Alienware: Worth it or not?

If you have ever in your life plugged in a lamp, inserted a video game cartridge in a video game console, and also ever tightened a screw using a screwdriver you can follow Father Xmas' directions to make your own gaming rig.

Seriously.. it is very easy.

Somethings plug into a socket, like a lamp, TV or Blender.
Others slide into a slot, like an old Atari cartridge.
Also, you need to use a screwdriver.

You can do it.

Yeah, but it's not all THAT easy. I think the biggest stumbling block would be mounting the CPU heatsink. Definitely not as simple as plugging in a lamp.

Running into a stumbling block with Mwave in that their $80 flat fee only includes installation of a stock cooler, so I guess that wouldn't include the Arctic Silver compound and CoolerMaster cooling fan on Father Xmas' high-end build. But I'm wondering if the CPU that I had to sub in for the out-of-stock CPU recommended by Father Xmas really needs that extra cooling, or if the stock cooler will do.

I just got this from friend and thought, "How is this not everything I need?"

http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0354874

Only thing that leaps out at me is the 500W power supply seems a little low, but that's just my gut feel talking, not any real knowledge on my part.

I don't do much with DVDs, so the fact that the DVD-RW is only 22x doesn't bother me.

Any glaring holes? I work pretty close to a Microcenter store so I could pick this up today if I wanted (and assuming they have any left).

With 36A at 12 volts or 432 watts available at 12 volts I don't see that as a real problem.

My main problem with this is first, no brand names. Whose 64GB SSD? Whose P67 motherboard (looks likes Intel's, they aren't best known for overclockability options in their BIOS)?

Then there's the RAID 0. I hate RAID 0. The good news is since the array is meant to be the data drive, you can unRAID it and simply have two 1GB hard drives.

Lastly the Crossfire pair of HD 5750s. Together they average out in popular gaming benchmarks, actual and synthetic, around 5-10% faster than an HD 5850, still slower than an HD 5870. Of course these are in games where Crossfire works well. I don't know how well Crossfire works with CoH/V/GR(/EIEIO ). If it doesn't, you will be stuck with a single HD 5750 driving things.

So you have plenty of CPU power, lots of RAM, the OS on the SSD. Downside is potentially sub par video performance.

Okay, scrap the MicroCenter deal.

I've got a wish list put together on NewEgg with my latest proposed build, but I'm not seeing it in their "Public Wish Lists" section? How long does it take them to refresh that section? Do they only do it once a day? (I'm not seeing anything from 1/11, and it's already 1/11.)

Easiest thing to do is the following.

1) Bring up your private wish list.
2) Bring up one of my public ones.
3) Substitute the wish list number in mine with yours.

Poof, now you have a public link for a private wish list that isn't public, yet or ever.

I'm out of the loop when it comes to PC parts these days, but I used to build 'em and fix 'em (and, for a while, network them at a .com) ages ago for a living.

The big things for me are having a high quality, roomy case to work in (especially for your first build) ... and a power supply that's not going to go BZZZZT! and melt your motherboard in a year. Everything else is details. If you end up upgrading down the road, or find out just like futzing with your rig, you'll appreciate not having to get a new PSU to keep up with your new toy's beefier power demands. And you'll definitely appreciate having a roomy case to work in (trying to seat cables with pliers or tweezers 'cause you're fingers won't fit in the case sucks).

I really like this case, but it's spendy. I just rebuilt my PC in it this afternoon with this case, and I gotta say ... lots of nice touches. The motherboard mounts were in place and ready to go; no sharp / jagged edges (seriously nasty -- cases get dusty, dust leads to dry skin, dry skin on jagged metal results in bleeding); superb cable handling; easy access behind the CPU (good if you're using warranty-voiding cooling options); roomy; superb air flow; easy access to the front fan's filter (see comment about dust, above); toolless drive mounting (except for notebook drives / SSDs).

I love my PC Power and Cooling PSU -- rock solid for 2+ years, but, again, it was spendy.

Good luck

That is a lovely case. Nice and wide with those wonderful cable routing holes lined with rubber grommets and integrated case fan controller. Big gaping hole behind the CPU so you can install a big CPU heat sink after you install the motherboard. Even has a USB 3.0 front port. Yes the downside is the cost of $160. Still cheaper than some of the more extreme looking cases or high end gaming cases.

PC Power and Cooling just introduced some new mid range PSUs at CES last week. They're currently owned by OCZ who has their own PSU line as well.

In case anyone wants to chip in on my latest parts list, I've got a new thread at:

http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=250119

The original Alienware team is now working under the name of "Origin PC." I have one right now (because I got tired of building laptops > > ), and it is... god in a box, pretty much.


Outstanding customer service; truly, my operator went above and beyond his duty and made me feel very valued.

Recommended.