Buy or make?

[Chris20826]

My gaming PC is getting very old, it only has a 2.1 GHz dual core processor most of the parts cant be changed since I bought it from a store but I cant decide if I just want to buy another one or build one. Right now im looking at an alienware with these specs

Intel® Core™ i7-970 Processor, 3.23GHz, 12MB Cache
Dual 2GB GDDR5 ATI Radeonâ„¢ HD 5970 CrossfireXâ„¢ Enabled
12GB Triple Channel 1600MHz DDR3
600GB RAID 0 (2x 300GB SATA-II, 10k RPM, 16MB Cache HDDs)
Single Drive: 24X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
Alienwares price: about $5,500

I went with a 600GB HD because I usualy reimage my computers atleast once every year and right now my 285GB HD isnt much of a problem.

Ive looked up some of the parts, or parts close to it, on newegg but it dosnt seem much if at all cheaper to build it myself. Im looking to buy or build a computer that will run any games coming out for the next 4+ years.

 

[Yami]

Is this for gaming? I'm guessing so because of the two HD5970s.
You can build that system for about half the price if you build it yourself (or pay someone to put it together for you).
For starters:
- The CPU is far too high-spec'd. It's the same CPU as an i7 930, just clocked higher. You can get to 3.23GHZ yourself (and further) with some basic overclocking and a semi-decent air cooler.
i7 930 = $300
i7 970 = $800
- A single HD5970 can play pretty much any game out right now, at full graphics at 1080p. There's really no reason to get a second one now. If you get to a point where it starts to struggle with games, you can buy it then for probably half the price it is now.
- 6GB is plenty, even for gamers. You'll struggle to even make use of 4GB with gaming. The only reason to ever get more than 6GB is if you're going to be using multiple VMs or heavy, heavy processing. If you ever do find yourself needing more RAM, you can buy it then
- Instead of getting two 10k drives and raiding them, invest in a high-quality SSD. You'll get what is probably better performance, in a simpler, quieter setup. The best way to do it is to follow the usual model of putting your OS+programs on the SSD, and then getting a separate hard drive for storage - for example a decent 1TB - on which you should put your music, games, video, image of the OS on the SSD, etc.

Considering you have a very large budget, I can throw a build together for you on Newegg, if you'd like?

 

[Sean W.]

Yami pretty much summed it up. do not buy a computer, especially from alien ware.

here is a build i put together that i really want to build if i ever get the money: i already have an OS so thats why its not lsited.

Case: $280
Corsair Obsidian Series 800D
Newegg.com - Corsair Obsidian Series 800D CC800DW Black Aluminum / Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case

Mother Board: $285
ASUS P6X58D Premium LGA 1366
Newegg.com - ASUS P6X58D Premium LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

CPU: $270
Intel Core i7 Processor i7-920
Amazon.com: Intel Core i7 Processor i7-920 2.66GHz 8 MB LGA1366 CPU BX80601920: Electronics

Graphics Card: $720
XFX HD-597A-CNB9 Radeon HD 5970 Black Edition
Newegg.com - XFX HD-597A-CNB9 Radeon HD 5970 Black Edition 2GB 512 (256 x 2)-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

RAM: $150
G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
Newegg.com - G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9T-6GBNQ

PSU: $170
CORSAIR HX Series CMPSU-850HX
Newegg.com - CORSAIR HX Series CMPSU-850HX 850W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

SSD: $250
Kingston SSDNow V Series SNV425-S2BN/128GB
Newegg.com - Kingston SSDNow V Series SNV425-S2BN/128GB 2.5" Notebook Bundle 128GB SATA II Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

HDD: $200
Seagate Barracuda XT ST32000641AS 2TB
Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda XT ST32000641AS 2TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

DVD burner: $20
ony Optiarc Black 24X DVD+R
Newegg.com - Sony Optiarc Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA CD/DVD Burner - CD / DVD Burners


total: $2345