In the past when I have purchased computers, the main consideration behind their specifications was Simming. So I would purchase them with the intent of having an ATI graphics card put in, if it wasn't already part of the package deal. I fought tooth and nail for the last one I bought, the guy was really pushing me for an NVIDIA. Sorry, ATI only for me, bucko. (NVIDIA cards are notorious for not working well with The Sims 2, for some reason)
So now I am possibly in the market for a new computer. Well... I pretty much am for certain, as my beast is coming up on the three year mark and it has gotten really laggy and tired, (had it custom built and had problems with it early on) and I don't want to spend money on this thing when it's a perfectly good excuse to get a new one. Plus I want Windows 7 so by the time I upgraded the system and buy the new OS, I might as well just buy a whole new machine.
The Sims 2 is my main game of choice (The Sims 3 just did not get my attention, I don't like the look of the game in general, plust it still doesn't have pets and that just doesn't roll with me) but I do like some of the shockwave games and such, plus I've been admiring Starcraft 2 from afar for a while.
(system requirements: http://us.blizzard.com/support/article. ... leId=26242 )
I don't really do any heavy gaming, though, and not usually for any real extended period of time. So I don't need a major gaming machine, or anything. But I do like to run my games on high specs and performance in that respect does matter to me.
I've been kind of scared away from http://www.TigerDirect.ca by a friend who says that most people in the industry avoid dealing with them at all costs due to a previous snafu of them refurbishing Dell PCs and selling them as new. But if anyone sees a system on there I should be seriously considering, I'd like to know.
I don't want to spend more than $700 (before taxes) on the new machine. So right now I am looking at two very different ones.
I am wondering if it is technological blasphemy to even consider getting a Dell, and I hate to admit that I've seen a system that has grabbed my interest. I have heard that the quality of their systems has improved leaps and bounds since their "Dude, you're getting a Dell!" days, but I've been carrying around a bias against them for a long time, LOL
http://www.dell.com/ca/p/xps-8300/pd
The 8GB of ram and the dedicated graphics card is really selling me on this one. In my price range I'm not seeing many systems with more than 4GB and because everything is being sold with Windows 7 64bit and the OS itself requires 2GB, I really do want some extra memory. Plus, it includes shipping, (will have to see if they only ship with Canada Post, hahahaha) and it has pretty good ratings.
On the downside, the graphics card is not a gaming level card, but it should take pretty much anything I'm going to throw at it, since I'm not hard core, right?
I know with hard core gamers, power supply is a big consideration. But for my casual level of gaming, is it something I really need to consider? Is a larger power supply just a good idea all around?
If so, I am looking at this computer:
http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_ ... _id=037503
It has an admirable graphics card, and a beefed up power supply, but only 2x2GB - not the 8 I would prefer. But if I don't need the power supply, then I don't want to greatly increase my electricity bill for no reason.
But, I'm pretty open to suggestions. As long as they don't include buying a mac or building my own computer.
So now I am possibly in the market for a new computer. Well... I pretty much am for certain, as my beast is coming up on the three year mark and it has gotten really laggy and tired, (had it custom built and had problems with it early on) and I don't want to spend money on this thing when it's a perfectly good excuse to get a new one. Plus I want Windows 7 so by the time I upgraded the system and buy the new OS, I might as well just buy a whole new machine.
The Sims 2 is my main game of choice (The Sims 3 just did not get my attention, I don't like the look of the game in general, plust it still doesn't have pets and that just doesn't roll with me) but I do like some of the shockwave games and such, plus I've been admiring Starcraft 2 from afar for a while.
(system requirements: http://us.blizzard.com/support/article. ... leId=26242 )
I don't really do any heavy gaming, though, and not usually for any real extended period of time. So I don't need a major gaming machine, or anything. But I do like to run my games on high specs and performance in that respect does matter to me.
I've been kind of scared away from http://www.TigerDirect.ca by a friend who says that most people in the industry avoid dealing with them at all costs due to a previous snafu of them refurbishing Dell PCs and selling them as new. But if anyone sees a system on there I should be seriously considering, I'd like to know.
I don't want to spend more than $700 (before taxes) on the new machine. So right now I am looking at two very different ones.
I am wondering if it is technological blasphemy to even consider getting a Dell, and I hate to admit that I've seen a system that has grabbed my interest. I have heard that the quality of their systems has improved leaps and bounds since their "Dude, you're getting a Dell!" days, but I've been carrying around a bias against them for a long time, LOL
http://www.dell.com/ca/p/xps-8300/pd
The 8GB of ram and the dedicated graphics card is really selling me on this one. In my price range I'm not seeing many systems with more than 4GB and because everything is being sold with Windows 7 64bit and the OS itself requires 2GB, I really do want some extra memory. Plus, it includes shipping, (will have to see if they only ship with Canada Post, hahahaha) and it has pretty good ratings.
On the downside, the graphics card is not a gaming level card, but it should take pretty much anything I'm going to throw at it, since I'm not hard core, right?
I know with hard core gamers, power supply is a big consideration. But for my casual level of gaming, is it something I really need to consider? Is a larger power supply just a good idea all around?
If so, I am looking at this computer:
http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_ ... _id=037503
It has an admirable graphics card, and a beefed up power supply, but only 2x2GB - not the 8 I would prefer. But if I don't need the power supply, then I don't want to greatly increase my electricity bill for no reason.
But, I'm pretty open to suggestions. As long as they don't include buying a mac or building my own computer.
ATI all the way of course! AMD Radeon HD 6870 1GB GDDR5 is an amazing card. 1GB GDDR5! But it does draw a lot of power. WE're using a 1000W power supply to test this card. The card can fry an egg cause it gets so hot! The dell config doesn't even compare. But on the flip side, the up to 16 GB system memory is amazing for the price. If you need it to game, I say get the AMD one. If you just want to surf the net, do regular stuff with it, maybe the dell one is better.
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