Will this last?

So i'm in the market for a good gaming computer that will last at least 5 years, i've never actually bought a Dell before so all i can go on is reviews but i was wondering if this computer would last me a while and if the specs are good enough to run the higher demanding games that are out today, here are the specs;

Processor Intel® Core™ i7 930 Quad Core Processor (2.8GHz, 8MB Cache)

Operating System Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English

Memory 9GB DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz - (3x 1024MB + 3x 2048MB)

Hard Drive 500GB - SATA-II, 3Gb/s, 7,200RPM, 16MB Cache HDD

Graphics Card Single 1GB GDDR5 ATI Radeon™ HD 5870

Sound Card Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio

I also will probably recording/playing with music so i'll have a better sound card i just really want to know about how this system would handle games, thanks.

 

5 yrs for games is a tall order, but i guess an AW will come close. My recommendation if u can afford it would be the M17 with RGB screen. Go for the HD5870 x-fire if you wish to play games that will come out in 3 yrs. The single 5870 is enough for today's standards, but for future...

BTW the M17 can only accept max 2x4GB 1333MHz RAM.

 

When getting desktops, never go with Alienware unless you need the looks or unless you're getting the Area-51 or Area-51 ALX. Getting a PC from another boutique or custom-building pc company would be much better. I recommend Origin, Maingear, Ibuypower, and CyberPowerPC.

AW laptops on the other hand, all of these are beasts. I would suggest the M17x if you want gaming performance that will last because it is currently the most powerful and durable laptop AW has to offer.

And I think the Help Me choose a Desktop section in Desktop review (if there is a section in DR) would be a better help with getting a new desktop because this is NOTE BOOK Review.

 

This will hold up for sure for a while. As games and developers tend to bring max. standards in Quality, it is likely that they try to support and optimize their games for the latest graphic cards currently available at the time they bring out their games. So the only thing that you might need to change in the near future (approx. 2-3 years) is the graphic card.

For Laptops, the M17x with Dual HD5870 will probably last for the next 2-3 years aswell. That's approx. my cycle i'm in for buying something new. I had Dell laptops since i was on University, like 8 years ago, since then i had a Inspiron8200 Laptop, after like 2.5 years, i bought the XPS M1710 (2006), and i just recently bought the Alienware M17x-R2. But i'm sure if you have a Desktop Computer, you won't have any problem to update your system if you find it necessary.

 

5 years to run games is probally on the very verge of the lifespan for modern games. 5 years ago we would have been talking about an Area-51 7700, that's including hardware like a 3.6ghz Pentium 4, a Geforce go 6800 (12 pixel 5 vertex shader card with 256mb ram) and 1GB of ram or so. a Geforce 6800 Go is aproximately the same as a 8600GT these days. So good enough for games from a year or two ago, but not really for crysis or something. Which means that it's effective life span isn't 5 years.

 

It will last till the next upgrade of consoles hardware.
I think you've got 2 years.

 

I agree, the XBOX360 is working on some pretty outdated hardware now(5 years to be exact lol). Still manages some nice games though. All the refresh did was make the hardware smaller, but it's still the same specifications.

 

It depends on how high graphic options you wanna set for your games. Some ppl can play games just fine @ 1024x768 and 0xAA and Shadows disabled these days

I personally cannot stand it when I have to lower one or two important settings for better FPS.

 

It's some of that, but there are a lot of games that you simply can not play with 5 year old hardware. the PC platform has been on a steady decline for a long time, it's just now starting to see a comback, and that's against 5 year old console hardware.

 

Wow a lot of responses, and yea sorry for posting in the wrong section . anyway i was thinking of a laptop because they're cheaper but i also hear that you can't really upgrade them and i would love the option to do so.

 

I got the rig in my sig for two games and school. It will last me the 5 years and play FFXIV and BF3 on damn good settings

 

I hope it can. I'm hoping to play Deus Ex Human Revolution in high settings.

 

Thats not the case with Alienwares. I got the M15X in my sig and you just take off one plastic then everything is there waiting for you to take out put in etc..
The only thing you can't upgrade in practice is motherboard due to physical limitations and "giving up" factor. However in theory, if the new motherboard fits the physical specifications, everything can be done.

You can even replace the screen, I haven't tried but just search the forums there are some people who buy a new screen and paint it etc.

 

the game is based on a 'heavily modified TBU engine' but by juding from the screenshots, and feb 2011 release date, I would be surprised if CF5870s run it at near maxed out status. TBU reccomended a 9800GTX or 4800 GPU, which is more or less half the power we have already. Have you seen the preview screenshots? It's definitally an eye candy game for sure.

 

Saw the gameplay trailer, the graphic doesn't look THAT impressive compared to Crysis.

 

New Deus Ex's graphics is not that good. Somewhere between Crysis and MW2.

