Logistix or Tactical

[StarShadow]

Where is the option for convincing Wives to buy you a new computer for Christmas so you can take full advantage of this fine game?

Seriously I'm having some but not a lot of problems running on my old P2 400. It's nothing a reboot every few hours doesn't cure.

Can Gateway or Dell be considered a good gaming machine or should I build one from scratch?

Oh and I found the answer on the wife in the manual, I took the advice and mined her 500 diamonds

[Zuul]

Gateways are very good gaming machines, especially their higher end models rigged for gaming exclusively. As for Dell, I would never buy another system from them again. Don't ask me why, I just despise Dell,

If you don't mind building your own machine though, that is the best route to take as you can control the system configuration to your liking.

Gateways and all the rest of the pre-built systems always come with useless software loaded on that will screw up several programs/games if not uninstalled or deactivated. If you go for a Gateway, 1st thing you need to do is uninstall Help Spot program and probably the GoBack programs as they have a tendency to interfere with many applications. Other then for those useless programs, Gateways rock! Decent tech support too if you ever need it.

I'm sure someone is gonna swear by Dell, but don't say I didnt warn you.

[Gallion]

Buying a prebuilt PC from a vender for a gaming rig is a matter of choice and budget.

I'll not buy another prebuilt system from a vender again - this includes facfon northwest systems.

But to buy or build depends on budget and tenacity.

Budget - no brainer here - my current system cost me $1k to build. Which reminds me, I got a mobo here doing nothing that needs accessorized

Tenacity (aka research and patience) - takes a while to find and select the right componets. Not all componets work well together. Then there is the 2-3 day wait for overnight shipping.

So what am I saying here? Dont know really, but if you have the $$ and the tenacity then build your own system. That way you know exactly what is under the hood and the personnal satisfaction of building your own system.

If you want something quick and feel lucky, then get a prebuilt. Which one? Doesn't really matter, they are all the same to my eyes

TTFN

[ 11-25-2001: Message edited by: Gallion ]

[Guest]

Building your own system is cheaper. If I go to the Dell or Gateway websites and custom build a system that BARELY, and I mean BARELY comes close to what I built (as far as quality and features is concerned), it'd cost $3000 easy. I built it for $1400.

When you buy brand name computers, you buying just the brand. After working for Gateway, I know that Gateway puts REALLY crappy, low quality components on ALL their systems. Their vid cards are sold with overclocked drivers which will burn the card in a matter of weeks...but that's ok, they will send you a replacement one... within a week.. and woe if you didnt buy the *optional* 3 year warranty, you'll have a dead computer in 2 months (90 day warranty expires).

Research the stuff you want to put into your rig and find a store that sells it for low price. Pricewatch.com is good to find sites that sell you stuff.

I used www.newegg.com (vid card, HDD, dvd+burner, sound card+speakers), www.crucial.com (RAM) , www.micropro.com (Case, Monitor, CPU, keyboard, mouse). The Motherboard and heatsink I got from a local store called CHEAP GUYS COMPUTERS, I couldve gotten (and shouldve gotten) the CPU there as well, just for the sake of having the warranty holders *right there*.

Best of all, most of these stores offer FREE SHIPPING or really cheap overnight shipping.

All components for a computer offer 1 year warranty with manufacturer, if you buy the cpu/mobo/heatsink from a local store, they will give you their own warranty as well. Make sure your monitor has a 3 year manufacturers warranty, you'll need that for sure (them being the most $$ part and endangered by critters, children, irate wives and flying gamepads after you got fragged for the Nth time in Quake).

[Zuul]

Tac, I've NEVER had a Gateway blow up or ANY part inside of it over heat or anything. While I'll agree with you that they may put some crappy parts in their systems compared to some higher end stuff, you are totaly wrong about the quality of their computers.

I go through a Gateway cpu every 2 or 3 years with their financing program. And only reason I do it every couple years is to get a brand new top end system, not because they have ever broken down.

Not sure which Gateway you worked for.

[Supreme Cmdr]

If you know how, build your own. Our very own Advil is one of my newer supplies. I usually order all kinds of stuff from him, Google, some local dealers etc.

Contact Advil (pacecomputers.com) and tell him what you need and how much you want to spend and am sure he'll build it for you.

[ 11-26-2001: Message edited by: Supreme Cmdr ]

[Emmett.hendrick]

I worked for Gateway here in Ireland and I have had two of their PC's and I've never had any problems. What I don't like though is the way they use OEM components and strip options of various components(eg my voodoo 3 had no TV out on it) There systems aren't really that customisable if you go outside their options range but all in all they are reliable and well built but their tech support is painfull(for both the tech and the customer). Never bought a Dell but have used a few in work found some to be very buggy and crash a bit to often for my liking.

Always build your own if you have the knowledge and a bit of adventure in your blood just BE carefull or it may cost you in replaced components.

[Akira]

If you have the money to blow and MUST have a prebuilt pc... then look no farther than: AlienWare

Their machines are always top of the line and you get charged for it

But, if I couldn't build one myself, that's the only other place I'd look for a rig...

[Epsilon 5]

I prefer having a custom built system... mounting it myself... If something doesn't work I know it's my fault. If it works perfectly, that my "fault" My new system has worked perfectly since the 2 weeks I had it.

And my cpu (tbird 950) doesn't heat up... after a lot of gaming, I reboot my computer (I don't have a mobo hardware monitoring software) and cpu is never at more than 50c, my mobo at 45c, while my vidcard is generally between 55c and 62c.