Topic: My new setup

[darkmanx_429]

As many of you in the Dungeon know that I have a background in Video Game Art and Design and I have had numerous requests to show off my new setup for my new office that I mentioned in a previous thread.

I have settled into my new house pretty well.  I still have little things to do here and there but at least I can work now.

First, time in my life I have my own decent set up to work from.

Remember,it's not how much you make it's how much you save!

I am running a Alienware X51, I7 Intel Core, 64-Bit OS WIndows 8.



Speaking of which I'm not going to mention how much that I spent, but I got a great deal on a Refurbished Alienware with a 1 yr warranty on E-Bay.

I know people are going to be like why, didn't you just build your own computer cheaper, blah blah but the most people that I hear that from are either more technically inclined people than myself, or just shooting from the hip going off from bs and not actual facts and checking them out for themselves.

This is also the first Alienware than I've owned so I will do a quick review. As far as installation, it totally sucks if not updated. You would think that even though there is always a risk buying a product that suppose to be quality tested that they would at least make sure all the software is updated. I spent the first chunk of my time with the desktop randomly crashing and sometime blue screening which is not optimal.

After doing some research, I found out I wasn't the only one having this issue and sometimes the Aurora's and x51's have problems like this. I'm not going into specific details but  I was this close to shipping it back due to frustration.

Lucky for me the seller on Ebay owned a computer shop and pretty professional about the whole situation. Of course money had already changed hands at that point.

After taking advantage of Alienware tech support ( which was superb) and my warranty the tech who I allowed to take remote access of my computer couldn't figure out the problem so they immediately scheduled a Support Specialist for a house call. Unfortunately, I had to wait 3-4 days and not take the risk of using the computer and having a major crash which totally sucked because they had to order parts.

Well, the Tech guy arrived and was a totally professional geek. Exactly what I wanted. He installed a brand new heat sink and motherboard. He also checked the power supply just to make sure. I was at work at when he showed up and I had family at the house.

The Tech guy called me throughout the day, informed me when he picked up my parts, and even made a follow up call when he was done working. Alienware customer service and the Tech guy that showed up were awesome! Gone are those days playing around with Dell Support like back in the day! lol

Since then, I haven't had any issues with my new computer and it's pretty badass. It has all the functionality that I require and need.

Above all I give is a solid B++ for the initial installation of the system because it has alot of issues if the software is not properly updated.
I give the computer itself now that I haven't had any problems with it  A-.

In conclusion, I was scared dropping the cash on a refurbished system from E-bay but I am happy everything worked out in my favor! 

If anyone else has any similar stories or set-ups please share them on my thread!

[BLOOD MONKEY]

why, didn't you just build your own computer cheaper, blah blah

[X]

That's quite the setup! But...how many screens do you really need..? Is it for multitasking purposes?

[uzo]

+1 for Trunks pad.

Now I'm going to bug you about building your own computer. Cheaper for more powerful, more customized to your needs, etc etc. If you don't know how, have a friend do it. I build people rigs all the time.

[Jorge D. Fuentes]

I build rigs as well.  It's fun.  Plus no bloatware to have to remove.

[darkmanx_429]

That's quite the setup! But...how many screens do you really need..? Is it for multitasking purposes?

Don't judge me! lol Well, I have my main monitor that I work off of. I have my second monitor for referencing and concept art. I have secondary means, if you notice there's a Kindle HDX there and the laptop but, there's nothing like looking at reference with a decent size monitor! Finally, the 3rd monitor is for my watching TV or me having a movie in or if I am using that monitor with the computer then, I can multitask even further such as surfing the net or using photoshop etc.

Trust me dude, once you go triple monitors you don't want to go back to dual or single. Like if I am doing some 3D modeling and I am using my wacom, I can look at reference at the same time on the other screen and a unwrap or texture on the 3rd screen or just doing multiple things at the same time!

As for building my own computer, I don't have alot of time like that to go in pick parts and all that even though I could if I really wanted too. I basically need a pc powerful enough to run Unreal, Autodesk products, Zbrush, etc. so I just basically just research system specs and then get something a bit more powerful so that I am good.  I'll generally just look at the guts and the graphics card and make sure I have decent hdd space and I will also look on how easy it is to upgrade components in the future if I need to...

+1 for Trunks pad.

Trunks is the man! lol

[X]

That makes a lot of sense now that you've given me a perspective. I can definitely see how it would be useful

Don't judge me!

LOL!

[Gunlord]

There are some custom boutiques which do a very good job of building custom computers. I've had good experiences with Digital Storm--it wasn't that much more expensive than building a rig myself, and they gave me lots of free goodies, like a T-shirt and a little box filled with some free plugs and wires I needed.

[BLOOD MONKEY]

If you ever do build a computer, DON'T get the one's where you slide the trays in and out.

[darkmanx_429]

Can people posts some pics of their custom rigs if they have them?

Would love to know the range of specs people are using on the dungeon since everyone is talking about building their own computers!