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Ordering a computer from Alienware.

R

Rhaz

Junior Member
Well the time has come to get a new computer and I really don't feel like building one (too much hassle).So instead I decided to order one from Alienware to avoid the idiotic prices on electronics here in Norway and skip the work part.
Well I have 3000 to spend on this computer and I already have a monitor so I looked around at Alienware and found this one:
http://alienware.com/main/configura...trieveQuote=rhaz@fractured-reality.net-235644

Which seemed really neat, but since computer hardware isn't my field I decided to ask you AnandTech goons for a second opinion.
Any suggestions?


EDIT:
Yes yes, I know I should burn for not building one but cut me some slack 😉.Now what I forgot to mention is that this computer will be mainly geared towards gaming,fast-paced,high graphical,ram-sucking,intense gaming.Do you perhaps have some other computer to recommend me (A dell for example)...Help me oh metal lords! 😛
 
Well I thought about that but hell..I would probably destroy every part of it in the process.I am awful with such things, and the parts here in Norway are very very expensive.

Although there is one thing troubling me, Alienware has quite a reputation for overclocking a wee bit beyond what they should and sending bad parts (Which is kinda odd since they have that 72 hours of testing guarantee).Is this just a product of vicious rumors or is there some truth in this? I would really hate to get a broken computer as I imagine repairs would take quite awhile since I'm in Norway.
 
says in the warranty section that you have free 1 year onsite service, which should cover it. If something breaks after a year of heavy gaming use, it's because you did it, not because of faulty parts or installation. I believe Alienware has been known to OC their vid cards sometimes to get more performance, which is fine, unless you feel violated by them looking at your system's private parts without permission. Best thing to do is when you order it from them, add a little something that requests they leave everything at stock speeds. Also, it's quite possible that Alienware will use Intel's stock HSF combo. I'm not sure if that's okay with you or not, but it might limit OC'ing potential.
 
If something breaks due to heavy load, hey that's my problem.I'm worried about getting faulty parts, they can overclock and toy with the computer until they are blue 😀 .Just as long as it doesn't go up in a ball of flames when I turn it on.And I it seems to me they are only in the States which makes onsite service in Norway rather dubtious.But perhaps they have contracts with the local companies.


Also, I'm considering dropping the speakers (I don't ever use speakers anyway) and going for 1GB RDRAM PC-800 instead of 768 and getting two 80 GB hard drives instead of one.
 
Heh, waiting for that will make his price tag balloon even more. That's if Alienware decides to carry the Radeon 9700 at all. If so, OEM's like that should have it in stock a tad before it's available to the rest of us.

If it withstands their torture tests, there's nothing you could do more to it that would cause it to break. That is assuming they use good torture testers, which I have no idea about.
 
Just a suggestion - wouldn't it be smart to go from 2.53GHz to 2.4GHz and save $300??? because there is NO way you'll see a difference worth $300, IMHO.
 
3100 dollars...................
rolleye.gif
 
try some other companies too. Falcon-nw builds some amazing gaming computers (albeit a bit more exspensive)and voodoo pc has some sweet cases and pc's too both are a bit more. But Check out Reseller Ratings and alienware gets a D in grade i think its their tech support which sux. Falcon-NW and Voodoo do a lot better Voodoo reseller Rating Voodoo however is the most exspensive but i have seen the cases and damn they are sweet! I'd go with voodoo but that is jmo! i got one configured for ya 3200 w/ shipping outside us and canada. BTW voodoo is based in canada
 
dude i would get a dell 😀

seriously alienware u are just paying $1000 more for a fancy look

dells prices have been very reasonable lately and you will get the same performance
 
You realize that you don't have a monitor in that order? I think that the best thing for you to do would be to drop the 2.53GHz, go for the 2.4, then get 1GB of PC1066 RDRAM instead of 768MB of PC800.

Also, I would get a NIC in there, too (unless you plan to add one).

And don't get a Dell. They don't perform well, and there's a reason why they cost less (poorer components).
 
If I didn't want to build, I would go to www.oxfordpc.com and configure a system. They will test it and provide warranty coverage, and I think you can save some major $ over Alenware. Good luck!
 
