Alienware Computer Area 51, X-58

[Wizer]

I am considering purchase of the subject computer as a gift to myself.  I am anticipating purchasing it with its basic configuration; although I may upgrade the graphics card and upgrade to a Killer K1 ethernet card.  Is there anyone out there using an Alienware Computer and what are your recommendations?

[TilDeath]

Way to expensive for what you get.  They do use the same parts you get from newegg, microcenter or other distributors.  Your paying for the Alienware name.... and they are WAY OUT OF LINE for their boutique machines almost 200% more then they should cost.  Which flavor of the 51 are you looking at, since from their site they are not showing an x58 i7 release.  In addition eVGA has just released their new x58 board which is the first x58 chipset to do tri SLI at 16X x 3 instead of 16 x8 x8.  They have a special going on buy the board and a video get x dollars off buy board and 2 video cards get x off but board and 3 and get x dollars.  I ordered 5 of these board and 3 cards its such a good deal.  With the x58 boards the memory is VERY VERY important since it is not controlled by the processor.  Timings and voltages have more to do with system performance now then before when you could send X volts to processor and y volts to memory.  Now since the i7 processors max at 1.65 volts you cant just crank away at the memory.  Let me know if I can assist anymore. 

[wabbit]

As a tech, I fully agree with Tildeath...

Don't waste your money on alienware products!



Wabbit

[BaldEagl]

Any time you move toward higher end equipment you'll spend a third to a half less by building it yourself.  Consider whether that's worth 4 hours of your time (3 hours assembly and an hour installing/updating the OS).

I wish I made $250/hr. (or more).

[TilDeath]

As a system builder and boutique system builder.  I can build the same as the Alienware for you (without the funny case) a system that will perform equal or actually better then an Alien system mainly because we built and push each system, meaning even though you get a processor that processor might run better at a little less or slightly higher voltage then the same processor but a different stamping.  Let me know.

TD

[Fulmar]

upgrade to a Killer K1 ethernet card.

The Killers NICs are the biggest loads of ##@! on the market.  In theory it's an interesting idea, but a $150 NIC card isn't going to solve your ISP's internet backbone.

[Wizer]

Thanks for all of the replies.  The information was extremely useful in helping me make a decision.  I decided to invest in a sony Bravia big screen tv instead