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Computer Shopping....

JG1

JG1

New member
Lookin to get a new computer. Something very nice for gaming. I priced a Dell XPS....P4 2.8ghz, 128MB DDR ATI RADEON 9800 Pro Graphics Card with TV-Out and DVI, 120gb HD, 18" Ultrasharp Digital Flat Panel Display, Harman Kardon HK-395 Speakers with Subwoofer, Logitech MX 500 Optical Mouse...

They want $3100.

This sound like a decent price, or can I get a nice system for a lot cheaper somewhere else?
 
1-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support with Onsite Service

Alienware Full-Tower Case (420-Watt PS) - Conspiracy Blue
AlienIce™ Video Cooling System - Terra Green
Alienware Cable Management System
Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 3.0GHz 800MHz FSB w/ 512KB Cache & HyperThreading
Intel® D875PBZ - Intel 875P Pentium 4 Motherboard
512MB DDR SDRAM PC-3200 - 2 x 256MB Module
80GB Seagate Barracuda ATA IV ATA-100 2MB Cache - Quantity 1
16/48x DVD-ROM - IDE - Black w/Software MPEG-2 Decoder
ATI RADEON™ 9800 PRO 128MB 8x AGP w/DVI & S-Video - LIMITED AVAILABILITY
Sound Blaster® Audigy 2 - 6.1
Integrated Intel Pro/1000 CT Gigabit Ethernet Adapter w/CSA
Microsoft Internet Keyboard - Space Black
Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 - USB - Standard Color
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
Free Alienware® T-Shirt - Black
Bonus 12-Month Subscription to Computer Games Magazine!
AlienAutopsy: Automated Technical Support Request System

Price: $2,019.00

http://www.alienware.com/gaming_main_desktop.aspx

prd_system2_conspiracy.jpg
 
JarHed,

Does that include a monitor? If not, how much am I looking at for a nice one?
 
JG1,

Unfortunately it does not include a monitor. Most good 17" monitors cost between $250 to $500

Check on the "Maximum PC" website for more info.
http://www.maximumpc.com

Best Buy sells "Alienware" PC's. I'm not sure if the monitor is included.

Happy hunting...:)
 
you could build your own state of the art system with parts off of www.pricewatch.com for around 1000 and thats if you wanted the best of everything. 600 will build a really nice gamer system. I wouldnt get a flat screen if i were you. Flat screens will never have as sharp a picture as a nice crt. Plus the color fades over time and if you leave it on too long it will burn an image onto your screen that wont go away. flat screens suck.
 
Which speakers would you guys go with?

Creative Inspire™ 6.1 6600 Speakers - Black [+81]
Creative MegaWorks THX® 2.1 250D - Black [+216]
Creative MegaWorks THX® 5.1 550 - Black [+226]
Creative MegaWorks THX® 6.1 650 - Black - $60 Mail-In Rebate [+349]
Logitech® Z-640 5.1 Speakers [+80]
Logitech® Z-680 5.1 500-Watt THX Speakers [+324]
Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 200-Watt THX Speakers [+169]
Klipsch ProMedia 5.1 500-Watt THX Speakers [+379]
NEW Klipsch ProMedia GMX D-5.1 Speakers - $30 Instant Rebate [+299]
(None)
 
I have the Creative Inspire 5.1's and they work great for me while gaming so I'm sure the 6.1's are even better. If you want the best though, go for the Klipsch's. What ever you do though at least get a 4.1 surround sound setup. Games sound much more awesome with them. You can actually here when someone is coming behind you or from the side which has it's advantages.
 
I was thinking about maybe the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 200-Watt THX Speakers [+169].

I'm not sure where I'd put the surround sound speakers
 
This is what I'm thinking...

Area51 System
$2,500.00

1-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support with Onsite Service
Alienware Full-Tower Case (420-Watt PS) - Conspiracy Blue
AlienIce™ Video Cooling System - Terra Green
Alienware Cable Management System
Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 3.0GHz 800MHz FSB w/ 512KB Cache & HyperThreading
Intel® D875PBZ - Intel 875P Pentium 4 Motherboard
512MB DDR SDRAM PC-3200 - 2 x 256MB Module
80GB Seagate Barracuda ATA IV ATA-100 2MB Cache - Quantity 1
16/48x DVD-ROM - IDE - Black w/Software MPEG-2 Decoder
ATI RADEON™ 9800 PRO 128MB 8x AGP w/DVI & S-Video - LIMITED AVAILABILITY
Sound Blaster® Audigy 2 - 6.1
Integrated Intel Pro/1000 CT Gigabit Ethernet Adapter w/CSA
NEC 19" MultiSync FE991SB Flat CRT - Black
Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 200-Watt THX Speakers
Microsoft Internet Keyboard - Conspiracy Blue
Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 - USB - Conspiracy Blue
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
Free Alienware® T-Shirt - Black
Bonus 12-Month Subscription to Computer Games Magazine!
AlienAutopsy: Automated Technical Support Request System
 
JG1 said:
This is what I'm thinking...

