best computer for gamers under $3k

Which manufacturer makes the best gaming computers?

  • Alienware

    Votes: 7 25.9%

  • Digital Storm Online

    Votes: 6 22.2%

  • Cyberpower PC

    Votes: 3 11.1%

  • Origin PC

    Votes: 4 14.8%

  • [url]www.GamingPC.net[/url]

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • [url]www.FaclonNW.com[/url]

    Votes: 12 44.4%
  • Total voters
    27
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gamerjosh

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Jun 30, 2011
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Hey my gaming experience has been quite laggy lately and im wanting to get a new system before battlefield 3 comes out. I keep trying to build my own but it gets tricky because I also need a system that can handle video editing as well as gaming. Not to mention everytime I get all of my parts in the newegg checkout it comes out to be over budget. Im not the best at knowing what hardware works with what, so I'm probably just going to buy a computer from a specialized company.

My budget is around $3k and I'm considering either Alienware or falcon nw... the only thing about alienware is that they are owned by dell! does anyone know any other good companies where I can get the best bang for my buck?

Josh
 
You have a budget of $3k.... If you want to really spend that much, you should build your own. a $3k system self build would cost around $5k+ if you bought it pre-built.

What resolution do you want to run at?

Do you want multiple video cards (SLI or Crossfire)?

Does the $3k include a monitor? If not, what monitor do you already have?
 
Zenshi said:
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1103241

Guidelines here include no statements on "you can build it yourself for cheaper" it seems.
Click to expand...

Well, the OP did not mention anything about anything on that "do not" list.

That post doesn't say anything about not trying to stear somebody away from buying an overpriced pre-built as long as specifics aren't mentioned.

I would be glad to do a workup of a home-built system if the author wants to post in the General Hardware forum.
 
Did you read the link?

The OP didn't post in the General Hardware forum...he posted a Poll in this subforum.

Your other questions are valid however.

OP: From when I did my research, Alienware was overpriced in comparison to other companies like Maingear, Digital Storm Online and Puget. And Falcon NW was ever more expensive than Alienware. So when I purchased, neither of these companies were in the running for my money.

@ OP...you should add Max Force to that list. They had prices that beat out Cyberpower and AVA Direct and Max has a couple good reviews from Tom's Hardware. In addition, there are a few of us here who have bought from them and I haven't heard a single complaint in the three years since they sprang on the scene.
 
I can't recommend a particular one other than recommending NOT going with Alienware. Insanely overpriced - a memory upgrade to overclocked DDR3 will have them charge you $1,600 ALONE for RAM that was already factored into the base price and probably cost $200-$300. Disgraceful.
 
I have actually checked out them out, they have some really good systems... im going to post my newegg shopping cart specs to get some feedback...
 
You must be attempting one epic computer on Newegg. I tried my best to break your budget without getting too extreme on parts. I'm not hassling the OP to build himself, I'm just curious what kinds of parts he was trying to purchase off Newegg before.

In my previous experience CyberPower was usually a good price point vs. building your own.


0OUKd.png
 
Of those, Falcon is probably your best choice.

I got mine from Max Force. No complaints.
 
reg411 said:
Of those, Falcon is probably your best choice.

I got mine from Max Force. No complaints.
Click to expand...

Same here,over two years now,not a single problem and still going strong. And at a price none of the others could beat.
 
iBuyPower should be looked at as well. You can get a very good overclocked 2600k System, watercooled, with multiple GPU's for much less than $3000 there. I'm surprised they actually make money given the individual prices of the component in their preassembled PC.
 
Don't go with either Cyberpower or Ibuypower on account of their their low quality of construction and support.

I'd go with Puget Systems myself.
 
I drool at the thought of what can go into a $3000 machine.

And yes, Danny is correct, Cyber and Ibuy do not have good reputations in either of the must-have(for boutiques anyway) departments.
 
fps_krumm said:
You must be attempting one epic computer on Newegg. I tried my best to break your budget without getting too extreme on parts. I'm not hassling the OP to build himself, I'm just curious what kinds of parts he was trying to purchase off Newegg before.

In my previous experience CyberPower was usually a good price point vs. building your own.


0OUKd.png
Click to expand...
Kick ass build. If I was stupid enough to spend $3k this would be the build! I would only change out the CPU cooler for something else. The ram is fine, but I'd go for a 16gb matched kit vs. two 8gb kits just to ensure compatibility. I currently have 2 of the same 8gb corsair kits, one is v 1.5 the other is ver 1.57. They don't work well together :(
 
I'd be happy to put the machine listed above together for you for a nominal fee and ship it to you. Install windows + updates and whatever software you want. I know that sounds sketch but I've done it before, have a good eBay rating, you'll have my home address for security, etc. etc.
 
You should really consider building one, it's really easy and you'll save money.
 
As many have said, FalconNW is an excellent place to purchase a pre-built PC. A relative of mine purchased the FragBox and it is gorgeous (though, he didn't opt for the expensive paint job :D). High-quality components and easy-to-deal-with customer support.

