the HDD I know a lot of people would like more space, for only $10 more you can go to this 250 GB drive. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148262

On the ram and powersupply. Dual channel will not improve performance due to the lack of motherboard support. As for the powersupply... this is a very opinion heavy subject, just pick whatever else you feel comfortable with, but I really don't think you'll need something better unless you want to upgrade to a heavy duty card later on.

VIDEO!

A lot of people seem to be doubting the Celeron and this rig in general, so I felt a video was the only way to show people how well this actually works. To prove a point on the cpu, I clocked this "****" dual core celeron down to just 2.1 GHz. Res is 1024x768, no filters, Very High settings (high for sound). The vids are the original files. I don't think you'd be able to make out much after the youtube processing.

Vid #1 http://www.megaupload.com/?d=WSE8FL5H
The first vid shows a blurry cpu/gpuz, but you can make out Celeron and 9600 GSO. I then launch into Crysis with fraps. It stutters when I do the twirl to load in the textures but then you can see its fine, and its pretty lame movement since I'm only using one hand.

Vid #2 http://www.megaupload.com/?d=7LWSW9NU
This vid is much better. I got out a tripod and I go further onto the island. You can see it isn't perfect, but I think its damn impressive for $400 and a supposedly gimped proc.

ShiBDiB · Aug 7, 2008

i dont see this running crysis at a playable framerate on very high..

BarbaricSoul · Aug 7, 2008

ShiBDiB said:
i dont see this running crysis at a playable framerate on very high..

Yeah, my amd x2 5200 system with my gx2 couldn't play crysis at max. I find it hard to believe a 2.66 gig cpu with a 9600 gpu can do it

Darren · Aug 7, 2008

As it stands those components should play Crysis at medium settings, but very high settings is out of the question. The Intel Celeron E1200 isn't a very good processor it's really weak and I wouldn't advise getting it unless you plan on a heavy overclock to near 3 Ghz.

The 9600 GSO is a good midrange card, capable of playing all games at high settings, but unfortunately Crysis is an exception so expect only medium settings again, especially if coupled with the Celeron E1200 which will degrade Crysis's performance.

If you're silly enough to buy specialist components just for Crysis I'd recommend you get a dualcore E8400/E8400 or quadcore Q9300/Q9450 and couple it with atleast 4 GB/8 GB DDR6400 ram. (personally I'd rather spend a little amount and play ALL my games at high except Crysis, then spend a stupid amount of money just to play one game at high settings)

Edit:

Urbklr said:
Why are you guys shooting him down? I can see these parts playing Crysis on High, and he stated they got 24FPS average at 1024x768...Completely possible.

The Celeron he used is a dual-core C2D based one, perform's better than a AthlonX2. He used them at 2.66GHz, so:

2.66GHz Core-Based Celeron
2GB DDR2
Geforce 9600GSO

I really don't see why this rig wouldn't play Crysis on high, or very high at 1024x768, like he stated.

Building a rig for one game a badly programmed game such as Crysis which is known for it's iill performiance on the most powerful hardware isn't wise, and preying that a below mid-range CPU with a midrange GPU is enough to run this game is setting oneself for a fall. Upgrade your PC's guys but NOT for Crysis.

Edit 2:

LAN_deRf_HA, at 1024x768 you should be able to get around 30 FPS at very high settings, but with AA (anti-aliasing) OFF and maybe a slight OC to the CPU. But as I said before I'd recommend you increase your budget to E8500/E8400/Q-series with ATI 4850 if you're serious about playing next gen games with a long hardware life-span.

Urbklr · Aug 7, 2008

Why are you guys shooting him down? I can see these parts playing Crysis on High, and he stated they got 24FPS average at 1024x768...Completely possible.

The Celeron he used is a dual-core C2D based one, perform's better than a AthlonX2. He used them at 2.66GHz, so:

2.66GHz Core-Based Celeron
2GB DDR2
Geforce 9600GSO

I really don't see why this rig wouldn't play Crysis on high, or very high at 1024x768, like he stated.

exo17 · Aug 7, 2008

I agree with urbklr, it might be possible for this system to run crysis on med-high @ 1024x768, but I'm guessing there will be inevitable frequent stutters but it should still be playable.

Urbklr · Aug 7, 2008

For $400, this can get you High settings, at a low resolution...Pretty damn good.

L-MoS · Aug 7, 2008

Thanks for the laugh... Good one.

