Girl Gamer in distress!!!
By
Alt_AKA_Joe,
Posted on: 2009-05-12 09:04 in ALL ACCESS Gameplay Technical Issues Bugs
I'll chuck my voice in behind FatherXmas. The Studio PC is probably your best bet for decent performance. Plus, it comes with a decent monitor.
Just hitting Crucial.com for memory, another 4GB would run you $50 (and the thing maxes at 8GB, and since you'd be running Vista64, you can use all of it). Plus, you could probably find decent memory cheaper at Newegg.com. I'd get the system, and try running it at 2GB for a while to see if you notice any speed issues. If you do, pop the $50 for another 4GB.
A machine like that should eliminate most of the system-related problems you can experience with CoX. You MAY have some Vista64-related issues, but nothing that shouldn't be fixable.
Rubberbanding and lag, however, are usually connection-related issues.
Man. Wish I had a mom like you. MY mom made me build and/or buy every computer I ever owned. Now I buy computers for HER too!
Such is the life of the only geek son in a large extended family.
Clicking on the linked image above will take you off the City of Heroes site. However, the guides will be linked back here.
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Digital Storm Computers is a much better option than Cyberpower. You get quality parts that are tested to make sure everything works before it is shipped and you get a 3 year warranty.
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Cyberpower does two rounds of QA and you get a 3 year warranty. I can't say you're wrong, nor can I say I'm right, but I just wanted to make you aware of that.
And, looking at Digital Storm's prices, I can see why they might have superior customer service. I value... value though, I don't really need customer service personally, and Cyberpower has a 3 year warranty as well, so that's good enough for me. The computer I got from Cyberpower just a week ago has a 3 GHz quad core for roughly the same price as their Core 2 duo, has 4 times the memory, twice the storage capacity, liquid cooling, a monitor, speakers, keyboard and mouse... So, maybe the parts are made in China (most of them are), and maybe they'll break down or die within a few years, but I've got a 3 year warranty, and I'm getting a more powerful PC for less money, so I think I'll take my chances.
Don't waste your 'breath'. Though Kryhavoc would do better to call it just a personal preference instead of passing it off as a fact, as also done in this thread.
Back on topic, I also support FatherXmas's advice.
.
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I've heard from a few friends that cyberpowerpc does have some shoddy customer service. They mentioned you can buy a cyberpowerpc off Newegg though. This way if there is shipping problems you can deal with Newegg, whom has much better customer service, which I can definately account for.
Just throwing it out there.
Also, if you do wind up considering replacing a laptop with a laptop, you might want to visit this site: http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-...ist.844.0.html
It has the various benchmarks for the laptop graphics chipsets.
This site: http://www.notebookreview.com
has a wide array of reviews of specific models as well as a huge forum for laptop users to solve problems.
And of course there is http://www.xoticpc.com
for if you ever want to replace your own laptop or if you want a good deal on a gaming laptop.
They have one that is about as decent as the dell studio for only about $672 before any customization: http://www.xoticpc.com/sager-np7682-...tu-p-2571.html
Wow!!! Thank you all for such great information. You have all really helped me, and I'm sure I'll be able to find something that will work great for my son in my price range.
Hi AncientGuardian.
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yes, I was a long time AMD guy. but thats changed, Intel and AMD made bad choices this year, From Intels desicision to stop Nvidia from making chipsets, to AMD outsourcing their manufaturing processes.
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The bolded part is not really correct. AMD spun off their foundery into a new company, Global Foundries. AMD owns the controlling interest in Global Foundries(GF). And currently, GF only produces AMD silicon. All the process and equipment that made AMD cpu's is still making AMD cpu's.
Here.
BC 
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Forgive me if I'm wrong, but arn't imac's made from Foxconn parts...?
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I know the Macbooks, G4/G3's all use Foxconn, I know I've seen some Foxconn parts on the iMacs, and a Macmini is ALL Foxconn minus the RAM, and the CPU/Chipset.
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One thing to watch out for - I notice a lot of people recommending you buy a system with 2gb of memory and then if that is not enough pick up some extra memory. if you do this be carefull - depending on how the of memory slots on the motherboard are populated you may end up having to replace the existing memory sticks rather than just adding to them - the reason i say this is because most MB's have 4 slots for memory sticks and if your 2 gb system comes with, say, 4 x 512 mb memory sticks (not common, but it could happen) then in order upgrade to 4 gb you will have to buy 4 new 1 GB memory sticks and pull the old ones completely.
