Whats a good computer brand.

[crhscoog]

Unfortunately, I dont think that I'll be able to build a computer, because my parents don't want to go through the issue of possible RMAing and the time spent researching and building. So I was wondering what brand computers are good for gaming, but at the same time not expensive. Im looking to not spend more than $1500 so yeah. I'm currently thinking of getting the Dell XPS 720 seeing that I can get a $200 gift card also.

 

[theDreamer]

For <1600:

~Maingear
~Velocity Micro
~AVA Direct

 

[crhscoog]

for ava direct am i able to overclock?? also is it reliable and trustworthy??

 

[Dangman]

For AVA Direct, I think you can opt for an overclock option. Not too sure though. Try asking the AVA Direct people for more info. And yes they are trustworthy and reliable according to the multitude of praise they get in the Computer and Gadgets forums from time to time.

 

[crhscoog]

hope so.. looks like cheapest way to buy a affordable gamin system when not building it yourself

 

[Dangman]

Well there are cheaper ways/businesses but you sacrifice a serious amount of workmanship, support, quality and stability.

 

[crhscoog]

really? like what companies?

 

[crhscoog]

bump

 

[Dangman]

www.cyberpowerpc.com
www.ibuypower.com

Avoid those companies like the plague. IMO, they really do make some crappy PCs and you're better off building your own PC then going with those companies. The ones that theDreamer mentioned are some of the best PC boutiques out there with regards to quality, support, workmanship and stability.

 

[crhscoog]

gah I wanted to oc but i guess its not gonna happen then.. hmm I looked at those sites but find dell cheaper..

 

[crhscoog]

im 95% sure that i wont be building my computer. Im looking around for pc that will run q6600 and 8800gt for not too pricey

 

[digital_exhaust]

If you choose to go with Dell, you will not be doing any overclocking... and I second danny's advice to avoid Cyberpower and ibuypower....

 

[crhscoog]

hmm im still tempted by ava direct although itll cost like $500 more than building it myself... but i have no choice

 

[Dangman]

If you select your parts right, then you lower the risk of an RMA if you build it yourself.

 

[crhscoog]

phew.. good

 

[crhscoog]

my parts i look to get goes something in the lines of:

(this was list i was planning to use when i thought i was building it myself)
Cooler Master 690
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811119137
Microsoft Windows Vista 32-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16832116202
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0 Stepping Kentsfield 2.40GHz 8MB L2 LGA 775
http://clubit.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=A1938452
GIGABYTE GA-P35C-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813128048
Crucial 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820148144
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3500630AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
http://clubit.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=A3476919
Sony NEC Optiarc AD-7190A-OB 20X Dual Layer Black DVD ± RW Writer EIDE OEM
http://clubit.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=CA1578134
CORSAIR HX CMPSU-620HX 620W Active PFC NVIDIA SLI Certified Modular ATX Power Supply
http://clubit.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=CA6200027
Thermalright Ultra-120 EXTREME
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/thulex.html
EVGA 512-P3-N802-A1 GeForce 8800GT Superclocked 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130303

but i may have to degrade some stuff if the total price is too high for me. dual core or quad core i question myself... q6600 seems like a safe bet for future games and applications. if any you see anything i can change so i wont overspend then id appreciate if u post them

 

[magoo]

Here's what you should look at:
VelocityMicro
Puget Systems
Maingear

If you want to order a box, remember that there are "extras" that you get, beyond that if you build the box.......selection,warranty,customer service.
If you build, you are the tech support. If you buy,you have the security of someone covering your back, and if you order from any of the above, you'll be in expert hands......that's what they do.........and their stuff is researched to be compatable......if we build,sometimes we have to guess.
I think any of the three above will supply you with parts that will Overclock.....you just want to know if it will hurt your warranty if you screw something up.
I love to build because I love the challenge of troubleshooting, I love wire management, I love to drill holes, and I think watercooling is great fun.....but I have the time and money to do it and if something breaks I have the resources to replace it without it being painful to my wallet.

 

[crhscoog]

yeah building looks like a fun thing, but i guess ill build whenever i start earning my own money which should be by the time ill need to buy another computer probably in 4-5 years

 

[Dangman]

I concur with magoo's sentiments exactly

But here's a quick critique of your parts:
Since oveclocking is part of your current plans, you really don't need that Crucial RAM to OC the Q6600. C2D systems run best when the FSB and RAM are at a 1:1 ratio. Any cheap set of DDR2 800 would work:

Q6600:
Multi x FSB, RAM Speed = Clock Speed
9 x 266Mhz, DDR2 533 RAM = 2.4Ghz <== Stock Speeds
9 x 333Mhz, DDR2 667 RAM = 3.0Ghz <== Good OC
9 x 400Mhz, DDR2 800 RAM = 3.6Ghz <== Excellent OC

In addition, there's no real benefit to having a faster or larger FSB. If you were building, I'd have recommended getting this set of RAM:
G.SKILL F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ 2 x 1GB DDR2 800 RAM - $55

Also, ditch the P35C-DS3R. By the time DDR3 is cheaper and faster, there will already be a newer chipset that will actually take advantage of DDR3 RAM. Go for the non-C version of that board instead to save some money.

As for the HSF, I recommend getting the Ultima 90 instead. It's performs pretty close to the Ultra 120 Extreme but it's cheaper and smaller which makes it easier to install:
Thermalright Ultima-90 HSF - $46 & Panaflo FBA09A12M 92mm Fan - $3

 

[crhscoog]

hmm i just remembered about the new processors that are coming out in Q1 2008. should i wait for those? ive seen some sites that have their pricing and they seem pretty decent priced.

 

[Heather Taylor]

If there's anything I can help you out with, please give me a call. I don't mind answering any questions you may have about what's out there, even if you decide to go with a manufacturer other than Puget. You can ask Magoo...I just like to yap. LOL.

Heather

 

[engiNURD]

I agree with Danny.

As for the new CPUs... if you can wait, then do so. When you can no longer wait, buy. There's not a HUGE difference in performance between a Q6600 and a Q9300, so its not really worth waiting for, IMO.