Gaming comp/rig for my son...help please

"The specs that I posted came from a player in CS 1.6 that also builds Computers and gave my son those specs. No one on here gave them to me. Should have mentioned that. The guy that gave them to my son said he does something, cant remember with computers...fixing them and such and has a degree. He gave those specs and said they would be gret for CS 1.6."

Lol, Cs 1.6 can be played on a Pc made back in 2000. Trust me that ibuypower is better then my Pc and I can play any game out there on high just fine. That guy from that player that gave all of parts. He was just spit balling high priced parts that you dont even need. That 5770 will play any game out there just fine. Plus Ive been fixing,building Pc's for myself and others for 10+ years.

04dcarraher

[QUOTE="bike749"]

woman don't so post build gaming rig only guys :)

UltimateGamer95

May I trump it then? :P

CPU/MB:http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.299392

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&cm_re=corsair-_-17-139-006-_-Product

(2x) GPU:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102857&cm_re=5850-_-14-102-857-_-Product

Case:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137&cm_re=cooler_master_690-_-11-119-137-_-Product

HDD:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&cm_re=samsung_spinpoint_f3-_-22-152-185-_-Product

RAM:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231275&cm_re=g.skill-_-20-231-275-_-Product

Optical:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118030

Total: $1338.91 before shipping or rebates. That's roughly $20 less than UG95's suggested build.

A couple of notes:

This build comes with a slightly slower CPU (compared to UG95's previous build suggestion); $30 isn't worth less than 10% in performance.

For a Crossfire configuration, a Corsair 750TX was a must.

This system comes with two 5850's (versus the single 5850 in UG95's build suggestion). In Crossfire, this will give a hefty boost in performance.

The HDD is bigger and faster than the Western Digital 750GB HDD for only $5 more.

8GB is plain overkill for a gaming system. I chose 4GB of low-latency DDR3 as a replacement.

The 790FX chipset already comes with an excellent integrated audio chip. I didn't see the point of adding a pricy sound card under the circumstance. Unless you have some top-of-the-line speakers, the integrated audio will be more than adequate.

As a side note, if you feel uncomfortable with building the system yourself, UltimateGamer95 would be the top-most suggested name I would give to build it for you.

well it about that price.. il check it up . wait. Yep : 1600$ (include all)

1. Intel Core i7-920 Bloomfield 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail
2. GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD5 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail 268.99$
3. OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK - Retail
4. XFX HD-587A-ZND9 Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 1GB XXX Edition 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported ... - Retail
5. CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power ... - Retail
6. COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail 139.99$ Free Shipping
7. SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
8. Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
9. 28-35$ (DVD burner)

marcthpro

Nice try MAO but that motherboard doesn't use DDR3 RAM :P

Nice try MAO but that motherboard doesn't use DDR3 RAM :P

UltimateGamer95

I was almost certain I picked the AM3 version. Fixed.

You gotta admit though, it's scary fast for the cost :P

Wow, i wish i got a gaming computer when i was 13! Ive only just gotten my first one and im 20 =/Iantheone

[QUOTE="Iantheone"]Wow, i wish i got a gaming computer when i was 13! Ive only just gotten my first one and im 20 =/UltimateGamer95

[QUOTE="UltimateGamer95"][QUOTE="Iantheone"]Wow, i wish i got a gaming computer when i was 13! Ive only just gotten my first one and im 20 =/JigglyWiggly_

Hieveryone, Nope did not go away...lol....I am still here. Well I have been looking over everything everyone posted and started googling so i could figure out what was what. I have been learning and my head is clearing :)....I have come to a decision and am going to do one of 2 things. Get either the ibuy comp that was shown to me here that you all said was good, or get an alienware. Yes yes Alienware will rip me off but there are advantages of getting one, I also have tweeked the one I am thinking of getting at a price of $2400 ...OUCH! I know building one makes so much more sense, however, I think being still way to illiterate on the issue I decided that a warrentee would be best. You all have really helped me more than you know! I would love to learn more and build my own computer for me. I think that would be fun.

So how does this look...by the way the power supply is 1k : $2400...OUCH yes but how does it look...

