Gaming computer buffs, Help me out. (Deciding on computer)

[Alaxan 5,000+ posts]

Alchemy Computer system.

Intel Core 2 quad 2.66ghz

4GB ram (pc800)

500GB 7200rpm HD

nVidia 8800GT 512mb video x2 (sli)

20x DVD R/W w/ lightscribe

780watt power supply

Windows Vista Home Premium (XP available for same price)

Coolermaster Cosmos Case

Samsung 22" HD widescreen LCD

$2k + shipping... 1year warranty

(expanded warranty available at request)

Both i-buypower and pc-infinity are good companies, but... they skimp on VERY important details to save you money. The problem is, that leave no room for expansion by putting in a cheap power supply. It also runs the risk of the system just not running ptiomally to begin with on a cheap base like that.

Yes, any of these guys can help u build a system, but you won't have a warranty on it outside of two weeks or more RMA times for any parts that go bad. You get to also spend your own time troubleshooting it when there is a problem. And... for the price... u can't beat this system.

For more infromation on some of our systems go to http://www.alchemy-computers.com

 

[Jmac 10+ year member]

Ok. Here is the thing. I'm getting $2050 in march. I WAS going to upgrade from 2 kicker 15L7's running on 1 kicker 1500.1 to 6 kicker 15L7s running on 3 kicker 1500.1's heh...but the GF won't let me. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crap.gif.7f4dd41e3e9b23fbd170a1ee6f65cecc.gif
But its ok, because we decided on getting a new computer. And, I like playing fast paced 3-D online games. I'd love to be able to play with the graphics settings turned all the way up. (on the current computer, i have to turn them down.)

So...I'm just gonna use the whole $2000 on a good gaming computer. I've been searching around trying to find the best deals. So far, it is between Ibuypower.com and pc-infinity's intel-configurators. Here are the two options I've narrowed it down to.... My question is...Which should I go with? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Either a:

Intel Core 2 Duo Configurator @ ibuypower.com $1959.00

Intel Core 2 duo processor @ 3.00ghz 1333 FSB

4 GB Ram @ 800

8800 GT 512 MB Video Card

500 GB Hard Drive @ 7200 rpm

Logitech 2.1 speaker system (cool)

Killer K1 Online internet speed enchancer

22" monitor

Surge Protector

Netgear wireless N PCI-adapter

Windows XP

Free shirt and game case.

3 year warranty

with a surge protector

----

Case: Nzxt hush gaming tower case /w 420w power supply (black)

Case lighting: none

Power supply: Standard /w case

Processor: 3.00ghz @ 1333 FSB

Freebies: Shirt + game case

Processor Cooling: Certified CPU Fan and Heatsink

Motherboard: Asus P5KPL-VM Intel G31

Memory: 4096MB [1024MB X4] DDR2-800 PC6400 (corsair or major)

Video Card: Nvidia GeForce 8800GT 512MB (major powered by nVidia)

Hard Drive: 500 GB @ 7200

2nd Hard Drive: None

External Hard drive: none

Cd/Dvd drive: none

Cd Rw/ Dvd Rw Drive: [** Special !!! ***] 20X Dual Format/Double Layer DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW Drive Black

Sound Card: Creative Lab Sound Blaster Audigy SE

Speaker System: Logitech X-230 2.1 Configuration Speakers System

Network Card: Killer K1 - Online Gaming Accelerator

Floppy Drive: none

Monitor: 22" Widescreen TFT LCD Monitor

2nd Monitor: none

Keyboard: Logitech Deluxe Keyboard

Mouse: Logitech Optical Internet Mouse

Extras: Surge Protector

Operating system: Windows XP

Wireless adapter: Netgear PCI

or b:

Intel Core 2 Duo Configurator @ pc-infinity.com $2016.00

Intel Core 2 duo processor @ 3.00 ghz 1333 FSB

4 GB Ram @ 1066

8800 GT 512 MB Video Card

500 GB Hard Drive @ 7200 RPM

Regular 2.1 speakers

Belkin Wireless N Pci Adapter

Fast motherboard

22" monitor (better)