I haven't been up to the dell web pages lately but I remember that at least some of the system configuration pages would tell you what kinds of memory the system contained so if it does, just make sure that there is room for expansion.
Globals: @Midnight Mystique/@Magik13
I'm not even sure that you can still find 512MB RAM.....? 
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I'm not even sure that you can still find 512MB RAM.....?
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You can here!
Im not going to lie Cyberpower is running some amazing deals
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I'd get the system, and try running it at 2GB for a while to see if you notice any speed issues. If you do, pop the $50 for another 4GB.
Rubberbanding and lag, however, are usually connection-related issues.
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I would go with the extra 4GB right away. CoX alone, takes up nearly 2GB on my Vista 64-bit machine. With all the background processes and other programs running (Teamspeak, Herostats, and often 2-4 web pages), it tops 3GB.
Not enough memory can cause rubberbanding and jerky/pausing video also, as the system has to frequently swap between regular (RAM) memory and virtual memory (residing on the hard drive).
Link to Crucial.com site
That's why I used this site first to give me an idea about what's in the system.
Even if, at worst, Dell pulls a case of the [censored], and populates all 4 slots with 512MB modules, for $50-ish, she can get another 4GB (2x2GB) and upgrade to at least 5GB. Likely it's 2x1GB, so she would be upgrading to 6GB.
Clicking on the linked image above will take you off the City of Heroes site. However, the guides will be linked back here.
One other thing. I REALLY don't recommend buying anything less than 2GB sticks. The cost ratio just isn't there.
And no, if you DO have all 4 slots populated, you DO NOT have to buy 4 modules to replace them all simultaneously.
You have two options:
1: Pop all the old stuff out, and put in the 2 sticks of new stuff.
2: Pop 2 sticks of the old stuff out and put in two sticks of the new stuff, leaving you with 4 sticks in.
Clicking on the linked image above will take you off the City of Heroes site. However, the guides will be linked back here.
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Okay, I played around on the Dell website for a bit and this is what I have come up with...what do you think?
Inspiron 530.........$569
Intel® Pentium® dual-core processor E5200 (2MB L2, 2.5GHz, 800FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Service Pack 1
Microsoft Works 9.0
1Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis
3GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz - 4 DIMMs
320GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache
16X DVD+/-RW Drive
No Monitor
ATI RADEON HD 4670 512MB
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
No speakers (Speakers are required to hear audio from your system)
Dell USB Keyboard and Dell Optical USB Mouse
No Floppy Drive Included
No Modem Option
Dell 1505 Wireless-N PCIe Card
Inspiron 530.........$669
Intel® Core 2 Duo Processor E7400 (3MB L2 Cache,2.80GHz,1066 FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1, 64-Bit
Microsoft Works 9.0
1Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis
4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz- 4DIMMs
500GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache
16X DVD+/-RW Drive
Dell S1709W 17" Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor
ATI Radeon HD3650 256MB
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
No speakers (Speakers are required to hear audio from your system)
Dell USB Keyboard and Dell Optical USB Mouse
No Floppy Drive Included
Studio Desktop.............$759
Intel® Core 2 Duo E7400 (3MB L2, 2.8GHz, 1066FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1, 64-Bit
Microsoft Works 9.0
1Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis
Dell S1909WX 19 inch Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor
2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz- 2DIMMs
500GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache
16X DVD+/-RW Drive
nVidia GeForce 9800GT
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
Dell Consumer Multimedia Keyboard and Laser Mouse
Integrated 16-in-1 Media Card Reader
Dell 1505 Wireless-N PCIe Card
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I would suggest 4 gig ram for vista, 3 is good for XP
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Okay, I played around on the Dell website for a bit and this is what I have come up with...what do you think?
