Buying my first gaming computer

I've decided I want to get a gaming laptop(my first one) so I can lock myself in a closet and play Crysis until my brain turns to mush....could anyone give me some good compnanys(besides Alienware, which I already know about)? My budget is $1,000-$1,500 

And while I'm here, once I get my computer, will I need a special Graphics card in order to play Crysis? thanks!

http://www.alienware.com/product_detail_pages/Area-51_m5790/area-51m_overview.aspx?SysCode=PC-LT-AREA51M5790&SubCode=SKU-DEFAULT

That ones under 1,500, and it looks fairly good

i bought my pc like 2 years ago now. i spent around 1200 on it and i got 3.2 ghz pent 4, 1 gig ddr ram, 17 inch lcd monitor, and 180gig harddrive. i also bought a seperate radeon x700 256mb graphics card. i was initially going to build my own pc but i saw this deal for this computer at bestbuy. it is a gateway though but no problems. the deal came with the monitor and all the specs i just had to get it. the graphics card and speakers are the only things seperate and ive been enjoying top end gaming on my pc for over the last year. ive ran games such as f.e.a.r., half-life 2, OBLIVION, call of duty 2, company of heroes, medieval 2, and wow bc for long periods of time. this pc will probably last me for atleast another 3 years(i will probably buy a nice laptop by then). my only complaint is that the processor makes too much noise but i also have it on my desk.

so i guess i recommend just going to places especially bestbuy and checking everything out. 

Crysis is going to use directx 10 so your gonna have to a have a DX10 compliant card. the nvidia 8800 series are all directx 10. As for a gaming notebook, your probably going to have to spend the around $1500 if not more for a decent one.CYSYKO

Yea you dont HAVE TO HAVE  a direct x 10 compliant card. It will be able to utilise DX9 also, just to the ultimate Graphics from the game the DX10 is a must in that sense.

TC - i made the mistake of getting a gaming laptop only to realise that they arent all that upgradable.If you ARE going to spend around $1500, seriously think about getting a desktop instead because at least that way you are 100% certain you can get upgradable components for it...know what i mean?

If you live in the UK there is a site called pcspeacialists.co.uk...im guessing your from the US though right? But yea -- defo go with a desktop man, the gaming laptops just arent worth it IMHO. You might think you got a great setup now with a laptop..ie: convienience/portability, but they are only really that good for casual gamers and those not really bothered about the newset games coming out. There will always be a game you cant play on the laptop because o upgradable component issues, so save yourself a future headache andget a desktop...seriosuly.

I suggest go to MWave.com they got the best stuff and cheap

Crysis is going to use directx 10 so your gonna have to a have a DX10 compliant card. the nvidia 8800 series are all directx 10. As for a gaming notebook, your probably going to have to spend the around $1500 if not more for a decent one.CYSYKO

While I agree that you should  get a Dx10 card, it is by far not required for Crysis.  Any 7000 series Nvidia card will run the game fine.  I recommend a 7600 since you seem to be on a budget, but a 7800 or higher will be able to nearly max crysis in Dx9 mode.

Also, I am pretty sure there are no laptop models of nvidia's 8000 series cards.  Perhaps in a few months there will be, but as of right now there are only 8500s, 8600s, and 8800s.

On a side not, you can build a 1500 dollar desktop with 2GB memory, a dual core processor, and a Dx10 card, and it will be far better to play Crysis on.  I never understood the draw of laptops (unless you travel a lot or need it for school/work).

I will echo what others have said in this thread:  Build your own desktop. 

Unless you really need a laptop for reasons other than gaming, it is a big money-sink.  My younger brother was in the market for a pc (this was a few years ago), and I told him I would build it for him, etc. but he just "had" to get an Alienware laptop....well, he spent about $2,500 and after a year it couldn't even keep up with the newest games.

If you build your own desktop you'll be saving loads of money and you will get a HUGE bang for your buck.  And building your own computer is not that difficult.  I remember when I built my first rig a 4 years ago I was pretty nervous.  However, there are so many good guides on the internet, not to mention the helpful people on the forums that will anwer your questions. 

 Good luck!

Crysis is going to use directx 10 so your gonna have to a have a DX10 compliant card. the nvidia 8800 series are all directx 10. As for a gaming notebook, your probably going to have to spend the around $1500 if not more for a decent one.CYSYKO

I've decided I want to get a gaming laptop(my first one) so I can lock myself in a closet and play Crysis until my brain turns to mush....could anyone give me some good compnanys(besides Alienware, which I already know about)? My budget is $1,000-$1,500

And while I'm here, once I get my computer, will I need a special Graphics card in order to play Crysis? thanks!

skulleton1

You can't go wrong with HP. I've been buying my laptops through them for a few years and I like them a lot more than Dells, as I've had too many horror stories with Dell. If I were you, I would wait a month or two to see if any of the GPU makers come out with a new line of grapahic cards, although I haven't heard of any that will come with DX10. Also, you won't need a DX10 card to play it. You are absolutley fine with a DX9 card, as it looks great. When you order a Laptop, you have to make sure it comes with a decent card, as you won't be able to upgrade it.

If you want one now, here's a decent model for your price range. 

 HP Laptops:

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/series_can.do?storeName=computer_store&landing=notebooks&a1=Usage&v1=Entertainment 

Select the dv9000t model, and customize it.

add 2 gigs of system ram,

add the Nvidia 512mb Geoforce Go 7600

Select the the Inel Core 2 Duo T7200

Your good to go! It comes out to around 1500 bucks. You can play with a few of the options, and if you want to go with the Inel Core 2 duo T5600, you should be fine as well, and will save you a 100 bucks.

Im with this dude....

You really need to get a great Desktop PC gaming(not a laptop) or a custom PC. You can up grade it anyway you like, bro!

Tho I just bought a new laptop PC at BestBuy 2 weeks ago, a Toshiba Satellite A135 ATI Radeon(not the best but that's my price range $499) works great for me, I played ijji.com games online all the time.

I've decided I want to get a gaming laptop(my first one) so I can lock myself in a closet and play Crysis until my brain turns to mush....could anyone give me some good compnanys(besides Alienware, which I already know about)? My budget is $1,000-$1,500 

And while I'm here, once I get my computer, will I need a special Graphics card in order to play Crysis? thanks!

skulleton1

The problem with laptops are you're spending so much more for the products being smaller and etc. If I were you I would just buy a desktop so can upgrade. Laptop's are harder to upgrade and cost alot more, who knows.. The way the market is going you can do anything lately. But, I still say get a destop man. It's so much worth it witht he upgrades and you're not stuck on a small screen. I told someone the samething and he thought he knew the answers and spent I think 2000 for a 7800gtx and 2 gbs of ram and other stuff that won't do anything in a couple of months.

My friend for 2200 gave him a pc that had 4 gbs of corsair dominators, 8800gtx bfg 0c2,the fans for the dominators, e6600 with a 9700led overclocked to 3.4 ghz and a asus striker 680i board. A 800 watt PSU and some other stuff. Your best bet is to go with a desktop for the long term in years. Laptop arent really meant to game on. 

Do you have to go with a laptop? You could get a way better PC for that price especially if you build it.MyndFlyte

I agree, you would be better off getting a PC, it would be better for the money.