Looking for a new machine ...

[DejaVooDoo]

Anyone have any advice on where to shop for a new machine? I'm not looking to build one myself ... and I only know of the usual suspects, Dell, HP, etc. I'm looking for something in the 2-3k price range to handle Max, Mudbox, Photoshop, music ... and thats about it. Any advice??
I find a lot of info describing components being benchmarked for playing games ... but, what about making game art? How does that differ in system requirements ... if it does at all?
Thx in advance!
E

[FredH]

I think we reached a point in technology where it doesn't really matter what you buy. A cheap computer found in your local futureshop or best buy, in my opinion is good enough to run any 3d program or 2d program significantly well. Have you thought about going with a laptop instead of a desktop? The laptops have improved a great deal since the old days. My current laptop is 2 years old, and it's still so good, that I never feel like I need a new computer.

[BiG ToE]

http://www.ibuypower.com/mall/lobby.htm

[Nyx702]

I got my current machine from the place Big Toe mentioned (actually I think it was their sister company www.cyberpowerpc.com.) I highly suggest them! I got a mighty PC for about $800. I had some upgrades that I put in later once I got it but it is one of the best running PCs I have worked on. I have built a few myself and for the price-per-power...it's really worth it.

And no..hehe...if you are wondering I don't work for them :P

[DejaVooDoo]

Cool sites. They def give more for your money than a name brand. I have this odd sense of shakiness purchasing from a company I've never heard of though. But at the same time, I don't wanna pay extra just cuz it says DELL on my box ...
I have a decent grasp on most components, except motherboards. I'm newb as can be when it comes to those. I gotta git to researchin!

[FredH]

damn, I haven't done research for a computer purchase for a while now. Those cases on Ibuypowere are looking pretty awesome. I like the one that looks like Sharen Apple from macross plus.

Nice link.

[Krimble]

Usually I look for Highend workstations, like from http://www.boxxtech.com/ or HP. When I find a system that meets my specs, I'll go to a site where I can assemble my own pc. (dutch site, http://www.alternate.nl/html/builder/circle.html?treeName=Builder).

Most of the time it's cheaper this way, but company's like BOXX test their hardware over and over again, and have tweaked their systems like madman's. So pre-assembled systems have a better performance but are abit more expensive.

[BiG ToE]

a boxx might sound cool, so you save up till you think you have enough, then sit there adding things to your compter thinking it's going to be great. Then it finally shows up at your door, nice new silver case, hard drives hidden so you can't mess with them, wires tucked in so everything looks in place. But then you turn it on, and the mouse doesn't work and when you get it working, you click on an image file to test resolution, but the image file(jpeg) wont open. Finally, you open Max on your new Boxx and run a side by side test with your old machine to find out your old machine that cost several thousands less is only a few seconds slower.

[Krimble]

Big toe, I know you also pay the name boxx, same as with alienware. I don't own a boxx machine myself so I have no experience with it.
But damm what a story, paying lot's of money for a buggy machine. Did you send it back ? They must have made a mistake.

From what I've read, big studios love the boxx systems because of their reliability.
The HP workstations are great to, I work with the HP xw9400.

[Marcus Dublin]

Tiger direct (http://www.tigerdirect.com/) is pretty cool, I'm not sure where they stand compared to the other sites posted but I built two computers through them and I plan on upgrading my rig in the next few months with them. One suggestion when building your rig is to think ahead and plan on what you want to upgrade your rig with within 18 to 24 months down the line, IE: extra ram, video card, etc. This will go a long way in helping with your purchasing decisions. Good luck!:lucky:

Marcus

PS: I couldn’t deal with a laptop, I need dual monitors these days to work, hehe.

[MM]

agree with Krimble and BiG-ToE, boxx is a waste of money.
if you are gonna go with brand names then dell or hp is a little better than boxx.
i would just suggest assembling your own computer. i assembled my current pc with parts from newegg.com (http://www.newegg.com). they have good price, broad range or products and fast shipping.
its two years old but its still doing great. only upgraded ram and video card recently.

[Kalango]

if you want to sped some money....i mean some real good money....try pcs like "3dtotal's" BOX or for artists(gamers and dudes who mess with mem, cg and video) pre-made machines like those japanese ones(forgot the name) .... they are realy powerfull...but yet expensive....
BOX web: http://www.boxxtech.com/products/APEXX/apexx8_overview.asp

[Krimble]

Dude,
we allready talked about the boxx systems, and we aggreed that when you buy a boxx machine you also pay the name boxx. Boxx systems are indeed very powerfull. But BIG-ToE owns a boxx himself and had problems with it straight out of the box. So I think... Great workstations for a studio but not for a freelance artist who does'nt have the time and money to send a buggy system back, or repair it himself.

[Kalango]

WAH! haha never mind MUWAHAH!....didnt read the entire topic.

[Yung]

Come over to Malaysia. It's not cheaper but almost everyone here who owns a comp build it themselves. I don build them but just take off parts from old comp and reassembled them together. Kit bashing-fu wacha!