Alienware Extras

[webin]

I'm going to order a new Alienware system today or tommorrow, and I have a couple questions for current owners that I can't ask their sales reps.


AlienIce - the video cooling that adds three fans and lights to the air ducts... how loud are they, and is it worth the $70? (was $50 yesterday.. arghh)

AlienAdrenalin - Video Optimization app.... I get a feeling that it only controls stuff that's built into the nVidia drivers these days, but it might be useful... is it worth the $29 extra? I also just read by a poster here (GeForceX) that is is essentially a rebranded PowerStrip. If this is the case, I don't need to get it.


I know I sound like a fool for saying I'm paying the premium for an Alienware, and then asking about odds and ends prices.... but I'm cheap and still really want an Alienware.


//Ryan

 

[Major_A]

I think the AlienAdrenalin is a registered version of RivaTuner with the Alienware logo.

 

[webin]

Actually... if the screenshot provided at Alienware is to be believed, available at http://www.alienware.com/Configurator_Pages/Details_Pages/static_pages/alien_adrenaline.aspx then it is indeed PowerStrip. I downloaded PowerStrip and RivaTuner to compare them. The screenshot is almost directly from the main page of PS, with Alien-related logos. It's also possible they changed providers since that page was updated. It talks about the porgrams ability to tweak my *sweet* Radeon 9700.


I am still interested in sound / usefulness impressions on the AlienIce. It adds a cool touch with the lights.... but it also adds $70 for three fans.

The other thing I'm currently peeved about is that if I had ordered Tuesday (when I was talking to sales reps), the shipping would have been free. By Wednesday, no dice. Now the price is $120 higher than when I picked Alienware, and I'm not completely sure I want to pay it.