buying a new comp

Having another problem since the people at best buy tinkered with my computer, it's taking along time for the computer to get from the motherboard info screen to the windows loading screen, now this was not like that before they started playing with it, does anyone know what they did?

for three grand you could build a killer gameing rig!

Look in the BIOS settings for a "fast boot" option that may have been disabled.

I would suggest one of the following for a new computer with the budget you indicated (in order of preference):

1 - Build your own system, which would enable you to pick all the components. I would go with one of the dual core processors, PCI express FSB, 2 GB RAM, a high end PCI express graphics card, SATA hard drives (recommend Seagate 7200 barracuda series), the list goes on.

2 - Look into an Alienware machine, custom built to fit your budget and requirements.

3 - Recommend purchasing something from Dell online, which will allow you to build your own system - while offering good online download support for upgrades on drivers (make sure to request the Operating System installation disc, as well as limiting the preinstalled softwares if possible).

My 2 cents.

Ok, thks for the 2 cents, how is falcon northwest, heard some good things about them but have never used them before, also where would I go for bios setting?

where would I go for bios setting

When you start up the computer, you will see a prompt to hit a key to enter "set-up" (usually F1, F2, Esc, or Del key) - this will place you in the BIOS screens (AKA as CMOS settings).

Due to the differences in the BIOS manufacturers, the setting may be in different screens - but I would look in either the Boot section, or in an advanced section. There may be clearly stated text stating "fast boot" or similar, or it could be "optimized boot", etc.

If you do not see any option to select a fast boot, then the access may have been removed from the user - this is very common in store bought rigs.

The other possible place to check is by "right-click My Computer > Properties > Advanced tab > Startup and Recovery "Settings" button > look in the top Sytem Startup section, and see if you have an Operating System listing with "/fast detect" in the text (if you do, and it is not selected, try selecting it - then click Apply).

Note - you can also look in the two time listing for "...display operating system..", and "...display recovery options.." > see if they have check marks and if the time is set to 30 seconds. A greater value than 30 seconds will probably slow the boot process to some degree.

I do not have any knowledge on falcon northwest, so no advice there. I would suggest finding a computer with a good Motherboard (which means a good chipset, front side bus, RAM capacity, and either an AGP slot, or PCI express slot for the video card - "no Onboard Graphics" in a top notch system.

How about this..? Give me the 3K and I'll use my resources such as:

www.tigerdirect.com


and

www.xoxide.com

and I'll build you something 10x better than "Aliencrap" or other supposedly "top notch" manufacturers.

Don't buy overpriced systems. Yeah their awesome, but yeah.. their overpriced. Of course, what isn't.

I made my bro a "top notch" system for less than $1,700 using those 2 websites. He had about $4k he was just "dying" to spend. Save it while you can and build yourself something more custom to fit what look, feel and speed YOU want. Not what "they" tell you, you want.

Built my present system from 2 local sources. Cost? $2050.00 CAN (Appx 1750.00 USD)

Mobo: ASUS P5WD2 with i955x chipset, Onboard G-Lan and Realtek Audio
CPU: Pentium-D 840 (Dual Core) 3.2 Ghz. br/>
Ram: 4 x Corsair XMS2 DDR 8000 (1000 Mhtz) (2 x 2 matched 512's) total of 2 Gig.
Boot Drive: 2 x 74 Gig WD Raptor (10,000 rpm 8 mb cache) SATA Drives set it RAID-0 array
Storage 1: 2 x 250 Gig. WD SATA-II (7200 rpm 16 mb cache) drives in RAID 0+1
Storage 2: 2 x 250 Gig. WD ATA 133(7200 rpm 8 mb cache)drives
Video: ATI Radeon X700 PCI-Express
TV: ATI TV Wonder Pro
Optical 1: Plextor PX-716A DVD-R/RW
Optical 2: Pioneer DVR-109 DVD RW
PSU: Antec NEO 480 watt
Case: Chenming Full tower ATX-601AE
Monitor: ViewSonic Xtreme VX924 19" LCD


And if it's a gaming system you want you can build an AMD system for about the same. Just change the motherboard and cpu.


This system from a big manufacturer would probably run you about 2500.00 USD.
Lots of savings to be had if you DIY.

Well, they may be on the expensive side but I liked the way I could configure my system on the Dell website to my specification and have them build and deliver it. I did that for my home system and several at work and have never had a problem with it.

how is falcon northwest

After cruising their site, I would say they are a bit over-priced, but they have the right idea in offering a clean system.

I think you could work with Dell and build a system that is shipped clean (or which you could immediately do a clean install of the just the OS on), and end up below $3000 for a very good desktop.

