Is this a good computer?

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Guest

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Hey guys,
Recently my Dell XPS 8500 (Specs: i5 3.1ghz, Radeon HD 7570, 8gb 1600mhz RAM, 1tb HD) started to cause problems. I had many parts replaced and after a while Dell agreed to issue me a refund of $629. Due to a few credit card problems, however, they asked if I would rather get a brand new computer. They offered to ship me out the below computer...

= Alienware X51 =
Matte Stealth Black with Dark Chrome Accents
3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i7-3770 (8M Cache, up to 3.4 GHz)
8GB DDR3 1600MHz
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 1.5GB GDDR5
2TB Serial ATA 3 Hard Drive
Slot-Loading Dual Layer DVD Burner (DVD±RW, CD-RW)
DW1506 Wireless-N WLAN Half Mini-Card
Alienware Multi-Media Keyboard
Alienware Optical Mouse, MG100
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

**For all those who just skim through the post... I'm pretty much paying $629 for the above specifications.**


I know that building a computer is the best route. I also understand that Alienware computers are really expensive and the hardware isn't THAT good. However I am pretty much paying $629 for the above specifications. My question is: are the above specifications good for a pc I'm only paying $629 for? Or should I just take the money and see what I could build for $629.

Additional Note: The problems that I had with the original computer was an honest mistake on their part. The computer was supposed to have an Nvidia GT 620 rather than the Radeon card. The motherboard didn't detect the Radeon card and hence all the issues. The computer was originally purchased refurbished via Amazon so changes may have been done with the computer. According to Dell's website they built the computer with the Radeon card, though.

Additional Question: The Alienware X51 comes with full size parts. However the motherboard is quite small in size. Would I notice any speed differences between the Alienware X51 and a similarly priced ($1,049) full desktop pc? I really don't plan on upgrading anything in the computer. It is absolutely perfect for me. By the time that the Nvidia GTX 660 is out of date (hopefully no less than 2-3 years from now), I will simply upgrade the computer to a custom built desktop pc.
 
Solution
Proximon
Alienware has always used standard parts, unless they changed recently. Did you list the PSU? I don't see it, but generally Alienware/Dell uses adequate Delta PSUs.

IF you were going to build with the money, you would use a 3570K... Doesn't look like you could do it.

Yes, it's a good deal and you should take it. I imagine there will be some sort of warranty?

Any speed differences between various motherboard brands and chipsets are minimal. This would not be a factor.

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Guest

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Obviously you didn't read the whole post... I'm pretty much paying $650 for all of the things mentioned above. If I were to build the computer with $629, I would NOT be able to get an i7 and a GTX 660 in it.

i7 processor - $300
GTX 660 - $200
8gb RAM - $50
2 TB HDD - $75
Windows 7 - $89

That's $700 right there. Not including the PSU ($50), a good case ($30), the CD Drive ($15), and the motherboard ($50)
 
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Guest

Guest


According to many specification websites, the GTX 660 should play BF3 in Ultra settings. I am wondering why you would argue the opposite?
 
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Guest

Guest


Well that post was definitely inaccurate. Firstly, The 7870 and GTX 660 are both very similar. The 7870 runs better on some games, and the GTX with others. Like I said earlier, many sources say that the GTX 660 can run games like BF3 on Ultra. Nonetheless, I believe I am getting a very good deal. Keep in mind that it will cost me only $629 for everything. Compared to building a pc which would have similar specs at about $700-900 (including Windows 7).
 
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tiny voices

tiny voices

Titan
Sep 6, 2012
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This is a good deal. I would go for it. The only thing that would hold me back would be the fact that most Alienware parts are proprietary so there won't really be any upgrading you can do in the future. Most people will say the system is unbalanced because of the i7 and mid range GPU. I still think its worth it over taking $650 cash.
 
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G

Guest

Guest


Thank you for your feed back. From what I understand all the parts are modular. I can replace the full sized GPU, Ram, and all the other stuff. The only problem would be the 350 Watt external PSU. There are some tutorials on how to upgrade that however too. I just really need the computer now. The computer will hopefully last me a few years until I can afford a good custom built PC. Plus I could probably sell it for $250-500 in 3 years.

