Which are you happiest with ? Gateway, Dell, Alienware, or another ?

[Amber L]

I am looking to buy a computer to play EQ2 and have been
investigating the different computer companies that will build a
computer for you. I do not have a high income and so was shooting for
something from $1000 to $1500. I am curious if people could give me
some information on different computer building companies and if they
have had good or bad experiences with them.

I have done some research (i.e. read the EQ2 forums :)) and have
read different opinions of Dell and Gateway. I read where someone was
unhappy with Dell because they could only replace the parts of a Dell
computer with other specially made Dell parts.

On the other hand, with Gateway, I have read where someone was
unhappy with Gateway because they would create a computer for them with
parts that were refurbished but were mislead into thinking they were
new.

I checked out the Gateway site and liked the prices and the load
of 700 watt power suppliers in their computers but am nervous about how
trustworthy they may be.

I very briefly checked out the Dell site and their computers seem
to be much higher priced and have power supplies that are significantly
lower than 700 watts, even with those higher prices.

In regards to Alienware: I only checked out their site briefly
because I read different people's posts making reference to it but I
haven't hear much about Alienware in general.

So I am curious if anybody who has had experience with one or more
of these companies can post if they are happy with their computer and
their customer service there. I really miss EQ2 and would like to get a
computer to play it (not looking for Vanguard-ish specs.) The only
thing I have really decided against right now is an HP (I checked the HP
store for a HP "Gaming" computer for roughly $1800 that only had a 300
watt power supply ??)

Also, the computer I was looking at on Gateway allowed an upgrade
to a 7900gt video card and while I have read negative opinions of this
card in the past on the EQ2 forums, people seem to be ok with this card
now. Can anybody tell me if this would be a good card to play EQ2 on ?

Thank you very much for whatever information you can offer. Money
is tight for me and I would really like to deal with a company that I
can trust.

Thanks !

[Lief]

Post by Amber L
I am looking to buy a computer to play EQ2

Find a friend who can build one for you, you'll get a better, cheaper pc,
that will last longer and be more upgradeable. Failing that, spend time
asking on the web on how to build your own, take your time, you will be
happy with the result.

[Steve]

Post by Amber L
I am looking to buy a computer to play EQ2 and have been
investigating the different computer companies that will build a
computer for you. I do not have a high income and so was shooting for
something from $1000 to $1500. I am curious if people could give me
some information on different computer building companies and if they
have had good or bad experiences with them.
I have done some research (i.e. read the EQ2 forums :)) and have
read different opinions of Dell and Gateway. I read where someone was
unhappy with Dell because they could only replace the parts of a Dell
computer with other specially made Dell parts.
On the other hand, with Gateway, I have read where someone was
unhappy with Gateway because they would create a computer for them with
parts that were refurbished but were mislead into thinking they were
new.
I checked out the Gateway site and liked the prices and the load
of 700 watt power suppliers in their computers but am nervous about how
trustworthy they may be.
I very briefly checked out the Dell site and their computers seem
to be much higher priced and have power supplies that are significantly
lower than 700 watts, even with those higher prices.
In regards to Alienware: I only checked out their site briefly
because I read different people's posts making reference to it but I
haven't hear much about Alienware in general.
So I am curious if anybody who has had experience with one or more
of these companies can post if they are happy with their computer and
their customer service there. I really miss EQ2 and would like to get a
computer to play it (not looking for Vanguard-ish specs.) The only
thing I have really decided against right now is an HP (I checked the HP
store for a HP "Gaming" computer for roughly $1800 that only had a 300
watt power supply ??)
Also, the computer I was looking at on Gateway allowed an upgrade
to a 7900gt video card and while I have read negative opinions of this
card in the past on the EQ2 forums, people seem to be ok with this card
now. Can anybody tell me if this would be a good card to play EQ2 on ?
Thank you very much for whatever information you can offer. Money
is tight for me and I would really like to deal with a company that I
can trust.
Thanks !

Look into a company called Digital Storm. Much cheaper than any of the
places you mention for a better machine by far.

[the wharf rat]

Post by Amber L
I have done some research (i.e. read the EQ2 forums :)) and have
read different opinions of Dell and Gateway. I read where someone was
unhappy with Dell because they could only replace the parts of a Dell
computer with other specially made Dell parts.

Consumer Reports magazine recently rated computers and their
support.

If you really want a new machine you might look at Polywell
and Cyberpower. Both are "off brands" that have developed a good
reputation. I hesitate to recommend Gateway although they get good reports.
All the ones I've dealt with had less-than-ordinary generic components
and their techncial support sucks worse than camping Gorangas for lucid
shards. Dell's OK, still oriented more towards (large) business IMHO but
you can't really go wrong with them.

