08-15-2007, 03:17 PM
|
#1
|
|
Powerplay Quarterback
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Calgary
|
I want a new computer but I'm at a loss where to go...
I don't really want to deal with Dell or other online vendors, I'm not a big fan of Dells anyway...
I'd like to go a little high-end but not willing to pay Voodoo money, and now that they are HP I wouldn't buy from them anyway...
Memory Express while affordable I'm not sure about the quality of components used in their PC's and don't want a PC that has a real weak/cheap component that bottle necks everything... or causes me a ton of headaches, e.g. a friend of mine got his computer there and had endless problems with over heating and locking up... and they couldn't figure it out... I think in some cases they are too cheap - fine to buy a part from and install yourself but the whole package seems to be problematic...
Building my own - well I *probably* could but I'd really rather not...
I'm just not sure where to go or who to use and would like a few suggestions... good and bad experiences...
|
|
|
|
08-15-2007, 03:25 PM
|
#3
|
|
The new goggles also do nothing.
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Calgary
|
Voodoo is a ripoff for what you get anyway, though I wish I would have started it 
I think the best deals are still to be found at Dell IMO, they have decent quality stuff for the price. And for something like your friends case of constant overheating or locking up, I think your chances of them replacing stuff (or the while computer) until they finally fix the problem are greater than Memory Express.
You could go with other brand name PC, such as Lenovo or even a Mac, the new ones they just released are quite nice.
What you could do is post what you want it to do for you here, and we can chime in with the components we would suggest, and then you can get Memory Epxress to build it for you. Or one of the other small retailers in town. That way you know exactly what is going into the machine, not a default cheap choice.
So that way you kind of get the best of both worlds.. you're "building it yourself", except your delegating the actual assembly to someone else. Plus they give an increased warranty if they assemble it.
__________________
Uncertainty is an uncomfortable position.
But certainty is an absurd one.
|
|
|
|
|
08-15-2007, 03:26 PM
|
#4
|
|
Franchise Player
|
I'm assuming you're looking for a desktop so this probably doesn't help.
The wife and I just got a Macbook Pro. Totally awesome, aside from the Fedex delivery problems. I'm not a big games guy, though, so that might be a bit of a conern.
|
|
|
|
|
08-15-2007, 03:27 PM
|
#5
|
|
The new goggles also do nothing.
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Calgary
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Canada 02
|
Got a couple of Alienware systems in the office, they're quite nice, but they use the same components as if you had bought it from Memory Express and hand-picked the components, not worth the price premium IMO.
Plus they're owned by Dell now
__________________
Uncertainty is an uncomfortable position.
But certainty is an absurd one.
|
|
|
|
|
08-15-2007, 03:27 PM
|
#6
|
|
Franchise Player
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Vancouver
|
alienware is owned by dell and rediculiously expensive.
you said you don't want to build your own, but you want good components you can customize your own computer at either memory expres or www.ncix.com and put exactly what you want into it and have them build it for you. I think ncix does that free of charge..don't quote me on that though. but you have to pay for shipping.
if you have enough knowledge on the components but just don't want to put it together, this is probably the best idea.
i'm in the middle of building myself a high end system and my components will come from ncix and mem exp. and i'm putting it together.
|
|
|
|
|
08-15-2007, 03:31 PM
|
#7
|
|
Backup Goalie
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: NW Calgary
Exp: 
|
I second memory express. My family and I have shopped there for years, with great prices and service. They have a great online quote program as well so you can figure out exactly what the components cost altogether.
www.memoryexpress.com
|
|
|
|
|
08-15-2007, 03:32 PM
|
#8
|
|
Powerplay Quarterback
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Calgary
|
@photon
I aprreciate that option, thing is I know I want it for gaming but I don't have a specific game in mind... what I want (dualcore 3ghrz, 4 gig ram, 750gig HD, kickass vid card with dual monitors etc...) is waaaay beyond what I need... and would end up costing $5000+
I guess I'm looking to keep it $2000ish (preferably including monitor, but I'd understand if that pushed up the price some)... I want a decent machine that will play pretty much any game on the market today and won't be completely out of date by christmas...