Also, don't they make all of their parts? And, if not, don't they at least have all American-made components? I can't remember.
 
ive always built my own, but heard some good things about cyberpower

this build came in $1k under budget, includes all the peripherals such as kb/mouse, monitor, speakers, win7

should do you fine for gaming and rendering (wnet nvidia since AMD rendering is far less supported)
only thing overkill is the PSU, just so you have chance of future upgrades (even if you pay geek squad to do it)

Case: * CoolerMaster 690 II Advanced Mid-Tower Gaming Case [+36] (Black Color)
Internal USB Extension Module: None
Neon Light Upgrade: None
Extra Case Fan Upgrade: Default case fans
Noise Reduction Technology: None
CPU: Intel® Core™ i5-2500K 3.30 GHz 6M Intel Smart Cache LGA1155 (All Venom OC Certified) [+90]
Freebies: None
Venom Boost Fast And Efficient Factory Overclocking: No Overclocking
Cooling Fan: Asetek 510LC Liquid Cooling System 120MM Radiator & Fan (Enhanced Cooling Performance + Extreme Silent at 20dBA) (Single Standard 120MM Fan)
Motherboard: [CrossFireX] Asus P8P67 Intel P67 Chipset DDR3 ATX Mainboard w/ UEFI, DIGI+VRM, 7.1 HD Audio, BT GO!, GbLAN, USB 3.0, 2x SATA-III RAID, 2 Gen2 PCIe, 2 PCIe X1 & 3 PCI [B3 Stepping] [+69]
Intel Smart Response Technology for Z68: None
Memory: 4GB (2GBx2) DDR3/1333MHz Dual Channel Memory (Corsair or Major Brand)
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580 1.5GB 16X PCIe Video Card [+519] (Major Brand Powered by NVIDIA)
Freebies: None
Video Card 2: None
Video Card 3: None
Dedicated PHYSX Card: None
Multiple Video Card Settings: Non-SLI/Non-CrossFireX Mode Supports Multiple Monitors
Power Supply Upgrade: 800 Watts - CoolerMaster Silent Pro Gold 80 Plus Power Supply (80+ Gold) [+148]
Hard Drive: 120 GB Intel 510 2.5 inch SATA III 6.0G/S Gaming MLC Solid State Disk [+290] (Single Hard Drive)
Freebies: None
Data Hard Drive: 2TB (2TBx1) SATA-III 6.0Gb/s 64MB Cache 7200RPM HDD [+119] (Single Hard Drive)
Hard Drive Cooling Fan: None
External Hard Drive (USB3.0/2.0/eSATA): None
USB Flash Drive: None
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-B123L 12X BLU-RAY Player & DVDRW Combo [+58] (BLACK COLOR)
Optical Drive 2: None
Sound: HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIO
3D Vision Glasses: None
LCD Monitor: * 24" Widescreen 1920x1080 Asus VH242H LCD w/ Built-in Speaker, DVI, & HDMI [+175]
2nd Monitor: None
3rd Monitor: None
Speakers: Logitech Z313 2.1 DT speaker [+48]
Network: Onboard Gigabit LAN Network
Network Switch: None
Keyboard: Xtreme Gear (Black Color) Multimedia/Internet USB Keyboard
Mouse: XtremeGear Optical USB 3 Buttons Gaming Mouse
Mouse Pad: None
Gaming Gear: None
Extra Thermal Display: None
Wireless 802.11B/G Network Card: None
External Wireless Network Card: None
Wireless 802.11 B/G/N Access Point: None
Bluetooth: None
Flash Media Reader/Writer: None
Video Camera: None
Headset: None
Printer: None
Cable: None
Power Protection: None
Surge Protector: None
IEEE1394 Card: None
USB Port: Built-in USB 2.0 Ports
Operating System: * Microsoft® Windows 7 Home Premium [+104] (64-bit Edition)
Media Center Remote Control & TV Tuner: None
Office Suite: None
Games: None
Ultra Care Option: None
Service: STANDARD WARRANTY: 3-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY PLUS LIFE-TIME TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Rush Service: NO; READY TO SHIP IN 5~10 BUSINESS DAYS
 
*Sigh* When will people learn? There's a reason why Cyberpower and Ibuypower have so many consumer horror stories associated with them in forums and ratings sites. These people spend more on flashy mass advertising than they do on quality control.
 
check out maingear bought from them everything went good and the wiring was awesome couldnt of asked for a much better experience.
 
Had an absolutely horrible experience with CyberPower. Long story short, sent it back after 20 days and got an AVAdirect, have had it 3 years and counting with no problems. Buyer beware with Cyber/Ibuy.
 
I'd say alienware because it's Dell and dell has a fairly decent warranty.

FalconNW has some sexy builds though.
 
Build your own. I just did it for the first time and I had minimal issues. Plus, I have really long warranties on all of my parts.
 
Where are the mods in this thread? People advertising, people repeatedly telling the OP to build his own even though he has a FRICKIN poll for the boutiques in the original post. Was "build it myself" one of the choices?

No.

My god...someone even linked this subforums rules...in this very thread.
 
BlackholeShawn said:
Where are the mods in this thread? People advertising, people repeatedly telling the OP to build his own even though he has a FRICKIN poll for the boutiques in the original post. Was "build it myself" one of the choices?

No.

My god...someone even linked this subforums rules...in this very thread.
Click to expand...

I said to build it yourself, but if you have to buy it from a vender then I'd buy from Maingear as I have bought from them before. They are legit.
 
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