Help me build a system like Alienwares !

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D

dandruff

Golden Member
Jan 28, 2000
1,407
6
81
Young architect trying to start up my own firm ...
seen and drooled over Alienwares's highpriced digital content creation PCs (eg. MJ-12 3100) for $2944 ... well no way i have that kinda money ... all i have is $650 :( (slightly stretchable)

anyhoo ... help me build the best system I can build for that money ... work with Autocad 2002 with desktop 3.3, Autodesk Viz 4, Corel Graphics Suite 11, i make some videos (2-3 times a year) ... need it to be the main machine in my new office .. want to be 3yrs obsolence proof software wise ...

So far:
Abit IC7-MAX3 i875P $210 (can i do better than this MB for my purpose)

biggie i havent selected: graphics card ... (need a most bang for bucks model)

already have:
52x CDRW
floppy drive
basic cables

need:
case (missed on newegg's deals :(
DVD rw
HDD (2 : what kind??)

Sorry for the disjointed post .... thanks in advance!
 
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fredtam

Diamond Member
Jun 6, 2003
5,694
2
76
Get an abit IS7. Same performance $100 less.
Unless your budget is stretchable to around a $1000 I suggest switching to an AMD platform (intel fanboy saying this).
 
M

MercenaryForHire

Lifer
Jan 31, 2002
40,819
2
0
Hmm, you want to build a system just like an Alienware?

First, get the shiniest, gaudiest case you can find. Add neon lights and slap a "Alien Head" sticker on.

Secondly, pay about triple the wholesale cost. That'll get you that Alienware Elite feeling.

And most importantly, learn how to talk BS with no backup. Ask your local ricers for help - particularily the ones driving the car with the bolt-on exhaust, wing, and "Type-R" stickers.

Presto - You've got an Alienware! :D

- M4H

(Serious post coming soon. I just had to railroad Alienware.)
 
D

dpm

Golden Member
Apr 24, 2002
1,513
0
0
Yeah, for the budget you are looking at, you definately want to switch to AMD.

Also, you havent mentioned whether you've got a monitor or not - for the work you want to do, this is going to be a significant expense.

I can't tell you what the best graphics card to get, but you are definately going to want 1gb+ of RAM, and I'd agree with mcveigh
about the hard disks.

Think about what you can scrimp on to save $ - you don't really need sound, so an onboard will be fine (especially if you get an nforce2 motherboard
 
M

MercenaryForHire

Lifer
Jan 31, 2002
40,819
2
0
AMD for sure.

You should be saving for a badass monitor and graphics setup with that kind of design. With graphic design, you'll be spending a lot of time staring at a screen (or two) so don't pinch pennies there.

CRT monitors should be capable of at least 85Hz refresh at whatever resolution you choose. Get a pair of the same for ease of colourmatching. Video card wise, it will depend on how much 3D performance you need and whether you want multimonitor - but looking at your pricepoint, I'm going to suggest a Matrox G400. Excellent text quality - dualhead available, no DVI since I doubt you're considering LCDs.

- M4H
 
S

smashp

Platinum Member
Aug 30, 2003
2,443
0
0
save your money a little longer. I just built a couple machines for my brother in laws firm and they of course use the same software you do.


here is a list i would use as a min.


Intel D865PERL main Board (125)
2.6c p4 (160)
80 gig hd (99)
Cdrw (30)
1 gig ddr memory (190)
Decent case with 350w- 400w ps (60)
Try to pick up a GF4200ti used and use it (it works decently) until you can save up for a quatro of fireGL or a Radeon later.






HERE ya go Right From Newegg

ENERMAX CS-5018SNFS-B (BLACK) case w/350 ps $52

Intel BOXD865PERLL $122

Intel Pentium 4 / 2.4CGHz HT $174

2 CORSAIR 512MB PC3200 VS512MB400 DDR RAM $178

WD "SPECIAL EDITION" 80GB 7200RPM HD $78

Lite On 52x32x52 $39



Total 643.99


Then get a gf4-4200ti to hold you over.

This will be your best bet for a reliable yet upgradable system. Avoid AMD cpu's for this type of application. Autocad and the other programs you use utilize the P4 optimizations and you will definately benifit from Hyperthreading since most of these apps are multithread programs

 
Regs

Regs

Lifer
Aug 9, 2002
16,666
21
81
Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Hmm, you want to build a system just like an Alienware?

First, get the shiniest, gaudiest case you can find. Add neon lights and slap a "Alien Head" sticker on.

Secondly, pay about triple the wholesale cost. That'll get you that Alienware Elite feeling.

And most importantly, learn how to talk BS with no backup. Ask your local ricers for help - particularily the ones driving the car with the bolt-on exhaust, wing, and "Type-R" stickers.

Presto - You've got an Alienware! :D

- M4H

(Serious post coming soon. I just had to railroad Alienware.)
Click to expand...


That was serious enough. Alienware PCs are bloated and over priced.

 
S

smashp

Platinum Member
Aug 30, 2003
2,443
0
0
Originally posted by: Regs
Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Hmm, you want to build a system just like an Alienware?