CHASSIS COLORLunar Shadow, Alienware Area-51 Chassise

PROCESSORIntel® Core™ i7 920 2.66GHz (8MB Cache) Quad Core Processored

OPERATING SYSTEMGenuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English

VIDEO CARDSingle 1GB GDDR5 ATI Radeon™ HD 5870 MEMORY6GB DDR3 1333MHz (3x 2GB) Tri Channel Memory

HARD DRIVE1.2TB RAID 0 (2x 640GB SATA-II, 7,200 RPM, 16MB Cache HDDs)

OPTICAL DRIVE24X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability

WARRANTY AND SERVICE1 Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis - Important Informationed in-Home Service after Remote Diagnosis: for issues covered by Limited Hardware Warranty, technician and/or part will be dispatched, if necessary, usually in 1 or 2 business days following Remote Diagnosis. During Remote Diagnosis, you may be asked to access the inside of your system (where safe to do so) or to participate in troubleshooting until a cause can be isolated.

My Accessories

ALIENFXAlienFX Color,

Quasar Blue PRE-INSTALLED GAMES AND CLIENTS Steam and Portal™

Factory Installed AUTOMATIC UPDATESAutomatic Updates: Enabled

BaseAlienware Area-51COOLING OPTION Alienware™ High-Performance Liquid Cooling

Adobe Reader SoftwareAdobe Acrobat Reader

alright well it's your decision. The Alienware specs look good, however still very overpriced as we all know. Hmm I have to wonder though, where did you do your research? You see the products you would buy seperately actually have longer warranties than alienware does. So that's why like I said before a PC you build yourself or one that someone build's you with quality components will last longer than a Dell or Alienware PC in terms of warrany and support

Ouch.... $2400, you can build three great Pc's for that or buy great two prebuilts from ibuy or cyber. I would ethier buy that ibuy Pc i recomended http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227179&cm_re=ibuypower-_-83-227-179-_-Product

Or let UG95 build you one for half that cost of $2400.

or if I am spending that much what about this one from ibuy? Seems to be much the same in price but on some things seems to offere a little more. The processor seems better, the video card is similar, the Hard drive is 1TB instead of 1.2 TB RAID O, and a few other things...$ 2500 ($100 more than the Alienware) Which one would you prefer? Also how good is iBuypowers customer service? thanks

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227199

• Recommended Usage: Gaming
• Processor: Intel Core i7-975(3.33GHz) Extreme Edition
• Memory: 6GB DDR3 1333
• Hard Drive: 1TB SATAII
• Optical Drive 1: Blu-Ray High Definition DVDRW Combo Drive
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 285 2GB Video Card
• Audio: Realtek High Definition Audio, 8-channel audio
• Ethernet: Realtek chipset, Gigabit LAN
• Model #: Gamer Supreme 929SLC
• Item #: N82E16883227199
• Return Policy: Personal Computer Replacement Policy

First and foremost, you DEFINITELY don't need a processor (literally a $1000 processor..) like that considering the price/performance ratio is out into space. The fact is a $200 processor can perform very close to one like that. While not in stock, a computer like this will perform very similarly. I would say instead of getting such an over priced compuer, get yourself a very good monitor and speakers/headphones if you have the desire to spend such money. Buying computer like that will outdate and be left in the dust in a short time. That's what makes investing so much into a computer rather pointless while peripherals can be reused constantly. I would highly recommend getting the one 04carraher recommended in his previous post, because it will still perform very well.

Yeah, getting that Extreme Edition is postively absurd, and wholly unnecessary at this juncture.

Ouch.... $2400, you can build three great Pc's for that or buy great two prebuilts from ibuy or cyber. I would ethier buy that ibuy Pc i recomended http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227179&cm_re=ibuypower-_-83-227-179-_-Product

Or let UG95 build you one for half that cost of $2400.

