What do people think of the new Area 51? Sounds ludicrously powerful:
Microsoft Operating System
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64bit- English
1.8GB NVIDIA® GeForce™ GTX260 graphics card
Memory
6GB 1066MHz (3x2GB) Tri Channel Memory
Hard Drive
640 GB Serial ATA non Raid (7200 Rpm)
But would all applications/games etc work on the 64-bit windows?
| xmrb2003x wrote : What do people think of the new Area 51? Sounds ludicrously powerful:
|
I would not call it "ludicroulsy" powerful.
The 64 bit OS is mainstream today.
The GTX 260 graphics card is about 2 years old and there are many much more powerful ones - nVdia has about 4 more powerful ones itself - each more powerful than the other. And since you did not mention SLI or Crossfire - I assume it does not have that which makes many more systems more powerful.
You did not say what CPU but with tri-channel memory I am guess i7-XXX.
Probably is a very fast system for most applications and fair at the upper end of mainstream gaming.
Most games and applications have 64-bit versions now, you just need to make sure you have one of those later versions and not the earlier 32- bit only ones.
Message edited by rockyjohn on 11-16-2009 at 03:14:05 AM
Whenever I hear or see someone talk about Alienware, I immediately think OVERPRICED! They are very powerful once you get start getting into their customizations, but think about this: I got a more powerful computer than the one you mentioned in Canada (where computer cost like 10%+ more) for $1800. And that's one built by a local PC retailer, so it includes their payment to put it all together too. The profit Alienware takes on their systems gets even larger as you add on features. For instance getting an additional 1tb hard drive costs $125 for that system you mentioned, and on newegg.com you can find ones for around $90.
I would recommend going out and seeing if there are any reputable PC builders in your area and getting them to build one for you if you aren't a person who likes to build your own (which is what I am assuming because you were talking about Alienware). Also, you will likely get a motherboard which is higher quality along with RAM which is a lot faster.
And for your question about the 64-bit OS: Everything will work except maybe computer accessories like printers and scanners you have lying around from more than 5 years ago.
| jrocks84 wrote : And for your question about the 64-bit OS: Everything will work except maybe computer accessories like printers and scanners you have lying around from more than 5 years ago. |
That is not true about software. One application I used, Dragon Naturally Speaking, only came out with 64-bit compatible software about a year ago and Final Draft a little more. Earlier versions of their software is not compatible. It would not surprise me if such was the case with other software.
I'd imagine that a program like that has it's own drivers because of the sound component. Still, most programs will run properly with 64 bit operating systems. Oh and you need 64 bit to use more than 3.25 GB of RAM, and any new gaming computer should have 4GB+.
| jrocks84 wrote : I'd imagine that a program like that has it's own drivers because of the sound component. Still, most programs will run properly with 64 bit operating systems. Oh and you need 64 bit to use more than 3.25 GB of RAM, and any new gaming computer should have 4GB+. |
You're correct. You do need a 64 bit OS to use more than 3.25GB of RAM. However, you'll be hard pressed to use more than 3GB of RAM.
I'll agree with Alienware being overpriced though. You're paying for the name. By the way, Dell now owns Alienware, so you're paying for Dell parts disguised as Alienware.
GIGABYTE GA-EP45T-DS3R
E8500 - Sapphire 1Gb 4850
4G DDR3 OCZ Reaper 1333
Reply to aford10
Alienware/Dell - don't do it!!
There are plenty of real easy threads just on this forum to enable you to built something much better, much cheaper, and much more upgradeable. Just think of it like high tech meccano.
| jrocks84 wrote : I'd imagine that a program like that has it's own drivers because of the sound component. Still, most programs will run properly with 64 bit operating systems. Oh and you need 64 bit to use more than 3.25 GB of RAM, and any new gaming computer should have 4GB+. |
Yes Dragon Naturally Speaking has a "sound" component - but Final Draft does not. And how is that different than any other softeare that interacts with hardware - like backup programs, music programs, DVD burning programs, etc. People should not so cavalierly assume their operating system will work with a 64 bid operating system unless the application states the compatibility. I give you specific examples proving your advice wrong - so you come back and say it still is valid except for the case I gave and explained it away with an explanation that only applied to one.
I posed the compatibility question to Google and these are the top two responses turned up in Google. They are a little dated but the concept has not changed. They also point out another consideration you neglected - some 32 bit software has 16 bit code that is not compatible with a 64 bit OS.
http://www.dansdata.com/askdan00001.htm
http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/142 [...] 64_vs_x86/
Want some more links that talk about problems - such as 32 bit applications including 16 bit code:
http://www.techsupportalert.com/co [...] lained.htm
http://topnews.us/content/21532-co [...] t-question
Bottom line - check your programs don't assume.
Reply to rockyjohn
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