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How much should i pay for my PC?

  • Thread starter Thread starter SpeedyExpressCouriers
  • Start date Start date

How much should I payfor a PC with the spec below?

  • Under £1000

    Votes: 8 47.1%

  • £1000 - £2500

    Votes: 6 35.3%

  • £2500 - £5000

    Votes: 2 11.8%

  • £5000+

    Votes: 1 5.9%
  • Total voters
    17
  • Poll closed .
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S

SpeedyExpressCouriers

I'm buying a new PC for home use which will be used for gaming, browsing of the net. I aslo use software such as 3DS Max, AutoCAD, Maya, Cinema 4D so need a good performance PC.

How much do you guys think i should be paying for a PC with the spec below? The PC will/may be purchased from Alienware and the price will be revealed in 7 days from today.


Processor: Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 3.0GHz 12MB Cache 1333MHz FSB - Overclocked to 4 GHz!
Operating System: Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate - English
Chassis: Alienware P2 ALX Chassis - Space Black
Chassis Customisation: Alienware AlienIce3.0 Video Cooling + AlienFX System Lighting + Alienware High-Performance Liquid Cooling for Windows Vista
Motherboard: Alienware Approved X38 Motherboard
Includes onboard Draft N wireless, PCI-Express 2.0, and DDR3 memory
Graphics Processor : Dual 1GB ATI Radeon HD 2900 XT - CrossFire Enabled
Video Optimiser: AlienAdrenaline v1.0: Video Performance Optimizer
Memory: 4GB Low Latency Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz - 2 x 2048MB
Power Supply: Alienware 1000 Watt Multi-GPU Approved Power Supply - UK Powercord
System Drive: Extreme Performance - RAID 0 - 2.0 TB Serial ATA 3 Gbit/s 7,200 RPM with 2 x 32MB Cache (2 x 1TB)
Additional Storage Drive: None
Primary CD ROM/DVD ROM : 4X Dual-Layer Blu-ray Disc Re-writable
Blank Media: Panasonic Blu-ray Disc, 25GB Rewritable
Enthusiast Essentials: Dual High Performance Gigabit Ethernet Ports
Physics Processor : AGEIA PhysXPhysics Processing Unit PCI-E
Sound Hardware: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Gamer
Network Connection: Dual High Performance Gigabit Ethernet Ports
Network Connection: High-Performance Integrated Wireless 802.11n/g/b + Access Point
Monitor: 24" Dell UltraSharp Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor - Supports Blu-Ray
Speakers: These will be purchased from Bose or Bang & Oulfsen
Keyboard: Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard - UK
Mouse: Logitech G9 Laser Gaming Mouse
Removable Storage: Alienware 28-in-1 Digital Media Reader / Writer
 
Way over spec Naz, unless you are a really serious 'extreme' gamer - and even then still excessive imho.

I really do not like overclocking, and question its uses these days. With that processor I cannot see what you'll get from the overclocking except reduced lifespan.

The above spec is gonna cost you, yet you could knock up a PC for less than half the price which would still be a 'great' PC.

I know you asked me for a price, but personally I wouldn't be building the above unless I got to change some of the spec (and you might not like it).

Don't listen to me though - I really hate extreme gaming systems in general :)

If you want a guy who knows his Gaming machines, then Jamie at Asonda is your man. He'll even get your case sprayed if you want it.


Some spec though !!!
 
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Thats the kind of spec to run the most demanding games for another three years on full settings. Although it's all overkill the processor needs to be quad core as most games in the making now are quad core.

The AGEIA PhysXPhysics Processing does not support alot of games and ATI and Nvidia are already working on having physics processing done by a core on their future cards plus nexgen games will have physics effects handled by the cores on a quad core CPU.

You can afford to upgrade more often if you you buy the second or third best hardware and even second best is overkill.

For that kind of money you can afford to build yourself a dual socket computer with two dual core processors and upgrade it with two quad core processors in the future.

For 3D work if i could not build my own computer, I would buy a workstation from Boxxtech they have far better support than Alienware and they also sell rendering nodes.