04dcarraher

This has a better graphics card but worse cpu and ram... but at a very reasonable price. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229138

my son has said to me that he is worried about fps or fbs..lol...cant remeber which...and smoothness,,what ever he heck that means...I understand about over cliking to a point but will he have any problem with any of them doing any othe things he is worried about??? I am not familure with this processer : Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550(2.83GHz)

how is this one also...http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227188&cm_re=extreme_gaming_computers-_-83-227-188-_-Product

compared to this one....http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227179&cm_re=extreme_gaming_computers-_-83-227-179-_-Product

my son has said to me that he is worried about fps or fbs..lol...cant remeber which...and smoothness,,what ever he heck that means...I understand about over cliking to a point but will he have any problem with any of them doing any othe things he is worried about??? I am not familure with this processer : Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550(2.83GHz)

how is this one also...http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227188&cm_re=extreme_gaming_computers-_-83-227-188-_-Product

compared to this one....http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227179&cm_re=extreme_gaming_computers-_-83-227-179-_-Product

abncdefghijklmn

The $920 has Direct x 11 support and the $1059 one has only Direct x 10, Trust me the $920 is the better buy, and your son will be cruising through games just fine and will have a ball using it.

alright here is anoyther option. Son really wants an alienware. so i went back to the sight and went to the Aurora and customized that some. Tell me what ya think on this besides it being over priced...by the way the power supply is 875W I upgrated that and the video card the hard drive and the memory..i can shange the HD to a 1.2 TB RAID for another $150...i think, if that would be better. as follows is $1700..... before taxs.

CHASSIS COLOR Lunar Shadow,

Alienware Aurora Chassis PROCESSOR Intel® CoreTM i7 920 2.66GHz (8MB Cache) Quad Core Processor

OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English

VIDEO CARD Single 1GB GDDR5 ATI RadeonTM HD 587O

0edit MEMORY 6GB Triple Channel 1333Mhz DDR3

HARD DRIVE 1TB - SATA-II, 3Gb/s, 7,200RPM, 32MB Cache HDD

OPTICAL DRIVE Single Drive: 24X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability

MONITOR No Monitor

KEYBOARD Alienware Multi-Media Keyboard

MOUSE Alienware Optical Mouse, MG100

WARRANTY AND SERVICE1 Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis - Important InformationeditIn-Home Service after Remote Diagnosis: for issues covered by Limited Hardware Warranty, technician and/or part will be dispatched, if necessary, usually in 1 or 2 business days following Remote Diagnosis. During Remote Diagnosis, you may be asked to access the inside of your system (where safe to do so) or to participate in troubleshooting until a cause can be isolated.My Accessories ALIEN FX Alien FX Color, Quasar Blue AVATAR Alien Cyborg

WALLPAPERAlienhead Chrome Red PRE-INSTALLED GAMES AND CLIENTS Steam and Portal TM Factory Installed

AUTOMATIC UPDATES : Enabled My Software & Accessories

ECURITY SOFTWARE McAfee® VirusScan Plus - 30-Day Free Trial (English)

ALSO INCLUDED WITH YOUR SYSTEM Alienware Aurora Desktop COOLING OPTION AlienwareTM High-Performance Liquid Cooling

Adobe Software Adobe Acrobat Reader

[QUOTE="04dcarraher"]

[QUOTE="DieselCat18"]

I agree...good alternative suggestions ...those other parts were utter overkill and a waste of money (I wonder who suggested them) .....also that pre-built system you mentioned earlier would be plenty imo...the only component that I wouldlook to change out if possible is that power supply. Get it replaced with a good name brand unit. Every thing else is fine....The TC's son would have no problems with that PC for his gaming and other general PC needs. There is nothing wrong with pre-built PC's as long as one properly researches for the companies that do a quality job. It may be a bit more expensive and not getting as much as if you purchased the parts and built it yourself...but NOT EVERYONE wants to do that for lots of different reasons.

I'm sorry..... but it amazes me when people that have little to no knowledge of computers come to this forum and ask for help or advice on getting a PC or putting one together, the parts suggested by some are generally the high end components that cost the most and use tech talk and reference info such as benchmarks that many have no idea what they mean....I know a lot of people here really mean well and want to help but to me thats not helping or giving that person the good advice they are asking for or really need.........

I would consider04dcarraher recumendations..... imo his is very "Sound Advice"

*+

abncdefghijklmn

The specs that I posted came from a player in CS 1.6 that also builds Computers and gave my son those specs. No one on here gave them to me. Should have mentioned that. The guy that gave them to my son said he does something, cant remember with computers...fixing them and such and has a degree. He gave those specs and said they would be gret for CS 1.6.

