Alienware: Worth the Cash?

F

freeman2k6

Weaksauce
Joined
Jul 15, 2005
Messages
107
disclaimer: If this has already been asked, I apologize, please don't flame :)

Hey everyone. Some of you may have seen my post earlier about my system build. That is plan a) for my "welcome home from Iraq" present to myself. Plan b) is to go with an Alienware. The only problem is that the Alienware is significantly higher in price. Today while I was browsing the net, I came across this page on Alienware's sight..
link
That plus my general research of Alienware, their quality, service and technical support is making me lean more towards an Alienware. Has anyone here owned an Alienware or had any experience with them? Is it really worth it to plunk down the extra grand or so?

Thanks much for answering my noobish questions.

-Freeman2k6
 
one of my friends had one built for him for xmas last year. he got the top of th eline water cooled one and frankly.... its not worth the money. He paid around $6k for the machine and as a system buiklder they did some stupid things with it. Examples: for 2gb of ram , they used 4x512 instead of 2x1024 and for a $6k machine thats horrible. You should know the issue surrounding using all dimm slots on nf4 mobos.They also have software to dynamically overclock the machne and that broke as soon as he updated his Detonator drivers which sucks cause he cant get updated sli profiles for his dual 6800ultras's. The case is pretty azz too because its plastic, huge, and still sounds pretty loud with all the fans going. The pictures on the website make it look better than it really is.

Pros - system is configured pretty good software-wise. you get a good amount programs and vip access to certain services. When the overclocking software works, its fasssssst. The water cooling on both gpus and cpu is done very well and looks professional and what one would expect from a $6k machine. Their customer support is above average which might be related to the fact he put in such a expensive order.


This is not a bang for the buck opinion, people who buy alienware systems dont care about price, they want the best money can get and i do not think Alienware provides that. I've had hands on time with this machine and while it is a beast, i could have built a beast with a better looking case for half the money.I would have built the system for him but time was an issue and i didnt feel like taking the responsibilty. I'm sure if a knowledgable person worked with alienware as they spec'ed out their system, the component choice would be better, so most of my 'cons' might be fixed by user intervention.
 
I believe this topic has been hit upon before:

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=870359&highlight=alienware

The general consensus seems to be:

Alienware does build a quality computer, but they charge through the nose. If you are [H]ard enough to post on this forum, then you are probably [H]ard enough to know that build-your-own is the preferred method, not to mention you save a ton of money and have control over what type and quality components go into the system.

Of course, it's your $$$, spend it any way you like.
 
Congrats on the end of your tour if you are indeed back from Iraq already. BTW thanks for your service and welcome home from a former naval aviator. Spent a lot of time flying over the desert over there.

Now to the stuff you're interested in. I have to agree with the above posts. Take the plunge and build your own. You'll save a lot of money if you build a high end system (not so much on the low end systems) rather than purchase one. More importantly, you'll learn a HUGE amount about your PC and be able to work on it with ease, update it later with confidence, which will save you even more money, which you'll need after blowing your deployment "wad of cash" on booze and broads and you can ensure only the best parts are used.

Plenty of help here and you can start ordering parts and have them waiting for you for when you get home. I'll start:

Guessing you're ready to drop $5g's if you're contemplating buying an Alienware I'll suggest:
A8N SLI Premium mobo
AMD FX 57 CPU
Zalman 7700cu HSF
2 x 1024Mb (2GB) of low latency RAM (Corsair,Crucial, Geil)
2x 7800GTX
2 x Western Digital Raptor 10,000 RPM HDD's in RAID 0
1 x PC Power and Cooling 510 Deluxe PSU
DVD RW drive
Lian Li aluminum case of your choice
Windows XP SP2 OEM
Microsoft Works Suite OEM
Zboard Key board
Razer Diamondback mouse
21" CRT monitor (NEC, Viewsonic, Samsung)

I'd guess that this would cost around $3200-$3500 (saving $1800-$1500), would spank any Alienware and you'd enjoy it a helluva lot more since you built it.
 
There are plenty of others to check out besides Alienware. Don't pay extra for an alien head logo.
 
All good opinions, and thanks for the link. My main worry is I'm now sure how good my own tech support is. My biggest fears are that something will go wrong in setup or use and I won't know what the hell to do to fix it. I'm afraid I'll pay for a great setup and I'll somehow boggle everything and end up with a product that in the end doesn't produce.

