Assistance with selecting a PC...

[SniperWolf427]

Right then, I've found myself on the market for a new computer considering that my sixteenth birthday is just around the corner. I've narrowed it down to two choices and simply cannot decide which is the better value for the money. If you guys could assist me, that would be great.

Here they are:

Gateway FX6831 [http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883113121]



I like that the Gateway has a 2.8 Ghz i7 and 16 GB of Ram, but I feel like the price is pushing it, especially considering the Radeon 5850. Also, I know Alienware's reputation of being completely overpriced, but this feels like a pretty decent deal. I really like the GTX 260 on it, even if the case is a tad cheesy looking. Basically, I'm completely split, as they both have their fair share of pros and cons.

Now, I've built computers in the past, but simply don't have the time or patience to do so now, so please don't suggest that.

However, if you have any other suggestions for Desktops, please, do tell. My budget is around $1900. I also need a Monitor, so feel free to suggest one of those as well.

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: So, the Alienware link refuses to work no matter what I do... Damn

 

[DragonChi]

not really sure about the laptop atm. but as for the monitor I would suggest the Samsung SyncMaster P2350. It's the one i'm using right now, it was only $400 CAD. has a 50,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio and a 2ms response time. it gives great vivid crisp color and its a 24" screen. However..if your wanting to utilize Nvidia's 3D glasses, this model unfortunately doesn't support it but the 2233RZ model does.

 

[ThrobbingEgo]

The 5850 is more powerful than the GTX 260. Check out this review of an overclocked 260, and you'll see that a stock Radeon 5850 beats or ties it in every real world benchmark.
http://www.guru3d.com/article/gigabyte-geforce-gtx-260-so-review-test/8

 

[SniperWolf427]

The 5850 is more powerful than the GTX 260. Check out this review of an overclocked 260, and you'll see that a stock Radeon 5850 beats or ties it in every real world benchmark.
http://www.guru3d.com/article/gigabyte-geforce-gtx-260-so-review-test/8

That surprising, considering Nvidia's track record.

Thanks for the info mate. Greatly appreciated.

 

[ThrobbingEgo]

The 5850 is more powerful than the GTX 260. Check out this review of an overclocked 260, and you'll see that a stock Radeon 5850 beats or ties it in every real world benchmark.
http://www.guru3d.com/article/gigabyte-geforce-gtx-260-so-review-test/8

That surprising, considering Nvidia's track record.

Thanks for the info mate. Greatly appreciated.

The 6 in the second digit is what nVidia markets as mainstream/midrange cards. If it has 4 in the second digit then it's entry level, and 8 for gamers/enthusiasts. ATI uses a similar labeling model. You can usually expect an enthusiast card to trounce a mainstream one, unless its several generations behind.

 

[SniperWolf427]

The 5850 is more powerful than the GTX 260. Check out this review of an overclocked 260, and you'll see that a stock Radeon 5850 beats or ties it in every real world benchmark.
http://www.guru3d.com/article/gigabyte-geforce-gtx-260-so-review-test/8

That surprising, considering Nvidia's track record.

Thanks for the info mate. Greatly appreciated.

The 6 in the second digit is what nVidia markets as mainstream/midrange cards. If it has 4 in the second digit then it's entry level, and 8 for gamers/enthusiasts. ATI uses a similar labeling model. You can usually expect an enthusiast card to trounce a mainstream one, unless its several generations behind.

Honestly, I wasn't even aware of the GTX 285 and whatnot. Seems like a strange number too. Any thoughts on the overall setups of the computers?

 

[ThrobbingEgo]

Honestly, I wasn't even aware of the GTX 285 and whatnot. Seems like a strange number too. Any thoughts on the overall setups of the computers?

The link for the Alienware desktop isn't working for me, but I'm surprised that Gateway PC has that much power. When did they stop making cruddy budget PCs? I don't really have the time to do a price comparison at the moment, but it seems to have very nice specs. Easily puts my (super high end... as of 2008) laptop to shame.

Anyway, this has the beefier graphics card, a very powerful CPU, and ridiculous RAM overkill - I'd go with this.

 

[Mr. Purple]

<color=purple>I would probably go with the Alienware, but I'm not sure because I don't know what kind of deal you are getting. The link takes me to a "This page does not exist", page.

 

[Orcus The Ultimate]

i know of a website cheaper than Alienware called www.ibuypower.com
(before they were bought by Dell they had affordable prices)

cheap and fucking powerful!
For Example at 1049$ you get this:
AMD Phenom II
750GB of spacedisk
6 GB of ram
1GB of graphic card

i hope it's helpful

 

[crimson5pheonix]

I'm a sucker for Alienware, but Gateway's tend to be better price/performance. However I can't see the Alienware and am unable to make a good judgment. But the Gateway has way too much RAM to be practical for gaming.

EDIT: But as always, my first, last, and only suggestion is to build it yourself for cheaper. Give me a few minutes and I'll spec a $1900 computer.

 

[SniperWolf427]

I'm a sucker for Alienware, but Gateway's tend to be better price/performance. However I can't see the Alienware and am unable to make a good judgment. But the Gateway has way too much RAM to be practical for gaming.

EDIT: But as always, my first, last, and only suggestion is to build it yourself for cheaper. Give me a few minutes and I'll spec a $1900 computer.

