hook up an alienware computer or other to my laptop?
Forum CPU & Components : CPUs - hook up an alienware computer or other to my laptop?
Is it possible to buy a high end computer i.e. alienware and run it on my toshiba laptop. I can justify spending 500-600 if I don't have to buy the monitor.
What is it youre spending 500-600 for, an alienware? If so it's going to be really old and not what youre looking for.
First:
Your laptop can't act as a moniter for a desktop computer.
Second:
$500-$600 budget? Alienware won't even talk to you.
DUDE! You're gettin' a Dell!
http://www1.us.dell.com/content/pr [...] l=en&s=dhs
I sall an alienware on ebay. I did find out that they are ripping people off. I decided just to give my laptop to my wife. And buy an xps from dell for around 3,000. I was told it would run oblivion on all recommended settings if not surpass. I also told my wife the notebook was for business. Should I go through with this or do you have any recommendations.
Dont buy and XPS, build a PC yourself and save $1000
I don't know crap about building a computer. Could I build a laptop to peform with all setting that I wan't? Could I gut my toshiba and start over. I like my computer alot. If I can replace or upgrade the internal components I would definitely go that route.
You could but it would probably be cheaper to buy a new one.
On building a PC: here are a few good links
One more thing, laptops are ussually more expensive and perform worse than Desktop systems. Do you need a laptop for gaming for a specific reason?
are you familiar with the specs needed to play oblivion at recommended levals? what parts would you recommend. I have friends that say they can build computers. Maybe if I just buy the parts. Also, where should I buy the parts from. Best Buy or something. Is there a cheaper way?
| Quote : I sall an alienware on ebay. I did find out that they are ripping people off. I decided just to give my laptop to my wife. And buy an xps from dell for around 3,000. I was told it would run oblivion on all recommended settings if not surpass. I also told my wife the notebook was for business. Should I go through with this or do you have any recommendations. |
Dell and Alienware overcharge by 30-150%
It's not worth it!
Build it yourself or have someone build it for you.
I can build one for you @ cost + actual shipping cost + pizza :-D
The only Dell items I can recommend are their LCDs, some of them are nice.
Here's a nice rig for about $1500 :
https://secure.newegg.com/NewVersio [...] er=3114006
both I travel alot and just the convience of it all. I do use it for business. However I am a huge gamer. I just recently stopped playing console systems.
Its easier to tell my wife I am working when I am using my computer I can always minimize.
thanks, I will definitely consider that. I could probably pay around 200 plus a pizza. I live in Atlanta though.
| Quote : thanks, I will definitely consider that. I could probably pay around 200 plus a pizza. I live in Atlanta though. |
We're in Ohio / Great Lakes, maybe we could meet somewhere in the middle or you could stop by next time you're in the area.
With AM2 releasing on the 23rd of this month prices should go down somewhat over the next 3-5 weeks.
www.newegg.com for the parts.
There are lots of parts out there I could recomend that would be countered by lots of other parts others will recommend, it will boil down to your budget ultimately. Also use new eggs rating system and see what others experiances have been with a part before you buy it.
I would like to keep cost minimal as possible. I don't even know what kind of parts I need and what parts I can keep from my origional laptop Satellite M45-S331. However cost aside I want 3 ghz intel pentium 4 processor or equivalent, 1 gb system ram, AT1 X800 series, Nvidia GeForce 6800 or higher video card.
| Quote : I would like to keep cost minimal as possible. I don't even know what kind of parts I need and what parts I can keep from my origional laptop Satellite M45-S331. However cost aside I want 3 ghz intel pentium 4 processor or equivalent, 1 gb system ram, AT1 X800 series, Nvidia GeForce 6800 or higher video card. |
You can probably get a decent system for about $1000 - $1200 or so.
What games and apps would you like it to run?
What parts do you already have?
oblivion mostly, all other apps work fine with my current computer. I have 80 gig hard drive and good dvd burner could I keep all of this. Or would I have to replace with everything else? Let me know, I have to go to work now and try to pay for all of this. Thanks for the input. I'll get back with you.
