New PC help

[Pileyrei]

Hello all you hardcore UT fans

My Dell Dimension 8250 is 6 years old and so it's time for an upgrade :v

I'm looking at a Dell XPS system. What do you guys make of the beast below?

*Dell XPS 720
*Intel® Core™ 2 Quad-Core Q6600 processor (2.40GHz, 1066MHz, 8MB cache)
*Microsoft Operating System Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium - English
*Memory: 4096MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [4x1024]
*Video Card:SINGLE 768MB nVidia® GeForce® 8800 GTX graphics card
*Hard Drive: 500GB Serial ATA RAID 0 Stripe [2x250GB 7200rpm drives with DataBurst™ cache]

I want something that I don't need to upgrade for at least 2-3 years and that will handle any new game I throw at it, especially UT3 on max settings :D:

I'm looking into building my own pc too but at the minute I'm just as happy to pay a little extra to Dell for the conveince, plus they will have to test it before they ship. I am concerned in that I've heard of issues with Vista and the above mentioned video card not working too well. I though about loading XP but then I'd only be able to install around 3GB memory max! (so I've been told).

I would value people's comments and/or suggestions

Greetz
Piley

[assrat]

I am concerned in that I've heard of issues with Vista and the above mentioned video card not working too well. I though about loading XP but then I'd only be able to install around 3GB memory max! (so I've been told).
That has nothing to do with Vista, but if your operating system is 32 or 64 bit. A 32 bit system can only allocate 4 GB, and including the video memory and other stuff this is only enough to address around 3 GB of main memory.
There's also a 64 bit version of Windows XP.

[Nikumba]

Looks like a good spec, as far as I know the GTX work fine under Vista, the main sticking point with Vista is SLI still doesn't work correctly.

But other than that you shouldn't have a problem

kimbie

[Diakatarnis]

Spec isnt bad tbh only question is... how much are they going to charge you.

Also check what motherboard they have in it, as the newer dells have been playing funny funny and removing all the items not in use. Ive even seen new dells with no AGP OR PCI-E ports because they had built in gfx cards :|

they seem to have got into the mindset that their machines will do only what they are descrived to do nothing more and have removed most of the ports internally to save pennys :|

you need to find out the make & model of the motherboard, whether or not they are using descent ram or the usualy cheapy cheap stuff and most of all what they are expecting you to pay for it.

OH ANNNDDD are they still using those really nasty plastic cases? +descent psu would be lovely as well.

All in all i would prolly go in at £850 for a machine like that with branded parts. (just a guestimate based on machines that are same spec built recently)

[Diakatarnis]

Looks like a good spec, as far as I know the GTX work fine under Vista, the main sticking point with Vista is SLI still doesn't work correctly.

kimbie

Indeed SLi for me under vista is painful i get the dreaded this nldkmdl thing and tbh at the moment i can run all games on max everything at 1900 x 1200 with no issues at all.

[Pileyrei]

Right!

I'm going to buy quality components from around the web and build my pc from scratch, rather than going the Dell route.

The main reason being that any future upgrades should be fairly easy compared to that of a Dell system, as I discovered with my current 8250 Dimension recently.

Thanks for the suggestions all.

Piley

[oxy]

try n build to a spec like the one you posted as it will have noooo problems running UT3.

already mentioned about XP being unable to handle 4gb ram and dont touch xp64 with a barge pole ... tried it n there is so little support for it and hardly anything will work with it i found.

vista is getting better but is still a fair bit off imo but ofc its your choice

i would personally recommend a evga mobo as mines rock solid n comes with more ports n slots than a high class hooker :P

[Pileyrei]

^^

:)

[Pileyrei]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UPDATE:

I'm not going with the Dell XPS system.

Instead, I'm sourcing the parts and getting it built at www.scan.co.uk for roughly the same price.

My greatest concern is the video card. I don't see the point spending £480 on an Nvidia card!!! I'm torn between the Nvidia card shown below in my new pc specs or a 1GB HIS HD 2900 XT PCI-E(x16) 512Bit 400MHz GDDR4, GPU 743MHz CrossFire 2xDVI/HDTV Retail Boxed (link: http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=664336)

I've checked over some bench mark tests for various games and decided on an Nvidia card. I would appreciate hearing back from anyone has has the card and has run the demo, IE does it run well on high settings.

My new pc to be ordered! (unless someone can see a problem here)

Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 32Bit
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad-Core Q6600 G0 SLACR, 95W, S775, 2.40 GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 8MB Cache
Memory: 4GB RAM: CorsairTwinX XMS2, DDR2 PC2-6400 (800), 240 Pins, Non-ECC Unbuffered, 4-4-4-12, DHX
Video Card: Nvidia 320MB XFX 8800GTS XT, PCI-E (x16), Mem 1700MHz, GPU 560MHz, 96 Streams, 2x Dual Link DVI/HDTV

What do you think? Will the above run UT3 uber smooth? Plus any other game I try for the next year or two? Do I go with the Nvidia card or the ATI one shown at the top.

Greetz
Piley

[Flash_]

Sounds good Piley!

I think you did the right thing in getting it built instead of Delled, too. All the Dells I've used are quite sluggish for their spec even when the memory's been expanded. They're fine for office work but for a gaming system I'd roll my own. :)

[Ciber]

Thats a nice spec, should run UT3 really well :)

edit: Oh if you're going vista, I would go 64 bit. I would also choose home premuim over ultimate as ultimate really offers nothing extra that you will use. If you can get sorted drivers for it, it should be better all round tham 32 bit and seeing as sosrting the drivers is what you're paying someone else to do in the build, why not eh! :)

[ez64]

Buying a quad core and getting only a 320mb 8800 is just plain silly for gamers.

get a gtx and a lower quad core or a dual core

and 32bit vista ultimate I think has the same problem with 4gb of ram show has 3.2 or 2.7

[Ciber]

8800 gts is all you need unless you're getting a 30" screen tbh.

