What to do...what to do...

[Link00seven]

Okay, this might be confusing but I am going to try.

I sold my Xbox 1 to get the money for a 360.I really wanted an Xbox 360.

However, with the lack of stock, and doing a bit more thinking, I am really considering not getting the 360, and putting that money away for a laptop. Problem with that? I want to get an Powerbook G4 as the laptop, but with Apple making the Intel switch, that might not be the best idea right now. I want it for school purposes, and music writing/editing/recording. Also, that wouldn't fill my nitch for gaming.

Now, a little while ago I sold my DS for a PSP. The DS back in April wasn't impressing me, so I got a PSP. Okay, will lets fast forward to now. The PSP doesn't really have shit (except homebrew, which is pretty nice) and the DS has online Mario Kart! So, I regret selling that, and I wouldn't mind paying $150 to get another DS.

Another option is to build a new PC, which wouldn't be a bad idea because there are a lot of good games for the PC.

So, heres what has been suggested to me so far and my own personal judgement. I would have $600 by christmas time to spend.

A: Build a new computer and with any money left over, possibly buy the DS.

Sounds good. A new PC would not only satisfy my gaming nitch, it would also be a lot better for everything else too. Focus on getting the Powerbook when I goto college, which my music writing/recording/editing is more needed and when school work is more prominant. In HS, any computer will do anyway. By that time too, the Intel switch would have been made, so I dont need to worry about the Powerbook becoming obsolete.

B: Buy an Xbox 360

That'd be cool. But after doing a lot of thinking on it, for the money spent on an Xbox 360, I could do a lot more with it. The problem is, I sold my Xbox 1...but maybe a new gaming PC would make up for it. The Xbox 360 is a great system, don't get me wrong, but right now it doesn't have any real flagship titles. If I wait it out, I can possibly pick it up at a cheaper price, and get some really awesome games for it.

C: Put it all away and buy the Powerbook G4 in Feb/Mar

Problem is, with the intel switch the Powerbook would become obsolete too quick.

Overall, I guess I am just angry that I sold my Xbox right now and was originally going to get a 360 to fill in for it. However, its just after heavy thinking, there is better that I can do for $600 then buy an Xbox 360 right now. I'm all open for suggestions, and if anyone wants to post their opinions, go ahead and do so. I'd appriciate it.

[zwandude15]

Hmmm, you sound like you aren't looking forward TOO much to that XB 360, and i've noticed it doesn't have games that appealing right now, so if anything, wait until the price goes down in a year or two.

You dont sound too thrilled about the laptop either (to be honest i want one too right about now! xD). I suggest you wait until the switch, if anything.

The first choice however. You sound mighty confident in making your own PC, and you sound like you wish you had that DS pretty badly right now. I suggest this choice overall, but just personal opinion...

[astuarlen]

I vote PC. But how are you going to build a nice new PC on a $600 budget? http://pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_confused.gif

[REJ-]

Apparently, choice A is the only one where you didn't say "the problem is" or anything else negative, so go with that one. Also I heard that the XBox 360 is going to have some sort of marketing deal when PS3 comes out. Supposedly, they are going to counter the PS3 launch with a Price drop, or free Xbox Live, or something else they might have at the time. It sounds like something they'd do, so I'm waiting for then to buy the 360. I think you should just get a computer though, it sounds best, and it'll satisfy your thirst for gaming with all of the good PC games there are.

[Blitzkommando]

On 2005-12-04 12:44, astuarlen wrote:
I vote PC. But how are you going to build a nice new PC on a $600 budget? http://pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_confused.gif


That's what I was wondering myself. Don't get me wrong, that is a great idea. I'm a hardcore PC gamer myself, and my interest in consoles is waning a bit as well with this new generation. However, getting a gaming PC that will last you for, say 2-3 years, will cost you more today than it has in a long time.

