Quote: is there places to purchase computers that are already high spec? Probably a stupid question, but the kinda of stuff i'll need seems quite specific.
Is there hardware/software that I could buy to use straight onto my laptop, or would it be basically cheaper to just start out fresh?
Yes but unless you have the intelligence of a hamster it's preferable to learn to build one yourself (cheaper, more customization options, etc.). You really need a new desktop/laptop if you want to use dolphin.
NV is right, you end up paying for the brand name when getting stuff from Alienware.
Still, I find Alienware's iniciative a good one. They want to deliver high end PCs for people like the poster, who doesnt know or feel insecure about building a computer alone.
No. What they want to do is make lots and lots of money off of suckers, like all truly successful companies (although they are now owned by dell, and their prices have come down a lot since that happened).
Anyways "digital storm" is another company that the op might want to look at. They build high end systems as well except they give you a lot more options for parts customization and don't rape your wallet quite as hard as alienware. They also give you high quality parts instead of the custom crap alienware feeds it's customers (like a mobo with a locked bios for example). A good example system from digitalstorm:
http://www.digitalstormonline.com/comploadsaved.asp?id=477424
I bought my system from digital storm because I know next to nothing about liquid cooling systems. If you can't find a build suitable to your taste, don't be afraid to call to setup custom parts. They're pretty much install anything you want. I might be replacing my LC when I ship it in Tuesday to get fixed, or at least get a triple rad. The service is outstanding.
@OP
Things to remember (Said in a somewhat patronising manner)
- Memory is RAM
- Big numbers are almost always good (and expensive)
- "build" means exactly what it means (to build something)
- Laptop Graphics cards cannot be replaced easily / if at all
- Laptops are slightly hard to upgrade / if at all
- £20 will probly get you 1 stick of RAM (which you dont need)
You can do what I do, play games that don't use a lot of power and at low settings...
Or do what I plan to do, [color=#FF0000]get a new computer[/color]
And yes, your 360 controll pad will work with Dolphin
For websites that make custom computers:
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=custom+computer
Just stick to your budget and get a computer with a good CPU. [color=#FF0000]
And only get something that you know you will need. There is NO point in buying a mid/high end computer if you only play games once every full moon[/color]
(02-13-2011, 11:25 PM)silveruniverse Wrote: [ -> ]- Big numbers are almost always good (and expensive)
almost?
how about, individually higher numbers = not good at all
(02-14-2011, 02:58 AM)DacoTaco Wrote: [ -> ] (02-13-2011, 11:25 PM)silveruniverse Wrote: [ -> ]- Big numbers are almost always good (and expensive)
almost?
how about, individually higher numbers = not good at all
compare an nVidia 9200GS to an 8800GT
Thats an example of "almost", when high numbers aren't a good enough explanation, but to keep things simple instead
I don't understand what you mean by individually higher numbers though
(02-13-2011, 11:25 PM)silveruniverse Wrote: [ -> ]I don't understand what you mean by individually higher numbers though
well, for best performance you have to see if your hardware fits together in speed & reaction time.
for example; what are you with a high speed reading hard drive, if you can't get the data over the buses; to the ram/cpu in the same speed -> loss of performance
or; high speed cpu + mid speed ram -> loss of performance
we have come to a day and age end users dont even notice the effects much; but the effect is there