Took a stab at it, because I'm obsessed like that :P And I picked a case that I personally think trumps Alienware's in every way. The decision is yours:

Silverstone Raven RV01-BW Case

Generic Samsung DVD Drive

WD Caviar Black 750GB (You can replace this with the Samsung F3 if it's in stock)

Antec Earthwatts 750W Power Supply

Saitek Eclipse Keyboard

Logitech MX518 Mouse

G.Skill 4GB DDR3-1600 Low Voltage Memory

Sapphire HD 5850 and Windows 7

AMD Phenom II X4 965 C3 and ASUS Crosshair III Motherboard with Creative X-Fi Sound Card

Grand total to bogus postal code 12345: 1420.08

well to the mother topic Creator. if you'r son want that bad an alienware id suggest him to speak to us or me ;) id rather have a chat with him lol cause alienware is really overpriced for the same money value of 1800$ he would have a HD5970 & Core i7 960 + HD5970 is the power of two HD5870 1GB)

What really matter in a PC is the GPU : after it the cpu : after it the ram : after it the motherboard : all other thing are just add-on such as having a super fast HDD such as 64GB SSD at 320MB/S but a HDD 1TB 7,200RPM 32MB cache Samsung spinpoint F3 at 85$ IS a Extreme Fast HDD the Fastest in is category

IF you'r son really want gaming in new game such as I don't know ? Mass Effect II FOR PC ? Anything new you better ask him cause if is gonna play at example 1680x1050 / 1920x1200 then il find the best setup : Sure ultimategamer95 can do it too but i can do it also my skill are as awesome ;)

There many pc Local Store / Place who will assemble part if you'r son / family member can't assemble part it is worry free : iv heard also ultimategamer95 is up to receive all part and build them then ship them to you but of course it would ending cost nearly 100$ compare to a place like microcenter / ncix.com / tigerdirect shop

IF he not gonna play else then some 2005-2006 game and forget about Starcraft II / Diablo 3 / Any W/e else it suggest to not spend over 900$US even if the kid is Asking for a 2,000$US PC After Tax Because a : Pre-build will alway rip you off of 500-600$ It common sense

If you build it ur self you will get much higher power and you can have also Good Looking Case which ur son will say WOW IT Look so beautiful if is one of those guy who want to sacrefice airflow of a pc for a Sweet Looking PC I know what i talk about ;) How Ever you can still get Very nice looking case with nearly the same airflow : most of peopel think HAF922/932 is not enough beautiful but it as massive airflow it in top of performances

So anyway i'm open to discuss more about the fate of the pc and if the son is wanting to speak to me via any instant messenger i'm free to it
as of now i suggest to own build else a : PC After is all about 9 Essential Thing to function as long it assemble it will work

Processor / Motherboard / Video card / Powersupply / Ram / Hard Drive / DVD rom / OS / Monitor (then finally the mouse & Keyboard)
If you avoid to over-spend on a pre-build you have lot of money back so he can have a Great gaming Keyboard / Mice with as well of a Better video card

okay, if i do this to my brain any longer it will explode..lol....soooooooooooo I again went back to the drawing board and have decided on the below computer. Instead of making the Hard drive larger at this time, i decided that the 640 GB/7200 RPM is fine at this time since he has been on like a comp that has 250GB/5200? After looking at prices for stuff on newegg I decided that I will down the line just add to the HD a 10,000 RPM and use that as the primary ans swith the 7200 as a back up. With the saved $$$ I just changed the sound card out. That saved me a little bit. So I changed the Power supply from 520w to 875w, the video card from a 1GB NVideo GTS 240 to the 1GB ATI Radeon 5870, the sound card, memory from 3GB TChannel 1067mhz DDR3 to 6GB Triple Channel 1333Mhz DDR3, the rest is the same...the price is $1680. Tell me what you think..and yesI know the price is much higher than having someone build it for me and getting it somewhere else but his heart is set on the alienware.I have learned so much reading the boards and all your advice has been great! youall gave me so much to think about. I will always be greatful. Thanks so much and Merry Christmas!