LAN_deRf_HA · Aug 7, 2008

As I explained, that GSO is not normal, and the cpu has little impact even at the low res, because on very high settings the work load is still very much on the gpu. I can understand how some of you may not be able to wrap your heads around this, but this does play Crysis comfortably, and no there isn't any stuttering, just slow downs. Setting crysis as your bar means everything else should play well on it, ut3 for example plays very well, much better than my 6550 at @ 3 GHz with an overclocked 8800 640 GTS did. The math is simple. 600 core with about 1700 in the shader range will do wonders.

Urbklr · Aug 7, 2008

L-MoS said:
Thanks for the laugh... Good one.

Thanks for the useless first post, Good one.

Welcome to TPU.

Edit: @LAN, you should get a screenshot, that will stop all the arguing.

LAN_deRf_HA · Aug 7, 2008

I'll try a screenshot, but unless I can show all the parts and the screen with the framerate measure at the same time it might not count for much. Even with the side panel open I can't prove which cpu I'm using.

Darren · Aug 7, 2008

LAN_deRf_HA said:
As I explained, that GSO is not normal, and the cpu has little impact even at the low res, because on very high settings the work load is still very much on the gpu. I can understand how some of you may not be able to wrap your heads around this, but this does play Crysis comfortably, and no there isn't any stuttering, just slow downs. Setting crysis as your bar means everything else should play well on it, ut3 for example plays very well, much better than my 6550 at @ 3 GHz with an overclocked 8800 640 GTS did. The math is simple. 600 core with about 1700 in the shader range will do wonders.

Performance wise the 8800 640 GTS is similar to the 9600 GSO and the slight factory GSO OC wouldn't improve performance much in Crysis, maybe 1-5 FPS increase over a normal factory model.

LAN_deRf_HA said:
I'll try a screenshot, but unless I can show all the parts and the screen with the framerate measure at the same time it might not count for much. Even with the side panel open I can't prove which cpu I'm using.

Download Fraps, displays your frame rate in the corner of the screen.

http://www.fraps.com/download.php

r9 said:
Take a look at my conf. 1280x1024 at HIGH very smooth at VERY HIGH playable but not enjoyable

Edit:

Not enjoyable I wonder why that is. lol

Bare in mind you have the your CPU overed to 3.2GHz which requires a decent motherboard too. Your ram is @ 1066 mhz opposed to 800 mhz and your 9600 GSO has 768MB opposed to 384 MB. So with your system slightly better than LAN_deRf_HA's and you're saying it's not enjoyable... LAN_deRf_HA needs to rethink this components or expectations

Edit 2:

LAN_deRf_HA said:
Fraps is not needed, Crysis has an ingame monitor that works well. As for the guy who doesn't enjoy crysis on his GSO, I recommend independently clocking the shaders higher with riva tuner, though frankly I can't understand you're issue unless you require a solid 60 fps to call something enjoyable. All and all I can only tell you what I know from repeated first hand experience, make what you will of it, I'm sure someone will find it helpful.

Well since your soo certain I guess you didn't need our help after all and creating this thread was a complete waste of time, eh? a slightly overclocked shader wouldn't increase frame rates much maybe 1-5 FPS difference. I'm a overclocker speaking that flashes cards via DOS not Riva Tuner.

Edit 3:

LAN_deRf_HA said:
Alright I have an idea, when I get this next system put together I'll make a video for youtube. I'll show cpuz and gpuz running and then I'll fire up crysis with the frame rate monitor on and everyone can judge for themselves how well it plays. Will that be adequate for everyone?

30 FPS constant no dips @ 1024x768 everything on very high including 8x Anti-aliasing and 8x AF agreed

r9 · Aug 7, 2008

Take a look at my conf. 1280x1024 at HIGH very smooth at VERY HIGH playable but not enjoyable

MilkyWay · Aug 7, 2008

right ill disprove this very quickly

$400 = £200

a 4870 in the UK is £170 average

on that basis the card needed to run crysis on high very high is almost as much as the budget

sure that system could run crysis medium but doubt it could do that well

im pretty sure celeron are balls!!! celeron are supposed to be like sempron for intel but fail

LAN_deRf_HA · Aug 7, 2008

Fraps is not needed, Crysis has an ingame monitor that works well. As for the guy who doesn't enjoy crysis on his GSO, I recommend independently clocking the shaders higher with riva tuner, though frankly I can't understand your issue unless you require a solid 60 fps to call something enjoyable. All and all I can only tell you what I know from repeated first hand experience, make what you will of it, I'm sure someone will find it helpful.