-Freeman2k6
 
freeman2k6 said:
All good opinions, and thanks for the link. My main worry is I'm now sure how good my own tech support is. My biggest fears are that something will go wrong in setup or use and I won't know what the hell to do to fix it. I'm afraid I'll pay for a great setup and I'll somehow boggle everything and end up with a product that in the end doesn't produce.
Click to expand...
All 100% valid. Unless you know a geek that can recommend/assemble a good system for you, I would look into ABS (depending on your budget). Here's a good system I quickly put together:
www.abspc.com
http://www.abspc.com/app/Checkquote.asp?cartno=13228827&systemid=1883
 
Thanks for the reply, I'm not totally computer stupid, I've build my own system before and am not really afraid to do it again. It's just that the higher performance/quality products I am looking at...I'm just a little apprehensive about those problems I mentioned already. If I could just find ways to educate myself or otherwise make sure I don't run into those problems or that I can fix them myself, I'd be ok.

-Freeman2k6
 
freeman2k6 said:
Thanks for the reply, I'm not totally computer stupid, I've build my own system before and am not really afraid to do it again. It's just that the higher performance/quality products I am looking at...I'm just a little apprehensive about those problems I mentioned already. If I could just find ways to educate myself or otherwise make sure I don't run into those problems or that I can fix them myself, I'd be ok.

-Freeman2k6
Click to expand...

If you've built a system before, but you are afraid to build a system now because you are a little behind the curve and you don't to run into any problems that you can't fix, I have a solution for you.

www.hardforum.com ;)
 
If you want to avoid the majority of those "problems", an OEM system is the way to go.

If you want some more specific recommendations, what kind of system are you looking at?
 
I'm pretty much looking for a high end gaming system under $2500. Right now the parts I have lined up are:

Athlon 4400 X2
BFG Nforce 4 Ultra
OCZ 2GB Dual Channel Platinum
Maxtor Diamondmax 10 300GB 16mb Cache
Lian=Li PC60A Plus
OCZ Tech Modstream 520W
Samsung DynaFlat Monitor
Logitech 5.1 Speakers
BFG GeForce 7800GTX OC
Zalman 7700-Cu 120mm
Logitech Cordless KB/Mouse
NEC Dual Layer DVD+RW
LG Electronics DVD-ROM
Windows XP SP2(OEM)
 
Hell I'd build boxes for Forum members that don't want to do it for a 12 pack of beer, (You buy all the parts of course) to ensure no one buys from Alienware. You get ripped on the price. Its as simple as that.
 
freeman2k6 said:
I'm pretty much looking for a high end gaming system under $2500. Right now the parts I have lined up are:
Click to expand...
Looks like a great system, but I think it would be difficult to get a system like that from an OEM (any OEM) for <$2,500
 
If you buy the current 6,000 machine eequivalent that the other guy is talking about you could probably save 3,000 for the same build. Tech support would be a problem of course but hey.. that's why we have hardforum's :)

Alienware are nice systems but WAY too high on price. I just built a pc for 1,500 pc box only.. and it runs like a dream.. ^-^
 
if you want a BADASS per-built go Falcon Northwest thay seem to be over looked these days and have been around longer then Alienware

www.falcon-nw.com
 
Elios said:
if you want a BADASS per-built go Falcon Northwest thay seem to be over looked these days and have been around longer then Alienware

www.falcon-nw.com
Click to expand...
Gebus where do I start.
First of all,
freeman2k6 said:
I'm pretty much looking for a high end gaming system under $2500
Click to expand...
Falcon systems start at about $3k, no monitor.
Second,
freeman2k6 said:
Athlon 4400 X2
Click to expand...
Not even offered by F-NW
 
yea I saw that too when I dug around on their site. One thing to keep in mind is that my parts list includes a monitor...granted a crt, but it's still a monitor. Although I'm very open to changes if the performance increase is good.

-Freeman2k6
 
tazzmissionx said:
The listed specs and the price, you might have a good chance getting close to that OEM wise by going to Velocity Micro, here is a link for customization of their AMD based DualX system.
http://www.velocitymicro.com/wizard.php?iid=1
Click to expand...
I just configured one for $2,550, no monitor. It does come with a 3-yr warranty, though.

How about this from HP.com:

Pavilion d4100e customizable Desktop PC
PX191AV#ABA
  • – Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home Edition with SP2
  • – AMD Athlon(TM) 64 X2 4400+ dual-core - 2.2GHz
  • – 2GB DDR-400MHz dual channel SDRAM (2x1GB)
  • – 160GB 7200 rpm SATA Hard Drive
  • – LightScribe DL 16X DVD+/-R/RW drive
  • – 16X max. DVD-ROM
  • – 9-in-1 Card Reader, 2 USB, and 1 FireWire
  • – None
  • – 128MB DDR ATI Radeon X300 SE with TV-Out
  • – Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS for MS Home or Pro OS
  • – HP Keyboard, HP Scroller Mouse
  • HP vs19c 19" LCD Flat-Panel Monitor
    P8726A7#ABA
$2,184 after $200 mail in rebate. Note that this comes with a 1 year warranty, 19" LCD, and crappy video card, so add a GTX for ~$450, and you're set for ~$2,700