Inspiron 530.........$569
Intel® Pentium® dual-core processor E5200 (2MB L2, 2.5GHz, 800FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Service Pack 1
Microsoft Works 9.0
1Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis
3GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz - 4 DIMMs
320GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache
16X DVD+/-RW Drive
No Monitor
ATI RADEON HD 4670 512MB
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
No speakers (Speakers are required to hear audio from your system)
Dell USB Keyboard and Dell Optical USB Mouse
No Floppy Drive Included
No Modem Option
Dell 1505 Wireless-N PCIe Card
Inspiron 530.........$669
Intel® Core 2 Duo Processor E7400 (3MB L2 Cache,2.80GHz,1066 FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1, 64-Bit
Microsoft Works 9.0
1Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis
4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz- 4DIMMs
500GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache
16X DVD+/-RW Drive
Dell S1709W 17" Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor
ATI Radeon HD3650 256MB
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
No speakers (Speakers are required to hear audio from your system)
Dell USB Keyboard and Dell Optical USB Mouse
No Floppy Drive Included
Studio Desktop.............$759
Intel® Core 2 Duo E7400 (3MB L2, 2.8GHz, 1066FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1, 64-Bit
Microsoft Works 9.0
1Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis
Dell S1909WX 19 inch Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor
2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz- 2DIMMs
500GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache
16X DVD+/-RW Drive
nVidia GeForce 9800GT
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
Dell Consumer Multimedia Keyboard and Laser Mouse
Integrated 16-in-1 Media Card Reader
Dell 1505 Wireless-N PCIe Card
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Nah, dump the big names. I Just picked up a new computer from Newegg. Cost me just over $600 and that was including a new 20' LCD monitor and shipping.
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200
4GB DDR2 800 RAM
500GB 10,000RPM 3.0GBs SATA
DVD/CD RW
Nvidia 9500GT 1GB PCIe
Vista Home Premium 64bit
CoX plays and looks beautiful on it.
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I need to buy my son a new computer, so he can play CoX without lagging, rubberbanding, freezing, crashing and screaming at me because his computer is a "complete piece of garbage, Mom!"
Would any of you be so kind as to recommend a reasonably priced desktop computer that will run CoX decently? I'm not looking for the cream of the crop, but I would like to find something that I'm not going to have a lot of problems with. Building a new rig is waaaay out of my league, so any help identifying a complete set up would be greatly appreciated.
I asked this questions last July or August, but I'm sure stuff has changed since then.
Thanks, all, for your help. You will make a 13 y/o boy very happy, and maybe I'll get a chance to enjoy the game instead of always trying to figure out what's going on with his computer. 
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You want something w/o a lot of problems, runs CoX fine, and will have excellent customer support?
Apple Refurb
A bit more pricey, however you'll save a ton with not having to buy a ton of extra software, the stuff it comes with is great. You won't have to worry about viruses or spyware.
Granted, I'd highly recommend adding ram, but using www.crucial.com should solve that easily and cheaply. It's by no means top of the line, however it will do all you need and much more.
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too bad
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Hi AncientGuardian.
[ QUOTE ]
yes, I was a long time AMD guy. but thats changed, Intel and AMD made bad choices this year, From Intels desicision to stop Nvidia from making chipsets, to AMD outsourcing their manufaturing processes.
[/ QUOTE ]
The bolded part is not really correct. AMD spun off their foundery into a new company, Global Foundries. AMD owns the controlling interest in Global Foundries(GF). And currently, GF only produces AMD silicon. All the process and equipment that made AMD cpu's is still making AMD cpu's.
Here.
BC
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well, not total outsourcing, I'll admit, the problem with GF is that AMD (last i heard) will only hold a 45% stake in GF, they need 51% stake to claim ownership.
AMD itself is really only going to be R&D. and they'll just ship the blueprints to GF. my major problem with this, is less quality control.
because now, you'll be buying AMD designed chips, not AMD designed and manufactured. one of AMDs best things was their quality control, now, with that being a bit shady, well, its shady.
-AG
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A bit more pricey, however you'll save a ton with not having to buy a ton of extra software
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Uhm. No. Essentially, if you don't like the way the system's default software functions, the entire culture is "buy this other thing". Not "try and buy". Buy.
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You won't have to worry about viruses or spyware.
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Again. NO. Simply because the marketshare of the system is so small as to not making viruses worthwhile to write for doesn't mean the system is virus proof.
Also, your statement is only approximating reality IN THE ABSENCE OF OTHER PLATFORMS ON YOUR NETWORK. Translation, there's nothing stopping a Mac from passing on a virus load that doesn't affect *it* to one of the Windows machines on your network.
