This computer I'm using right now, a 64-bit Windows 7 Hewlett-Packard (HP) computer powered by Intel's Core i3, is almost 3 years old now. Most people will change computers once every few years. There are various reasons why, such as the inevitable hardware failure old computers tend to get, and to simply keep up with the current computer processing power demands. Also, there are a few games I've bought on Steam which I can't play because they require absurdly high minimum graphic requirements, which my computer couldn't handle.

Once, I ran Futuremark's 3DMark benchmark test on this computer. A few minutes later, I want to cry. It can only capable of chugging up to 0.5 frames per second! This computer fails all of 3DMark's tests! Since then, my minimum specifications for my next new computer is much, much higher now. To meet my requirements, it must be able to pass most or all of 3DMark's tests with flying colors. I'm not into enthusiast computing much as I'm more concerned in getting the smoothest gaming experience possible, so my next new computer doesn't have to be too absurdly powerful, just enough to pass 3DMark's tests.

At first, I wanted to build my very own PC, with many of those high-end graphic processing powers at an affordable price. The advantage of building your very own PC is that you get to skirt over the warranty issue which many computer manufacturers like to impose upon you, which means that you can't just simply upgrade your computer's components without voiding your warranty. You also get to avoid having those crappy-ass totally useless programs manufacturers like HP like to pre-install into your computer. The problem, though, is that looking for the right components to build a computer with is not that easy to find, at least for my case. And my parents still think that building your own PC is more expensive than buying a pre-built one, which may or may not be true depending on the components and hardware being bought.

For a while now, I've been thinking of buying a computer that's specifically geared for gaming. That's right: ultra-fast CPU, high-end graphic processing power, higher picture resolution, higher RAM capacity -- everything a hardcore gamer asks for. Convincing my parents to consider buying one, though, is a headache. They asked me in the context of my university studies: whether or not it can also be used for more mundane tasks like checking for e-mails, browsing the Internet, rendering Blender movies, etc... I answered "YES!!!" to all of the above questions. A gaming PC is just like an ordinary PC, too. The only difference is that, when it comes to games, it excels in processing power to deliver the smoothest gaming experience possible.

My parents have fallen into the "brand loyalty" trap: we've been buying HP computers because that's the computer brand my parents are most familiar with. Really, one thing I don't like about HP is like what I've said earlier: the fact that they pre-install their own useless programs which I never really care about. Also, not counting Apple and Linux, I'll need to let my parents know that there are much better computer brands out there, too, better than HP.

Right now, I've been thinking of getting an Alienware computer. Currently, Alienware is the only gaming PC brand, a subsidiary of Dell, that's available in Malaysia. Many of my IRL friends recommend it, so I think it's worth checking it out.

We will see how things come up this Saturday, when my parents and I once again go to Mid Valley Megamall. I'll update this journal if there are any further progress along the way.

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