The VERY best PC to buy?

[CoMetX]

Hey. I'm switching from Mac's to PC's and want to buy the best PC for the money I have (around 7000 canadian). I heard alienware was a great system.. but more for gaming, less for work. If anyone could direct me to a better system, it would be most appreciated. Thanks again.

-CoMetX

[js33]

Try Boxx, Dell, HP (higher end not Pavillions).
Or build it yourself to make sure you only get first rate components.

Cheers,
JS

[Bytehawk]

if you chose dell,

what pc would you buy? this for a workstation mainly used for LW.

and as a sole workstation also used for rendering (no renderfarm).

would appreciate your opinion

[CoMetX]

I have heard Dell is a waist of money. They may have great customer service, but I think you would be on the phone more then on the comp you have just bought. Also have heard that BoXX was the way to go as far as the "Actual" comp and to buy your video cards from WildCats, is this true?

Anyway thanks.

-CoMetX

[tortoro]

I've just buy a brand new shiny pc built under my specs:

-p4 2.4@3.12ghz
-1go ddr 400
-Asus p4p800
-Asus 5900 gfx
-dvd +-rw sony au01
-dd 120 go seagate (8mo)
-winxp pro service pack 1


I underclock the ram and overclock the processor and I got a 864 fsb with a 3.12 ghz p4 all is very stable and lightwave fly.

hope that help

[mattclary]

Personally, I build my own, but for anyone who doesn't want to do that, Dell is NOT a bad choice. If you have the cash, get a Boxx. If you have less cash, get a high end Dell. I've used a Dell (of various models) at work for over 5 years. I reinstall the OS when I first get it to eliminate all the fluff that usually comes with a preinstalled OS, but once that is done, it's rock solid.

[KameiRonin]

I've been using a Boxx machine for a few months now and I've been very happy with it. Only had one minor problem with the BIOS needing updating and their tech support was all over it within a day or so. Lightwave seems to get along very well with the machine and I'd definitely buy from them again.

[mindseye]

Hi there

I have bought two BOXX machines within the last year or so. I will buy from these guys again in a heartbeat. The machines are very stable, very fast, and you get to talk to real people when your buying or asking questions. Plus they actually know what your talking about when you tell them your building a machine to run Lightwave and/or Toaster. Just my two cents.

[Bytehawk]

thanks for the info

I live in Belgium. The 'local' supplier for BOXX is in the Netherlands. Does anybody here have any experience with them? Good or bad ? import/export problems?

this is their info

GRA|VIZ BV io
Diemzigt 10
1111TZ DIEMEN
Mob: +31-611477500
E-Mail info@graviz.nl
www.graviz.nl

[lone]

the only issue i've had with my DELL, is that they will NOT support processor upgrades - this was a major problem, as i bought my system with a slower CPU intending to upgrade to a faster one as soon as i could afford it.

[hrgiger]

I love my Dell I got earlier this year. If it doesn't support processor upgrades, that ok with me. I bought it cheap enough that by the time I'll want a new processor, I'll want a new pc anyway.

Don't waste your money buying the newest and fastest computer. That computers price will drop like a stone within 6 months of you buying it and make you regret it. Just get a nice 2 1/2 gighertz system and save yourself a thousand dollars. The 3's aren't THAT much faster for WAY more money. I just like to stay current but I couldn't do that if I was always buying the top speed computer.

[CoMetX]

Hehe, i was looking at a BoXX. My boss is buying/splitting the cost of a computer. Was looking at BoXX 3D comp, looks good as far as i can tell. I was also looking at Alienware... Which would be the best for 3D/video editing/game/movies ;) Looks like i may just have to buy 2 comps, lol. Thanks for your help.

-CoMetX

[Nakia]

I bought a HP. Me being a Mac / SGI head wasn't what to get in the PC world so I went with a HP xw6000 workstation. I love it. My next PC buy might be a Boxx if that ever happens ;-)
Heres a link to my box
http://www.hp.com/workstations/ia32/xw6000/

[DrVideo2]

The Dual G5 baby!

http://www.apple.com/powermac/

[hrgiger]

Dual G5? Oooh, and starting at the low price of $3,000. There's a waste of money.

You could get yourself 3 2.5 GHZ Pentium machines for the same amount of money, have a machine to work on and two to render on.

Then there's all that incessant waiting for your friendly neighborhood vendors to come out with a mac version of that pc plug-in you've been wanting...

[BoK]

We just got a 3d Boxx here at work. Its rock solid. Though I'd have to agree that 3 ghz isn't a noticable improvement over 2.5 ghz, so save yourself the money. I'd recomend it to anyone who wants a super stable workstation. The customer service is really good too.

