I don't have a good computer to even run HL2 at it's minimum settings....

[big_mike]

I don't have a good computer to even run HL2 at it's minimum settings, with everything turned off. I have 2 options. Buy a new comp now with AGP 8x, and spend about 3g's to get the top of the line. (FX-55, x800 xt pe..etc etc) or I have to wait until the Nforce 4 boars are released...However, if I wait, I won't get to play Half life 2 for another 2-3 months. Should I go ahead and buy a new system now..and upgrade late next year....or should i wait an extra month or so until the new mobos come out with PCI-express....Im torn on what to do..and I need to make a decision asap. This is killing me!!! If i get an agp 8x mobo now..when i want to upgrade to PCI-E, what will I have to upgrade besides the mobo and video card?
thanks in advance, im truly lost

 

[<RJMC>]

there is something to make you feel better

I am worst situation that you

I dont hav money ;(

 

[Vigilante]

I'd go for buying the system now, as PCI express is new and may have some glitches that may take time to work out. (the nForce 4 too)

 

[VeZ]

i say spend now youll still have an awwwesome system without pcie

 

[DreamThrall]

you could always get all highend stuff now and sell whatever you will be replacing when the n4 stuff comes out. you'll lose a little bit of money because you won't be reselling brand new equipment, but if you really want to play HL2 with your new stuff and get the new n4/PCIe setup, I'm not sure there's much else you can do. Alternately, get your processor, ram, soundcard, etc now, buy a shite mobo and vid card, and just replace them when n4 comes out.

 

[big_mike]

Cool, this is exactly what i was looking for...soo....how hard is it to replace the mobo and video card? is it straight plug and play? I am ordering my system from alienware ( i know im gonna get shiet for this), so how would I go by replacing the mobo and vid card? Would I need to re-install the os? How about reformatting? I just want it to be as straight forward as possible...someone please shed some light. ( as you can tell, I am partly computer illiterate in that sense).

 

[Adrien C]

What a noOb question, what is a mobo ?

 

[big_mike]

What a noOb question, what is a mobo ?

motherboard

 

[DreamThrall]

replacing the motherboard and video card isn't very hard.... BUT ... you will need to remove the CPU from your old motherboard and install it on the new one, which can be tricky. I've never done it myself, so I won't be much help in that department. However, if that is the route you plan on taking, you may as well save yourself the money and assemble the parts yourself from the start instead of buying from alienware. It is good experience, and you'll save yourself a cool g (give or take)!

 

[big_mike]

replacing the motherboard and video card isn't very hard.... BUT ... you will need to remove the CPU from your old motherboard and install it on the new one, which can be tricky. I've never done it myself, so I won't be much help in that department. However, if that is the route you plan on taking, you may as well save yourself the money and assemble the parts yourself from the start instead of buying from alienware. It is good experience, and you'll save yourself a cool g (give or take)!

I know man I know..I just dont want to go thru all the trouble of getting all the parts...etc etc. I like having peace of mind. This is why I want to get the alienware. I have the money, upgrading is not a problem...but finding someone who can help me out with installation of a new mobo is what I need...I just don't want to be left in the cold. ya know? I can install pretty much anything else, just don't have any experience with motherboards and making setting adjustments in the BIOS etc etc. Im pretty uneducated in that sense. So, when i get the new comp and I want to upgrade later to pci-express, should be fairly easy eh?

 

[retrofitter]

AGP 8x doesn't make the difference in performance. AGP 4x is still perfectly adaquate, even agp2x doesn't hamper performance. For this reason, PCIe (and Nforce4) Isn't going to have any earth shattering effects on your system. AGP is still going to be out for a good while after PCIe is released, so don't worry.

 

[DreamThrall]

Well, first of all, I'm not sure what kind of warranty you get from alienware, but I'm pretty sure that replacing the motherboard will void any warranty from them. Second, finding the parts isn't that hard. When you configure your computer on their website, just write down all the parts you selected and take that list to www.newegg.com. They should have anything you will need.

As far as BIOS settings, there shouldn't really be anything you would need to mess with.

When you upgrade to PCI, you will need to:
1. Exchange motherboards (easy). All this involves is removing all your PCI cards (to include the video card you will be replacing), unplugging everything from the board and unscrewing.
2. Move your CPU from your old motherboard to your new motherboard. (not so easy). Once again, I'm not the most knowledgable, but you will probably need thermal grease since you will have to dismount your heatsink from the CPU. You will also need to unseat the CPU from the old motherboard and reseat it in the new one.
3. Re-install your PCI cards (to include the new video card) (easy)

I know you want "peace of mind" by buying a prefab computer, but the hardest parts about building a computer from scratch are ensuring compatibility, which you won't have to worry about since you will be using the config you get from alienware's website, and installing the CPU, which you are going to have to do anyways.

I know you've heard it before, but just TRY building it yourself. I can assure you, you will thank yourself (and me) later... and have some extra cash on hand as well.

On another note, retrofitter has a point. We haven't even really begun to fully take advantage of AGP 8x yet, what's the rush to get to PCIe?

 

[SidewinderX]

It's really not that hard to change everyhting... and if you buy everyhting from new egg, you'll be much more satisfied with yourself.

BUT if you really want to buy from a manufacturer, I'd suggest Falcon Northwest

F-NW> Alienware

 

[Unfocused]

replacing the motherboard and video card isn't very hard.... BUT ... you will need to remove the CPU from your old motherboard and install it on the new one, which can be tricky. I've never done it myself, so I won't be much help in that department.

Two days ago I've changed my processor (I replaced it myself without seeing anyone doing this before, using only the instructions from intel.com) and it wasn't that hard. You get the most fun out of installing the heatsink, putting the processor in the socket is a piece of cake .

 

[KidRock]

It's really not that hard to change everyhting... and if you buy everyhting from new egg, you'll be much more satisfied with yourself.

BUT if you really want to buy from a manufacturer, I'd suggest Falcon Northwest

F-NW> Alienware

Falcon cost's more then an alienware does..

 

[big_mike]

Falcon cost's more then an alienware does..

Good Damn! tell me about it! almost costs more than 1 grand for the same initial set up!!! No doubt about it im getting an alienware...but that Falcon-NW Half life 2 case looks like the shit!!

 

[Shakermaker]

I'm in love with this one.

 

[TheHitman5]

AMD Athlon XP 2500 ( 80$ )
ABIT NF7-S v.2 ( 80$ )
2x256mb PC3200 ( 120$ )
Sapphire 9800 pro 128mb ( 190$ )

That should run HL2 nicely...just OC the 2500 to 2.2ghz+ and you're good to go.

 

[poseyjmac]

OR get a mobile athlon xp with an unlocked multiplier, then overclock to 2400 and beyond.

 

[kalayq]

My first advice for you is if your not 100% sure about taking your computer apart and putting it back together, ask a friend to help you. I have put together a few computers before and its not really that big a deal, just read the directions that come with the products and you should be able to do it. Just remember that before you touch any circuit boards:

a)unplug the power supply (I have heard stories)
b)ground yourself by touching something metal to get rid of any static charge you might have on you.

Buying full computers can sometimes be cheaper and is much easier, but if you want to save some money buy the components by themselves. Companies that put together full computers usually have to buy their parts in bulk (ie. dell) and so they won't have computers with top or even medium high components since they sell to the general public who don't need anything as powerful as gaming rigs.

Hope that helps. PM me if you need any more help.