I Want A New Computer

[Lord Rahl]

This is, perhaps, my first topic or even post in this section of TWC! Anyway, here is the deal. I have a laptop right now that likes to crash on me all of the time and isn't able to support even the lowest settings on M2TW, to give an example, and still run easy. So, I was thinking about buying a new computer.

My idea is to wait for Vista to come out with DirectX 10 which is, I believe, in some 20 odd days. I don't want a massively expensive and totally awesome computer. I want something that is reasonably priced but can still support the newer games that are coming out.

So, what suggestions do ya'll have for me? Should I wait? Should I buy/not buy a computer from Best Buy? Should I try to build my own (which I don't think would be the best idea. I'm not a tech kind of a guy)? What should I do? Thanks for any suggestions!

[King Edward I]

budget?

[Freddie]

This is, perhaps, my first topic or even post in this section of TWC! Anyway, here is the deal. I have a laptop right now that likes to crash on me all of the time and isn't able to support even the lowest settings on M2TW, to give an example, and still run easy. So, I was thinking about buying a new computer.

My idea is to wait for Vista to come out with DirectX 10 which is, I believe, in some 20 odd days. I don't want a massively expensive and totally awesome computer. I want something that is reasonably priced but can still support the newer games that are coming out.

So, what suggestions do ya'll have for me? Should I wait? Should I buy/not buy a computer from Best Buy? Should I try to build my own (which I don't think would be the best idea. I'm not a tech kind of a guy)? What should I do? Thanks for any suggestions!

Well the foundation of your new computer should be built around a Intel Core 2 Duo processor, the E6300 or the E6400 would be you best bet, as they can overclocked safely to the X6800 levels hence you get a £800 for £140.

I take your not bothered about having a SLi or Crossfire motherboard? In that case a Gigabyte P965 DS3 or an Asus P5B will suit your needs best. As far as ram goes I would get 2 GB if you planning to run Vista, your will DDR2 675 or 800 MHz (5400 and 6400 respectively).

If you could let us know what kind of budget you have I can recommend a graphics card.

[Shaun]

You dont need 800MHz or even 666MHz RAM to run Vista, if they made the requirements so high very few people would be able to run Vista.

[tino]

-There is a new revision of the nvidia 8800 on its way, also some lower budget versions of that directx10 core. So for that it is better to wait. (in 1-2 months max)
-New intel quad cores are coming , if they are not cheap enough, the now more expensive ones will lower alot in price. (in 1-2 months)
-RAM is expensive for the moment, it could lower in the next months...
-DDR800 vs DDR667 vs DDR533. OR take 800 or 533. 667 is slower than 533, and 800 is a little faster than 533 because the current cpu's have a 533 fsb so if they run synchronous with the ram = faster. 800 makes up for that with its much higher bandwidth.

[Lord Rahl]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'd say my budget would be ~$2,000, maybe to $2,500, but I'd like something starting from ~$1,500. I'm not a techy guy at all. I don't know what SLI means. I do know that getting dual processors is what people seem to be doing these days since having two makes the processing more efficient, same with graphics cards too. I have no idea what the motherboard does...ok...I'll stop.

[King Edward I]

do you need a screen/monitor/mouse?/case?

LITE-ON 20X DVD±R Burner with 12X DVD-RAM write and LightScribe Technology Black IDE Model LH-20A1H-186 - Retail
Item #: N82E16827106045
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$37.99



Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811129021
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$124.99



Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) ST3250620AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822148144
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$79.99



eVGA 768-P2-N835-AR GeForce 8800GTX 768MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SUPERCLOCKED HDCP Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814130079
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$609.99



OCZ GameXStream OCZ600GXSSLI ATX12V 600W Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817341001
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$20.00 Mail-in Rebate
$124.99



OCZ Gold Series 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ26672048ELDCGE-K - Retail
Item #: N82E16820227047
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$227.99



ASUS P5B-E LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813131070
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$150.99



Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115003
Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy

$317.00

All thats from newegg and comes to $1600

if you wait a bit the GTX will drop in price - that comp should OC pretty well and play games on pretty high settings

[Freddie]

LITE-ON 20X DVD±R Burner with 12X DVD-RAM write and LightScribe Technology Black IDE Model LH-20A1H-186 - Retail
Item #: N82E16827106045
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$37.99

There are 20X Burners now? Lol, we were stuck on 16x for years, now it jumps from 16 to 18 to 20 in side one year.

