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New computer shopping

Ban Caomhnoir de na Aracos Corcra
Twilah
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Posted On: 01/07/2013 at 09:56 AM
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I'm trying hard to understand everything, but I haven't bought a new computer in almost 5 years and am a little lost.

I'll probably go through Best Buy, so when I read threads about "you can build your own!" my eyes glaze over.  I am not mechanically inclined and often cheer myself when I remember how to open the hood of my car at the oil change place.  No, really.

So I'm looking at these two rigs and to me it looks like the off brand is a much better deal.  Am I missing something?

 

The Alienware...why is it $200 more?

 

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Alienware+-+Andromeda+Desktop+-+6GB+Memory+-+1TB+Hard+Drive/6877744.p?id=1218810052564&skuId=6877744

 

Compared to this one which looks like it would get me through the next five years of gaming.  And this is a big investment so if you guys that know about computers see something here that might limit my gaming ability over the next few years please let me know...but I think this is a good value:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+Essentio+Desktop+-+8GB+Memory+-+1TB+Hard+Drive/6699862.p?id=1218786214592&skuId=6699862

The Alienware has a better graphics card, but less graphics memory.  Then again it says "dedicated" memory and I am confused by that :(



This is the computer I have now, been very happy with it since about 2008.  I had to replace the video card a couple years ago with an ATI Radeon HD 5670:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883113075



» Edited on: 2013-01-07 16:31:25

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Ban Fili de na Ulchabhan Bán
Rylssa
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Replied On: 01/07/2013 at 10:28 AM PST
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As I understand it, Alienware is more expensive mostly because of the value of the brand, but also something about their pieces of hardware being more harmonious for gaming or something. I dunno, that's what my husband told me. He's one of those people that likes to build his own computer, but I just don't have the patience for that and all told we spend about the same amount of money for similar quality computers. In August, after GW2 ran horribly on my 2GB of memory old computer, I got the 6GB version of the Asus you linked to above. I love it. But, I didn't use the graphics card that came with it, instead putting in the one I already had (Nvidea GEForce GTX 550 Ti, about a year old and #66 in this video card ranking). The video card that comes with the 8GB version is ranked #395, and the one in the 6GB version was ranked #422. So, not the best graphics card coming with either. I picked the 6GB because I didn't think I needed the extra memory right away and it's expandable, so could increase it in the future, and honestly don't know that the i5 processor vs i7 processor matters - plus I was really just trying to spend no more than $600 at the time.

“Your imagination is your preview of life’s coming attractions.” ~ Albert Einstein
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Tiarna de na Iomproidh Corcra
FinalFAB
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Replied On: 01/07/2013 at 10:45 AM PST
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Both machines are alright in my opinion. Personally not a big fan of Alienware because of the price. But if you honestly would want to get Alienware look at dell site to make your own because Alienware is owned by dell and you can get a payment plan and all really easy. plus make something you might like more. Otherwise I say go with the Asus from best buy and and I would eventually change the graphics card out no rush though maybe after a year or 2 to something a little more high power. And changing that out is really really easy if you look it up.

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Ban Caomhnoir de na Aracos Corcra
Twilah
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Replied On: 01/07/2013 at 11:46 AM PST
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Thank you Rylssa! That video card link is pretty cool and will be helpful to me. There's so many choices these days. I would like to keep the price as low as possible while still understanding the choices. Someone did email me explaining the "dedicated" memory, and that appears to be a factor in the Alienware price. I'd like to get the best graphics I can reasonably afford since I do videos. FinalFAB the brand Alienware doesn't matter to me, or what the case looks like. Just trying to understand what's inside. I like my local Best Buy because they have always been very helpful, offer 18 month no interest financing and even allowed me to return a computer several years ago after I "upgraded" my video card and melted a good part of the computer. They have my loyalty after that :)

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Seaimpin de na Capall Oráiste
Akkmed
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Replied On: 01/07/2013 at 02:28 PM PST
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both systems are fine for what you want. my only comment would be to go a lil extra and get as much ram as you can, it makes a huge difference in how smoothly things run, especially tabbing out and lookin stuff up. 4gig chips of kingston and supertalent are down to 35 bucks ea, about. i put 4 in my machine, put at least 3, to make 12 gig would be my suggestion.

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Ban Ridire de na Fhiaigh Donn
Kamia
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Replied On: 01/08/2013 at 08:54 AM PST
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I have owned several Asus and they do the job for a decent budget gaming computer. Guild Wars 2 was a big factor in me spending some extra money to get a higher end system. I had mine built at Digital Storm which makes very good computers. It will cost a bit more but the quality and capabilities are wonderful. I look at several factors when computer shopping. Ram, Video card, and processor. These are really important to a gamer.

