Alienware Area-51 desktops first to score NVIDIA GTX 280 graphics

NVIDIA just launched its new GeForce GTX 280 graphics cards earlier today, but you know the crazy kids over at Alienware don't like to wait for the latest and greatest -- Dell's gaming division has already announced Area-51 configurations that include the new cards. The Area-51 7500 will support one GTX 280-based card, while the top-of-the-line Area-51 ALX will offer a three-way SLI option that's sure to render an image of your empty wallet in no time -- it's a $1,700 option. No word on when these are scheduled to ship, but seeing as the cards are out tomorrow, we'd guess it'll be soon.

[athousandleaves @ Jun 16th 2008 3:32PM]

He shoots he SCROES!

[athousandleaves @ Jun 16th 2008 3:33PM]

you guys fixed that pretty fast...

[OneLove @ Jun 16th 2008 4:58PM]

with this system everyone will call you a hacker on call of duty 4

[n!ck @ Jun 17th 2008 4:45PM]

you need to lug one of deez around seneca wit chew.

[Steve @ Jun 16th 2008 3:32PM]

Hot.

I like scroe-ing things!

[Thi mam(kris120890) @ Jun 16th 2008 3:34PM]

More like yesterday. Endgadget is so slow lately.

[MastrCake @ Jun 16th 2008 3:36PM]

No... anybody but Alienware! After all, who the hell wants to pay for an ugly, overpriced, not-as-fast-as-a-voodoo-omen piece of machinery?

[Lowest Ranked @ Jun 16th 2008 3:40PM]

Its the only case big enough to put those in.

Unless you want a full-sized server tower.

[Pochi @ Jun 16th 2008 3:52PM]

Hold on... you are saying Alienware is overpriced, then using the OMEN as an alternative?

Come on, dude.

[kjb434 @ Jun 16th 2008 4:09PM]

Most (if not all) nicely equipped computers built by a vendor or a little overpriced.

It's the price you pay to have top of the line at the moment, a warranty, and a name brand.

This same computer could be built for less if done by yourself.

[tridge @ Jun 16th 2008 5:08PM]

They are not ugly, I own 2 laptops and a desktop. I have been a proud AW owner for over 5 years. I love my 3 year warranties, and I love the power and most of all, I love the look.

You try getting as many looks as I get walking into a meeting busting out a green alienware m9700, brings the attention...is it because its ugly? I don't think so...

[fopkins @ Jun 16th 2008 5:17PM]

"is it because its ugly?"

Yes.

[initialxy @ Jun 16th 2008 3:36PM]

funny how on gizmodo they honored HP BlackBird 002 to be the first with GTX 280. and that was posted a few hours ago.

[MUBK @ Jun 16th 2008 3:43PM]

HP BlackBird 002: it was "one of the first"

[Haikibutsu @ Jun 16th 2008 3:43PM]

Gizmodo, eh?

[K @ Jun 16th 2008 3:39PM]

A Mac Pro with this would be cool...

In ten years time.

[Hamidxa @ Jun 16th 2008 3:46PM]

I'll build my own for half the price.

[Lowest Ranked @ Jun 16th 2008 3:57PM]

Hey, I guess someone had to say it.

[tridge @ Jun 16th 2008 5:11PM]

and I'll just purchase a knockoff Gucci purse for my trophy wife...I bet that will work ( I mean hell, whether its a knockoff or not, its still a purse right?)

[jonmacd @ Jun 16th 2008 3:46PM]

ahhh isnt that those new WD velociraptor drives? the top two? you can see the heatsinks on them.. maybe im wrong though

[jonmacd @ Jun 16th 2008 3:49PM]

eg:

http://www.tinhte.com/home/TTData/Image/2008/2008042513_tinhte_western-digital-velociraptor.jpg

[jonmacd @ Jun 16th 2008 3:51PM]

ok i see now on western digital's website that those are already available.. i thought they werent for sale yet.. my bad

[BzowK @ Jun 16th 2008 3:59PM]

SO now I have dual SLI 8900s. Would one 280 be better than what i have?

[makishima @ Jun 16th 2008 4:07PM]

wait for the benchmarks to start coming in from hardware review sites and I'm sure they'll put one up against your configuration or something similar

[GenBanks @ Jun 16th 2008 4:31PM]

It might be about the same depending on what you have (by 8900 I assume you mean 9800). Two of these definitely be faster than what you have.

[kal326 @ Jun 16th 2008 4:21PM]

So you can get brand new 280GTX graphics cards, but you can't get anything higher then a X6850 for a proc on the Area-51 7500? On top of that its a $1,150 up charge from a E8200! I can see where they get the name alienware, there do a lot of probing to their customers.

Granted higher end procs are available on the regular Area 51 SLI rig, but pricing goes up from there.

[Jon @ Jun 16th 2008 4:37PM]

ummm... yeah and Falcon Northwest Mach V offers them today too. Alienware is not the first.... get your facts straight.

[Shadowise @ Jun 16th 2008 4:42PM]

Scan are also offering them up in their 3XS systems.

[Jon @ Jun 16th 2008 4:48PM]

lets see if Alienware's system catches on fire.... and then good luck getting tech support for your BBQ'ed rig.

[Jon Doe. @ Jun 16th 2008 5:13PM]

Meanwhile the craptastic (IMHO of course.) gill design is alive and well *faceplants into keyboard*

[Forrest @ Jun 16th 2008 5:19PM]

"ALX will offer a three-way SLI option that's sure to render an image of your empty wallet in no time"

That made me laugh :D

[Aguiluz @ Jun 16th 2008 7:28PM]

TesT!

[Aguiluz @ Jun 16th 2008 7:28PM]

Phew! I thought I was banned!

[Rambu @ Jun 16th 2008 7:53PM]

I have nothing useful, interesting or even remotely relevant to contribute to this discussion, but please rate my post highly anyway so I can feel good about myself for the rest of the week... I'm happy just to be breathing the same oxygen as the Engadget posse.

[David Van (Cool Prizes Inc.) @ Jun 17th 2008 12:27AM]

lmfao... I can afford 100 of these comps, fully maxed out stats, and still be able to buy a 3million dollar house... :P