I’m sorry I was very unclear. Most of the places I’m looking at, the computers will come with a free three month trial of anti-virus software (usually Norton.) For ~$50 more, I can go ahead and buy a year of updates. I’m just wondering if that’s the better deal or if I should just get the free trial, and then buy the subscription when the three months are up.
I’ll just add I have a 2.8 800Mhz, and the thing kicks some serious ass. Anything up from there, and you’ll be a god. 
I’ll just add I have a 2.8 800Mhz, and the thing kicks some serious ass. Anything up from there, and you’ll be a god.
Although you’ll still get killed by 12 year old Japanese kids in Quake3.
I would just uninstall whatever it comes with and install AVG free edition.
Phedre, your computer setup looks goddamned awesome.
A word about the X800: It’s the brand-spankin’-new card from ATI, whereas the 9600XT is from the previous generation. A new one goes for about $450, while a new 9600XT will go for about $160. The 9600XT is good… the X800 is GREAT. However, if you feel like trimming corners, you’ll still get excellent performance (especially considering the rest of your computer) for current games… however, the card will probably have to be upgraded sooner than if you got the X800.
On the other hand, when you DO want to upgrade, the X800 will be worth about $200, so you’ll STILL wind up spending less money.
On the other-other hand, the X800 will give you double the framerate…
So the choice is your’n, buckeroo.
And I’d say go with the Athlon64. I’m an Intel boy myself, but that’s mostly because I do a lot of graphical editing and video work… whereas the Athlons are geared primarily at gaming.
Well, when I started out in computers I just got the low-end deal that I could afford. Since then the best I’ve had have been mid-range types. This time, I want to go all out and get the best thing I can possibly afford, while at the same time being smart and frugal. That’s why I asked here. Dopers seem to be the smartest folks around, so I knew I’d get good advice for what to go high on and what not to. I figure I’ll get more life out of the thing if I get top of the line (or close to it) right off the bat.
I’m trying to talk myself out of the Alienware, because I could probably get the same thing a bit cheaper elsewhere. But DOGGONE IT, those cases are sooooooooooo sexy! I can just see it sitting on my desk. I shouldn’t let myself be influence by looks…but I WANT IT!
Where is that drooling smilie?
I forgot this part. :smack: I’ve always used Intel processors too. But it seems the advice here is to go with the Athlon. I have to admit to a bit of nervousness about a “new” thing, but I’ll probably still go with the Athlon since it seems to be very good.
This link will take you to systems buying guide designed for gamers. By no means is this site the “be all, end all” of reviews, but it is a damn good reference.
They have three levels of machines defined…budget box, “hot rod” , and “God Box” I think you’ll find them pretty self explanatory…
I’ve used Athlons for a long time at home and Intel processors for an equally long time at work and have never noticed a difference with regards to stability. My personal preference between the two is for the Athlon, though. You seem to get (a lot) more bang for the buck.
Incidentally, I recommend keeping tissue on hand to stop up the nosebleeds caused by your system’s speed…seriously, this is way overkill for any of the types of games you’ve mentioned. On the other hand, what’s overkill for games now will be more than adequate for anything due out in the next few years. Call it security…
I have two Alienware systems at home. I also have a GamePC system, an HP system, and have had a couple of Dells in the past. I really like the Alienware systems, except for two things: they’re expensive, and they’re noisy.
They’re not too expensive when compared to some others – Falcon NW, for example, is ridiculously overpriced (or was last time I did an apples-to-apples comparison between Alienware and Falcon, which was a year or so ago). And and Alienware system compares favorably to a Dell system when spec’d at the top of the line, mostly because I can drop components like the monitor from an Alienware and the whole price comes off, whereas Dell does not reduce the price as much. Still, they’re expensive.
The noise is more of a problem. Unless they add some kind of noise-reduction options, I will not be purchasing my next system from them. I’ll be going with either GamePC again, or with ARMSystems, which offers custom-built systems with serious noise reduction options.
The system you have spec’d out looks great, Phèdre nó Delaunay. I’ll second SPOOFE in suggesting you consider the 9800XT over the X800 – you will save a couple of hundred bucks and will not see a difference in most games.
