Might be getting new PC

[gekko]

:eek:

My PC is just getting way too slow for my tastes, and it's acting up again. Old ass 600mhz PIII with Radeon 64MB DDR. Some like generic sound card and all.

Anyway, I just can't stand it anymore. Games like ghost Recon move slowly, and with new games like Neverwinter Nights coming out that recommend a better setup than I have, I think it's time.

Thiniking of getting the old Alienware Area-51, with a few customizations. Would build one, but I don't know if it's worth my time. Then I'm gonna rip my CD-RW and HD out of my current PC, and put RedHat on the other drive.

Any suggestions on whether I should build or just buy?

Edit: Alienware setup:

2.53ghz P4, 533 fsb
Intel D850EMV2 motherboard
512MB RDRAM PC-1066
Enhanced Windows Keyboard
60GB Seagate Barracuda 7200rpm drive
NEC 19" FE950+ MultiSync monitor
GeForce4 Ti4600
Sound Blaster Audigy 5.1 Gamer
16x DVD-ROM
Internal 250MB Zip
Klipsch 4.1 THX speakers
Intel Pro/100 S Ethernet card
Windows XP Pro

[Cyrax9]

Originally posted by gekko
:eek:

My PC is just getting way too slow for my tastes, and it's acting up again. Old ass 600mhz PIII with Radeon 64MB DDR. Some like generic sound card and all.

Anyway, I just can't stand it anymore. Games like ghost Recon move slowly, and with new games like Neverwinter Nights coming out that recommend a better setup than I have, I think it's time.

Thiniking of getting the old Alienware Area-51, with a few customizations. Would build one, but I don't know if it's worth my time. Then I'm gonna rip my CD-RW and HD out of my current PC, and put RedHat on the other drive.

Any suggestions on whether I should build or just buy?

Edit: Alienware setup:

2.53ghz P4, 533 fsb
Intel D850EMV2 motherboard
512MB RDRAM PC-1066
Enhanced Windows Keyboard
60GB Seagate Barracuda 7200rpm drive
NEC 19" FE950+ MultiSync monitor
GeForce4 Ti4600
Sound Blaster Audigy 5.1 Gamer
16x DVD-ROM
Internal 250MB Zip
Klipsch 4.1 THX speakers
Intel Pro/100 S Ethernet card
Windows XP Pro

Sugesstion #1. Don't Buy a PC ;)

Ok, ok it was a Joke, here's some helpful info:

Get a 5.1 Speaker system and SoundBlaster Audigy 5.1 with the "control Box", that let's you conect all sorts of crap to your PC.

Lose the 16X DVD-ROM Drive
:eek: , I know it sounds bad, but trust me, usualy the DVD-ROm drive DOESN'T PLAY DVD'S !!! , I've had mine replaced and repaired, and it still dosen't work, you'd be better off using a TV DVD plaer, or a Mac DVD-ROM drive.

If you're running Linux, why do youwant WinXP Pro? Get WinXP Home if Linux is going to be your "main" OS.

Also, if you aren't Networking the PC, don't bother with the Ethernet Card, if you ahve a High-Speed setup that can use USB, get an extra USB Card, you'll be thankful in the end.

Also you're ordering from Alienware, right? Don't buy a regualr "Black Box" tower, get the system done-up in one of the 133t color's. My favorites are, in this order:

Nova Yellow, Conspiricy Blue, Saucer Silver, Cyborg Green, and if you realy are a sicence freak, Martian \Red, which is a reddish-orange color, just like Mars.


Finally if you do take anything out, use the money you saved for a Larger HD, 60GB is now considered "Standard", which means it'll be obsolete in two weeks, get a larger, preferably 120GB IDE HDD at 7200 RPM or better.

Hope this helps Gekko.

[gekko]

I would get 5.1 speakers, but I really have no place for 5 speakers. As for the front panel, I don't really need it. I doubt I'd ever touch it if i got it.

