Topic: Desktop

[*<JO>*Yanto]

I'm considering getting a new desktop in the near future and wanted any opinions on the current plans I have for one especially the GPU. Other options to the 4GB GTX 690 are a single. 2gb gtx 680 or the dual 2gb sli 680. Also the 3gb amd 7950 in single or dual versions. All of which are GDDR5. I want one that's really going to last and cope with even intense games on high setting, including MMOs.

Alienware Aurora ALX Matte Black 875W Chassis
PROCESSOR   Intel® Core™ i7-3820 (Four Core, 10MB Cache 3.60GHz)
OPERATING SYSTEM   Windows 8 64bit, English   edit
GRAPHICS CARD   4GB GDDR5 NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 690
MEMORY   8192MB (4x2GB) 2133MHz DDR3 Quad Channel
HARD DRIVE   2TB SATA 6Gb/s (7200RPM) 32MB Cache
OPTICAL DRIVE   8X Blu-Ray RW (Blu-Ray, DVD, CD read & write) & 24x DVD +/- RW W8
SOUND CARD   Sound Blaster® Recon3D Sound Card
Dell UltraSharp (24") LED monitor VGA,DVI,DP (1920x1200)


*<JO>*Yanto

[*<JO>*Alpha]

Seeing as you're getting a new build, not tempted to grab a solid state drive to whack your OS on? Hotukdeals has fairly decent ones cropping up on a weekly basis.

[*<JO>*Yanto]

I don't quite understand the differences between the two. There is a 500GB (7200RPM) Solid State Hybrid + 1TB SATA 6Gb/s (7200RPM) 32MB Cache option.

Even a raid version of the one in those specs, but I have no idea what a normal sata and a raid one.

*<JO>*Yanto

[*<JO>*Ekul]

If you're getting a desktop, I probably wouldn't recommend an Alienware. They're essentially nice Dells with a markup for the name.

I know some places in the US that are good for building custom PCs, but I don't really know good UK builders. Here is a thread I found that suggests a couple of places: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/414-40-custom-builders. They said Scan or Overclockers.co.uk are much better quality than alienware or cyberpower.

As Master Alpha suggested, a solid state would be a lot faster, even if it just has your OS on it.

[*<JO>*Wellkey]

If you are thinking about Sli I would rather buy stronger graphic card because most games don't support SLi anyway and in the future when the graphic card will not be enough buy another one to SLi.
I agree with Master Ekul on the alienware.
And if you want really fast startup of OS buy like 100 Gb SSD flash disk. Startup of OS is like 1-3 seconds.
I wouldn't recommend the win8. I believe that win8 is preferred by some people but make sure you will use it before you buy it.
download trial version and test it out

[Elod-Hora]

I actually like windows 8. But... you have to get used to it.

And yes, add a good ol' SSD. I've got a 120GB Samsung and it's really awesome.

Regards,
Elod-hora

[*<JO>*Alpha]

I know some places in the US that are good for building custom PCs, but I don't really know good UK builders. Here is a thread I found that suggests a couple of places: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/414-40-custom-builders. They said Scan or Overclockers.co.uk are much better quality than alienware or cyberpower.

Those are the two places I've always bought my computer stuffs from. Hell, if you live close to Staffordshire like I did back when I was studying, you can drive there and pick it up the same day of ordering it. To be honest, you're better off looking for each of those parts on those sites, doing a bit of research to alternatives if they're not for sale, and just doing as Master Ekul said and slapping it together. I'd have been pretty stuck if it weren't for Master Rando though, he's helped me numerous times over the years with boosting my rig.

Yeah, you don't really need that big an SSD. One like Knight Elod's does the trick, because all you really want to dump on it is the OS and a couple of essentials. I think mine's ~180gb, and I didn't even feel that was necessary. The speed difference however, I've felt, is pretty much night and day. My computer starts up a lot faster, the general browsing and using of Windows just seems quicker... Only disadvantage is you have to do a bit of pratting around in regedit or whatever to switch over your programfiles etc to your second drive.

[*<JO>*Ekul]

When I've needed a new computer, I use the forum at Overclock.net and ask there for what a good build would be. I always end up with a great, economical build.

Then I put it together myself. You don't get the warranty (although each part has a manufacturer's warranty), but you get the satisfaction of doing it. Also, then you know a lot more about your computer. It's really pretty easy too if you have any DIY skills at all.

[*<JO>*Yanto]

Problem is I have no idea how to build one or what is needed other than the basics. Reason I go for dell is my last three have been - which have never let me down and support if needed was always good with next day repairs if needed.

Plus it would seem the Alienware AURORA ALX, ses to be something that most things can just slot in to upgrade, rather than screws and what ever else there is.

I've had my current Dell XPS 430 for about three years now, only during playing games like TOR have I noticed I have to have every setting low, even then lag in republic fleet etc. which completely degrades the experience for me. I'm not sure if its the GPU or CPU. Either way it seems easier to get a fairly high end system that's easy to upgrade in the future - without having to spend to long learning what goes where and how.

*<JO>*Yanto