Author Topic: Advice about a new machine (Read 1010 times)

Simaril · « **on:** July 08, 2006, 06:33:53 PM »

I've coaxied an old machine along for years, including upgrades to the CPU, added drives, add memory....but its definitely about as cutting edge as a butter knife. I've been saving pocket change, I've hoarded the game pay from occasional ref stints.....and I've gotten clearance from our family's in house accountant to pck up the balance for a new system.

I'm wondering what specs you guys would recommend.

Some background. When I buy stuff, I dont generally find the premium for top-of-the-line to be worth it to me. So, I'm definitely not a mercedes guy, or even a Lexus guy -- I go for the upper end Honda, nicely equipped. Reliability and minimal hassle are important, after some negative experiences with other systems. At the same time, I would NOT be happy with the computer equivalent of a Dodge Neon. There's no way I want to get something and find I've outgrown it in a few months.

I am open to building a system, though frankly when I checked into in last time around I found the cost awfully close to getting a similarly equipped machine pre-built, and the hassle/frustration factor of a build swayed my decision away. Getting into the guts doesnt intimidate me at all.

My previous purchases have been Gateways or more recently Dells. I got an Alienware laptop with replaceable video card, but even with that upgrade, 1Gig RAM, 3.0GHz CPU it has troubel with AH. (That baby cost me innumerable hours on tech support too.....)

So, now I'm looking at a total cost of $2500 or under. I'm specifically hoping for a larger LCD screen, 19" or more resolution 1200 or 1600. I expect 2GIG RAM, and 200GB HD. Gaming is the most demanding thing I do with my machines, since work software is pretty pedestrian. I may do some digital editing, but otherwise media isnt a big deal. I'm happy with my Boston 3.1 speakers, and dont require upgrade there -- especially since I've usually got the headset on!

Some specific questions:

Dual Core, or faster single core?
AMD or Intel?
Who are reliable and reasonable AMD builders?
What video cards are higher end values?
Is it better to get dual card, or faster single -- cost being comparable?

And for HTC, is dual core support in the future for AH? Will Vistacrap be required for AH forseeably?

Thanks all!

Strykar1 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 08, 2006, 07:55:35 PM »

Unless your unhappy with dell's I recomend a XPS system. I just bought a Dell my self

3.0 Ghz Dual-Core
1 Gig of Ram
128 Meg Vid Card (Upgrading that soon went cheap on that so I can get one I actually wanted)
19 Inch Flat Pannel Monitor (1280x1024) (for another 40 bucks or something you can get a higher Res Monitor)
Lots of USB ports...

And some other non important things... But over all it only cost me a little over a $1,000.00

Compared to my 1.0 Ghz I gig ram computer it runs AH wonderfully

(And mind you, I only went with the E510 system, I was on a real tight budget mind you) So Im sure if you went with one of their actual Gaming systems and Customized it to your liking you'll get a great deal.

Of course this is my First Dell, And Im not sure how its going to hold up in the long run.. And QUIET?? I can't even tell this PC is on except for the little LED telling me it is

eagl · « **Reply #2 on:** July 08, 2006, 08:33:01 PM »

Check the hardware forum. There are lots of past posts that discuss this sort of thing.

Simaril · « **Reply #3 on:** July 08, 2006, 09:33:58 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by eagl
Check the hardware forum. There are lots of past posts that discuss this sort of thing.

Oops. Sorry.

Skuzzy, how about moving the thread if you would?

Bronk · « **Reply #4 on:** July 08, 2006, 09:36:17 PM »

Sim the only thing I would recommend is hold on a bit longer.

Intel and Amd has new stuff OTW.

Heck this will give ya more time to make the $$ pool bigger also.

Bronk

Simaril · « **Reply #5 on:** July 08, 2006, 09:37:47 PM »

I n=know what you're saying, but ....isnt there ALWAYS new stuff coming? Or is the new stuff grondbreaking?

Bronk · « **Reply #6 on:** July 08, 2006, 09:42:03 PM »

Think quad core for Amd and Intel's new chip is suppose to kick the watermelon out of an FX62.

Kev has a post in the hardware forum.

Amd suppose to be setting up for ddr3 ram also.

Bronk

TinmanX · « **Reply #7 on:** July 08, 2006, 11:07:28 PM »

Saw a nice 19" LCD in Fry's today for $199 after mail in rebate.

3ms response.

SunKing · « **Reply #8 on:** July 08, 2006, 11:40:51 PM »

Please don't buy Pc's in a box ie: Dell.

Masherbrum · « **Reply #9 on:** July 08, 2006, 11:47:44 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Strykar1
Unless your unhappy with dell's I recomend a XPS system. I just bought a Dell my self

3.0 Ghz Dual-Core
1 Gig of Ram
128 Meg Vid Card (Upgrading that soon went cheap on that so I can get one I actually wanted)
19 Inch Flat Pannel Monitor (1280x1024) (for another 40 bucks or something you can get a higher Res Monitor)
Lots of USB ports...

And some other non important things... But over all it only cost me a little over a $1,000.00

Compared to my 1.0 Ghz I gig ram computer it runs AH wonderfully

(And mind you, I only went with the E510 system, I was on a real tight budget mind you) So Im sure if you went with one of their actual Gaming systems and Customized it to your liking you'll get a great deal.

Of course this is my First Dell, And Im not sure how its going to hold up in the long run.. And QUIET?? I can't even tell this PC is on except for the little LED telling me it is

Upgrade the card, good luck in finding a Power supply to fit.

Hajo · « **Reply #10 on:** July 09, 2006, 12:06:36 AM »

If you can build a PC (which isn't very difficult) I would suggest that.

When you purchase a boxed PC just about everything in it is OEM including windows. The version of Windows you get is made for Dell. Dell tells microsoft what they want and what would be in a full blown version might not be in the Dell. Nothing wrong with OEM mind you as long as it's not made for a specific manufacturer.

When you build you chose your case. You can use that case for years. Why? Because you can replace the mobo, cpu, and type of memory. when you purchase off the shelf you're pretty much stuck with it the way it is. Upgrading is nearly impossible.

There are many on these Boards such as Roscoroo, Whels, Kev367 and StarofAfrica and many more that can answer any questions you may have about building your own and the advantages of doing so.

I built my first one years ago and now I build them for others also. If I can do it I'm sure you can....I've only got three brain cells left and I have to share.

Brooke · « **Reply #11 on:** July 09, 2006, 12:38:51 AM »

I have had lots of good luck with Dells (hundreds of them including business use), have several at home, use one now as my main gaming system (a Dimension 9150 with Pentium D) and would get a Dell again for my next computer. I typically buy Dimensions, but buy them with low-end PCIe graphics cards and then buy an OEM graphics card of my choice that is much higher performance.

BigR · « **Reply #12 on:** July 09, 2006, 03:21:28 AM »

LOL For 2500 bucks you can build a KICK bellybutton system!! (Or Buy one)

Strykar1 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 09, 2006, 06:40:23 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Masherbrum
Upgrade the card, good luck in finding a Power supply to fit.

Card is being upgraded, And With some research I have found 500 watt supplies that do work for my type of dell.. Apparently someone out there was smart enough to realize that DELL power supplies can only be obtained through dell. And the price isnt bad either. Seen many people on the DELL forums recomend it. Thanks for the Advice though

DamnedRen · « **Reply #14 on:** July 09, 2006, 09:14:28 AM »

Build yer own...

http://www.tomshardware.com/2006/06/12/your_diy_gaming_rig_for_720/