This a good PC?

[Riker]

Ima post some key components to the computer I'm ordering, and I'm not good with this stuff so I'd like to get some community input on its quality for PC gaming in general, not just FFXI (I'm sure it can handle 11 just fine).

Operating Systems Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English AW7HP6E [317-2818][330-4769][420-6436][420-9691][421-2064]

2nd Processor Intel® Core™ i7 920 2.66GHz (8MB Cache) Quad Core Processor DI7920 [317-1885]

Memory 12GB Triple Channel 1067MHz DDR3

Video Cards Dual 1GB NVIDIA® GeForce® GTS 240 - SLI® Enabled GTS240D [320-0860]

Hard Drive 750GB - SATA-II, 3Gb/s, 7,200RPM, 16MB Cache HDD

Cooling Option Alienware™ High-Performance Liquid Cooling

[Omnipotent]

Computer is fine, will run anything with ease out now. Will last a couple years at least before you even need to think about upgrading anything.

[Riker]

Thanks very much, I'm was a little nervous about the processor because 2.66 is the lowest (stock) available int he package but I'm told its very good because its quad core? Once again I'm almost completely illiterate in these terms can you confirm that for me?

Please and thanks

[Pikarya]

2.6 i7 is fine. Even though I personally don't agree with the brand, or price you'll be paying for it. Anyways enjoy.

[Clauz]

12GB of ram is not needed for gaming.

It can be cheaper to make your own computer, I am assuming you are buying from premade because of the Alienware water cooling you posted. You don't really need water cooling unless you plan to overclock your cpu.

[Deadgye]

I doubt you'll need more than 6gb of ram. 2.66 is fine, you can easily overclock a 920 to 3.6, 3.8, and with some luck 4+. Personally I'd go with a better video card, but that's just me.

[Kurp]

I'd lower the RAM to 6GB and try to upgrade the video card.

[Olo401]

I'd lower the RAM to 6GB and try to upgrade the video card.

This.. 12 gigs is completely unnecessary and the GTS240 is a horrible card for gaming.

And fucking Dell/Alienware is terrible. You can build a better machine for up to a grand less than they want to charge you, and you'll have better quality customer service from Newegg or the individual manufacturers than you'll ever get from Dell.

[Riker]

The thing is I dont really have so many options. I can't build it myself cause its from an organization thats getting it from me so it kind of has to be legit like this. If I cut back on the memory I only save $80 or so whereas an upgrade to the video card is hundreds which puts me over the limit. So how bad is it really?

Thanks for the quick answers please keep them coming if I REALLY need to switch, I need to do it like now. Thanks again!

Edit: Does the fact that its dual not make it any better?

Edit2: I could get these 2 for cheaper but they would be single. Is that counter-productive?

Single 1GB GDDR5 ATI Radeon™ HD 5770 [subtract $90]
Single 1.8GB NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 260 [subtract $50]

[Crowort]

I doubt you'll need more than 6gb of ram. 2.66 is fine, you can easily overclock a 920 to 3.6, 3.8, and with some luck 4+. Personally I'd go with a better video card, but that's just me.

Do dell / Alienware bios let you overcloak? I really don't know but I know many prebuilt systems come with cutdown bios.

[Olo401]

In that case I'd look to one of the custom builders like iBuyPower or Digital Storm. You get a lot more flexibility in their machines and it's not insanely more expensive.

[Olo401]

Do dell / Alienware bios let you overcloak? I really don't know but I know many prebuilt systems come with cutdown bios.

They don't. They'll overclock the machine for you (for an extra charge) but the BIOS gets locked when it leaves the factory.

[Drakath]

Hey Riker, I actually did something very similar to you a month ago and just got my Alienware PC last week. We have the same build except for the graphics card, I got the GTX 295. Everything works wonderfully, I'm 100% satisfied. Of course FFXI still is a bit wonky in Whitegate, but nothing unbearable (that's if you even still play). I say go for it, it's sweet having a pimped out PC!

[Riker]

Ok hey, im not gonna say all your names but I wanna thank each and everyone one of you personally for your quick and helpful responses! I SHOULD go to those websites but I feel bad for the woman doing the donation I dont wanna drive her crazy.So I'm just gonna leave it as is for now, but should I ever need an upgrade I will definetly shop around at sites like that for cheaper pieces rather then be a slave to dell.

Drakath I'm gonna look at your profile and see if you have aim I'd love to ask you some questions^^

Thanks everyone

[Cjskater]

Edit2: I could get these 2 for cheaper but they would be single. Is that counter-productive?

Single 1GB GDDR5 ATI Radeon™ HD 5770 [subtract $90]
Single 1.8GB NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 260 [subtract $50]

Serious answer: Single 1.8GB NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 260 [subtract $50]

I'd go with that. That single card is actually a little better than 2 GT240s plus it's going to perform much more reliably

Edit 2: Oh, its GTS 240, basically 8800GT SLI... I'd still go with the single GTX260.

[Kurp]

I'd get the GTX 260 also. It has a better bus width and removes the possible problems that SLI can present. It'll also perform better in games and applications that don't utilize SLI or ones that utilize it poorly. Another advantage is it leaves a slot open for future upgrades if you feel it's better to buy another 260 on the cheap instead of buying a newer card at that time.

Are you limited to Alienware? It would be helpful if you could post the budget and other restrictions.

[Kurp]

I set up an Alienware Aurora that included the options in the OP of 12GB 1067 RAM, 240 GTS SLI, and a 750GB HD with all the rest on default and got $1599 for a price.

If you change the RAM to 6GB 1333, you can upgrade the video card to an HD 5870 for the same price ($1599).

I'm not sure if that was the same system you were looking at, but without any doubts at all, I'd go with 6GB 1333 and an HD 5870. The other graphics options don't compare.

[Celeras]

New videocards are out next month that will drop the price of everything else, if you can wait.