CHASSIS COLOR Lunar Shadow,

PROCESSOR Intel® CoreTM i7 920 2.66GHz (8MB Cache) Quad Core Processor

OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64 bit, English

VIDEO CARD Single 1GB GDDR 5 ATI Radeon™ HD 5870

0edit MEMORY 6GB Triple Channel 1333Mhz DDR3

HARD DRIVE 640GB- SATA-II, 3Gb/s, 7,200RPM, 16MB Cache HDD

OPTICAL DRIVE Single Drive: 24X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability

Sound Card Creative Sound Blaster® X-Fi™ Titanium

MONITOR No Monitor

KEYBOARD Alienware Multi-Media Keyboard

MOUSE Alienware Optical Mouse, MG100

WARRANTY AND SERVICE1 Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis - Important InformationeditIn-Home Service after Remote Diagnosis: for issues covered by Limited Hardware Warranty, technician and/or part will be dispatched, if necessary, usually in 1 or 2 business days following Remote Diagnosis. During Remote Diagnosis, you may be asked to access the inside of your system (where safe to do so) or to participate in troubleshooting until a cause can be isolated.My Accessories ALIEN FX Alien FX Color, Quasar Blue AVATAR Alien Cyborg

WALLPAPERAlienhead Chrome Red PRE-INSTALLED GAMES AND CLIENTS Steam and Portal TM Factory Installed

AUTOMATIC UPDATES : Enabled My Software & Accessories

ECURITY SOFTWARE McAfee® VirusScan Plus - 30-Day Free Trial (English)

ALSO INCLUDED WITH YOUR SYSTEM Alienware Aurora Desktop COOLING OPTION AlienwareTM High-Performance Liquid Cooling

Adobe Software Adobe Acrobat Reader

To be honest, that doesn't sound like that bad of a deal. Tried to replicate it on newegg, and it seems the price is pretty much on-par with that setup, give or take a few dollars.

This would be the place and bundle if you want to save money while customizing the Pc.

http://www.ibuypower.com/Store/Configurators.aspx?mid=335

ecollegepc.com

2.66Ghz Intel Core i5-750 8MB Cache Quad-Core
Cooler Master Hyper N520 RR-920-N520-GP CPU Fan/Heatsink
GIGABYTE GA-P55M-UD2 (Intel P55, 2xPCI-E, 8-Ch Audio, LAN, 7xSATA2, 4xDDR3, 1394)
4GB (2GBx2) OCZ PC3 12800 DDR3 1600Mhz Memory Lifetime Warranty
500GB 7200RPM 16MB Cache Serial ATA300 (Hitachi)
22X LG SATA Lightscribe Dual Layer DVD±RW DVD-RAM w/Nero
1GB ATI Radeon HD5850 GDDR5 PCI-E Dual-DVI (Major Brand)
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
Antec Black Nine Hundred (6 5.25, 6 3.5 bays) 4 Fans, Front Audio/USB/1394
650watt Antec EarthWatts EA650
Onboard LAN included
Onboard Sound included
Standard 1 year parts and labor

No tax and free shipping total

Total USD $1,250.001,250.00

This would be the place and bundle if you want to save money while customizing the Pc.

http://www.ibuypower.com/Store/Configurators.aspx?mid=335

04dcarraher

Tried replicating the same build, and the price is approx. 100 bucks less. And that's only because I picked the XtremeGamer over the Titanium sound card. But hey, if the TC's son really wants an Alienware, that really isn't that bad of a price to pay.

[QUOTE="04dcarraher"]

This would be the place and bundle if you want to save money while customizing the Pc.

http://www.ibuypower.com/Store/Configurators.aspx?mid=335

Tried replicating the same build, and the price is approx. 100 bucks less. And that's only because I picked the XtremeGamer over the Titanium sound card. But hey, if the TC's son really wants an Alienware, that really isn't that bad of a price to pay.