As a benchmark of sorts, I offer my current (Alienware) system, due to be replaced by end of year…
p4 2.2 GHz
1 GB RDRAM
GeForce4ti4600
80GB HD
I use a Samsung 17" flat-panel monitor with a native resolution of 1280x1024, so I run most games at that resolution. Morrowind runs great on this system, as does City of Heroes (once I blew the dust out of my fan grilles :smack: ).
Thanks for the info. This is just the kind of thing I’m looking for.
Well, I guess that security is just what I’m looking for. I don’t want to get another system and have it be unable to run current games in a year. Does that make sense?
I haven’t heard that before. How noisy is noisy? I can definitely hear the fan in my current computer, but it’s just sort of a low hiss. It doesn’t interfere with the music I have playing softly or conversation in the room. A loud noise would certainly make me hesitant about buying Alienware!
Do you like the service Alienware offers you? Have you had any trouble with your system at all beyond the noise?
I’d like to second the AMD recommendation. I used to build computers for a living and still build them recreationally now. I used to purchase Intel and AMD has the same quality components with a better price/performance rating. I’d get 1GB of RAM if you can afford it. Since you are a gamer, the best price/performance cards right now are the Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB RAM. You can get a Sapphire (who makes ATI’s Retail version of the card) brand for around $200. The Geforce 5900 series is also a good card, but the die hards favor the 9800 Pro. Check out Anandtech which like SharkyExtreme is another good impartial hardware review site.
Any high-end machine these days is going to run somewhat loud, unless you spend some extra effort to quiet it down - like putting a watercooler for the CPU & GPU. Though Athlon64s run much cooler than Intel’s Prescotts core Pentium4s(Anyone see the Prescott survival kit yet? 
) , they still put out plenty of heat - as do modern video cards.
Eek, I’m scared now! I know its difficult to say in words how loud something is. You need to hear it. Is it possibly louder than an air purifier? I have one of those running in my room, and it’s just a bit louder than my computer. Not bothersome as it’s just a whooshing sort of humming sound. I also have it on the lowest setting, if I turn it up it gets a bit annoying.
I suppose, if it got irritating enough, I could get one of those computer desks that have a little compartment for the tower to go in. The gorgeous case would then be hidden though.
You might also want to look at Monarch Computer . They are one of the best if you want to design your own computer.
The one next to me is definitely louder than standard systems(such as you find in an office, or such as I had previously, or such asthe HP sitting on Dangerosa’s desk. In order to deal with all of the heat from the processor (Intel runs hot) and the video card (modern video cards generally running so hot they have a fan on the card already), Alienware puts a bunch of fans into the box. I think it has 6 fans in it. As I noted above, the noise level is off-putting.
I like the service and have had no problems. We had a couple of problems with Dangerosa’s original system, which I think were motherboard problems, but Alienware exchanged that system for a new one which worked just fine. I think that was just bad luck. It is nice to be able to call someone to help you figure out what’s up with your system when it goes all wonky on you, and Alienware doesn’t void the warranty or service contract if you open the case and install more RAM (or a new hard drive, or video card), so you can be an enthusiast and still get service.
That said, as I mentioned, I’ll be going away from Alienware for my next system unless they find some way to deal with noise. I’m paying a premium to them to get a system customized to my desires, and one of those is quiet. I want to be able to sit next to my PC without feeling like I am sitting next to an air conditioning unit.
Thanks! That has really put me off the Alienware system. The good looks just aren’t enough to compensate for that.
We went to CompUsa yesterday to pick up a new mouse and some other stuff. While I was there, I decided to take a look at what new computers they have. A salesman approached so I talked to him, even though I have no plans to buy one from them. He was really nice though, and told me something I didn’t know. They will build me a computer. I can browse through the store and pick out everything I want, they will put it together AND provide service for it. I can even pick out the case, and they have some nice looking ones too. I’m uncertain about it, because I just don’t know anything about buying a computer from CompUsa. I haven’t heard anything, good or bad. Anyone know anything about it? It kind of sounds too good to be true.
I would stay away from CompUSSR^H^HA - all of the big box stores tend have low quality products. If you don’t feel like building it yourself, I reccomend going to Monarch computers, like Hirka T’Bawa mentioned - they have a good reputation. And they are a lot cheaper than Alienware.
Also, about the noise - any high end machine these days, no matter who builds it, is going to put out a fair amount of noise, unless you take specific steps to quiet it down. The best you can do is go with an Athlon64(they put out less heat than their P4 counterparts) and get a machine with large, low RPM fans.