RPGDX > Forums > Off Topic > New PC Question

B_Level · Lowly Slime Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 2

I’m in the market for a new desktop and was just seeking some advice, suggestions, preferences, etc. on what’s out there. I’m really interested in what people have/use as far as:
- Processors
- Memory
- Graphics Cards
- Sound Cards
I’d mainly be using the workstation for Game Dev and Music Production/Editing. I’m trying to stay in the $1,200 - $1,500 price range as well. I was considering going with one of the big manufacturers (Dell, Gateway, HP . . .) I realize I’m looking for some opinions here but any advice would help a lot. Thanks!

Terry · Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 11:20 pm Post subject:

You'll get one hell of a machine if you're prepared to spend that much money : just a couple of weeks ago I bought a second hand laptop on eBay for €350 (about $445) with a pretty solid spec - it's an IBM Thinkpad, which is a cool model to begin with - 1.8Ghz P4, 512MB Ram, 16MB ATI Radeon 7500, 40GB Hard Disk, and DVD drive. That would do what you're looking for pretty well.

On the other hand, if you want something absolutely top of the line, you can save yourself a lot of money if you build your own PC from scratch.
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Ninkazu · Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 4:55 am Post subject:

It's unquestionable. Build your own PC.

Go to newegg and find good parts (GOOD parts) and try to mix match to assemble a cheap yet über computer.

cowgod · Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 5:45 pm Post subject:

cowgod · Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 5:57 pm Post subject:

I just found http://www.tuxedopc.com/ , which has dual-boot Linux and Windows systems. To customize them, you have to call the company, unlike with Dell where you can customize them online. Even so, they have alot of different models available on their site.

js71 · Wandering DJ Joined: 22 Nov 2002 Posts: 815

http://www.overdrivepc.com/
You seem to have that kind of budget, at least. :p
Not too well known, but they're the next best thing to building your own, if not better.

Verious · Mage Joined: 06 Jan 2004 Posts: 409 Location: Online

I would recommend Dell or Alienware

js71 · Wandering DJ Joined: 22 Nov 2002 Posts: 815

Terry · Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2006 1:12 am Post subject:

It is not enough to say that Dell are overrated; these people have to be stopped!

Dell Spyware report

Alienware, on the other hand, I know little about. The machines I saw on that website are a little overpriced.

Honestly, building a PC really isn't that big a deal - hell, if I can do it... It's really a lot easier than it sounds, and it's also not as fragile a process as you might think either. I actually dropped my processor on the floor while I was putting the whole thing together and it worked fine.

So... it's been over a week now. Have you gotten a new computer yet? :)
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Adam · Mage Joined: 30 Dec 2002 Posts: 416 Location: Australia

Didn't dell buy alienware?

If you were going for a nice normal PC i'd recomend a dell, if you are expecting to be hardcore with it you are better off buying the parts seperate. Eitherway you will be formatting and putting the OS on yourself beacuse default Dell is just horrid nowdays.
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LeoDraco · Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2006 11:36 am Post subject:

I back those suggesting building your own from parts bought off of newegg; the site is great, their shipping is terrific, and I have not had any problems with the hardware I have bought from them. You do have to do some homework, but that is not too hard. The big thing you should probably start with is finding a good motherboard; this leads to the things you put on it. (For example, most motherboards these days are designed specifically for a given processor line in mind; motherboards are, most generically, divided between those that work great with AMD processors, and those that work great with Intel processors.) You would need to pick the products that would fit your motherboard. That's about all there is to it, really.

Personally, I like Intel over AMD, and nVidia over ATi, so, in looking for top-of-the-line pieces of hardware, I would make sure the motherboard supports those. (newegg is really good about this.) I also have become an adamant fan of SATA harddrives, recently, so I would ensure that the motherboard had onboard support for them (most modern boards would), preferably with an onboard RAID 5 controller.

On the other hand, if by "PC" and "desktop", you simply imply, "new computer", you could save yourself some hassle and pick up one of the macbook's; sure it is not a PC, nor is it a desktop, but it is damn sexy, and you don't have to worry about any of the concerns raised in this thread. It also falls in your price range. Personally, I'm eyeballing the 17 inch pro line, but that runs about double what you are looking to spend. As you want this machine mostly for development and composing, a mac probably would suit you better, regardless.
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