Which pc?

[Sharky2688]

I want a high performance pc purely for gaming that will be mainly used for playing Battlefield 2 !!!

Been looking at the Area 51 3500 from Alienware, is this pc good enough for games like Battlefield 2?

Any ideas for a good pc under 1K would be greatly appreciated
(i know nowt about computers)

[AcidUK]

Not sure how the graphics cards fare, but mesh pc's seem to offer *very* reasonable prices.

http://www.meshcomputers.com/updated/spec_matascendapro.htm

^^ That would certainly run BF2, somebody with a similar set up could probably tell you just how well though.

[Zenith]

The Alienware Area 51 3500 doesn't quite have enough memory to do BF2 justice and the graphics card is adequate but there are better ones. The thing with Alienware is that you're basically paying for the name (a bit like Nike with trainers).

For £1007 inc.VAT, you can get a Dell Dimension 9100. Intel Pentium 4 531 (3.00GHz, 800MHz,1MB)
Windows XP Pro SP2
1 yr collect and return service
1024MB PC-4200 Dual Channel DDR2
160GB (7200rpm) SATA HDD
16x max. DVD +/- RW dual layer
FP / MG 17in (E173FP) TCO99 Value Midnight Grey Flat Panel
256MB ATI Radeon™ X850 XT PE (DVI/VGA/TV-out)
Dell 5650 5.1 Surround Speaker System
Sound Blaster® Live! 24-bit sound card
Dell Entry USB Keyboard
Dell USB Optical MouseDouble the memory, double the hard drive and a decent graphics card. It should be more than enough to throw around BF2.

[Gunsmith]

forget buying one and build one, todays architechture is mostly plug and play AND you'll gain experiance from it for when something goes wrong later on

[Qdos]

I wouldn't really use a Dell, you can forget upgrading the mobo, case or PSU as they are all custom built and won't fit with any other components. Plus the Dell monitors have awful response times - not suitable for gaming.
Alienware make some lovely PCs, but you are paying through the nose for the brand. If you must insist on getting a built system, Mesh, Demonite or Aria are all names that seem to offer competitive deals. I find Custom PC always reviews pre-built systems, worth a read if you're going down that path.
Personally, I prefer self- building, as Gunsmith says, it's not that hard - if you have a friend who is "in the know" on hand to help with any problems, you should be fine. It will make life a lot easier when you go to upgrade your system if you already know what is in there. Plus, building your own system guarantees that you know exactly what's in there and you can specify exactly what you're putting in.
For £1000 you could build a system that will rival an Alienware, no sweat.

[Sharky2688]

When purchasing an alienware you get it custom built as as you get a number of options for changing parts, i.e size of memory, different graphics card ect. Could end up costing 1.5K

I have considered bulding my own computer and it is now growing on me, i have a mate that knows everything there is to know about computers and he said he will buld it for me and help me on choosing components!!!

[Gunsmith]

Originally posted by Sharky2688
I have considered bulding my own computer and it is now growing on me, i have a mate that knows everything there is to know about computers and he said he will buld it for me and help me on choosing components!!!

then you have no reason not to :)

[Sharky2688]

right thats it i'am building my computer, its gonna be a beast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i have a 1K budget is this enough?

my pc know it all mate can tell me when i see him at work but what components do i need to buy, i know i need a motherboard n stuff but what else do i need????

i'am getting excited now!!!! :D

[Gunsmith]

excellent, ok 1st things 1st, dont rush into it, plan it out before you buy the bits, speak to your friend on advice for this.

you need

case
mobo
power supply
cpu
hard drive
memory
gfx card
sound card
cd/dvd drive

if you want any advice tips tricks etc etc pm me on the forums and ill wing you my msn

:)

[Sharky2688]

wow thanks Gunsmith!!!

i gots my eyes on one superb looking case, its got neons!! how kool is that!

[10acious]

about as 'kool' as testicular cancer

A case is just a big metal box you put your components in. A shuttle however is a thing of utter beauty and functionality. Own a shuttle, you know you want to. (Ask gunsmith what a shuttle is)

[Storm]

lol tbh neons are soo 2000 :p

You know, with all that money you could buy a Mac with about a 1/4 of the power :p:

[LozB]

Originally posted by Storm
lol tbh neons are soo 2000 :p

You know, with all that money you could buy a Mac with about a 1/4 of the power :p:

yes but it will look so much nicer... nothing beats the purple see-thru iMac cube...

[Gifted]

apart from my VERY shiny imac G5 20" widscreen

after a week of using it the screen feels normal/small..

then i used someone elses pc with a 17" tft that doesnt have a resolution of 1680x1400 and it was HORRIBLE

[LozB]

Originally posted by Gifted
apart from my VERY shiny imac G5 20" widscreen

after a week of using it the screen feels normal/small..

then i used someone elses pc with a 17" tft that doesnt have a resolution of 1680x1400 and it was HORRIBLE

or the 23" cinema screen. now thats nice.

30" too damn expensive..

I just go to heelas and stand drooling. when the staff ask me i just reply... "urrrrrrrr im fine thanks, just leave me here".... ;)

[Knight ArmagoN]

Originally posted by Sharky2688
right thats it i'am building my computer, its gonna be a beast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i have a 1K budget is this enough?

my pc know it all mate can tell me when i see him at work but what components do i need to buy, i know i need a motherboard n stuff but what else do i need????

i'am getting excited now!!!! :D

Note some things are worth getting more than otheres...

