Alienware debuts Radeon HD 4870 X2-equipped gaming rigs

Alienware has already stuffed NVIDIA's top-end GTX 280 graphics card into its Area-51 desktop, but if that's not your thing, you can rest assured that company is now offering the high-end comforts of ATI's Radeon HD 4870 X2 as well. That option, which Alienware helpfully reminds us offers 2.4 teraflops of graphics power, is available in the company's Area-51, Area-51 ALX, and Aurora desktops, each of which also offer the even pricier option of dual HD 4870 X2 cards in a CrossFireX configuration. To go for that latter bit of excess, however, you'll also have to bump the power supply up to a full 1,200 watts, although we're guessing that won't be too much of a concern for anyone considering going this route.

[Jubei @ Aug 12th 2008 4:43PM]

For a moment there I thought it was one of those new Sharper Image Ionizer machines. Certainly looks like one. With the gaudy glowing silly lights. I'm sure it can be modified to pulse slowly or blink.

[Arbert @ Aug 12th 2008 4:43PM]

what a stapler. awfully fancies.

[spybreak @ Aug 12th 2008 4:54PM]

Finally, a box with some chrome!

[Decoy @ Aug 12th 2008 8:52PM]

And powered by natural gas.

[bolezhinkov @ Aug 13th 2008 12:01AM]

uhhh . . . most of my staplers just work by hand

[Flashpoint @ Aug 12th 2008 4:45PM]

Very simply, can this computer run CRYSIS on VERY HIGH settings?
If It can, what is the framerate when the action heats up?

Those are the only two questions that need be posed to Alienware, Falcon Northwest or DELL.

[Einhanderkiller @ Aug 12th 2008 4:52PM]

Alienware posted benchmarks on their site.
http://www.alienware.com/microsite/ati/ati-radeon-4800-series.aspx?source=PRE0071

It seems in line with other benchmarks on the web.

[Frankenstein Black @ Aug 12th 2008 5:21PM]

And enough with this tired case design already. Its dated and lame now! Like stuffing a Viper V10 into a Chrysler K car.. Just sayin...

[The Dude @ Aug 12th 2008 4:45PM]

Does any gamer take this brand seriously?

[Dan Halen @ Aug 12th 2008 4:52PM]

About as seriously as the rest of us take "hardcore gamers."

[Flashpoint @ Aug 12th 2008 4:53PM]

Alienware has some of the most aggressive advertising I've ever seen. If anything about them is true, its that, aggressive advertising ALWAYS gets you a good amount of regard from consumers.

Also, consider that the high prices of these computers adds to "percieved value".

[kjb434 @ Aug 12th 2008 5:11PM]

The people that take this brand seriously are the people who can't build there on systems.

You can build similar systems for much less.

Also, Alienware has built reputation for setting the upper end level of the consumer PC market. You can pretty much look at them for what is maximum desktop computer you can presently build.

I just hope that NVidia car doesn't blow up.....

[dBs @ Aug 12th 2008 5:36PM]

I wonder how many engineering hours it took for them to decide to throw those cards into that box. Man, I want that job!

[Dan Halen @ Aug 12th 2008 5:54PM]

Everyone talks about their prices being too high.

They aren't.

See how much building the same system would cost you. Now calculate shipping for all the parts. Now calculate the time you'd need to spend putting it all together by yourself. This includes everything from unboxing components to disposing of their packaging. Cabling it nicely (Alienware can do some really great cabling). The price of the tower that many people (strangely) like.

Sure it'll still be over that base price of an Alienware still, but not by a huge amount. And you also get a warranty (even the shortest one is still a warranty) and you get to save yourself the giant pain in the ass of making it yourself.

But hey, some people like that. Some people have cash are and are willing to drop it to get into their new PC as soon as possible. So, to each his own.

[Decoy @ Aug 12th 2008 6:14PM]

@ Dan Halen

My time is worth less than you can possibly imagine.

I can go and pick up the hardware I need from various outlets all with warranties (a five minute walk from my apartment).

I don't charge myself anything for cabling OR unpacking and disposing of the boxes. Not a thing. Opening the box is gratis. So is recyc.

[Dan Halen @ Aug 12th 2008 6:29PM]

"My time is worth less than you can possibly imagine."

HAHA... yeah, well... like I said. To each his own.

[ralph @ Aug 12th 2008 4:53PM]

I just

[Decoy @ Aug 12th 2008 6:15PM]

came?

[wrabbit @ Aug 13th 2008 3:07PM]

LOL

short, simple, and very funny

[ralph @ Aug 12th 2008 4:54PM]

Sorry that was supposed to say i just farted looking at this, its definitely fartworthy

[WarMouse @ Aug 12th 2008 5:34PM]

I liked your first post better.

[phanbouy @ Aug 12th 2008 5:48PM]

yeah, thought you were saying you'd just ralphed

[white_ultras @ Aug 12th 2008 5:06PM]

What a rig.

Finally something to tame Crysis.

[LC @ Aug 12th 2008 5:07PM]

Not like anyone will buy an Alienware desktop.

That is, unless they feel like spending $3000 more then what it would cost to build.

[Argot @ Aug 12th 2008 5:12PM]

I dunno.. People buy Apples crap...

