New Computer Help Needed

mr chris · 10-29-08, 12:55 PM

Hi,
Ive just realiszed that my computer is going to need replacing in the next year.
I have had her for nealy 4 years now and i have upgraded her in a few deptments as the years have ticked by.
Namely a new PSU, 3 new Graphics cards over the years and more RAM.
But i have desided to bit the bullet so to speak and purchase a new one.
I have aloted a year to save up some funds to fund the new computer.
I have not a clue when it comes to computers really my upgrades that i done to this one have all been done after taking advice from freinds and members of this froum.

Im looking for a Top end gaming rig that will last for a while and be easy to upgrade as time goes on.

So what i wanted people's advice on was how is the best way to go about getting the best rig?
Do i buy one out of the store?
Do i buy one off the Internet?

Thanks for any help.

CaptainHaplo · 10-29-08, 07:00 PM

Mr.Chris,

Honestly I would say save for the months you allotted, then with about a month or 2 to go, give a ballpark figure on what your budget is. The market changes often - but USUALLY the best bet if you have the skill is to buy the pieces and put the box together yourself. The reasoning is both money - since you can get the best part for the best price, as well as it gives you a knowledgeable foundation for later, if things start screwing up.

Right now folks could give you all kinds of parts to buy, but by the time you have the money saved, the equipment will have changed as well. Best wait till your close to buying before we get to that point.

I will say that unless the market changes drastically, your best bet will be internet purchases of the equipment, with places like newegg.com and tigerdirect.com being good starting sources. Pricewatch.com is also usable though you run the risk of dealing with companies that may not be as reputable.

mr chris · 10-30-08, 04:23 PM

Have been doing a little bit of looking around at some of the high end gaming systems avaible at a few of these sites.

www.meshcomputers.com

www.pcspecialist.com

www.cube247.co.uk

www.alienware.co.uk

After picking a few of there setups and tweaking it a bit. I have come to the conclusion im not going to get much change out of £3500.
Which if im honest is about what i expected.
So its down to some hard saving so i can have a system that will fly through SH3 and eventually SH4 on the highest settings, and some of the other demaning games like Emipire Total War that will no doubt come out while im saving.

Reece · 11-04-08, 06:57 PM

Your main choice will have to be either:
Intel & nVidia
AMD & ATI
I chose the latter purely for support, not as fast as Intel but still very good.

Most people don't know that AMD is having financial difficulties, nothing to do with the latest recession, though doesn't help, but because there CPU's don't perform as well as Intel!

But just imagine if the company folded! you would no longer have the competition & the price of computers would skyrocket & quality would drop, horid thought, would be like Windows, Microsoft have no competition, that's why the price is ridiculous!!

Getting a little off track here Mr Chris, but just had to say something!

FIREWALL · 11-04-08, 07:52 PM

Build your own. It's not that hard.

Onkel Neal · 11-04-08, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr chris

Have been doing a little bit of looking around at some of the high end gaming systems avaible at a few of these sites.

www.meshcomputers.com

www.pcspecialist.com

www.cube247.co.uk

www.alienware.co.uk

After picking a few of there setups and tweaking it a bit. I have come to the conclusion im not going to get much change out of £3500.
Which if im honest is about what i expected.
So its down to some hard saving so i can have a system that will fly through SH3 and eventually SH4 on the highest settings, and some of the other demaning games like Emipire Total War that will no doubt come out while im saving.

Dang man, that's a lot of $$$ Do you really need that much computer?

stabiz · 11-04-08, 11:32 PM

No he doesnt, those prizes are plain scary!

1000£ should be enough to get a Formula 1 PC. (If you build it yourself) That number is Norwegian krone switched to pounds, but Norway is supposed to be a prizy country so I cant see it be more expensive in the UK.

