Alienware x51 worth the buy ?

TheSunderz

Hey guys wondering if u think the alienware x51 the 3rd highest model with intel i5, geforce gtx 555 graphics card, 8 gigs of ram and 1tb of memory is worth the buy why you think it is or why u think its not.This will be my first gaming pc and i will be playing skyrim ect and wondering if this pc can handle it.
Thanks in advance.

Procrastastudy

Nope - Alienware is overpriced. Link it please.

Actually I've changed my mind - I thought it was a laptop. Its TERRIBLE! We're talking about the €948.99 one right?

TheSunderz

Procrastastudy wrote: »

Nope - Alienware is overpriced. Link it please.

Actually I've changed my mind - I thought it was a laptop. Its TERRIBLE! We're talking about the €948.99 one right?

yes its here http://www.dell.com/ie/p/alienware-x51/pd?oc=d00and23&model_id=alienware-x51

You'd build something yourself for cheaper.

You won't build something quite as small, but you could still manage an ITX build that won't break the bank and will be compact/portable.

If you don't actually want a small-sized LAN rig then its daft to even look at it.

TheSunderz

Deleted User wrote: »

You'd build something yourself for cheaper.

You won't build something quite as small, but you could still manage an ITX build that won't break the bank and will be compact/portable.

If you don't actually want a small-sized LAN rig then its daft to even look at it.

The only real reason i looked at it was because i have a budget of 1000 euro and i heard alienware have good pcs and i heard pc builds are very hard.

Procrastastudy

Item|Price
8GB-Kit G.Skill PC3-10667U CL9|€36.16
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1TB SATA 3 6GB/s|€75.59
Super-Flower Amazon 80Plus 550W|€53.55
Cooler Master HAF 912 schwarz, ohne Netzteil|€70.00
Club 3D Radeon HD 7850 Coolstream Edition, 2GB GDDR5|€223.05
Samsung SH-222BB schwarz|€16.60
ASRock Z77 Pro3, Sockel 1155, ATX|€91.34
Intel Core i5-3450 Box, LGA1155|€181.17
Shipping|€18.99
Total|€766.45

Okay add €100 for the OS, KB and Mouse. This isn't the build I'd go for but just giving you a comparrison. This machine has a much better GPU. I didn't even know you could get a GTX555 for desktops. Sorry I didn't spec 1600Mhz memory thats an extra €8

If you want an ITX build it'd probably be a wee bit cheaper but with not as good PSU or motherboard as the above.

Procrastastudy

TheSunderz wrote: »

The only real reason i looked at it was because i have a budget of 1000 euro and i heard alienware have good pcs and i heard pc builds are very hard.

Alienware used to be good then Dell bought them

Look at the likes of Chillblast in the UK if you want a prebuild - will be a bit more expensive than what I linked but I was just giving you a comparison.

TheSunderz

Procrastastudy wrote: »

Item|Price
8GB-Kit G.Skill PC3-10667U CL9|€36.16
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1TB SATA 3 6GB/s|€75.59
Super-Flower Amazon 80Plus 550W|€53.55
Cooler Master HAF 912 schwarz, ohne Netzteil|€70.00
Club 3D Radeon HD 7850 Coolstream Edition, 2GB GDDR5|€223.05
Samsung SH-222BB schwarz|€16.60
ASRock Z77 Pro3, Sockel 1155, ATX|€91.34
Intel Core i5-3450 Box, LGA1155|€181.17
Shipping|€18.99
Total|€766.45

Okay add €100 for the OS, KB and Mouse. This isn't the build I'd go for but just giving you a comparrison. This machine has a much better GPU. I didn't even know you could get a GTX555 for desktops. Sorry I didn't spec 1600Mhz memory thats an extra €8

If you want an ITX build it'd probably be a wee bit cheaper but with not as good PSU or motherboard as the above.

Eh seenms u can get the gtx 555 in it em no only went for a itx build because it was cheaper eh would that graphics card be better than the gtx 555

Procrastastudy

TheSunderz wrote: »

Eh seenms u can get the gtx 555 in it em no only went for a itx build because it was cheaper eh would that graphics card be better than the gtx 555

7850 v GTX555 - no contest.

Actually I think that build from Alienware is a laptop in a funny case. I'm sure the GTX555 is a mobile GPU and a crap one at that.

I dont know what the 555 is equivilant too so I used the 560

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/543?vs=549

TheSunderz

i see would u recommend a build rather than buying from a brand.

Procrastastudy

Honestly yes but trying to maintain an unbiased view - if you go for a brand I wouldn't go for Dell/Alienware.