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Caomhnoir de na Fhiaigh
Wulfemeister
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Replied On: 01/08/2013 at 09:50 AM PST
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Personally, I've never purchased any desktop system, as I've always built my own. I do extensive research on all the components before I make a purchase. But alas, my super rig is taken over by the kids. I'm now using a decent laptop (dual graphics cards) and the GW2 game play is wonderful...even in the huge zergs we have. Yes, I cannot max out all the shader settings, but, it's a laptop nonetheless. Personally, if I had the money, and didn't want to build my own rig, I would choose Alienware. Alienware (Dell), I believe use better internal components, like the motherboard, and matched memory modules. The Alienware boxes are built for one thing...power...specially gaming/graphics power. Let's face it, you really don't need all that power to run a spreadsheet. If the Alienware isn't there for you, look for any pre-made that has the tile "Entertainment". These systems are built for the gamer/video enthusiast. I guess the most annoying part of any pre-made system is all the crap-ware that it comes pre-installed with. Yes, you can uninstall it, but there's always residual pieces on your system. I normally just reinstall the OS from scratch and install only the software I want.

» Edited on: 2013-01-08 09:51:22

» Edited on: 2013-01-08 10:01:37

» Edited on: 2013-01-08 10:04:13

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Ban Caomhnoir de na Aracos Corcra
Twilah
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Replied On: 01/08/2013 at 10:02 AM PST
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That's actually hwere I am at now, but it keeps coming back to that "Dedicated memory" of the video card. I am doing my research because neither of the video cards are "great" but they will do the trick. the NVIDIA GT620 on the Asus does not have dedicated memory on the video card. the NVIDIA GT640 on the Alienware does. So the question is, does the video card itself come with the dedicated memory? In other words, if I buy the Asus and then upgrade the video card at a later date can I get one with dedicated memory? **did some research and it looks like the video card itself either comes with dedicated memory or not. So this is something I can upgrade in the future, and truthfully the NVIDIA GT640 on the Alienware does not come with stellar reviews. My conclusion is that the video card is not worth the extra $300 I would pay for the Alienware and I think I will order the ASUS since it make my budget much happier. If I am not happy with the graphics I'm sure I can order a better card as a future replacement for less than $300. Thanks all! Now I just wait for the tax refund.

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Finsceal de na Ulchabhan Buí
Pops
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Replied On: 01/08/2013 at 11:27 AM PST
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Good choice!

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Ban Caomhnoir de na Aracos Corcra
Twilah
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Replied On: 01/08/2013 at 12:14 PM PST
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After all that, I spotted this one. The video cards is one of the top rated: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Alienware+-+X51+Desktop+-+6GB+Memory+-+1TB+Hard+Drive/6912556.p?id=1218812711766&skuId=6912556 Third generation i5 and not i7, but I think that's okay. It has the memory and should look really good visually with that card. Pretty good value, comparatively.

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Ban Caomhnoir de na Aracos Corcra
Twilah
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Replied On: 01/08/2013 at 01:09 PM PST
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Okay, going to stop posting now as I learn more. The difference between the Intel i5 and i7 processors is actually pretty significant, since the third gen i5 processors support 2500HD and the third gen i7 go up to 4000HD with much more memory cache per chip. So I'm going to get the Asus since it has a great CPU at a good price and make sure I understand what video cards are available for upgrades. The NVIDIA's seem to rock more in the GTX series.

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Seaimpin de na Ulchabhan Gorm
khy0te
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Replied On: 01/08/2013 at 02:00 PM PST
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My suggestion would be to "geek build" your machine, that way you can get the most bang for your buck because of not having to pay for the markups stores add. I get all of my parts from Newegg.com (usually). Even if you don't know how to assemble a computer from computer parts yourself you probably know someone who does.

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Twilah
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Replied On: 01/08/2013 at 02:18 PM PST
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I've learned a ton in the past few days, and I ended up ordering the Alienware I originally linked. I know there's a mark up, but it's also a convenience people like me pay for. The Asus had a few things that raised my eyebrows (the more I learned)like the type of memory and the LAN connection only being N class. Rylssa had a going point in that Alienware assembles a balanced machine when they put their name on a design. I'm still not excited about the video card, but this game is very dependent on the CPU speed and memory and this machine should deliver both very well. If not I will take it back to Best Buy :) The guys there have been a terrific help also since I have been over there a few times in the last several days to talk to them. So I pushed my GW101 class back to the 18th, since I will probably be out of game at least a day when this gets delivered.

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Ban Fili de na Ulchabhan Bán
Rylssa
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Replied On: 01/08/2013 at 06:31 PM PST
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Sounds like you've done some good research, thanks for posting your findings. :) I'm sure it'll work out great and you'll be getting some very good FPS on GW2 soon.

“Your imagination is your preview of life’s coming attractions.” ~ Albert Einstein
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