Alienware VS Custom pc

Any manufacturer will screw you on 'upgrades'. Always have and most certainly always will. I am not trying to cover the asses of retards, merely point out that their machines offer good value providing you are not a complete twunt.

However, the kind of machine you are talking about is not something a first timer could put together. At all.

I am talking about mainstream gaming machines, you are talking about ridiculous levels of overkill.

Most of Alienware's customers don't know their asses from their elbows.

I present - complete mong who ought to be burned at the stake

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfwVZJt32kg&feature=related[/media]

He doesn't even understand what he has just gotten and doesn't even know how to get it out of the box. TBH? god bless Alienware for saving gullible pratts like this one from being royally screwed over by some asshole willing to con people.

but the OP of this thread clearly said he wanted a system for gaming/autodesk inventor

so the High-end system I suggested he compare to is certainly NOT overkill for him....see that's the problem.....I think a lot of people assume high end computers are for gaming....

so I think for the OP, who clearly said his budget was $3000, the alienware available for around $3k is WAY overpriced compared to what he could assemble on his own.....I am also sort of assuming that by running Inventor, he may at some point want to step up to an even more advanced design program (Solidworks, and possibly Maya for final rendering)......so he should be considering an SSD, a RAID10 for storage and a healthy amount of RAM.....also he needs to look into a Quadro based GPU solution....that isn't even offered by Alienware

He simply can't get what he needs from Alienware....and even if he got half way there with the Alienware machine, he would be overspending and not have what he needs at a $3000 price point

It's kind of a no brainer, based on what OP told us he wants to do

Like I said, I agree that the base model Alienware is a decent value....

unsure.gif


Autodesk Inventor System Requirements

For Windows Users

For General Part and Assembly Design (Typically Fewer than 1,000 Parts)

  • Microsoft® Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit) Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate/Enterprise, or Microsoft® Windows Vista® (SP2) (32-bit or 64-bit) Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, Enterprise, or Ultimate, or Microsoft® Windows XP Professional (SP3) or Professional x64 Edition (SP2) (1,2)
  • Intel® Pentium® 4, 2 GHz or faster, Intel® Xeon®, Intel® Core™, AMD Athlon™ 64, or AMD Opteron™, or later [sup](3)[/sup]
  • 2 GB RAM or more [sup](4)[/sup]
  • Microsoft® Direct3D 10® or Direct3D 9® capable graphics card [sup](5)[/sup]
  • DVD-ROM drive [sup](6)[/sup]
  • Microsoft® Mouse-compliant pointing device
  • 1280 x 1024 or higher screen resolution
  • Internet connection for web downloads and Subscription Aware access
  • Adobe Flash Player 10 [sup](7)[/sup]
  • Microsoft® Internet Explorer® 6.x through 8
  • Microsoft® Excel 2003 through 2007 for iComponents, thread customization, and spreadsheet-driven designs
For Complex Models, Complex Mold Assemblies, and Large Assemblies (Typically More than 1,000 Parts)

  • Windows 7 64-bit, Windows Vista 64-bit (SP2), or Windows XP Professional x64 Edition (SP2)
  • AMD64 or Intel® 64 processor
  • 6 GB RAM or more
  • CAD workstation-class graphics card

Trust me what I have suggested to the OP is in NO WAY "overkill"

I am not sure what his level of proficiency is with system building.....but I suggest to him twice in this thread already to find a reputable system builder to handle it for him if he wasn't comfortable doing it himself.....

I am honestly puzzled by some of the replies here....I am not trying to be rude or call anyone out.....but some of the stuff in this thread doesn't seem very objective....it kind of seems like a let's bash on Alienware, or stick up for Alienware thread.....

my point isn't to obsess about Alienware.....that manufacturers products are CLEARLY NOT what the OP needs
 
I present - complete mong who ought to be burned at the stake

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfwVZJt32kg&feature=related[/media]

He doesn't even understand what he has just gotten and doesn't even know how to get it out of the box. TBH? god bless Alienware for saving gullible pratts like this one from being royally screwed over by some asshole willing to con people.

lol what a douch

holy crap guys, this is just a kid....geez cut him some slack....

he obviously got a nice present from wealthy parents.....

his parents are the idiots, not him.....if his parents were smart they would have sent him to a computer crash course and giving him $1000 to build his first PC

I say more power to the kid....if he can ever figure out how to plug the thing in and turn it on....you guys would have been pretty jazzed to get something like that when you were 14

I don't think it's fair to look down on someone for something that is out of their hands
 
There is no need for a workstation card unless you are seriously professional. The cards are generally $3K+ alone, which makes them a very bad choice to buy. Whilst they have a couple of features not available on consumer gaming cards, unless you need the 24hr replacement I wouldn't touch the quadros.