 
Thanks for the lookin those up. I think I'd rather do a little more learning and have the more fulfilling experience....especially as opposed to an HP :) I was just looking at the Alienware b/c of the tech support(AlienAutopsy, etc). I'm just worried that these products won't perform like I'm expecting....Trying to avoid that possibility, especially because of an error of mine. Any advice other than the basics?
 
freeman2k6 said:
Thanks for the lookin those up. I think I'd rather do a little more learning and have the more fulfilling experience....especially as opposed to an HP :) I was just looking at the Alienware b/c of the tech support(AlienAutopsy, etc). I'm just worried that these products won't perform like I'm expecting....Trying to avoid that possibility, especially because of an error of mine. Any advice other than the basics?
Click to expand...
Not from me. GL, and bring any questions to the forum, especially any parts of the assembly process you are unsure of.
 
Actually, i have been extremely pleased with the HP that I have. Granted it is socket 754 w/agp, but still, it runs like a beast for what I want (casual gaming, workstation functions), and their customer support, at least for me, has been awesome. I have had no problems withtheir support or their parts. ASUS mobo, ocz ram, samsung harddrives, etc. Name brand parts, not crappy shit like dell uses. that HP priced out earlier is an awesome deal especially w/ the 19 inch LCD.
 
Alienwares aren't really a bad deal unless you go all the way to their top-end systems.

Sure, you'll pay more than building it yourself or getting it from another manufacturer, but they do provide a lot of services/features for that money.

If you want an Alienware, go for it. If all you want is something to play games on, there are (imo) better ways to get one. However, if you know people with Alienware systems, and you like what they've got, I won't try to talk you out of buying one, unless of course, you're dropping like $7k on it. If you're spending $2-3k, though, it's not as bad a deal as people make it out to be.

Is Alienware worth the cash? Meh, kind of. It's not my first choice, but they know what they're doing, and that fact gives some people peace of mind.
 
I know I am in the minority here but I actually own a high end Alienware and love it. I have built plenty of systems before but I decided not to go that route last time and try Alienware. I was not disappointed at all. Did I spend more than I would have had I built? Yes, defiantly. But I got a very well built system with quality components and Alienware’s service. I had only a few minor issues and every time they were a pleasure to deal with and the issue got resolved very fast. That said building your own system is great but if you have the money I would recommend an Alienware.
 
If you're going to buy from a system builder, you owe it to yourself to pick one that actually has some value-add.

Alienware service sucks.
Alienware machines are overpriced.

If you want to spend your hard-earned cash on an alien-head logo, buy alienware, otherwise look elsewhere.
 
jebo_4jc said:
Not from me. GL, and bring any questions to the forum, especially any parts of the assembly process you are unsure of.
Click to expand...

Thanks Jebo, that being said, any advice on the parts list I listed above?

EDIT: Sorry, just realized you meant the actual assembly, ie past the parts selection process, sorry:)
 
Your list of parts back a few posts looks good to me for the most part, but I'm warning you now, if you put a Maxtor HDD in there I will cry. Do yourself a favor and get a WD or Seagate.
 
freeman2k6 said:
Is it really worth it to plunk down the extra grand or so?
Click to expand...

i dont think that it is worth an extra $1k just so it has some extra plastic (which is kinda cheap looking/feeling imho) and an alienware logo, but thats just me
 
I'll second Crion'srecommendation, stay away from Maxtor. Get a Western Digital. As far as tech support it is right here. Everyone here got the heebie jeebies the first time $2500 worth of PC parts was lying on the floor in front of them and realized that the moment of truth had arrived. Just dive in and have at it and there are folks here 24/7. Hell you can email and IM with a lot of members here if you require that level of assistance.
 
interesting that i came across this thread, im in the middle of planning my new build since as an older brother I am "obliged" to get a comp for my younger brother who's starting college soon. I put this system together a while back 3 weeks ago so some of the prices have changed (for the better) but the links still work. There are lots of options and places to look around for you own system build.

