Buyers Guide for a High End Gaming Computer

[Zeli]

Techie Game!

I know we have folks here that know their stuff when it comes to this stuff so I was wondering your opinions on this post:

vnboards.ign.com/warhammer_online_age_of_reckoning_general_board/b22997/104087404/p1/?12

"full of shit" or "knows his shit" ?

[Athene]

Knows his shit.

[GrilledCheese28 (aka Aruth)]

Yes, he's suggested some good stuff there.

I don't care for that Thermaltake case, personally. It has these annoying little wing things on the front that tend to break easily, and the cooling and noise level is not on par with some others out there.

I went with the Antec P182 (black) case, and picked it up when Newegg was having a great rebate deal going. Got it for $79. I highly recommend it. It's super QUIET, decent cooling, and plenty of room.

[Tye]

Thats definitely a hardcore gaming guide. He knows his stuff, but...

I never like guides that suggest crazy options to average users or new builders. Things like raptors on raid for $500... $500 video cards... the fastest components on the market. IMO, that sort of stuff is never practical for anyone but overclocking enthusiasts, but guides like these make it sound necessary. If you are interested in only playing WAR.. I really doubt you will ever need a machine that powerful.

I will probably never build a system for over $1000.
A $1000- $1200 system can still be considered high end gaming.

P.S. I have a $30 full tower. I like it.
Originally I was planning on just using a cardboard box. (I'm serious)

[Winin]

I went with a Dell and the did my own higher end graphics card. I don't have energy to deal with a pita computer setup. Also I find that one tier down is the best bet for price/longevity/performance. Get the model that was top of the line until a new model came out.

[Macaubre]

While you can get nice performance out of RAID0 configuration, I wouldn't ever use that on a PC you don't want to crash and burn on a disc error. Hard drive failure is common place and RAID0 is the worse kind security-wise. Ie. you have ONE drive fail, both fail.

[Maeve]

Just a note if anybody is thinking about getting a new system. I saved about $2000 going with CPU Solutions Vs. Dell. I had me a nice gaming rig picked out with Dell. Yes, I was seriously splurging. I have never even dreamed of spending that much on a computer.

But for some reason, I kept getting an error message with Dell while trying to access my account to take advantage of the financing offer. They kept saying the site was down for maintenance. I even emailed support and never heard back. So anyway, a couple of people had previously recommended a company called CPU Solutions. I have just enough tech knowledge to be dangerous, so had always been skeptical about having a system built for me. But I went with them when I saw how much money I could save and have been very pleased with the rig.

CPU Solutions

[lanir]

I checked out the CPU Solutions site you recommended Maeve and they have some decent stuff. I was a little leary of a few of their items based on my experience. I would find this hard for folks to compare if you are not familiar with brands and specs.

I did a price comparision between them and Dell to see what my options would be in the future if I decided to purchase another machine.

CPU Solution PC - $1963.89 1 Year warranty, No Operating System
Dell XPS 410 - $2,087.00 3 year warranty, XP OS

Quad Core 6600
8800 GTX (768MB)
2GB Ram
22" Wide Screen Monitor
blah blah blah

Both machines were spec'ed with similar or close to the same specs as best I could.

I recently bought a Dell XPS 410 about 7 months ago and am happy with it. The only reason I didn't piece it together myself and save some cash was because frankly, I just got tired of doing it everytime I got a new machine.

[Aberrant]

Z and I bought 2 Dell XPS 410's as well last year, and have dug them so far.

We had put together the last few computers and I got sick of the little headaches that come along with it. Maybe I will try again for the next computers down the road.

[Maeve]

In retrospec, I suppose I didn't save as much money as I originally stated because I didn't account for the LCD flatscreen monitor that would have come with the Dell. I didn't need the monitor. My husband decided to come home with some monster LCD flat screen TV with PC compatibility when I sent him to Circuit City for a 19".

Oh yeah, and I didn't have to pay sales tax on it, which is a whopping 9.5% for this state. So, I guess I didn't necessarily save as much on the actual gear itself. I wasn't ragging on Dell, btw. I just couldn't seem to get them to take my money....

[lanir]

I wasn't ragging on Dell, btw. I just couldn't seem to get them to take my money....

Their loss I say!! ;D