Building your own especially for $3K is definitely the better route and will save a lot of hassle. For instance say the GPU is DOA, at least you can diagnose that with POST codes on the motherboard, and return it, which is a lot better than returning a whole PC for a couple of weeks to Dell.
 
I agree with Ari. Ease up on the kid guys!
wink.gif
He's obviously not familiar with pc hardware, and neither does he need to. All he probably cares about is if his PC is fast enough to run games at decent framerates. And sure he's probably spoiled, but there's no need to call him a douch.
 
but the OP of this thread clearly said he wanted a system for gaming/autodesk inventor

About a year ago yes. Chances are he's well sorted by now (at least I hope he is !).

The point I was making was right now at this precise moment in time it actually works out cheaper to buy an Alienware for gaming on than building your own. Infact, for about four years it has been that way. It simply comes down to like for like parts. And, as I pointed out if you use the same parts or of equal quality then the system works out cheaper than buying the parts.

And then I should reiterate my point that most of the people who buy Alienware don't know their asses from their elbows inside a PC. Thus telling them and advising them to build a unit is, quite frankly, a terrible idea. They are better off over paying (should they want to have it upgraded during the order) than ending up with a pile of parts on the floor scrathing their head.

Going back to the video, note he says "And I think this is the ram here.." which is basically him confessing that he doesn't have a jar of glue what he's talking about. Thus, it would be incredibly foolish to think that he could build an entire PC without assistance from any one.

I cannot even begin to describe just how many fatal mistakes can be made when assembling a PC with absolutely no experience at all. I shall point out one, though.

Putting a single motherboard post in the wrong place on the back plane leads to a fried board. As SSD himself said he didn't put the ram in properly. Why? because these people have never done so before and have never been shown how. Do you really think it's a smart move to throw three grand into something you could VERY easily blow up? and then lose 15% on the send backs (which the postage would be down to you too?).

So again I shall point out. Horses for courses. Alienware serve a very good purpose in our world. Go and spec me a PC on any site (Origin, Falcon NW) and then compare that to the price of an Alienware OR the part prices. I bet you'll hit the moon.

And how any one can quote and say that they think a computer that works out more than raw parts without even adding the shipping is too expensive needs to see things a bit more clearly tbh.

Honestly I'm not being pissy, but when people give out bad advice it's not cool. Telling some one who may have ABSOLUTELY no idea what he is doing to drop $3k and pray is quite frankly insane. Personally I would rather advise some one to pay four grand to get something built and working, with a warranty to back up it working.

My first ever PC I bought was an Apricot 386. I was fully aware I could build one myself. However, the Apricot (whilst very expensive) allowed me to take a good look at a FULLY built and working PC. From that point on I began to dabble by removing pieces and putting them back. Dropping a pile of parts on my carpet would have had me seriously confused.

Also, one last thing to point out. I am not even bringing business related workstations into this. If you want me to I can go off and price some for you? I bet they would work out double the price of an Alienware simply because they had the word professional before the name or model.

Of course it's a good idea to build your own PC. For the experience more than anything. However, how many people would you advise replace the cambelt on their engine with no mechanical experience whatsoever?

Just remember who you are and what you know, and then don't apply it to every one.
 
I suppose that a certain knowledge of PCs is assumed on these forums (especially with the more regular among us). Alien is quite right when he says that the base model of whatever alienware sell is probably cheaper than buying the bits separately. On the other hand if you build it yourself the bits you want are going in. The other advantage is that you can choose to overclock as Dellienware bios's are locked.

If you buy from a boxshifter then you will get a warrantee although it will be expensive beyond the basic stuff. You will probably pay minimal extra for shipping though, as ebuyer offer free shipping in the UK, and buying from one etailer means the costs are normally only about £10.