Btw, with Alienware you pay for alot of useless stuff, like the custom (and ugly) cases.

stabiz · 11-04-08, 11:43 PM

This is my next build:

Radeon HD 4870 512MB (allready have this one): approx 200£
Some mobo: 100£
RAM: 50£
Core2Duo E8600: 200£
Case: 100-150£ (Lian Li for me)
PSU: 750W Corsair: 100£
HD: 2x Samsung Spinpoint F1 500GB: 100£

Thats 900£. I might have messed up the currency-thingy a bit, but not more than 10%, so 3500£ is totally unneccesary.

Wolfehunter · 11-05-08, 01:53 AM

If you got the money and don't like to play with computer components then go with alienware.

Alienware makes best quality computers and uses the latest technologies. BUT you will pay for it. Their not cheap.

They get stuff one else can get. I wish I had that kind of cash because I would by from them only.

When it comes to POWER Gaming they have it.

Goodluck dude.

stabiz · 11-05-08, 08:35 AM

What do they get no one else gets?

CaptainHaplo · 11-05-08, 08:55 PM

Custom built makers like Alienware have a tendency to add in the "newfangled" hardware that few people use. Think Physix cards for a recent example. I myself was sold on them - but you notice there isnt a big call for them now.

Honestly, your paying for a year of support and the brand name. If you don't want to build a box yourself - check with local pc firms. Often you can either provide them the parts and they will put it all together for you, or let them get the parts and build it. If you provide it all, most reasonable small companies will only charge you an hour or so to put it all together because it doesnt take long.

If you want to pay 3500 or more - go ahead - but your not going to get the best gaming rig if you go with a "prebuilt package". Spend 1500+ and get something that will smoke a "stock" Alienware machine.

Wolfehunter · 11-05-08, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainHaplo

Custom built makers like Alienware have a tendency to add in the "newfangled" hardware that few people use. Think Physix cards for a recent example. I myself was sold on them - but you notice there isnt a big call for them now.

Honestly, your paying for a year of support and the brand name. If you don't want to build a box yourself - check with local pc firms. Often you can either provide them the parts and they will put it all together for you, or let them get the parts and build it. If you provide it all, most reasonable small companies will only charge you an hour or so to put it all together because it doesnt take long.

If you want to pay 3500 or more - go ahead - but your not going to get the best gaming rig if you go with a "prebuilt package". Spend 1500+ and get something that will smoke a "stock" Alienware machine.

They also get latest tech. Stuff other companies have to wait in line for.

I don't know about there hardware issue. I haven't readup on that but I'm surprised to hear this.

Did they loose there quality?:hmm: I haven't been keeping up with them last 2 years so I don't know.

mr chris · 11-06-08, 10:02 AM

Wow this thread has come to life.
Guys i was just listing what i had looked at.
I dont really wish to have a pre bulit system from a big company as i know i would be paying over the odds.
But i dont really wish to bulid my own as i would no doubt bugger it up.
I was looking on some sites and i found this one where you get to confiurge a PC from scratch.
http://www.cyberpowersystem.co.uk/

What do you all think?

I know what i was talking about earlier is alot of cash but i just wanted a computer that would smoke most games and be very upgradeable for many years.

={FH}=Paddy · 11-06-08, 10:20 AM

Mr Chris, I have a perfect conditioned “antique” Commodore 64 that I’m willing to part with for a mere +/- £3000!! I will even throw in immensely challenging game of “Paddle Tennis” for free!

For a meagre additional fee of £500, I shall add in its stunning monitor, despite it being the size of an average fridge do not be fooled, this unit comes with a very funky cool “green back lite” glow and the text looks almost real!!

This is cutting edge technology as far as gaming devices are concerned!
I’ll even send it over to you free of charge……….just send me on the cash mate!! :p

(Good luck with the rig building, it's fun!)

goldorak · 11-06-08, 10:23 AM

There is nothing complicated in building your own pc.
Its like playing with lego or meccano.
Read the instructions and assemble the components.
I build my first pc in late 1999, 2 hours assembling the components.
Just to be careful and when you get the hang of it it becomes second nature and you will save big $$$$$$.
It is worth it.
Anybody can do it.

