Thoughts on a system I'm wishing for

[Bingo]

Okay, this is more of a wishful thinking deal. I'm really wanting to get a new PC, and I'm not even considering trying to build my own. I've no skills in that area.

Now then, I also can't really justify tossing out a bunch of money all at once, so the first desire to find an independant guy to build one for me is kind of out the window as well.

That leaves me looking for a place that finances. I AM willing to take the financing hit since I'll be paying it off fairly quickly.

I did a little poking around. This is the first rig I found for less than 2 grand that was fitting what I was looking for. Bear in mind, I know Alienware by name only. I know nothing about anyones experiences with them. What do ya think?

Alienware Area-51 Enthusiast

Total Price configured: $2,062.00

1-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support with Onsite Service
Alienware Full-Tower Case (420-Watt PS) - Space Black
Alienware Cable Management System
Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 3.0GHz 800MHz FSB w/ 512KB Cache & HT
Intel® Desktop Board D875PBZ - Intel 875P Motherboard
1GB Corsair XMS DDR SDRAM PC-3200 - 2 x 512MB Module
NVIDIA GeForce™ FX 5600 Ultra 128MB 8x AGP w/DVI & S-Video
AlienIce™ Video Cooling System - Astral Blue
160GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 Serial ATA 7,200 RPM 8MB Cache
16x DVD-ROM - Black w/Software MPEG-2 Decoder
Lite-On 52x32x52x CD-RW - Black
Creative Sound Blaster® Audigy 2 ZS - 7.1
Integrated Intel Pro/1000 CT Gigabit Ethernet Adapter w/CSA
3.5" 1.44 MB Floppy Disk Drive - Black
Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional
Microsoft Internet Keyboard - Space Black
Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 - USB - Standard Color

I was REALLY wanting to find something more around ~$1,800 that would still offer higher end performance for a while, and enough to live with for several years. This was the closest I could come across.

I'm good at living with a system for a while. I'm currently still running on my 733 P3 and I'm just now feeling the pinch, and that's mostly because I think it's slowly dying.


Thanks for your advice!

Bingo

[ME BIGGD01]

:bandhead:

[Bingo]

Originally posted by ME BIGGD01@Nov 1 2003, 11:17 PM
:bandhead:
What What What???

[ME BIGGD01]

sorry but you are getting ripped off

the video card stinks
the processor is ok but for that money==stinks
the rest looks standard


spend 1500 and get a fully equipped athlon64 or go for the athlon fx and have the fastest system on the planet

[Bingo]

Originally posted by ME BIGGD01@Nov 1 2003, 11:26 PM
sorry but you are getting ripped off

the video card stinks
the processor is ok but for that money==stinks
the rest looks standard
Hey man, don't be sorry. That's exactly why I'm asking here. I know you guys know the components inside and out. :cool:

I don't, hence I bow to your superior knowledge of the guts!!

I've heard though, that the 64 bit procs aren't going to be much use for a while as there isn't much software that can take advantage of it. True?

B

[ME BIGGD01]

where do you live, i will finance a better and more equipped system to you as long as you are over 21 and have a job.

But i promise not to sell you old technology such as the system you just posted :thumbs:

[Bingo]

So I went and looked again. I'd looked at an Athalon system before. Here is essentially the same thing but with an AMD chip and a different mobo:

Alienware Aurora System

Total Price: $2,035.00

1-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support with Onsite Service
Alienware Full-Tower Case (420-Watt PS) - Space Black
Alienware Cable Management System
AMD Athlon™ XP Processor 3000+ - $100 Instant Rebate
ASUS A7N8X Deluxe - NVIDIA® nForce2™ Ultra 400 Motherboard
1GB Corsair XMS DDR SDRAM PC-3200 - 2 x 512MB Module
NVIDIA GeForce™ FX 5600 Ultra 128MB 8x AGP w/DVI & S-Video
AlienIce™ Video Cooling System - Astral Blue
160GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 Serial ATA 7,200 RPM 8MB Cache - Quantity 1
16x DVD-ROM - Black w/Software MPEG-2 Decoder
Lite-On 52x32x52x CD-RW - Black
Creative Sound Blaster® Audigy 2 ZS - 7.1
NVIDIA® DualNet® Integrated 100Mb Ethernet
3.5" 1.44 MB Floppy Disk Drive - Black
Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional
Microsoft Internet Keyboard - Space Black
Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 - USB - Standard Color

Odd, aint it? Basically the exact same price.

