Can I play a game that calls for 2.4Ghz on 2.0Ghz machine?

If your kid likes to play PC type games, then get him an Xbox360. Then you/he won't have to worry if the machine can play the game or not.

 

Might as well buy a new system than upgrade to that extent.

Since my last post, I've played F3 for a few hours, am beginning to notice some jerkiness as action gets faster/more characters participate

I've been on medium-medium, will have to go a little lower.

 

check cpu and video card temps when running Fallout3. if its causing problems i bet the heat is building and it can cause failures / blue screens. i run mine maxed, but in a window so i can see my desktop temp displays.

 

nice asus board carreaper...i have an asus maximus formula...I wish i lived near you, I would build that 14 year old kid a new machine from my old parts....i remember what it was like not being able to just play...

 

Just be thankful your son didn't buy Crysis...

 

i know. i still have a spare computer i use for online stuff , as with exotic cars, high end computers need maintenance and down time, and i have to still be able to get online for f chat !

i have rebuilt and given away 2 computers from spare parts, and built two top end game pcs for close friends this year.

usually you can see what the latest, greatest bench mark tech is, and i will buy 1 model down from that to save money, and to avoid "beta testing" new hardware too early. plus, some of this stuff is so close in performance, many will not push the machines hard enough to notice the performance difference as related to cost.

i really like Gigabyte motherboards, but have had good luck with these newer Asus boards. i had problems in the past with asus boards having bad USB host controllers, which drove me nuts!

i am not really sure SLI with two video cards is even needed, but its a fun option to have. my issue is i love XP64, but i know my days of bliss are numbered, as its not well supported.