First, get the shiniest, gaudiest case you can find. Add neon lights and slap a "Alien Head" sticker on.

Secondly, pay about triple the wholesale cost. That'll get you that Alienware Elite feeling.

And most importantly, learn how to talk BS with no backup. Ask your local ricers for help - particularily the ones driving the car with the bolt-on exhaust, wing, and "Type-R" stickers.

Presto - You've got an Alienware! :D

- M4H

(Serious post coming soon. I just had to railroad Alienware.)
Click to expand...


That was serious enough. Alienware PCs are bloated and over priced.
Click to expand...


I used to work on them. Their Support and parts system was 100% awful. Took forever to obtain parts. They often sent Hd's in full fedex boxes with no peanuts or bubble wrap always DOA.

We called them top-o-the-line pieces of SH!t

 
F

fredtam

Diamond Member
Jun 6, 2003
5,694
2
76
Intel system

CHIEFTEC Server Chasis (Aluminum Workstation) BLACK w/450Watt Foxconn Power Supply- (old alienware case)
ABIT IS7
Intel Pentium 4 / 2.4C
2X CRUCIAL MICRON 512MB 64x64 PC 3200 DDR RAM - OEM
2X MAXTOR 80GB 7200RPM SATA HARD DRIVE
Sapphire Atlantis ATI RADEON 9600 PRO 128MB 8X AGP DVI/TV BULK
BLACK* NEC DVD +/- RW 4x DVD Recordable Drive Model ND-1300A/BLACK/GEN - OEM

Total $981


You could start with one stick of 512 3200RAM and Run in single channel for a while.
You could buy just one Hard Drive unless your plan is to run raid from the start.
Also this will probably spank the alienware becuase they use intel boards.

New total
$800

I would also change the PSU to an Antec in the future.


Priced at alienware.com $2021 (old case) with a 2.8 but the 2.4 will easily do 2.8.
 
beatle

beatle

Diamond Member
Apr 2, 2001
5,661
5
81
If CAD is your game, I would recommend getting an AMD, even moreso with your budget.

Take a look at this thread. There is a wealth of knowledge about CAD and the CPU best suited to it.
 
F

fredtam

Diamond Member
Jun 6, 2003
5,694
2
76
AMD setup

CHIEFTEC Server Chasis (Aluminum Workstation) BLACK w/450Watt Foxconn
Asus Motherboard for AMD Athlon XP/Duron Processors, Model# A7N8X Deluxe
AMD ATHLON XP 2500+ "Barton" 333 FSB
2X CRUCIAL MICRON 512MB 64x64 PC 3200
2X MAXTOR 80GB 7200RPM SATA HARD DRIVE
Sapphire Atlantis ATI RADEON 9600 PRO 128MB 8X AGP DVI/TV BULK
BLACK* NEC DVD +/- RW 4x DVD Recordable Drive Model ND-1300A/BLACK/GEN - OEM

Total $916

Total with 1HDD and 512Mb ram = $735.99
 
Regs

Regs

Lifer
Aug 9, 2002
16,666
21
81
Originally posted by: fredtam
AMD setup

CHIEFTEC Server Chasis (Aluminum Workstation) BLACK w/450Watt Foxconn
Asus Motherboard for AMD Athlon XP/Duron Processors, Model# A7N8X Deluxe
AMD ATHLON XP 2500+ "Barton" 333 FSB
2X CRUCIAL MICRON 512MB 64x64 PC 3200
2X MAXTOR 80GB 7200RPM SATA HARD DRIVE
Sapphire Atlantis ATI RADEON 9600 PRO 128MB 8X AGP DVI/TV BULK
BLACK* NEC DVD +/- RW 4x DVD Recordable Drive Model ND-1300A/BLACK/GEN - OEM

Total $916

Total with 1HDD and 512Mb ram = $735.99
Click to expand...

Wow, you can get a pretty damn good PC now for under a grand. Even going with the Intel route.
 
I

InlineFive

Diamond Member
Sep 20, 2003
9,599
2
0
Originally posted by: smashp
Originally posted by: Regs
Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Hmm, you want to build a system just like an Alienware?

First, get the shiniest, gaudiest case you can find. Add neon lights and slap a "Alien Head" sticker on.

Secondly, pay about triple the wholesale cost. That'll get you that Alienware Elite feeling.

And most importantly, learn how to talk BS with no backup. Ask your local ricers for help - particularily the ones driving the car with the bolt-on exhaust, wing, and "Type-R" stickers.

Presto - You've got an Alienware! :D

- M4H

(Serious post coming soon. I just had to railroad Alienware.)
Click to expand...


That was serious enough. Alienware PCs are bloated and over priced.
Click to expand...


I used to work on them. Their Support and parts system was 100% awful. Took forever to obtain parts. They often sent Hd's in full fedex boxes with no peanuts or bubble wrap always DOA.
Click to expand...

That is pretty bad. They are so overpriced that I could build a power-gamer for the same cost of their budget gamer. Not to mention that after some additional ca$h I can get a cooler looking case then their's.

-Por
 
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