Area51 System
$2,500.00

1-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support with Onsite Service
Alienware Full-Tower Case (420-Watt PS) - Conspiracy Blue
AlienIce™ Video Cooling System - Terra Green
Alienware Cable Management System
Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 3.0GHz 800MHz FSB w/ 512KB Cache & HyperThreading
Intel® D875PBZ - Intel 875P Pentium 4 Motherboard
512MB DDR SDRAM PC-3200 - 2 x 256MB Module
80GB Seagate Barracuda ATA IV ATA-100 2MB Cache - Quantity 1
16/48x DVD-ROM - IDE - Black w/Software MPEG-2 Decoder
ATI RADEON™ 9800 PRO 128MB 8x AGP w/DVI & S-Video - LIMITED AVAILABILITY
Sound Blaster® Audigy 2 - 6.1
Integrated Intel Pro/1000 CT Gigabit Ethernet Adapter w/CSA
NEC 19" MultiSync FE991SB Flat CRT - Black
Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 200-Watt THX Speakers
Microsoft Internet Keyboard - Conspiracy Blue
Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 - USB - Conspiracy Blue
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
Free Alienware® T-Shirt - Black
Bonus 12-Month Subscription to Computer Games Magazine!
AlienAutopsy: Automated Technical Support Request System
Click to expand...

Looks like a kickass system. No cdrw though?
 
Whats the better card?

NVIDIA GeForce™ FX 5800 Ultra 128MB 8x AGP w/DVI & S-Video

ATI RADEON™ 9800 PRO 128MB 8x AGP w/DVI & S-Video
 
Guys, check this out. A fellow over at AnandTech offered to build me the following system.

Antec Performance PLUS with 430 watt P4 approved power supply
Lite On 52x24x52 CDRW
Lite On 16x DVD Drive
Sony 3.5 inch Floppy drive
Western Digital Raptor 10,000 RPM 36 GB SATA drive (VERY fast for Windows and Programs)
Western Digital 120 GB 7200 RPM drive (slower drive for storing MP3's and video and whatnot)
Microsoft Internet Keyboard
Corsair XMS PC3200 RAM (2x512) CAS2
KDS 19inch monitor - 1600x1200 @ 75 Hz or 1280x1024 @ 85 hz (recommended)
Intel Pentium 4 (800 FSB) Motherboard Model D875PBZLK
Microsoft Optical Wheel Mouse
Intel P4 3.0C (800 Mhz FSB)
Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2
Creative Labs Inspire 6600 6.1 Speaker system (6 satelites and a sub woofer)
Powercolor ATI Radeon 9700 Pro video card (128 MB)

He quoted me at $1900 + shipping.

Let me know what you guys think? How does this compare to the Area 51?
 
Made some alterations in the Area 51 model. I'm gonna just use my 19" ViewSonic that I have now.

Here's what i'm looking at with the are 51. Between this, and what the guy at AnandTech wants to build me, what would you guys choose? I'd have to buy Windows XP is he builds it for me which is another $100. I'd also get no tech support if I bought the system from him. So add the $100 for the XP, and subtract $160 for the KDS 19" monitor and I'm looking about $1950 for his system shipped without the monitor vrs $2341 (shipped) for the Are 51 system. I'm looking at a $400 difference between the two systems. (Plus with the Area 51 I'd get to finance it 6 months interest free)

Area51 System
$2,326.00

1-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support with Onsite Service
Alienware Full-Tower Case (420-Watt PS) - Conspiracy Blue
AlienIce™ Video Cooling System - Terra Green
Alienware Cable Management System
Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 3.0GHz 800MHz FSB w/ 512KB Cache & HyperThreading
Intel® D875PBZ - Intel 875P Pentium 4 Motherboard
1GB DDR SDRAM PC-3200 - 2 x 512MB Module
80GB Seagate Barracuda ATA IV ATA-100 2MB Cache - Quantity 1
16/48x DVD-ROM - IDE - Black w/Software MPEG-2 Decoder
Lite-On 52x24x52x CD-RW - IDE - Black
ATI RADEON™ 9800 PRO 128MB 8x AGP w/DVI & S-Video -
Sound Blaster® Audigy 2 - 6.1
Integrated Intel Pro/1000 CT Gigabit Ethernet Adapter w/CSA
Creative Inspire™ 6.1 6600 Speakers - Black
Microsoft Internet Keyboard - Conspiracy Blue
Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 - USB - Conspiracy Blue
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
Free Alienware® T-Shirt - Black
Bonus 12-Month Subscription to Computer Games Magazine!
AlienAutopsy: Automated Technical Support Request System
 