Why has it got 4GB ram ? Windows XP or Vista 32bit can only use 2GB per application. Theirs no game out there that requires more than 1.5GB Ram.

For 3D rendering you should choose more processor cores over 3D graphics power as the rendering does not use the graphics card.
 
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Sounds like you've just done a search for the most expensive parts for the sake of it :)



Processor: Why the Spec you provided? What justification have you got for such a ridiculous fast machine? Get the Intel Core 2 Duo E6750.
Operating System: Mmm.. I'm an XP man.
Chassis: Alienware means money. My case sits under my desk. The blue neon light at the front got annoying after three days - that is now disconnected. Nobody can see the case... why waste money?
Chassis Customisation: Is liquid cooling really necessary? CPUs are designed to be cooled by Heatsink and Fan. Unless you're over-clocking the CPU (and seriously degrading its life-span) there's no point in water cooling.
Motherboard: ALIENWARE is one of those horrible names like "Tony&Guy" where the ingredients are the same, only the branding is different. Justification for Alienware? None. Gigabyte? 1333MHz as can be found in my machine: http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?QuickLinx=4MTJ
Graphics Processor : ATI are good. I don't personally like NVidia from past experience with the High Definition. ATI are good :) But I already said that. Can you justify such a high quality card?
Video Optimiser: Why do you need a video optimiser? What quality is better than High Definition?
Memory: 4GB!? Wow :D I've got 2GB on this machine with Photoshop, Firefox, mIRC, two Puttys, CMD, MSN, VNC, AVG, Outlook, Word, Powerpoint, Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player, FileZilla, Eclipse, and HAPEdit all running... i'm at about 1.3GB used (my mem speed is only 800MHz, but it's still super fast!!
Power Supply: When are you going to use 1000WATTS?! 500 maybe. 1000? Are you connecting Iran to this supply?

The rest are just Crazzzeeeee :D

Please indulge my curiosity, what are you going to be doing on this machine? Finding a cure for cancer whilst watching Shrek III ?


P.S. My new computer cost me £363 - including delivery... Plus a Hanns.G. 22" widescreen 1080p monitor at £180.
 
Upvote 0
In all honesty i don't see why people pay over the odds for computers when what they have bought is likely to be out dated before it arrives via courier :rolleyes:

You can pick up a more than acceptable gamers PC for £800 - try the MESH G92 Pulse Pro - more than adequate for gaming and more office based tasks; even has the ability to add a second graphics card if so needed (despite it being more than capable of handling future direct x10 games).
 
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Hi,

Wow, That spec would certainly blow you away when you come to use it.

It is quite OTT however you are going to be in good stead for a good amount of years to come. I'd expect to see that in the £2500 - £5000 bracket, Purely because of the Overclocked Processor, Blu-Ray Drive, Crossfire Cards, Liquid Cooling, 24" monitor and the most expensive OS, Vista Ultimate. These are all the higher end stuff Alien Ware just does!

If you want to spend that kind of money and not think anything of it, you will be getting one 'awesome' machine, that, in the right crowd of friends, would impress.

On the other hand though, it's ALOT of money. You better want to keep it forever! and use it as much as you can!

Before you listen to people about Vista. The main gripe is that it uses silly system resources and needs a decent PC to run smoothly and an even better one to run quickly. You DEFINATELY won't have any problem there. If you're going to get all Vista Compatible software, then go for Vista. Vista SP1 is VERY nearly on Public Release, and there are ALOT of core fixes and enchancements for compatibility, speed and resource management.

Now, Very kindly, Mark (Comspec) recommended me and thanks for your PM Naz.

Now for my Pitch :)

This machine, would be like nothing else you have ever used or seen in your life (if, of course, you have never seen a £3000 approx machine running)

The trouble with AlienWare, Vadim (two mentioned in this post) and others is that they have positioned themselves as market specialists, they are the AMG division of Merc, Cosworth of Ford, AC Schnitzer of BMW. Thing is, the only thing your paying for is that badge and that custom Alienware case.