Great cooling

Windows XP

1 year warranty

------

Motherboard: Asus P5KC Core 2 Quad/ Intel P35/ DDR3+DDR2/ CrossFire/ A&GbE/ ATX Motherboard

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6850 3GHz

Processor fan: Thermaltake CL-P0391 Intel LGA775

Ram: Kingston 4gb @ 1066

Install memory: dual Channel

Include: heat spreader

include: thermal compound

case: APEVIA X-Cruiser Metal Case w/ Side Window-Black

case fan: ARCTIC COOLING Arctic Fan 8 80x80x38.5mm Exhaust Case Fan

power supply: Coolmax CXI-500b 500w

Hard drive: 500gb @ 7200

Include: Hard drive cooler

Optical drive: 20x lightscribe

2nd optical drive: none

floppy: none

video card: Nvidia GeForce 8800 GT 512 MB

Sound card: Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy SE 7.1 24-bit

Wireless Card: Belkin N1 Wireless PCI

Networking Card: D-Link DGE-530T GigaExpress 10/100/1000Mbps PCI Network Adapter

Card Reader: Not selected

Speakers: 2.1 basic

Monitor: 22" Viewsonic

Neon light: Blue

Bios updated: to latest version

OS: windows xp

or c:

Some other good deal I haven't discovered?

For option c it needs to be under $2050 and have the following:

Monitor, speakers, keyboard, mouse, wireless adapter, all of that included.

Atleast 2.66ghz proc @ 1333, 2gb ram @800+ (would really prefer 1066+), and 512 MB Video Card (8800GT+ preferably).

Must be Windows XP

And Must have a monitor >/= 19 inches.

So if you know any better deals let me know. Or which of these two I should go with.

Thanks //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

P.S: Building my own computer is NOT an option. Please don't bring that up. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

I would go w/ option B based on the motherboard alone, although I'm not a fan of the case and unfamiliar w/ the power supply.
I would also get Vista ... and I don't know why you want/need 1066 MHz memory when you're obviously not going to be overclocking ...

 

[TheFiverMan 10+ year member]

2k for any pc aint worth it..go to newegg..put u sumthing together crazy for 1000

 

[dleccord 5,000+ posts]

get an E8400 and clock that shit to 4.2ghz and find yourself a kickass cpu cooler.

 

[Foote 10+ year member]

Dell has an option for XP I believe, can be a ***** to find on the site.
Why do you need a network adapter? Most, if not all MOBOs have built in networking that's more than fast enough.

One thing to check, even with prebuilts, is the PSU. Not just the wattage, but the make. Unsteady current and voltage are the two main causes for overheating/system instability. I trust these companies match their PSU's as well as they match components, but definitely look at it.

Beside the fact they're from India, Dell has **** good customer service, imo. When they accidentally didn't ship my mom's, they shipped it next day with an upgrade in ram. My friend's monitor began to develop some dead pixels, they sent him one with no shipping. make sure you read up on these online companies and how they handle problems after you buy their product.

I WOULD go with the Dell XPS 420 or 720 if I could find a way to make them come with XP, instead of Vista. But I can't find an option to make it xp.

 

[Ignatowski 5,000+ posts]

I built my own a few months ago,saved me about 500 bucks off retail packaged

computers - I play any game with no lag and all for around 1200 bucks

 

[Foote 10+ year member]

Ok. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/rolleyes.gif.c1fef805e9d1464d377451cd5bc18bfb.gif

 

[Alaxan 5,000+ posts]

I WOULD go with the Dell XPS 420 or 720 if I could find a way to make them come with XP, instead of Vista. But I can't find an option to make it xp.

Why wouldn't u go with Vista? I understand some people that have thousands of dollars in autoCAD programming they don't want to upgrade staying with XP, but really Vista is a nice and clean OS.