[Pileyrei]

Sounds good Piley!

I think you did the right thing in getting it built instead of Delled, too. All the Dells I've used are quite sluggish for their spec even when the memory's been expanded. They're fine for office work but for a gaming system I'd roll my own. :)

Cheers Flashman

The main reason is to have the opportunity for upgrades without having to worry if parts will fit my Dell.

Piley

[Pileyrei]

Thats a nice spec, should run UT3 really well :)

edit: Oh if you're going vista, I would go 64 bit. I would also choose home premuim over ultimate as ultimate really offers nothing extra that you will use. If you can get sorted drivers for it, it should be better all round tham 32 bit and seeing as sosrting the drivers is what you're paying someone else to do in the build, why not eh! :)


Did I hear 64bit does not work with the demo?
Also, I want to be able to network this pc with my work laptop. Someone told me the home edition doesn't do that? Or is that the most basic version of Vista that does not allow it?

Piley

[Pileyrei]

Buying a quad core and getting only a 320mb 8800 is just plain silly for gamers.

I've checked over bench mark results and that card has performed very well, better than it's 640MB cousin. I'm not a hardcore gamer, I just want a super fast PC for UT99, UT3 and possible one or two more games. The rest is used for internet browsing and MS Office work.

and 32bit vista ultimate I think has the same problem with 4gb of ram show has 3.2 or 2.7

I'm paying a company to build the machine. They won't realease it until it works to the specification I want. I'm happy to go with the 64 BIT version but I've heard there can be problems with some games? Sorry, I don't have any facts to back that up, just what I read on the UT3 forums over at Epic.

Any confirmations or suggestions?

Piley

[Pileyrei]

8800 gts is all you need unless you're getting a 30" screen tbh.


Cool.
I have a single DEll 19" Ultra Sharp Flat Panel Screen. That's all I want to use.

Piley

[ez64]

ok stay with the gfx card but dont waste money on a quadcore if all your doing is ms apps and low power games UT3 is not too demanding on the cpu a dual core £400 less is fine

its just a waste of money not a invesment

[Pileyrei]

ok stay with the gfx card but dont waste money on a quadcore if all your doing is ms apps and low power games UT3 is not too demanding on the cpu a dual core £400 less is fine

its just a waste of money not a invesment

The quad one I'm getting is £144.49. I'm ok with that.

[NJ.]

Ah there he is :), never see piley playing and headshot me on multiplay.co.uk I thought he was retired ;'(

vista bussiness is the following up of xp pro
ultimate got all the things of business and premium (mediacenter) In vista you got dx 10 support (must have)

i agree with the videocard story. But the following up with wanted specs of the new games
goes fast.

example (for the snipers under us)

new game next month (no cursing i hope?) crytek min specs:

Recommended System Requirements:
OS--Windows XP / Vista
Processor--Intel Core 2 DUO @ 2.2GHz
Memory--2GB RAM
GPU--NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS/640 or similar !!!

you can consider an mainboard with fsb 1333 and ddr3 (1066, ddr2 677 is much cheaper also ok)
an raid configuration with striping 10000 rpm harddisk helps also verygood
dont forget an brand heavy powersupply (min 500 watt) min 2 gb the higher in vista the better.


good luck with you new pc.

[ez64]

Sorry I thought you meant on of the real quad's, I didnt even realise they were going that cheap.

im not too happy with my amd x2 5200 costing more than that.

[Ciber]

Muy amd 64 4000+ single core cost more than that when I bought it, £240 lol.

[Pileyrei]

Lol NJ

My current pc setup is crap (literally the desk its on) and with real life stuff on teh go I have been very quite with the UT99 stuff. I'm still on a mission to get the crap n ghey server full again ;)...........but when I have a chance to breathe :)

Thanks for the comments all. Haven't ordered anything just yet....still thinking about it......it is a bit of money to part with just like that.

Piley

[Unplugged]

Spec isnt bad tbh only question is... how much are they going to charge you.

Also check what motherboard they have in it, as the newer dells have been playing funny funny and removing all the items not in use. Ive even seen new dells with no AGP OR PCI-E ports because they had built in gfx cards :|

they seem to have got into the mindset that their machines will do only what they are descrived to do nothing more and have removed most of the ports internally to save pennys :|

Dell have always done this but it tends to be on the budget range machines where there is no Grahics Card option to select on their site. IF you ordera a PC from the range where you can get it as an optional extra the slots will be there. If you order a Dimension PC all cost is stripped out as thats what people ordering cheap PCs want.... something that will work people who care about upgrading will buy a decent machine or build thier own.

you need to find out the make & model of the motherboard, whether or not they are using descent ram or the usualy cheapy cheap stuff and most of all what they are expecting you to pay for it.

OH ANNNDDD are they still using those really nasty plastic cases? +descent psu would be lovely as well.

All in all i would prolly go in at £850 for a machine like that with branded parts. (just a guestimate based on machines that are same spec built recently)

I dont think he rearlly has much to worry about buying a machine with the spec he is. If you buy a top end spec machine then you dont have the issue with missing slots etc. The PSU will be addequate for the hardware and if not its dells problem thats why they have warrantys ;)