If you were looking to buy a pc for the same price as a reasonably specced alienware machine you would save money by buying the stuff on your own, as you could go for a cheaper processor and overclock it to a higher level. Dell and the like have their place. The reality is that after two days on the internet googling "how to build a pc", you could put one together without much difficulty.
 
About a year ago yes. Chances are he's well sorted by now (at least I hope he is !).

The point I was making was right now at this precise moment in time it actually works out cheaper to buy an Alienware for gaming on than building your own. Infact, for about four years it has been that way. It simply comes down to like for like parts. And, as I pointed out if you use the same parts or of equal quality then the system works out cheaper than buying the parts.

And then I should reiterate my point that most of the people who buy Alienware don't know their asses from their elbows inside a PC. Thus telling them and advising them to build a unit is, quite frankly, a terrible idea. They are better off over paying (should they want to have it upgraded during the order) than ending up with a pile of parts on the floor scrathing their head.

Going back to the video, note he says "And I think this is the ram here.." which is basically him confessing that he doesn't have a jar of glue what he's talking about. Thus, it would be incredibly foolish to think that he could build an entire PC without assistance from any one.

I cannot even begin to describe just how many fatal mistakes can be made when assembling a PC with absolutely no experience at all. I shall point out one, though.

Putting a single motherboard post in the wrong place on the back plane leads to a fried board. As SSD himself said he didn't put the ram in properly. Why? because these people have never done so before and have never been shown how. Do you really think it's a smart move to throw three grand into something you could VERY easily blow up? and then lose 15% on the send backs (which the postage would be down to you too?).

So again I shall point out. Horses for courses. Alienware serve a very good purpose in our world. Go and spec me a PC on any site (Origin, Falcon NW) and then compare that to the price of an Alienware OR the part prices. I bet you'll hit the moon.

And how any one can quote and say that they think a computer that works out more than raw parts without even adding the shipping is too expensive needs to see things a bit more clearly tbh.

Honestly I'm not being pissy, but when people give out bad advice it's not cool. Telling some one who may have ABSOLUTELY no idea what he is doing to drop $3k and pray is quite frankly insane. Personally I would rather advise some one to pay four grand to get something built and working, with a warranty to back up it working.

My first ever PC I bought was an Apricot 386. I was fully aware I could build one myself. However, the Apricot (whilst very expensive) allowed me to take a good look at a FULLY built and working PC. From that point on I began to dabble by removing pieces and putting them back. Dropping a pile of parts on my carpet would have had me seriously confused.

Also, one last thing to point out. I am not even bringing business related workstations into this. If you want me to I can go off and price some for you? I bet they would work out double the price of an Alienware simply because they had the word professional before the name or model.

Of course it's a good idea to build your own PC. For the experience more than anything. However, how many people would you advise replace the cambelt on their engine with no mechanical experience whatsoever?

Just remember who you are and what you know, and then don't apply it to every one.

hence my suggestion to OP to have a qualified builder assemble his system....which I clearly stated 3....count them THREE times....

*sigh* I happen to do this as part of my day to day job....so I kind of know how this all plays out (from experience)

I have built dozens of workstations for professional, and my own studios needs.....please don't disregard my experience or knowledge on this subject. Is this something you do professionally for pay??
 
There is no need for a workstation card unless you are seriously professional. The cards are generally $3K+ alone, which makes them a very bad choice to buy. Whilst they have a couple of features not available on consumer gaming cards, unless you need the 24hr replacement I wouldn't touch the quadros.

Building your own especially for $3K is definitely the better route and will save a lot of hassle. For instance say the GPU is DOA, at least you can diagnose that with POST codes on the motherboard, and return it, which is a lot better than returning a whole PC for a couple of weeks to Dell.

without a "Quadro" GPU solution Autodesk Inventor is painfully slow. That is fact. No way around it. I know because I have been doing this for 15 years.

If OP want to use Inventor, he really needs a workstation card.

If OP would have said he wants to run Autocad LT then i wouldn't suggest it, but Inventor is a whole nother ball game. Go to the Autodesk website and do some research on what inventor is.

I think this was the wrong place for Op to ask this question. This seems to be a place more oriented towards gamers. So you guys are probably rite. OP shouldn't be touching this build himself. Or asking for advice about it here.

Maybe the Autodesk forums would be the best place to be asking about an Inventor workstation. I think he is only going to be confused by the replies here.

e-p33n rears it's ugly head
 
hence my suggestion to OP to have a qualified builder assemble his system....which I clearly stated 3....count them THREE times....