Last edited:
JG1 said:
Guys, check this out. A fellow over at AnandTech offered to build me the following system.

Antec Performance PLUS with 430 watt P4 approved power supply
Lite On 52x24x52 CDRW
Lite On 16x DVD Drive
Sony 3.5 inch Floppy drive
Western Digital Raptor 10,000 RPM 36 GB SATA drive (VERY fast for Windows and Programs)
Western Digital 120 GB 7200 RPM drive (slower drive for storing MP3's and video and whatnot)
Microsoft Internet Keyboard
Corsair XMS PC3200 RAM (2x512) CAS2
KDS 19inch monitor - 1600x1200 @ 75 Hz or 1280x1024 @ 85 hz (recommended)
Intel Pentium 4 (800 FSB) Motherboard Model D875PBZLK
Microsoft Optical Wheel Mouse
Intel P4 3.0C (800 Mhz FSB)
Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2
Creative Labs Inspire 6600 6.1 Speaker system (6 satelites and a sub woofer)
Powercolor ATI Radeon 9700 Pro video card (128 MB)

He quoted me at $1900 + shipping.

Let me know what you guys think? How does this compare to the Area 51?
Click to expand...


I'm really liking this configuration. Especially the hard drives. What kind of motherboard does it have? Since you're going all out, you might wanna see if he'll bump that radeon to a 9800 instead of the 9700.
 
the mobo is Intel Pentium 4 (800 FSB) Motherboard Model D875PBZLK

Do you like his setup better then the Area 51 I just layed out?

He also said this:

"A comparable AMD based system will about about 200-300 bucks less. Basically all I would change in that setup is the motherboard and processor. The rest can stay the same."

"AMD's can be overclocked a little easier than Intel because Athlon XP
multipliers are unlocked... with Intel, you can only overclock with the FSB,
which is good because that provides the best performance, but if you're RAM
can't handle it, you're stuck. With AMD you can do both. I would recommend
getting an XP2500 with the Epox 8RDA+ ... you're almost guaranteed to get
XP3200 speeds with that combo so long as you get DDR400 RAM. And it will be
more than adequate for gaming."

"with the motherboard replaced with the 8RDA+
and the processor with the XP2500... and no monitor, and a 9800 Pro 128 MB
would be about $1700
And the XP2500 overclocked to 2.2 Ghz would be almost equal to a 3.0C P4...
so close you'd only notice a difference if you benchmarked it.
If you want the 9800 Pro 256 MB card, that would be about another $125, so
about $1825 for all that with a 256 MB 9800 Pro "
 
Last edited:
JG1 said:
the mobo is Intel Pentium 4 (800 FSB) Motherboard Model D875PBZLK

Do you like his setup better then the Area 51 I just layed out?

He also said this:

"A comparable AMD based system will about about 200-300 bucks less. Basically all I would change in that setup is the motherboard and processor. The rest can stay the same."

"AMD's can be overclocked a little easier than Intel because Athlon XP
multipliers are unlocked... with Intel, you can only overclock with the FSB,
which is good because that provides the best performance, but if you're RAM
can't handle it, you're stuck. With AMD you can do both. I would recommend
getting an XP2500 with the Epox 8RDA+ ... you're almost guaranteed to get
XP3200 speeds with that combo so long as you get DDR400 RAM. And it will be
more than adequate for gaming."

"with the motherboard replaced with the 8RDA+
and the processor with the XP2500... and no monitor, and a 9800 Pro 128 MB
would be about $1700
And the XP2500 overclocked to 2.2 Ghz would be almost equal to a 3.0C P4...
so close you'd only notice a difference if you benchmarked it.
If you want the 9800 Pro 256 MB card, that would be about another $125, so
about $1825 for all that with a 256 MB 9800 Pro "
Click to expand...


