I GOT a new computer!

[Ωbright]

My budget is $600.00.

Does anybody have any advice? I think I'm looking at the wrong time of year, because I'm getting a lot of "ITEM OUT OF STOCK". I don't need alienware or anything, but I want to get the best graphics that I can for the price.

Should I build my own? I'm just scared of compatibility issues. No, terrified. I've had horrible luck lately with 'this doesn't work with that, which works with that but not that or that' crap.

I found one at WalMart that's 600 bucks, but after doing some pretty extensive research I've found that its chipset is really not the best, graphics-wise. But when 'the best' is $600 for JUST the graphics card, does it really matter? From what I've read, Radeon is the best for the money, but I'm still having trouble discerning which is best in my price range.

I've been researching this for a while now, but I thought I'd see what you guys might suggest.

Ho ho ho

[John Mora]

Re: I need a new computer

$600 isn't a lot when you're talking about wanting a lot of graphical power under the hood.

[Ωbright]

Re: I need a new computer

Yes, I realize that, but I guess what I'm asking is what is the best I can hope to buy, graphics-wise, for $600? Like I said, it doesn't have to be alienware.

Right now I'm sitting here with a chipset that has been completely nullified by Windows XP. ALL of my openGL render paths are gone, and directx isn't doing much better. I'm stuck in 24-bit color mode for the first time since 1998.
I don't want to talk about any of that though...just saying. Yeah. Doesn't have to be alienware.

[Valkysas]

Re: I need a new computer

who would want an alienware computer anyways? overpriced, badly built garbage. and some of the worst customer service around.

you shouldnt want an alienware computer.

nobody should want an alienware computer.

[DK]

Re: I need a new computer

Build a nice computer with a budget card and up the card when it's more convenient for you.

[Ωbright]

Re: I need a new computer

who would want an alienware computer anyways? overpriced, badly built garbage. and some of the worst customer service around.

you shouldnt want an alienware computer.

nobody should want an alienware computer.

For that price it aught to have a miniature cylon inside. The new models look like ass anyway.

[Alzar]

Re: I need a new computer

I just bought one of these: http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...52921644659496

Slightly over your budget but a really really great laptop. Blu Ray, nice screen, can run Crysis.

[The_Real_Crunk]

Re: I need a new computer

If you lived not too far away Id sell you the one Im trying to sell.

Windows XP
Pentium D 3.0ghz
8800GT alpha dog
4gigs 800mhz ram
300gig HDD
TV Tuner card

But hell you can find parts for this exact build and easily only spend like $300. Maybe a little more if you get a newer quadcore procesoor instead of the Dual Core, and a newer videocard. 8800 GTs are friggin kickass videocards though. The 9000 line of nvidia cards are almost literally just repackaged 8800GTs, and hell you can probably find an 8800 GTS for like $80. GTS being better than the GT model.

[Ωbright]

Re: I need a new computer

Build a nice computer with a budget card and up the card when it's more convenient for you.

Well see that's what I've been wanting to do, but it's basically what I've already been trying to do (on a lesser scale) for the last 4 months, and pulling my hair out. I have external drives. I'll even settle for a smaller HD and less ram just to get better graphic capability RIGHT NOW. I'll just get a card with a lot of ram on it.

Sigh... but you make a good point. Dammit.

I just bought one of these: http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...52921644659496

Slightly over your budget but a really really great laptop. Blu Ray, nice screen, can run Crysis.

The cobalt blue one almost made me cry. But yeah, that's out of my range. I've thought about getting a laptop, but I wouldn't want to order one online. I'd much rather see the display in person. I believe you when you say it has a nice screen though, and if I could I'd definitely get one.

If you lived not too far away Id sell you the one Im trying to sell.

Windows XP
Pentium D 3.0ghz
8800GT alpha dog
4gigs 800mhz ram
300gig HDD
TV Tuner card

I want that.

I'm looking at Tiger Direct, but so far comparable parts seem to be running a bit higher than that. Where do you shop for parts?

[The_Real_Crunk]

Re: I need a new computer

Find small computer shops, as they will usually have older stock they want to sell for cheaper prices. Big stores are ripoffs when it comes to PC parts and prices.

There is also always www.newegg.com They have just about any computer part you could possibly want, and all for pretty good prices.

9800 GT video card for $108.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130435

[DK]

Re: I need a new computer

Pretty much a 9800 is the best you're going to need unless you're doing some heavy video editing.

[Ωbright]

Re: I need a new computer

Considering that I already do some pretty heavy editing of raw AVI files up to 4 Gb with this hocked loogie of a chipset, that's really all I need to know.

Awesome.

[The_Real_Crunk]

Re: I need a new computer

More ram, or better ram would definatley help out with video editing. Are you running 32 bit or 64bit? How much do you have already? Cause most times ram can be pretty cheap, and going up from 2gb to 4gb can make a crazy amount of difference.

Edit- hell, just download CPU-Z and post screenshots of the different tabs. Its a kickass, easy and quick way to basically see what kind of build you are running.

http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

This way we can see if you might have horribly crappy and slow ram.

[Ωbright]

Re: I need a new computer

My current comp is running 500 Mb ram, which is the most it can run. That's why I want a new computer. I didn't say that editing AVI files that big was easy...it's not. It's laggy and takes forever, but I do it because that's all I have to work with right now. But if it's possible (if annoying) with my Intel810 chipset, then it HAS to be better with that card. And really, it's the playback of said AVI which is the real problem. I might see about 1 frame every hundred or so. I always have to edit as uncompressed AVI, then compress it with divx to view it.

I'm just going to have to look at all these bookmarks I've saved tomorrow, and try to put something together when I'm not about to fall over.

[Sampson]

Re: I need a new computer

Don't build. (This coming from a guy with three custom built desktops.)

You have an entry-level budget so you're not going to save much money, if any doing a custom build. You'll have to shell out $100 for the case and power supply alone.

Shop around for a pre-built desktop on sale. That's your best bet.