*sigh* I happen to do this as part of my day to day job....so I kind of know how this all plays out (from experience)

I have built dozens of workstations for professional, and my own studios needs.....please don't disregard my experience or knowledge on this subject. Is this something you do professionally for pay??

Did you read what I said dude? The guy posted in October 2009.

Which is why when I posted what I did it had nothing to do with what he said and everything to do about the prices that people thought were expensive.

I'm not denying anything ! What I posted had nothing to do with the original post as it's nearly a year old and thus there's no point offering advice.

Hey guys,

Now i am wanting to make or buy a new computer for gaming/ autodesk inventor. But i am thinking if i should make it or buy a alienware (alienware aurora) for $3000. What do you guys think?

OK. I didn't want to bother with this as I realise that Alienware make gaming rigs. The only time they ever made a workstation or graphical editing machine was about seven years back (the MJ12).

That means that Alienware only make gaming machines. So there's no point in buying one if you want to professionally edit any graphics or that sort of ilk.

If you wanted a professional solution you would need to pull it apart and the chances are it would not hold a professional videocard as it does not have the end slots in the Alienware chassis (the MJ12 did about seven years back, though). MJ12 was dual xeon, Alieware's gaming PCs are single CPU. Last year when you posted this you would have been lucky to get an I7 920 in there and tbh that would probably not have been suitable, again because other than the MJ12 Alienware have never made a graphic/professional workstation (they no longer make blade servers either).

Hence why there seems to be a crossed wire here, because I am talking about Alienware (you know? gaming machines) and you were asking for something other than. In which case buying an Alienware would probably not be the best idea, being that it would probably have been (in October of 2009) inappropriate.

My price comparissons had nothing to do with professional/CAD/ETC computers as this is a gaming/overclockers forum.

I hope that clears it all up
smile.gif
 
HAHA come on guys don't let a spoiled kid (rich parents) get on to us
biggrin.gif


unless you guys love to bicker about it
laugh.gif
 
HAHA come on guys don't let a spoiled kid (rich parents) get on to us
biggrin.gif


unless you guys love to bicker about it
laugh.gif

Bickering over it is the last thing I wanted to do tbh. Just a couple of crossed wires it seems.

As for that kid? Well, yes his parents are going to ruin him. I mean seriously, Armani Exchange Tshirts and ridiculously priced PCs?

They'll pay for that, they'll never get rid and he will be riding the coat tails forever
biggrin.gif


The thing is he made that video *purely* to boast. I know a guy whose parents own a $3m mansion and they are a very wealthy family. He goes out to work, busts his ass, makes the money and never feels the need to tell any one about it. I've known him since he was 18 and never has he ridden the coat tails. His first car was an 03 Tiburon which he paid off (himself) in 08, now he has an Eddie Bauer (all American stuff). But yeah, there's a difference between being a spoiled knob and being a spoiled knob that feels the need to shout it from the rooftops.

BTW Snow, if you *really* wanted to laugh at an Alienware owner try this one.

Serious.bloody.facepalm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-S_3klbPQo4
 
Bickering over it is the last thing I wanted to do tbh. Just a couple of crossed wires it seems.

As for that kid? Well, yes his parents are going to ruin him. I mean seriously, Armani Exchange Tshirts and ridiculously priced PCs?

They'll pay for that, they'll never get rid and he will be riding the coat tails forever
biggrin.gif


The thing is he made that video *purely* to boast. I know a guy whose parents own a $3m mansion and they are a very wealthy family. He goes out to work, busts his ass, makes the money and never feels the need to tell any one about it. I've known him since he was 18 and never has he ridden the coat tails. His first car was an 03 Tiburon which he paid off (himself) in 08, now he has an Eddie Bauer (all American stuff). But yeah, there's a difference between being a spoiled knob and being a spoiled knob that feels the need to shout it from the rooftops.

BTW Snow, if you *really* wanted to laugh at an Alienware owner try this one.

Serious.bloody.facepalm.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-S_3klbPQo4[/media]

"it's for veeeedeo editing"
laugh.gif


what the I don't even.......

love how he changed from the sea-foam green pants to the pink ones.....

this video has to be a joke.....those whacky youtubers
 
Did you read what I said dude? The guy posted in October 2009.