And that's another problem with Windows. DVD drives need to be compatiable with the video card, and the DVD player software. Fun huh? But I will never watch DVD movies from it. I got two stand-alone DVD players, and 3 working ones on my computers as it is. I just want the DVD drive so it can read DVD discs.

Linux won't be my main OS. Mac OS X is my main OS. I just like messing around in Linux, it's fun. And Windows XP Pro is a little more advanced when it comes to networking and stuff.

My PC will be networked. And even so, USB connection? Ick! Networking is much more universal, and without an ethernet port you can't do LAN parties or anything either. I have all my computers networked together, it's half the fun. Multiplayer Halo? ROFL! Playing your friend on UT when he's sitting right behind you is how FPS should be played. With the new computer, I'll play on one, my friend on one, and then have the 3rd host it.

Me getting silver.

As for HDs, you gotta remember this thing won't be my main computer. It won't be holding a billion MP3s, it won't have a lot of stores images and files on it, and it won't have tons of applications installed on it. I got my Mac for all that stuff. I'm basically getting a new PC for games, and that's about it. And for some strange reason, I don't suspect I'll be using 60GB worth of games any day soon. And if I do, I'll buy another drive.

I do appreciate the opinions though.

Since the post, a few things have changed:

Dropping the GF4 Ti 4600 for the 4400, saving $95. Gonna upgrade to the new Direct X 9 cards this fall, so I'm stepping it down for now to save money. Also dropping the zip drive for a fast CD-RW. Since my old one in my old comp was only 8x write, I think I'll just leave that computer assembled as is, and then go ahead and have 3 desktops working at all times. Allows my mom to do her crap when I'm playing games, or just running multiple machines at once.

[Cyrax9]

Ok, I have a DVD-ROM game, and DVD-ROM exclusive movies, the don't work in the DVD-ROM drive, plain and simple. If you're getting the Drive just for games, make sure it's the very first thing you test, Alienware will fix anything EXCEPT your DVD-ROM drives.

You might be able to find a 5.1 speaker set-up that has a "flat" 5th speaker, these are no larger than the DVD-ROM drive's front pannel, and they work ppretty well, I think I saw one that coul be "mounted" on to your monitor, but I don't know how good it is.


Since this isn't your main Computer, te 60GB hDD is fine, but you'll kick yourself if you don't leave room to add another one when you fill it with 50-million Multi-player games like I'm doing right now.

As for the ethernet card, I don't have this PC networked, but I have another POC that runs the Exact same Cable Modem, and was benched at a snails pace on an ethernet adapter, compared to USB, but since you''re throwing LAN parties, the ethernet card is a given, I used a USB port because I needed the extra PCI slot for my Video Capture Card, which was put into a slot that I rpped a 56K mode out of, I've still got the 56K modem in case I ever lose my cable connection.

Also, make sure you buy a SURGE PROTECTOR!!!! IF you're using your network, make it an APC Back-UPS surge protector, these are better than what Alienware offers, and they have a lifetime warrenty, I fried two of the non Back-UPS variety, and got a replacement, for free, and didn't lose any data on my PC.

The ones I fried were the craptacluar model though, and my PRO8T2 surge protector's have taken a beating and have never broken, Gateway and DEl ship these with their High-End Servers and I've found them to perform admirably on my Alienware PC, sao if you can find an APC unit, buy it. I'm thionking abut geting the $60.00 PRO8TV model, which, as the name suggests is a professional unit with two "always ON" outlets, a phone-jack supressor, and a cable supressor for "TV's" and "Cable Modems". It's one step up from the PRO8T2 that I have, but if you're running a netwrok, you need something that protects your high-speed line.