I know, I know.

However, with finals approaching soon, I would never get the opportunity to build it. Otherwise I would, trust me.

Thanks for the suggestion though mate.

 

[crimson5pheonix]

I'm a sucker for Alienware, but Gateway's tend to be better price/performance. However I can't see the Alienware and am unable to make a good judgment. But the Gateway has way too much RAM to be practical for gaming.

EDIT: But as always, my first, last, and only suggestion is to build it yourself for cheaper. Give me a few minutes and I'll spec a $1900 computer.

I know, I know.

However, with finals approaching soon, I would never get the opportunity to build it. Otherwise I would, trust me.

Thanks for the suggestion though mate.

In which case, like I said, I can't really say one way or the other since the Alienware apparently no longer exists on the website. But by the look of it, the Gateway has overkill RAM. If you're willing to wait a week or two, the new Nvidia cards will come out and they may be better than the ATI cards.

 

[ThrobbingEgo]

i know of a website cheaper than Alienware called www.ibuypower.com
(before they were bought by Dell they had affordable prices)

cheap and fucking powerful!
For Example at 1049$ you get this:
AMD Phenom II
750GB of spacedisk
6 GB of ram
1GB of graphic card

i hope it's helpful

That doesn't mean anything. Manufacturers sometimes put extra ram on midrange cards - not because the cards can use all the ram, but because it gives it a bigger number on a spec sheet. If the amount of video ram exceeds double the card's bandwidth, it's marketing fluff. RAM's cheap, and people tend to think more = much better. You want to know the card model.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/graphics-ram-4870,2428.html

But, yeah, I support boutique stores over Alienware any day.

 

[Treblaine]

Right then, I've found myself on the market for a new computer considering that my sixteenth birthday is just around the corner. I've narrowed it down to two choices and simply cannot decide which is the better value for the money. If you guys could assist me, that would be great.

Here they are:

Gateway FX6831 [http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883113121]



I like that the Gateway has a 2.8 Ghz i7 and 16 GB of Ram, but I feel like the price is pushing it, especially considering the Radeon 5850. Also, I know Alienware's reputation of being completely overpriced, but this feels like a pretty decent deal. I really like the GTX 260 on it, even if the case is a tad cheesy looking. Basically, I'm completely split, as they both have their fair share of pros and cons.

Now, I've built computers in the past, but simply don't have the time or patience to do so now, so please don't suggest that.

However, if you have any other suggestions for Desktops, please, do tell. My budget is around $1900. I also need a Monitor, so feel free to suggest one of those as well.

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: So, the Alienware link refuses to work no matter what I do... Damn

"Gateway has a 2.8 Ghz i7 and 16 GB of Ram"

OVERKILL!!! I Also wouldn't go with Core i7, the price-performance isn't as good as a core i5 and really you will be spending a LOT of money now only there won't be any games that will need a processor like that for many years, by that time processors will be cheaper.

16GB is ridiculous unless you a a professional video editor for Hollywood or something. 4GB is more than enough for even the toughest games today like Crysis Warhead on the very maximum settings, maybe 8GB would be ideal but 16GB is just too much and to expensive. It is always worth starting with less RAM now and leaving some memory slots free. Memory is steadily falling in price. Get more RAM when you need it and when it is cheaper.

Also, what resolution are you going to be gaming at? If 1080p or 1920x1200 then you don't need all that amazing hardware to max out every single game. BTW, I am in the market for a monitor and one that I have on order is the LG Flatron W2442PA and it has the perfect specs and is flexible enough to plug into my PS3 as well. Resolution is 1080p and size 24 inch but I think the best feature is the ultra-low input lag.

I'd recommend the upcoming GTX 470 for future-proof. It supports CUDA (common physics accelerator) and DX11 and other special features that the latest ATI doesn't offer. But the ATI Radeon 5850 goes offer better performance for a lower price.

I'd also seriously recommend you build the PC yourself from components. It is not THAT hard and you will get Precisely what you want and need and save a bunch of money in the process. Hell for $1000 you will definitely have a gaming BEAST!

I also wouldn't be too squeamish about Vista, if it is cheaper then go for it as it is good with the latest service packs and honestly the biggest problem with Vista was it was put on systems with low memory (needs at LEAST 2Gb of RAM to run smoothly) but with 4GB of RAM it is just a dream. Get the cheaper OEM version if you are building the system.

 

[Orcus The Ultimate]

i know of a website cheaper than Alienware called www.ibuypower.com
(before they were bought by Dell they had affordable prices)

cheap and fucking powerful!
For Example at 1049$ you get this:
AMD Phenom II
750GB of spacedisk
6 GB of ram
1GB of graphic card

i hope it's helpful

That doesn't mean anything. Manufacturers sometimes put extra ram on midrange cards - not because the cards can use all the ram, but because it gives it a bigger number on a spec sheet. If the amount of video ram exceeds double the card's bandwidth, it's marketing fluff. RAM's cheap, and people tend to think more = much better. You want to know the card model.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/graphics-ram-4870,2428.html

But, yeah, I support boutique stores over Alienware any day.

well it's between a "ATI Radeon HD 5750 1GB" and "NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 1GB"

 

[TheNamlessGuy]

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