Build Me A Desktop ($6000 to work with):

[sockwars11]

Re: Build Me A Desktop ($6000 to work with):

http://www.alienware.com/product_detail_pages/Aurora_ALX/alx_features.aspx?SysCode=PC-AURORA-ALX-R3&SubCode=SKU-DEFAULT

http://www.alienware.com/product_detail_pages/Aurora_ALX/alx_features.aspx?SysCode=PC-AURORA-ALX-R2&SubCode=SKU-DEFAULT

best gaming pcs around

[Squeek]

Re: Build Me A Desktop ($6000 to work with):

^-- Biased opinion based on what his friends told him.

Alienware is not the best. ESPECIALLY not now since Dell bought them out.

~Squeek

[kickassbuddy]

Re: Build Me A Desktop ($6000 to work with):

I'm not really a computer expert, but at least put in a 30 inch Apple HD Monitor.

[Mindfields]

Re: Build Me A Desktop ($6000 to work with):

Computer speakers are great if they have their own Bass and Treble knobs. But be sure that if they have bass and treble knobs, then they had better be able to back that bass up and not go crapo past +3 on you.
Mine are NECs. I like them alot. Very simple, better than my stereo speakers, clear sounding, etc. That's the only brand I have a pro-bias for for speakers.

[Tasselfoot]

Re: Build Me A Desktop ($6000 to work with):

...I barely have room to fit the computer anywhere in the house. I certainly don't have room for a 30" monitor. I'm looking 21-24". Probably 21, since 24 is a decent bit more expensive.

And... yea. Alienware is overpriced. Besides the fact that while I didn't click those links, my guess is that those are not customized to meet my requirements.

[Grandiagod]

Re: Build Me A Desktop ($6000 to work with):

So your not looking for a tower huh, be too big? Hmmmm... I'll build one online tommorow.

[deposition]

Re: Build Me A Desktop ($6000 to work with):

You can run 8 instances of HL2 and still not take up 4gb of ram. Use that money to buy a x1900 card or two if you can, and you will notice a mamoth performace increase with this oposed to having 2 times as much ram available than your system will ever take advantage of.

"Liquid Coolant is a plus too, but I doubt it can be worked in under the price tag." I've seen a lot of liquid coolants on sale for under $80

[Tasselfoot]

Re: Build Me A Desktop ($6000 to work with):

I know nothing of what stuff means Depo... what is an x1900 card, and what is it being compared to?

Also, with the 4 gigs... I like leaving my computer on for weeks at a time. More ram the better. Plus, it isn't THAT expensive... and it has its own slots, so it isn't taking up slots that could be used for other stuff.

Grandia: I'm looking for a mid-tower, I believe... it'll go under the desk regardless, so I doubt the size between a mid and a full would be that big of a difference. If you're worried, make 2... one with a mid and one with a full.

[Thassodar]

Re: Build Me A Desktop ($6000 to work with):

X1900 ATI card: http://www.pricegrabber.com/p__ATI_R...900+Video+Card

If that link doesn't work, I'll just say it is currently just about the latest and greatest in video cards. And getting two of them will make your optical nerves explode. I do believe I saw a thing on G4 where you can link two cards together so that you would get the combined might of both cards... I forget what it was, but if you could get your hands on one, those cards would effectively be 1024 MB of pure graphical goodness.

As far as speakers go, look at Altec Lansing because they have AWESOME speakers (and the man who founded them used to be a part of JBL). They don't take alot of room, but they LAST FOREVER and sound hella good.

I haven't got a chance to hear Logitech's brand of speakers, but they're supposed to be good. Also, the higher amount of watts = the better sound output. Now that doesn't necessarily mean the best sound QUALITY. Creative Labs is good about quality and their price isn't too steep.

This is already too long, I'm gonna stop here.

[Squeek]

Re: Build Me A Desktop ($6000 to work with):

Talked to my friend. Suggestions:

1) Consider making a 3-4k budget for this and saving some money for a future purchase. Technology is about to hit another breakthrough in coming years (Intel working on a new core, Vista, video cards, etc) and you might want to upgrade later.

2) If you really want rockin' game performance, it's better to use two video cards than it is to have 4 gigs of RAM. He suggested 2 or 3 gb. I'd say no to three unless it's two 1gb sticks and two 512mb sticks.

3) Shy away from lights and crap. Stick to case fans. Why? He suggested well over 600W (650 recommended) in the power supply. Your computer is going to be doing a lot. It'll need it.

4) He recommended a Dell LCD. He doesn't support Dell desktops, but he says the LCDs are rivalling Apple's monitors on the market. Look into it.

I'll get him to send me / post the specs later.

~Squeek

[kickassbuddy]

Re: Build Me A Desktop ($6000 to work with):

...I barely have room to fit the computer anywhere in the house. I certainly don't have room for a 30" monitor. I'm looking 21-24". Probably 21, since 24 is a decent bit more expensive.

Okay, how bout a 23-inch HD Apple Monitor? Just $1,300. I hope it isn't that expensive in your thoughts.

I always dream of putting two 30in. HD Apple monitors side to side. The only problem is that I can't put it on my computer desk and only probably in the living room. O_o

[Tasselfoot]

Re: Build Me A Desktop ($6000 to work with):

I'm bumping this, as it is getting closer to when I'm actually going to buy it (ie, within the next 2 weeks).

I really would like some expert opinions (not that those already given aren't)

[jwcgator]

Re: Build Me A Desktop ($6000 to work with):

I would try www.ibuypower.com , they have a really good customizer, and i customized a very top of the line computer for about 5700 dollars

[Tasselfoot]

Re: Build Me A Desktop ($6000 to work with):

I wish someone would come in here about be like... "You want THIS sound card, THIS video game, THIS processor, etc etc etc"

Because I can just go and pick the most expensive one... but I don't really know that it is what I want. Or if there is one that I could find elsewhere for slightly more than is much better.

The only things I know I want are top video/sound cards, 4 gb of RAM, 1 TB of HD, 2 CD Drives, Floppy Drive, Small speaker set w/ Woofer... and I'd like the tower to look sleek, although not that important. The rest of the stuff, I have no idea what I need... I just want the best stuff I can get for under 6 grand. Plus some kind of warranty. And a 21" LCD monitor.

[dascookieman]

Re: Build Me A Desktop ($6000 to work with):

3) Shy away from lights and crap. Stick to case fans. Why? He suggested well over 600W (650 recommended) in the power supply. Your computer is going to be doing a lot. It'll need it.
~Squeek

Unfortunately I am not that much into this stuff anymore but are you/your friend really sure he will need 600W? That seems like something that would be needed if you maybe had like 8 HDDs. My guess is 450W will be enough, a pretty standard computer like the one I'm having now has a 300W, and it is very rarely using over 200-250 and I have my comp on until windows gets unstable (weeks). But as I said, I'm unfortunately not into this stuff much anymore, but this might be something you want to double-check at least. But I guess a 600W isn't that expensive anyway.
edit: Another thing about this, a 600w is probably very loud sounding, might want to look that up as well.

And another thing, buying fans for your tower is not expensive at all and it is very useful. Also be sure to have good cooling for both your CPU and GPU.

And one last thing, why the hell would you want to spend this much money on your computer? I am very curious to know what it's being used for, but I guess being prepared for the future might be good... would be nice to know if it's something particular anyway.
And sorry for any bad grammar/spelling.