Really, for the price check out the system I mentioned above. Try to go to newegg.com and build it up urself. btw the motherboard is an Asus P5N32-E SLI nVidia 680i

 

[staypuff 10+ year member]

Alchemy Computer system.
Intel Core 2 quad 2.66ghz

4GB ram (pc800)

500GB 7200rpm HD

nVidia 8800GT 512mb video x2 (sli)

20x DVD R/W w/ lightscribe

780watt power supply

Windows Vista Home Premium (XP available for same price)

Coolermaster Cosmos Case

Samsung 22" HD widescreen LCD

$2k + shipping... 1year warranty

(expanded warranty available at request)

Both i-buypower and pc-infinity are good companies, but... they skimp on VERY important details to save you money. The problem is, that leave no room for expansion by putting in a cheap power supply. It also runs the risk of the system just not running ptiomally to begin with on a cheap base like that.

Yes, any of these guys can help u build a system, but you won't have a warranty on it outside of two weeks or more RMA times for any parts that go bad. You get to also spend your own time troubleshooting it when there is a problem. And... for the price... u can't beat this system.

For more infromation on some of our systems go to http://www.alchemy-computers.com

^^^^^^^^^^^go with this system ^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Alaxan and i may have had our differences but i think that may be all worked out... //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crazy.gif.c13912c32de98515d3142759a824dae7.gif

yes you can save some money buying all the parts yourself and maybe even have a knowledgeable friend build it for you.... wonder where they'll be when shit goes wrong and you need to start RMA'ing parts or trouble shooting.... starting to build computers it's best to start with small basic ones and work your way up... for what you're asking for go to the experts and pay a bit more.... i've built a total of about 20 machines with good success but the issues i did have were very annoying and ended up costing me more in time and parts in the long run.....

Alaxan's parts are top notch and will be high end for quite some time so you have long term value in that computer.... oh and the Killer K1 Online internet speed enchancer is bogus and definitely not needed... no one i know of endorses this piece of useless hardware and i'm surprised it's still around....

if Alaxan's system comes with an SLI motherboard you can add another 8800GT at a later date to beef up your vid card component however other than Crysis at full bore that vid card should be more than fine.... in other words the best system out with 2 x 8800 Ultras oc'd to the max still can't play Crysis full bore with decent frame rates so don't even try to find one that can....

 

[Jmac 10+ year member]

2 x HD 3870 X2s should run Crysis quite well ...

 

[miker 5,000+ posts]

Have a member put one together for you (actually build it) Those prices are too high. You can get all of that stuff MUCH cheaper.
I'd go quad core (people will argue they are not totally utilized now, but crysis does use it).

High powered system should cost you less than 1500.

Games mostly ustalize the GPU, not the CPU, though it is required for certain processes with the game. Like boot up......

Seriously.. Focus on the RAM and graphics card. Not saying everything else isn't important... Just LESS important for your needs

Whats the deal with the new ATI cards? Some new type of interface?

 

[Foote 10+ year member]

Why wouldn't u go with Vista? I understand some people that have thousands of dollars in autoCAD programming they don't want to upgrade staying with XP, but really Vista is a nice and clean OS.
Really, for the price check out the system I mentioned above. Try to go to newegg.com and build it up urself. btw the motherboard is an Asus P5N32-E SLI nVidia 680i

MANY games have MANY problems with vista. Crash bugs, etc.

And I looked on your site, and can't find the computer you mentioned.

 

[Jmac 10+ year member]

MANY games have MANY problems with vista. Crash bugs, etc.
And I looked on your site, and can't find the computer you mentioned.

Not really ... I'd estimate about 90% of my games run fine in Vista and the other 10% are at least 3 years old ...

 

[staypuff 10+ year member]

2 x HD 3870 X2s should run Crysis quite well ...

actually in basic settings yes... topped out the 8800 ultras which are about 3 times more powerful than the 3870's x2 in SLI can't play Crysis in top form with good frame rates.... this is also using the fastest desktop proc out as well.... there is talk that it is a software issue though and not a hardware one....

 

[staypuff 10+ year member]

MANY games have MANY problems with vista. Crash bugs, etc.
And I looked on your site, and can't find the computer you mentioned.

simply call him up and let him know what you want... he configures anything and everything.... i was a doubter at first but am considering a comp from him now as well and i build my own too....