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[dsmoke1986]

So what do you guys think of Alienware M17x?

I am contemplating getting one that is loaded, but there I am lost in terms of researching this stuff, there is so much info out there...I know that I am paying a bit of a premium because it's Alienware, but I wanted to know what you guys think of the build quality of an Alienware...Any other companies that you would recommend a noob checking out?

Thx in advance

 

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

Heat, noise, support, issues such as microstuttering. I did SLI once and I don't think I'll do it again.

Ok.

So what do you guys think of Alienware M17x?

I am contemplating getting one that is loaded, but there I am lost in terms of researching this stuff, there is so much info out there...I know that I am paying a bit of a premium because it's Alienware, but I wanted to know what you guys think of the build quality of an Alienware...Any other companies that you would recommend a noob checking out?

Thx in advance

Why do you want that pc?

 

[dsmoke1986]

It's the only high end gaming laptop that I know of...here are the specs for reference:

Alienware M17x
Nebula Red - Special Edition - Anodized Aluminum, Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
Edit Item

Remove Configuration
Preliminary Ship date: 7/26/2010

$3,703.00

Catalog Number: 29 DKCWBN1
Module Description Description Product Code & SKU Product Code & SKU
System Color Nebula Red - Special Edition - Anodized Aluminum QSMRED [224-8106]
Operating System Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English AW7HP6E [420-6436][420-9691][421-1400]
Processor Intel® Core™ i7 820QM 1.73GHz (3.06GHz Turbo Mode, 8MB Cache) 820M [317-3658]
Memory 8GB Dual Channel Memory (2x 4GB DDR3) 8GB1333 [317-3665]
Power Adapters 240 watt Adapter ADT240 [330-7841]
Display Panels 17-inch WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 RGB LED (1200p) LED1200 [320-8856]
Video Card CrossfireX™ 1GB ATI Radeon™ Mobility HD 5870 AT5870D [320-8988]
Hard Drive 640GB 5,400RPM SATA-II HDD 640GB54 [342-0669]
AlienFX Quasar Blue BLU [313-8792][421-2261]
Adobe Reader Acrobat SW Adobe Acrobat Reader ADOBER [410-1883]
CD ROM/DVD ROM Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Burner (BR-R, DVD+-RW, CD-RW) BDRW [313-8570][421-1304][421-1305]
Sound Internal High-Definition 5.1 Surround Sound Audio IS [313-8944]
Wireless Wireless 1520 802.11n Half Mini-Card DW1520 [430-3688]
Automatic Updates Automatic Updates: On AUTOON [330-6348]
Service 1 Year Basic Service Plan S1OS [421-1721][908-2207][922-3410][950-3337][950-9797][994-3730]
Factory Installed Games Steam and Portal™ Factory Installed STEAM [421-1360]
Bluetooth Internal Wireless Bluetooth® 2.1 with EDR TM370I [430-0628]
Standard Nameplate Trigger Standard Nameplate SPLATE [330-6175]
Collapse Configuration Details

Move to Wish List

Sub Total $3,703.00

 

[dsmoke1986]

I look at this sites like for the Prostar and Sagers, and everything looks so generic, I don't want a machine that is going to fall apart on me in a year...My main use for the laptop will be business related, I own my own business, so can write it off, even though I'll use it mainly for business, I figure I might as well get a beastly gaming machine while I'm at it.

 

[kagete]

Buy any $800 ish laptop with core i5 and at least a 5650. And then, copy one of the many $1,000 desktop builds, if you like the color green, buy a GTX460 card, if you like red, buy a 5850. With the remaining $1,200 purchase another desktop plus maybe a monitor and raffle it off to your favorite Gaffers in this thread.

 

[Sciz]

It's the only high end gaming laptop that I know of...here are the specs for reference:

The requirements of high end gaming and the requirements of a laptop are directly at odds with each other. Trying to get both in one package is almost invariably a bad idea.

 

[dsmoke1986]

What about Digital Storm? Yea or Nay?