3xploit · Aug 7, 2008

MilkyWay said:
right ill disprove this very quickly

$400 = £200

a 4870 in the UK is £170 average

on that basis the card needed to run crysis on high very high is almost as much as the budget

sure that system could run crysis medium but doubt it could do that well

im pretty sure celeron are balls!!! celeron are supposed to be like sempron for intel but fail

since when do you need a 4870 to play crysis very high at 1024*768?

LAN_deRf_HA · Aug 7, 2008

Alright I have an idea, when I get this next system put together I'll make a video for youtube. I'll show cpuz and gpuz running and then I'll fire up crysis with the frame rate monitor on and everyone can judge for themselves how well it plays. Will that be adequate for everyone?

newtekie1 · Aug 7, 2008

Having just recently built a very similar build for a friend, see this thread for post on it, I'll add my comments.

The specs for the one I build are slightly different, but very similar, so performance should be too much different.

Anyway, usuing the XFX 610i board, I got my E1400 up to 2.66GHz without a voltage increase, and 3.0GHz with only a minor increase. Since cooling was stock, I didn't push further.

For the price, these boards are amazing. Voltage control and decent overclocking controls.

The specialness of the ASUS 9600GSO doesn't really matter that much. Just unlink the shaders and overclock them seperately and it won't matter.

As for performance, the machine was wonderful. Just because it is a Celeron, doesn't mean it is crap. The only real thing seperating this from a full Core 2 Duo is the smaller cache. When overclocked to decent speeds, they perform wonderfuly.

My setup when overclocked played Crysis on high settings@1280x1024 with little to no slowdowns(at least none that the friend complained about and he just beat the game Sunday). No AA was used, and Post Processing was set to Low.

a111087 · Aug 7, 2008

very nice idea to make a thread like this,
but Crysis at 1024x768? that's not exactly max

) but alright
still a good guide for those on tight budget

Urbklr · Aug 7, 2008

These cards perform on par with a 3850 right? Well the Crysis demo ran fine on the following config with all-high 1680x1050:

Intel e2140 2.6GHz(The celey performs ALMOST the same)
2GB DDR2
3850 stock clocks.

This is possible guys, just cause it has a Celeron doesn't mean crap, it is the new dual-core Celeron...based on the Core series.

Edit: Very-High @ 1024x768 = High at 1280x1024+

ENIAC · Aug 8, 2008

If you are on a really tight budget then your selections have got to be super tight. So I have to wonder why select a 9600GSO over a 8800GS when they are the same part and the 8800GS is cheaper? Here's an EVGA 8800GSfor $5 less. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130332

250GB is the value sweet spot at the moment.
Here's a 250GB WD with free shipping which all in is $3 more (free shipping) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136113

Here's the best deal on a 430 watt PSU 80 plus PSU at the moment http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371006

This is a far better CPU for the money http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116063

Check out this MB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138122

DrPepper · Aug 8, 2008

If he says its playable why doubt him :confused:

If it can be played at very high at 1024 x 768 at playble fps then thats a win imo. Then again if I had my way I would have 2 4870X2's running crysis on 1680 x 1050.

LAN_deRf_HA · Aug 8, 2008

The GSO I picked is significantly faster at stock than any GS due to the shader ratio. Less work matters when selling rigs to less savvy customers. The psu is the exact same price only you have to mess with a rebate. Never buy the the E2200 over the 2180, they both top out at around 3-3.2. I put the 2180 in there under upgrades earlier for people who can't believe the celeron is enough. That mobo is unessential unless you intend on upgrading to a quad and overclocking it later. I added 2 videos to the main post going from cpuz into Crysis with fraps on.

DrPepper · Aug 8, 2008

Try loading the map armada on very high

that is quite impressive water graphics it has.

ChromeDome · Aug 8, 2008

i am downloading second vid now. will return with impressions asap!