10-29-08, 12:55 PM	#1
mr chris Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Herefordshire, England Posts: 3,562 Downloads: 216 Uploads: 0	New Computer Help Needed Hi, Ive just realiszed that my computer is going to need replacing in the next year. I have had her for nealy 4 years now and i have upgraded her in a few deptments as the years have ticked by. Namely a new PSU, 3 new Graphics cards over the years and more RAM. But i have desided to bit the bullet so to speak and purchase a new one. I have aloted a year to save up some funds to fund the new computer. I have not a clue when it comes to computers really my upgrades that i done to this one have all been done after taking advice from freinds and members of this froum. Im looking for a Top end gaming rig that will last for a while and be easy to upgrade as time goes on. So what i wanted people's advice on was how is the best way to go about getting the best rig? Do i buy one out of the store? Do i buy one off the Internet? Thanks for any help. __________________

10-29-08, 07:00 PM	#2
CaptainHaplo Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 4,404 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 0	Mr.Chris, Honestly I would say save for the months you allotted, then with about a month or 2 to go, give a ballpark figure on what your budget is. The market changes often - but USUALLY the best bet if you have the skill is to buy the pieces and put the box together yourself. The reasoning is both money - since you can get the best part for the best price, as well as it gives you a knowledgeable foundation for later, if things start screwing up. Right now folks could give you all kinds of parts to buy, but by the time you have the money saved, the equipment will have changed as well. Best wait till your close to buying before we get to that point. I will say that unless the market changes drastically, your best bet will be internet purchases of the equipment, with places like newegg.com and tigerdirect.com being good starting sources. Pricewatch.com is also usable though you run the risk of dealing with companies that may not be as reputable. __________________ Good Hunting! Captain Haplo

10-30-08, 04:23 PM	#3
mr chris Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Herefordshire, England Posts: 3,562 Downloads: 216 Uploads: 0	Have been doing a little bit of looking around at some of the high end gaming systems avaible at a few of these sites. www.meshcomputers.com www.pcspecialist.com www.cube247.co.uk www.alienware.co.uk After picking a few of there setups and tweaking it a bit. I have come to the conclusion im not going to get much change out of £3500. Which if im honest is about what i expected. So its down to some hard saving so i can have a system that will fly through SH3 and eventually SH4 on the highest settings, and some of the other demaning games like Emipire Total War that will no doubt come out while im saving. __________________

11-04-08, 06:57 PM	#4
Reece CINC Pacific Fleet Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Down Under Posts: 32,794 Downloads: 171 Uploads: 0	Your main choice will have to be either: Intel & nVidia AMD & ATI I chose the latter purely for support, not as fast as Intel but still very good. Most people don't know that AMD is having financial difficulties, nothing to do with the latest recession, though doesn't help, but because there CPU's don't perform as well as Intel! But just imagine if the company folded! you would no longer have the competition & the price of computers would skyrocket & quality would drop, horid thought, would be like Windows, Microsoft have no competition, that's why the price is ridiculous!! Getting a little off track here Mr Chris, but just had to say something! __________________ *Sub captains go down with their ship!*

11-04-08, 07:52 PM	#5
FIREWALL Eternal Patrol Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CATALINA IS. SO . CAL USA Posts: 10,108 Downloads: 511 Uploads: 0	Build your own. It's not that hard. __________________ RIP FIREWALL I Play GWX. Silent Hunter Who ???