For instance if you get a GF 6200 and have 4 gb of and a top notch AMD Processor, you will end up crying, as most power needs to come from the Graphics card at the moment.

Persoanlly to distribute your money well, Splash out on a decent graphics card and mother board, as processors will drop in price quicker than Graphics cards at the moment. You can get away with buying elixir brand Ram 2GB of ram for (DDR 400) for just over £100 is good, then change it to better quality as time goes.

and get a good power supply. Needs to be a stable power supply and clean (not much fluctuation)

So TOP 3 things to buy

Graphics card
Mobo
PSU

as long as you splash on these you are in good stead for future upgrades, overclocking etc :D

Oh and decide what you want to do with your media, For gaming i would suggest dual HDD system, as reinstalling a game is alot easier than trying to backup "Precious files" from a dead HDD or screwed OS.

[Gunsmith]

psu and memory are 2 things often overlooked as being important, many peeps think tey can get away with buying some Q-tec pap and some generic 2100 memory.

[Knight ArmagoN]

True but if you are too a budget, i would buy a Decent Mobo Graphics card and PSU over decent ram as cheap ram will work until you can fork out £250 on a gig of DDR 400 XMS-Cook-my-dinner-and-create-a-Cure-for-polio-in-an-hour RAM

If you see what i mean or buy DDR 400 Elixir non brand also poo but you get 2gig for £100 which makes up for the inadequescies.

Im using elixir at the moment till i get some cash for better :D

[andyf]

Originally posted by Qdos
Plus the Dell monitors have awful response times - not suitable for gaming.

Absolute RUBBISH.

[Inferno]

1. Good choice on building one i remember my first time god it was scary no one was there to help and turning it on for the first time you are just hoping it dont blow up (i dont know where i even got the idea they could blow up from?).

2. Choose your bits wiselly and where you get them from, i do recomend KustomPcs and extremepc's, ive had bad experiances with others who i shall not mention as this thread will turn into a flame war at them :D .

3. Case 2 ways a cheap nasty pre modded one or a normal case that you might decide to mod later on but for the time its asphetically pleasing, i like coolermaster casses prefferablly.

And then hardware do a lot of research i wish i did i have on my one now but my first one was just real compatability problems between certain bits of hardware, they should of worked but they didnt.

And if you need any help on building parts ect were always here to help or give me the £1000 and i will build it for you or go florida havent decided yet :p:

[Valane]

Originally posted by andyf
Absolute RUBBISH.

If your saying hes lying, then your probably just used to the ghosting and lag of a dell monitor, try another high spec ms time monitor and you'll understand why dell monitors are infact very bad TFT monitors.

If you have a 1000 pound budget, there are a few things you need to do.

Firstly, PM gunsmith, and ask him what to get.

Secondly, Build your own PC, while your friend watches and advises, so you get a feel for building and learn for your next PC project.

Thirdly, Enjoy pure speed.

Good luck.

[Sunderer]

I agree. Building a PC not only allows you to pick your own bits but you KNOW whats in it. Advent and Dell do quite good jobs but you just cant compare them to a PC you've built yourself :D

[Gifted]

just get a shuttle.


prolly built about 50+ of them now. can wack one out completly in about 20mins.

easy. hardly anything goes wrong.. if your a learner the manual is like technic lego! lol

[no friends]

Originally posted by 10acious
about as 'kool' as testicular cancer

A case is just a big metal box you put your components in. A shuttle however is a thing of utter beauty and functionality. Own a shuttle, you know you want to. (Ask gunsmith what a shuttle is)

rofl!!!




I built my pc without a ****ing clue what any of the parts did. Some parts i regret putting into it, tv card for one. only one hdd aswell :/
and a ****ty grfx card... :/

But still, i now have a sweet pc thanks to upgrades and shizzle!

[Sunderer]

I gotta disagree from what ive read *emphasis on the read because I havent actually built one* but theres a lot of chat that Shuttles are prone to cooling problems and prices for components seem to be always that bit higher.

[Qdos]

Originally posted by andyf
Absolute RUBBISH.

I will hold up my hands here and say I was somewhat hasty. I was looking to splurge an unexpected bonus on a new 19" TFT and, after spending most of the day shopping around, found that Dell do make some rather tasty TFTs with decent response times. And Aria are selling them much much cheaper than the Dell site.

So I now have a 19" Dell 1905 TFT winging its way to me :D

Consider me reformed :D

Of course, if it's crap, I'm going to be very annoyed!

[JeRkY]

19" is far too small

all the best people use "twenty inchers" :D

[Gunsmith]

e435s

best <200 quid monitor EVER

[Optimus]

Originally posted by Sunderer
I gotta disagree from what ive read *emphasis on the read because I havent actually built one* but theres a lot of chat that Shuttles are prone to cooling problems and prices for components seem to be always that bit higher. They don't suffer from cooling problems unless you've got them crammed with heat producing stuff (i.e. the processor, a stupid video card, something in the PCI slot, 2 hard drives, a DVD-RW and two memory sticks... all overclocked) and you don't have to worry about which direction the airflow has too go, as it can only go one direction...