[Samboini @ Aug 12th 2008 5:14PM]

Assuming they like the physicalities of it. Maybe it's just me, but the whole alien thing just seems overly nerdy and badly designed; i'd be embarrassed if anyone saw me with one.

[Hamidxa @ Aug 12th 2008 5:48PM]

Argot,

Exactly.

The same *type* of people that buy Apple's crap are the same *type* of people that buy Alienware's -- i.e., those who simply don't know any better.

[Eric @ Aug 12th 2008 5:20PM]

New case please?

[David @ Aug 12th 2008 5:16PM]

Same BS case and an extra snapped in card. Wopty dooo on your poo.

[Dee @ Aug 12th 2008 5:58PM]

1,200 watts??? Apparently the "let's go green and use less energy" memo did not cross their attention.

I know the machine would not be using that amount of wattage per second, but can you imagine a PC using 1.2KW a second? I wouldn't want to get that electric bill.

[Skyride @ Aug 12th 2008 7:07PM]

Well theres 2 thing about that.

One, you dont need a 1200watt PSU. Not even. You can run a GTX280 triple SLI system off a 750watt PSU.

This system would be content with a 650.

Also, it will only draw as much power as it needs. If its only needing 200 watts in ideal, the PSU only draws 200 watts.

[btk7800 @ Aug 12th 2008 6:19PM]

The Alienware Swingline X2 doesn't bind up as much. I like to use it when i'm collating.

[Blooper62 @ Aug 12th 2008 7:04PM]

Alienware Area-51 $4,947 free shipping

QX9770 3.2GHz
1200 watt Power supply
Single 4870X2
4GB dual channel DDR3 1066MHz
Vista Premium
Nvidia nForce 790i Ultra SLI Motherboard
3000GB Velociraptor
Dual layer BD reader
Creative X-FI Xtreme Gamer


Custom $3852 shipping factored in

QX9770- $1,459
1200watt powersupply- $200
Single 4870X2- $580
4GB DDR3 RAM- $194
Vista home Premium OEM- $110
EVGA 790i- $360
300GB Velociraptor- $290
BD ROM- $160
Creative X-FI- $106
Lian LI Case $136
Logitech USB keyboard- $18
5 button mouse- $39
Time to organize everything- $200

[Blooper62 @ Aug 12th 2008 7:05PM]

oops

[Skyride @ Aug 12th 2008 7:09PM]

Hey, you made another mistake. Id sure buy that alienware just for that 3TB Velociraptor :D

But thank you for saving me the bother of making that point.

[Abuzar Baloach @ Aug 12th 2008 7:10PM]

Who in their right mind uses a 790i motherboard?

[Blooper62 @ Aug 12th 2008 7:20PM]

I don't see where I put 3TB velociraptor but I put the 790i because that's what is in the Alienware.

[you @ Aug 12th 2008 9:17PM]

you use the 790i for the DDR3

[Abuzar Baloach @ Aug 13th 2008 1:32AM]

Yeah? Why not use a X48 motherboard? Future support for TWO of these cards, MUCH better performance, and MUCH better reliability.

DFI LANPARTY UT X48-T3R

[Blooper62 @ Aug 12th 2008 7:00PM]

Alienware Area-51 $4,947 free shipping

QX9770 3.2GHz
1200 watt Power supply
Single 4870X2
4GB dual channel DDR3 1066MHz
Vista Premium
Nvidia nForce 790i Ultra SLI Motherboard
3000GB Velociraptor
Dual layer BD reader
Creative X-FI Xtreme Gamer


Custom $3852 shipping factored in

QX9770- $1,459
1200watt powersupply- $200
Single 4870X2- $580
4GB DDR3 RAM- $194
Vista home Premium OEM- $110
EVGA 790i- $360
300GB Velociraptor- $290
BD ROM- $160
Creative X-FI- $106
Lian LI Case $136
Logitech USB keyboard- $18
5 button mouse- $39
Time to organize everything- $200

[Abuzar Baloach @ Aug 12th 2008 7:12PM]

Idk man, Alienware DOES give you a 3000GB Velociraptor. That's unique.

[Blooper62 @ Aug 12th 2008 7:21PM]

opps again! I'm just going to stop posting.

[Wormbolt @ Aug 12th 2008 8:01PM]

Someone please put this back on the Buick it fell off of.

[jerry @ Aug 13th 2008 8:16AM]

They can make their machines as pretty and fancy as they like. After the fiasco I had with their tech support and (now) dead laptop that I dropped a bundle on, I will NEVER send another penny their way. Any company that stops supporting a product as soon as the warranty ends, even though you have reported problems with it since day one, does not deserve the business.

Rot in hell, alienware

[Ben @ Aug 21st 2008 7:32AM]

It's interesting to see so many company's (voodoo/alienware) use the 790I systen with crossfire tech,and as for the debate over Intel Vs. Nvidia at the moment the Nvidia motherboard is the only one can run either crossfire or SLI (crossfire via hacked drivers), giving the consumer more options if they want sli down the track they can without buying a new board just swap out the vid cards, and from some of the benches i've had my techs run at my shop with the right setup 790IU can keep up with the Intel chipsets even beat them in single/dual setup, true nvidia are harder to overclock and the main attraction is SLI, but being able to choice either is a nice addition one mobo for all system setups.... as for the case to much plastic a nice silverstone (falcon) or the old Omen (lian li from Voodoo PC) was a nice touch