Which is why when I posted what I did it had nothing to do with what he said and everything to do about the prices that people thought were expensive.

I'm not denying anything ! What I posted had nothing to do with the original post as it's nearly a year old and thus there's no point offering advice.

OK. I didn't want to bother with this as I realise that Alienware make gaming rigs. The only time they ever made a workstation or graphical editing machine was about seven years back (the MJ12).

That means that Alienware only make gaming machines. So there's no point in buying one if you want to professionally edit any graphics or that sort of ilk.

If you wanted a professional solution you would need to pull it apart and the chances are it would not hold a professional videocard as it does not have the end slots in the Alienware chassis (the MJ12 did about seven years back, though). MJ12 was dual xeon, Alieware's gaming PCs are single CPU. Last year when you posted this you would have been lucky to get an I7 920 in there and tbh that would probably not have been suitable, again because other than the MJ12 Alienware have never made a graphic/professional workstation (they no longer make blade servers either).

Hence why there seems to be a crossed wire here, because I am talking about Alienware (you know? gaming machines) and you were asking for something other than. In which case buying an Alienware would probably not be the best idea, being that it would probably have been (in October of 2009) inappropriate.

My price comparissons had nothing to do with professional/CAD/ETC computers as this is a gaming/overclockers forum.

I hope that clears it all up
smile.gif

ok good, so we are all on the same page that an Alienware base model system represents a good value for a gaming system

and also that it is so far off what is appropriate for a CAD system, that it's almost silly to go on about it

funny how this thread is somehow still on the top of the list....even though OP's request is a year old.....talk about off topic
blink.gif


I shall quote our Asian friend in the above video again, just because I like his style

"it's for veeeedeo editing"

wink.gif
 
Most of them are like that dude. Seriously, they have absolutely no idea. Read his comments !! "A year later I spent $xxxxx on a rig because mine didn't support Crysis".

It just makes you wonder how stupid people like that actually earn enough money to fritter it away on computers. His videos depict so many new machines and thousands and thousands of dollars going down the toilet.

I'm not and never was Alienware's fanboi. I worked selling them for a while and I know a good few people who won't remember drooling over them back then (funny how that changes with time). There are positive sides to their company though.

They were one of if not the first companies to actually try and make a computer look nice (and not just those disgusting apple ripoff cases in the late 90s).

They were the first company to offer computers with absolutely no holds barred and no expense spared.

Their customer service (pre Dell) was absolutely amazing.

Over the last decade we have all become incredibly fickle. We don't care about getting a service because we just want cheap. And, that's what we get now. Which is great of course, but the term "Made in England" or "Made in America" is now becoming nothing but a distant memory.

I know first hand that Alienwares were made in the USA, using as many USA made parts as possible (close ties with EVGA for example). They were built and shipped out of Florida, and you got 'phase photos' of the machine being slowly and painstakingly put together. They then spent a couple of days benching it and printed out (and sent you) all of the results.

So yes, Alienwares used to be REALLY expensive. FAR more than you could component match for. However, it wasn't that you were paying for. It was US based call centers (Fancy the Mumbai express then?) knowledgable customer service reps (like you and me, and not some one who pronounces firewall as a fireball) and so on.

Once Dell took over? yeah, prices hit the floor. However, call them up? They would ask you your problem and then google it. And no, I sh*t you not.

The ALX (the real one) was the creme de la creme. So expensive was it and so exclusive that should you have a problem? you had a personal rep on call 24/7. You even got a special CS number that was there *purely* for ALX owners.

And as soon as Dell took over those philosophies were dropped in the trash can and it became a cash cow.

If Alienware were as bad as so many people say they are they would have been dead and buried years and years ago. And, they certainly wouldn't have been bought out by Dell. Dell are now making ALL of the mistakes they made with their XPS machines (that are now defunct) and have thrown all of the original company ethics to the wayside.

And that's why Origin are starting to gain momentum. Incase you weren't aware Origin are Alienware. All of the original founders are there barring one, and their PCs are uber uber expensive. However, you get what you pay for. Their CS is absolutely second to none.
 
Bickering over it is the last thing I wanted to do tbh. Just a couple of crossed wires it seems.

As for that kid? Well, yes his parents are going to ruin him. I mean seriously, Armani Exchange Tshirts and ridiculously priced PCs?