I would say the system UBoB has listed in comment #7 would do just fine - in fact it probably screams.

Well I talked with a friend of mine who built his comp, so he's going to help me pick out parts and such.  Any one know some online retailers you trust for parts? Also for the dual core processors,  the AMD 55 and up are dual core right?

Newegg.com

Also for the dual core processors, the AMD 55 and up are dual core right?

Look for Athlon 64 X2's. The Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core models are:

3800+ (2.0 GHz) 512 + 512
4200+ (2.2 GHz) 512 + 512
4400+ (2.2 GHz) 1mb + 1mb
4600+ (2.4 GHz) 512 + 512
4800+ (2.4 GHz) 1mb + 1mb

I'd probably go with the 4400 with 1 + 1 mb of L2. It's in the sweet spot between super speed, super performance and reasonable price. ($497.00 at newegg)

Don't want to move into your friends territory but if you were to combine the cpu I mentioned above with an ASUS A8N32 - SLI Deluxe Motherboard Link you would have one screaming machine. This board has True Dual x16 SLI capabilities. Add in 2 powerful nVidia cards and everyone will be eatin' your dust.

Newegg.com

I'll second that thought.

Also, ordering directly from the manufacturer where possible will guarantee the product is complete without any extra junk.

If I had 3K to throw around... I'd buy a Mac. Sorry Guys. I use Windows because I can't afford a Mac, which is why I spen so much time trying to mod it... hence my OD, WB/Panther Theme... glass effects...etc.

If I had 3K to throw around... I'd buy a Mac. Sorry Guys. I use Windows because I can't afford a Mac, which is why I spen so much time trying to mod it... hence my OD, WB/Panther Theme... glass effects...etc.

Jab2565 expressed an interest mostly in getting a gaming machine. The new Macs, (and I do have one for business) just don't match up. At least not yet Link So, we've been suggesting that if he wants a good gaming machine at the best bang for the buck to build his own PC.

Falcon is expensive but quality, Ibuypower.com has a bunch of customizable type boxes, look in any PC Gamer magazine and go to Anandtech.com to look at reviews and specs.

Well Jab, I went to SSG Geezer's link at Ibuypower.com and configured a system similar to mine except I changed the motherboard and cpu to AMD. Most other parts are same or very comparable. Final price was $1729.00.

This could be a good way to go. Good system. Good price. Good company

See listen to us old folks! we get it right once in a while!

Skip the X2 processors if it's for gaming, get an AMD64 4000 San Diego core. That is the best bang for your buck, and it can be OC'ed
The X2 is for multiple threads and there isn't a lot of software that can utilize it to it's potential.

Ok thks for the info all. Ok I think got the motherboard, processor, I want to find. I'm keeping my creative audigy 2 platinum  sound card from this comp.  Speakers monitor and keyboard are taken care of already. 

That leaves memory, case, mouse I think. I know I want to have at least 1 gig of ram, but I've been hearing that 2 gig might be good for next generation games.

Oh almost forget, the video card, I've heard the 7800 geforce card is worth it, is that good for now. Also with the asus card mention above I can always add in a 2nd geforce card right?

"Basic Features: Asus P5WD2 Premium As discussed in the Dual Core Platform Shootout, NVIDIA does not plan, at this time, to produce a non-SLI version of the nForce4 chipset for Intel. This makes the nF4 Intel boards expensive and specialized in providing support for two video cards working together. The 955X is similarly the enthusiast or high-end version of Intel's new chipset line, with the 945 being the lower cost version of the new Intel chipsets that will be aimed at the computer mainstream. In the chipset hierarchy, you would expect the nF4-SLI based boards to be the most expensive, followed by 955X, and finally the 945. You will also likely see chipsets from SIS, VIA, and ATI that will generally compete with the Intel 945. ATI and SIS in particular are targeted at the integrated video or "G" versions of the 945. Depending on final decisions, you may also see either ATI or VIA (or both) decide to take NVIDIA's approach with an "SLI-like" dual video card setup on the Intel high-end. " http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=2412&p=2

Two other sites you should check. ZipZoomFly for parts - comparable to Newegg but carry some different items, and Tomshardware.com for reviews and tips on building.

Regards - MichaelO

Well I just did some searching on new egg and zip, and found 2 motherboard cards, 

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=247010

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?productCode=247022

The 2nd one is the asus mentioned above, but I don't really see a difference between the two. Except for the price of course

Sorry about asking so many questions, I just want to make sure I don't end up with a bunch of computer hardware that can't work together