Maveric's Computer Suggestion Request - City of Heroes Forums

Maveric · 04-21-2005, 06:32 PM

As some of you know, My Dell Laptop bit the dust (yes, the warranty has expired) and it looks unlikely that my brother will be able to get his friend to fix/upgrade it. I bought the Laptop as a Desktop Replacement. The Dell was reliable for the three years I had it and ran great up until about the time the warranty expired (go figure). The Dell Customer Service was also really helpful. I loved having the small compactness of the laptop, but I kind of miss the 19-inch screen that I had with my former Desktop. If I get another Laptop it would have to be at least 17 inches. 60 Gig memory was enough for me although I care more about the RAM and Graphics (NVIDIA only since CoH was designed using their features), both of which should be high-end quality.

So now I’m debating on whether or not to go back to a Desktop especially now that Flat Panels have drastically reduced in price. I prefer a Higher-End equipment/computers as they seem to last longer, considering how fast Technology advances.

I can probably afford $2,000.00 - $3,000.00, depends on if I get the Unit Operations Manager position that I recently applied for at the Hospital (wish me luck). I do spend a lot of my free time on the computer so I’m willing to spend a little more than I normally would on my hobbies.

Is Alienware really that over-hyped?

Okay, so here’s the request;

Pretend you have about $2,500.00 and can probably get another $500.00 or so if you think you need it. Post what Laptop and or Desktop system you would buy and include some of your opinions about it.

Much appreciation for the help,

-Mav

inkblaster · 04-21-2005, 10:02 PM

Wow, if I didn't hear the roar of chirping crickets I'd have never noticed this thread.

I can't speak much to the current best of the best for manufacturers, I will say desktops are cool as you can upgrade, and speaking of cool, I really like the shuttle XPC cooling system for the processor, slap a radiator in the pc and call it good! Nice small form factor, and PCI-Express ta boot.

If I had the money I'd build me one of them today, but I don't and can't really justify it(pokes 6-year old desktop, c'mon, BREAK!), but just sayin' that's what I'd go with.

And lcd panels schmanels, give me my 21" CRT monitor any day, that healthy glow I give off helps me see in the dark better.

ThunderMace · 04-21-2005, 10:09 PM

I would just build my own. is that not something you are able/willing to do?
also look for some good deals on New egg and Global, I saw they were selling an Amd 3000+ 64 bit system for @ 600 sans video card.

Blur · 04-22-2005, 02:37 AM

If your going for a laptop, it's pretty tough and expensive to build one, although it can be done. My sister just got an alienware laptop and she seems happy with it. Itf your going the desktop route, I would build it yourself. Look for deals at Fry's or your local computer store. Fry's always has motherboard/cpu combos at great prices. New egg has good prices as well.

Malibu Sally · 04-22-2005, 04:15 AM

How about those of us who have no clue about assembling one ourselves? Any recommendations?

Please.. no "it's easy to build one". Been through that already and it's NOT.

Blur · 04-22-2005, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wing

If your going for a laptop, it's pretty tough and expensive to build one, although it can be done. My sister just got an alienware laptop and she seems happy with it. Itf your going the desktop route, I would build it yourself. Look for deals at Fry's or your local computer store. Fry's always has motherboard/cpu combos at great prices. New egg has good prices as well.

You could take it to a store with computer services, and they would do it for a price. ex Bestbuy or Compusa.

Black Razor · 04-22-2005, 07:57 AM

I highly advise Voodoo PC. There systems are much better then Alienware. Or at the very least try a Falcon NW system. Alienware PCs arnt any better then Dells or Compaqs ..there mass produced. Thats not a bad thing but if your looking for a high end to mid range gaming PC the two I listed are MUCH better. I actually have a system from each of them ..Fragbox from Falcon and a Voodoo Omen .. and both are excellent computers. However if you have the technical knowledge building your own system is the way to go... much cheaper and you can potentially get a much better system.

Lorash · 04-22-2005, 03:20 PM

The only problem I have with Alienware, and why I stay away from thier stuff, is that they tend to overclock thier parts. Over clocking can be fun, but only if you know exactly what you're doing, and are willing to accept the consequences of a higher probability of your parts going to hell and having no recourse (ie. a voided warranty).

If you're going for a laptop, I'd recommend an IBM, if you want something solid that'll last a while. I had a laptop (which I sold to a friend) that I got in 99 that's still going strong and the only thing I ever needed to do with it was replace the cd drive with a dvd drive

Compaq laptops are ok, but after a few years they tend to develop problems due to some of the chincy internal cabling (especially for the connector that goes (inside) from the mobo to the screen), and that leads to having to smack it often in certain spots to get it to work right.

If you want something 'off the shelf' in a desktop, and don't plan on relying on the excruciating pain of thier technical support you could always go with a Dell.

As Black Razor so appropriately mentioned, Voodoo PC and Falcon NW are also great choices, and I've never heard anything bad said about machines produced from either. Falcon is a long-time builder of machines made especially made for the Gamer, so that would be my first choice, if I could afford it.

I tend to build my own systems, because it does tend to be a little cheaper, and I like the 'electric legos' feeling of building them on my own

Hope it helps.

Remianen · 04-22-2005, 05:23 PM

BR is wise.

But one place I can recommend for more budget minded folks is United Micro . A friend of mine recommended them to me and I managed to score an Athlon XP 3200+ with 512 megs of RAM, GeForce 5700 LE, 200 gig hard drive (only 7200 rpm tho), Soundblaster Audigy Gamer+ card, etc for $803 total (shipping included). That was great for me because I just needed a new rig FAST since the venerable Gateway I had been using for years had finally given up the ghost.

It's just a stopgap machine until I can finish putting together my dream rig (with dual Xeon processors and all that other unnecessary stuff

). I can put together a machine on United Micro's configurator within your budget that would be a pretty dang good gaming rig. Play around with the configurator and see what you come up with. Voodoo and Falcon Northwest are great too but IMO they're for "computer enthusiasts". I love 'em but they may be a bit high end for many folks just looking to get a computer that can play today's games and run basic software packages.

Half Life · 04-22-2005, 05:36 PM

If you want a good gaming rig, try www.ibuypower.com they assemble them for you and its not Dell, so you will be getting good gaming parts. They have some pretty cool cases and you can completely build your computer yourself in terms of what parts you want.

The most expensive thing you will get is your graphics card, i recommend finding what is the most expensive and going a step below that. The newest ones are always overpriced, so the one below it is usually just as good but saves ya 75 bucks.