When would you want to build it? There are several new things on the horizon in the next 60 days like AMD's new platform AM2 and Intel's new architecture Conroe.
| Quote : Here's a nice rig for about $1500 :
|
X1800XT > 7900GT
I can wait. I am booked with work for the next 3 months like everyday. But I should be able to dish out a reasonable amount. as long as it is under 3,000 and it would make my laptop rediculously bad ass.
full list of parts intel pentium M processor 730 (1.6 Ghz/ 15.4"WXGA TruBrite" dispay/512MB/80GB/DVD SuperMulti drive/ 802.11b/g/ IEEE 1394/Bridge media adapter 5-in-1/microsoft widows xp home
I just read that off the sticker that still on my computer
| Quote : oblivion mostly, all other apps work fine with my current computer. I have 80 gig hard drive and good dvd burner could I keep all of this. Or would I have to replace with everything else? Let me know, I have to go to work now and try to pay for all of this. Thanks for the input. I'll get back with you. |
For oblivion I would suggest a decent AMD64 + 2GB RAM + 7900GT/GTX or X1900XT/XTX because it's very GFX intensive.
ATI does a bit better in Oblivion but I suspect a software patch will eventually make nVidia and ATI about even in Oblivion.
ATI is better for D3D and Windoze
nVidia is better for OpenGL + Windoze + other operating systems like Linux, BSD, etc
This is not a fair comparison because the 7900GT/GTX is not on the list.
http://www23.tomshardware.com/grap [...] 4&chart=79
http://www23.tomshardware.com/grap [...] 3&chart=98
The X1900 wins the first bench but loses the 2nd bench on Quake 4 which is OpenGL
Other benches are mixed.
around how much to upgrade my laptop with that. It sounds freakin sweet. let me know. I have to run to work. I will be back around 10:00 to respond. thanks.
| Quote : around how much to upgrade my laptop with that. It sounds freakin sweet. let me know. I have to run to work. I will be back around 10:00 to respond. thanks. |
Probably about $1000 - $1500 including a nice LCD.
lcd, replace the monitor or is this a desktop your talking about? I'm confused could I upgrade my laptop or just build a new desktop?
| Quote : lcd, replace the monitor or is this a desktop your talking about? I'm confused could I upgrade my laptop or just build a new desktop? |
Laptops are very challenging to upgrade. I can upgrade it for you but there is not much we can do, the motherboard will be the bottleneck and your graphics choices will be severely limited.
Here is a brand new desktop with virtually everything included for $1586 or so delivered from newegg including a nice Sony LCD.
https://secure.newegg.com/NewVersio [...] er=3219386
Lian Li PC-7A plus II Silver Aluminum ATX Mini Tower Computer Case - Retail
ASUS A8N-E Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
eVGA 256-P2-N565-AX Geforce 7900GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply - Retail
AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Manchester 2000MHz HT Socket 939 Dual Core Processor Model ADA3800BVBOX - Retail
CORSAIR XMS 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model Twinx2048-3200c2pt - Retail
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
LITE-ON SK-1788U Grey USB Wired Standard Keyboard - Retail
SONY SDM-S75AB Black 17" 12ms LCD Monitor - Retail
Logitech MX518 931352-0403 2-Tone 8 Buttons 1x Wheel USB + PS/2 Optical Mouse - Retail
LITE-ON 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model SHW160P6S05 - OEM
Creative Sound Blaster SB0570 Audigy SE 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail
I'm preparing another config with ATI graphics.
The builds that linux_0 has put together are all very nice looking.
| Quote : The builds that linux_0 has put together are all very nice looking. |
Thank you :-D
Here's 2 more:
https://secure.newegg.com/NewVersio [...] er=3219506
https://secure.newegg.com/NewVersio [...] er=3219506
These are all desktops for under $2000.
