Ah, finally have my new gaming computer ordered

[Digital Database]

I ordered my new Dell computer, and here are some of the specs in case any one cares, I basically got it for Everquest 2 and a few other PC titles like Half Life 2, and Doom 3.

1024MB of DDR SDRAM
Radeon 9800 Pro
80 GB HDD
Intel Pentium 4 Processor@ 2.6

I cannot wait untill this computer arrives at my house so I can finally get a cable modem hooked up to this bad boy!

[Digital Database]

Oops, forgot to add in, I also scored a 17" Flat Panel LCD screen, Dell had an offer going where it was included for free. :)

[Raedon]

ok.. I'll bite..

how much is Dell charging you to plug some stuff together? :D Also, who makes the memory that is going into that box.. is it DDR 2100, 2700, 3200? What type of 80 gig? is it 7200rpm with 2meg or 8meg? I assume the motherboard is a "Dell" brand? if so what chipset is being used for the northbridge?

and if you could could you give me the model number of the Dell 17" LCD and it's latency Response Time (very very very important to gamers)

[Digital Database]

Damn you Radeon.

I have no freakin' clue about the chipset garbage or RPM's, I have the papers at home, all I know is....it cost a whopping $1,978 for the whole shebang. O_O

[dr mario kart]

is that a 9800 128MB or 9800 256MB?

would anyone like to guestimate what it wouldve cost if all the parts were bought individually and then put together?

[Digital Database]

I know I overpaid smart guy. They have a business to run, and I am lazy, so it works out for both of us. 8-)

[Raedon]

I love doing this.. I'm going to virtua build the same system with the most kick ass components out there.. Mind you computer internals are all plug n play now. You can't get anything wrong as everything will only plug in the way it should.. Been like this sense the first pentiums..

K!

Lets start with a case and PSU.. Lets just get this one with a 400watt psu (which is overkill, but what tha'hay! $45.00

http://images10.newegg.com/productimage/11-187-004-09.JPG

Now a Motherboard.. I happen to like AMD but no biggy.. lets get ASUS' biggest meanest mothafugging Intel p4 motherboard.. 800Mhz FSB... Model# P4C800-E DELUXE Booya $190.99 This sucka even supports the new hyper-thredding chips.. Dell doesn't even sell anything like that yet in under 3.06ghz..

Supported CPU:P478 Pentium 4 / Celeron
Chipset: Canterwood 875P + ICH5R
FSB:800/533/400 MHz
RAM:2 Channel (dual channel) DDR400/333/266 Max 4GB
IDE:Dual Ultra DMA ATA100/66 up to 4 Devices
RAID: Dual Channel 133/100/66/33 up to 4 Devices & SATA
Slots:1x AGP (8X) 5x PCI
Ports:2xPS2, 1xCOM,1xLPT,1x Audio, 1xLAN,2x IEEE, 8xUSB20
Onboard Audio:AD 1985 6 Channel Codec
Onboard LAN:Intel CSA Gigabit LAN 1000/100
Onboard SATA: Dual Channel Serial ATA up to 150MBs
Onboard Firewire: 2 1394 Firewire ports
built-in Intel PAT (Intel Performance Acceleration Technology) It helps to boost performance by 3~5%

http://images10.newegg.com/productimage/13-131-464-04.JPG

CPU: Intel Pentium 4 / 2.6CGHz 512k socket 478 Hyper Threading Technology 800 MHz FSB This is the shit hyper-thredding CPU.. you won't get that with Dell.. they will send you an old northwood core..

Hyper-threding is basically 2 CPU's on the same chip.. yep..
$198.00

Lets see.. Video card

Radeon 9800 pro is that 128meg of ram or 256 meg of ram?

probably 128meg.. but I'll stick a 256meg in this bad boy box (only the BEST!!!)
ATI SAPPHIRE RADEON 9800 PRO ULTIMATE 256MB DVI/TV 8X AGP $435.00 (little FYI, you could also take a 9800 Non-pro for $249.99 and make it a $350 9800 pro just by flashing the bios on the card :-D )

Now for RAM.. very important stuff for a fast (and stable) system.. going with 3200 Corsair XMS low latency sticks.. they kick ass.. twin back duel channel $245.00

http://images10.newegg.com/productimage/20-145-450-01.JPG

Need a hard disk.. 80gig is lame.. lets kick it up a notch!!

Western Digital 120GB SATA WD1200JD 7,200 RPM 8MB Hard Drive SATA=Serial ATA.. it's wicked fast and the cables are small. It's replacing IDE
$118.00

Screw it!!! LETS GET TWO for 240gig!!!! Weee!!!! $236.00

You need an OS Win XP Pro (not Home.. which blows)
Microsoft Windows XP Professional with Service Pack SP1a $143.00

And last but not least.. a LCD.. I'd still say get a CRT these days for gaming.. but it's your rig..

