Constructing a new rig.

[GiaOmerta]

I want a system that will be able to utilize most of the graphics, rendering, ect that Half-Life 2 has to offer and will be ready for the next generation of gaming. What kind of motherboard, cpu, graphics card, soundcard, ram should I get? I was looking at Alienware, are they worth going with. Computer I have currently was built by a friend of mine, I have a few other friends who know they are doing as well, so bare bones it?

 

[Chris D]

If you can afford it (and by that I mean 'comfortably able to spend a number of thousand £/$ on a computer system') then Alienware are pretty good.

You will save a lot of money by building it yourself or getting someone to build it for you though.

Alienware actually released a system especially designed to play Half-Life 2, though this may have been UK only. It retails at £2242 in the UK, which if you convert to dollars you're looking at nearly $5000. However, here are the full specs:

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 FX-55

Graphics: ATI X800XT 256MB

OS: MS Windows XP Pro SP2

Memory: 2GB PC4200 SD RAM

HDD: Dual 74GB ’Raptor’ SATA

Audio: Creative SB Audigy 2 ZS

Optical 1: 16x/48x DVD-ROM

Optical 2: 52x/42x/52x CD-RW

Network: 3Com Gigabit Ethernet

Keyboard: Logitech Internet Kbd

Mouse: MS Intellimouse 3.0

Warranty: 2-year AlienCare

SOURCE: http://www.halflife2.net/forums/showthread.php?t=49955

 

[Chris D]

That system would probably cost around £1500 to build without case and operating system. Probably could get it cheaper though, I didn't go to the cheapest site.

 

[GiaOmerta]

What advantages does an AMD Athlon have over a P4 chip?

Thanks, btw.