Question for computer experts.

[Hank the Tank]

I'm thinking of getting a PC (since all I have is this laptop that cant run basically any games).

I've been looking at the Dell XPS 720 (the cheapest one):

http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/xpsdt_720?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

I've had Oblivion for like a year now (got it for a present, but it definately will not run on my piece of shit laptop).

So any recommendations or perhaps better PCs I should look into? I'm definately a complete noob when it comes to this so any help would be appreciated.

And yes...I want it to be my game machine....

[Steve Perry]

Starting Price $1,499
Starting Price $1,799
Instant Savings $100
Subtotal $1,699
Starting Price $2,199
Instant Savings $300
Subtotal $1,899
Starting Price $2,949
http://www.malla20.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/dell-xps-720.jpg




All those prices are way to much just to play some game in my view especially if your not that knowledgeable about PCs you will never get your moneys worth.

And you can get a notebook that can handle your game sounds like it may be a video card issue. you can also buy a gamer PC all day long for $450.00 $600.00 if you take your time and shop around. BullDog computers has a nice one for 450.00 if you live by the Medical center. Not to mention Craig's list and eBay. Or maybe someone in this forum has a sweet deal.

http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/landingpages/qx9650/default.asp?gclid=COHJqsnF-5ICFRr7lgodfG5TFA


http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p55/RackTheMouse/pc-pic.jpg

[Pistons < Spurs]

Personally I wouldn't ever buy a system from Dell or HP or any of those other type brands. Prices are always way over the top.
Cyberpowerpc.com and ibuypower.com are the 2 places I'd look if I was in the market.

[baseline bum]

You can have Oblivion looking good on a $600 PC? That thing's a monster. If you don't have a badass video card, the game will constantly pause while loading graphics. The XBox360 can't even handle it without the pauses.

[sabar]

You can get it looking good real cheap nowadays.

Mobo & Athlon XP cpu = $80
2gb ram = $100
radeon 1600xt = $50

done

For $600 you could near max it assuming you already have a monitor/hdds/dvd-drive

[Rice]

It cost more for a sac of rice than a video card these days!

[mouse]

sabar gets it! :smokin


Sequ is right, the Oblivion game is even giving Steve Jobs problems.

You could have the best PC the geeks at Norad can put together and your still going to get freeze action sooner or later. Have you tried an accelerator? Cram this bad boy on your board.

http://www.ixbt.com/video3/images/g92-2/ecs-8800gt-front.jpg


Try the GeForce 8800 GT

http://www.pointofview-online.com/userfiles/vga_images/gf8/gf8800-gt-card+box.jpg


http://www.techzine.nl/uploaded/46755_543ecd47.jpg




make sure you download the latest Direct X drivers and update your VGA drivers.
Also do you have the ACE mega codec packs?

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Video/Encoders-Converter-DIVX-Related/ACE-Mega-CoDecS-Pack.shtml

You can also try a higher powered PSU. A 420W only has 12 amps on the +12V line, not enough for 3D games.

Make sure you have all the updates and tweaks.

http://www.tweakguides.com/Oblivion_3.html

Go to the Oblivion forums I am sure you will find many with your same situation before you spend good money on a new PC just to have the same problems.

[sabar]

There ya go.
If you wanna blow money get 2 GeForce 8800s (and an sli mobo) and go run Crysis at max. Probably still couldnt do it.

I'm a budget gamer, go with 2-3 year old tech that people dump at ridiculously low prices. You can get an ASUS mobo 939 socket for $20 since people are jumping on dual/quad core bandwagon. I won't pay $2000 to be at the top for 3 months.

IMO the only thing worth maxing on a PC is the monitor. Monitor tech changes really slow. Mine has only gone down $20 in 2 years. Processors/graphics cards deprecate faster than a new car. I have old cards that would cost me more to ship than I would get in return for selling.

[TDMVPDPOY]

yeh all u need todo is upgrade ur monitor

hey dont complain as long you can still watch poon

[baseline bum]

There ya go.
If you wanna blow money get 2 GeForce 8800s (and an sli mobo) and go run Crysis at max. Probably still couldnt do it.

I'm a budget gamer, go with 2-3 year old tech that people dump at ridiculously low prices. You can get an ASUS mobo 939 socket for $20 since people are jumping on dual/quad core bandwagon. I won't pay $2000 to be at the top for 3 months.

IMO the only thing worth maxing on a PC is the monitor. Monitor tech changes really slow. Mine has only gone down $20 in 2 years. Processors/graphics cards deprecate faster than a new car. I have old cards that would cost me more to ship than I would get in return for selling.


Totally agree on the monitor. I still have my Samsung CRT I got 7 years ago, because it still looks better than any LCD I've seen for less than $1000.

[pickle girl]

Maybe this is why the game is called "Oblivion"


http://news.filefront.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/oblivion.jpg

[Warren Jeffs]

You all need to get off the PC and spend more time with your wives!