[belson]

Guys, I don't think he wants to build it himself or overclock. So listing components isn't going to help him much (although it is fun ).

Rahl - 2000 will buy you one beast of a computer. Even 1500 will be plenty. Are you looking for another laptop or a desktop. You should know that there are no directx10 laptop video cards yet, so if you really want to take advantage of the whole vista/dx10 thing then you have to go desktop for now. At Best Buy or Dell, you pay more because it comes already put together and you get some help from the sales people. There is nothing wrong with a non-techie buying from Best Buy or Dell, but I would advise you look for deals (such as an eBay 20% off Dell coupon). Do you use your computer mostly for gaming? Any video editing or something similar?

[Lord Rahl]

Well, I'm sort of split on whether I want a laptop or not. I'm in college so a laptop, like I have now is useful. I guess I do want one but I don't really want to wait...but at the same time I do want to wait for Vista and such. Would it be worth it? You're right belson. I don't really want to build my own. I'm not a techy guy. I use my laptop right now mostly for browsing, working on school work, graphic design (of the sig variety ), and gaming as well. I want something that will be able to handle most games at high settings but I don't want or need one that can run F.E.A.R. at the highest settings (which I know takes a lot!). I was looking at Alienware computers and laptops a bit. Would that be something to keep looking into?

[King Edward I]

alienware = overpriced

dell = better

try the dell outlet for education

[Shqiponja_Hayabusa]

What about the amd dual core 4600+ I heard that is the best processor for it's cost.It costs around 200€.

[belson]

Rahl, don't get an alienware. Ed's right, they are really really overpriced. You'd be better off with a Dell.

What about the amd dual core 4600+ I heard that is the best processor for it's cost.It costs around 200€.

Sadly, no. Not even the AM2 4600s. You can get an Intel E6400 for 223 american dollars which is I believe 173 euros. Heck, even the E6300 (150 euros) beats the 4600 in some benchmarks. Here is one source: http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...2014651,00.asp

[Citizen]

What about the amd dual core 4600+ I heard that is the best processor for it's cost.It costs around 200€.

Why get a Athlon 64 when Conroes have significantly higher performance at almost the same price? If anything he should get the lowest model Conroe.

[Shqiponja_Hayabusa]

Conroes,what is that???Man I am clueless about com when I start thinking that I know sth.
Hem I know I should open a different thread but what is best for me to buy with 600€.

[Lord Rahl]

So ya'll would recommend an XPS then?

[Armatus]

So ya'll would recommend an XPS then?

I wouldn't recommend it. I recently bought an Alienware laptop after pricing out the competition, true I paid a lot of money a little over $3,700 but it was a better deal than what XPS offered for around the same price.

My specs:

AMD Turion 64 mobile
2.41 Ghz 2.00 GB RAM
Dual * (that's right Dual! * GeForce Go 7900 GS
256MG with SLI enabled

Here's the link to configure one:
http://alienware.com/Configurator_Pa...de=SKU-DEFAULT

If you're looking for power and mobility on a budget I would recommend acer laptops. I've owned one for two years with minimal issue and it still runs most fair although and lower settings now.

Here is a link to two pretty kickin acer laptops with 20.1 inch screens for around the top end of what you're looking to spend.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...SubCategory=32

Thing to keep in mind is prices go up and down all the time, keep your eye out for deals and don't rush, but don't hesitate either if you see something good!

[belson]

Well, I've never used an XPS, but I know those who have (and liked it) and my wife has an Inspiron 1405 that I am pretty impressed with. So yeah, I guess I would recommend a Dell.

[--That still hurts to say, so I have to add this note for my own conscience. I was trying to help a friend add a new hard drive in a Dell a few years back and it wouldn't work. The same thing then happened with another Dell and some memory. It turned out that Dell's had to have special Dell hardware. I ended up learning that you can buy that special Dell hardware from third party wholesalers, but the whole thing really honked me off. I swore off Dell for years. That being said, I just gave them another try last month and am happy with my wife's new laptop. There, rant over.--]

[Lord Rahl]

Haha! Good story!

OMG,

http://www.dell.com/content/products...n=specs#tabtop

This one has Blueray...or it can. It seems if you want the Blueray you can get the laptop that costs...over $3,000.

[UnderdawgIV]

Go www.abs.com

Owners of Newegg. Can't go wrong with them. MUCH Cheaper. And excellent service. Top-notch pre-built computer builder.