They'll pay for that, they'll never get rid and he will be riding the coat tails forever
biggrin.gif


The thing is he made that video *purely* to boast. I know a guy whose parents own a $3m mansion and they are a very wealthy family. He goes out to work, busts his ass, makes the money and never feels the need to tell any one about it. I've known him since he was 18 and never has he ridden the coat tails. His first car was an 03 Tiburon which he paid off (himself) in 08, now he has an Eddie Bauer (all American stuff). But yeah, there's a difference between being a spoiled knob and being a spoiled knob that feels the need to shout it from the rooftops.

BTW Snow, if you *really* wanted to laugh at an Alienware owner try this one.

Serious.bloody.facepalm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-S_3klbPQo4

What a even biger douch,silly fat man
 
At least he got his tits out for the lads
laugh.gif


Pink PJs, lemon slippers and the theme song to every Bruce Lee film..

Yeah seriously, WTF?

Eeeeeeleeeunweeeer hahaha !

Now I know why tigers eat their young.
 
Most of them are like that dude. Seriously, they have absolutely no idea. Read his comments !! "A year later I spent $xxxxx on a rig because mine didn't support Crysis".

It just makes you wonder how stupid people like that actually earn enough money to fritter it away on computers. His videos depict so many new machines and thousands and thousands of dollars going down the toilet.

I'm not and never was Alienware's fanboi. I worked selling them for a while and I know a good few people who won't remember drooling over them back then (funny how that changes with time). There are positive sides to their company though.

They were one of if not the first companies to actually try and make a computer look nice (and not just those disgusting apple ripoff cases in the late 90s).

They were the first company to offer computers with absolutely no holds barred and no expense spared.

Their customer service (pre Dell) was absolutely amazing.

Over the last decade we have all become incredibly fickle. We don't care about getting a service because we just want cheap. And, that's what we get now. Which is great of course, but the term "Made in England" or "Made in America" is now becoming nothing but a distant memory.

I know first hand that Alienwares were made in the USA, using as many USA made parts as possible (close ties with EVGA for example). They were built and shipped out of Florida, and you got 'phase photos' of the machine being slowly and painstakingly put together. They then spent a couple of days benching it and printed out (and sent you) all of the results.

So yes, Alienwares used to be REALLY expensive. FAR more than you could component match for. However, it wasn't that you were paying for. It was US based call centers (Fancy the Mumbai express then?) knowledgable customer service reps (like you and me, and not some one who pronounces firewall as a fireball) and so on.

Once Dell took over? yeah, prices hit the floor. However, call them up? They would ask you your problem and then google it. And no, I sh*t you not.

The ALX (the real one) was the creme de la creme. So expensive was it and so exclusive that should you have a problem? you had a personal rep on call 24/7. You even got a special CS number that was there *purely* for ALX owners.

And as soon as Dell took over those philosophies were dropped in the trash can and it became a cash cow.

If Alienware were as bad as so many people say they are they would have been dead and buried years and years ago. And, they certainly wouldn't have been bought out by Dell. Dell are now making ALL of the mistakes they made with their XPS machines (that are now defunct) and have thrown all of the original company ethics to the wayside.

And that's why Origin are starting to gain momentum. Incase you weren't aware Origin are Alienware. All of the original founders are there barring one, and their PCs are uber uber expensive. However, you get what you pay for. Their CS is absolutely second to none.

for the record, I don't think Alienware has ever built "bad" systems. In fact quite the opposite. Hell they offered TRUE water cooling loops for a while, with a warranty!!! I think anyone who would say that their systems are junk, is truly un-informed. I think their systems are distasteful. They are tacky. Beyond tacky, but they are certainly powerful machines. I would never argue that point.

My main grip about Alienware, is that their "high-end" machines are about 200% too expensive. Base models do represent a reasonable value though. I do find it interesting that they don't offer large RAID subsystems, SSd's or Large RAM pools in their top tier configurations. A company who can't get 12GB plus of RAM to work with a stable overclock, really has to be questioned.

I have managed to get my 24GB brick to OC to 1720mhz. stable....on a 4.3ghz CPU clock. Why can't a company with such vast resources manage to do the same?? Maybe it's more an issue of contracts with specific vendors...and having to play with-in those rules. I guess it is a money game or them, and not so much about massive performance.