WOW!!!! I dont think he has listened to us at all :lol: , O well its his money to waste, even thou that ibuypower $920 Pc would have just done as good as that $1600 Pc for what his son needs it for. 04dcarraher

WOW!!!! I dont think he has listened to us at all :lol: , O well its his money to waste, even thou that ibuypower $920 Pc would have just done as good as that $1600 Pc for what his son needs it for. 04dcarraher

Buts it Dell.... cough...cough I mean AlienWare., But everyone knows he is throwing his money away, and his son is worried about CS and a few other games that can run good on a $400 prebuilt Pc with a $60 video card. 04dcarraher

Yeah, that's true. But if the TC would like it to be the best possible build for her son, then the one she posted is exactly that. Alienware is known as the overpriced money-muncher to us experienced builders; to the son, it's probably known as the epic godly company that makes awesome gaming computers. The only conclusion he would come up with when he gets anything else is that it's not Alienware, hence less powerful. You know, the whole fallacy with, "this has so-and-so many features, but is like $50 cheaper than the other brand," with a response like, "but it's not so-and-so brand. It must be crap."

WOW!!!! I dont think he has listened to us at all :lol: , O well its his money to waste, even thou that ibuypower $920 Pc would have just done as good as that $1600 Pc for what his son needs it for. 04dcarraher

yes I listened...and I'm a girl :)...unless you are referring to my son...lol..than yes he's a boy. I have been doing research on 4 different boards. Getting all different opinions and YIKES, there are a lot out there...lol. I started doing price checking on parts to see what i would come up with. And found that the Aurora is over priced but not to bad that i cant handle the difference. But I learned a lot about what each part does and compatibility. I have been shown like 15 different computers to do instead and just started getting confussed and frustrated. I decided as my son so pointed out to me that I told him to never send $$$ or private info to people I dont know on the Internet and he is right. So that took the equation ofhaving someone on this board or another make it. Not that anyone here is untrustworthy..but you get my point.

I will let him learn and upgrade the old comp he has or mine and he can learn. I will learn with him. Although I chose to go this route with the Alienware , I did look at everything you all have sent me and told me. I have spent so many hrs on the computer doing research that my brain is fried. I as going to get the iBUY one but than figures since my amount was up to around $1600 I felt that getting the Alienware would make him the happiest. By the time it is in need of some upgrades, he will know at that time how to do it and it will have paid off in the long run.I will let you all know how he likes it and if he gets the WOW look on his face. Have a great Merry christmas! And am still interested on your input of the one I have chose.

know I'm off to hunt down a new monitor....UGH! ROFL .....anyone love the one they have?????

ASUS makes good LCD monitors, as well as Samsung (especially their Touch of Color series). I'm using an ASUS VH202T, and I really like it. But if you have the extra cash, go for a 1080p monitor, or even a 1920x1200 monitor if you can. The ASUS VH222H monitor is supposedly one of the better mid-range LCD's money can buy. 21.5", 1080P, 20000:1 Contrast Ratio, and an HDMI input. Mine's 18000:1, and the colours are magnificent.

[QUOTE="04dcarraher"]WOW!!!! I dont think he has listened to us at all :lol: , O well its his money to waste, even thou that ibuypower $920 Pc would have just done as good as that $1600 Pc for what his son needs it for. abncdefghijklmn

yes I listened...and I'm a girl :)...unless you are referring to my son...lol..than yes he's a boy. I have been doing research on 4 different boards. Getting all different opinions and YIKES, there are a lot out there...lol. I started doing price checking on parts to see what i would come up with. And found that the Aurora is over priced but not to bad that i cant handle the difference. But I learned a lot about what each part does and compatibility. I have been shown like 15 different computers to do instead and just started getting confussed and frustrated. I decided as my son so pointed out to me that I told him to never send $$$ or private info to people I dont know on the Internet and he is right. So that took the equation ofhaving someone on this board or another make it. Not that anyone here is untrustworthy..but you get my point.

I will let him learn and upgrade the old comp he has or mine and he can learn. I will learn with him. Although I chose to go this route with the Alienware , I did look at everything you all have sent me and told me. I have spent so many hrs on the computer doing research that my brain is fried. I as going to get the iBUY one but than figures since my amount was up to around $1600 I felt that getting the Alienware would make him the happiest. By the time it is in need of some upgrades, he will know at that time how to do it and it will have paid off in the long run.I will let you all know how he likes it and if he gets the WOW look on his face. Have a great Merry christmas! And am still interested on your input of the one I have chose.

know I'm off to hunt down a new monitor....UGH! ROFL .....anyone love the one they have?????