Samsung 17" LCD Monitor Model 173V Silver Retail $369
http://images10.newegg.com/productimage/24-001-116-03.JPG

For the same price you could get a NEC's top of the line 19" CRT though.

So that is ..$1861 for a kick ass better system with all top of their game components.

Lets throw in a DVD-R/RW 2x1x16 CD-RW 16x10x40 for $100 Just to make the price even out..

$1961.99

for a 2.6 Hyperthreding CPU on ASUS' best motherboard with 240gig of SATA RAID hard disk space and the best 1gig of RAM on the market with a 256meg 9800 pro, WinXP pro, and a DVD burner.. oh.. and a case and psu (which there are hundreds at that price point..)

[Raedon]

It would take you 4 hours to put all this together. :/

[Oobgarm]

Aren't the financing options usually the reason that folks go for pre-built? I know that was a factor when I got mine.

[Sylentwulf]

I just made this exact post on an Everquest 2 message board actually:

I built my computer:
Intel 850EMVL mobo - $90
P4 2.8Ghz - $300
1GB RDRam - $200
Radeon 9xxx (Honestly, I forget, lol, 9600 maybe?) - $200 (don't spend $450 on a video card, just not worth it)
160GB 8mb Cache Maxtor - $100
80GB Maxtor - $80
4X DVD +/- Burner - $100
16X CD Burner (Same speed as the DVD burner in CD-write mode) - used
Hard drive fan - $10
Case/power supply(400w) - $40
Soundblaster Audigy - $30
Floppy drive - Free, come on don't PAY for one of these!

Total cost not including 21" monitor, wireless mouse, keyboard, usb 2.0 4 port pci card (system only had 2 usb ports) $1070. EASILY capable of playing doom 3, nevermind everquest 2.

[Mayhem]

My current PC is also Dell, here in the UK, and almost the exact same specs as Digital Database apart from half the memory (512MB). Same graphics card, same speed CPU, 60GB HD (mainly because I had another one spare to fit in, so no need to overspend), 48x CDR, 4x DVD, USB IR mouse, Win XP and all the usual gubbins on top, plus 19" flat panel digital monitor.

Total cost? £899 or roughly $1350 to you lot...

[Darth Sensei]

I can see the points for both sides as I've been computer gaming for years.

It's nice to build your own because you're in the driver's seat. You can use any components you want. You're not stuck with whatever speaker choices (or whatnot) that the vendor offers.

Also, there's something liberating about building your own system. The computer is no longer magic. You know that computer inside and out and are better qualified to troubleshoot problems with it.

However, there is something very comforting about owning a major brand computer and when the crap hits the fan you simply make a call. I've had situations where the motherboard manufacturer blamed the memory maker and vice versa and then they both suggested that I caused the problem when building the computer. :angry:

If you buy everything from the same vendor, they have to fix it regardless of which component may be at fault. Dell has a great reputation for service.

At work we recently had 17 hard drives fail in Gateways within the first year. Gateway had to replace everything, pay for shipping, etc.

That security blanket can be worth paying for. However, if I was buying right now I'd choose Alienware. In the latest reviews their machines were faster, less proprietary, and actually cheaper than Dell.

Dave

[Raedon]

However, if I was buying right now I'd choose Alienware. In the latest reviews their machines were faster, less proprietary, and actually cheaper than Dell.

Dave

Just a little FYI Best Buy dropped Alienware from their line because of massive returns on DOA systems.

you are correct that if you have a problem (even with the OS) and don't know jack about a PC or want to even know what is inside Dell is probably your best choice. I hear their CS is top of the game.

[Raedon]

Radeon 9xxx (Honestly, I forget, lol, 9600 maybe?) - $200 (don't spend $450 on a video card, just not worth it)


Nor would I!! Good call.. that is why I mentioned the 9800 non-Pro to Pro BIOS hack. That will be around $225 soon. So for $225 you can get the same thing (minus the extra 128meg)

btw, after all these months how was AC2? I never went past the beta.

[Flack]

I go back and forth. It's just like cars. My last car was a standard. I bought an automatic this time because I was tired of shifting. My next one will be a standard, because I miss shifting.

Everytime I build a computer I end up getting frustrated when I can't get things to work (and no I'm not a complete dumb ass -- sometimes, things just don't work). I decided last time, my next machine would be built by someone else. Of course, the machine I bought that was built by someone else came with things I didn't want, and not all the things I wanted. I'm sure next time, I'll build my own machine again.

And drive it home in my standard.

Flack

[Sylentwulf]

btw, after all these months how was AC2? I never went past the beta.

AC2 is probably the best MMORPG I've ever played, until you hit level 30 after 2-3 weeks :) Then it sucks. I played it for about 3-4 months got all 5 of my chars to level 35-45 then quit. They do /skillsreset every single month allowing you to change your level 45 character at will (go from a tactician to a battlesage in 15 minutes for example)

They REALLY dropped the friggin ball, it really COULD have been great.