Looking at new laptops

[Warpdrv]

http://www.xoticpc.com/laptop-manufacturers-really-makes-laptops-ip-11.html

Good read there about laptops and who really makes them...

 

[Matt34]

Soooo, I've expanded my search to desktops as well. Found a company called Doghouse systems that make some nice gaming destops.

 

[lsiberian]

I just got an HP Pavilion Entertainment PC for about 650 and it runs just fine. It's got a quiet audio outputs and a IR support too. It runs an AMD chipset which I prefer.

 

[Matt34]

I swear Dell keeps dragging me back. Built this Alien-ware and despite what most people say, comparing this to similar equipped machines the price is hard to beat.

https://ecomm2.dell.com/dellstore/basket.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&itemtype=CFG&oid=381fa0f6-ca84-489f-8bb2-8ee2d07bda21

I'm also digging this company but they are a little bit more for a comparable setup.

http://www.doghousesystems.com/v/armor_es.htm

 

[Warpdrv]

Which alienware... you linked your shopping cart and it didn't come up buddy...

 

[Matt34]

Which alienware... you linked your shopping cart and it didn't come up buddy...

One of these with 6gig of DD3 RAM, Intel Core I7 920 2.66, Nividia GTS 240 1GIG, 640gig HD and Blu-ray player.

http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/desktops/alienware-aurora/pd.aspx?refid=alienware-aurora&s=dhs&cs=19

 

[jeffsg4mac]

Like I said before that is my one HUGE beef with Apple is I can't build something like that Doghouse system for around 1200 to 1500 bucks. The Mac Pro's are an awesome machine but just to expensive for me.

Matt, That Doghouse machine you linked to would be a Killer Linux box Put this version on and you are all set. Ubuntu Studio

 

[majorloser]

One of these with 6gig of DD3 RAM, Intel Core I7 920 2.66, Nividia GTS 240 1GIG, 640gig HD and Blu-ray player.

http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/desktops/alienware-aurora/pd.aspx?refid=alienware-aurora&s=dhs&cs=19

So how did we go from a laptop to a $1,200+ micro ATX machine?

Man, you can built a sweet micro ATX machine for less than that. You can even go with Core i7 and SLI video!

I've been really thinking about re-building my desktop cube with this baby as the motherboard:

http://www.evga.com/products/moreInfo.asp?pn=121-BL-E756-TR&family=Motherboard Family

 

[Matt34]

So how did we go from a laptop to a $1,200+ micro ATX machine?

Man, you can built a sweet micro ATX machine for less than that. You can even go with Core i7 and SLI video!

I've been really thinking about re-building my desktop cube with this baby as the motherboard:

http://www.evga.com/products/moreInfo.asp?pn=121-BL-E756-TR&family=Motherboard Family

Because I can't make up my mind, lol. I'm set on getting a desktop for sure now. If I could build one I would, I never have before and wouldn't know where to start or what's compatible. A lot of the technical talk is completly forign to me.

 

[majorloser]

Because I can't make up my mind, lol. I'm set on getting a desktop for sure now. If I could build one I would, I never have before and wouldn't know where to start or what's compatible. A lot of the technical talk is completly forign to me.

If I can do it, anybody can. What's the worst that happens? You buy all the gear, assemble and get somebody else to load the software and configure.

 

[Quickley17]

If I can do it, anybody can. What's the worst that happens? You buy all the gear, assemble and get somebody else to load the software and configure.

+1. It's a very rewarding process, and you can get pretty darn smart on it just by reading a couple of how-to's. You don't really need the technical knowledge to know how to put it together, just what is compatible, and computer manufacturers are pretty good about stating what types of memory, pin interfaces, etc are required for their products.

 

[Matt34]

If I can do it, anybody can. What's the worst that happens? You buy all the gear, assemble and get somebody else to load the software and configure.

I don't know, I guess I can look into it tonight. I've done basic stuff like replace RAM, optical drives, HD etc. The motherboard-processor compatiblity and the new heat sink/liquid cooling stuff has me concerned. I don't want to spend all that money and have it overheat on me. I already have windows 7 here and I know how to install that.

It does sound like I'll have plenty of support even on this forum if I decide to go that route.



Edit: I'll get on Newegg tonight, put something together and post it up and see what you guys think.

 

[Matt34]

Ok I've started, LOL.

Newegg.com - LIAN LI PC-A70F Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

Open to PSU and MB suggestions.


-I'll be taking this to Korea with me in a few months so my gaming is going to increase. Other than that, all I'll be using it for is to surf the web, music and the occasional movie. Right now my priority is to play WOW on max settings and to play games like MW2 and Left for Dead 2 easily.

 

[bandphan]

http://usa.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=6i86Hj0lGriFHfY9&templete=2

 

[Quickley17]

A couple of your links were to 1500-1700 dollar systems. Is that what you're planning on spending?

For cases, I have this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129024&cm_re=antec_sonata-_-11-129-024-_-Product

I generally recommend it to everyone, but its not as nice looking. If you won't have it in a well ventilated area, an extra (optional) front fan will be good to promote a current through the case.

 

[Matt34]

A couple of your links were to 1500-1700 dollar systems. Is that what you're planning on spending?

For cases, I have this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129024&cm_re=antec_sonata-_-11-129-024-_-Product

I generally recommend it to everyone, but its not as nice looking. If you won't have it in a well ventilated area, an extra (optional) front fan will be good to promote a current through the case.

My max is $2000, less is better of course.

 

[Matt34]

Found this build appealing. Would change up a few things such as upgrading to a ATI 5970 GPU and another cooling fan or different case to get temps down.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/build-own-pc,2503.html#comments

 

[Warpdrv]

Building computers is fun and pretty easy..... and a very good learning experience. I have been building them for 10+ years, and have always used Asus boards, only had 1 of them puke on me of the 40-50 computers I built...

I would highly suggest them....

Lian Li makes great cases... No question about it...
Look into good quality cooling fans, quiet but reliable.

Don't skimp on the RAM, get Matched sets Name brand stuff, not generic. Crucial, Corsair, Ocz, they generally have a lifetime warranty.
Buy 2 X the amount of HD space you want and set it up as a mirror RAID, so you don't lose the data if you can... Most motherboards provide this onboard.

Its nice - times have changed and there are so many options out there to work with and you can build a sweet setup for relatively cheap...

 

[majorloser]

Found this build appealing. Would change up a few things such as upgrading to a ATI 5970 GPU and another cooling fan or different case to get temps down.

Buy two of those mega-GPU's and go Crossfire.
I'll second the Lian Li cases. They have some nice features. I also like Silverstone cases for looks. But not cheap.

Man, you went from laptop to micro-ATX cube to full blown tower. So much for easy portablility.

 

[Matt34]

Ok, here is what I have so far so lets work with this. We (ok I) could go at this for weeks coming up with different builds. Any glaring compatibility issues? I really would like a SSD for the Operating system but just can't justify the price, maybe next year. Complete overkill for WOW.....but I don't care.

https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=8626089