System Name	Obelisc
Processor	i7 3770k @ 4.8 GHz
Motherboard	Asus P8Z77-V
Cooling	H110
Memory	16GB(4x4) @ 2400 MHz 9-11-11-31
Video Card(s)	GTX 780 Ti
Storage	850 EVO 1TB, 2x 5TB Toshiba
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Power Supply	EVGA 850 T2 80+ TITANIUM
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System Name	[Daily Driver]
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Motherboard	[Asus TUF GAMING X570-PLUS]
Cooling	[be quiet! Dark Rock Slim]
Memory	[64GB Corsair Vengeance LPX 3600MHz (16GBx4)]
Video Card(s)	[PNY RTX 3070Ti XLR8]
Storage	[1TB SN850 NVMe, 4TB 990 Pro NVMe, 2TB 870 EVO SSD, 2TB SA510 SSD]
Display(s)	[2x 27" HP X27q at 1440p]
Case	[Fractal Meshify-C]
Audio Device(s)	[Steelseries Arctis Pro]
Power Supply	[CORSAIR RMx 1000]
Mouse	[Logitech G Pro Wireless]
Keyboard	[Logitech G512 Carbon (GX-Brown)]
Software	[Windows 11 64-Bit]

System Name	Barb's Domain
Processor	i9 10850k 5.1GHz all cores
Motherboard	MSI MPG Z490 GAMING EDGE WIFI
Cooling	Deep Cool Assassin III
Memory	2*16gig Corsair LPX DDR4 3200
Video Card(s)	RTX 4080 FE
Storage	500gb Samsung 980 Pro M2 SSD, 500GB WD Blue SATA SSD, 2TB Seagate Hybrid SSHD
Display(s)	Dell - S3222DGM 32" 2k Curved/ASUS VP28UQG 28" 4K (ran at 2k), Sanyo 75" 4k TV
Case	SilverStone Fortress FT04
Audio Device(s)	Bose Companion II speakers, Corsair - HS70 PRO headphones
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Mouse	Logitech G502
Keyboard	Logitech Orion Spectrum G910
VR HMD	Oculus Quest 2
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System Name	Cheap yet powerful gaming and entertainment rig!
Processor	AMD Athlon 3800+ X2 Windsor, 1 MB L2 Cache (512k L2 Per Core), 65W Energy efficient, 2GHz @ 2.78 Ghz
Motherboard	Asrock ALiveNF7G-HD720p Rev v5.0
Cooling	Freezer 64, 2x120mm, 1x92mm
Memory	8 GB DDRII PC6400 @ 929 MHz OCZ (2GBx4) timing: 5-5-5-5-16-2T
Video Card(s)	XFX ATI4830
Storage	Seagate 320 GB SATA (16 MB Cache)
Display(s)	19' HannsG (1440x900 @ 75hz)
Case	Coolermaster Elite 330 Black Case
Audio Device(s)	Auzentech X-Meridian, Pioneer VSX-516 Receiver 7.1 with DD/DD EX/Prologic II/DTS/DTS-ES//DTS: Neo
Power Supply	Cool Master eXtreme Power 460W PSU
Software	Vista Ultimate X64 Corporate Edition

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Cooling	Castle 240EX v2 AIO
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Power Supply	Thermaltake GF1 ARGB 850W
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Keyboard	Steelseries Apex 7 TKL blue switches
VR HMD	Quest 3
Software	Windows 11

Crysis Max settings rig for $400

LAN_deRf_HA

ShiBDiB

BarbaricSoul

Darren

New Member

Urbklr

exo17

Urbklr

L-MoS

New Member

LAN_deRf_HA

Urbklr

LAN_deRf_HA

Darren

New Member

r9

MilkyWay

LAN_deRf_HA

3xploit

New Member

LAN_deRf_HA

newtekie1

Semi-Retired Folder

a111087

Urbklr

ENIAC

New Member

DrPepper

The Doctor is in the house

LAN_deRf_HA

DrPepper

The Doctor is in the house

ChromeDome

New Member

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Audio Device(s)	SteelSeries Siberia external Soundcard
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Motherboard	evga x58
Cooling	TRUE
Memory	6x1gb Aeneon 1600
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Storage	Western Digital 500gb SATA
Display(s)	ViewSonic 22" 1680x1050
Case	Antec Three Hundred
Audio Device(s)	ONBOARD
Power Supply	Tuniq 5501
Software	Windows 7 x64 7100

Processor	Intel Core i7 10850K@5.2GHz
Motherboard	AsRock Z470 Taichi
Cooling	Corsair H115i Pro w/ Noctua NF-A14 Fans
Memory	32GB DDR4-3600
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Audio Device(s)	Onboard is good enough for me
Power Supply	eVGA SuperNOVA 1000w G3
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Motherboard	asus p5q-pro
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Power Supply	750W PC P&C
Software	win 7 ultimate 64bit

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Motherboard	Asus P6T
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Video Card(s)	GTX470 1280MB
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Motherboard	ASUS M3N78-VM AM2/AM2+ Micro ATX
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Video Card(s)	PNY 8800GT 512mb OC'd 710/1740/950 - 178.24
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