Curse

TheCrusader · May 28, 2005, 07:15 PM // 19:15

IntelTM PentiumTM 4 processor 640 with HT® Technology (3.20GHz, 800 FSB, 2MB L2 cache)

Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
512MB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz

Bullet 17" (16.0"vis) Monitor

80GB2 Ultra/ATA 100 Hard Drive

256MB PCI ExpressTM x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) nVidia GeForce 6800

90-Day Limited Warranty3 and At-Home Service4

This is the one im getting. (Decided to go Dell) This will run MAX right with minor lag?

Loviatar · May 28, 2005, 07:16 PM // 19:16

nice

a lot better than mine and i run max quality without a hitch

Principa Discordia · May 28, 2005, 08:20 PM // 20:20

Most of the stuff I was going to say has been covered already, mainly stuff about how SE graphics cards are cut-down versions and how AlienWare are overpriced.

If cost is an issue, I'd reccommend you run those exact specs by a couple of local computer stores who build custom machines (and help if anything goes wrong). They're bound to be cheaper than AlienWare.

Edit: The last specs you posted (the Dell machine) will be more than enough to run Guild Wars in maximum detail with no lag.

Svenn · May 28, 2005, 09:02 PM // 21:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheCrusader

This will run MAX right with minor lag?

IF the video card and CPU stay cool, you should be able to run smooth as butter.

Paradox · May 28, 2005, 09:03 PM // 21:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheCrusader

IntelTM PentiumTM 4 processor 640 with HT® Technology (3.20GHz, 800 FSB, 2MB L2 cache)

Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
512MB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz

Bullet 17" (16.0"vis) Monitor

80GB2 Ultra/ATA 100 Hard Drive

256MB PCI ExpressTM x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) nVidia GeForce 6800

90-Day Limited Warranty3 and At-Home Service4

This is the one im getting. (Decided to go Dell) This will run MAX right with minor lag?

Here's the thing buddy.. (and this is up for debate) you jumped from a 64bit capable system to a 32bit, lost your ram, 1/2 the hard drive.. and went with Dell. I'd suggest spending a week or two (building my own system right now 1st time in a few years so I'm in your boat..) flipping through articles on websites .. benchmark tests etc.. to find out what you want.. cuz to be honest, if you are interested in gaming, I've seen nothing but good things from the Athlon 64 line. Now, of course building it yourself isn't the point, get the local comp store with good ppl working there (good ppl is worth a 5% price increase) to order your parts, and put it together for you. But don't go in their with too too many questions, spend the time researching for the basic stuff, and then ask their opinions for the rest. Of course everything should be taken with a grain of salt.. everyone has their own opinions and their own needs/wants. In any event, I found a place called Sonaggi Computers to be the absolute cheapest place online (it's also local for me) with great service.
www.sonaggi.com is where I'd go for a reference point. Good luck, and best wishes.. building/buying a computer is a tricky field.. gotta watch for sharks :P

-Paradox

Svenn · May 28, 2005, 09:15 PM // 21:15

Oh, yeah, didn't notice that RAM at 512mb. I'd take the upgrade option to 1gb on that, if I were you.

Dell is a known quantity, and I'd stick with them, were I in your position. The prices at most local shops are horrendous, and the quality of service varies widely.

Awol Duteq · May 28, 2005, 10:31 PM // 22:31

I wouldn't buy alienware if my life depended on it...they charge an arm and a leg for that little alien logo to be on your machine and anyone I know thats gotten one has had issues with support etc. They used to be pretty cool when they first started but they appear to have gotten bigheaded. The worst horror story I have about alienware is my friend eric. He order a comp, and had to wait 3 months for a part to come in. When it finally got shipped, it had the wrong hardware. After two more months of fighting with their support lines, he had to pay to send it back, and pay for the shipping again for them to send the correct pc. 8 months later after the inital order he got it in. -Wont go alienware-