[ME BIGGD01]

Originally posted by Bingo+Nov 1 2003, 11:28 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Bingo @ Nov 1 2003, 11:28 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-ME BIGGD01@Nov 1 2003, 11:26 PM
sorry but you are getting ripped off

the video card stinks
the processor is ok but for that money==stinks
the rest looks standard
Hey man, don&#39;t be sorry. That&#39;s exactly why I&#39;m asking here. I know you guys know the components inside and out. :cool:

I don&#39;t, hence I bow to your superior knowledge of the guts&#33;&#33;

I&#39;ve heard though, that the 64 bit procs aren&#39;t going to be much use for a while as there isn&#39;t much software that can take advantage of it. True?

B [/b][/quote]
regardless of 64 bit technology, it is still the fastest 32 bit technology with the ability to run 64(will be available next year if you use windows and ready now if you use linux).

also you will be able to upgrade in the future where as the p4 is dead and the next chip coming out will be 1000 dollars and still not be the fastest. the new chip calle dthe prescott will be out next april or later and will not fit the 875p board. it is dead technology or atleast a dead investment if you were wanting to upgrade in the future. for that much money, you should be getting the best.


you should ck my post a few down that says just got the news.... you may see my point. :thumbs:

[ME BIGGD01]

xp chip is also old technolgy---

here i this was the thread i was talking about

read here
MEBIGGD01 POST (http://www.gamemecca.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=23634)

[ME BIGGD01]

bingo, i was trying to reply to you but keep getting an error. here is what i was replying with.

Hi, I am serious but I would like to know who I am dealing with. I see you are in the outlaws and that right there is a good point of reference. If you can I would need to know a reference from one of the Outlaws to vouch for you and post it. I also need to know what state you are in to see what shipping would cost.

i will be on later as i have to get back to work. talk to you later.

[Bingo]

By the way, thanks for all the great info. I&#39;d read through the last page of other threads, and picked up a few tips as well but I missed the one about the newer AMD chips.

I&#39;ll PM you shortly.

B

[Death-Dude]

I agree with Bigg, I think for 2K you can get more system. You can no doubt find more rig for that money. Alienware uses quality stuff, but for 2K I&#39;d want a better video card. I&#39;ll throw out a few possibilities, and you can compare them to what Bigg will build for you.
If Bigg builds you a system, you will have a personal sales rep/tech for your machine who would genuinely care about you, the customer, that has to be worth something.
ABS PC (http://www.abspc.com)

Cyber Power (http://www.cyberpowersystem.com/home.htm)

Vicious PC (http://www.viciouspc.com) (have a Halloween special on now)

I Buy Power (http://www.ibuypower.com/mall/lobby.htm)

Below is one config starting point for cyberpower. I&#39;m still not in favor of the 64-FX chip, as it is still at opening gate prices, but that deal ain&#39;t bad.






