Curse

Aracos79 · Nov 16, 2005, 01:41 PM // 13:41

Since ya'll seem to be pretty tech savvy people here, I thought I would throw this question at you.

I'm looking to upgrade my computer sometime in the very near future. I basically have two choices; first I can order the parts individually and have my brother put them together for me. He's good at it and has built several computers before. Doing it this way I'd be looking at an Athlon 64 3500+ (2.2ghz) with a Radeon X850 (256mb PCI Express) graphics card, 1 gb of RAM and a new 500 watt power supply. I would carry over the optical drive and hard drives from my current PC to the new one. Doing this, I'm looking at about $1100.

The other option is to go Alienware. I've priced all the usual vendors (Dell, HP, etc.) and their gaming line just doesn't offer the options and flexibility that I want. So if I go prebuilt, it'll probably be Alienware. To get something comparable to what I listed above, Alienware would cost me about $2200. The only major difference would be the graphics card. Alienware only deals in nVidia cards, so I'd be getting a GeForce 7800 GT instead of the Radeon X850. Everything else (CPU, RAM, etc.) would be just about the same between the two.

So... bottom line, which is the better option? Do I save money with the "do it yourself"? Or is the certainty and convienience of the prebuilt rig worth the extra cost? Is Alienware as good a brand as they are hyped up to be, or are they just about the same as Dell and HP but with flashier cases?

Thanks in advance for any and all advice.

Old Dood · Nov 16, 2005, 01:49 PM // 13:49

Hmmm...well if I was buying another computer I would get a Dell XPS 400 (Dim 9100)loaded. Alienware's are nice...so are Voodoo's, Mach 5's. etc. Very expensive though. A loaded XPS400 is half the price of the custom build brands.

Adambomb · Nov 16, 2005, 01:53 PM // 13:53

This thread will also help me as well. My rig is in need of a decent upgrade although I'm getting to the stage where soon I'll be able to afford the Alienware comp I want... it'll cost me £999 as a default package but with the few upgrades I want I'm looking at £1300.

If I do get an Alienware rig then it'll only be used for gaming. The rig I have now will be used for all my other jobs and storing stuff.

Are there any Alienware users around here that can give any testimonials?

Thanks,

-Adam

Old Dood · Nov 16, 2005, 02:07 PM // 14:07

Adam...go to Google Type the model of the Alienware you are looking at type that in with the word REVIEW after it. I do this with most things I buy anymore.

Doooom · Nov 16, 2005, 02:12 PM // 14:12

I personally think that if you have the know-how to build then it's preposterous to buy from AlienWare. They look cool and all, but imho AlienWare is simply a way for people who can't build to have computers that run as well as custom-built rigs. But they certainly pay for this option.

Kry Onicle · Nov 16, 2005, 02:18 PM // 14:18

I was also going to buy an Alienware, then I type in ' Alienware reviews' on google. Some are so bad it put me off buying. They look good, but are over priced.

For the specs I wanted, it would of cost me £3700(GBPounds) The very same thing (and in my opinon better looking) I got the same spec Pc from a local place (Evesham) for £1700. The wait was 5 days to custom build my machine. Alienware normally takes over a month.

Id suggest a ' do it ya self and save ya money' job.

Narada · Nov 16, 2005, 02:19 PM // 14:19

I think they're great gaming computers, but I could put together one just as good for cheaper.

Adambomb · Nov 16, 2005, 02:22 PM // 14:22

Well I built my current rig for £600, and if I'd bought it as a package then it would have been nearer £1200.... and building computers is fun.... I might just go and buy everything individually...

/ponder

-Adam

LeftAlone- · Nov 16, 2005, 02:28 PM // 14:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aracos79

Since ya'll seem to be pretty tech savvy people here, I thought I would throw this question at you.

Edit that please.. I know nothing... :/

Doooom · Nov 16, 2005, 02:29 PM // 14:29

Quality:
Good Homebuilt Rig > Alienware > Dell/Compaq/whatever

Cost:
Alienware > Good Homebuilt Rig > Dell/Compaq/whatever

Bang for the buck: build your own. You might get it cheaper from Dell and the specs might seem the same, but the specs you don't see won't be nearly as good. But a good homebuilt rig will perform at least as well as an AlienWare for half the price or so.

unienaule · Nov 16, 2005, 02:30 PM // 14:30

Homebuilts are way cheaper than Dells. If not, you need a new site to buy from. Try www.newegg.com

Old Dood · Nov 16, 2005, 02:36 PM // 14:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kry Onicle

I was also going to buy an Alienware, then I type in ' Alienware reviews' on google. Some are so bad it put me off buying. They look good, but are over priced.

For the specs I wanted, it would of cost me £3700(GBPounds) The very same thing (and in my opinon better looking) I got the same spec Pc from a local place (Evesham) for £1700. The wait was 5 days to custom build my machine. Alienware normally takes over a month.

Id suggest a ' do it ya self and save ya money' job.