A Gaming laptop with similar / lesser specs from VoodooPC will cost $5500 USD
Sorry these images are not very clear
| Quote : lcd, replace the monitor or is this a desktop your talking about? I'm confused could I upgrade my laptop or just build a new desktop? |
Sell your notebook for cheap and build a desktop.
basic idea I would do is build it my self. But the major problem you have is your new to building computers. buy a book like upgrading and repairing Pcs or a how to build a pc. $20 to $50. Or if you have a secondary computer there how to build computers on some websites. http://www.pcmech.com/byopc/
You can ask about cpu Motherboards video cards and such when you need answers.
Thanks for the info. So basicly what could I do to my laptop to get it to run oblivion. I will probably buy a desktop at some point. I just don't want to let go of my laptop just yet. could I even get 2.0ghz or higher in my toshiba? It is very thin, not that that would have anything to do with it. Once again I have no idea myself. But if there were someway to upgrade the processor, and graphics chip just to support the game and at least 1 gig system memory I would like to do that first. I'm usually just home for 3 hours to sleep. However, I could bring my laptop with me. So what would be my options using
my existing computer?
I probably want to build it in the next couple of months. I want to rebuild my laptop before I start with a desktop. Anything available to upgrade my toshiba laptop. M45-S331
Patrick, I doubt that there is much anyone could do to upgrade your current laptop, for the following reasons:
1) Processor and graphics core upgrades are indeed limited by the size of your laptop--not that the chips/cards themselves are big, but more powerful chips generate more heat and require larger heatsinks and/or fans. There is no room for these in most laptops, especially not toshiba satelites.
2) The toshiba you own will (most likely) not have the proper ports to interface with a modern, obvlivion-capable graphics card. Very few laptops have pci-e, or even agp slots. Either of these would be a prerequisite to the upgrade you have in mind. Because most laptops rely on integrated graphics chipsets, it would be highly unlikely that your laptop's motherboard would be capable of these upgrades.
In light of these two reasons, I would suggest keeping your laptop as it is and building a new box sometime within the next few months (but not before the summer quarter).
Yeah, that laptop is useless for modern games. One thing you could do is get an MSI barebone laptop for around 900, the msi-1039 for example, then put a nice cpu, ram, and hard drive in it. It'd be decent for oblivion and cost around $1500, but like someone else said, expect to pay way more than 3000 for any high end gaming laptop.
Are there any laptop cases available w/nothing so I can rebuild the whole thing? I know you can buy a tower w/nothing for a desktop computer. I just don't want to buy a cheap computer and toss parts if I don't have too. Also this next question might make some people aggrevated. But what if I just buy a x-box 360 w/ game I would rather not, but what is the real difference between the console version and computer.
| Quote : I probably want to build it in the next couple of months. I want to rebuild my laptop before I start with a desktop. Anything available to upgrade my toshiba laptop. M45-S331 |
I'm sorry to say, I agree with everyone else, there is not much that can be done to upgrade your laptop.
It has integrated Intel graphics and there is no way that can be upgraded. Which means there is nothing that can be done on that front.
Oblivion requires a 7900GT/GTX or X1800XT / X1900XT/XTX to play at acceptable frame rates. It also requires a 2.0GHz processor minimum and as much RAM as you can throw at it ( ideally 2GB ).
As you can see in the VoodooPC quote a posted above a laptop to play oblivion would cost about $5500 USD.
The only thing that can be upgraded in your current laptop is the RAM however it takes old PC2700 DDR SDRAM SO DIMMs which are still rather expensive and since the machine only has 2 SO DIMM slots you will have to remove what is installed in it now and purchase 2 new matched SO DIMMs.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820144198
It would cost at least $300 to upgrade the RAM and you will not see a real benefit because your are stuck with your intel graphics and upgrading the CPU will be challenging.
Not that I've ever found. ya just have to accept that laptops are no where near as configurable as desktops. The motherboard HAS to be custom built for the laptop case, and that's what restricts most everything.
| Quote : Are there any laptop cases available w/nothing so I can rebuild the whole thing? I know you can buy a tower w/nothing for a desktop computer. I just don't want to buy a cheap computer and toss parts if I don't have too. Also this next question might make some people aggrevated. But what if I just buy a x-box 360 w/ game I would rather not, but what is the real difference between the console version and computer. |
I believe Oblivion is pretty much crippled on the Xbox. On the PC you have so much flexibility better graphics, better performance and you can tweak it all you want.