If you buy OEM (brand) you lose out on knowing you got quality components thoughout. The Power supplies are usually dirt as an example. You also lose out on all that sexy retail packaging that makes your components resalable when you upgrade. As an example look at my sig. That GPU I've sold retails for €150ish - gone for €115 as I've looked after it, has the box and is still under warranty.

The most annoying thing for me though is your OS (windows) is tied to the motherboard in your machine meaning if you upgrade it you have to buy a new copy of Windows. Actually my biggest bug bare now I'm editing id the fact that they try and palm you off with a 1 year warranty - compnents come with mad warranties - life time, 5 years, 3 years ectc.

All this and its more expensive. What is your €1000 budget for? A desktop and a monitor or just the base unit? Does it need to be portable?

deconduo

Procrastastudy wrote: »

7850 v GTX555 - no contest.

Actually I think that build from Alienware is a laptop in a funny case. I'm sure the GTX555 is a mobile GPU and a crap one at that.

I dont know what the 555 is equivilant too so I used the 560

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/543?vs=549

The GTX 555 isn't even up to the level of the 550 Ti, though it does have more CUDA cores.

TheSunderz

emmm budget 1000 for just the desktop.It does not need 2 be portable 1 bit.

Procrastastudy

oooh you'll get a freakin beast for that - are you willing to over clock it?

I'll go an do a build to show you what I mean.

Item|Price
8GB-Kit Corsair XMS3 PC3-12800U CL9|€42.82
WD Caviar Green 2TB Sata 6Gb/s|€102.89
Samsung SSD 830 128GB SATA 6GB's Paper Box|€101.43
InLine® HDD Einbauschienen, für 8,89cm (3,5") Festplatten|€1.05
Cooler Master HAF 912 schwarz, ohne Netzteil|€70.00
Super-Flower Amazon 80Plus 550W|€53.55
Samsung SH-222BB schwarz|€16.60
ASRock Z77 Pro3, Sockel 1155, ATX|€91.34
Club 3D Radeon HD 7850 Coolstream Edition, 2GB GDDR5|€223.05
Intel Core i5-3450 Box, LGA1155|€181.17
Shipping|€18.99
Total|€902.89

Okay that leaves you €97: OS - €55 from Software4Students.ie and €42 to get a Keyboard and mouse from somewhere. Don't get the keyboard from the site listed as it will be a German layout.

This machine has an Solid State Drive (SSD) which will speed the thing up like you wouldn't believe - Hard Drives are almost always a limiting factor in how fast a machine feels. (Outside of game at least). It has a 2TB HDD (double the Dell) and a much better graphics card.

TheSunderz

sorry for being a noob but what is overclocking

Procrastastudy

TheSunderz wrote: »

sorry for being a noob but what is overclocking

No problem - I've actually not spec'ed you an overclockable machine as it starts to get complicated and a wee bit more expensive. Put simply overclocking is running the components faster than they are rated.

When a chip is manufactured no one really knows how fast it will go. The manufacturer specs the chip to work at a certain speed and a certain temperature. Overclocking is tuning the chip to run faster. If you look at the case I've spec'ed you'll see it's a HAF (High Air Flow) case. You can get away with running your chip a bit hotter than someone with the case the x51 comes in for example. So you get a free* speed bump.

*Freeish as you've paid for the better case.

TheSunderz

Thanks for the info ill have a look around and post.on this thread vefore i start to build.
Thanks again.

Procrastastudy

Post in the building and upgrading forum if you're going to do a build. More people will see it. Incidentally we all love building PCs so if you need some random stranger to appear at you door to help you build it one us will oblige.

Big kids lego!

Torqay

Don't mind these "unbiased" folks here. If you buy from Alienware, you'll have the peace of mind that if something goes wrong, they'll send a courier with a replacement (while under warranty) whereas with a self build PC you will first have to find out which part is faulty, then prove that it was faulty upon arrival and not being damaged in the process of assembly, all this while dealing with a German crowd to have the part replaced.

Bottom line: yes, you will save big bucks if you build the computer yourself, but only if your comfortable with doing it and prepared to deal with a lot of hassle if things don't go according to plans, otherwise it can end in frustration.

The call is yours.

Procrastastudy

Dell - India Call centre - half a dozen threads a month over everything from refusing to fix stuff under consumer rights to fraudulent credit card charges.

HWVS - Criticisms over build quality when the assemble a machine - used almost exclusively by the lads in the building and upgrading forum and about one compliant a month (usually when they have put together a machine for the customer). Not a single - You broke it we ain't fixing it compliant I can remember.

Not saying don't go to a system builder. Just don't go to Dell.