Yep, We've done trials here, spraying PCs, Custom Artwork etc. I've actually got a specialist Case Supplier in the midst who if all goes well, will have some absolute corkers that could well look better than the AW cases.

My personal favourite case right now though, is the NZXT LEXA. Beautiful.

What else would you like to ask us?

One thing, and this is one thing that I particularly don't like, is seeing Intel Chips, with Ati Graphics Cards. AMD Bought ATI for gods sake and boy, do the new line of componants work well together.

The trouble is though, I'd always suggest AMD, Comspec would always Suggest INTEL, unless I held him to gunpoint ;)

These days it's personal preferance and depending on how much background you know about the company and it's products. You should go and do some digging about AMD. Most of the bad stuff said about AMD, is pureply propoganda from Intel Fanboys, just like all the crap about the PS3, written by Xbox Fanboys!

AMDs Phenom, is the worlds first 'TRUE' Quad-Core processor, each core is separate and not linked and tied down by more technical restraints (I won't bore anybody here) like the Intel. Intel have this idea that they can tie together a couple of cores, whether that be two or four, increase capacity load and get as much clock speed as they want out of it. Trouble is this doesn't work, and in this world of computing, isn't really where Intel need to be going. This all started when AMD started branding their CPUs as 2200+ etc. They increased the IPC Frequency and NOT the clock speed, this meant the processor could handle more instructions per cycle (IPC) at a lower clock speed, which is why AMDs processors always seem to have lower speeds than the Intel Equivilent.

The Phenom Processor, currently, they have released it too early. It's on a 95w core. They are going to release a bigger brother, better IPC, better clockspeed, plus it'll be an energy efficient 65w. When it comes, it'll be more overclockable, more steady and more powerful when combined with it's X-Fire GPUs and 2,000MHZ FSB than current Intel systems. Buy Intel today, sometime in the VERY near future, they'll be releasing a new Motherboard Socket. AMD, saw and knew and listened to the consumer, they have just released the AM2+ Socket, the old one being simply AM2. All processors built for the old AM2 are compatible with the new AM2+ and visa versa. Which means in the future, you'd be able to easily upgrade, without additional costs.

Please do PM me with any questions, or if you want a quote etc. I'd be more than happy to help.

Regards

Jamie
 
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See - a freak :p

I am still of the old school who think AMD should be used only for lower end PC's. Nothing at all to suggest I am right, but I still have that bias.

I do tend to supply AMD processors in a lot of my 'office-based' PC's, but for the higher end ones, I do like a good Intel :)

I agree about the case though - once you go to a certain level (usually price level) it is really a matter of preference, little else can be given.

The alienware is something like this...
creative_front_big.jpg


Jamie likes this (watercooled beast)...
CWA-NZXT.jpg


But I would personally be going for something like this (Antec P182).....

stock.jpg


Purely because it is designed to have multiple 12cm fans all over it, has a seperate compartment for the PSU, has 'noise-reduction' panels and still costs under £100.

Water-cooling - pah !! I don't put water near my babies, just the same as fire and horrible dusty things.
 
Upvote 0
Its impossible to buy an overkill processor for 3D rendering. Every 3D artist knows you can never have as much rendering speed as you would like. Thats why I recomend a quad core processor and less graphics card. The best setup for a 3D artist and gamer is a gaming machine that can run the latest games at 30fps and a second computer with dual or quad processors 2GB ram old graphics card, for rendering final work. My dual Opteron workstation takes over 8 hours to render a 3D image for A4 print.
 
