View Full Version : I need some advice.
Okay, I'm going to be getting a computer at the end of the week. I was wondering, what is the best thing I can buy for around $1500.00 USD. I was looking at the Dell XPS 420 with an NVidia 8800 GTS and 4gb RAM with Vista. I also was trying to decide if it was worth it to pay the $300 extra for a
Q6700 instead of a Q6600.
I need your input on what kind of computer I should get, and I'm posting this here, because I want a rig that can run Crysis on Very High DX10 within my price range.
I appreciate the help.
-H4yd3n
LORD-eX-Bu
01-14-08, 04:53 PM
you won't be able to run crysis on very high.. build your own and save money.
Go with a q6600 G0 and overclock it, you'll get better results than with a QX6700... even if it wasn't overclocked :lol:
get two 8800 GTs(good luck finding them) and SLI them so you can save money and still have good performance.
whatever you do, don't shell out the extra $300 for a q6700, definately not worth it.
Not to be rude, but there are several threads with a similar topic going on right now. Search around.
build your own and save money.
Lord is right, and please don't ever buy a piece of trash Dell as a "gaming" pc.
you won't be able to run crysis on very high.. build your own and save money.
Go with a q6600 G0 and overclock it, you'll get better results than with a QX6700... even if it wasn't overclocked :lol:
get two 8800 GTs(good luck finding them) and SLI them so you can save money and still have good performance.
I you're ok with low resolutions like1024x768 or 1360x768 (in my case) then with that system you can run DX10 very high. Unfortunately most people are not playing Crysis on their TV's so you'll be running a lower res than you're monitors native which never looks as crisp.
I've been looking around, and it really does seem like if I want to save money and get what I want I'm going to have to build one. But it is just such a hassle, I was hoping to be able to just buy it already built. :p
Also, I know nothing of overclocking so....
Again, thx for the advice. I need it.
methimpikehoses
01-14-08, 08:16 PM
I've been looking around, and it really does seem like if I want to save money and get what I want I'm going to have to build one. But it is just such a hassle, I was hoping to be able to just buy it already built. :p
Also, I know nothing of overclocking so....
Again, thx for the advice. I need it.
I built my first rig last year... it really isn't difficult. Just a matter of buying the correct parts, knowing some of the basics of putting things together, and taking your time. It's actually quite rewarding.
You should be able to get help every step of the way here anyhow. :)
LORD-eX-Bu
01-14-08, 08:17 PM
yes... if you can snap two legos together then it shouldn't be a problem.
ClosetFanBoy
01-15-08, 12:04 AM
Check out overclockers.com. Good place to start and ask some Q's. You should be able to build a pretty decent rig with $1500 if you do your homework. Even for $1000 you could build something that would knock that Dell in the dirt.
I'm a fan of Gigabyte and G.Skill myself, but everyones tastes/miles vary.
Whatever you do, look into a good PSU!
Here's a fun place to trip around Xoxide (http://www.xoxide.com/)
I think their caffeine section is my favorite. ;)
Like everyone said, building a rig is cake really, and once you do, theres no turning back, it's pretty addicting...
crainger
01-15-08, 02:33 AM
yes... if you can snap lego together then it shouldn't be a problem.
Fixed.
yes... if you can snap two legos together then it shouldn't be a problem.
Until you put all the legos together and your motherboard doesn't post :P
It rarely goes smoothly.
Get a q6600, 2x3870s in Crossfire, a nice 600w+PSU, 4Gb of RAM(800Mhz CL4 is good enough), a nice P5K motherboard and you're all set! And it'll cost you a lot less than that Dell.
EDIT: Umm, I don't think there's any computer on the market that is able to run Crysis at very high in DX10(Tri SLi perhaps, but that's waaay out of your budget), but two 3870 in crossfire should give you the performance you need for a lot less than what two 8800gt would cost you.
http://www.legitreviews.com/article/605/8/
CaptNKILL
01-15-08, 09:48 AM
Until you put all the legos together and your motherboard doesn't post :P
It rarely goes smoothly.
Speak for yourself. :p
stncttr908
01-15-08, 10:04 AM
Get a q6600, 2x3870s in Crossfire, a nice 600w+PSU, 4Gb of RAM(800Mhz CL4 is good enough), a nice P5K motherboard and you're all set! And it'll cost you a lot less than that Dell.
