Help a noob buy a kick ass computer for PS.

[foxjedi]

All,
I'm in the market for a shiny new computer, but I don't know much about the hardware, or software of computers. Here's what I want, and perhaps you, kind reader, can direct me towards the right one.
1.) A computer that can run PS with no problems.
2.) Something that can handle games that're coming out in the next year (Warhammer 40k: Dawn of War) with no problem.
3.) Standard stuff like a CD burner.

Now, home much RAM, what video card, etc, should I get? I looked at the alienware page and I had no clue what they wanted me to choose.

Thanks

[Electrofreak]

Well, first thing we need to know is your budget! How much do you want to spend? I could recommend the parts to build a supercomputer for you, or I could recommend stuff that would be the best value.

Also, do you want it pre-built or are you (or a friend) going to build it? Building it yourself is almost ALWAYS cheaper, but if you haven't done it before, you will need to learn how before you make an attempt (though, building a computer isnt as difficult as many people think.) If you don't want to build it, I can reccomend which companies to buy from, but again, it comes down to how much you are willing to spend.

[SilverLord]

I'd say like 2 gigs of RAM, I think the fastest processor out there is like 3.4 Ghrz with 800 mhrz cache, and for a vid card get the 9800XT 256 RAM. Wait for Rbstr to get here though, he will help ya.

[Rbstr]

I woud realy liek to know your budget, that is the chincher for everything, and if your not sure i would say about 1500 doloars would get your a very nice, near top end machine, if you built it youself if you buy a ocmp liek that from a store you'll get riped off bigtime

[Vitter]

[jsloan31]

I woud realy liek to know your budget, that is the chincher for everything, and if your not sure i would say about 1500 doloars would get your a very nice, near top end machine, if you built it youself if you buy a ocmp liek that from a store you'll get riped off bigtime

what he said.

[foxjedi]

I'm willing to go up to $2500, and I want something pre-made. I was a history major, my engineering experience goes as far as swearing at mechanical equipment, then smacking it. If that doesn't work, I swear louder and hit harder.

[jsloan31]

http://www.alienware.com/system_pages/area-51.aspx

check out the enthusist option.

[UncleDynamite]

The enthusiast option is good, though I would probably choose the 2GB Memory option, since you'll want that for PS and newer games. That'll bring you up to around $2,300...

Fox, is Alienware your main choice, or are willing to use different brands? For example, Dell would be cheaper on most accounts, but you're going to lose the customization that Alienware or Voodoo provide...

[Electrofreak]

I would also suggest you check out Falcon Northwest. They make excellent gaming computers as well. (And are a good alternative to Alienware if you don't like/want one of those.)

http://www.falcon-nw.com/

[Rbstr]

2gigs of memory is is a waste of money and acctualy can hurt performance at this point, wiht faster emory soon it may be worthwhile.

get a 9800 XT/pro graphic card, 1gig of DDR400 memory Cas 2, and A P4 3.0ghz-3.4 ghz, but dont get the 'E' or prescott kind

I hate prebuitl companies but a few very samll ones that are not deceptive or WAy WAy way overrated liek alienware, the only reason people say alienware is so great is becsaue dell doesn't realy sell computers that are that good, though everything is easy to make. that is my opinito but if you wan to go for it go ahead

[Rbstr]

also chek the thread with Wildeagals comp help it woudl probbalby beat this thing shitless, though that's just my opiniton
http://www.alienware.com/Configurator_Pages/area-51.aspx?SysCode=PC-AREA51&SubCode=SKU-ENTHUSIAST
and it also costs nearly a 1k less

[Vitter]

From someone who has owned an alienware I would SERIOUSLY recomend going with Falcon Northwest.

Alienware has some problems with their PC that make it crash with certain games like Neverwinter Nights. In addition, there Tech Support is REALLY shitty and is comprised entirely of arabs that don't know much english.

