Building or Purchasing A New Computer. . .Any Suggestions or Comments?

Pride · 06-24-2005, 06:35 PM

Well to be honest, there's a couple of other manufacturers that add PCI express nVidia 6800 256 mb, but they aren't ultra's. (Dell XPS Gen 5)

As for AMD processors, Alienware is the only manufacturer that builds their systems with AMD & intel, with the exception of the one EMachine AMD system made.

As for RAM, I believe Dell uses Hitachi, whereas Alienware uses Corsair.

The only reason I was even considering the Dell XPS 5 system, is the fact that they are 34% off as of right now. And the system that I am wanting is remotely similar to that system, when I configure it. And it would actually be cheaper in price if I build it at Dell, instead of purchasing the parts, and building it myself. However, cheaper parts might be a consideration with the Dell.

ripken2004 · 06-24-2005, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loeakaodas

The only reson I suggested that is because if in the future he wants to add more RAM he won't have to trow anything away and can just add more sticks.

but by the time that we will even need 4 gigs of ram we will most likely have a new computer, almost nobody even uses anywhere close to 1gig right now, i use 400mb at a max right now

loeakaodas · 06-24-2005, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ripken2004

but by the time that we will even need 4 gigs of ram we will most likely have a new computer, almost nobody even uses anywhere close to 1gig right now, i use 400mb at a max right now

That's true, unless you plan to run JAVA programs that eat RAM like its air.. not a very good analogy. But certain multimedia applications like video editing eat up a lot of ram.

I have a suggestion that you get a 10k rpm harddrive as the main one, that will speed up the computer a little...

mgoldb2 · 06-24-2005, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pride

As for AMD processors, Alienware is the only manufacturer that builds their systems with AMD & intel

There are other companies that make both highend intel and amd system. take voodoo for example.
http://www.voodoopc.com/default.aspx

loeakaodas · 06-24-2005, 09:43 PM

ABS also make high end AMD and Intel computers.
http://www.abs.com/

Pride · 06-24-2005, 09:57 PM

You guys are right. However, I would consider Alienware as a mainstream manufacturer, whereas companies like ABS, VooDoo & Falcon Northwestwould be considered custom built machines.

Prices are quite a bit different, also. The Alienware that I had configured was around the $3,000 mark. And the ABS, VooDoo & Falcon Northwest computers that I had configured were over $4,000.

**DCIScouts** · 06-24-2005, 10:33 PM

The only comment I have to add to this is that if you are going to be using XP, I believe even after SP2, it still only can utilize 1.5 gigs of RAM. I might be wrong, but I believe that that is the case...

**DCIScouts** · 06-24-2005, 10:36 PM

One other thing..., if you do end up getting the Dell, be forewarned that they will more than likely wanting to add a free printer to the deal. This is because, you can only buy the ink from them online! And get this..., it's a Lexmark printer! Yes, you heard right, it's a modified Lexmark so that it only takes the Dell ink, and if you compare the Dell cartridges with the Lexmark ones, their more expensive, and you also have to pay for shipping. Moral of the story: take the printer, use the ink that comes with it, and then trash it for a real printer. (or you could try to peddle it off to someone you don't like as a really good deal

)

mgoldb2 · 06-24-2005, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dciscouts

The only comment I have to add to this is that if you are going to be using XP, I believe even after SP2, it still only can utilize 1.5 gigs of RAM. I might be wrong, but I believe that that is the case...

You are wrong windows xp can handle at least 4GB of ram. I have 2gb of ram and windows see all of it and I have gotten my usage over 1.5GB before.

**DCIScouts** · 06-24-2005, 10:39 PM

Ok, like I said, wasn't sure, just something that I read once a long time ago... Not sure about the source now that I think about it, too

06-24-2005, 06:35 PM	#11 (permalink)
Pride Bronze Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Age: 36 Posts: 68	Well to be honest, there's a couple of other manufacturers that add PCI express nVidia 6800 256 mb, but they aren't ultra's. (Dell XPS Gen 5) As for AMD processors, Alienware is the only manufacturer that builds their systems with AMD & intel, with the exception of the one EMachine AMD system made. As for RAM, I believe Dell uses Hitachi, whereas Alienware uses Corsair. The only reason I was even considering the Dell XPS 5 system, is the fact that they are 34% off as of right now. And the system that I am wanting is remotely similar to that system, when I configure it. And it would actually be cheaper in price if I build it at Dell, instead of purchasing the parts, and building it myself. However, cheaper parts might be a consideration with the Dell. __________________ Dell XPS Gen 5 Intel P4 3.6 Ghz HT w/ 955X Chipset nVidia GeForce 6800 GT PCI-E x 16 (256) 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM @ 533 Mhz Western Digital 250 X 2 GB S-ATA Hard Drive (7200 rpm) 460W PSU Dell 19" Digital LCD Flat Screen Windows XP Pro w/ SP2 Creative SB Audigy 2 Z2 & 5.1 Surround Sound LG DVD-Rom & DVD+/-RW

06-24-2005, 09:57 PM	#16 (permalink)
Pride Bronze Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Age: 36 Posts: 68	You guys are right. However, I would consider Alienware as a mainstream manufacturer, whereas companies like ABS, VooDoo & Falcon Northwestwould be considered custom built machines. Prices are quite a bit different, also. The Alienware that I had configured was around the $3,000 mark. And the ABS, VooDoo & Falcon Northwest computers that I had configured were over $4,000. __________________ Dell XPS Gen 5 Intel P4 3.6 Ghz HT w/ 955X Chipset nVidia GeForce 6800 GT PCI-E x 16 (256) 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM @ 533 Mhz Western Digital 250 X 2 GB S-ATA Hard Drive (7200 rpm) 460W PSU Dell 19" Digital LCD Flat Screen Windows XP Pro w/ SP2 Creative SB Audigy 2 Z2 & 5.1 Surround Sound LG DVD-Rom & DVD+/-RW

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06-24-2005, 09:43 PM	#15 (permalink)
loeakaodas Bronze Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Florida Age: 21 Posts: 57	ABS also make high end AMD and Intel computers. http://www.abs.com/

06-24-2005, 10:33 PM	#17 (permalink)
DCIScouts Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA Age: 25 Posts: 5,049	The only comment I have to add to this is that if you are going to be using XP, I believe even after SP2, it still only can utilize 1.5 gigs of RAM. I might be wrong, but I believe that that is the case...

06-24-2005, 10:36 PM	#18 (permalink)
DCIScouts Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA Age: 25 Posts: 5,049	One other thing..., if you do end up getting the Dell, be forewarned that they will more than likely wanting to add a free printer to the deal. This is because, you can only buy the ink from them online! And get this..., it's a Lexmark printer! Yes, you heard right, it's a modified Lexmark so that it only takes the Dell ink, and if you compare the Dell cartridges with the Lexmark ones, their more expensive, and you also have to pay for shipping. Moral of the story: take the printer, use the ink that comes with it, and then trash it for a real printer. (or you could try to peddle it off to someone you don't like as a really good deal )

06-24-2005, 10:39 PM	#20 (permalink)
DCIScouts Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA Age: 25 Posts: 5,049	Ok, like I said, wasn't sure, just something that I read once a long time ago... Not sure about the source now that I think about it, too