I've got a situation... Please Help

[robertomad]

I thought I have finally decided. I've research this company where I thought I will buy my PC and they have awful reviews (Computerplanet.co.uk). So I went to dell and try to find the same specs that I want. Here it is:

CPU: Intel i7-960 (No OC please)
Mem: Corsair 6GB XMS3 1600
MB: Asus Rampage 2 Extreme
PSU: Coolermaster 1100w
Case: CM Storm Sniper (beofre it was 690)
GPU: ATI HD 5850 (Before it 5770)
HDD: I've got 1 SATA and 2 IDE and planning to buy 500GB SATA to add because the other are more than 4 years old.
Cooler: Corsair H50

PRICE = £1400+

So I did found 1 from DELL, it's the Alienware Aurora ALX. My current system is DELL dimension 8333 and 6 years old so I can say IMO, dell is quite good with their PCs.

CPU: Intel i7-950 (Although I want i7-960)
Mem: Corsair 6GB 1333
MB: Dell MOBO
PSU: 875W( from what I read)
Case: Alienware Case (Which is really cool)
GPU: ATI HD 5870
HDD: 750 GB SATA 16MB

PRICE: £1570+

But then I saw this other company CyberPowerSystem which has some good and badd reviews, 70% and 30% respectively.

CPU: Intel i7-960 (No OC please)
Mem: Corsair 6GB XMS3 1600
MB: Asus Rampage 2 Extreme
PSU: Coolermaster 1100w
Case: CM Storm Sniper (beofre it was 690)
GPU: ATI HD 5850
HDD: 750 GB SATA 16MB

PRICE = £1529

I'm really confuse what to get. And there's another one. I can get the HD 5870 from CYBERPOWERSYSTEM just by changing my MOBO from R2E to P6t Deluxe V2.

I really need some help. I'm really confuse. My Original Budget was £1300 but My wife agreed for me to add £300 more. Because she knows that It will take another 6 year or so before I change my PC. It's just really hard to decide. As some of you may already know, I'm going to use my PC for Web and Software Development (and will be using VMWARE Server or Virtual PC), Photoshop, Video Editting and Conversion. And Lots of Multi-Tasking. Game probably. My current setup is P4 2.8 Benq 24" is my main monitor with multi-display to 40" TV 1080p.

I need to decide as soon as possible becuase in January the VAT will go back from 15% to %17.5 which will have a huge impact on my budget. Sorry to keep on asking questions about my build... Just reall need some help.

Thanks in Advance.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Getting the Rampage II Extreme is like Buying a Porsche and saying you don't wanna go fast. The board is pure overclockers board. Get this instead

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131614

PSU is way oversized....no need for anything over 850 watts w/ twin GFX, 650 w/ single GFX

You don't need an aftermarket CPU cooler if not OC'ing

Corsair memory is vastly overpriced last 4-5 weeks for some reason....besides this is faster.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226050&Tpk=998691

HD get a Spinpoint F3 or Seagate 7200.12 if under 2 TB in size. At 2 TB size, WD Black is also good choice.

GFX choose from here:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-310-5970,2491.html

Here's the "winners" from THG's latest (December) GFX Roundup
Best Graphics Cards For The Money: December '09


$50 - HD 4650
$65 - HD 4670 / 9600 GSO
$85 - 9600 GT
$95 - 9600 GT / HD 4830
$110 - GTS 250 512 MB
$120 - GTS 250 1 GB
$155 - HD 5770 / GTX 260
$200 - HD 4890
$240 - 2 x GTS 250
$310 - No winner (HD 5850 Honorable Mention)
$330 - 2 x GTX 260 / 2 x HD 5770
$400 - 2 x HD 4890
$410 - No winner (HD 5870 Honorable Mention)
$465 - No winner (GTX 295 Honorable Mention)
$625 - No winner (HD 5970 Honorable Mention)

I would avoid alienware.....and suggest that you build box yourself.

 

[shovenose]

i would agree with JackNaylorPE to avoid alienware. yes its made by dell, yes its cr*ppy quality. the * is an A! i would avoid SeaGate hard drives. they're OK but ive had better experiences with WD. also, samsung makes nice hard drives

 

[robertomad]

Hi i saw this MOBO from tigerdirect's review. But just not sure if it's out already in the UK. But the board looks cool and future proof due to USB 3.0.

May I ask why Alienware is not good choice? Just out of curiosity.

Thanks again.

 

[robertomad]

Getting the Rampage II Extreme is like Buying a Porsche and saying you don't wanna go fast. The board is pure overclockers board. Get this instead

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131614

PSU is way oversized....no need for anything over 850 watts w/ twin GFX, 650 w/ single GFX

You don't need an aftermarket CPU cooler if not OC'ing

Corsair memory is vastly overpriced last 4-5 weeks for some reason....besides this is faster.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226050&Tpk=998691

HD get a Spinpoint F3 or Seagate 7200.12 if under 2 TB in size. At 2 TB size, WD Black is also good choice.

GFX choose from here:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-310-5970,2491.html

Here's the "winners" from THG's latest (December) GFX Roundup
Best Graphics Cards For The Money: December '09



$50 - HD 4650
$65 - HD 4670 / 9600 GSO
$85 - 9600 GT
$95 - 9600 GT / HD 4830
$110 - GTS 250 512 MB
$120 - GTS 250 1 GB
$155 - HD 5770 / GTX 260
$200 - HD 4890
$240 - 2 x GTS 250
$310 - No winner (HD 5850 Honorable Mention)
$330 - 2 x GTX 260 / 2 x HD 5770
$400 - 2 x HD 4890
$410 - No winner (HD 5870 Honorable Mention)
$465 - No winner (GTX 295 Honorable Mention)
$625 - No winner (HD 5970 Honorable Mention)

I would avoid alienware.....and suggest that you build box yourself.

The reason why I'm getting R2E becuase of the added performance. I'm not going to OC now but I'm planninng to OC when I need more power to the CPU. probably in 3-4 years time.

 

[PC_Plum]

I saw the Alienware and it's really cool. Specially the way the vent is opens automatically when it detects the temp is getting hotter and closes when it's cold. It's just too expensive for me.

 

[shovenose]

alienware looks cool and may have goos specs but its mediocre to low quality and is way overpriced