Need opinions on computer

[Greive]

Alright, well, I'm getting a job and ready to buy a new (kickass :P) computer. of course, I'm buying from alienware, I was just wondering, is it really worth the extra $3000 to buy a maxed specs ALX instead of a max specs Aurora? They seem *pretty* similar. Just need some opinions on this one, thanks guys =]

[HeLLMuTT]

Well that all depends If you want to build the comp yourself or your for certain you want to have alienware build it for you. My rig is a alienware It's a good system, its great for all the games I have played on it. I did have a problem when it arrived and just had a nightmare dealing with the customer service folks (it's a long story...)

Any hoot The maxed out ALX it alot of money! If you can spend that much I would try www.voodoocomputers.com they make slam dunk rigs. There is another company that makes HIGHLY custom OC'ed rigs. I can't remember their name, 3 letters i believe my mind is blank.

Then you have the option to build your own which is not super easy nor is it super hard. There is other posts in the Tech section with links to guilds on building a rig yourself. I'm to lazy to find them right now and i've been up all night, bleh. Zzzzz

Either way have fun, new computers always are!

Curious as to what type of display you have or want to buy with the new rig?

[Gulquarn]

Like Helmutt said, if you build your own computer it'll be much cheaper. You'll definately get more bang for your buck and have a fun learning experience. There are a few guys running around here who you can give a budget to and they'll build you a computer with matching components.

ps: Props to Dissonance for building mine on paper.

[Vitharr]

Personialy i'd build it myself and save half the money man, Alienwere and Voodoo, are extremely overpriced.

[Mustashride]

I've always built my own computer. It is cheaper, but the one draw back (for me at least) is that I can't even attempt liquid cooling. Which of course is the best, quietest way to keep your rig nice and cool. I found this site:

www.cyberpowerpc.com

They are WAY cheaper than Alienware, but offer some great liquid cooled rigs. They're great quality also. Check it out and see if you can't find a better deal there.

Best of luck.

[Anolade]

Originally Posted by Gulquarn

Like Helmutt said, if you build your own computer it'll be much cheaper. You'll definately get more bang for your buck and have a fun learning experience. There are a few guys running around here who you can give a budget to and they'll build you a computer with matching components.

ps: Props to Dissonance for building mine on paper.

QFT. Buying from Alienware, Voodoo, Raven, or even Dell, you end up paying out the ass for the name and the pretty computer. I'm not saying their PCs arn't gorgeous (a buddy of mine has a watercooled voodoo Omen..it pumps lime green water to cool the CPU!) but they cost way more than the parts themselves.

If you've got the cash for an ALX system, you could build a SERIOUS rig and have money to spare for some sick 30 inch wide screen display. Like Gul said, it's also an awesome learning experience.

[Dissonance]

As everyone else has said, if you feel comfortable doing it build your own. Honestly it is not that hard and just takes patience more than anything else.

That being said, if you want a really nice computer, may I point you to: www.falcon-nw.com


Look at those computers and there is no way you cannot drool.


Note: Alienware computers are good, but they have a notorious reputation for having VERY poor customer service. Honestly I'm not trying to plug my new emplyeer, but look at the new H2O XPS systems from Dell. They're not bad and Dell is moving the customer support back to the US (no clue how that will fair though)

I need to get promoted to the design team though, those Dell XPS machines looks like two radiators stacked on top of each other

[Anolade]

Originally Posted by Dissonance

I need to get promoted to the design team though, those Dell XPS machines looks like two radiators stacked on top of each other

Hah, I always thought that XPS looked awful. I ahve a friend of mine with one of their top level XPS laptops. I'm one for building your own, but that rig blows me away. Oblivion never looked so good

[Copon]

Keep in mind I ordered ALL of this from NEWEGG.com and built it myself.

Cost: $1156.82

AMD 64 AthlonX2 3.0Ghz Dual Core 6000+
GSkill 6400 4 Gigs RAM Dual Channel
Seagate 320 Gig HD SATA
Samsung DVD Burner SATA
Biostar Motherboard TForce 7050-M2, (has dual dvi onboard) Gforce4
Nvidia 8600GT DDR3 256 Meg RAM, Direct X10 Dual DVI
ChiMei 22" Widescreen, 5ms refresh (excellent for gaming)
New keyboard and mouse
Windows XP Pro, Media Edition

I run EVERYTHING out right now on the highest settings with NO problems and all my graphics programs dual monitor with no lag or problems.

*side note, I haven't bought into the dual SLI cards yet, even though this one is SLI capable as well. Just get a good card. Mine rocks my friends 7600GT dual SLI setup.

Hope this helps and if I can help on building, let me know.

[Anolade]

Yeah, I've been running dual XFX 7800GTX in SLI, and I still stomp every game on the market. In the benchmarks however, i have a friend who's running a single 8800GTX and he's consistently scoring higher than me. We both have the X2 6000+ (Nice choice Copon :P) and 2 gigs of RAM. SLI is overrated IMO.

I'm upgrading to the Intel Quad Core Q6600 with the Gigabyte P35 mobo soon, and then scrapping the 7800GTXs when Nvidia releases their 9 series cards.