Damn dude, that's a helluva URL you got there. Must be around 4000 pixels long. Have to scroll 3x sideways to read it.
 
Id do what someone else said.. drop to the 2.4 and get 1066 memory instead. 512 should be plenty but thats just IMO.
 
Dell 8200

1 year warranty
P4 2.53Ghz
1GB PC800
120GB WD Special Edition 8MB cache HD
Dell® Enhanced Performance USB Keyboard
Logitech® Optical USB Mouse
GeForce 4 TI4600
16X DVD ROM
40x/10x/40x Max CD-RW Drive
Harman Kardon HK-395 Speakers with Subwoofer
Turtle Beach Santa Cruz DSP Sound Card (definitely better than the Live! series cards)
56K Telephony Modem for Windows® XP
10/100 PCI Fast Ethernet NIC
6 Months of DellNet® by MSN Internet Access Included

Total=$2,427.00

If you'd like, you can get some Klipsch ProMedia 5.1 and replace those Harmon Kardon and still come out cheaper. With this machine you'll also be getting 40GB more HD space and 256MB more memory. 😉

 
get a voodoo!

They don't have automated tech support like alienware. In fact, if you can't get the comp fixed over the phone, they'll pay to have a 3rd party tech to come over and fix it! And if he can't do it, they'll pay for you to ship it back to them! They'll also pay for you to ship it back to them if you want to perform an upgrade! And while they are upgrading it, you can request for them to retweak your pc, rewire the cables, and update the software!

Voodoos come with a 3 year warranty!
 
what you lose out in the dell is brand name, trusted parts. what kind of PC800 are they using? what about their hsf? Noname CDRW and DVD drives? who cares about free dialup internet access? Plus, the Alienware is worth it for upgrading, as you'll have a top-notch base to work with then you do deide to upgrade.
 
Originally posted by: fatbaby
get a voodoo!

They don't have automated tech support like alienware. In fact, if you can't get the comp fixed over the phone, they'll pay to have a 3rd party tech to come over and fix it! And if he can't do it, they'll pay for you to ship it back to them! They'll also pay for you to ship it back to them if you want to perform an upgrade! And while they are upgrading it, you can request for them to retweak your pc, rewire the cables, and update the software!

Voodoos come with a 3 year warranty!
Click to expand...

and the wiring is purdy.
 
what you lose out in the dell is brand name, trusted parts. what kind of PC800 are they using? what about their hsf? Noname CDRW and DVD drives? who cares about free dialup internet access? Plus, the Alienware is worth it for upgrading, as you'll have a top-notch base to work with then you do deide to upgrade.
Click to expand...

Ok, let's take a look at these crappy "no name" parts Dell is putting into their machines:

motherboard - Intel board with an Intel i850 or i850E chipset
memory - PC800 memory with 40ns or faster modules (excellent memory)
HD - WD 120GB SE
DVD drive - as long as it works, you'll be fine
CDRW - it burns CDs just as well as a Plextor (I'd take a LiteOn over a Plextor anyway)
HSF - If Dell made a their own heatsink for the P4, you can bet it kicks ass (worse can senario is that they use the retail heatsink for the P4, which is a GREAT HSF)
Dial-up internet - it's FREE. If you don't want it, you don't have to use it.
sound card - Turtle Beach SC
video card - GeForce 4 TI4600 (if its a GeForce 4 TI4600, its a GREAT card)

The motherboard has 1 AGP port and 4-5 PCI slots for expandability. The Dell machine is just as upgradable as the Alienware machine. Dell puts in some TOP quality parts. Don't get caught up in the Alienware hype. Alienware makes some great machines, but they are overpriced. The 8200 machine is AWESOME if you don't want to build your own machine. On top of that, Dell's acse design is FREAKIN' AWESOME! These other manufactures just get a case built by someone else (Antec) and put whatever parts they want in it. Dell build their OWN cases and like I said, the design is FREAKIN' AWESOME (I'm talking about internally mostly)! Also, Dell's support is MUCH better than Alienware's. 😉


 
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