AMD™ ATHLON™64 FX51 OR ATHLON™64 3200+ CPU
-nVidia nForce™3 Athlon™64 Chipset 800FSB MB
- 512 MB PC3200 DDR400 MEMORY
- 120GB 7200 RPM ATA100 Hard Drive
- ATI Radeon 9800 128MB DDR Video Card w/ Tv out & DVI
- 16X DVD-ROM & 52x24x52 CD-RW DRIVE
- 3D Wave Onboard Surround Sound
- 600Watt Subwoofer Sound System
- 1.44 MB Floppy Drive
- PS2 Internet Keyboard & Mouse
- Turbo X-Dreamer Case 350Watt w/ MOD "See Through Windows"
- 6 Cool Custom Colors to Choose From
- Free First Year On Site Service plus 24/7 Tech Support



Athlon64 FX51 &#036;1599



Athlon64 3200+ &#036;1099


http://www.cyberpowersystem.com/highendsystem/x_dreamerlarge.jpg

[C2H5OH Guy]

Originally posted by ME BIGGD01@Nov 2 2003, 12:26 AM
sorry but you are getting ripped off

the video card stinks
the processor is ok but for that money==stinks
the rest looks standard


spend 1500 and get a fully equipped athlon64 or go for the athlon fx and have the fastest system on the planet
agreed an athlon64 and a better video card like the radeon 9800pro or even a 9800xt would be necessary

[JIMINATOR]

if you have to get a system now, then you have to get a system now....
personally i would rather wait about 4 months. the new cpus should be available at reduced prices, other stuff may be cheaper also. the 64 should take you for quite a while....

[ME BIGGD01]

Originally posted by Death-Dude@Nov 2 2003, 02:10 AM
I agree with Bigg, I think for 2K you can get more system. You can no doubt find more rig for that money. Alienware uses quality stuff, but for 2K I&#39;d want a better video card. I&#39;ll throw out a few possibilities, and you can compare them to what Bigg will build for you.
If Bigg builds you a system, you will have a personal sales rep/tech for your machine who would genuinely care about you, the customer, that has to be worth something.
ABS PC (http://www.abspc.com)

Cyber Power (http://www.cyberpowersystem.com/home.htm)

Vicious PC (http://www.viciouspc.com) (have a Halloween special on now)

I Buy Power (http://www.ibuypower.com/mall/lobby.htm)

Below is one config starting point for cyberpower. I&#39;m still not in favor of the 64-FX chip, as it is still at opening gate prices, but that deal ain&#39;t bad.






AMD™ ATHLON™64 FX51 OR ATHLON™64 3200+ CPU
-nVidia nForce™3 Athlon™64 Chipset 800FSB MB
- 512 MB PC3200 DDR400 MEMORY
- 120GB 7200 RPM ATA100 Hard Drive
- ATI Radeon 9800 128MB DDR Video Card w/ Tv out & DVI
- 16X DVD-ROM & 52x24x52 CD-RW DRIVE
- 3D Wave Onboard Surround Sound
- 600Watt Subwoofer Sound System
- 1.44 MB Floppy Drive
- PS2 Internet Keyboard & Mouse
- Turbo X-Dreamer Case 350Watt w/ MOD "See Through Windows"
- 6 Cool Custom Colors to Choose From
- Free First Year On Site Service plus 24/7 Tech Support



Athlon64 FX51 &#036;1599



Athlon64 3200+ &#036;1099


http://www.cyberpowersystem.com/highendsystem/x_dreamerlarge.jpg
that is a great deal and i can&#39;t even beat. that chip alone is the bomb and hell for that price for that complete system would recommend it to anyone.

that was a good find :thumbs:

[Bingo]

Thanks for the links Death. That&#39;s EXACTLY what I was looking for&#33;

I&#39;m going through the Cyberpower stuff now. One thing is that the OS isn&#39;t included in those prices, so everything I&#39;m looking at is coming out around &#036;1,350.

They have an option for a memory upgrade. Here is what it says:

Cyberpower only use major brand [Kingston, Samsung, Micron or Nanya] memory as standard memory .
Memory Upgrade: From standard memory to Corsair High performance memory w/heat spreader - +&#036;39
Is that worth it or even necessary?

Any thoughts on choosing between XP home and XP Professional?

Thanks again mates. This is damn well why I ask about this stuff on these boards. Best source of info out there&#33;

Bingo

[ME BIGGD01]

:thumbs: