Alienware gets in the Core i7 game with Area-51 X-58 desktop

Now that Intel's mighty Core i7 is all out in the open, it's no shock to see a wave of gaming rigs come along boasting said chip. Following in the footsteps of Dell and Gateway comes Alienware with the Area-51 X-58 -- a beast that's a leap above (in terms of power and price) the recently revealed Area-51 750i. Serious gamers can select from the Core i7 920 (2.66GHz), 940 (2.93GHz) or Core i7 Extreme (3.2GHz) along with dual gigabit Ethernet jacks, one or two 2GB ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2s, up to 2TB of HDD space, an optional dual-layer Blu-ray burner and the usual complement of ports. The sky's the limit once you really start speccing it out, but the ball gets rolling at "just" $1,649.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Update: Alienware also introduced the even more robust ALX X-58, which starts at $3,699. Full release after the break.

DELL GAMING LAUNCHES THREE ALL-NEW SYSTEMS FEATURING INTEL® CORE™ i7 AND CORE i7 EXTREME PROCESSORS

· Alienware Area-51® X-58 – Starting at $1,649
· Alienware Area-51® ALX X-58 – Starting at $3,699
· Dell XPS 730x – Starting at $1,999
Miami – Nov. 17, 2008 – Dell Gaming brings unprecedented speed and performance with the launch of the Intel® Core™ i7, offering users the world's most powerful processors on three all-new extreme gaming desktops; the Alienware Area-51® X-58, Alienware Area-51 ALX X-58 and the Dell XPS 730x. By incorporating Intel's breakthrough new microarchitecture into these three dynamic systems, Dell Gaming delivers a revolutionary leap in in-game performance. The Intel Core i7 processor generates a greater number of instructions per clock cycle, enhancing the systems' simultaneous processing capabilities. This translates into improved physics, greater environmental interactivity, more intelligent AI and an overall boost in the immersive, real-to-life experience hardcore gamers demand.

The News
· Available today at www.alienware.com/X58 and www.dell.com/gaming, the Alienware Area-51 X-58 and ALX X-58 feature up to 12GB of triple channel DDR3 memory, while the XPS 730x offers up to 6GB. All three systems utilize the all-new Intel QuickPath Architecture to speed up communication between the processor and components throughout the systems. This delivers faster load times between game levels without sacrificing background applications such as game utility packages, surfing the Net or downloading movies and music. With a performance increase of over 20 percent compared to the previous generation platform, Intel Core i7 processors help these rigs crank out maximum benchmarks at peak game settings.
· In addition to this aggressive performance, the Area-51 X-58, Area-51 ALX X-58 and XPS 730x feature Dell Gaming exclusives such as:
o Alienware AlienFX® customizable lighting controls: Allows gamers to customize the system looks with software-controlled multi-zone lighting. Includes event-driven activities, like changing automatically when programs are launched or email is received.
o Alienware Command Center: Advanced user controls in a centralized, user- friendly access port for exclusive applications such as AlienFX® lighting, AlienFusion power management, and AlienSense facial recognition security features. (Alienware Only)
o XPS internal theater lighting for "under the hood" activities: a series of battery powered LEDs automatically light the interior when the side panel is removed. (XPS Only)
o Dell Gaming's bold, signature case designs, giving gamers maximum customization and an intense, immersive user experience.
· Gaming enthusiasts will be able configure Dell gaming systems to meet their unique specification with options like:
o Air-cooled or AlienIce™ or H2C high-performance cooled CPUs and chipsets
o Video card solutions from both ATI and NVIDIA, and all systems are ATI CrossfireX™ and NVIDIA SLI-ready.
o Multiple single and dual hard drive options, with support for RAID 1, 0, and 1+0 (up to 2TB on XPS, 4TB on Alienware).
o Choice of 750, 1000, 1200-watt power supply (Alienware only)
With Intel Core i7 processors, you get the advantage of:
· Intel 45nm Technology – delivers higher speeds, enhanced efficiency and improved thermal management
· Intel QuickPath Architecture – utilizes an on-board memory controller to move beyond the capabilities of the FSB and enjoy the full benefits of multi-core and microarchitecture-based CPUs
· Intel Hyper-Threading – enables Windows to deliver eight-threaded performance capability on four cores
· 64-Bit OS Ready – processes double the information of 32-bit-based systems, increasing responsiveness and maximizing your hardware's potential
· Intel Turbo Mode – shifts the processor into a higher gear for mind-blowing performance without a heat penalty
The Quotes
"By incorporating the revolutionary capabilities of Intel Core i7 and Core i7 Extreme Edition processors into the Alienware and XPS lines of gaming systems, Dell Gaming continues to lead the industry in delivering performance levels and in-game benchmarks that shatter all previously perceived limitations," says Arthur Lewis, head of Dell gaming group.

"Intel Core i7 processors represent the next stage in the evolution of desktop performance," says Doug Parker, Intel's Director of Marketing for America's Sales and Marketing Group. "By combining this dramatic technology with the expert engineering of Alienware and XPS systems, Intel and Dell are redefining gamers' expectations for power and efficiency."
For more information on Intel Core i7 processors in Alienware and XPS systems, please visit: www.alienware.com/X58 and www.dell.com/gaming.

[Leo @ Nov 17th 2008 5:47PM]

My roommate: "Dude that kind of looks like a giant stapler"
CANNOT UNSEE

[loocas @ Nov 17th 2008 5:53PM]

Me wants one of these giant staplers!

[web2.oh @ Nov 17th 2008 5:56PM]

Hahahaha, someone needs to slap some Alienware stickers and blue LEDs on one of those electric staplers. EXTREME STAPLING!

[BlurMagic @ Nov 17th 2008 6:16PM]

I work in the copier industry and we have electric staplers...
Annnnnd needless to say, they look exactly like that.
Minus the LED's.
But we could fix that.

BlurMagic frontpage Engadget electric staple hack/mod?

[JStro @ Nov 17th 2008 8:48PM]

They should paint one red with a Swingline logo and call it the Milton model.

[Shawn @ Nov 17th 2008 10:28PM]

Your roommate is right
It does look like a stapler
He is observant

[ProjecT TimeZ @ Nov 17th 2008 5:49PM]

Oh....shit.
Things that throw me off:
1. Alienware...seriously...
2. Price....are you fucking kidding me?
3. Design....That looks something like...oh christ... Are they serious?

[Jeff P. @ Nov 17th 2008 11:22PM]

Amen. Those things are the ugliest computers that I've ever seen.

[Reader @ Nov 17th 2008 11:48PM]

There Porsche approach to PC cases really doesn't work for them, they need to at least have a second line with the same specs but a new design.

[Reader @ Nov 17th 2008 11:51PM]

their* :(

[Chris Are @ Nov 17th 2008 5:50PM]

wow.

[mirakutea @ Nov 17th 2008 5:51PM]

And you can BYO for much less $$$, your just paying for the shiny cases.

[Boards of Canada @ Nov 17th 2008 5:58PM]

its a mac??

[Hung @ Nov 17th 2008 8:23PM]

Are you kidding me? Check out the customization!

They even let you choose what SIZE CURSOR you want! SERIOUSLY!




Seriously.

[gonintendo @ Nov 17th 2008 5:56PM]

Why do you need 2 Ethernet jacks?

[Gabe @ Nov 17th 2008 5:58PM]

For DOUBLE the awesome, duh!

[gonintendo @ Nov 17th 2008 6:02PM]

like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGSxuPAGyL8

[Pretol @ Nov 17th 2008 11:07PM]

The mentality of high caliber gamer (that'd be buying this gaming stapler) is that he/she will be playing two different games on two different internets.

[Shinigami @ Nov 18th 2008 2:12AM]

1. You connect to internet through an ethernet jack and other PCs connect to your PC through the second jack and you decide who gets internet other than your main PC.
2. One jack for internet, another for any ethernet-connected device.
3. Its uber cool, dude!

[Oli D @ Nov 18th 2008 2:39AM]

its called alienware, who ever said they'd be pretty>

[Inane_Asylum @ Nov 17th 2008 6:01PM]

Awesome! I can't wait to talk to those wonderful customer service and tech support people I can barely understand except when they're telling me that there's nothing wrong with their products, and it must be some fault of mine. I look forward to the opportunity of plunking another entire paycheck on another giant, moderately-shiny paperweight.

[Jack H @ Nov 17th 2008 7:15PM]

and it is all Dells fault
what a shame.......

[Valicore @ Nov 17th 2008 10:44PM]

Paperweight? It was my understanding from a previous discussion that this was a stapler!?!?!

[Chris @ Nov 17th 2008 6:41PM]

Should I be regreting my q9550 now?

[The Walrus @ Nov 17th 2008 6:49PM]

Nope, it still performs just as good as it did before the i7 CPUs were released

[Zal @ Nov 17th 2008 6:49PM]

Yep.

[Shinigami @ Nov 18th 2008 2:13AM]

You should be happy. You didn't spend $$$ for 3% speed increase.

[Mobius_1 @ Nov 17th 2008 6:51PM]

I suppose 12 year olds would probably find this "cool". Unfortunately they are probably not able to afford such computers ;)

Seriously, make a decent, classy case, please.

[The Walrus @ Nov 17th 2008 6:53PM]

I do believe you mean fortunately

[BlurMagic @ Nov 17th 2008 6:59PM]

@ Mobius

Yeah. reread what your wrote. Then wish Engadget had a delete comment button.

The never comment again. Ever.

[MioTheGreat @ Nov 17th 2008 7:13PM]

>Seriously, make a decent, classy case, please.

They're Alienware, not Lian Li.

[Jack H @ Nov 17th 2008 7:22PM]

| Facepalm |
dude, just dont
Im 13 and i have a $1200 computer, a $700 computer, and many of my freinds have $1000+ computers
i know i bought all my computer stuff with my own money too
and yes, Alienwares do look cool
and no, dont make a decent, classy case because it is Alienware- they are gaudy, but people like it
Try to find me a decent gaming computer without a tacky case (Not incl VooDoo- they suck)

[The Walrus @ Nov 17th 2008 7:31PM]

@Jack
newegg.com, I heard they have some alright computers brosef

[Jack H @ Nov 17th 2008 7:35PM]

i was just trying to prove a point

[nikster @ Nov 17th 2008 8:24PM]

Here is Alienware's problem: The average gamer is 30 - 35 years old.

Jack H I never thought any self-respecting 13 year old would find this design cool but then what do I know.

[kr @ Nov 17th 2008 9:12PM]

Oh BlurMagic, you made my day.

Not only did you make fun of him for misspelling something and then misspell "then" in your own comment, but The Walrus wasn't even saying he misspelled anything, he was making a joke about how it is good if 12 year olds cannot afford these computers.

[Valicore @ Nov 17th 2008 10:47PM]

Just out of curiosity, where'd you get the money that is yours? And I actually don't think most 12 or 13 year-olds would find this very wonderful.

[Reader @ Nov 17th 2008 11:55PM]

"i know i bought all my computer stuff with my own money too"

You mean your parents money you get for doing chores kids should have to do anyway? Or are you one of the types that get 20 bucks a week for allowance, I always hated those kids.

[BlurMagic @ Nov 18th 2008 12:23AM]

hey KR.

Inside joke.

Douche

[Jack H @ Nov 18th 2008 6:56PM]

actually, i do a hell of a lot of stuff and ive been saving for a long, long time. Most kids dont cook nightly, do they???? And i not only do not get paid $20/week, rather nothing if i dont cook or do anything else.

i like how the walrus is prolly one of the people i mentioned with a $1000+ laptop at 13

[LonnieDvD @ Nov 17th 2008 7:32PM]

This is why I gave up on PC gaming, in order to enjoy new PC games at max settings, you need to spend a ton of $$$ on upgrades every six months. That, or spend thousands on a new gaming PC. I wonder how Alienware is doing in this tough economy. I can't imaging they are getting many orders for their $5,000 gaming PC's.

[Jack H @ Nov 17th 2008 7:41PM]

well, considering that the Aurora and the Area-51 750i desktops and the m15x, M17, and the 9750 laptops are priced the same as.......for example, MacBooks, they have no reason to be doing bad

[Rotaryfan @ Nov 17th 2008 11:36PM]

I can't imagine that they are doing significantly worse. the people that hurt the most are those whose money is their house. those people do not ordinarily buy boutique computers. The bulk of these I bet go to the kids of people earning half a million/year (You're probably an exception, jack). for those people, this turns into getting a $5k computer instead of a $10k computer. poor lads can't get their crysis frame rates past 50. They must cry at night over their 10fps defficiency. may god ease their pain.

[Ruben @ Nov 17th 2008 8:58PM]

If you think you have to pay this kind of money for a decent gaming PC, then you were never a PC gamer.

A PC that can play most (if not all) games at resolutions your monitor supports costs around 800 bucks, and will last about a year before you have to replace the video card, which should cost you about 200+ in a year.

This is excessive. Every PC gamer knows that, but you are not one, are you?

[Ruben @ Nov 17th 2008 8:58PM]

If you think you have to pay this kind of money for a decent gaming PC, then you were never a PC gamer.

A PC that can play most (if not all) games at resolutions your monitor supports costs around 800 bucks, and will last about a year before you have to replace the video card, which should cost you about 200+ in a year.

This is excessive. Every PC gamer knows that, but you are not one, are you?

[blai @ Nov 17th 2008 9:03PM]

still using my 3 year old 2.4 ghz p4 desktop with a 7600gs oc video card with 2gb of ram for gaming. granted, at lower resolutions. who says u need to upgrade every 6 months? i'm upgrading in 8 months when the i7s have been out for awhile and prices on everything else will plummet.

[spam_free @ Nov 17th 2008 8:36PM]

I thought this case design stopped being "cutting edge" back in the late 90s. So does it qualify as a "classic" design now? Personally, I don't like so many neons and/or LEDs distracting me when I do any sort of serious gaming, which I suppose what this rig is meant for. But then again, I mostly game on the Wii these days.

[Oli D @ Nov 18th 2008 2:44AM]

Youve won a free Viagra make your penis larger!

Call 0207668232 to claim your prize jet!

Calls cost only $1 (a second) and your handset is covered in glue, so that once you pick up, you can put down.

[CraigJ @ Nov 17th 2008 10:08PM]

Other than laptops, I don't really care all that much what the box under my desk looks like. It's what's on the inside that counts, at least that's what my mom used to tell me...

[Reader @ Nov 17th 2008 11:57PM]

Sadly all of our moms were wrong.