I say this for a few reasons. First, and most importantly, higher end components are skyrocketing in price. Although, some of the mid-range processors are pretty cheap, they have their price rightfully so. And, right now, Intel is just looking worse and worse for gaming purposes. (Really, since the Prescott Intel's grip on gaming has really loosened and AMD's has strengthened many times over) However, a really, really good processor can be had for $330~ish right now (AMD Athlon 64 4000+ is a FX53 with the clock locked and can easily be unlocked via a number of ways).

But, there is a new technology coming around on the horizon that whets the appetites of gamers, designers, and especially multi-taskers. Dual-Core Processing. Intel released the first major consumer DC type processors with the advent of Hyper-Threading. Well, the newest processors to implement this technology (AMD X2) perform amazingly. Long story short, AMD is going to release a new socket set, and a new processor line, next year. Alas, based on the current line of technology and cost, these things are going to be amazing, but probably reaching towards the $1500 mark for the top, and $600 for the 'low-end' model.

Next thing that has been rather crazy lately is the price for video hardware. It used to be top end video cards would average $250-350, expensive, but well worth the cost. Both nVidia and ATi have amazing cards out right now. But, to even get the mid-range cards (nVidia 6 series, ATi X8 series and now X1300 and X1600) are more often than not hitting that $300 mark. For those really juicy cards, like the 7800 GT/GTX/GTX 512, or the X1800 models, are hitting numbers never before seen for single-card gaming graphics cards. The 7800GT is still easily found around the $300-350 mark and the X1800XL isn't seen below $300. You can't even get the 7800GTX under $400 or the X1800 XT under $500. (nVidia holds the crown though for highest with the 7800GTX 512 averaging $750)

Where's the good news? Well, harddrive prices are dropping like rocks, and memory is at least stable. Motherboards are about average for what they have been as have sound cards.

However, should you decide to build your own, I highly recommed purchasing the parts online to save yourself the taxes and jacked up prices. (As a matter of fact, local stores probably don't even sell what you want either, unless you want to be overcharged 20% or so) I did a comparison of the parts I want to purchase from online and from the only retailer around me that sells them. With taxes included it was almost $300 difference, with shipping factored in. And that was just the processor and motherboard, nothing else. And, depending on what you are buying, you could get some really good stuff for $600, just not all the parts.

[Link00seven]

On 2005-12-04 12:44, astuarlen wrote:
I vote PC. But how are you going to build a nice new PC on a $600 budget? http://pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_confused.gif



This will fit into my budget. I was doing some shopping and found this stuff. I dont know if its all compatible or not, but if anyone wants to shed some tips on PC building i'd appriciate it.

Note that the parts I didn't include are ones I can gut out of my old machine (CD-RW, etc)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813157081
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103535
http://www.xoxide.com/x-static-2-black.html
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817152018
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820161627
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814131296R
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148039
http://www.xoxide.com/quadligblule.html

If I don't go with building a new PC. I can get a Mac Mini for under $600...

Whats your take? Personally, the Mac Mini is a nice machine, (I really like Macs if you havent noticed, but I dont hate Windows either) but that is probably more value for my money. I'll wait on a Mac until I get a Intel based Powerbook from them http://pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif

EDIT: Changed some products around. Overall its lookin' good.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Link00seven on 2005-12-04 17:39 ]</font>


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Link00seven on 2005-12-04 17:41 ]</font>

[Ketchup345]

I'd go with building a PC.

Can you get that Mac Mini to be a good gaming PC? Do the games you play and will play support Mac OSX?

For your Hard Drive: Would a 100 Gig work? My Circuit City flier today had a 100 Gig Hard Drive for just $40 after rebates (check your fliers).
1 Gig of RAM is nice.
Don't forget the cost of the OS, unless you have that already.


And don't count on the Mac to be that much more efficient for music/video editting after the switch, since then they will likely use the same chip architecture that basically every other computer uses. The current and past Mac chips had RISC chips which made Macs (and any other PPC computers) do certain calculations faster. And also Mac's speed advantage is negligible (http://www.pso-world.com/viewtopic.php?topic=97098&forum=9) (don't bump of course).

