ok PC game warlords advise me

[abrader]

Remember I am an OS X, UNIX, QNX guy - I know nothing about this stuff and do all of my gaming on consoles...

I really like this...

http://www.alienware.com/product_detail_pages/hangar18/hangar18_overview.aspx

But is it an open Windows system that I can install games on?

Ideally id like to get something that looks like this as my real media center/DVR (lets face it, the consoles just arent there yet) and I would like to get into some PC gaming. And Apple TV just seems like weaksauce to me.

I do not want to PC game at a desk with a monitor - I want a video card or device that can do DVI or componant out that I can connect to my home entertainment stuff and use a wireless controller with just as if it were a console.

Since this Alienware Hasngar 18 does not look to be exactly what I need , what do you think I should get that has;

- console like hardware like the hangar 18
- strong media center/DVR
- ability to play competent PC games on it

OR IS THIS REALLY MY DREAMMACHINE>

When I look here
http://www.alienware.com/product_detail_pages/hangar18/hangar18_specs.aspx#pdp-nav

It looks like it could be my gaming PC.

[T234]

From my understanding, AVOID anything with integrated graphics like the plague.

[MrAngryFace]

I dunno if Alienware has ever done integrated video. I guess in laptop situations its a good way to keep costs down, but its a horrible idea for any real gaming on the machine.

[abrader]

OK- I looked thru everything and I think this would be perfect for me;

Hangar18: HD Entertainment Center

Advantage
High Definition Viewing
Built-in 5.1 channel amplifier
Record up to 4 TV shows at once
Gyration Universal Remote
Standard Features
HDMI High Definition output
Wireless 802.11 b/g

750 GB HDD

NVIDIA Dedicated Graphics, HDMI out (1080p) - 1 digital in and one analog in for the DVR

Onboard 5.1 surround amp

4 GB RAM

Gyration Remote/mouse

Gyration kbd

Windows® Vista™ Home Premium

3 yr onsite.

$2,953

Is this my deck?

my only concern is that it doesnt have enough HDMI in for my PS3 and X360...id rather run everything into it, use it as my tuner and then HDMI out to my TV. I will keep my JBL speakers and sub. Unless this ....

Up to 4 TV Tuners ( 2 analog, 2 High Definition )

means it at least has 2 HDMI inputs.

I find their product detail on the web to be lacking...

[abrader]

From my understanding, AVOID anything with integrated graphics like the plague.

The one I picked says it has 'dedicated graphics' as opposed to 'integrated graphics'.

[T234]

EDIT: The thing in the system tray that is erased is work related.

[abrader]

Right - thats the standard integrated 720p GPU...

I picked the 1080 P dedicated GPU.

[T234]

They don't tell you what sort of card it is?

[abrader]

clearly im gonna have to call these nigs up because the "lets market this as home theatre solution" gets in the way of me getting all the info i need from their website...and bloody hell they need more pix of the back of the unit...

I will call them next week as I likely wouldnt buy till like November (I reserve myself to buying myself one gift with a price like this a year)

Questions I have for them include;

- Does it have 2 HDMI inputs and at least 1-2 componant inputs? (I need to hook up PS3, X360 and cable box)

- How do the 5.1 speaker sets interface - copper wire or (this isnt a showstopper - while id prefer to keep my JBL speakers and sub, if the have a digital interface for the speakers I will just sell my old speakers with my Yamaha tuner and get new speakers)

- What is the bloody dedicated GPU?

I hope this works out - then I will be a three console gamer, PS3, X360 and Windows Vista.

[Van Cruncheon]

quit talkin nasty console talk. 720p, 1080p, who gives a fuck? if you can't use kb/mouse, you are not ready for the next level of gaming. save your money and buy a wii.

you want the following:

8800 gts 640mb or better video
7200 rpm 16mb cache or faster HDs
2gb or better DDR2 ram
sound blaster x-fi with high-grade 5.1 or better speakers

and fuck your worthless-ass tv, get a 24" 1900x1200 widescreen monitor, you will never go to the couch again

the couch is where little kids play

daddy gets a nice leather computer chair/throne

edit: just go here -- http://h20435.www2.hp.com/?jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN# -- and click PURCHASE

[T234]

Drinky, Do they make laptops with specs like that at a company that does monthly payments and has distinguished mentally-challenged credit people?

EDIT: Holy balls at that link.

[Smooth Groove]

quit talkin nasty console talk. 720p, 1080p, who gives a fuck? if you can't use kb/mouse, you are not ready for the next level of gaming. save your money and buy a wii.

you want the following:

8800 gts 640mb or better video
7200 rpm 16mb cache or faster HDs
2gb or better DDR2 ram
sound blaster x-fi with high-grade 5.1 or better speakers

and fuck your worthless-ass tv, get a 24" 1900x1200 widescreen monitor, you will never go to the couch again

the couch is where little kids play

daddy gets a nice leather computer chair/throne

edit: just go here -- http://h20435.www2.hp.com/?jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN# -- and click PURCHASE

Abrader, what he said ^.

 

Just get the HP Blackbird for maximum performance and minimum headaches. 

[Van Cruncheon]

no specs like that :'(

[T234]

 :'(

On the upside, my laptop fund is officially off the ground, with the check they sent me for the difference between my loan and tuition (~$500. Biggest check I've gotten since we quit raising tobacco when I was 13.)

[Smooth Groove]

These are your stats for Abrader's PC except for the X-Fi soundcard.  They could probably install that for an extra price.  

HP LS Gaming PC 002-02B
Intel® Core2™ Extreme Quad-Core 3.0GHz
Windows Vista Ultimate System Builder 32 bit
Dual Nvidia GeForce 8800 Ultra with Nvidia SLI
CPU and Graphic cards liquid cooling
2 GB 800 MHz CORSAIR PC2-6400 DDR2 SDRAM
1 160GB 10,000 rpm SATA (Western Digital Raptor)
1 500GB 7200 rpm SATA
2 Super multi-drive w/ Lightscribe (DVD+/-R/RW+/-DL)
ADI onboard audio

[abrader]

drinky - I use to have a sizable gba/ds/wii/gcn collection - I grew up with nintendo. They are now banned from the household.

"Nintendon't"

Any way - when I get back in the front of the notebook, I will check out the recommendations - thanks all

[Van Cruncheon]

banning nintendo is a step in the right direction

[abrader]

a few things I wanted to add.

I am in front of a notebook or desktop all day long while working - I kinda wanna get the fukk away and as it is it takes me "hours" after working to even 1/2 way in the mood to play console games.

I also need a new tuner a d my own (non cable provider) DVR.

This seemed like a great way to get all of that, some consolidation a d a gaming pc all in my rack with one blow.

I would just use my x360 controller and the kbd with it anyway.

Back when quake 3 came out for dreamcast I could slay pc mouse/kbd players with my dc controller.


What types of games are only available on pc that you just can't play with kbd and a controller?

[T234]

RTS

[Van Cruncheon]

Back when quake 3 came out for dreamcast I could slay pc mouse/kbd players with my dc controller.

no, you couldn't.

games you cannot play with a controller: rts, turn-based strategy, 4x games, western rpgs not dumbed down for consoles, skill-based fps titles

[abrader]

yes I could and I'll frag your ass up with a dreamcast controller too

[brawndolicious]

you may want to wait a while for black friday sales for some of the parts.

[abrader]

Either way, I suppose I could chill on the couch and play with a wireless lazer mouse anyway right?

Or do I need to invest in a certain type of mouse?