 

I'm guessing if you can run Crysis, then you can most likely run Deus Ex with no problem.

 

I've been thinking this whole time he had an M17x so yea.. my bad <_<

The pics I were looking at look like they were of the CG scenes instead of acutal gameplay, so I will agree, he should be able to play it on high settings with a 5870.

 

Hmm, well i was looking at either the M15X or the M17X, would you recommend the M15X? I'm mostly worried about what video card to get, like i want one that would last a while, also is this laptop expandable to put in another one to make it duel?

 

both the m15x and m17x are heavily upgradable by the user and the basic ones that are easy are:

CPU, GPU, Ram, HD, Optical,

Only reason you would want a m17x is a true desktop replacement, dual GPU, and high res RGB display.

If you are wanting an awesome setup and save money and have a mix between portability and power then choose m15x. If you want pure raw power and a breath taking display all at the expense of weight and $$$ then by all means please get a m17x.

I have been looking at both m15x and m17x and currently i have the m15x and really trying to figure out if i want to step up to a m17x and if it will benefit me.

 

Duel? You mean dual=SLI/crossfire? No you can't have two cards in an M15X.
However 5850 in M15X takes Crysis and similar ones single handedly. You would be able to play games that are released now(and before) at ultra settings but after 2 years you'll have to go medium-high and then you'll have to lower your specs. But this is the case with any card in market right now. Only SLI/Crossfire builds can last longer but thats a personal preference. I would prefer buying a new technology card when time comes, instead of buying two cards which may become obsolete regarding technology.

M15X fits all situations IMO. M17X is just too big. It is way bigger than normal 17". If you are planning on carrying it in a bag, good lucks. I'm not saying you can't but.. medical problems may appear (plus you need to find a huge bag that your m17x can fit in)

If you aren't planning on moving your laptop and have the bucks, go for M17X. But I personally feel like an M17X is an overkill.

 

Hmm Well alright i think i'll go for the M15X, thanks for the help

 

I'm saving up for the M15x, but im still new to all those BIOS and drivers.. Read up a few threads and saw that the M15x was able to take the HD5870 in their system, just need guide to BIOS and Drivers for them as I wouldn't want to screw it up just by Doug somthing wrong on BIOS an driver side.

 

You actually don't need 5870. You get much less same power with 5850, it is easily overclocked to 5870 with almost no difference in temps and power usage.

 

Thanks, Overclocking is another problem for me as I know nuts about those, and I'm told by my friend that over clocking harms the chip, but it seems like everybody here are doing just fine.

 

Might as well buy a new desktop if you are planning to buy m17x.

M17x is literally a portable desktop. The weight of that thing is similar to fat ps3.

 

Of course it harms the chip, if you go above limits.
5870 has clocks 700/1000, while 5850 has 625/1000. Running 5850 at 700/1000 doesn't increase the heat much so its fine. Also changing clocks is easy as hell You just open AMD GPU Tools, write new clocks and activate. If you have any questions, check M15X GPU Overclocking thread. You should always be carefull but if you know what you are doing, then there isn't much to worry about.

 

Hey now i have the PHAT ps3 and it is less than the weight of a m17x. PS3 phat is like 11 lbs and m17x is 12.5lbs

 

Oh wow, that's worse.

 

you should get the crossfire 5870s if you want it to last near 5 years...

 

Ok this is what i decided for the M15X assuming i get it;


System Color Alienware M15x, Cosmic Black

Processor Intel® Core™ i7 740QM Quad Core Processor, 1.73GHz (2.93GHz Turbo Mode, 6M Cache

Operating System Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English

Security Software McAfee SecurityCenter , 24-Months

LCD Panel 15.6-inch WideHD+ 1600x900 (900p) WLED

Memory 8GB Dual Channel Memory (2x 4GB DDR3)

Hard Drive 500GB SATAII 7,200RPM

Video Card 1GB GDDR5 ATI Radeon™ Mobility HD 5850

Internal Optical Drive Slot-Load Dual Layer DVD Burner (DVD+-RW, CD-RW)

Battery Options Primary - 6-cell (56Watt) Lithium-Ion Battery

Sound Options Internal High-Definition 5.1 Surround Sound Audio

 

I agree on that youre good with the 5870 until the next generation on consoles. Since Pc gets mostly ports from consoles theres no reason for the developers to make Pc games any better graphically speaking. Speculation is that the next gen wont be around until 2013 so theres a good while.

 

In fact PC games get ported to consoles.. both ways you are correct. Not sure about the date but I have a similar feeling(maybe 2012Q3).
Because of the hardware limitations on consoles, most game developers are forced to make their games less hungry novadays, otherwise it will be hell for them to port the game.

@OP
I highly recommend 620M or 840QM if you haven't bought the system yet.

 

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