I do like that the Alienware case takes care of your wires through their wire management. I'm not too fond of the case as there are some really cool looking case out there now that you can modify with black lights, LED cathodes, see through windows, etc. It's mainly gonna come down to how much work do you wanna put into it. If you don't want to go through the challenge of sleeving the wires so they look organized, overclocking the proc, making sure you have adequate cooling to overclock, etc, go with the alienware. If you enjoy doing that stuff, get the custom built one. AMD's are cheaper and easier to work with if you ever do decide to over clock. WHat kind of case is the guy gonna use? OOHH I just noticed that he offered the 9800 256MB card. If you have the money, definitely grab that. It's the hottest card right now until the new Nvidia comes out. I just built a system with a lot of the same parts such as the Epox 8RDA+ mobo, SB Audigy 2, I have the Athlon 2400+ though with a smaller video card and memory. All and all though I would go with the custom built one if it was up to me
 
Stangfriik said:



I do like that the Alienware case takes care of your wires through their wire management. I'm not too fond of the case as there are some really cool looking case out there now that you can modify with black lights, LED cathodes, see through windows, etc. It's mainly gonna come down to how much work do you wanna put into it. If you don't want to go through the challenge of sleeving the wires so they look organized, overclocking the proc, making sure you have adequate cooling to overclock, etc, go with the alienware. If you enjoy doing that stuff, get the custom built one. AMD's are cheaper and easier to work with if you ever do decide to over clock. WHat kind of case is the guy gonna use? OOHH I just noticed that he offered the 9800 256MB card. If you have the money, definitely grab that. It's the hottest card right now until the new Nvidia comes out. I just built a system with a lot of the same parts such as the Epox 8RDA+ mobo, SB Audigy 2, I have the Athlon 2400+ though with a smaller video card and memory. All and all though I would go with the custom built one if it was up to me
Click to expand...

He's gonna use the Antec Performance PLUS with 430 watt P4 approved power supply case.

If I were to go with what he recommends, it'll be the 9800 Pro 256mg card, and the XP2500 overclocked to 2.2 Ghz with the Epox 8RDA. I'm looking at $1825 for that vrs $2340 for the Area 51..... bout a $500 difference.

He also said "Hard drives are important too... they can be the difference between a
computer that feels fast, or one that feels slow. If you get a junk hard
drive, you'll be disappointed with the rest of your computer. That's why I
recommended the Raptor... it's the fastest thing out there right now other
than some really high dollar SCSI drives"
 
I know that Raptor will kick ass but I haven't had a chance to learn about the serial ata SATA technology. That 430w power supply is plenty plus it leaves room in case oyu wanna modifiy the case with more fans, lights, etc. That case is cool but I like more of the flashy cases with the plexi-glass window, fans all over the place, etc. That configuration is gonnd haul ass!
 
Stangfriik said:
I know that Raptor will kick ass but I haven't had a chance to learn about the serial ata SATA technology. That 430w power supply is plenty plus it leaves room in case oyu wanna modifiy the case with more fans, lights, etc. That case is cool but I like more of the flashy cases with the plexi-glass window, fans all over the place, etc. That configuration is gonnd haul ass!
Click to expand...

So basically besides not having a flashy neon green glowing case, this system will be much better the the Area 51 and be $500 less to boot?
 
Definitely

Are you sure he's gonna do the overclocking for you though. The messages you posted from him don't indicate that


Also If you want more opinions, you may wanna post the 2 configurations over at speeguide.net. Those guys know a lot more about the SATA technology plus you'll get a lot of different views. One thing about over there though, you'll start to notice people demanding you go with Intel and others that will say go with AMD. Most are basically fanboys that like to stick with a certain brand and try their hardest to decredit the competitors.
 
I agree, don't bother with SATA yet as it's really not worth it.

I also don't know how badly you need a computer right now but if you are going to spend that kind of money you might as well wait for a while since everything is going to 64bit technology.
 
H etold me he made a mistake with the price. If I wanted to go with this:

Antec Performance Plus w/430 watt power supply -$119.99
Lite On 52x24x52 CDRW - $45.50
Lite On 16X DVD 0 $32.00
Sony 1.44 MB 3.5" Floppy drive - $7.00
Western Digital Raptor hard drive, 10k RPM, 36 GB - $143.00
Western Digital 120 GB hard drive, 7200 RPM - $108
Microsoft Internet Keyboard - $16.00
Corsair XMS PC3200 CAS 2 RAM 2x256 for 512 MB total - $119.20
Epox 8RDA+ motherboard - $85.00
Microsoft Optical Wheel Mouse - $16.00
Athlon XP2500 CPU w/Retail fan - $98.00
Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2 - $78.00
Creative Labs Inspire 6600 6.1 Speaker system - $96.00
Powercolor ATI 9700 Pro 128 MB video card, $299.00

It'll be $1310 shipped to him. He wants me to put the stuff of my CC, then send him $200 cash and the $200 would be for him to send me the PC with $1500 minsurance and the rest would be for his labor. I'd still need to buy Window XP though ($100)

He said the 9800 Pro would cost $519 so the the cost to him would cost $1529...plus the xtra $200 for shipping/labor and the $100 for Windows.
 