<3 Boxx

[Jimzip]

Oh oh.. An inverse switcher.. That's bad.:(

(Just remember hrgiger that MHz and GHz don't equate to each other on the different platforms, and you also get all the iApps and 84 other apps for free. Plus CD+DVD burner & firewire ready ports. Still expensive but I think worth it if you have the money..:rolleyes:. )

Jimzip :D

[Matt]

Alienware computers are pretty good, but you do pay a premium for the name, and they are high-end gaming machines not workstations.

Personally I'm going to use these guys to build a totally customised machine with all the bits I want (I pick, they build)!

Kustom PCs (http://www.kustompcs.com)

Problem I found with Dell / Alienware is that although you can 'customise' your machine on their websites, you still have to choose from the bits they recommend.

I priced up a 3,000GBP machine and that didn't include a decent sound card!

Matt

[wacom]

Originally posted by lone
the only issue i've had with my DELL, is that they will NOT support processor upgrades - this was a major problem, as i bought my system with a slower CPU intending to upgrade to a faster one as soon as i could afford it.


Well this isn't all together true. If you look on thier discussion boards you'll find that it comes down to versions of models...such as an 8200 with a certain bios revision (and that's why they sell faster off of the refurb board). I know that I can upgrade my processor by only 400Mhz, but if I had a certain bios it would be more. Tricky stuff.

My Dell has been the best CPU I've had so far- and while it ain't no BoXX it does get the job done and is very stable. If I had the money I'd get two refurb systems from them (they have a year warrenty that you can upgrade) if you work in a comp app too. This way you can render out of one and send it to the comp app (ala DF) and speed things up...or use them to render LW stuff faster, unless you like to use a render farm that is. Dual PCs beat dual processors when it comes to man hours too.

Sorry this turned out to be such a long answer...

http://www.dell.com/us/en/dfh/products/series_precn_desktops.htm

http://www.dell.com/us/en/dfh/products/line_desktops.htm

go here and look at their work stations page- you can get a dual capable Dell Precision Xeon Workstation 450 system for under $1,000 US with a FireGL card...a little more and get a quadro...etc etc etc. The 8200 and up desktops aren't bad either...


;)

[wacom]

Originally posted by DrVideo2
The Dual G5 baby!



At first I thought that apple had really done it! Implanted two chips inside of a child...it came out and had the head of Jobs on the body of an IBM CEO! YIKES!

There is one problem- did you look at the EXCHANGE RATE as of late? It's around 72cents to the dollar. This guy might need to buy more than just a shinny box and wide screen studio display! Get real! He said he might need to computers too- wouldn't it be nice if he could put software on them?

[wacom]

Originally posted by Jimzip
Oh oh.. An inverse switcher.. That's bad.:(

(Just remember hrgiger that MHz and GHz don't equate to each other on the different platforms, and you also get all the iApps and 84 other apps for free. Plus CD+DVD burner & firewire ready ports. Still expensive but I think worth it if you have the money..:rolleyes:. )

Jimzip :D

What you guys call "apps" the Linux and PC community call "shareware/freeware". And no Mhz and Ghz don't translate across platforms, but more RAM, more CPU's, more computers to work on, better plug-ins, better graphics cards and the international language of MONEY do translate.
I love how you're on a PC board talking up the G5...I'm going to go over and start touting how my pal has a cluster of seven AMD's running Linux and SN for the price of your Dual G5. Oh and they came with over 200free apps but he stripped all that crap off!

I need to calm down...too many bad G5 posts...to many replys...must calm down...

[Nakia]

Too Bad Lightwave is not supported on SGI anymore. I would love to replace my XW6000 XEON and Powermac G4 with a SGI Octane2.
It all comes down to what we can afford and then what we are comfortable with. I dig Mac for OS X and I dig my XEON for its speed and for the ability to run WinXP and a "Mature" Linux (I run linux on other architectures). I LOVE Lightwave cause it comes with both version in one box and it runs on both Mac and Windows. For me and my low level skill, modelling is done on Mac OS X box but Layout is strictly done my PC along with Rendering. Then video and DVD work in done on Mac.
But if I my wish come true it will be LW 7.5 on a SGI Octane 2 or Fuel box along with all Discreet Logic SGI goodies . OH well.

:p

[paintboy]

ok... hope i am not tossing this thread in the wrong direction, but seems in the same vein....reverse switcher here too. Whats the best intel os for LW, WIn2000
or XPpro? gettin lotsa mixed reviews with more votes going to win 2000.
Have searched Newtek site high and lo and cannot find any sort of sys. qual chart for any platform?
appreciate the input.