 

[asdad123]

It's the only high end gaming laptop that I know of...here are the specs for reference:

Alienware M17x
Nebula Red - Special Edition - Anodized Aluminum, Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
Edit Item

Remove Configuration
Preliminary Ship date: 7/26/2010

$3,703.00

Catalog Number: 29 DKCWBN1
Module Description Description Product Code & SKU Product Code & SKU
System Color Nebula Red - Special Edition - Anodized Aluminum QSMRED [224-8106]
Operating System Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English AW7HP6E [420-6436][420-9691][421-1400]
Processor Intel® Core™ i7 820QM 1.73GHz (3.06GHz Turbo Mode, 8MB Cache) 820M [317-3658]
Memory 8GB Dual Channel Memory (2x 4GB DDR3) 8GB1333 [317-3665]
Power Adapters 240 watt Adapter ADT240 [330-7841]
Display Panels 17-inch WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 RGB LED (1200p) LED1200 [320-8856]
Video Card CrossfireX™ 1GB ATI Radeon™ Mobility HD 5870 AT5870D [320-8988]
Hard Drive 640GB 5,400RPM SATA-II HDD 640GB54 [342-0669]
AlienFX Quasar Blue BLU [313-8792][421-2261]
Adobe Reader Acrobat SW Adobe Acrobat Reader ADOBER [410-1883]
CD ROM/DVD ROM Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Burner (BR-R, DVD+-RW, CD-RW) BDRW [313-8570][421-1304][421-1305]
Sound Internal High-Definition 5.1 Surround Sound Audio IS [313-8944]
Wireless Wireless 1520 802.11n Half Mini-Card DW1520 [430-3688]
Automatic Updates Automatic Updates: On AUTOON [330-6348]
Service 1 Year Basic Service Plan S1OS [421-1721][908-2207][922-3410][950-3337][950-9797][994-3730]
Factory Installed Games Steam and Portal™ Factory Installed STEAM [421-1360]
Bluetooth Internal Wireless Bluetooth® 2.1 with EDR TM370I [430-0628]
Standard Nameplate Trigger Standard Nameplate SPLATE [330-6175]
Collapse Configuration Details

Move to Wish List

Sub Total $3,703.00

If you have a best buy near you, check this laptop out. Its amazing bang for the buck.

If you really need a 1920x1080 screen, Newegg/Tigerdirect/Microcenter have the same laptop but with a higher res screen. Also, if you buy from newegg or tigerdirect, you get a free 2 year warranty and a free 1 year accidental warranty. Hard to beat at that price. You save over $2000 than by getting the Alienware.

Tigerdirect also has a 13.2% bing cashback so for about 1400 you have a laptop that will run basically any game you throw at it at max settings with a 1080p screen with a 2 year warranty on it.

The one from Microcenter has the same specs apart from the CPU/only has one 5870, even has the BD Drive for only 1600 compared to the $3700 you are willing to spend! I know you can write it off, but a slightly faster CPU and 5870 crossfire isn't worth an extra 2100.
If you wanna wait for a smaller one, Asus has a G53 coming out in the next couple months.

 

[ChoklitReign]

Sager and Clevo are a much better value. Very boring looking but you can get something with the same specs for half that price.

 

[dsmoke1986]

If you have a best buy near you, check this laptop out. Its amazing bang for the buck.

If you really need a 1920x1080 screen, Newegg/Tigerdirect/Microcenter have the same laptop but with a higher res screen. Also, if you buy from newegg or tigerdirect, you get a free 2 year warranty and a free 1 year accidental warranty. Hard to beat at that price. You save over $2000 than by getting the Alienware.

Tigerdirect also has a 13.2% bing cashback so for about 1400 you have a laptop that will run basically any game you throw at it at max settings with a 1080p screen with a 2 year warranty on it.

If you wanna wait for a smaller one, Asus has a G53 coming out in the next couple months.

Good to know, thanks! I have a Best Buy 2 minutes from my house, with this model in stock, will check out today...

 

[Teknoman]

Alright made my final decision thanks to the advice this thread.

Im about to go from:

AMD Athlon X2 64 6400+ (3.2ghz)

to

AMD Phenom X4 955 Black Edition (3.2ghz)
keeping my 4GB DDR2 ram by using this motherboard:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131618

and keeping my Radeon 4870 1GB.

Plus Newegg has a rebate on the motherboard, and gives a 10 dollar gift card with the processor.

Total: $239.98

 

[SapientWolf]

What's the word on sound cards for gaming? My onboard is awful.

 

[asdad123]

Good to know, thanks! I have a Best Buy 2 minutes from my house, with this model in stock, will check out today...

It's a great laptop (My friend owns one), but if you do decide to buy it, I would order from Tigerdirect. Its about $1350 after cashback so its not too much more than the Best Buy version, but you get the 1080p screen, more HDD space, 2gb more ram, but most importantly of all, you get the 2 year warranty and 1 year accidental warranty.

The best buy model only has a 1 year warranty and no accidental.