Upvote 0
stugster said:
Processor: Why the Spec you provided? What justification have you got for such a ridiculous fast machine? Get the Intel Core 2 Duo E6750.
Operating System: Mmm.. I'm an XP man.
Chassis: Alienware means money. My case sits under my desk. The blue neon light at the front got annoying after three days - that is now disconnected. Nobody can see the case... why waste money?
Chassis Customisation: Is liquid cooling really necessary? CPUs are designed to be cooled by Heatsink and Fan. Unless you're over-clocking the CPU (and seriously degrading its life-span) there's no point in water cooling.
Motherboard: ALIENWARE is one of those horrible names like "Tony&Guy" where the ingredients are the same, only the branding is different. Justification for Alienware? None. Gigabyte? 1333MHz as can be found in my machine: http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?QuickLinx=4MTJ
Graphics Processor : ATI are good. I don't personally like NVidia from past experience with the High Definition. ATI are good :) But I already said that. Can you justify such a high quality card?
Video Optimiser: Why do you need a video optimiser? What quality is better than High Definition?
Memory: 4GB!? Wow :D I've got 2GB on this machine with Photoshop, Firefox, mIRC, two Puttys, CMD, MSN, VNC, AVG, Outlook, Word, Powerpoint, Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player, FileZilla, Eclipse, and HAPEdit all running... i'm at about 1.3GB used (my mem speed is only 800MHz, but it's still super fast!!
Power Supply: When are you going to use 1000WATTS?! 500 maybe. 1000? Are you connecting Iran to this supply?

The rest are just Crazzzeeeee :D
Click to expand...

Here goes:

Processor: I prefer my machines to be build so they last a good few years before new software demand more from the hardware. Because of the games my brother plays he loves very fast machines and recommended this processor from them.
Operating System: This is irrelevant, as this will not be purchased from them. No software will be brought from them.
Chassis's: Just for show and they were free.
Motherboard: Don't know why he selected that.
Graphics Processor: Once again, would rather buy the dogs boll*cks card for now before new games start to demand a better card.
Video Optimiser: Costs £18, so i thought why not if im spending so much on a machine.
4GB RAM: I usually run AutoCAD, 3DSMAX, MAYA, Cinema 4D, MSN, Firefox, Photoshop, Illustrator, Yahoo Messenger, After Effects, Encore, Premiere Pro, InDesign, Outlook, Word, Excel, Sage, WinRAR, Nero, McAfee, Vista. My brother also uses these titles as well as Virtual Reality software, we do usually use many of these simultaneously and it sometimes really slows the computer down.
Power Supply: We had to choose this option which i did find odd because of the graphics processor (i think it was the graphics anyway).


asonda said:
Hi,

Wow, That spec would certainly blow you away when you come to use it.

It is quite OTT however you are going to be in good stead for a good amount of years to come. I'd expect to see that in the £2500 - £5000 bracket, Purely because of the Overclocked Processor, Blu-Ray Drive, Crossfire Cards, Liquid Cooling, 24" monitor and the most expensive OS, Vista Ultimate. These are all the higher end stuff Alien Ware just does!

If you want to spend that kind of money and not think anything of it, you will be getting one 'awesome' machine, that, in the right crowd of friends, would impress.

This machine, would be like nothing else you have ever used or seen in your life (if, of course, you have never seen a £3000 approx machine running)

AMDs Phenom, is the worlds first 'TRUE' Quad-Core processor, each core is separate and not linked and tied down by more technical restraints (I won't bore anybody here) like the Intel. Intel have this idea that they can tie together a couple of cores, whether that be two or four, increase capacity load and get as much clock speed as they want out of it. Trouble is this doesn't work, and in this world of computing, isn't really where Intel need to be going. This all started when AMD started branding their CPUs as 2200+ etc. They increased the IPC Frequency and NOT the clock speed, this meant the processor could handle more instructions per cycle (IPC) at a lower clock speed, which is why AMDs processors always seem to have lower speeds than the Intel Equivilent.

The Phenom Processor, currently, they have released it too early. It's on a 95w core. They are going to release a bigger brother, better IPC, better clockspeed, plus it'll be an energy efficient 65w. When it comes, it'll be more overclockable, more steady and more powerful when combined with it's X-Fire GPUs and 2,000MHZ FSB than current Intel systems. Buy Intel today, sometime in the VERY near future, they'll be releasing a new Motherboard Socket. AMD, saw and knew and listened to the consumer, they have just released the AM2+ Socket, the old one being simply AM2. All processors built for the old AM2 are compatible with the new AM2+ and visa versa. Which means in the future, you'd be able to easily upgrade, without additional costs.

Please do PM me with any questions, or if you want a quote etc. I'd be more than happy to help.