PS: I used to own a Mac then the XPS with the 7570... I'm going to be pretty blown away with a GTX 660. The only thing that I would like to play Ultra on is BF3. Otherwise medium-high is just fine for me!

 
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G

Guest

Guest


Keep in mind that I'm only paying $629 for the specifications. It's usually valued at $1,049 (which is of course overpriced). SSDs will cost about $250 for 250gb.... It is not SSDs nowadays. Sure they make huge speed improvements. However, unless your a millionaire, one does not simply go all SSD.

I did have SSDs in mind, however. I am planning on replacing the built in HDD with a 60gb SSD. I'm then going to use an external case and plug in the original HDD.

It's kinda my fault. I didn't write the post correctly. Here is my question:
Are the above specifications good for a computer that I'm paying only $650 for.
 
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tiny voices

tiny voices

Titan
Sep 6, 2012
34,175
5
99,965


Actually most of the time with alienware you cannot just slap a new GPU in there. The motherboard is set to recognize only one GPU. Upgrading the CPU or GPU isn't usually possible with these systems. About the only thing you could upgrade is the RAM or HDD. I used to own an alienware before I ditched it and built my own system.
 
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G

Guest

Guest


Thank you for telling me that. Honestly, I don't think I'm going to need an upgrade for a while. I'm 15 years old... hopefully this computer can hold me until I get a job. When the computer does finally die I will have some money saved for a nice custom build.
 
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Guest

Guest


I have just messaged the Dell rep. Hopefully I will receive the computer in the next week! Thanks so much for your advice :)
 
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Proximon

Proximon

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Apr 10, 2006
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Alienware has always used standard parts, unless they changed recently. Did you list the PSU? I don't see it, but generally Alienware/Dell uses adequate Delta PSUs.

IF you were going to build with the money, you would use a 3570K... Doesn't look like you could do it.

Yes, it's a good deal and you should take it. I imagine there will be some sort of warranty?

Any speed differences between various motherboard brands and chipsets are minimal. This would not be a factor.

 
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Solution
G

Guest

Guest


I did a little research on what parts Dell uses in the past. The parts are mostly made by generic companies like Foxconn. They aren't really name brand however they are in no way bad from what I understand.

I was actually planning on building a PC and would have definitely chosen the i5 CPU that you mentioned. I really like the i7 processor that they're offering. Mainly because of the bragging rights that come with it! :p

The PSU is only 330 Watts. According to Dell this is more than enough to power the system. I understand that it barely leaves any room for upgrades. However like I posted earlier, I don't plan on doing any. I just want a good system that will last me a couple of years.

The warranty would continue until January 6th, 2014. I can ask them to extended it for a few weeks because of the time it took to handle the malfunctions. I'm actually quite pleased with the quality of Dell's support. Once you get past the fact that they're outsourced, everything seems fine. I am even thinking about paying an extra $150 for a few more years of their support.

Thank you for answering the question regarding the motherboard. That was really one of the top reasons I posted this in the first place. I want to be sure that there wouldn't be any drags on the overall system. The computer is very small compared to the XPS 8500. It would seem that there has to be some sort of "give" in order for the computer to work properly.

 
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tiny voices

tiny voices

Titan
Sep 6, 2012
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The 330w PSU won't allow for any upgrades. The gtx660 they use is a special card. A normal 660 couldn't run safely, or at all, on 330w. Don't worry about this because you aren't upgrading.

I say don't waste the money on the extra years of support past maybe one extra year. By 2015 this will be playing on medium settings max and you will likely be thinking about something new.
 
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C

cbrunnem

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http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2012/09/13/nvidia-geforce-gtx-660-2gb-review/5

that 53 fps will go down in multiplayer. you will need to turn down some settings or you will get raped because of low fps. Keep in mind that that benchmark is a single player benchmark which is heavily gpu bound but in multiplayer bf3 is just as much if not more cpu bound.
 
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G

Guest

Guest


Thanks for your advice. I plan on starting early to save up for a really good custom built PC. I'll probably put about $300 aside for it each summer. :)
 
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G

Guest

Guest


Alright, I understand. I don't even know why I was asking for Ultra settings. I'm 15 and my family is in no way rich. High will be more than enough for me!
 
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