 

[Smokey]

I mentioned this in the other thread, but ill say it here to. The 460 took me by surprise and as a result I'm considering a few things.

In the current build I have a 980x with a gtx 480 and it comes out to about 2.5k. After I read about the 460 and the OC ability etc I am seriously considering running them in SLI instead of the 480 for around the same price.

Or

I could replace the 980 with a 930, SLI 480s, and a 1000w PSU and the same machine becomes $100 cheaper.

So pc gaf...what is the better of these two options here?

 

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

It's the only high end gaming laptop that I know of...here are the specs for reference:

Alienware M17x
Nebula Red - Special Edition - Anodized Aluminum, Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
Edit Item

Remove Configuration
Preliminary Ship date: 7/26/2010

$3,703.00

Catalog Number: 29 DKCWBN1
Module Description Description Product Code & SKU Product Code & SKU
System Color Nebula Red - Special Edition - Anodized Aluminum QSMRED [224-8106]
Operating System Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English AW7HP6E [420-6436][420-9691][421-1400]
Processor Intel® Core™ i7 820QM 1.73GHz (3.06GHz Turbo Mode, 8MB Cache) 820M [317-3658]
Memory 8GB Dual Channel Memory (2x 4GB DDR3) 8GB1333 [317-3665]
Power Adapters 240 watt Adapter ADT240 [330-7841]
Display Panels 17-inch WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 RGB LED (1200p) LED1200 [320-8856]
Video Card CrossfireX™ 1GB ATI Radeon™ Mobility HD 5870 AT5870D [320-8988]
Hard Drive 640GB 5,400RPM SATA-II HDD 640GB54 [342-0669]
AlienFX Quasar Blue BLU [313-8792][421-2261]
Adobe Reader Acrobat SW Adobe Acrobat Reader ADOBER [410-1883]
CD ROM/DVD ROM Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Burner (BR-R, DVD+-RW, CD-RW) BDRW [313-8570][421-1304][421-1305]
Sound Internal High-Definition 5.1 Surround Sound Audio IS [313-8944]
Wireless Wireless 1520 802.11n Half Mini-Card DW1520 [430-3688]
Automatic Updates Automatic Updates: On AUTOON [330-6348]
Service 1 Year Basic Service Plan S1OS [421-1721][908-2207][922-3410][950-3337][950-9797][994-3730]
Factory Installed Games Steam and Portal™ Factory Installed STEAM [421-1360]
Bluetooth Internal Wireless Bluetooth® 2.1 with EDR TM370I [430-0628]
Standard Nameplate Trigger Standard Nameplate SPLATE [330-6175]
Collapse Configuration Details

Move to Wish List

Sub Total $3,703.00

Do you have a gaming desktop? At $4000 you're kind of throwing away money.

 

[projekt84]

Good to know, thanks! I have a Best Buy 2 minutes from my house, with this model in stock, will check out today...

That Best Buy Asus laptop is the only real "viable" gaming laptop on the market. Anything else you're better off with a PC.

 

[Amneisac]

What's the word on sound cards for gaming? My onboard is awful.

I hear good things about http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...chReport&cm_mmc=OTC-TechReport-_-NA-_-NA-_-NA

http://techreport.com/articles.x/14500

 

[evil solrac v3.0]

It's the only high end gaming laptop that I know of...here are the specs for reference:

Alienware M17x
Nebula Red - Special Edition - Anodized Aluminum, Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
Edit Item

Remove Configuration
Preliminary Ship date: 7/26/2010

$3,703.00

Catalog Number: 29 DKCWBN1
Module Description Description Product Code & SKU Product Code & SKU
System Color Nebula Red - Special Edition - Anodized Aluminum QSMRED [224-8106]
Operating System Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English AW7HP6E [420-6436][420-9691][421-1400]
Processor Intel® Core™ i7 820QM 1.73GHz (3.06GHz Turbo Mode, 8MB Cache) 820M [317-3658]
Memory 8GB Dual Channel Memory (2x 4GB DDR3) 8GB1333 [317-3665]
Power Adapters 240 watt Adapter ADT240 [330-7841]
Display Panels 17-inch WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 RGB LED (1200p) LED1200 [320-8856]
Video Card CrossfireX™ 1GB ATI Radeon™ Mobility HD 5870 AT5870D [320-8988]
Hard Drive 640GB 5,400RPM SATA-II HDD 640GB54 [342-0669]
AlienFX Quasar Blue BLU [313-8792][421-2261]
Adobe Reader Acrobat SW Adobe Acrobat Reader ADOBER [410-1883]
CD ROM/DVD ROM Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Burner (BR-R, DVD+-RW, CD-RW) BDRW [313-8570][421-1304][421-1305]
Sound Internal High-Definition 5.1 Surround Sound Audio IS [313-8944]
Wireless Wireless 1520 802.11n Half Mini-Card DW1520 [430-3688]
Automatic Updates Automatic Updates: On AUTOON [330-6348]
Service 1 Year Basic Service Plan S1OS [421-1721][908-2207][922-3410][950-3337][950-9797][994-3730]
Factory Installed Games Steam and Portal™ Factory Installed STEAM [421-1360]
Bluetooth Internal Wireless Bluetooth® 2.1 with EDR TM370I [430-0628]
Standard Nameplate Trigger Standard Nameplate SPLATE [330-6175]
Collapse Configuration Details