The Xbox is a locked platform so you can't do anything they don't want you to and that means you can't do anything.
A custom built $1000 gaming machine will play Oblivion and many other games quite well and you will not be locked in.
Not to mention over time the Xbox will cost you a fortune in games and extras.
Oblivion for the PC sells for $50 while the Xbox version sells for $60.
I guess the extra $10 goes to pay you know who.
From what I've heard, there aren't significant differences betweent the X-box and PC versions. I've not played the console Oblivion, but the interface seems like it'd port over pretty well, and the 360 has a lot of graphics muscle going for it. For someone like yourself, who's not an especially hardcore gamer or computer DIY'er, the console might make more sense. Better than dropping 2k+ for an Alienware. Keep you laptop for productivity and get an X-box for gaming at home, IMHO.
| Quote : From what I've heard, there aren't significant differences betweent the X-box and PC versions. I've not played the console Oblivion, but the interface seems like it'd port over pretty well, and the 360 has a lot of graphics muscle going for it. For someone like yourself, who's not an especially hardcore gamer or computer DIY'er, the console might make more sense. Better than dropping 2k+ for an Alienware. Keep you laptop for productivity and get an X-box for gaming at home, IMHO. |
You have a point, but I strongly believe the PC offers a much better experience and a lot more freedom.
The xbox is locked and you have a vendor-lock-in situation. Most of the time you are also overpaying for the games and accessories because M$ makes their $ on kickbacks from game publishers and hardware manufacturers.
Over time the xbox may end up costing you a lot more than a PC.
On the PC you have a lot of options and you can use it for virtually anything you might want to use it for besides gaming.
I agree with you 100% about the flexibility bit; I have a homebuilt gaming rig that I love dearly. All the same, It'd take a heck of a lot of game/peripherial purchases for that $10 premium to make up the difference between a PC and a console.
| Quote : I agree with you 100% about the flexibility bit; I have a homebuilt gaming rig that I love dearly. All the same, It'd take a heck of a lot of game/peripherial purchases for that $10 premium to make up the difference between a PC and a console. |
Sadly, enough people spend enough on their Xboxes that M$ can afford to sell them at a loss and still make a profit.
Although M$' true goal is to dominate the market not make a profit on the Xbox.
I could probably configure a PC with specs similar to the Xbox for about the same amount.
Thanks, I can see myself having a very nice gaming rig built. It will be six months before I will have the time to have it built. X-box does seem for feasible, however I still deal with the fact that I can't just carry it with me. I guess I will just let the laptop thing go. I mean if I do drop 3-4k just to play a game. What happens when I finish it? My schedule will be a lot easier in 4 months or so. I can spend some more time at home. So thank you for all the comments. I think I will wait an build a really good home computer. I am not a good microsoft fan. I just like the elderscrolls games. I like sony a lot better as far as consoles. But that is a totally different topic all together.
I am breaking down and buying a desktop tower to upgrade. I figure the technology will be there for the laptop in 5-6 years anyway. If I get just a case what individual items will I have to buy. I am looking at high end. If I am
not getting a new laptop. I am only interested in the very high end of desktop performance. What processors, and graphics cards and so on are out now or about to be out. I would rather build slowly with some of the best parts than to
build immediately with parts that aren't high end. I would like to keep it around 4,000 or under, however I would consider more if the parts are indeed worth it.
If you're going to build a desktop, wait for Core 2 (Conroe) to come out. The preliminary benchmarks are very impressive. I've been out of the graphics card loop for a bit, but I've heard good things about the ATI x1900 series. PC Gamer magazine published a guide for first-time PC builders a while back; I'm not sure it's still on shelves, but it's a good resource.
your laptop will be very difficult if possible to upgrade at all, your CPU might be replaceable but only with the older pentium M CPUs, perhpas the Gfx card but unlikely it would also be very expensive to change it, get a new PC
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