enjoy yourself.....its a celebration bitches :D

New Comp 7800DualCore
_____________________________________________
Case
Antec P-160
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811129141
$110.00
http://www.c-source.com/ttechnote.asp?part_no=530333&src=PW
$98.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Motherboard
ASUS A8N-SLI Premium
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131540
$174.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------
RAM
OCZ EL Platinum Revision 2 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146890
$167.99
http://www.directron.com/4001024eldcpek.html
$141.99
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hard Drive
Western Digital Raptor
http://www.adosystems.net/wes74.html
$165.00
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822144160
$166.00
or
Western Digital Caviar SE16 250GB 3.5" Serial ATA II Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144701
$151.00
or
Maxtor DiamondMax 10 250GB 3.5" Serial ATA150 Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144235
$119.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Power Supply
Antec TRUE CONTROL 550W ATX 550W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103922
$110.00
SeaSonic S12-600 600W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817151025
$161.00
OCZ PowerStream 520 Watt Power Supply
http://www.frozencpu.com/psu-89.html
$134.00
Antec TRUE POWER 550W
http://www.frozencpu.com/psu-27.html
$129.00
COOLER MASTER Real Power RS-550-ACLY 550W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817171006
$129.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Video Card
eVga 7800 GTX
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814130234
$599.00
http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=190415&AFFIL=pricewatch&NR=1
$585.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Processor
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Dual-Core
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819103547
$527.00
http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=120233&AFFIL=pricewatch&NR=1
$490.00

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Total
~1787.00
 
for the price of one of their low-end crappy PC's known as the "Bot" I can build someting hella better myself, or if you do not wish to build it yourself, then look to CyberPower and for the price of AlienWare's lowend system, you can build something good. Alienware is not worth the cash, and plus I am also hearing things they do not attend to your PC "Indivuidally" anymore, with the TLC that its supposed to have. They are trying to massproduce like Compaq and HP or something else, so they start to do assembly lines, and when you get an assembly line pc, things start to get screwed up somewhere down the line.
 
Sir-Fragalot said:
Hell I'd build boxes for Forum members that don't want to do it for a 12 pack of beer, (You buy all the parts of course) to ensure no one buys from Alienware. You get ripped on the price. Its as simple as that.
Click to expand...

QFT

Build your own man. Why would you want to speak to customer support (Indians) when you can simply come to the [H] and get answers that will actually solve the problem? If this were a laptop I'd say buy pre-built(Because there aren't really many options for building those), but there isn't any other way for desktops unless you just like to waste money (And if so, I can give you my address; I'll build you one twice as good as any Alienware for $5K).
 
Just to add to this

my system I recently (as in last month built)

A64x2 4200 (510)
DFI LP SLI DR (170)
2GB Corsair TwinX (250)
Gainward 7800GTX (520)
Lian Li V1100B (230)
Antec Truepower 550 (130)
Audigy 2 (170) (got the one with the breakout box)
Zalman CNPS7700cu (50)
LG DVD+-RW (50)

Total - 2080

Add to this the fact that I am gonna buy another 7800 (so add 520) and also install a Swiftech H20-120 TEC water cooling system (550) and so that will be a total of 3150 for a cpu that should hit 2.8-2.9GHZ and SLI 7800GTXs.

That will DESTROY anything Alienware et al have, even for 6K Plus, tech support? Well, you can call the makers of you individual components or just come here, everyone will help you.

Do it yourself mate, its MUCH better.
 
Heres my take and you can PM me if you like. Ive owned two alienware comps. My lasy buy from them was 12/03. That was for my son who is [H]ard into gaming. That comp is an Intel 2.8 HT and runs as fast as the day it was purchased. I upgraded the GPU to a 6800GT last summer. Ive had ABSOLUTELY no problems. My other one is old amd Ive since torn it down for parts. I still use the case and opticals in my gaming box that I built myself(in my sig). Personally I dont think you can go wrong with AW. The ALX models are VERY expensive IMO and maybe not worth it. That said you would really enjoy an Aurora with SLI. If you dont want to build and want the warranties (read the fine print!!) then JUST DO IT. Feel free to PM me. :cool:
 
jebo_4jc said:
I just configured one for $2,550, no monitor. It does come with a 3-yr warranty, though.

How about this from HP.com:

Pavilion d4100e customizable Desktop PC
PX191AV#ABA
  • – Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home Edition with SP2
  • – AMD Athlon(TM) 64 X2 4400+ dual-core - 2.2GHz
  • – 2GB DDR-400MHz dual channel SDRAM (2x1GB)
  • – 160GB 7200 rpm SATA Hard Drive
  • – LightScribe DL 16X DVD+/-R/RW drive
  • – 16X max. DVD-ROM
  • – 9-in-1 Card Reader, 2 USB, and 1 FireWire
  • – None
  • – 128MB DDR ATI Radeon X300 SE with TV-Out
  • – Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS for MS Home or Pro OS
  • – HP Keyboard, HP Scroller Mouse
  • HP vs19c 19" LCD Flat-Panel Monitor
    P8726A7#ABA
$2,184 after $200 mail in rebate. Note that this comes with a 1 year warranty, 19" LCD, and crappy video card, so add a GTX for ~$450, and you're set for ~$2,700
Click to expand...

Hmmm.... Probably still an ECS built mobo underneath it all, and some cheesed power supply that's being overdrawn, and quite potentially proprietary in some fashion. Friends don't let friends buy an HP Pavilion. This machine is like a Yugo with a cammed out small block Chevy under the hood.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top