Considering buying Dimension XPS

[louise]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Hello,
I'm planning on buying a Dimension XPS for my boyfriend and was wondering if
anyone had any recommendations on customized configurations. I'm looking
primarily for a gaming machine. Is it worth buying now or waiting until
later in the year? I understand that new graphics cards and processors
options will become available. (I'm buying from Dell UK)

Also, what is the concessions on flat screens for gaming?

Thanks,
Louise

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Now is a great time to but a XPS. Dell recently redesigned them and ATI
recently released really good graphic cards. (See
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-3025_7-5133079.html) Both the 128 MB Radeon
X800 Pro and the 256 Radeon X800 XT will give incredible gaming performance.
The 256 Radeon X800 XT will give slightly better performance but is about
$100 more expensive. Which card you buy depends on how much money do you
want to spend on the computer. You can get a good XPS and CRT monitor a
little over $2000. If you're willing to spend $3000 or more then you could
get a LCD monitor and a faster processor, more hard drive and RAM etc.

Also when you say flat screens do you mean on CRT (regular) monitors or LCD
(the thin monitors).?

----- Original Message -----
From: "Louise" <unknown@mail.com>
Newsgroups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
Sent: Friday, July 23, 2004 7:20 AM
Subject: Considering buying Dimension XPS


> Hello,
> I'm planning on buying a Dimension XPS for my boyfriend and was wondering
if
> anyone had any recommendations on customized configurations. I'm looking
> primarily for a gaming machine. Is it worth buying now or waiting until
> later in the year? I understand that new graphics cards and processors
> options will become available. (I'm buying from Dell UK)
>
> Also, what is the concessions on flat screens for gaming?
>
> Thanks,
> Louise

 

[louise]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

| Also when you say flat screens do you mean on CRT (regular) monitors or
LCD
| (the thin monitors).?
|

I've heard that LCD screens are not ideal for certain types of games. Is
this still the case?

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

That depends on how demanding a gamer you are (or plan to be.)

The rap against LCD monitors used to be that their 'response time' was
inadequate for fast moving games. Without getting too technical, response
time is the time it takes for a pixel to change from one color to another.
If the response time isn't fast enough, the monitor can't keep up with the
speed of the game and movement becomes jagged or smeared. Many of todays LCD
monitors have very fast response times, so this is no longer a problem. Of
course, you'll pay more for an LCD with a fast response time. But then, if
you're not a hard core gamer you probably won't be bothered by a slower
response time.

--
Ted Zieglar
formerly "Rocket J. Squirrel"


"Louise" <unknown@mail.com> wrote in message
news:2mcofeFl8fagU1@uni-berlin.de...
> | Also when you say flat screens do you mean on CRT (regular) monitors or
> LCD
> | (the thin monitors).?
> |
>
> I've heard that LCD screens are not ideal for certain types of games. Is
> this still the case?
>
>

 

[john]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

i have the dell 2001fp....LOVE IT...

I hooked up xbox up to it and it seems to work fine. Dont' play too many
games on the computer tho. So can't give you an explanation for that
aspect.....


"Louise" <unknown@mail.com> wrote in message
news:2mcofeFl8fagU1@uni-berlin.de...
> | Also when you say flat screens do you mean on CRT (regular) monitors or
> LCD
> | (the thin monitors).?
> |
>
> I've heard that LCD screens are not ideal for certain types of games. Is
> this still the case?
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

That depends on how demanding a gamer you are (or plan to be.)

The rap against LCD monitors used to be that their 'response time' was
inadequate for fast moving games. Without getting too technical, response
time is the time it takes for a pixel to change from one color to another.
If the response time isn't fast enough, the monitor can't keep up with the
speed of the game and movement becomes jagged or smeared. Many of todays LCD
monitors have very fast response times, so this is no longer a problem. Of
course, you'll pay more for an LCD with a fast response time. But then, if
you're not a hard core gamer you probably won't be bothered by a slower
response time.

--
Ted Zieglar
formerly "Rocket J. Squirrel"


"Louise" <unknown@mail.com> wrote in message
news:2mcofeFl8fagU1@uni-berlin.de...
> | Also when you say flat screens do you mean on CRT (regular) monitors or
> LCD
> | (the thin monitors).?
> |
>
> I've heard that LCD screens are not ideal for certain types of games. Is
> this still the case?
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

My friend has a LCD and plays a tons of games and it works just great for
him. The display is definatly then my CRT monitor. I think that now a LCD is
a great choice if you're willing to pay more money.


"Louise" <unknown@mail.com> wrote in message
news:2mcofeFl8fagU1@uni-berlin.de...
> | Also when you say flat screens do you mean on CRT (regular) monitors or
> LCD
> | (the thin monitors).?
> |
>
> I've heard that LCD screens are not ideal for certain types of games. Is
> this still the case?
>
>

 

[ted]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

"Louise" <unknown@mail.com> wrote in message news:2mchl1Flk01hU1@uni-berlin.de...
> Hello,
> I'm planning on buying a Dimension XPS for my boyfriend and was wondering if
> anyone had any recommendations on customized configurations. I'm looking
> primarily for a gaming machine. Is it worth buying now or waiting until
> later in the year? I understand that new graphics cards and processors
> options will become available. (I'm buying from Dell UK)

Let me ask you something... are you dead set on having just
one boyfriend? Grin.

When buying an expensive gift for someone... particularly one
that involves many options and/or one that people have strong
preferences on, I think the best approach is to try find out what
they want rather than guess. You could ask a friend who might
know. Or ask a friend to pretend they are going to buy a
system and have them ask your BF for advice. Or arrange for
a Dell catalog to be out on the coffee table when you go over
to a friends house.

If you don't mind spending alot of money on the latest and
greatest gaming system, the XPS Gen 3 would be a fairly safe
bet [from Dell] However, be aware that you when you purchase
a top of the line offering, you tend to pay a premium. For example,
the latest and greatest system might be 70% more than the second
most powerfull machine, but chances are you won't be getting a
system that is 70% faster or that will last you 70% longer. Don't
feel you *have* to go for the XPS just because it is promoted as
the ultimate gaming system. An nicely configured 8400 would
still be an excellent gaming system, for example.

New CPUs, graphics boards, etc come out all the time. No
matter what you buy, there will be something better 6-12
months down the road. So don't get caught up in chasing
the latest and greatest.

> Also, what is the concessions on flat screens for gaming?

Just like there are audiophiles who are very picky about their
sound systems, there are displayphiles who are very picky about
their displays. I've come across plenty of supposed hard core
gamers who won't even touch a 2001FP (that has 16ms pixel
response time) due to ghosting. IMO, the single most important
consideration is the display, and some people like LCDs and
some people don't. Here again, it would be good to get a feel
for what your boyfriend would like.