Build Your Own Gaming Notebook
Help with gaming PC components?
I'm gonna buy a new custom-built Alienware m17 or m15x gaming notebook, but I need to be sure of how I'm gonna buy it. I know about all the different components, but some things have me confused, for example: 1. Which is better: a 3.2 GHz single-core, 2.8 GHz dual-core, or 2.26 GHz quad-core processor and by how much? 2. Do I need a faster processor for 4GB RAM than for 2GB RAM? 3.Do dual graphics cards need a faster processor or more RAM than single graphics cards? 4.Will a dual-layer blu-ray drive read game CD's and DVD's slower than an 8X dual-layer DVD-ROM drive? 5. Do i need a faster CPU or more RAM for multiple hard drives? 6. Does the built-in digital TV tuner need anything else (cable\satellite subscription, antenna) to receive channels? Also, if you have any recommendations for components like processor types/speeds, graphics cards types,etc., to be able to run the latest graphics-intensive games, please tell me. Also, please answer only if you actually know what you're talking about because that's a couple thousand bucks I'll be throwing down the drain if I order a laptop with parts that won't work right together. Thanks. I have a $3000 limit. maybe up to $3500 I know I might sound like an idiot (cause I do know about computers), but I needed to dumb myself down to make sure I got all the info I need; its better than pretending like I know everything and not getting any info.
Public Comments
- 1. Go with 2.26 Quad Core. Many games now support parallel processing
2. No
3. No
4. No
5. No - just make sure you get an adequate power supply
6. You can use an antenna or your cable hookup
- Why are you buying Alienware? So ridiculously overpriced.
1) 2.8Ghz dual core I think is best for now as most games won't use all four course, but the quad core isn't too shabby for right now either.
2) No, but your still better off with 4GB, even though its slow 667Mhz modules. M17 runs on 1066 at least.
3) No they have their own dedicated memory, a slower processor may cause a bottleneck in your performance.
4) I think there's some blu ray drives that are 12x DVD or higher.
5) No
6) Yes you still need to pay for service. (Antennae? Isn't analog over after this year?)
- 1. IMO I would get the dual core for gaming atm duo>quad. Quad>duo for editing and for the future.
2. No, but 4gb will be helpful if you get vista, ddr2 800 is cheap now anyways.
3.not as much need but the CPU will bottleneck the sli/crossfire cards less if it is faster.
4.yes. check newegg.com for specific brands and their write times
5.No
6.probably not.
Also1. Budget?
duo=E8400 quad=Q6600
gpu=ATI 4870 or Nvidia 9800gx2
4gb ram
CPU cooler Xigmatek S1283 ($30 with bracket on newegg.com
GL finding this on a laptop, didn't see that last bit.
- 1. The more cores, the more applications can be run simultaneously without processor strain. For gaming get AT LEAST the dual core.
2. No RAM is independent of a processor. They are not correlated.
3. No, dual graphics cards have a total of two processors and memory sets, which means that they can run faster. Two of almost any graphics card is better than one.
4. No, a dual layer bluray drive has independent read/write speeds depending on the media that is inside the drive. The bluray drive is probably rated at 16x or 20x for regular DVD media.
5. Hard drives really arent related to CPU or memory. The more hard drives the better, especially if you're a gamer, you might consider some variation of RAID.
6. If you have analog cable, the integrated tuner should be able to receive signal, however to receive digital cable signal, you probably need to still make use of your set-top box. And yes, you will need a subscription for cable services unless you only want to receive over the air broadcast channels.
Buy intel dual/quad core, q6600 is a solid processor. I have a Foxconn Mars board with the mentioned chip and am running a crossfire setup with 2xHD3870 and 4GB of Corsair 4-4-4-12 latency memory. It's a fast gaming rig. If you want slightly better graphics for more cash, use Nvidia. Recommendation based on years of experience: DON'T BUY ALIENWARE. WASTE OF MONEY
- 1. the Quad Core: not as fast as the others but it will split every thing up so it can handle more
2.Not really, all those above processors will easily take on 4+ gb
3.a little bit more because if you cant push the info into the gpus fast enough it will be pointless
4.i dont now much about that, but i dont think u will be able to tell teh difernce(but u will be able to watch those hd movies (that will be cool)
5.not at all
6.i have no much about that, i think it just receives local dtv channels for free(you know what were switching to in 09
and dont worry about the parts not working alienware wouldnt let you order parts that will not work, basicly if you go with anything i say or not, alien ware will get you an AWSOME system!
- 1. Since you have a few thousand bucks go with the new intel i7 cpu. They are very fast for the price.
2. No you don't, but you should have Vista 64 bit to take full advantage of 4GB of memory.
3. Yes. To see maximum benefits.
4. Don't get a blu-ray drive yet. They are too expensive and most computers can't play blu-ray discs with them.
5. No. It is a good idea to keep your saved documents and files on a separate hard drive from your operating system. If anything goes wrong and you need to re-format windows, you won't need to backup your files first.
The best graphics card for your money is the Nvidia gtx280. It's about $400 but you can afford it.
Don't skimp on the power supply. You'll want at least 800watts, and spend at least $200 on it to make sure you aren't getting a cheap one. Take a look at Thermaltake, Corsair, and Zalman.
For memory you will need DDR3. Get 6 GB to take advantage of triple channel with the i7 cpu.
