So I'm looking to purchase a new desktop that I would like to use for gaming. I'm looking for something that could potentially run Skyrim with sexy graphics. Maybe even something that could run Skyrim with the HD texture pack? My price range is somewhere around $1000. I will probably be playing most of my games on a television through an HDMI cord.
One computer that has caught my eye is the new Alienware X51. I particularly like it because it's small, and because even the most expensive ones seem to be reasonably within my price range.
Could anyone help me to compare the practical differences between these specifications? Specifically, I am unsure of the differences between i5 and i7 processors. I am also unsure of the difference between GTX GPU's and the more inexpensive ones. Could someone please take a look at these and give me some pointers?
This is the big expensive one for $1150. A little pricey, but I might be able to splurge a bit if it's worth it. That's the problem though, I'm not sure if it's worth it.
This is the one for $900. As far as I can tell, the major differences are the processor and graphics card. The memory is also different (run at 1333MHz rather than 1600).
This one starts at $950. It offers an updated graphics card (the same as the expensive one), but less RAM (6GB at 1333 MHz). However, there is currently a deal where I might be able to up the RAM to 8GB at 1333MHz for free.
So can anyone help me figure out which one of these is worth it, if any? Specifically I'm looking for the difference between i5 and i7 processors, the difference in RAM (both overall and the MHz) and the difference in video cards? Thanks. I can post more specs if necessary.
One computer that has caught my eye is the new Alienware X51. I particularly like it because it's small, and because even the most expensive ones seem to be reasonably within my price range.
Could anyone help me to compare the practical differences between these specifications? Specifically, I am unsure of the differences between i5 and i7 processors. I am also unsure of the difference between GTX GPU's and the more inexpensive ones. Could someone please take a look at these and give me some pointers?
This is the big expensive one for $1150. A little pricey, but I might be able to splurge a bit if it's worth it. That's the problem though, I'm not sure if it's worth it.
PROCESSOR | 3rd Gen Intel® Core™ i7-3770 (3.4GHz, 8MB Cache, w/ Hyper-Threading and Turbo Boost 2.0)
MEMORY | 8GB2 Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1600MHz
HARD DRIVE SIZE | 1TB SATA 3Gb/s (7,200RPM) 32MB Cache
OPERATING SYSTEM | Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
VIDEO CARD | 1GB GDDR5 NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 555
OPTICAL DRIVE | Slot-Loading Dual Layer DVD Burner (DVD±RW, CD-RW)
WEIGHT | 12.10 lbs (5.49 kg)
MEMORY | 8GB2 Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1600MHz
HARD DRIVE SIZE | 1TB SATA 3Gb/s (7,200RPM) 32MB Cache
OPERATING SYSTEM | Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
VIDEO CARD | 1GB GDDR5 NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 555
OPTICAL DRIVE | Slot-Loading Dual Layer DVD Burner (DVD±RW, CD-RW)
WEIGHT | 12.10 lbs (5.49 kg)
This is the one for $900. As far as I can tell, the major differences are the processor and graphics card. The memory is also different (run at 1333MHz rather than 1600).
PROCESSOR | Intel® Core™ i5-2320 3.0GHz (6MB Cache) with Turbo Boost Technology 2.0
MEMORY | 8GB2 Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz
HARD DRIVE SIZE | 1TB SATA 3Gb/s (7,200RPM) 32MB Cache
OPERATING SYSTEM | Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
VIDEO CARD | 1GB GDDR5 NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 545
OPTICAL DRIVE | Slot-Loading Dual Layer DVD Burner (DVD±RW, CD-RW)
WEIGHT | 12.10 lbs (5.49 kg)
MEMORY | 8GB2 Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz
HARD DRIVE SIZE | 1TB SATA 3Gb/s (7,200RPM) 32MB Cache
OPERATING SYSTEM | Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
VIDEO CARD | 1GB GDDR5 NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 545
OPTICAL DRIVE | Slot-Loading Dual Layer DVD Burner (DVD±RW, CD-RW)
WEIGHT | 12.10 lbs (5.49 kg)
This one starts at $950. It offers an updated graphics card (the same as the expensive one), but less RAM (6GB at 1333 MHz). However, there is currently a deal where I might be able to up the RAM to 8GB at 1333MHz for free.
PROCESSOR | Intel® Core™ i5-2320 3.0GHz (6MB Cache) with Turbo Boost Technology 2.0
MEMORY | 6GB2 Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz
HARD DRIVE SIZE | 1TB SATA 3Gb/s (7,200RPM) 32MB Cache
OPERATING SYSTEM | Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
VIDEO CARD | 1GB GDDR5 NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 555
OPTICAL DRIVE | Slot-Loading Dual Layer DVD Burner (DVD±RW, CD-RW)
WEIGHT | 12.10 lbs (5.49 kg)
MEMORY | 6GB2 Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz
HARD DRIVE SIZE | 1TB SATA 3Gb/s (7,200RPM) 32MB Cache
OPERATING SYSTEM | Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
VIDEO CARD | 1GB GDDR5 NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 555
OPTICAL DRIVE | Slot-Loading Dual Layer DVD Burner (DVD±RW, CD-RW)
WEIGHT | 12.10 lbs (5.49 kg)
So can anyone help me figure out which one of these is worth it, if any? Specifically I'm looking for the difference between i5 and i7 processors, the difference in RAM (both overall and the MHz) and the difference in video cards? Thanks. I can post more specs if necessary.