Move to Wish List

Sub Total $3,703.00

it's a waste of money.

 

[SapientWolf]

I hear good things about http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...chReport&cm_mmc=OTC-TechReport-_-NA-_-NA-_-NA

http://techreport.com/articles.x/14500

Sweet, that's the one I've had my eye on.

 

[evil solrac v3.0]

Sweet, that's the one I've had my eye on.

i may pick that up as well, is it an upgrade over the creative xtreme gamer card?

 

[WEGGLES]

Ordered all the rest of the stuff I needed for my PC.
So much for "I'll build in late August" :lol


Every part I needed was on sale today. The exact parts I had picked out

Saved $178 on processor, mobo, case, HDD, memory

Can't wait to get it and put it together.

Going to use my Futureshit gift card to get a cheapo DVD drive... they're all the same right?

 

[JudgeN]

I mentioned this in the other thread, but ill say it here to. The 460 took me by surprise and as a result I'm considering a few things.

In the current build I have a 980x with a gtx 480 and it comes out to about 2.5k. After I read about the 460 and the OC ability etc I am seriously considering running them in SLI instead of the 480 for around the same price.

Or

I could replace the 980 with a 930, SLI 480s, and a 1000w PSU and the same machine becomes $100 cheaper.

So pc gaf...what is the better of these two options here?

Taking this benchmark for example

If you OC your GTX 480 you should easily get above SLI GTX 460 performance and you won't have to deal with SLI microsutter/complications. I would stick with the 980x (if I had the money) and a single GTX 480.

 

[Darkatomz]

i may pick that up as well, is it an upgrade over the creative xtreme gamer card?

Not really. Granted, pretty much no games today even use EAX (something that the Creative audio processor uses exclusively), but unless you plan on taking advantage of the line outs that the Xonar DX has, you are unlikely to hear a difference in audio quality, whether it be for games, music, or movies. Some might describe the sound as 'warmer,' but that's all you'll get. You're going to need a better sound card (or a better set of cans or speakers) for a noticeable improvement.

 

[Javaman]

I look at this sites like for the Prostar and Sagers, and everything looks so generic, I don't want a machine that is going to fall apart on me in a year...My main use for the laptop will be business related, I own my own business, so can write it off, even though I'll use it mainly for business, I figure I might as well get a beastly gaming machine while I'm at it.

It's better to avoid things you can write off if at all possible. It's only really saving you 10%-30%(whatever your tax rate is). If you could avoid the expense all together you would save 70-90%. If you decide to keep the 4k instead you'll of buying the laptop you'll still have over 3k left after taxes. Is it really worth blowing 4k to save less then 1k in taxes?

 

[vazel]

Taking this benchmark for example

[img*]http://images.anandtech.com/graphs/gtx460_071110174503/23704.png[/img]

If you OC your GTX 480 you should easily get above SLI GTX 460 performance and you won't have to deal with SLI microsutter/complications. I would stick with the 980x (if I had the money) and a single GTX 480.

SLI/Crossfire still has microstutter? Last I read up on it was in 2008. Unbelievable.

 

[dsmoke1986]

Do you have a gaming desktop? At $4000 you're kind of throwing away money.

No, I don't have a gaming desktop...I'm a console gamer, I haven't played games on PC since Test Drive 1!! that was like 20 years ago.

I would probably be better off going with a Desktop instead, but that Alienware looks awesome.

 

[dsmoke1986]

That Best Buy Asus laptop is the only real "viable" gaming laptop on the market. Anything else you're better off with a PC.

