Pc build spec help

[DodgyRog]

Well it's getting to the time I need to look at changing the Pc again and to be honest I only know the basics about spec lists.

 

The last 2 we have bought we got off the shelf from PcWorld and I always feel like you pay through the nose with them a bit, as they are really the only high street option.

 

Well this time I am thinking about trying Dell and have done a build based around the Studio XPS 7100, I have always wanted an Alienware, but can't justify the price to myself.

 

I need it to be capable of running games to a high standard for the next few years and also do all the usual things that a home Pc does, is this spec list upto the job or does anyone have any suggestions on any particular upgrades I should look at. I am considering a Blue-ray player already, but not sure on this either

 

[Geo]

i know one of the guys here owns his Own PC place, bulding and repairing them, but for the life of me i cant remember who it is, im sure someone will know.

 

im sure he could rustle up a nice spec for you, that might beat the one above

[DodgyRog]

i know one of the guys here owns his Own PC place, bulding and repairing them, but for the life of me i cant remember who it is, im sure someone will know.

 

im sure he could rustle up a nice spec for you, that might beat the one above

 

Yeah I think thats DamanC, but Dell do 12 months interest free credit and I could do with the credit as I don't have all the cash to hand, to be honest I don't have any of the cash to hand, it's the wifes bonus that's going to pay for most of it:innocent:

[The-Plethora]

One of the problems with these machines is they usually use the cheapest nastiest most restrictive motherboard they can find.

 

The AMD CPU isnt bad but many applications still dont support multiple threads and it has a fairly low clock speed so for gaming its going to be a bit of a waste. If you are not confident building your own machine then I would say have a look at something like this...

 

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FS-034-OP

 

Its got a hugely powerful Intel I7 processor and its overclocked to 4.2 GHz so in gaming that would kill the AMD one.

It's got a very decent motherboard and several graphics card options.

Here is the motherboard it uses (very decent one)

 

 

It supports both crossfire and SLI to run 2 graphics cards from ATI or Nvidia so a lot more expansion options.

[jonathanc]

I can vouch for the ASUS R2E It's really really awesome! I have that with SLi GTX295 setup and I run all games on the highest settings possible with no lag.

 

It's an overclockers paradise as well with the onboard buttons. I believe this board will last you a long time

[DodgyRog]

Okay then, looks like it's going to be worth waiting for a bit and get someone to build me a machine, rather than going to a mass production company.

 

Maybe I need to speak to DamanC once I have the funds in the bank

[RCK10]

i know one of the guys here owns his Own PC place, bulding and repairing them, but for the life of me i cant remember who it is, im sure someone will know.

 

im sure he could rustle up a nice spec for you, that might beat the one above

 

DamanC ?

 

http://www.mkivsupra.net/vbb/member.php?u=1836

[GMan]

It's Not hard to build your own machine, I built mine for about $1200

Currently Specs

MSI Micro ATX mainboard in a nice clear view Apevia case

3.01GHz AMD Phenom Dual core processor

nvidia Geforce 9500 gt Graphics card

4gigs ram, (although windows XP will only recognize 3.5 GB so swiching to 64 bit windows 7 later tonight)

Massive copper heatsink with 90 mm fan on the CPU

3X80 mm case fans 1 intake 2 exhaust o (Heat is the biggest computer killer, Overheating a pc will kill it faster than over heating your 2jz)

500W power supply

 

Only took me about 3 hours to put together and smokes my Acer Aspire Z in speed

go ahead ab=n build your own and stop getting raped by the Big name manufacurers

I owend several Dells and my work Has a contract with them and they SUCK. I will never own another Dell

[BK1]

I found Cyberpower to be very good. You can choose from a preset menu, then customize items such as RAM, GPU and drives. I managed to get an i7 with 6GB RAM, a 1GB GPU on a board that supports crossfire (and will take up to 24GB RAM if required), for around£800. that should cope easily with anything you throw at it and you can always upgrade the GPU if needed when faster games come out.Their customer support is pretty good too, I was a little unhappy with the build quality and they took the tower away and sent another by return delivery. They seem to be open to discussion on price and spec too. Make an on-line enquiry and if you haven't ordered within a day or so they'll call you and try to make a deal, puts you in the driving seat 'so to speak'

[Homer]

If you are spending that sort of money never, ever buy one from a mainstream manufactuer (I work for the biggest one) , as mentioned above many of the key parts will be generic cheap items which will seriously limit the upgradabilty and performance of the machine. If you contact DamanC I am sure he will be able to provide something of a better spec for that amount of money. Or you could do it the "hard" way and build yourself

[robin]

Personally I wouldn't bother with sli/crossfile unless your planning to run crysis on a 30" monitor at 2500x1900 or something.

 

I am still using my old single 8800 GTX and it still handles the latest games OK. I feel the same goes for the 6 core phenoms and core i7's I doubt they would offer many fps more then similar clock speed 4 core phenoms/ core i5's.

[DamanC]

Thanks for the recommendations guys

 

Dell - great budget surfing PCs with shite tech support and lots of unbranded parts.

 

I wont go to far into it but looking at the spec you posted above;

 

Unbranded RAM

Unbranded Hard Drive

No mention of motherboard make/model

No mention of power supply make/model

 

That transcodes into cheap and often nasty far east parts that Dell currently have a deal with and will not do you any favours. The funny thing too is Alienware also do the same thing!!!

 

Anyway, Take a lookie at the link in my signature, I can assure you we can build you something with far better parts and for less money Let me know what you plan to use it for, like to use it for and your future expectations and ill recomend you a suitable specification. Free Delivery for MKIV members too.

[Wez]

£1500 on a PC in this day and age there is no need to spend that sort of money on a PC, you can build a nice machine for £500 and a monster spec for £1000.