11-04-08, 11:32 PM	#7
stabiz Silent Hunter Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Norway Posts: 4,224 Downloads: 14 Uploads: 0	No he doesnt, those prizes are plain scary! 1000£ should be enough to get a Formula 1 PC. (If you build it yourself) That number is Norwegian krone switched to pounds, but Norway is supposed to be a prizy country so I cant see it be more expensive in the UK. Btw, with Alienware you pay for alot of useless stuff, like the custom (and ugly) cases. __________________

11-04-08, 11:43 PM	#8
stabiz Silent Hunter Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Norway Posts: 4,224 Downloads: 14 Uploads: 0	This is my next build: Radeon HD 4870 512MB (allready have this one): approx 200£ Some mobo: 100£ RAM: 50£ Core2Duo E8600: 200£ Case: 100-150£ (Lian Li for me) PSU: 750W Corsair: 100£ HD: 2x Samsung Spinpoint F1 500GB: 100£ Thats 900£. I might have messed up the currency-thingy a bit, but not more than 10%, so 3500£ is totally unneccesary. __________________

11-05-08, 01:53 AM	#9
Wolfehunter Crusty Capt. Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 2,752 Downloads: 40 Uploads: 25	If you got the money and don't like to play with computer components then go with alienware. Alienware makes best quality computers and uses the latest technologies. BUT you will pay for it. Their not cheap. They get stuff one else can get. I wish I had that kind of cash because I would by from them only. When it comes to POWER Gaming they have it. Goodluck dude. __________________

11-05-08, 08:35 AM	#10
stabiz Silent Hunter Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Norway Posts: 4,224 Downloads: 14 Uploads: 0	What do they get no one else gets? __________________

11-05-08, 08:55 PM	#11
CaptainHaplo Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 4,404 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 0	Custom built makers like Alienware have a tendency to add in the "newfangled" hardware that few people use. Think Physix cards for a recent example. I myself was sold on them - but you notice there isnt a big call for them now. Honestly, your paying for a year of support and the brand name. If you don't want to build a box yourself - check with local pc firms. Often you can either provide them the parts and they will put it all together for you, or let them get the parts and build it. If you provide it all, most reasonable small companies will only charge you an hour or so to put it all together because it doesnt take long. If you want to pay 3500 or more - go ahead - but your not going to get the best gaming rig if you go with a "prebuilt package". Spend 1500+ and get something that will smoke a "stock" Alienware machine. __________________ Good Hunting! Captain Haplo

11-06-08, 10:02 AM	#13
mr chris Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Herefordshire, England Posts: 3,562 Downloads: 216 Uploads: 0	Wow this thread has come to life. Guys i was just listing what i had looked at. I dont really wish to have a pre bulit system from a big company as i know i would be paying over the odds. But i dont really wish to bulid my own as i would no doubt bugger it up. I was looking on some sites and i found this one where you get to confiurge a PC from scratch. http://www.cyberpowersystem.co.uk/ What do you all think? I know what i was talking about earlier is alot of cash but i just wanted a computer that would smoke most games and be very upgradeable for many years. __________________

11-06-08, 10:20 AM	#14
={FH}=Paddy Electrician's Mate Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Dublin - Ireland - 53° 15′ 54.36″ N, 6° 6′ 49.32″ W Posts: 136 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	Mr Chris, I have a perfect conditioned “antique” Commodore 64 that I’m willing to part with for a mere +/- £3000!! I will even throw in immensely challenging game of “Paddle Tennis” for free! For a meagre additional fee of £500, I shall add in its stunning monitor, despite it being the size of an average fridge do not be fooled, this unit comes with a very funky cool “green back lite” glow and the text looks almost real!! This is cutting edge technology as far as gaming devices are concerned! I’ll even send it over to you free of charge……….just send me on the cash mate!! :p (Good luck with the rig building, it's fun!) __________________ ={Draft beer not people}= Last edited by ={FH}=Paddy; 11-06-08 at 10:20 AM.

11-06-08, 10:23 AM	#15
goldorak Admiral Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,320 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	There is nothing complicated in building your own pc. Its like playing with lego or meccano. Read the instructions and assemble the components. I build my first pc in late 1999, 2 hours assembling the components. Just to be careful and when you get the hang of it it becomes second nature and you will save big $$$$$$. It is worth it. Anybody can do it.