PC Gaming Rigs

[Vodstok]

Okay, this is more for the hardcore PC Game nerds around here. Console players, feel free to start your own threads. This is for the Elite :D

Okay, for starters, is anyoneplanning on getting a new rig this year, to be able to play the newer titles like Bioshock and Crysis? I am thinking about it. Thje key for me is to not annoy my wife with it since she accidentally planted the seed last night that we may be able to make out lives easier by buying laptops ($3000 budget, and she just wants something for music and photo editing.... drool.)

so i looekd this morning, and found an alienware system that covers all of my bases. Would i get it if i won the lottery? Of course not, but for a 2 thousand dollar budget, it is a beauty:
here are the specs from my shopping cart (wishlist....):

[1] Area-51® m5750

Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T5600 1.83GHz 2MB Cache 667MHz FSB
Operating System (Office software not included): Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005 - Free Upgrade to Windows Vista Home Premium! - Without Media Center Remote Control or TV Tuner
Display: Alienware® m5750 17" WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 LCD - Saucer Silver
Motherboard: Alienware® Intel® 945PM + ICH7 Chipset
Memory: 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 667MHz - 2 x 512MB
System Drive: Single Drive Configuration - 120GB Serial ATA 1.5Gb/s 5,400 RPM w/ 8MB Cache
Primary CD ROM/DVD ROM: 8X Dual Layer DVD+/-RW / 24X CD-RW Combo w/Software
Video/Graphics Card: 256MB ATI Mobility™ Radeon® X1800
Sound Card: Intel® 7.1 High-Definition Audio
Wireless Network Card: Internal Intel® PRO Wireless 3945 a/b/g Mini-Card
Communications: Integrated 10/1000Mb Gigabit Ethernet & 56K V.92 Modem
Warranty: 1-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support w/ Onsite Service
Alienware Mouse Pad: Alienware® Mousepad

[newb]

Waiting for Vista to come out. My budget is about 1,500 for just the computer....no monitor needed.Tell me what I need Vod and if that will cover it.I'm a bit rusty as far as buying a computer and what I need to run the newer games. Its been about 3 years since I bought one.Been mostly into console games lately.

[Vodstok]

why certainly! :)

I will look around and see what kind of specs will be needed for the biggies coming out (i bet my top 3 will provide a good across-the-board standard), and will probably smoke on anything older.

to be continued....

Actually, do you have speakers, mouse, keyboard, etc and are just looking for a new tower? that would change things a bit... Also, how much stoprage are you looking for? Aside from that, i will look into performance vs cost for the rest.

AND, are you looking to have one built for you, or are you looking to get the parts and build it yourself (or get a friend to)?

[noctuary]

Vod - Just a word of advice for you: avoid Alienware. They are now owned by Dell, and I think everyone knows about Dell's use of substandard components. If you have the know-how (and seriously, it's not all that hard) I would highly recommend building your own rig. I've been doing it for my last two PCs, and I've never had any problems. If you do choose to build it yourself, you can save a TON of money, and have a better system overall.

My current specs (two year old system):
ASUS motherboard with AMD 3000+ processor at 2.2 gHz
Crucial RAM 1.5 GB
Western Digital Hard Drive 120 GB
ATI Radeon x1300 256 MB video card

For the next gen of games, you WILL need more RAM than is listed in your setup. I'd recommend at least 2 GB. Technically, you may be able to run new games on less, but the results likely wouldn't be pretty.

Oh, and yes, I'm planning to start work on a new system this year.

[The Mothman]

Originally Posted by Vodstok

Okay, this is more for the hardcore PC Game nerds around here. This is for the Elite :D

that would be me:D

I got an okay Rig right now. Its got a GeForce 6800 in it, it runs stuff pretty well, im probably gonna stick with this for a while. IDK if its gonna be able to run crysis though.


Vodstok, do you still play Half Life 2 DM? I got it working again.

[Vodstok]

Okay, Alienware has a nice system for under $1500:
http://alienware.com/Configurator_Pa...de=SKU-DEFAULT

if you remove the LCD screen monitor option, the price drops to $1469. I had an alienware for 5 years and loved it, i would go with them again in a heartbeat (and i plan to)

[X¤MurderDoll¤X]

Playing games with a keyboard and mouse... how primitive. ;)

[Vodstok]

Playing games with a few buttons and a little joystick, how childish ;)

i think that was how the australopithecus played games... with sticks.... :)

[X¤MurderDoll¤X]

Originally Posted by Vodstok

Playing games with a few buttons and a little joystick, how childish ;)

i think that was how the australopithecus played games... with sticks.... :)

The best games in the world are played with sticks.

I used to have the high score in "Beat vodstok with a stick"

[Vodstok]

:p no one puts baby in the corner, and no one beats vod with a stick.

Anyway, Dell lets you comer in way under budget:
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellsto...=DXCWNF1&s=dhs
\
I was able to configure a super fast machine for $1289

Be cautious with the big names though, a lot of times they use proprietary hardware, so rather than upgrading at a later date, you have to buy a whole new PC.


Stay away from Compaq, in my experience they are crap.

In my travels so far, i have found that most (if not all) companies that build computers these days are making them Vista capable, AND offering free upgrades from Xp to Vista, which is HUGE.