[dscytherulez]

www.polywell.com

Get help from someone who knows comps, and just customize the shit out of a computer on there. You could get twice the computer from polywell then you could get with FNW or Alienware, for the same amount of money.

[Rbstr]

treu i've scoped out that site, they are one of the decent pc makers out there

[UncleDynamite]

2gigs of memory is is a waste of money and acctualy can hurt performance at this point, wiht faster emory soon it may be worthwhile.

Valid point. I retract my previous statement.

I will, however, second the Falcon Northwest recommendations. A friend recently got an FN, and it's very impressive. I haven't used an Alienware hands-on, so this isn't a qualified comparison, but I can vouch that FN is an amazing computer.

[foxjedi]

All right, the Falcon computers look allright. Customer support is a big deal for me (I break things), and I've delt with Arab electricians/engineers for the past year and have lost all confidence in their electrical ability (yes I know that's a general statement but I've had too many tents burn down, TVs fried, generators explode, Haji electricuting himself to have impartial judgement).
Now, how much memory, what kind of video card, etc, do I really need? I'd rather not call these guys up and spend way too much.
Thanks for all your help thus far.

[Sentrosi]

At least a Gig o' Ram, DDR 400 (PC 3200), 9800XT video card, Aluminum Chassis (if they give you the option, get the Antec Lanboy. 2 120mm fans will cool your PC real well), at least a 2.8 P4 800mhz FSB, get 2 SATA hard drives at 120GB each and make it a RAID 0 if the option is there. DVD-RW drives have come down in price. You can get an NEC drive that does both DVD-RW and CD-RW for under $100, so if they ask for the option for your PC, and it's over $150, don't get it. Wait til you get it then order the NEC. Save you some $$ and Tech support should not be a factor.

[DeadTeddy]

I don't know why you guys like P4's so much when AMD has some great alternatives out there. for such big budget he can get a god damn FX-51 that would really kick ass in future 64 bit applications. far cry for example will run much better on it once winXP 64-bit is out.

[smccord313]

If tech support is important, definitely check out ABS (http://www.abspc.com/).

One of their best selling points is tech supprt. Everyone is American, so you can understand what they're saying. They're not called Always Best Service for nothing.

And the systems are just as fast as Alienware, Voodoo, or Falcon, for hundreds, even over a thousand less. Check them out and see what you think. I love mine.

StrikerTek
Planetside KAAOS

[Rbstr]

Well the fact is 64bit windows is not out and may not be out for almost another year so that is a mute point, the P4's are acctualy cheaper compared to the 64's, and the offer much more memory bandwidth, A64's are very picky with the memory they get, also the chipsets area all in their infancy.

Now with the coming of socket 939 and the new Nf3 250gb chipset things may change, i'm thinking about an A64 next year sometime when i do a major upgrade and get me a good computer

[Sentrosi]

Besides, we all know that if Longbow is releases next year it's going to be buggier than hell. I'd wait at least two years from now to get Longbow. By then, Intel will have their 64bit processor out and PCI-x will be mainstream.

[Rbstr]

longhorn* it gaone be a hard decision, next year for me, but its the benchmarks that i go by

[Electrofreak]

Well the fact is 64bit windows is not out and may not be out for almost another year so that is a mute point

Actually I beg to differ Rbstr. Win XP 64 is in a public beta phase right now. Anyone can download it for free from Microsoft.com (I know, thats what I thought, "Microsoft" and "FREE" in the same sentence?!) However, its only a 1-year trial, so you will be required to purchase it after that point.

So, even though its not available to buy, it IS available for free. Win XP 64 is in a rather "bare-bones" state right now though, a lot of the "fancier" bells and whistles have yet to be integrated. Supposedly it is quite stable right now, with the only real problem being the fact that what few drivers are available for it right now kinda suck (were kinda slapped together by their respective companies without any real optimization work).

If I had a spare hard drive (with more than a couple hundred megs of space) I would install it myself...