Torqay

Just saying... asking someone who isn't familiar with the therm "overclocking" to build build their own system is a bit far fetched. I have build countless computers myself and yet I wouldn't recommend it to everyone. It requires a certain degree of knowledge, patience and indeed confidence.

Procrastastudy

Torqay wrote: »

Just saying... asking someone who isn't familiar with the therm "overclocking" to build build their own system is a bit far fetched. I have build countless computers myself and yet I wouldn't recommend it to everyone. It requires a certain degree of knowledge, patience and indeed confidence.

It really doesn't - the Building and Upgrading Forum have talked countless people though builds.

To be fair though as you say its the OPs call. See if you can follow this:

unkel

Procrastastudy wrote: »

To be fair though as you say its the OPs call. See if you can follow this:

Thanks for posting that vid. Anyone confident building their own after watching that will probably be successful (maybe with a little help in the building forum)

It's not for everyone though as Torqay rightly said.

Procrastastudy

unkel wrote: »

Thanks for posting that vid. Anyone confident building their own after watching that will probably be successful (maybe with a little help in the building forum)

It's not for everyone though as Torqay rightly said.

Actually I should agree with Torqay on the fact that it does take patience and the willingness to do the very unmale thing of reading the manual.

Torqay

Procrastastudy wrote: »

the willingness to do the very unmale thing of reading the manual.

RTFM??? Now you're really pushing it...

Procrastastudy

When I worked for Mesh the factory used to put PEBKAS in the notes a a lot which I liked.

Problem Exists Between Keyboard And Seat.

My favourite one ever though was Time Computers (yes I know I probably should be shot)

Customer phones up - PC has gone wrong for the umpteenth time. Gets the guy in tech support universally known as an asshat. Shouting between the two them ensues - techy hangs up the phone.

Customer rings back raging at this point. Gets the techy opposite the techy thats just shouted at him anf hung up the phone. 10 minutes of y..a...one...sorry...I..need...if you... he eventually gets the customer on hold and has a bit of a go at his colleague whos just landed him with this headache.

"What the hell is up with this guy..."
"It's all in the notes.. I'm off for fag"
Walks off

Back on the phone with the customer - five minutes of abuse for being put on hold and finally an account number is got off him and put into the system.

The notes contained a single word. It began with C ended in T and had a well known international peace keeping forces initials in the middle. Instant company legend.

RoyalMarine

you could always pay someone from here €30-50 quid for 2-3 hours work to call to your house when the parts arrive and assemble it for you. They would even teach you as they go so you get a really decent lesson included.

Torqay

RoyalMarine wrote: »

you could always pay someone from here €30-50 quid for 2-3 hours work to call to your house when the parts arrive and assemble it for you. They would even teach you as they go so you get a really decent lesson included.

Cheaper to get it readily assembled from hardwareversand.de, they only charge you 20 yoyos, no? OK, no lesson included, but still...

uncle_sam_ie

Procrastastudy wrote: »

The most annoying thing for me though is your OS (windows) is tied to the motherboard in your machine meaning if you upgrade it you have to buy a new copy of Windows.

That's not true technically. I've done this many times from a OEM disk that I bought with the legit code. Just call MS and you get a recorded voice. It only takes a couple of minutes. Lol, I went from AMD to Intel and it worked. I think MS turns a blind eye as long as you bought windows at some point.

uncle_sam_ie

If you take the time and have the patients to learn how to build a PC yourself it can be very rewarding and save you a lot of money. There are a tons of tutorial websites and video's out there so it isn't hard. As far as if something goes wrong, if you built it yourself then the knowledge you gained will make it easier to figure out what's faulty. And, there are plenty of resources on the web to help you. Warranties are better but, it really depends on were you buy your stuff from and the manufacture you go with. EVGA, Noctua, Corsair, Gigabyte all have very good support. Asus not so much. Saying that though, I own a Asus MB that I bought at Komplett and they give great support for 2 years. I returned a GPU to them a few months back and it was hassle free.
I have to agree with Torgay though, if you don't have the patients to build a PC or you buy the parts from dodgy places cos it's cheaper then it's going to be a hassle. Only don't buy from Dell

Procrastastudy

RoyalMarine wrote: »

you could always pay someone from here €30-50 quid for 2-3 hours work to call to your house when the parts arrive and assemble it for you. They would even teach you as they go so you get a really decent lesson included.

To be honest most of the guys in B&U would do it for the cost of petrol and a few beers but factoring €50 in for someone to build it isn't a bad idea.

Torqay wrote: »

Cheaper to get it readily assembled from hardwareversand.de, they only charge you 20 yoyos, no? OK, no lesson included, but still...