Regards

Jamie
Click to expand...

We're not try to impress anybody if we did buy this machine, we would like to buy a powerful machine for our needs that will last at least 5 years before new software releases demand more from them. All the software is irrelevant, we would not be buying them from anybody who supplies us with a machine.

BTW, has anybody ever told you that you talk to much? ;) You have completely lost me with the last 2 paragraphs, may change my mind and not buy a new PC after all.
 
Upvote 0
CG Effect said:
Its impossible to buy an overkill processor for 3D rendering. Every 3D artist knows you can never have as much rendering speed as you would like. Thats why I recomend a quad core processor and less graphics card. The best setup for a 3D artist and gamer is a gaming machine that can run the latest games at 30fps and a second computer with dual or quad processors 2GB ram old graphics card, for rendering final work. My dual Opteron workstation takes over 8 hours to render a 3D image for A4 print.
Click to expand...

I forgot to mention that the processor is a Quad Core processor.
 
Upvote 0
It is definitely one heck of a spec Naz, and if you have the cash why not I suppose.

One thing though, when I sell any custom-built PC - I expect it to last 5 years at least. Don't get too caught up in the fact that, even something newer is released, you are 'behind' in any way.

The machines I use most days in my office is 10 years old, and no PC has worked harder. It could do with a general upgrade all over, but I will probably just move it into secondary jobs soon anyway. It still suffices for anything I ask of it though.

One last point - unless you really, really have a reason to overclock (and I can think of none) - don't do it to such a decent processor. :)


Edit: Is it a sign that I am getting older, or does anyone else agree my case pic looks 'classier' ?? ;)
 
Upvote 0
Comspec said:
One last point - unless you really, really have a reason to overclock (and I can think of none) - don't do it to such a decent processor. :)


Edit: Is it a sign that I am getting older, or does anyone else agree my case pic looks 'classier' ?? ;)
Click to expand...

What is overclocking? I dont even know what it is, is the only processor offered by Alienware for the PC.
 
Upvote 0
I wouldn't bother with that junk, my next box will be a core2duo high end no quad core rubbish as its a waste of money! I might consider getting myself a dual dual core xeon with a couple of SAS drives see how it performs!
 
Upvote 0
Comspec said:
http://www.cooltechzone.com/articles/overclockingexplained.html

Good description contained there.....

If you are ordering a beast like that, you should be able to request that they not overclock it.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the link. As the is 3.0GHz and overclocked to 4.0GHz, does that mean it will always run at 4.0GHz or will i have to turn it up to use the extra power?

I'd prefer to use it at 3.0GHz and then eventually turn it up to 4.0GHz IF needed.
 
Upvote 0
I hope you have checked that your electricity meter will not blow up when you power it up.

The only computer I have ever had that gave me lots of mileage was assembled by my VB programming tutor and we went shopping for all the parts together somewhere in Wembley.

I took it apart and installed a cd drive myself, a friend gave me some memory and that all went in, i kicked it and yelled at it during my student days and sometimes cursed it, but it kept going for all of 8 years and then sadly died one day spontaneously before I could retrieve any of my scientific research records and student portfolio.

It still hold pride of place on my pc desk while i grapple with vista, I shall print those papers off one day!!.


Best of luck!
 
Upvote 0
I would definitely not overclock it. If (and I cannot fathom why) you wanted to then overclock, then fine if thats what you want.

Why buy the best machine you can, and abuse it ? You will undoubtedly shorten its lifespan (yet you are buying so high a spec so as to 'lengthen' its lifespan).

It's a case of buy it, and treat it good - you should definitely get years out of it. It will be quite a while before that spec ever becomes the norm (heaven forbid) !!


Edit - never thought about power, but definitely ensure that this thing is running off a UPS !!!
 
Upvote 0
Seriously though, I did ramble on but I was merely backing up what I had said.

That machine is a serious gamers machine, You could easily pick up something with enough power then WHEN you need to, spend a little on upgrading or overclocking.
 
Upvote 0
Comspec said:
I would definitely not overclock it. If (and I cannot fathom why) you wanted to then overclock, then fine if thats what you want.