[QUOTE="04dcarraher"] Buts it Dell.... cough...cough I mean AlienWare., But everyone knows he is throwing his money away, and his son is worried about CS and a few other games that can run good on a $400 prebuilt Pc with a $60 video card. ravenguard90

Yeah, that's true. But if the TC would like it to be the best possible build for her son, then the one she posted is exactly that. Alienware is known as the overpriced money-muncher to us experienced builders; to the son, it's probably known as the epic godly company that makes awesome gaming computers. The only conclusion he would come up with when he gets anything else is that it's not Alienware, hence less powerful. You know, the whole fallacy with, "this has so-and-so many features, but is like $50 cheaper than the other brand," with a response like, "but it's not so-and-so brand. It must be crap."

Sorry for all the other quotes above without a response...my comp had a brain fart...anyway you have hit it right on the nail. He is 13 years old. To him alienware is the BOMB! He appreciates all my research but when it comes down to it it is not an alienware. He was willing to listen to me and show him other options and he did, but to him none of them compared to the over priced alienware. I get it and you get it, that it is a $$$ muncher, but to a 13 y.o that has dreamed of owning one...well. I told him when he asked again this year for it for Christmas that before I get anything I need to do some research to find out more about it and other systems. So I did and that is what brought me here and other boards. He has $$$ saved up and he told me yesterday that if I want he will give me what I need extra. So with that I went back and looked again at the Aurora that was to start at $1200 and upgraded. I will not take any of his $$$ but it was nice he offered. So I did really i did listen and take what every one said to heart and it really helped me.He is going to be buying with his other $$$ some new games to play also. He has other like Left for dead and some racing games and other fighting games but he said with a new computer he will play more games. He has to always buy his own games from his allowance. So ya need to rememer he is 13 and has jello for brains...lol

I didnt know he was 13, I tell you what tone down the GPU to a 5770, and get rid of the extra sound card and just use whats on the motherboard. He will be set for gaming on for awhile with any game he wants to play also without an issue with performance.

*Edit* No option for 5770 or 5850 hmm.

Show him this he might like this http://www.ibuypower.com/Store/Configurators.aspx?mid=416Plus you have the option for a 5770 or 5850.

well it is him : when he grow older put you'r son toward this forum he will learn lot how to not over-spend if i could ad a talk with ur 13 year old son perhaps i could have explain but as of now if it the aurora it is well then be it as long he doesn't care much for maxing out new game at 1920x1200 with lot of Anti aliasing he will be fine with a Revamped HD4870x2

since HD5870 1GB IS techinally my card with 1GB Less memory & DX11 and perform as good while consume 2x less wat while HD5970 is a Beast you should warn him if he let is self build it own he would have a TWice Powerfull video card so if he will to put all those Graphic candy at max with some aa likely
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HIS/Radeon_HD_5970_CrossFire/18.html



I'm enthusiat 21 year old pc gamer ;) but I ad enthusiast dream of having a Kickass Gaming machine since i was 13 year old and back there my information about pc where not even 1/50 of what i know but i was enough smart to understand more gpu power = Better Graphic / performances and that it scale with resolution

it was my personal experiance without benchmark as benchmark back there where barely available and referenced : today it a Great open community where almost everyone help each other to understand this vast universe of pc we are almost a religion to eye of some :lol: but in reality we just a big culture:D

but oh well if that over spend really make him happy so be it ;) can't say we haven't all try. let all hope in future he grow wise and once return to us this day when we will upgrade is machine he would not make the mistake he did back there

well hoepfully he will be here one day talking to another Mom or someone elseas you and the others did telling his story and explaining why one thing is a better idea than another....lol....

As for the sound card.This was my choices and from what I understand Integrated Sound is not the greatest. These were my choices below? And I can always change the Video card to Single 2GB GDDR5 ATI Radeon™ HD 5970 for $250.00 more but would he really notice the difference :|

Integrated audio is included.