@Canada 02 - Alienware looks cool but you pay through the nose for it...
|
|
|
|
|
08-15-2007, 03:34 PM
|
#9
|
|
Franchise Player
|
I second NCIX. Even with shipping a lot of the time it's cheaper than Memory Express. Have NCIX build it for you and ship it. They always have sales too on parts so look out for those. Memory Express isn't what it used to be.
|
|
|
|
|
08-15-2007, 03:35 PM
|
#10
|
|
The new goggles also do nothing.
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Calgary
|
Actually with prices the way they are, you should be able to get a pretty great system for the price you want. Prices aren't that bad, even video card prices are suprisingly low, I've seen an 8800GTS 320MB for less than $300!
The big ticket will be the monitors if you want to go with dual ones that are capable gaming monitors.
__________________
Uncertainty is an uncomfortable position.
But certainty is an absurd one.
|
|
|
|
|
08-15-2007, 03:36 PM
|
#11
|
|
Powerplay Quarterback
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Calgary
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by worth
i'm in the middle of building myself a high end system and my components will come from ncix and mem exp. and i'm putting it together.
|
I'd be curious to see what your building and how much its costing you worth...
@Fredr123 - I was looking at Macs, but I think the big draw back is games - they say they can run the windows O/S but I highly doubt that means graphic and processor heavy apps like a game in the windows within the mac... plus to get a higher end mac - desk top or lap top can be pricey...
I don't want to be paying this thing down like a car...
|
|
|
|
|
08-15-2007, 03:36 PM
|
#12
|
|
The new goggles also do nothing.
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Calgary
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by LockedOut
I second NCIX. Even with shipping a lot of the time it's cheaper than Memory Express. Have NCIX build it for you and ship it. They always have sales to on parts so look out for those. Memory Express isn't what it used to be.
|
Agree, the only downside there is warranty.. you either have to send it back, or deal with the vendor warranty directly. For myself, I do that as I have no problem with it, but that's a thing to consider.
__________________
Uncertainty is an uncomfortable position.
But certainty is an absurd one.
|
|
|
|
|
08-15-2007, 03:39 PM
|
#13
|
|
Franchise Player
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by photon
Actually with prices the way they are, you should be able to get a pretty great system for the price you want. Prices aren't that bad, even video card prices are suprisingly low, I've seen an 8800GTS 320MB for less than $300!
The big ticket will be the monitors if you want to go with dual ones that are capable gaming monitors.
|
I'll pimp NCIX again for the video card:
http://tinyurl.com/387bx9
$253.88 after $15 mail in rebate and free shipping.
|
|
|
|
|
08-15-2007, 03:39 PM
|
#14
|
|
Powerplay Quarterback
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Calgary
|
I'll take a look at ncix - thats the kind of thing I was hoping to get from this - I hjave never heard of them before
@photon - the dual monitors were just the want -  need is totally different, but I agree - for the range I'm willing to spend I think I should be able to get something pretty decent.... but I just want to do it right - ya' know...
|
|
|
|
|
08-15-2007, 03:42 PM
|
#16
|
|
The new goggles also do nothing.
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Calgary
|
Processor :Intel Core™2 Duo Processor E6750 2.66GHz w/ 4MB Cache 1 $239.95 $239.95 CPU Heatsink / Fan :Intel Retail Heatsink and Fan 1 $0.00 $0.00 Motherboards :eVGA Gear for Gaming Upgrade Bundle #1 w/ nForce 680i Motherboard + e-GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 1 $579.95 $579.95 Memory :OCZ 2GB PC2-6400 EL Platinum XTC Edition Dual Channel DDR2 Kit (2 x 1GB) 1 $129.95 $129.95 Case :Antec Sonata III Quiet Super Mini Tower w/ EarthWatts 500W, eSATA 1 $119.95 $119.95 Power Supplies :Antec EarthWatts 500W Power Supply Included with Case 1 $0.00 $0.00 Hard Drives 1 :Seagate 750GB Barracuda 7200.10 SATA II w/ NCQ, 16MB Cache 1 $249.95 $249.95 Hard Drives 2 :None 0 $0.00 $0.00 Optical Drive 1 :LG Super Multi DVD Writer 18x18x10 DVD +/-RW Dual-Layer, SATA, Black (OEM) 1 $39.95 $39.95 Optical Drive 2 :None 0 $0.00 $0.00 Video Cards :eVGA e-GeForce 8800GTS 320MB PCI-E Included with Bundle 1 $0.00 $0.00 Monitors :None 0 $0.00 $0.00 Sound Cards :None 0 $0.00 $0.00 Ethernet Cards :None 0 $0.00 $0.00 Operating System :Microsoft Windows XP Professional w/ SP2B (w/ System Purchase), OEM
Sub-Total:
$1529.65
GST:
$91.78
Total Cost:
$1621.43
1 $169.95 $169.95
__________________
Uncertainty is an uncomfortable position.