Personally, since you are a gamer I suggest for college, you may want a gaming quality laptop if you live in the dorms (many are small and offer very little/no space for full computers, but some colleges do have bigger dorms for upper classmen).

[Wyndham]

get a mac mini if you dont mind fewer games.
I use one, and it works great.

now on the subject of the DS, online Mario Kart isn't the best, but they'll have Metroid on it soon, so i suggest you limit yourself to getting one in march.
unless you want to get them overpriced, since most places nearb are sold out, and most places could be the same.

[Blitzkommando]

I would personally suggest not getting a refurbished video card. I would also not forget to check into PCI-Express video cards even if your motherboard you selected is AGP and PCI-E compatable.

The 9800 was a good video card, heck, it was top of the line when I got mine. But, the 9800SE is the later release that was clocked back, thus lowering performance. I would personally suggest spending the $20-30 more and get the 9800Pro as it is a very reliable card and will be just that little bit more powerful as it is nearing 3 years old now. Keep in mind though, the 9800, even though it is one of the most common chipsets being used right now, is considered low-end hardware today. I'm not sure what games you play, or are going to play and I'm not sure what settings you are going to use. Several of today's games are designed around the 9800 as it was the newest and most powerful card on the market when the game started development (Half-Life 2 is a great example), but games coming out today are more likely based on the X800 and 6000 series. Sometimes, waiting that little bit longer to pay a little bit more can really pay off. And in your case, simply adding a newer video card (like the X800, or 6600) can cause a gigantic performance increase.

I'm like you, I want it ASAP, but, wait just a little longer, and if possible earn a bit more money, and you can have a monster machine running with those parts. The memory is great, the processor is great (running one of those myself currently), and the harddrive is a good choice as well (SATA is great choice, faster than Ultra ATA but harder to install on some motherboards). I would suggest getting at least one of the 'cheapo' $15 soundcards as onboard sound can sometimes have a drain on the system depending on how the components all work together. Sometimes it runs great, other times (like on my current computer), it causes a very noticable performance drop. I'm not sure if that motherboard is the same way, but I would suggest looking into reviews and seeing if there are any issues mentioned in that area.

I know that probably isn't what you wanted to hear, but, I just think you could be able to use it longer, and with better results, by spending just a little more and getting the next tier videocard. Heck, even the X700Pro would scream in that thing, and that I know from experience. I was using an X700 Pro in a very similar setup from June to October and it worked fantastically for the price. (I would also suggest the PCI-Express 256MB version of the X700 as well) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102603 Sapphire is one of the leading ATi third-party card makers.

EDIT: Now that I recheck the prices, you might as well ignore about my recommendation of buying the 9800Pro as the X700 Pro is the same price.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Norvekh on 2005-12-04 19:12 ]</font>

[Link00seven]

Thanks for that info. I haven't kept up on the newest cards, so the 9800 in my eyes was about the best one.

However, for such a slight increase in money, thats one hell of a performance increase! I'll go for the X700.

Now, as for the sound card, we'll see. I'm not too worried about it right now, and im sure if I look around I can find some bullcrap sound card to put in it.

Even if its an old Sound Blaster 16 http://pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_wacko.gif

[Rion772]

You shouldn't count PS3 out. From what I've heard PS3 is godly compared to the PS2, so you should read up on that or something then make an actual decision if you havn't already or atleast take it into consideration.

[Wyndham]

On 2005-12-05 18:28, Rion772 wrote:
You shouldn't count PS3 out. From what I've heard PS3 is godly compared to the PS2, so you should read up on that or something then make an actual decision if you havn't already or atleast take it into consideration.



and the PS3 will also cost even more than any other videogame system.
its got a lot of extra features that were dropped, and sony is basically trying to make a machine that will do everything. features that were dropped included an internal router.
go with the PC, It'll be a better choice in the long run.

please don't kill me.