I still thinks that a helluva deal compared to what you were originally looking at. The Dell was almost twice as muchand you're getting better equipment with the custom built machine. The 9800 pro is that expensive b/c it just came out and like I said, it's the hottest card out right now. The combination of the athlon xp2500, PC3200 ddr, and the epox 8rda+ is an overclockers dream. I'm not sure what you have now but when I jumped from my intel 733mhz to my athlon 2400, I couldn't believe the difference. I knew it would be a sinificant increase but not like this. Once I fix the ventulation in my computer room so it's cooler, I'll start overclocking this bad boy. You won't be disappointed that's for sure. I'm jealous:p
 
Stangfriik said:
I still thinks that a helluva deal compared to what you were originally looking at. The Dell was almost twice as muchand you're getting better equipment with the custom built machine. The 9800 pro is that expensive b/c it just came out and like I said, it's the hottest card out right now. The combination of the athlon xp2500, PC3200 ddr, and the epox 8rda+ is an overclockers dream. I'm not sure what you have now but when I jumped from my intel 733mhz to my athlon 2400, I couldn't believe the difference. I knew it would be a sinificant increase but not like this. Once I fix the ventulation in my computer room so it's cooler, I'll start overclocking this bad boy. You won't be disappointed that's for sure. I'm jealous:p
Click to expand...

He said he would overclock everything for me. He would just need to keep it another day or possibly two to make sure it's stable and not going to poop out and start freezing and rebooting on me. He said he would benchmark it too. I think he said he can overclock to a stable 2.2Ghz.

He said this aboiut the SATA.

"About the SATA drives. The Raptor is a SATA drive... however... it's unlike any other SATA drive because it's a 10,000 RPM drive. All others are 7200 RPM right now......
.....But the person you talked to is correct... with the exception of the Raptor, SATA is all hype. About the only thing better about it at this point is the cables... it uses thin cables, where as ATA100/133 hard drives use wide flat cables that obstruct air flow. "
 
He also said this about the 9700 Pro 126mg vrs the 9800 Pro 256mg.

"To be honest, a 9700 Pro might even be a little to much "buck for the bang" considering what's going to be coming out. This fall nVidia and ATI are supposed to be releasing new cores, and they both look promising. By fall, 9700 Pro's might be under $200. But, don't let me discourage you from getting a kickass computer =) I'm just always looking for the best value... I'm a bargain hunter =)"


What do you think? Stay witht he 9700 128mg, or go with the 9800 256mg?
 
I never knew the 2500 was 1.8ghz stock. My 2400 is 2ghz. This difference is in the FSB though. Mine is 266mhz and yours is 333mhz. So he will be able to achieve a higher overclocked speed. Plus with that pc3200 ram, he should have no problem at all getting it up to 2.2ghz providing that he sets up ample ventilation via fans, processor heatsink, etc.
 
JG1 said:
He also said this about the 9700 Pro 126mg vrs the 9800 Pro 256mg.

"To be honest, a 9700 Pro might even be a little to much "buck for the bang" considering what's going to be coming out. This fall nVidia and ATI are supposed to be releasing new cores, and they both look promising. By fall, 9700 Pro's might be under $200. But, don't let me discourage you from getting a kickass computer =) I'm just always looking for the best value... I'm a bargain hunter =)"


What do you think? Stay witht he 9700 128mg, or go with the 9800 256mg?
Click to expand...


Yea this where you gotta decide how much money you're willing to spend. I mean if you have it, you might as well get the 9800pro 256mb. You will notice a difference compared to the 9700 especially with the games that are being released. When Doom3 is released, most won't even be able to play it b/c you will need at least a 9800 pro 128 or higher to play it due to the graphics. But like he said, nVidia is releasing the NV35 chip which I think is gonna be called the 5900 ultra and ATI is releasing I thkn the 9900 (not positive on this). If you're a hardcore gamer, get the 9800. If you're a casual gamer like me, the 9700 would do fine. But you'll always have this little voice in your head saying I want the baddest computer there is:D
 
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