Half-Life 2--time to buy comp...help?

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big_mike

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Hey guys, Im ready to buy a new comp awaiting HL2..looking at alienware. This is my question.
Im getting an A 64-FX53, GeForce 6800 Ultra, 2GB of Memory. 10k rpm HD, etc etc. Do you guys think that 2 Gigs of Memory is overkill for games like HL2 or not? Also, Im buying pre-made because I have computer building jitters. I can't bring myself to have someone build my computer. Alienware does all these things like Video Card optimization, and cable management, they just sold me. Do you guys think that purchasing from alienware is a mistake? If so, from where should I buy?
thanks guys
 
I don't think it will overkill games. I think they charge to much for their computers. This is in the wrong section too. :)
 
Ownzed said:
I don't think it will overkill games. I think they charge to much for their computers. This is in the wrong section too. :)
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sorry man, I just know that this forum gets the most viewers, and there are many knowledgable people here that can help me...is there anything you suggest on this topic? I know they are overpriced but what are my alternatives?
 
That's a good point, and where are you going to get alien technology on Earth anyway? You're better off just buying a regular PC.
 
MrMetroid said:
That's a good point, and where are you going to get alien technology on Earth anyway? You're better off just buying a regular PC.
Click to expand...

what do you mean by "regular pc?"
 
you dont need those kind of parts. only losers would get those kind of parts.
 
you're better off posting at someplace like anandtech.com or hardforum.com

here, you're just going to get jokes.

Like everyone says, Alienwares are overpriced. If you're at all knowlegable, i'd do some research and think about home-building a PC. I got an alienware four years ago, and two years ago i just decided to build a mostly new system. I've been updating it regularly every year or so, and it's completely top of the line - without me ever having to spend more than $800 on it at a time.
 
That's a good point, and where are you going to get alien technology on Earth anyway? You're better off just buying a regular PC.
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My hero
 
1GB should be plenty for all games. Buying from Alienware is perfectly fine for people like you who do not want to build their own systems. Personally though, I'd get an X800 XT PE, but both video cards will play all games perfectly fine. Have fun with your new system :)
 
You're making a good choice buying a new computer now. And while 2 gigs of RAM is overkill NOW, it won't be in about a year or so.

In any event, I would advise you to go with the X800XT PE rather than the 6800 Ultra but that's just a personal preference of mine.

Also, I wouldn't go with Alienware - they're great but pricey. I would advise you to go with one of these:

Cyberpower Inc.
IBuyPower
ABS Computers

Of those 3, ABS provides the best quality but it's a bit more expensive than the other 2. Personally I have a Cyberpower and I think it's great.
 
Cyberpowerinc is a company like Alienware, but it is supposed to be much cheaper. They have received many rewards that are detailed on their website. I suggest that you check them out and compare them with an Alienware before buying a Alienware.
 
i built my system in sig for £960 .........i think the alienware equivalent would be a lot more.
 
two trolls ... banding together ... thats sweet <3 <3
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sarcasm.. :|


oh, and the [edit button] is a wonderfull thing..

In any event, I would advise you to go with the X800XT PE rather than the 6800 Ultra but that's just a personal preference of mine.
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quoted.
 
There's no need to hide your feelings for me just because society tells you it's wrong She.
 
MrMetroid said:
There's no need to hide your feelings for me just because society tells you it's wrong She.
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hahahah that was actually funny
 
Thanks for all the replys guys (and gals if any). All sarcasm aside, I will go ahead and take a look at the 3 companys which some of you have pointed me towards. I will take a look as of NOW! heh
 
thaHow Much Did you pay?... I could build a top of the line PC for about $11.00.00 .... And sell it for about $2000........And beat the livin hell outta , outta box computers...I consider Alienware, outta the box with a little bit better hardware, Other than that, My PC's beat the hell outta Alienware!!!
 
Helevitia said:
1GB should be plenty for all games. Buying from Alienware is perfectly fine for people like you who do not want to build their own systems. Personally though, I'd get an X800 XT PE, but both video cards will play all games perfectly fine. Have fun with your new system :)
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Yeah stick with the nvidia more so if your getting an amd. Also if you look at the front page of halflife2.net about the ati vs nvidia post, the nvidia card beats the ati card in frame rates on all the maps but one. ATI SUCKs ahaha. The proof is in the pudding.

Alienware is way overpriced unless you wanted the best laptop money can buy. Putting together a pc is as easy as legos. There are a million sites on the net that explain how to. newegg.com has really good price for pc parts. Ebay has good mobo/procs combos for a nice price. Get an asus mobo, nvidia, gig of ram, amd procs. Get a friend that knows how to build a pc to help you out. You are heading in the right direction but you are doing an overkill. You don't need the best of the best , downstep and get the next in line, you will probably save yourself 500 or more dollars.

I am surprised you didn't go for the dual amd64 processor with dual agp slots with dual video cards and an exterior water cooled system........
 
VodkA-HLC- said:
Yeah stick with the nvidia more so if your getting an amd. Also if you look at the front page of halflife2.net about the ati vs nvidia post, the nvidia card beats the ati card in frame rates on all the maps but one. ATI SUCKs ahaha. The proof is in the pudding.

Alienware is way overpriced unless you wanted the best laptop money can buy. Putting together a pc is as easy as legos. There are a million sites on the net that explain how to. newegg.com has really good price for pc parts. Ebay has good mobo/procs combos for a nice price. Get an asus mobo, nvidia, gig of ram, amd procs. Get a friend that knows how to build a pc to help you out. You are heading in the right direction but you are doing an overkill. You don't need the best of the best , downstep and get the next in line, you will probably save yourself 500 or more dollars.