Please be very careful when making recommendations like this, as they do not, in fact, mirror reality.
Clicking on the linked image above will take you off the City of Heroes site. However, the guides will be linked back here.
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That being said, don't be afraid to shop around. Newegg does sell complete systems. Here's one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883229090
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Allow me to recommend NewEgg also. You can find a decent PC there at a good price.
Dell is usually more expensive, and they do use a lot of refurbished parts - which oddly enough you would think would make their PC's CHEAPER. I don't recommend Dell to anyone who is concerned with cost and quality.
Tiger Direct is also a good site.
As someone else mentioned also - do not be afraid to investigate building your own PC. It's not nearly as intimidating as you think. However - I've priced out a few Kits, vs Stand alone PC's from Newegg, and you can basically use either to get a good gaming PC. Kit's usually give you more 'bang for your buck', but are a little more work.
My memory's not as sharp as it used to be.
Also, my memory's not as sharp as it used to be.
"The tip of a shoelace is called an aglet, its true purpose is sinister." The Question
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Nah, dump the big names. I Just picked up a new computer from Newegg. Cost me just over $600 and that was including a new 20' LCD monitor and shipping.
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200
4GB DDR2 800 RAM
500GB 10,000RPM 3.0GBs SATA
DVD/CD RW
Nvidia 9500GT 1GB PCIe
Vista Home Premium 64bit
CoX plays and looks beautiful on it.
[/ QUOTE ]
A guy I have been teaming with recently recommended Newegg in addition to everyone here, so I decided to check it out. The system you purchased is identical to the one he gave me a link to, and the one I decided to buy.
I've been tracking it through UPS, and it should be delivered tomorrow.
Thanks, again, everyone for your help. Maybe next time I'll be a little more adventurous and build one on my own.
To the OP thanks for asking this question..I am a guy gamer and is ashamed to admit somewhat ignorant of computers..plug it in and run it..laughs..I am looking at buying a new system for my wife who also plays COX, it is a surprise...so all this information your post has solicited has helped me out a lot...
"...well I have wrestled with reality for thirty-five years, Doctor and I am happy to state I finally won out over it." Elwood P Dowd (from the movie Harvey)
[ QUOTE ]
Okay, I played around on the Dell website for a bit and this is what I have come up with...what do you think?
Inspiron 530.........$569
Intel® Pentium® dual-core processor E5200 (2MB L2, 2.5GHz, 800FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Service Pack 1
Microsoft Works 9.0
1Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis
3GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz - 4 DIMMs
320GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache
16X DVD+/-RW Drive
No Monitor
ATI RADEON HD 4670 512MB
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
No speakers (Speakers are required to hear audio from your system)
Dell USB Keyboard and Dell Optical USB Mouse
No Floppy Drive Included
No Modem Option
Dell 1505 Wireless-N PCIe Card
Inspiron 530.........$669
Intel® Core 2 Duo Processor E7400 (3MB L2 Cache,2.80GHz,1066 FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1, 64-Bit
Microsoft Works 9.0
1Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis
4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz- 4DIMMs
500GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache
16X DVD+/-RW Drive
Dell S1709W 17" Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor
ATI Radeon HD3650 256MB
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
No speakers (Speakers are required to hear audio from your system)
Dell USB Keyboard and Dell Optical USB Mouse
No Floppy Drive Included
Studio Desktop.............$759
Intel® Core 2 Duo E7400 (3MB L2, 2.8GHz, 1066FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1, 64-Bit
Microsoft Works 9.0
1Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis
Dell S1909WX 19 inch Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor
2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz- 2DIMMs
500GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache
16X DVD+/-RW Drive
nVidia GeForce 9800GT
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
Dell Consumer Multimedia Keyboard and Laser Mouse
Integrated 16-in-1 Media Card Reader
Dell 1505 Wireless-N PCIe Card
[/ QUOTE ]
No on the $669 one, HD3650 is not a great card relatively speaking.
Of the two remaining the $759 Studio Desktop is the more powerful of the two, CPU and GPU wise. Adding memory is easy so the fact it only has 2GB isn't really a problem and it's a relatively cheap upgrade. Plus it comes with a monitor as oppose to the $569 model.
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