Really? So Asus is the way to go...I'm going to do some more research on this, I went to BB to check out the Asus, and instead got sidetracked looking at the M11x, I didn't have a ton of time though.

This shit is confusing, all the graphics cards out there is overwhelming.

 

[dsmoke1986]

Thank you for the advice though, I don't want to spend $3700 on something that will be outdated in 6 months.

 

[dsmoke1986]

the Asus G73 is $300 cheaper through BestBuy...I might pull the trigger on this, system looks sweet, I would just need to buy an external BluRay burner.

 

[kinggroin]

SLI/Crossfire still has microstutter? Last I read up on it was in 2008. Unbelievable.

I c@n @ttest to @t le@st my 5970 exhibiting severe ms in @ h@ndful of g@mes

 

[SapientWolf]

I c@n @ttest to @t le@st my 5970 exhibiting severe ms in @ h@ndful of g@mes

I take it that your next PC hardware purchase will be a new keyboard.

 

[Salaadin]

I take it that your next PC hardware purchase will be a new keyboard.

:lol

 

[Teknoman]

Alright, already ordered my Phenom II X4 955 Black and motherboard...but whats the difference between these two other than price?


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103674

Seems like the same processor, except the box and model number are slightly different.

 

[loganclaws]

Guys, my 4870x2 crapped out and the manufacturer is offering two 5850s or one 5970, which do you think is the better option? Both options are basically crossfired, correct?

 

[yanhero]

I mentioned this in the other thread, but ill say it here to. The 460 took me by surprise and as a result I'm considering a few things.

In the current build I have a 980x with a gtx 480 and it comes out to about 2.5k. After I read about the 460 and the OC ability etc I am seriously considering running them in SLI instead of the 480 for around the same price.

Or

I could replace the 980 with a 930, SLI 480s, and a 1000w PSU and the same machine becomes $100 cheaper.

So pc gaf...what is the better of these two options here?

Definitely get 930 and SLI 480s instead, that will be a fucking beast for gaming.

 

[TheExodu5]

Guys, my 4870x2 crapped out and the manufacturer is offering two 5850s or one 5970, which do you think is the better option? Both options are basically crossfired, correct?

That's a sweet deal.

I'd go with the 5970.

The only real upside to the two 5850 is if you plan on selling one or sticking one in a lower powered case later on.

Alright, already ordered my Phenom II X4 955 Black and motherboard...but whats the difference between these two other than price?


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103674

Seems like the same processor, except the box and model number are slightly different.

One is in stock, and the other isn't. Just seems like same product, new SKU.

 

[ChRoNiTe]

Alright, already ordered my Phenom II X4 955 Black and motherboard...but whats the difference between these two other than price?


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103674

Seems like the same processor, except the box and model number are slightly different.

The one in the first link is a revised version that uses C3 processor stepping.

 

[sestrugen]

I think I want to go back to playing WoW but my netbook obviously cannot cut it. I have a monitor (22" 1680x1050), mouse and keyboard. I am in the need of everything else, I do most of my gaming on the ps3, so I just need this computer to run WoW properly. anyone have any recommendations? My budget is around $500-$600.

 

[K.Jack]

I look at this sites like for the Prostar and Sagers, and everything looks so generic, I don't want a machine that is going to fall apart on me in a year...

Clevo's machines (rebranded as Prostar, Sager, etc...) have the highest build quality in the mobile gaming market. They also come with the promise of future upgradeability, meaning that, when new GPUs are released, they'll be available to purchase and drop in.

I buy Clevo over anything else, unless you just want the flashy lights.

 

[alanias]

I think I want to go back to playing WoW but my netbook obviously cannot cut it. I have a monitor (22" 1680x1050), mouse and keyboard. I am in the need of everything else, I do most of my gaming on the ps3, so I just need this computer to run WoW properly. anyone have any recommendations? My budget is around $500-$600.

Build this http://techreport.com/articles.x/19159/2

 

[·feist·]

If any of you are looking for a mid-tower, Newegg has the Antec 900 II for $70

http://www.newegg.com/Special/ShellShocker.aspx?cm_sp=ShellShocker-_-11-129-058-_-07132010

It's up as a limited time Shell Shocker deal and you'll need to do a $20 MIR, but the $90 up front purchase price is still $20 less than the case normally goes for.

I don't know when the $70 sale started, or when it's going to end.

 

[asdad123]

the Asus G73 is $300 cheaper through BestBuy...I might pull the trigger on this, system looks sweet, I would just need to buy an external BluRay burner.