EDIT: Umm, I don't think there's any computer on the market that is able to run Crysis at very high in DX10(Tri SLi perhaps, but that's waaay out of your budget), but two 3870 in crossfire should give you the performance you need for a lot less than what two 8800gt would cost you.
http://www.legitreviews.com/article/605/8/
Until you factor in how much higher your electric bill is thanks to two HD3870s humming away. :D
Speak for yourself. :p
+1
Why do you suppose places like best buy and circuit city don't sell motherboards?? because if the average Joe actually bought one and got a look at the instruction book and figured out just how easy it really is to build your own computer they would lose a lot of their pre-built computer business
Wow, you guys are a huge help.
Toss3 I'll check that out. It sounds good.
And as you guys are talking about whether it is hard to build a computer or not, it really isn't that hard. I haven't full out built a computer, but I've cracked mine open before and added RAM and a new card...about a year or two ago and it was incredibly easy. Also, since I'm just a kid (14) do you think I ought to ask my friend to help me with this? He builds computers for a living. I also have a friend who works with servers and builds computers for fun...think I should ask them?
And, ClosetFanBoy, is it very hard to overclock, or is it relatively easy?
LORD-eX-Bu
01-15-08, 03:47 PM
no you don't need their help, they will probably just steer you in the wrong direction and tell you to get crapass parts :lol:
no you don't need their help, they will probably just steer you in the wrong direction and tell you to get crapass parts :lol:
Lol, what makes you say that? Although, you probably have a point, because they don't build for gaming and for stuff like Vue 6.
ClosetFanBoy
01-16-08, 07:47 AM
Wow, you guys are a huge help.
Toss3 I'll check that out. It sounds good.
And as you guys are talking about whether it is hard to build a computer or not, it really isn't that hard. I haven't full out built a computer, but I've cracked mine open before and added RAM and a new card...about a year or two ago and it was incredibly easy. Also, since I'm just a kid (14) do you think I ought to ask my friend to help me with this? He builds computers for a living. I also have a friend who works with servers and builds computers for fun...think I should ask them?
And, ClosetFanBoy, is it very hard to overclock, or is it relatively easy?
It's fairly easy. Mobos have a section in the bios dedicated to it. And once you read up on what your cpu, memory and mobo are capable of, it starts to become 2nd nature before you know it. And if you have friends with knowledge of building pc's, definitely take advantage of that. ;)
Dreamingawake
01-16-08, 12:34 PM
Do you have an old computer lying around that you don't use anymore ?
Well if you can access one, you could start by taking said computer apart,
and rebuilding it.. see if you can get it to post, and into windows..
This includes taking off the heatsink for the cpu, and reapplying the thermal
paste.
If you can do that, you're good to go with a brand new build.
Until you factor in how much higher your electric bill is thanks to two HD3870s humming away. :D
Well, I was comparing it to two 8800gt(s) in SLi. :) So the power consumption shouldn't be all that different.
Awesome, you guys are a huge help. By the way, do you advise that I go to Frys and stores and buy the stuff there, or would it be better to buy it off the internet? We have a store downtown that I like to go to that sells graphics cards, mobos, RAM, all that stuff also.
LORD-eX-Bu
01-18-08, 04:08 PM
Fry's is good.
I have a question on what cards I should get. If I'm going for dual cards - in my price range - what cards should I buy?
Okay, so after sitting at my computer for many hours searching online I think I found what I want. But, since I'm such a newb, I need you guys to tell me whether or not this is all compatible and what else I need to add to my list.
I'm pretty sure most of it is compatible, but it is always good to be positive.
SO PLEASE, look this over carefully and give me input and help. I will be indebted to you forever. :p
Alright, here is what I want to get:
-OS - Windows Vista Premium
-Case - Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Case
-Mobo - GIGABYTE GA-X38-DS4 LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard
-CPU - Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Processor
-RAM/mem - G.Skill 4GB DDR2-800MHz CL4 2x2 Gb
-Hard Drive - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 250 Gb 7200RPM 8Mb SATA 3Gb OEM
-Video Cards - Dual HD 3870 crossfire
-Power Supply - 700W GameXStream PSU
-Sound Card - Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtremegamer
-Monitor - Ultra Sharp 19-inch Dell Flat Panel LCD 8ms response time
-Input Devices - I already have a Logitech G15 Keyboard and a Razer Copperhead that I just got.
-Speaker - Logitech R-20
I'm probably going to overclock it also.
Edit: Oh, and am I covered cooling-wise?
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