New pre-built Gaming System

[Schweer]

Long-time lurker, first-time poster, so bear with me.

I understand these threads seem to be a dime a dozen, but this community has an incredible amount of knowledge associated with it, so I figure this is as good a place as any to start.

Friend of mine just got a job and got a pretty fat signing bonus. He wants to purchase a nice gaming rig, but does not want to piece one together.

He's taken a look at Alienware, PC Overdrive, and the Dimension XPS. His requirements are as follows:

AMD64 Processor
ATI X850 Platinum

That's really about it. Again, he does not care to build his own. Budget, as mentioned, is $3000.

Take it away.

Schweer

 

[scruffles]

but he can only put in one platinum, y not two 6800 ultra's in the sli board, that's better

 

[scruffles]

also, with the promise of dual-core processors comming out, it would probably be wise to go with a 3500+ or 3800+ 64 because that can handle all the games right now and prolly in the near future. you could put together a killer system not for about 1600-1800$. Then upgrade processors when big doggs come out.

 

[Schweer]

Again, might I reiterate, he seems pretty dead set on an AMD64 processor. And he would also like this system pre-assembled (see: retail).

Thanks for pointing out the SLI feature. I did forget to mention that he didn't care for that option. He feels the performance increase experienced using an SLI setup did not justify the additional expense.

Schweer

 

[imported_NoGodForMe]

You could try FalconNorthwest. They've had some positive reviews written about them, and are more of a gaming site rather than generic.
http://www.falcon-nw.com/

 

[Schweer]

Falcon had some pretty decent rigs. I may have to let him know about that. Any other possibities?

Thanks NGFM!

Schweer

 

[ComatoseDelirium]

Originally posted by: NoGodForMe
You could try FalconNorthwest. They've had some positive reviews written about them, and are more of a gaming site rather than generic.
http://www.falcon-nw.com/

I'd have to concur, either that.. or go to a local independant computer store, we have loads around here, Hamilton Ontario Canada, and they will build you an awesome system, with less cash grab, and 'package deals' plus you get to interact with humans.

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: Schweer
Falcon had some pretty decent rigs. I may have to let him know about that. Any other possibities?

Thanks NGFM!

Schweer

Monarch? Very customizable systems, with a pretty good reputation.

Or you could try locally, as suggested above (but depending on where you are and what you can find, online could easily be cheaper).

 

[KoolDrew]

I would check out Falcon

Optimized and accessible BIOS
We don't hide your BIOS behind a graphic or limit your access to it. We tweak every system's BIOS settings individually to the very edge of performance - but not one step beyond (risking instability). That means maximum speed without crashing or graphics problems. And If you want to play with your settings to overclock... we give you the tools.

I was checking out their website and read that. That is a big + for me. I like to be abloe to acess all of the BIOs options rather then hiding them like Dell does.

 

[slash196]

I'd suggest taking a peek over at Monarch. You can customize EVERY component in your box, so it's just like building it yourself, except other, smarter people do it. And thy state their building fee up front. 45 bucks, pretty reasonable, but you pay Monarch price for all the components. Sometimes that's good, sometimes, not so much.

 

[Malak]

I just got my alienware in with the x850XT PE a week ago. I'm very satisfied with their support and product. Although I didn't go AMD, as at purchase there were no PCI-E mobos for AMD.

 

[josepavento]

www.abspc.com

Excellent customer service.