Make a bing cashback account and order through tigerdirect. Most states dont charge tax on it and shipping is free. Depending on your state you'll end up paying around 1350 at Best Buy after taxes anyway.

With the cashback on tigerdirect itll be $1550 - $200 cashback so itll be around the same about but you will be gaining so much more.

You will get a better quality screen, more HDD space, and more memory. Also, ordering from Tigerdirect will get you Asus's great 2 year regular warranty/1 year accidental warranty instead of getting a regular 1 year warranty if you bought from Best Buy.

I dont know why you would need a BDR burner unless you just want to watch BR movies. If you just need a BR reader and not burner, you can buy a BD drive from Asus themselves and install it yourself easily. They're out of stock right now, but just check from day to day and you will get one easily.

 

[demosthenes]

If any of you are looking for a mid-tower, Newegg has the Antec 900 II for $70

http://www.newegg.com/Special/ShellShocker.aspx?cm_sp=ShellShocker-_-11-129-058-_-07132010

It's up as a limited time Shell Shocker deal and you'll need to do a $20 MIR, but the $90 up front purchase price is still $20 less than the case normally goes for.

I don't know when the $70 sale started, or when it's going to end.

FFFFFFFFFF

I'm guessing Newegg doesn't do a price match for someone that bought it a week ago? -_-;

 

[SapientWolf]

i may pick that up as well, is it an upgrade over the creative xtreme gamer card?

If you don't need DTS Connect then yeah, it's a better sound processor. The chip on the Asus Xonar DX is basically a re-branded C-Media Oxygen HD (CMI8788), which is typically only seen in $150+ sound cards.

The thing is, MS pretty much made sound cards obsolete for gaming when they rewrote the audio stack for Vista/W7. Basically, all the processing is done in software now. I only bought mine for Dolby Headphone / Dolby Digital Live and also because my onboard had tons of noise on the outputs.

 

[atomsk]

Dear PC GAF...

I've been upgrading my system and the last step is adding 2 more 80mm fans (intake/outtake) but the issue I've run into is that my case uses these plastic pieces to hold the fans. (Can't directly attach to case for some bizarre reason)

I don't know what they're called or where to buy them, so I took some pictures.

Any help is greatly appreciated

 

[Bluth54]

I plan on building a new computer soon. It's been a few years since my last one, and I'm planning on building one that will last me for a few years with minimal upgrades.
I'll be running it with my 1680x1050 monitor. I already have a 1 TB hard drive I bought a few months ago that I'll be using.
As for the other parts I'm planning on using an Phenon 2 X6 and a Radeon 5870.

My current plan:
ASUS M4A89TD PRO/USB3 AM3 AMD 890FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard

XFX HD-587A-CNF9 Radeon HD 5870 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Eyefinity 6 (Comes with 850 Watt PSU, though if anyone has any recommendations for a separate 5870 and PSU at around the same price please tell me)

AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Black Edition Thuban 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Six-Core Desktop Processor HDT90ZFBGRBOX

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7Q-8GBRM

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM


I haven't decided on a case yet, if anyone has a decent full tower case in the $100 to 150 range that can fit the 5870 please let me know.
As I said I want to build with the the 5870 and the Phenom II X6. Pretty much everything else is up in the air right now, if anyone has any better suggestions please let me know. I'm also thinking about getting a Blu Ray reader if I can get one cheap enough, if not I'll just use the DVD Drive from my old computer.

 

[Technosteve]

I am currently still using my 2005WFP, 20.1 inch IPS LCD, anyone got a suggestion for a replacement it has to be IPS and has to be around 300 bucks. Are the refresh rates better on the newer IPS panels, I blame the high response times for me sucking at fps =D.

 

[Shambles]

It's a great laptop (My friend owns one), but if you do decide to buy it, I would order from Tigerdirect. Its about $1350 after cashback so its not too much more than the Best Buy version, but you get the 1080p screen, more HDD space, 2gb more ram, but most importantly of all, you get the 2 year warranty and 1 year accidental warranty.

The best buy model only has a 1 year warranty and no accidental.

As a rule of thumb your usually better off to altogether avoid Best Buy/Futureshop too. Even if you threw away your money on their PSP you only have about a 50% of them honouring it.

 

[FleckSplat]

Will a CoolerMaster Hyper 212+ fit inside an Antec Sonata III?

 

[vertopci]

What's the word on sound cards for gaming? My onboard is awful.

If you have a decent pair of headphones, get the Auzentech X-Fi Forte. Fucking amazing card