Why buy the best machine you can, and abuse it ? You will undoubtedly shorten its lifespan (yet you are buying so high a spec so as to 'lengthen' its lifespan).

It's a case of buy it, and treat it good - you should definitely get years out of it. It will be quite a while before that spec ever becomes the norm (heaven forbid) !!


Edit - never thought about power, but definitely ensure that this thing is running off a UPS !!!
Click to expand...

The computer got more love than I have had in the last two decades. It passed on mysteriously, but the operating system had become shaky due to my budget build and my nice nature, ..... I was one of those dufuses who would leave acquaintances and friends in my flat working on my pc or surfing the net and pop off to lectures and work for the day etc.

It was a reasonably good spec, but it came with some other problems, eg the cost of maintaining it once most software became obsolete and would not work with newer virus and spyware programs.

I have it at home here comspec, you are welcome to come and try to get it to wake up again, maybe you will enjoy it, but unfortunately, .... I can not pay you the thousands you are used to earning. I've got about a fiver spare this week and you can have it if you can make Freya work again.
 
Upvote 0
Spend £5k on it, and I'll buy it off you for £50 next year when it is obsolete :D

My current PC cost about £400 excluding monitor :)
 
Upvote 0
Biznaij said:
The computer got more love than I have had in the last two decades. It passed on mysteriously, but the operating system had become shaky due to my budget build and my nice nature, ..... I was one of those dufuses who would leave acquaintances and friends in my flat working on my pc or surfing the net and pop off to lectures and work for the day etc.

It was a reasonably good spec, but it came with some other problems, eg the cost of maintaining it once most software became obsolete and would not work with newer virus and spyware programs.

I have it at home here comspec, you are welcome to come and try to get it to wake up again, maybe you will enjoy it, but unfortunately, .... I can not pay you the thousands you are used to earning. I've got about a fiver spare this week and you can have it if you can make Freya work again.
Click to expand...

Sorry mate - my post was aimed at the OP, not you.

You did remind me to mention the power and UPS to him though.


'...thousands I am used to earning...' oh I think my customers have the same thought... :)
 
Upvote 0
On the 'storage' front - I'd be tempted to put (if I were building such a beast) a couple of WD Raptor drives in Raid for system drive (2 x 150Gb or suchlike) as they run at 10,000rpm and are super fast. then I would use standard Seagate Barracuda SATA-II drives for my data - a couple of seperate 500Gb or larger. The reason for keeping them seperate would be purely the replacement cost if one died.

I like the Raptor drives as 'expensive' system drives, because of their speed.
I also like the seagate Barracuda as a data drive because of their reliability.

I am really getting into this thread now :p :D
 
Upvote 0
I doubt it myself - some of those specific components could be quite expensive. I'd like to build the £1000 alternative though - it would probably be worth the money.
 
Upvote 0
Yeah, I didn't spot the 1Gb Crossfires!

I've just built a pretty good 4Gb (Corsair) / Intel Quad Core machine for just shy of £1200 incl a Dell 24" monitor. www.scan.co.uk (which was £365 itself).

For what it's worth, I think the machine in the original post is way overspec'd. By the time games need that kinda rig, it'll be outdated and there will be thousands of £ down the pan. Mine runs CoD4 / Crysis just fine - flies along. Simultaneoulsy, I can also minimise the game, watch a windowed DVD, play around on Photoshop, browse and answer emails all at the same time.

:)
 
Upvote 0
Yours certainly sounds more like what I'd be recommending to build - no need to get too carried away with the technology.

I quoted a high-spec gaming PC to a guy last week (his spec was very specific) and it came out at £2600, but for the life of me I just couldn't understand the guys reasoning on some of the components. Overkill is wasteful in some cases.
 
Upvote 0
I completely forgot about this thread, how stupid of me.

Only 1 of you have got price right which is over 5K. The system actually costs just under £5500.

Thank you all for the advice and recommendations and i will not be buying this system after researching Alienware, i found a lot more negative feedback than positive and some of it was totally shocking.
 
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