That is why I suggested for a Pre-build I would get a Dell. Yes they do not have AMD chips...but the Dual Core on the XPS400 (Dim 9100) is plenty fast. My friend has the 3Ghz Dual Core and it is real fast running 5 different OS at once. I suggest this because allot of people just do not want to mess with building computers anymore...I don't...I want it to work right out of the box.

EDIT: I already posted a PC Gamer Magazine post about this months issue on building a real nice system from scratch. Very informative..and good pics.

Man With No Name · Nov 16, 2005, 02:40 PM // 14:40

I'd have to agree -- Alienware are definitely overpriced. I always prefer to purchase the seperate components and build it up myself.

I'd actually wait till AFTER Christmas till buying a PC upgrade:

Nvidia just launched the 512Mb version of the 7800GTX and ATI just launched the 1800XT

Both of which means falling prices across their older cards like the X850 and 256Mb 7800GTX's...

If I did have close to $1100 to spend today -- I'd get something along these lines:

http://img340.imageshack.us/my.php?image=basket8ho.jpg

QuuTip · Nov 16, 2005, 03:04 PM // 15:04

Why is everyone in favor of the dual-core processors? They won't give you a boost for games. If you don't plan on ripping a DVD while you are playing GW, stick to a single core, they are cheaper and do the job just as good.

Man With No Name · Nov 16, 2005, 03:18 PM // 15:18

I think the better question is

"Why buy old technology"

AGP cards work just as well as PCI-E -- but PCI-E is the new standard.

If you are gonna spend such an amount of money on a PC upgrade, I always try to future proof it as best I can. I personally like to upgrade my Video Card every 2 models ( i.e. GF2 --> GF4 ) and the Processor as little as possible ( maybe once every 2 years )

Jumping over to PCI-E allows me to add in a second Video Card in SLI -- if I choose to do, at a later date. Intels are outmatched by AMD and going Dual Core now will set me up for the future -- things like Windows Vista, UT2007 and the new CryEngine.

I personally don't follow the logic in spending X amount on a single core processor now and then another X amount later on a dual core.

Doooom · Nov 16, 2005, 03:32 PM // 15:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by unienaule

Homebuilts are way cheaper than Dells. If not, you need a new site to buy from. Try www.newegg.com

I use newegg, tigerdirect, zipzoomfly, pricewatch..... What I was saying is sometimes it seems that a Dell is cheaper, but you're really just getting an inferior product.

I'm not big on the dual-cores or the 64-bits yet either. I'll wait until I need them. Then again, I have a good PC and don't plan on rebuilding it anytime soon.

I find it hard to future-proof something since tech trends are so erratic. Kind of like this Sony Cell processor stuff. If it's half as good as they say it should replace anything and everything ever made.

However, I'm a cynic in general....

D.E.V.i.A.N.C.E · Nov 16, 2005, 03:44 PM // 15:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Man With No Name

AGP cards work just as well as PCI-X -- but PCI-X the new standard

You do know theres a...
PCI (basic arciticture)
PCI-X (advanced multi ported, e.g. 4 socket lan cards)
PCI-E (express is what your shooting for)

I think Alienware cant be overrated, since the people who do buy them wouldnt know what there ratting in the first place.

I do belive Alienware is a service to the people who dont want to shop around for part's and case's plus the extra shipping for each part...

Dont they have pre built water cooling? theres another subject first time gamers really dont know about.(setup, maintaing ect)

Doooom: I use newegg, tigerdirect, zipzoomfly, pricewatch..... What I was saying is sometimes it seems that a Dell is cheaper, but you're really just getting an inferior product.

The bold I agree with, now for the italicised it depends, the cheapo laptops or the newest line...

Crystaldragonboy · Nov 16, 2005, 03:46 PM // 15:46

The thing about alienware is that if you know how to build your own, or know someone who does, it's way cheaper to do that. The only reason that I would go Alienware (and I'm seriously considdering it) is to get either a laptop or an ALX. Their laptops totally blow away anything else on the market (especially the one(s) with a P4 chip), and the ALX with nvidia SLI tech and liquid cooling system would be something I don't feel comfortable doing myself, particularly when Alienware garauntees hardware compatability.

Somebody earlier said Alienware only does nvidia, but that's not true. They also have ATI options available. And for the OP, I would be warry about using AMD chips. I have seen many of those things overheat too quickly. Maybe not everyone has that problem, but I've had much more reliability with a P4 HT. If it's in your budget, I would even go with a P. Extreme 840 with a dual core and HT (part of the draw to an ALX).

Nefertem · Nov 16, 2005, 03:49 PM // 15:49

To be honest, my bias is that if you want to have a machine that does exactly what you want it to do--and this goes for anything, really--you should build it yourself.

Read up on how computers work, if you don't already know, and look into the performance vs. value information about various parts. IMHO you can save a lot of money building it yourself. Check out www.pricewatch.com for awesome deals.

Divinitys Creature · Nov 16, 2005, 03:53 PM // 15:53

Adam, if you want a supplier in the UK try www.redstore.com I never got anything from them but a friend of mine uses them.