Also, since you saved some cash with the Video card, consider buying a Hardware MPEG-2 Decoder if you have a Big-screen TV, and want to show off your UT skills when you Frag the poor SO next to you, if you really want to deal their ego a blow, record the shot onto a VHS Tape, or a DVD, I'm buying a $1000 DVD Recorder for my TV this summer, and it's going to replace my VBCR for recording TV programs, just don't think about copying DVD's from Blockbuster, it's got a copy-protection unit built in like any other Recorder, and will only "copy" your DVD's that you've already burned, it also acts like a TiVO, so it's worth the hefty Price tag. THe DVD Recorder/PLayer is made by Panasonic, and if you want to realy have a multi-media room, this belongs in it.

If you haven't picked one out already, buy a printer, some are dirt-cheap, and will work just fine. I hope this helps.

[Old Skool]

Originally posted by Cyrax9
Finally if you do take anything out, use the money you saved for a Larger HD, 60GB is now considered "Standard", which means it'll be obsolete in two weeks, get a larger, preferably 120GB IDE HDD at 7200 RPM or better.


Hell no go for the 60GB Seagate Barracuda one hell of a good drive the 20Gb Barracuda sucked but once again the Barracuda name is at number one with the 60GB (good move) well in less you want to go real high end that is.

[gekko]

Originally posted by Cyrax9
Ok, I have a DVD-ROM game, and DVD-ROM exclusive movies, the don't work in the DVD-ROM drive, plain and simple. If you're getting the Drive just for games, make sure it's the very first thing you test, Alienware will fix anything EXCEPT your DVD-ROM drives.

You might be able to find a 5.1 speaker set-up that has a "flat" 5th speaker, these are no larger than the DVD-ROM drive's front pannel, and they work ppretty well, I think I saw one that coul be "mounted" on to your monitor, but I don't know how good it is.


Since this isn't your main Computer, te 60GB hDD is fine, but you'll kick yourself if you don't leave room to add another one when you fill it with 50-million Multi-player games like I'm doing right now.

As for the ethernet card, I don't have this PC networked, but I have another POC that runs the Exact same Cable Modem, and was benched at a snails pace on an ethernet adapter, compared to USB, but since you''re throwing LAN parties, the ethernet card is a given, I used a USB port because I needed the extra PCI slot for my Video Capture Card, which was put into a slot that I rpped a 56K mode out of, I've still got the 56K modem in case I ever lose my cable connection.

Also, make sure you buy a SURGE PROTECTOR!!!! IF you're using your network, make it an APC Back-UPS surge protector, these are better than what Alienware offers, and they have a lifetime warrenty, I fried two of the non Back-UPS variety, and got a replacement, for free, and didn't lose any data on my PC.

The ones I fried were the craptacluar model though, and my PRO8T2 surge protector's have taken a beating and have never broken, Gateway and DEl ship these with their High-End Servers and I've found them to perform admirably on my Alienware PC, sao if you can find an APC unit, buy it. I'm thionking abut geting the $60.00 PRO8TV model, which, as the name suggests is a professional unit with two "always ON" outlets, a phone-jack supressor, and a cable supressor for "TV's" and "Cable Modems". It's one step up from the PRO8T2 that I have, but if you're running a netwrok, you need something that protects your high-speed line.

Also, since you saved some cash with the Video card, consider buying a Hardware MPEG-2 Decoder if you have a Big-screen TV, and want to show off your UT skills when you Frag the poor SO next to you, if you really want to deal their ego a blow, record the shot onto a VHS Tape, or a DVD, I'm buying a $1000 DVD Recorder for my TV this summer, and it's going to replace my VBCR for recording TV programs, just don't think about copying DVD's from Blockbuster, it's got a copy-protection unit built in like any other Recorder, and will only "copy" your DVD's that you've already burned, it also acts like a TiVO, so it's worth the hefty Price tag. THe DVD Recorder/PLayer is made by Panasonic, and if you want to realy have a multi-media room, this belongs in it.

If you haven't picked one out already, buy a printer, some are dirt-cheap, and will work just fine. I hope this helps.

Ya, you're dealing with compatability issues with your DVD-ROM drive. The one I have on my current PC runs the DVD-ROM features from the movies just fine. I don't really care too much about it though. As long as it works to read DVD discs, like the multi-disc games that have come on DVD, and the discs I burn to transfer data, it's all good.