While I like HWVS for components their build service is a joke and the service terrible. Its grand if it works but there are quite a few horror stories. Mainly down to couriers (1KG heat sink attached to Mobo not a great idea with any shipping) but recently they have been ballsing up builds.

uncle_sam_ie wrote: »

That's not true technically. I've done this many times from a OEM disk that I bought with the legit code. Just call MS and you get a recorded voice. It only takes a couple of minutes. Lol, I went from AMD to Intel and it worked. I think MS turns a blind eye as long as you bought windows at some point.

They may or may not. I've managed to do something similar with XP but you can't always be 100% certain. Why pay more for more hassle imo.

Torqay

Right, back on topic, I just had a look at the specs ofthis "3rd highest" Alienware. Now if you don't want to build yourself, I'd rather recommend this Acer Predator from komplett. For 50 yoyos more you'll get an Ivy Core i7 , 8 GB RAM, 2 TB HDD and a GT645 (which is essentially a rebadged GTX555 but it comes with 1.5 GB RAM instead of 1 GB). Certainly the better deal compared to the Dell.

TheSunderz

Ill have a look at ut and some others but im leaning towards a build.

TheSunderz

Procrastastudy wrote: »

oooh you'll get a freakin beast for that - are you willing to over clock it?

I'll go an do a build to show you what I mean.

Item|Price
8GB-Kit Corsair XMS3 PC3-12800U CL9|€42.82
WD Caviar Green 2TB Sata 6Gb/s|€102.89
Samsung SSD 830 128GB SATA 6GB's Paper Box|€101.43
InLine® HDD Einbauschienen, für 8,89cm (3,5") Festplatten|€1.05
Cooler Master HAF 912 schwarz, ohne Netzteil|€70.00
Super-Flower Amazon 80Plus 550W|€53.55
Samsung SH-222BB schwarz|€16.60
ASRock Z77 Pro3, Sockel 1155, ATX|€91.34
Club 3D Radeon HD 7850 Coolstream Edition, 2GB GDDR5|€223.05
Intel Core i5-3450 Box, LGA1155|€181.17
Shipping|€18.99
Total|€902.89

Okay that leaves you €97: OS - €55 from Software4Students.ie and €42 to get a Keyboard and mouse from somewhere. Don't get the keyboard from the site listed as it will be a German layout.

This machine has an Solid State Drive (SSD) which will speed the thing up like you wouldn't believe - Hard Drives are almost always a limiting factor in how fast a machine feels. (Outside of game at least). It has a 2TB HDD (double the Dell) and a much better graphics card.

is that the best build i can get for my money also can i buy from an irish company or will it b more expensive.

Procrastastudy

TheSunderz wrote: »

is that the best build i can get for my money also can i buy from an irish company or will it b more expensive.

There aren't any reasonably priced Irish suppliers unfortunately. You could do a build with Komplett.ie who have a pick-up point in Blanchardstown. Dabs.ie has .ie on the end but are really based in the UK. Scan.co.uk are relatively expensive (not as bad as a prebuild) but they do offer very good Customer Services and 'you brake it we replace it' cover for an extra cost. You would still end up paying carriage back to the UK if something was to break - unless it was faulty when you got it.

Also when you say is that the best build - it depends on many factors. Some people are happy waiting a while for a game to load so would drop the SSD in favour of a better GPU. In comparison to what you would get prebuilt its much faster in every respect. What you could do is build something of a similar spec to a prebuild and keep the money aside if something went wrong.

When you get a machine from Dell (the expensive ones) come with a years on-site service. The fact of the matter is PC rarely go wrong within a year. They are normally either DOA (Dead on Arrival) or go after a few years. If you get a DOA Dell you'll likely want a new one anyway so will end up sending it back anyway. Most people who build their own machines realise there may be a hassle/cost factor if they need to RMA (return) a faulty component. In my personal opinion its worth it.

TheSunderz

So u think a build wud be worth it also wud u recommend that german company have you any previous history with them.

Procrastastudy

Have a look in the PC B&U Forum. To be frank this is where this thread belongs now anyway.

Look at the retailer Discussions thread - take the good with the bad. No retailer has a flawless record. I use HWVS and think they are grand for components. I'll be clear though - they seem to speak English great when you're buying something - its more hit and miss if you have an issue. That said if you use E-mail they are pretty good.

That said - some Germans v the Indian call centre Dell use - I'll take the Germans everytime!

Vs Pixamania - HWVS are great!
Vs Komplett - HWVS are cheaper but not as good service-wise
Vs Scan - Scan are the M&S of PC component suppliers

Think very carefully what matters to you - if you're building a machine its about making it right for you. Between the guys in the B&U forum we'll happily answer a thousand questions. Every component has at least half a dozen options all with they're unique strengths and weaknesses.