Alienware loading Area-51 ALX with overclocked, quad core QX6700
By Evan Blass 
posted Mar 22nd 2007 2:05PM
posted Mar 22nd 2007 2:05PM
posted Mar 22nd 2007 2:05PM
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Hardcore gamers won't touch Alienware with a ten foot pole. If you don't know how to build your own hardware you're not a "hardcore gamer" you're just some guy who plays games.
There's more to being a gamer than playing games. For the record, people who only play MMORPGs and The Sims don't count either.
Okay, I'm a PC gamer and have as much need for lots of power under the hood as anyone else. I've been building my own gaming PCs since 1990, and I always use the playability of the newest games as an excuse to upgrade my PC with an expected 2-3 years before upgrading again. But is there any reason to buy such a beast OTHER than ego and bragging rights?
I've NEVER understood those people who insist on paying $5,000+ for a gaming rig that is far, far more powerful than necessary when a sub-$1,500 self-built PC can be more than adequate for the newest games. And then later on when it comes time to upgrade again, that once-$5,000 PC can be built for sub-$1,500. You can't tell me that the alien case justifies it.
It seems to me that buying systems like this is a "more money than sense" scenario, but obviously people are buying these types of systems. I'm interested to hear others' opinions about it.
John B, you are absolutely right. Its “fool’s gold” I tell ya!
At least until Crysis starts bring old rigs to their knees ;^)...
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Frank Black a.k.a LDM
Water-bending Master
http://www.eternal-champions.com/images/ldm_master_builder!.jpg
You forgot that people are idiots. There are people out there who will spend $2,500 on a non-upgradable computer, just because it's white, "pretty" and has a piece of fruit on it.
the read links doesn't work
hmm...alienware seems to be a few months behind other companies, such as Gateway...we have had those 3.2ghz overclocked processors for the last few months...and doesnt dell have some overclocked too?
Like the first commenter stated, Dellaware is late to the game on this one. Real boutique PC makers like Velocity Micro have been doing this for a few months:
http://www.velocitymicro.com/wizard.php?iid=75
Why is this gadget news? Some boutique computer company has an overpriced shiny toy. They all do. The news would come if they found out that Alienware was really made by aliens. As this is, it's just a PR piece.
That's pathetic, I can overclock it to that using the standard CPU cooler and it's just as stable as it is at 2.66 Ghz.
Guess what.. I got my desktop (with 1.15 TB, 2GB RAM, 8800 GTX) for well under $4,000.
Who needs Alienware anyway?
I can overclock my QX6700 to 3.2 Ghz using the standard CPU cooler, and my PC was 1/2 the price of that thing, yet has better specs.
Alienware = overpriced crap
Does this play FSX at full resulution with all option switched on? I heard nobody can....
@Frankenstein Black,
I've been getting the specs to build a new system. Through NewEgg, an Athlon X2 5000+, AM2 motherboard, 2 GB RAM, 8800GTX, respectable case, VISTA Home Premium, and hard drives still can be done for less than $1,500 in a non-SLI format, or less than $2,000 in an SLI format.
Nope, you've failed to convince me that the ego-machine with the goofy eyes is worth the cost, even for self-righteous bragging rights and the ability to run Crysis. ;)
I wouldn't dismiss them as over-priced crap. Not all Alienware PCs are that way. I've had an Aurora for 3 years that has been running 24x7. I've only had to replace the cpu fan and heatsink... that's it. I abuse the crap out of it and have dual booted every os imaginable including some alpha builds while keeping the original os intact. The computer has not failed. Granted it's showing its age as it's now over 3 years old. They are expensive and, yes, they do cost more that if you were to do it yourself, but for some time is money and the time it takes to source the parts and build it the right way without any wires showing can start to add up. At the time I replaced my monitor and speakers as well and paid about $2900 shipped. I have build hundreds of PCs for work and fun, but when I needed this one I just didn't have the time to put one together so essentially I paid somebody else to do it and got a warranty with it to boot.
That's a pretty fucking good case. I don't know if it's worth five dollars but it's pretty fucking good.
Dell's actually had the H2C overclocked quad core for a long time. i'd say the alienware is really just a pretty clone (and given Dell's ownership, legal) of that. What's important here is that it's factory overclocked to 3.2 ghz: I've read reviews of the Dell H2C being pushed to 3.6 ghz. You'll almost always pay a premium for a premade system compared to something built yourself.