But certainty is an absurd one.
|
|
|
|
|
08-15-2007, 03:42 PM
|
#17
|
|
Powerplay Quarterback
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Calgary
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by LockedOut
|
see this is the stuff I'm less sure about - is e-GeForce related Nvidia G-force, or is this a knock off of sorts... would a guy run into issues because its not the name brand model?
|
|
|
|
|
08-15-2007, 03:43 PM
|
#18
|
|
Franchise Player
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
|
Custom design a system from Memory Express.
__________________
Huge thanks to Dion for the signature!
|
|
|
|
|
08-15-2007, 03:43 PM
|
#19
|
|
Franchise Player
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Vancouver
|
This is essentially my PC, whish is a little over your price range, but NCIX usually has weekly specials and stuff so you can get a lot of things cheaper than they are listed here.
And for $2000 you can get a really good rig.
Quote:
|
PC Builder Quotation # 2618362 Category Image Item Description In Stock QTY Price Ext. Price Case  Silverstone Temjin TJ09-BW Black E-ATX Case 4X5.25 1X3.5 6X3.5INT No PS W/ Windows
(SST-TJ09-BW) (sku: 21307) In Stock 1 $309.99 $309.99 Processor  Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Quad Core Processor LGA775 Kentsfield 2.40GHZ 1066FSB 8MB Retail Box
(BX80562Q6600) (sku: 22211) In Stock 1 $351.84 $351.84 Motherboard  ASUS P5K Premium WIFI-AP ATX LGA775 P35 2PCI-E16 2PCI-E1 3PCI SATA RAID Sound WLAN 1394 Motherboard
(P5K PREMIUM/WIFI-AP) (sku: 25429) In Stock 1 $267.00 $267.00 Memory  Corsair XMS2 TWIN2X2048-6400C4 2GB 2X1GB PC2-6400 DDR2-800 CL 4-4-4-12 240PIN Dual Channel Memory
(TWIN2X2048-6400C4) (sku: 18580) In Stock 1 $184.99 $184.99 Video Card  EVGA E-GEFORCE 8800GTX 575MHZ 768MB 1.8GHZ GDDR3 Dual DVI-I HDTV Out HDCP DIRECTX10 Video Card
(768-P2-N831-AR) (sku: 21408) In Stock 1 $624.05 $624.05 IDE Hard Drives  Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 500GB SATA2 3GB/S 7200RPM 16MB Cache NCQ Hard Drive
(ST3500630AS) (sku: 18413) In Stock 2 $153.98 $307.96 DVD Writer  Pioneer DVR-212D Black DVD-RW 18X6X18 DVD+RW 18X8X18 DL 10X SATA 2MB OEM DVD Burner No Software
(DVR-212DBK) (sku: 23283) In Stock 1 $39.87 $39.87 Operating System Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate Edition 64BIT DVD OEM
(66R-00838) (sku: 22442) In Stock 1 $225.97 $225.97 Power Supply  Corsair CMPSU-620HX 620W ATX Triple 12V 50A 24PIN ATX Modular Power Supply 120MM Fan 2X PCI-E
(CMPSU-620HX) (sku: 19831) In Stock 1 $164.99 $164.99 No assembly $0.00 YOUR TOTAL
All quoted prices are in CANADIAN DOLLARS $2,476.67
|
|
|
|
|
|
08-15-2007, 03:43 PM
|
#20
|
|
Franchise Player
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: in your blind spot.
|
I've had luck looking up the price at Memory Express, then going accross the road (well, actually it is kitty corner) to OEM Depot. The guy working there is always assembling a new system. Say to him, "This is what I was looking for, and will you beat Memory Express' price?"
__________________
"The problem with any ideology is that it gives the answer before you look at the evidence."
—Bill Clinton
"The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance--it is the illusion of knowledge."
—Daniel J. Boorstin, historian, former Librarian of Congress
"But the Senator, while insisting he was not intoxicated, could not explain his nudity"
—WKRP in Cincinatti
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:45 PM.
|
|