I am surprised you didn't go for the dual amd64 processor with dual agp slots with dual video cards and an exterior water cooled system........
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LOL! Dual AMD processor? I wish....i configured an alienware comp for 3500 bucks. Went to cyberpower, and I got the same processor etc etc, however, I got the Best of the Best RAM, and a Sony DVD Drive and separate CD-RW...the total came out to be 2900 bucks. Saved me 600 bucks right there. This is what it looks like.

AMD 64 FX-53
NXT Nemesis Case w/ 500w power supply
Neon Light (lol!)
939 bit asus av8 deluxe MOBO
2GB Kingston Hyper-X High Performance Memory
Western Digital Raptor 74GB 10,000RPM Serial ATA 150 8MB Cache WD740GD
GEForce 6800 Ultra Vid card/ w free FarCry
16x Sony DVD Drive
Plextor CD-RW 52x....
Creative SB audigy 2 7.1...
and the list goes on..

2900 bones.

should i buy from cyberpower? That is the question.
Plus I get lifetime tech support w/ 3 year warranty on parts.
that beats Alienware right there
 
Good Lord - $2900 that's a bunch o' dough but if you can afford it :)

Though - you may want to hold off for a couple of weeks. The rumor is that the FX-55 and the A64 4000+ are about to be released soon! Might as well wait to be really top o' the line!
 
SFLUFAN said:
Good Lord - $2900 that's a bunch o' dough but if you can afford it :)

Though - you may want to hold off for a couple of weeks. The rumor is that the FX-55 and the A64 4000+ are about to be released soon! Might as well wait to be really top o' the line!
Click to expand...

Yea bro, I heard about that....maybe if both of those processors are released soon (seeing that intel released the 4.0) maybe the price on the FX-53 will take a GOOD dip? I could prolly end up saving another 300-500 bucks on a system...or maybe even get the FX-55??
all about money, but I do want to be on top of the game..
thanks for your help man...im a week away from pulling the trigger...not being able to play CS:S is KILLING ME! hah
 
id take away a gig of that ram, its useless....no actually, itll slow you down.

and other than that, welcome to the fx-53 club. :)
 
big_mike said:
Yea bro, I heard about that....maybe if both of those processors are released soon (seeing that intel released the 4.0) maybe the price on the FX-53 will take a GOOD dip? I could prolly end up saving another 300-500 bucks on a system...or maybe even get the FX-55??
all about money, but I do want to be on top of the game..
thanks for your help man...im a week away from pulling the trigger...not being able to play CS:S is KILLING ME! hah
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well dude, if ur upgrading for hl2, you shouldnt even be buying this comp. you can run anything hl2, cs:s, or the source engine itself throws at you at max settings without a hitch with a amd64 3200+ or a 3500+
 
guinny said:
well dude, if ur upgrading for hl2, you shouldnt even be buying this comp. you can run anything hl2, cs:s, or the source engine itself throws at you at max settings without a hitch with a amd64 3200+ or a 3500+
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not only for HL2...although it is a MAJOR factor in my upcoming purchase. I want to be ready for any game the industry will be throwing at us that will be processor and Video Card dependant.
 
BTW, where did you buy your comp from? Or did you build it yourself?
 
well like i said, even still for the next year or two an a64 3200 - 3500+ can eat anything alive. the fx-53 is a bit overkill
 
guinny said:
well like i said, even still for the next year or two an a64 3200 - 3500+ can eat anything alive. the fx-53 is a bit overkill
Click to expand...

One more thing, why will 2gb of RAM slow you down?
 
big_mike said:
One more thing, why will 2gb of RAM slow you down?
Click to expand...

Most of the time, when you run 4 sticks of ram in a system, you ahve to turn the timings down in order for the system to run stable. But this is slowly changing as newer systems come out. The other issue is, if you have 2 sticks of ram instead, assuming they would be 1GB each, they can't run as fast as smaller memory. The technology isn't there yet. So either way, you lose performance.
 
Helevitia said:
Most of the time, when you run 4 sticks of ram in a system, you ahve to turn the timings down in order for the system to run stable. But this is slowly changing as newer systems come out. The other issue is, if you have 2 sticks of ram instead, assuming they would be 1GB each, they can't run as fast as smaller memory. The technology isn't there yet. So either way, you lose performance.
Click to expand...

What he said.
 
guinny said:
What he said.
Click to expand...

thanks for the response...but there will be a day when we will need the 2GB I hope?

One more thing, Guinny, did you build your comp or did you buy it? If you don't mind me asking?
 
I'd strongly suggest buying the parts and getting somone who knows how to piece it together for you. You'll end up with some pretty big savings, because the stores charge an arm and a leg for a fully functional computer vs. individual parts. (Most people don't have the ability to put together a computer, so they can afford to charge a lot when they do it for you).

Add together the cost of a case, motherboard, power supply, video card, sound card, speakers, monitor, CPU, ram, and periferals + software, and compare it to an off-the-shelf model. If you're going to spend $2000, it's well worth your time to figure out how to get the most of it. You might end up saving the equivalent of the cost of Half Life 2 (and then some).

Good luck.
 
Alienware is a rip your just paying for the Alienware badge you can build the same cpu for half the price ,well even more than less than half for that matter and as far as having jitters about building your own there is actually really nothing to it.
 
I just love these threads. They really make you feel good about your new computer that you been saving up for all summer long. ;(
 
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