HP's also good. Alienware is too high end for you I think. I run
EQ on a P4-2.4 with a Nvidia 6600 based card so I'd bet any new system
will work fine for it.

[Faned]

Post by Amber L
I am looking to buy a computer to play EQ2 and have been
investigating the different computer companies that will build a
computer for you. I do not have a high income and so was shooting for
something from $1000 to $1500. I am curious if people could give me
some information on different computer building companies and if they
have had good or bad experiences with them.
I checked out the Gateway site and liked the prices and the load
of 700 watt power suppliers in their computers but am nervous about how
trustworthy they may be.
I very briefly checked out the Dell site and their computers seem
to be much higher priced and have power supplies that are significantly
lower than 700 watts, even with those higher prices.

Why so much concern over the power supply? A $1500 machine won't even max
out a 350 watt power supply, much less cause you to want twice that. I'm
running extra fans, liquid cooling, neon lighting and dual video cards on
450 watts.

I would recommend stopping by your local grocery store and looking at
Computer Shopper's "$1500 Roundup" edition (or whatever it may be called in
the current incarnation, it's always in-print). It might give you some
better options. I wouldn't purchase from any of the companies you listed
unless I had a specific reason for doing so, such as working for a company
that gives a hefty discount with Dell like mine does.

-- Faned

[Richard Carpenter]

Post by Faned

Post by Amber L
I am looking to buy a computer to play EQ2 and have been
investigating the different computer companies that will build a
computer for you. I do not have a high income and so was shooting
for something from $1000 to $1500. I am curious if people could give
me some information on different computer building companies and if
they have had good or bad experiences with them.
I checked out the Gateway site and liked the prices and the load
of 700 watt power suppliers in their computers but am nervous about
how trustworthy they may be.
I very briefly checked out the Dell site and their computers seem
to be much higher priced and have power supplies that are
significantly lower than 700 watts, even with those higher prices.

Why so much concern over the power supply? A $1500 machine won't even
max out a 350 watt power supply, much less cause you to want twice
that. I'm running extra fans, liquid cooling, neon lighting and dual
video cards on 450 watts.

If potentially having to replace hardware at some point is an acceptable
risk, then I would agree. Some people will cut corners knowing that if the
gamble (however small it may be) doesn't pay off, well, they can afford to
replace it. However, with PSU's, you very often get what you pay for.
Generic PSU's in commercial PC's will rarely reliably offer the output
listed on the unit. Additionally, dirty power can lead to hardware failure
or shortened life.

The *right* 450w PSU would likely be fine. I wouldn't want to run it too
close to capacity on anything not from a reputable PSU manufacturer,
though.

[VT master]

On Thu, 05 Jul 2007 11:41:25 -0500, Faned <***@quellious.eq> wrote:


I prefer to build my own. Makes upgrading a lot easier. I have to
admit I'm a bit of a harware snob. I only use full versions on intel
processors. No celerons or amd's for me. Don't skimp on memory!
I'd even go with a slower processor and get more ram, that way you
don't have the swapping to hardrive as much. That may be argued by
others but HD access is something on the order of 1000 times slower
than ram.

Post by Faned

Post by Amber L
I am looking to buy a computer to play EQ2 and have been
investigating the different computer companies that will build a
computer for you. I do not have a high income and so was shooting for
something from $1000 to $1500. I am curious if people could give me
some information on different computer building companies and if they
have had good or bad experiences with them.
I checked out the Gateway site and liked the prices and the load
of 700 watt power suppliers in their computers but am nervous about how
trustworthy they may be.
I very briefly checked out the Dell site and their computers seem
to be much higher priced and have power supplies that are significantly
lower than 700 watts, even with those higher prices.

Why so much concern over the power supply? A $1500 machine won't even max
out a 350 watt power supply, much less cause you to want twice that. I'm
running extra fans, liquid cooling, neon lighting and dual video cards on
450 watts.
I would recommend stopping by your local grocery store and looking at
Computer Shopper's "$1500 Roundup" edition (or whatever it may be called in
the current incarnation, it's always in-print). It might give you some
better options. I wouldn't purchase from any of the companies you listed
unless I had a specific reason for doing so, such as working for a company
that gives a hefty discount with Dell like mine does.
-- Faned

[Don Woods]

The last two times I needed to replace my system (once for my PC,
and more recently a laptop that I use for two-boxing) I've been
quite satisfied with the Dells I've gotten, but I don't get them
directly from the Dell site. A friend pointed me at a site called
"gotapex.com" that apparently seeks out and/or negotiates special
price deals. In many cases you can even change some of the specs
on the box and still get the special rate as a starting point.

I don't know if it'll have anything with the specs you want, but
I recommend giving it a look.

-- Don.

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