For speakers, I've seen a few that also allow the speaker to tilt down, so you can place it on top of your monitor. My main problem is positioning the rear speakers, got no real place to put them. But since I'm not planning for this computer to be a home theater system, but rather my gaming machine, I might stick with a 4.1 setup. 5.1 is a little too expensive for my tastes, and I've heard great things about the Logitech Z-560.

I might bump the HD up to an 80GB, thinking I might want to make my game CDs into disc images and run the game from that. It's only $20 more.

For your benchmarks, you're being limited to 10Mbps somewhere along the line. If you want the full 100Mbps, you gotta be using the right cables, and router. Usually it's the router that causes problems. I'm considering dumping a gigabit ethernet NIC into this thing so I can hook it up to my G4 via a gigabit cable and get the 1 digit pings :)

And my printer is fairly new (bought within the last year). I'm good.

[sdtPikachu]

If you're not going to be storing a shedload of music, then a 60 G should do you fine - once I get DSL, I can see myself easily filing up half a terabyte of HD within a few years, so if you think you're going to need a lot of storage space then RAID it up. Otherwise, don't bother. Persoanlly, if you're running a home network, I'd put a 20 GB HD on every local machine and keep most of the storage space as RAID on my local server/firewall (running Linux, natch ;))

It's a pity you're running XP (I'd recommend 2000 over it any day, but people do so adore those shiny buttons, don't they?), but still def go for the pro version. Yes, it's even more overpriced than the home version, but the extra networking and security functionality it gives you comes in handy, esp if you're networking at home. LAN setup with the home version is reputed to be a nightmare.

[gekko]

It's being used primarily as a gaming machine, so XP will run it better. Also my scanner have issues with 2K. Either way, I heard people flipped back and forth between them, but eventually chose XP. Either way, I still own 2K, so I can switch.

Just placed the order:

Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 2.53GHz 533MHz FSB w/
512KB Cache
512MB RDRAM PC-1066
80GB Seagate Barracuda ATA IV 7200RPM 2MB Cache
NEC 19" FE950+ MultiSync Flat CRT
NVIDIA® GeForce4 Ti 4400 w/128MB Dual Monitor
KoolMaxx Video Cooling System
SoundBlaster Audigy 5.1 Gamer
16X /48X IDE DVD-ROM Drive w/Software MPEG-2 Decoder
PlexWriter 40X/12X/40X CD-RW
Intel® PRO/100 S Desktop Adapter (Ethernet NIC)

Also getting Logitech Z-560 speakers, and planning to upgrade video card this fall.

[Cyrax9]

Looks Good Gekko.


I don't even have m Ethernet card connect to a router, it's stright into the Cable-modem, and then straight into the wall, IO benched'em both, and the USB 1.5 modem is faster, don't ask me why, it just is, maybe it's because I'm using "Gold-Plated" cables, I don't know.

I'm also closer to the Cable-out from the house, so that Might have smething to do with it, but the other machien sucks cvompared to the USB Modem, which also holds the Ethernet port. I'm going out tomorrow, and grabbing the followiung form some Computer stores:

- A DECENT USB Hub

- A USB Gamepad

- some other random stuff.

I'll have a new Keyboadr on MOnday, I got a new mouse yeatserday, ad I had to order a replacment MPEG-2 decoder again, because I fried the oen that was in my machine somehow, and the last one I had was also defective.

I have a DVD-ROM game tha I upgraded to from 5 CD-ROMs and I can't play it, the Pioneer 116 DVD-ROM drive is a mess, so try to get another brand stuck in your PC.

I also agree with Pika on Win2K, but I'm running WIndows ME and Ive added EMS Memory with the help of a webpage at Col;umbia niversities websites for WordPerfect, Ironically this also work well for DOS games in Windows ME.

If you saw my new Desktop, you'd know that it's still indows ME, just with a DLed Theme.