Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: ariansworld on July 17, 2007, 08:55:57 PM
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Alienware computers
Are they worth it?
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Not really.
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I have done some research and asked some in this community and have found you can get a much better deal.
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Over priced ifluff'n ya ask me.
Also they got in trouble last year because they refused to send any more systems to one of the more popular hardware review sites, after the site gave one of their systems a poor review, (they said it was overpriced also...). The site actually had copies of the letter, that stated, the reason for refusing further systems. Not a company I'd wanna do business with.
If you do some searching on the net, you should be able to find the article about that incident and other reviews of their systems.
As a tech, I'd recommend building, (if you're technical enough), your own system, or finding a reputable tech to build it for ya.
Asus has a new mtb, called the P5b, that is looking very promising as a game/multimedia mtb, although it's so new I haven't found any reviews on it yet. They also have another, the P5k that does have some reviews. Here's one review on it:
http://www.techspot.com/reviews-mainboards.shtml
Hope this helps
Wabbit
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Alienware was also bought by Dell.
'nuff said.
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Originally posted by OOZ662
Alienware was also bought by Dell.
'nuff said.
"Dude, you're wasting your money"
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I bought an Alienware once, years ago. They are the reason I started building my own. They tried to renig on my on-site warranty till I promised them an on-site lawsuit.;)
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Well it looks like I will be building my system then.
I am looking to build around conroe
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I'd buy a Falcon NW (http://www.falcon-nw.com) or GamePC (http://www.gamepc.com) system before I bought an Alienware rig. It's great to build your own, but if you don't want to dedicate the time, there's other viable options out there.
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Originally posted by wabbit
Over priced ifluff'n ya ask me.
Also they got in trouble last year because they refused to send any more systems to one of the more popular hardware review sites, after the site gave one of their systems a poor review, (they said it was overpriced also...). The site actually had copies of the letter, that stated, the reason for refusing further systems. Not a company I'd wanna do business with.
If you do some searching on the net, you should be able to find the article about that incident and other reviews of their systems.
As a tech, I'd recommend building, (if you're technical enough), your own system, or finding a reputable tech to build it for ya.
Asus has a new mtb, called the P5b, that is looking very promising as a game/multimedia mtb, although it's so new I haven't found any reviews on it yet. They also have another, the P5k that does have some reviews. Here's one review on it:
http://www.techspot.com/reviews-mainboards.shtml
Hope this helps
Wabbit
I've got a P5K-E in my box, great MB....well worth the bucks IMO.
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Building your own computer is definitely the way forward - particularly if you already have a system from which you can recycle monitors, keyboards, CD/DVD drives etc. Its really not difficult.
Also, you find that once you start, you'll no longer be replacing systems every couple of years. Instead you'll have system that evolves over time with individual components being replaced as they become older (or you push that OC just a wee bit too far :D ).
System building can become an expensive addiction.
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There is NOTHING SPECIAL about an Alienware computer. NOTHING!!!!!!
It isn't like they're making computers out of gold, platinum, and diamonds, you know.
They're just getting a top-flight motherboard (usually ASUS), a good CPU with a good cooler, a good hard drive, a good, name-brand video card, a good case, and good RAM, and then getting a trained monkey to screw it all together, and they then cross their fingers that you won't find a problem with the workmanship.
And they charge you two to three times the cost of you doing it yourself by buying all the parts at Newegg.com. Seriously.
Alienware computers are for people with more money than brains. 'Nuff said.
-Llama
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bought my wife an alienware laptop. it was the cheapest model they had which in theory should be more efficient with battery usage.
things a pice of crap they put one fan on it and put it underneath where it gets no circulation if the laptop is on your lap.
never again will I waste money on alienware.
I have had an ABS PC that was top of the line and well priced when I bought it and its been through hell and back and still runs fine. I am considering buying another one from them if I don't build it myself.
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Originally posted by ariansworld
Alienware computers
Are they worth it?
NOPE
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I guess I'm the odd man out here but I love my Alienware system. I preferred to have support instead of figuring software vs hardware issues out on my own. I have built 2 systems and still have them. I just don't have the time or desire to do it again. I needed a system capable of running a lot of graphics and video.
I purchased the Area 51 ALX LOADED. The SLI performance is really great. At the end of the day I spent about 6500 w/out a monitor. I use 3 Samsung DTV LN-R238W 23 inch monitors. Yes, I know, I am a real sucker for bells and whistles but, it does everything they claim and with the multi monitor capability on duel 7950 GTX 1 gig cards, life is sweeeet.
I did have a video card failure but they sent a tech to my home, replaced the card, and had me back in service in two days. I did purchase the three year in home service pac. I have read some post from some pretty angry people that also have purchased Alienware systems but I can find that with every manufacture out there.
I am sure you could build this system for maybe half, maybe a little more but I am not up to speed on duel processors, duel video cards. BTW, I play Aces High with every video option maxed out. I average about 140-160 FPS. Divide in half because of the duel cards (each one running half the monitor screen) Anyway, thats my two cents worth. I agree that I might have more money than brains but it wouldn't take much. Thats what my wife will tell you.
I love technology but don't have the time to babysit it. Happy hunting on your new system.
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Originally posted by COndor06
I average about 140-160 FPS. Divide in half because of the duel cards (each one running half the monitor screen).
Sorry, SLI and SLI with multi monitors doesn't necessarily double your your FPS. You'd probably get around 100 FPS (guesstimate) on one card with 1 monitor.
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I don't fly with multiple monitors as the game doesn't support it. Instead of three different views you get one cockpit spread across three screens. I just use the main monitor with SLI engaged. You have to disengage the SLI configuration to use multiple monitors. The right and left monitors work off one card and the center monitor works off the other.
When I first used the SLI configuration AH didn't support the video demand of a two card system. They did something in their newest patch that now allows the use of the two cards during gameplay. NVIDIA even wrote a code line for AH and included it in their newest driver release. It works great.
When I am in SLI mode on a single monitor I get 140-160 FPS. I am just guessing you would divide in half for something close on a single monitor.
Sorry, didn't make that clear.
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Originally posted by COndor06
When I am in SLI mode on a single monitor I get 140-160 FPS. I am just guessing you would divide in half for something close on a single monitor.
No, because actual performance gains for an SLI/Crossfire system have been tested to be no higher than around 10%, generally under 5%.
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I don't understand what you are saying OOZ662. The control I function shows 140-160 fps. I know the monitor won't be able to do much more than 65 or 70 but I am not sure I get your meaning. Help me out if you don't mind. I would like to understand it better. Thanks.
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depends on the hz of the monitor ... mine runs at 85 hz at home ..and at work I've got one thats cranked up to 120 hz . when your fps exceeds the hz then its not synced .
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Condor,
OOZ is saying this:
If you have ONE card, non SLI, you will get X fps.
If you have TWO cards, SLI, you will get only 10% more performance over X.
It doesn't double them. Doesn't work that way. It gives you MORE performance, to be sure, but it's not like saying "2 cards is twice as good" -- one reason I'm not a fan of SLI, but that's another subject altogether :D
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Hey Krusty, Thats what puzzles me. Whats all the hupla over SLI. The theory sounds great. Doesn't make it real but it sells. They got me done and I am still a believer, ha ha. I can tell you that I get a large difference in AH.
Single card numbers around 45-60 and SLI numbers around 140-160. I realize that doesn't really mean much but I would really like to know your take on SLI. Is it not much gain for the price but still a better gain than using one card?
IYO is their a better single card option that gives better gains?
Keep in mind that I didn't purchase the system to play AH but rather to provide video production for my Rodeo Company.
http://www.CowboyProductions.org
Thats what I told the wife anyway,
I like using multible displays on duel cards in my work but use SLI in AH on a single monitor.
Just for giggles here is my current setup.
AMD Athlon 64 FX-62 Dual Core Processor
4 gig ram
Foxconn motherboard
Creative Sound Blaster X-FI Platinum
Duel 7950 NVIDIA GeForce w/512 ram total
(not 1 gig on cards as I said earlier, I was wrong)
Samsung DTV LN-R238W 23 inch running at 60Hz
I am running the AMD Optimizer for the processor
Other than the cash from my wallet, I feel like somethings missing.
any suggestions?
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Keep in mind you've got a 7600GS. Just one isn't going to be as good as a 7600GT, or a 7800, or 7900, etc.
Taking a high-end system with SLI support and comparing 1 card vs 2 cards, you get very little benefit, for a very large price increase. On the other hand, putting just one Ge8800 GT 320MB into one slot will be better than your dual SLI 7600 GSs. Probably cost about half the SLI setup, to boot.
You're paying DOUBLE the money for just a hair over NORMAL performance. That's my beef :D
It's a gimmick. It's hype. Buzzwords, catchprases. It sells. It doesn't add up. It's like quad-core and 8-core PC systems.... You're paying (in some cases) 4x-6x the price for about 1.25x the performance.
My view: It's a way of making suckers out of consumers, hence why I dislike it.
EDIT: But if you GOT it (already), use it! :aok
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Thanks Krusty
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Here's a hint; turn the Vertical Sync (Vsync) on for your video cards. It's supposed to help with a few things in the game, including "rubber bullets," and matches your video card FPS to your monitor's Hertz.
Basically, if you're running a monitor 60 Hz and the video card is pumping 140 FPS, in reality the monitor is only displaying 60 FPS. With Vsync on, you will produce 60 FPS on a 60 Hz monitor. (The human eye can only see something like 32 FPS, by the way.) I don't know if it'll improve performance all that much, but it's generally accepted as a good thing to have on and will make your FPS reports true.
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Rgr That. Thanks OOZ. BTW really cool avatar
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Originally posted by Citabria
bought my wife an alienware laptop.
Wife? I've been out of the loop for awhile; how long have you been married? Congratulations BTW!
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Gol Dang Right you've been outta the loop!!!!
And it's about Gol Danged Time, ya got back in!
Sincerely,
your squadmate,
Wabbit
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Wabbit!
Just the guy I’m looking for. That Windows 98 machine that you built me 8 or 9 years ago just died the other day. I feel cheated; only 8 or 9 years of daily use on a PC? It should have lasted 20.
Anyway, I’m going to get a new machine but am not sure I can afford enough to build/get one powerful enough to run AH. Everyone here seems to indicate that it takes at least $1500. I really need it to run Vista as well. Our school lab is going Vista so I need to get familiar with it before the school year starts – in less than 2 weeks! I’m thinking about getting an Office Max $900 HP or something similar at Best Buy. Can you recommend parts for a complete system? ($800 without monitor, $1,000 with) I don’t really need a new printer.
Also, please read and comment on my refrigerator thread in the O’ Club, I’d appreciate your opinion.
Thanks,
eskimo
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Does this mean you're coming back to Aces?
I'll be in touch...
Wabbit