SLI systems now available from Alienware (Nvidia only)

[Labrador]

A person could equally call someone a "dumb rich bastard" for spending more than $500 on a computer period. It's all about perspective and what you want to do with your money. Maybe someone prefers the cool look and the tech support of Alienware, maybe someone doesnt have the knowledge, time, or connections to build a PC or have one built but still wants a killer pc. These all could be reasons someone might go for alienware over a self built machine.

I just think it's not right. I dont care if you have alot of money and can blow $10,000 on the most kick ass system ever made, thats great, go for it I cant stand the HUGE markup Alienwhore is gouging people, I mean over 50% is fucking crazy.

The great thing about home built system, BESIDES the cheaper price, is you can custom pick every type/brand of equipment put into it

 

[fallguy]

Its not a 50% markup. You need to do some price checking before pulling a number out of the air.

 

[Charles]

I could never justify a 50%+ markup, thats robbery. I feel bad for the newb who will get taken thats buys it. There has to be other shops that would build a newbie a system for alot less than over 50% the cost of the parts ?

watercooling systems can range anywhere from 100-500 bucks. Most likely for something as compact and complete as the alienware system, we'd be talking on the upper end.

So we're talking about approximately a $1500 profit on a $6000 item. I would say that's an acceptable profit margin given that they are guarunteeing this beast will keep on humming for another 3 years in addition to tech support from idiots that will ask tons of stupid questions that take the time of your relatively intelligent and well-paid ($60,000/year) staff?

 

[orvil01]

almost everything you buy has a 300% markup.........look at dells my god are they ungodly expensive for shitty systems.

the 300% comes from my expirence in the resturaunt industry, but im sure almost all industry is about the same.

 

[coz]

I thought SLI required 2 PCI-E 8x-capable slots?

You need two x16 slots for SLi but the second slot can be x8 or x4 PCIe. Here's what the NV Sli FAQ sez..........

What motherboards will work with SLI technology?
SLI technology requires a PCI Express motherboard. Current configurations support motherboards with two x16 physical connectors. The graphics cards plug into these connectors. The cards can work with whatever routing because x16 PCI Express connectors can auto-negotiate down to x8, or x4 electrical.

 

[Jasonx82]

I'm Pretty sure there making more then $1500 on profit... and what kinda Watercooling costs 500? Im new to watercooling but 500? the most ive seen is 300range or like 900 for Vapochill and thats not watercooling

watercooling systems can range anywhere from 100-500 bucks. Most likely for something as compact and complete as the alienware system, we'd be talking on the upper end.

So we're talking about approximately a $1500 profit on a $6000 item. I would say that's an acceptable profit margin given that they are guarunteeing this beast will keep on humming for another 3 years in addition to tech support from idiots that will ask tons of stupid questions that take the time of your relatively intelligent and well-paid ($60,000/year) staff?

 

[Jasonx82]

Im not sure but shouldnt the Cost of the Case cover the cost of the cooling kit since its built in? Cuz I think there is a reason why the case is 400-500.00

Here's some information - just for the record...

From Alienware.com -

SLI-Ready System Board
The foundation of the Area-51 ALX with SLI technology is Alienware’s exclusive X2 motherboard. X2 is a high-powered system board that enables dual PCI Express graphics cards by featuring two PCI-e x16 connectors.

Some items that are factored in to the cost -

Extras and More Extras
Area-51 ALX systems offer the most unique out-of-box experience in the industry. Each system includes an aluminum briefcase filled with unique ALX accessories including a key chain, executive notepad, personalized ID card, and other surprises.

ALX Facility Tour
Area-51 ALX customers receive the ultimate VIP pass to tour the private Alienware facilities where each ALX machine is hand-built, performance-enhanced, and thoroughly tested.

And here is a more accurate Do-It-Yourself price quote (prices by pricewatch / components that match Alienware configuration -

Custom Case - $500 (Check eBay sometime, the normal Alienware cases go for $350-400)

Water Cooling - ?? (I'm not sure of the cost for all that is needed...)

PC Power & Cooling 510 Deluxe PSU - $179

Intel® Xeon™ Processor 2.8GHz - $227

SUPERMICRO X6DA8-G (Quoted earlier in thread, apparently the closest match) - $484

1GB Dual Channel DDR2 RAM (2x512) - $395

2x74GB Raptor - $336

NEC® ND-3500 16x Dual Layer DVD±R/W Recorder - $70

Plextor® PlexWriter Premium 52x32x52x CD-RW Drive - $79

Audigy 2 ZS High Definition 7.1 - $84

2x6800 Ultra PCI-e (unable to locate price) est. $600x2 = $1200

Windows XP - $100

"My cost" vs Alienware cost = $3654 vs $5,488

Note: "My cost" does not include the water cooling equipment or assembly+burn in!!!


Alienware's margin is still close to 2k... but you also must understand, experienced builders and modders are probably not going to seek out a pre-built system. So for "n00bs" and general consumers who want the latest and greatest, all delivered direct to their door, with 3 year warranty, and exclusivity... I think its a reasonable price to pay.

 

[Jasonx82]

If i had an unlimited budget and bought all the parts I wanted it still wouldnt hit that Alienware ALX mark!! I wonder what computer would be faster

FX55 - 900
Nforce4 SLI- 200
OCZ 2-2-2Rev2 PT 1gig - 280
2x6800Ultra - 1200
WD Raptor - 160
Vapochill - 900
Cooler Master - 160
Audigy 2ZS - 85
NEC 16x DVDRW - 75
Plextor 52x CDRW - 70
PC Power Cooling PS - 140
Windows XP 150

Ships around same time as ALX and it costs$4320.00 Cheaper too!

 

[Wayfare]

If people will pay it, who are you to say that they are charging too much?

This is a luxury item, not medicine. If they made more profit charging $10,000 / system, they would do it, and I would applaud.

However, I think this system, along with most systems like it, is significant overkill.

 

[Trepidati0n]

LABOR + Warranty + Profit. Just so you know...alienware needs to pay their staff, pay for the building, pay for advertising, pay for medical & dental, 401k, people stealing stuff, etc etc...you get the drift.

If you started your own company....AW prices are not much higher than I would expect them to be from that type of company.

-tReP

 

[Jasonx82]

Nothing wrong with them making profit its a business, We're just talking about how its expensive (well I am) and how we can put together something better for less

 

[MeanieMan]

This isn't a special alienware-exclusive sli technology motherboard, those were supposed to work with both nvidia and ati cards. This appears to be a regular SLI motherboard that only works with Nvidia cards, the same you will see on newegg and everywhere else in the coming months - perhaps Alienware abandoned their technology after Nvidia basically released something that was faster than theirs and cheaper for Alienware to implement?

Why would Alienware still bother to develop their technology now that Nvidia has released faster technology that Alienware doesn't need to engineer, write drivers/firmware, etc for?

The motherboard Alienware is advertising is the X2. The motherboard that was supposed to be limited to just Alienware's dual video card solution. Its based off intel's dual pci-express board since it was the only board out at the time; so the price is crazy. Of course that was when Alienware was the only company with a dual-video card solution. They are using the X2 here not for price or performance, but because its the only board they have a butt load of that they need to get rid of.
Nelson has mentioned before that the SLI and Alienware solutions would be offered side by side, but I don't know why it is taking Alienware so long to get to market. There are already so many aspects of the X2 that are outdated.