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I'm configuring an Alienware laptop for some gaming. I already made the decision to go with the 7200 RPM drive over RAID 0 at 5400. Anyway, now two more questions arise:
What CPU (AMD Athlon's FX or X2)? and...
What videocard (GeForce Go 6800 Ultra or 7800GTX)?I'm on a "sensible" budget (let's cap at $4500 USD), but I'd like to still be able to play America's Army and maybe some other games up in college next year :-). If your wondering, by the way, I'm configuring an Aurora m7700 and I have built multiple desktop rigs before. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I agree. I have been looking at gaming laptops for a while now since I travel a lot but can't fit it into my budget. So instead, I am going to build another desk top for my second home overseas. Any reason why you are going with Alien? There are many others? Please post a comment about you laptop once it is played.
Gigabyte GA-K8NXP-SLI
AMD Athlon 64 FX-55
Corsair 512X4 2048mb
2X WD Raptor 74gb 10K
2X 256 6800 GT
Raid-0
WinXP Pro X64
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Even though you've got the cash to burn here's some food for thought.
Sample Configuration.
CPU: Athlon X2 4800
Display: 17" WUXGA
Memory: 2.0GB DDR 400
HDD: 100GB SATA 7200RPM
Optical: 8X Dual Layer DVD+/-RW / Multi Drive
GPU : nVidia GeForce 7800 GTX 256MB
O.S. Windows XP ProUsing the above configuration for Alienware's Aurora™ m7700 System will cost you $4530.00 while you'll pay $3795.00 if the same model is purchased as a GEN-X-PC 9750....hmnn
The reason being that there are fewer ODM's as compared to OEM's and VAR's, and not everyone is well aware of this.
Goodluck.
I agree; computing.net does need an edit button.
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go for the x2 4400. And with the 300 bucks saved comparing to the 4800 try buying a 7800gtx512 mb!!!!!!!
Free
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Same computer above that Sabertooth mentions only with a 80GB 7200RPM ULTRA ATA 100 HARD DRIVE from cyberpowersystem.com is $3384.00. Then you can choose the FX 57 and be back to your original price. :)
Gigabyte GA-K8NXP-SLI
AMD Athlon 64 FX-55
Corsair 512X4 2048mb
2X WD Raptor 74gb 10K
2X 256 6800 GT
Raid-0
WinXP Pro X64
0
Ordering the same model configuration with the FX-57 under the Sting 917X2 alias from WidowPC will also run you about $4500.
The kicker to all this is, all three actually come in the same shell sans the OEM's embellishing. You can however eat your cake and have it by buying a clerical productivity level Latitude from Dell ($1500.00) to take notes in the classroom and use the remaining $3000 to build yourself a decent gaming desktop.
I agree; computing.net does need an edit button.
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Now that makes the BEST since. Laptops are not economically gaming machines while $3,000.00 can buy one hell of a gaming machine
Gigabyte GA-K8NXP-SLI
AMD Athlon 64 FX-55
Corsair 512X4 2048mb
2X WD Raptor 74gb 10K
2X 256 6800 GT
Raid-0
WinXP Pro X64
0
To be honest the best gaming processor out at the moment is the FX-57. Simply because there are hardly any games available (if any) that take advantage of the extra core in the dual core processors. For graphics you want an 7800GTX 512mb. If you want the best now and are prepared to buy a dual core in the not too distant future the FX-57 would be a better choice.
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"I'm on a "sensible" budget (let's cap at $4500 USD)"
Wow, if that is a "sensible" budget I wonder what would be considered extreem.
Michael J
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Go for an X2 4400+ for futureproofing.
The x2 4800+ is an absolute waste. Look at benchmarks. It is about a 50% more expensive than the x2 4400 but is only about a 10% faster.Free
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Ive seen the X2 4400+ overclock fairly well too with adequate cooling. That is the processor I plan to get next. Should give me a nice boost in encoding speeds. :-P
VeL
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"I'm on a "sensible" budget (let's cap at $4500 USD)"
"Wow, if that is a "sensible" budget I wonder what would be considered extreem."
If $4500 is sensible, then just what the heck is my budget doing at $800? >.<
Though seriously, get a separate laptop for class, and get the gaming desktop! My desktop (assuming I don't break it while I build it) will be a fair gaming desktop at one 5th of your price! (though it's just the tower, using my current monitor, etc with it)
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