To be honest I wouldn't be mad if someone gave me one of their systems. I would gladly use it for....."veeeeeedeo editing"
laugh.gif
 
I think their systems are distasteful. They are tacky. Beyond tacky, but they are certainly powerful machines. I would never argue that point.

And that's all a matter of opinion and beauty being in the eye of the beholder dude. Honestly it's as simple as that. If their cases were actually bad and offered bad airflow etc? Well yes, I could understand why people would keep going on about it. But every one has different tastes. Me? Well I think the Art Deco period was the finest hour of mankind. So much so I have visited the Empire State and actually went up it, even though I am terrified of heights and get dizzy. I actually had to hold myself up.

Thus I like their cases. Whilst when released it was said they were made to resemble an alien's head I disagree. To me they look like something from Art Deco. Sweeping lines, bold statements. The predator 2 looks like a Japanese bullet train.

But yes, that's all a matter of opinion. (and I hate the new ones, for the record)

My main grip about Alienware, is that their "high-end" machines are about 200% too expensive. Base models do represent a reasonable value though. I do find it interesting that they don't offer large RAID subsystems, SSd's or Large RAM pools in their top tier configurations. A company who can't get 12GB plus of RAM to work with a stable overclock, really has to be questioned.

Well to every opinion and fact there is usually always a counter opinion and fact. Yes their very high end machines are very expensive. However there is of course a reason for that. Very high end hardware is usually new. And as every one knows new hardware *always* comes with problems that are going to need to be ironed out. Bad drivers, incompatibilities and sometimes just an all out stinker that needs to be sectioned and binned. And all of this costs money in support and repairs ETC.

The reason I would imagine they don't offer RAID configs ETC is because RAID 0 is a great way to lose all of your data. If one drive goes you lose the lot. It's also a far greater PITA to create an Alien Autopsy (tm) and their restore disc. They supply you with a fresh copy of Windows (a real one) as well as the Alien Respawn (tm).

If a customer wanted RAID then it's highly probable they know what they're doing. Thus, as you have pointed out so many times (and me !) people who have that level of experience will not buy from Alienware. Am I beginning to make sense now? As I said before I am not being pissy I am just trying to put accross that Alienware fill a complete niche in our world. Why do the offer upgrades? well, to be totally frank? because most of their customers are like that kid. They don't know their ass from their elbow but just want to click on everything so that they can make it the most expensive. Go to Youtube, look up some box opening videos from Alienware computers and take note how the first bleeding thing that comes out of the owner's mouth is either the exact price *OR*, in the case of that kid, "And here we have the Alienware 51, it was very expensive"

Note how he simply has to ram that point home? And then we go back to my point about capitalism. If we could all make loads of money selling thin air we bloody well would. Bandwidth on the internet is free money. At first it was unlimited and then the ISPs began to realise they could start choking it, shaping it and even charging for a gigabyte of it. It sucks, but that is capitalism my friend. And without it the USA and UK would not be as wealthy and comfortable as we are.

See also - "I could sell sand to Arabs" or "I could sell bifocals to a blind man"

I have managed to get my 24GB brick to OC to 1720mhz. stable....on a 4.3ghz CPU clock. Why can't a company with such vast resources manage to do the same?? Maybe it's more an issue of contracts with specific vendors...and having to play with-in those rules. I guess it is a money game or them, and not so much about massive performance.

To be honest I wouldn't be mad if someone gave me one of their systems. I would gladly use it for....."veeeeeedeo editing"
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The only thing you would have to really do is change the motherboard. When Dell finished their total ruin of Alienware they had their own X58 micros and full boards made (Aurora and Area 51). At that stage they pulled a 'classic' and had their own bios made for them.

But, with a gaming machine that is about all they could monopolise, so the rest are just off the shelf parts.

Oops missed a bit. Overclocking is not something amateurs do. Dude, remember what I said in a previous post?

Take what you do and what you know and then DON'T apply it to every one.

Just because a carpenter could build a house it doesn't mean we all could. Just because a mechanic can strip an engine, rebore it and rebuild it doesn't mean we all could.

So therefore, by a process of elimination - just because loads of people on this forum (you, basically, too) can build a PC, run raid, overclock it, lap a CPU, run a water loop ETC doesn't mean every one can.
 
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