Alienware Graphics Amplifier

Mint Aero

http://accessories.euro.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=uk&l=en&s=dhs&cs=ukdhs1&sku=452-BBQN&baynote_bnrank=0&baynote_irrank=1&~ck=dellSearch

This is pretty nifty huh.

So, I'm assuming this bundle of joy isn't compatible with non alienware laptops. Anyone know of a similar product out there that I could plug into my 3 year old laptop so I can play Assassin's Creed Unity?

I also render sh*t alot, use 3ds max & photoshop so something to give an extra bit of juice in the engine would be handy around the same price as the above.

TerrorFirmer

Can't see the point.

For the price of the amplifier and the card required to go into it, you'd build a basic desktop that could play the game very well.

Mint Aero

The point is I dont want a desktop nor to build something. All I want is a nifty box for 200 quid that I can plug in.

Lu Tze

Mint Aero wrote: »

The point is I dont want a desktop nor to build something. All I want is a nifty box for 200 quid that I can plug in.

The "amplifier" doesnt contain a graphics card - you would need to buy that separately, so even if you had the alienware laptop, this nifty box for 200 quid wouldnt do the job you want without adding a graphics card.

Mint Aero

Lu Tze wrote: »

The "amplifier" doesnt contain a graphics card - you would need to buy that separately, so even if you had the alienware laptop, this nifty box for 200 quid wouldnt do the job you want without adding a graphics card.

Sure t'is a load of junk then cos I can hardly add a graphics card to my laptop?

TerrorFirmer

Mint Aero wrote: »

Sure t'is a load of junk then cos I can hardly add a graphics card to my laptop?

The graphics card goes into the amplifier. The amplifier itself for 210 sterling is not a graphics card, just a container.

The point is I dont want a desktop nor to build something. All I want is a nifty box for 200 quid that I can plug in.

The total cost would be almost 400 euro with even a budget desktop card, and the amplifier is pretty big, similar to an mitx gaming pc.

Mint Aero

TerrorFirmer wrote: »

The graphics card goes into the amplifier. The amplifier itself for 210 sterling is not a graphics card, just a container.



The total cost would be almost 400 euro with even a budget desktop card, and the amplifier is pretty big, similar to an mitx gaming pc.

Yeah I'm working in sterling here, so after all that... it is indeed what I'm looking for?

looking_around

My issue with it, is it's quite bulky, I have a gaming laptop, and upgrading it, is a concern, but this goes against why I went with a laptop.
The size is kind of awkward, I suppose if u want to game at home, but always using the laptop it works, for me, it's too bulky and I wouldn't see the benefit to it.
Like 16 slots? Over kill.

Mint Aero

looking_around wrote: »

My issue with it, is it's quite bulky, I have a gaming laptop, and upgrading it, is a concern, but this goes against why I went with a laptop.
The size is kind of awkward, I suppose if u want to game at home, but always using the laptop it works, for me, it's too bulky and I wouldn't see the benefit to it.
Like 16 slots? Over kill.

Well see I use my laptop as portable for internet and sometimes work stuff. But if I'm gonna play AC Unity, it's gonna be at home. If I'm gonna be rendering stuff it's gonna be at home. The box and its size isn't an issue for me.

A more pertinent question I now need to ask that hasn't been answered. Is this magical device compatible with any laptop or just Alienware? and if not is there something like it on the market?

looking_around

Mint Aero wrote: »

Well see I use my laptop as portable for internet and sometimes work stuff. But if I'm gonna play AC Unity, it's gonna be at home. If I'm gonna be rendering stuff it's gonna be at home. The box and its size isn't an issue for me.

A more pertinent question I now need to ask that hasn't been answered. Is this magical device compatible with any laptop or just Alienware? and if not is there something like it on the market?

but would you not be better off with a dedicated desktop?

___
Its currently only compatible with alienware. http://www.zdnet.com/alienware-graphics-amplifier-lets-you-add-desktop-graphics-card-to-gaming-laptops-7000035140/

read the article, other brands have tried similar, but majority of people just go with a dedicated desktop. You'd better off tbh.

Mint Aero

Multiple post

Mint Aero

looking_around wrote: »

but would you not be better off with a dedicated desktop?

___
Its currently only compatible with alienware. http://www.zdnet.com/alienware-graphics-amplifier-lets-you-add-desktop-graphics-card-to-gaming-laptops-7000035140/

read the article, other brands have tried similar, but majority of people just go with a dedicated desktop. You'd better off tbh.

How does one carry a desktop into the toilet with them whilst making number 2? or how does one put a desktop on their lap then balance a bowl of coco pops on it whilst watching Saturday morning cartoons?

I can't see any advantage to having a desktop that remains stationery gathering dust in the corner of a room...when what I want is a laptop that I can add extra juice to when needs be.

Mint Aero

Multiple post

Alanstrainor

Mint Aero wrote: »

Well see I use my laptop as portable for internet and sometimes work stuff. But if I'm gonna play AC Unity, it's gonna be at home. If I'm gonna be rendering stuff it's gonna be at home. The box and its size isn't an issue for me.

A more pertinent question I now need to ask that hasn't been answered. Is this magical device compatible with any laptop or just Alienware? and if not is there something like it on the market?

It looks to me like there is a dedicated proprietary cable to connect this device to the laptop, which would mean that this is an Alienware only device. It is a very cool concept, but very expensive for what it is imo.

5uspect

So its like those thunderbolt PCIe GPU enclosures that we saw a couple of years ago?

AlmightyCushion

5uspect wrote: »

So its like those thunderbolt PCIe GPU enclosures that we saw a couple of years ago?

Similar to them. It uses a different port which has more bandwidth so it's more useful than those. Also, apparently those thunderbolt GPU boxes were difficult to get licensed by Intel so hence why they never really took off or made much traction.

I like the idea of this thing. Whilst this version might not be ideal it's a good start with potential. It really needs to be smaller though. It doesn't need to have a big ass 460W power supply and support full length cards. Well it does if you want to run a GTX980 or better in it I suppose. If they made it so that a card with GTX760 dimensions and power consumption was the upper limit then they should be able to make it a good bit smaller. Have it mounted on the back of a monitor and you're laughing. It could turn a decent laptop/ultrabook with Intel HD graphics into a pretty decent gaming machine. I think this version is just overkill though.

looking_around

Mint Aero wrote: »

How does one carry a desktop into the toilet with them whilst making number 2? or how does one put a desktop on their lap then balance a bowl of coco pops on it whilst watching Saturday morning cartoons?

I can't see any advantage to having a desktop that remains stationery gathering dust in the corner of a room...when what I want is a laptop that I can add extra juice to when needs be.

but with the size of it, it's like lobbing around a mini desktop. it's not you can take this into the bathroom with you.
I didn't suggest getting rid of your laptop. just at that price, and size, you may as well get a desktop for.what you want

of course if they become smaller and cheaper, then there's a place for them, I think.