[Lynx3d]

It should run on XP just as fine as on 2k...
only thing is that XP comes with a Firewall that is by default enabled and causes some trouble with the Hub, that's easy to fix.
The dsiplay problems with other languages etc. should be history AFAIK.
For a dual Xeon however you just have to use XP pro or you won't get Hyperthreading to work correctly (AFAIK Win2k still won't see logical CPUs, so a dual Xeon with HT is treated as 4-way system and 2k pro licence is only for 2 CPUs)

[nawDsign]

Build your own PC or buy already made ones like boxx or dell? Which is more cost effective?

[ctg23]

If i were to build my own pc. What type of motherboard and processor do you recommend?

[Nakia]

Depending on you $$$ in hand and if it is for making money. I chose to get a Prebuilt after adding the $$$ of building my own.
I wanted some kind of warrenty since I have a business. I needed a machine with coverage if it decides to break so opt for Pre-Built. When Buying and/or building get the best you can. I buy with the idea that this computer can run and hold me for 3 to 5 years with minimum upgrades i.e. adding more memory and storage space. Only CPU option I look to is adding a second CPU, so Dual CPU boards is the way I will go. I don't consider being able to add a new faster CPU as a reliable upgrade option for long term being that CPUs change even in the same speed area. I have a 2.4 GHz XEON but I can't drop any 2.4 or above XEON in it being that there are some diff between them also Motherboards change so much.
Video Cards is another important thing to look at. The Newer Nvidia nForce3 motherboards will support AGP Pro150. My board support Pro50 I saw only a couple of cards that needed Pro50 and above. This is important for future upgrades if you need one of those crazy highend cards.
Remember to look at more than speed when shopping look at all the little features. Some feature might slow down the system but will offer solid runtime. I have to use ECC Register Memory which slows down the system but for those really long renders I will trust it more then anything else. A system that can catch and fix errors on the hardware level is the best thing you can have on your desktop. Thats what I'm use to from dealing with UNIX based systems.
Heres a Intel Motherboard comparison chart.
http://www.intel.com/design/chipsets/linecard/svr_wkstn.htm?iid=PCG+devleftnav&

[ctg23]

Thanks Nakia,

What type of business do you have? I only ask because I would like to open a business one day, I just need to find the right direction. Thanks Corey

[Nakia]

Its the busines that makes no Money, but we treat it like a Million dollar maker. :-) After spending many Work days and months playing with Povray on a Sun E 6500 and using Blender heavly a few of use decided to get into doing Previsuals, that actually started from doing DVD menus using (Mainly DVD Studio Pro) Povray, Blender, BMRT, GIMP and a bunch of other freebies mostly on Old SGI O2s, Indigo2, and Sun Ultra 60's, Ultra 5 and Sparcstations and finally a Powermac G4 (for DVD Authoring part). We are very Guerrilla in our Ways. But we decided to go for a more professional route and to work on organizing ourselves. I bought LW 7.5 for the mac then I bought a HP wx6000 XEON box to help out, donated some of my SGIs for room. We have all the Gear but the learning process blows us away, its all cool.
Now on to how we got business.
I went to my town Borough Hall to register a Business name. Only thing left is to send off the Tax stuff to get our tax ID. But we are not making $$ now so its no rush. We do nothing under the business yet to avoid tax issues. All of us got freelance business cards, once we are good enough we finalize the business and pool our profolios to the Business. Its easy to start the business name its a matter of heading to your Borough Hall look in a big book of names to make sure what you pick is not there, then pay the fee, mines was $57 cash only then you own it for a lifetime. LAter on in life you can go Corp, or Inc. or what ever. Our Business if very basic . It really needs to be tighten up, that will be done when our skills and Focus become more solid.
Well I live in NJ so it was not hard. How you do it over Ohio should be no different.

[ctg23]

Thats pretty sweet, I hope that you guys do well, best of luck to you!! And thanks for all of the info too!! Do you have a website set up for your business yet?

[silvergun]

Go with a dual G5. Okay so all the lightwave plugins may not work but thats newtek being crap. Just buy modo and begone with newteks lackluster mac effort. Enjoy your new mac and send us some benchmarks ;)

[soursardine]

Building computers is a second job for me, I would be willing to set you up with a good computer for a good price. Also at the momment I have an ATI FIRE GL X1 128mb AGP PRO card I want to sell. Taking offers

[Nakia]

Fire Gl, I had an Old Fire GL pro 1000 card before they were made by ATI. I loved that card. I still have it, its driving an Old P1 200MHz linux box.
How good is that card? I'm driving a Quadro 4 NVS 200, which is not rated for 3D.