Need help deciding between pre-built Alenware and PC I built myself

jtl7125 · Oct 26, 2016

Here's the back story:

I built a PC last year and have upgraded it over the time. I have needed to upgrade the CPU to an i7 (from an i3 6100) and just haven't done it yet. In the meantime I put a 1080 in there and a Corsair H100i to prepare. Now I've hit a busy time in my job and am trying to get streaming going to add to my YouTube channel and I've been trying to use 2 PCs (the streaming PC is a CyberpowerPC that used to be my son's) with an Elgato and it's just taking up a ton of time.

Long story short, I was in Best Buy yesterday and saw this new Alienware Aurora R5 with an i7 6700, pci-e ssd boot drive, more USB ports, smaller form factor (the H440 turns out to be bigger than I prefer and I can't keep it on the ground). The R5 also has a 1070 that I could easily swap for my 1080.

I bought it to try and I'm liking it. So much more desk space now. I could sell the H440 PC and the Cyberpower and pay it off with a little to spare, but I'm just trying to figure out if this makes sense. I don't want to build another PC right now. The price of the Alienware is the same as buying and buiding the same thing. I don't care for the H440 case. But why buy a whole new PC when I just need to swap out the CPU on the other.

Ugh. I'm running around in circles. Any suggestions or thoughts would be appreciated.

Here's a link to the H440 build.

Here's a link to the Alienware.

Chugalug_ · Oct 26, 2016

Oh no...
Return the Alienware ASAP, they use low quality PSUs, have next to no upgrade potential.
Also insanely overpriced, you could build a rig with the same specs as the Alienware for $1000, and it probably cost $2000 or something.

heavyartillary9 · Oct 26, 2016

i would go with buying a new cpu for your current build, and a different case if you dont like the size of that one, cause with the alienware you dont have the unlocked cpu, the watercooler, i imagine the components are the highest end either, your build is really great, just add the 6700k

heavyartillary9 · Oct 27, 2016

Chugalug_ :

and i cant imagine they have the highest quality ssd's either!

jtl7125 · Oct 27, 2016

Chugalug_ :

That's the thing. This Alienware was built specifically for easy upgrades and the prices off the shelf to build are in line with what this costs pre-built. I'm pretty sure they can do this because they buy in quantity and Dell likely owns some of the product chain.

jtl7125 · Oct 27, 2016

heavyartillary9 :

I'm pretty sure it's a Toshiba, which I've not heard too many bad things about.

jtl7125 · Oct 27, 2016

heavyartillary9 :

I'm pretty sure it's a Toshiba, which I've not heard too many bad things about.

Gam3r01 · Oct 27, 2016

jtl7125 :

Have you taken the time to look internally at the alienware?
Its all proprietary components, proprietary PSU, motherboard, etc.
I dont see where you got the easy upgrades.

heavyartillary9 · Oct 27, 2016

*cough cough all prebuilts are over priced cough cough*
http://pcpartpicker.com/list/pZ9nGf

jtl7125 · Oct 27, 2016

Gam3r01 :

jtl7125 :

Have you taken the time to look internally at the alienware?
Its all proprietary components, proprietary PSU, motherboard, etc.
I dont see where you got the easy upgrades.

Yeah, I've been in there. The mobo is really the only thing I couldn't change. The PSU would be a PITA, but doable. RAM, GPU, and the rest are all replaceable/upgradable.

jtl7125 · Oct 27, 2016

heavyartillary9 :

I see what you're saying, but when I went through partpicker and chose parts I'd actually use in a build (Rosewill case?!?! Come on now.), it came out as a wash. When you factor in the time a new build would take and how much man hours are worth, at least considering what I could be doing besides building a PC, it's definitely comparable.

jtl7125 · Oct 27, 2016

heavyartillary9 :

You're probably right. Impulse buys are never a great idea.

Gam3r01 · Oct 27, 2016

I dont see any reason you dont just toss a 6700k into your current build (and change the case if you want something different).
No reason to go to a new system (especially something like that) when all you need is a processor.

heavyartillary9 · Oct 27, 2016

yeah, i used parts similar to what alienware will use, lower end stuff, you will always pay more for higher quality!

heavyartillary9 · Oct 27, 2016

jtl7125 :

yeah, last time i did an impulse buy i ended up with a microsoft smart phone.... i regret it soo much

jtl7125 · Oct 27, 2016

Well, as I sit here, the PSU fan is ramping up and down like crazy every few seconds. There's nothing wrong with the temps. Everything's sitting at 30C.

So....

heavyartillary9 · Oct 27, 2016

psu fan is spinning like that ? XD

Gam3r01 · Oct 27, 2016

Well its not a great quality unit, that can be replaced as well if its bothering you.
Its like buying a new car because you have a tail light out and your seat is moved backwards from where it normally is.

I would fine tune your build and get it to the way you want it instead of outright replacing it and attempting to sell your current system.

heavyartillary9 · Oct 27, 2016

i mean if you have 1500 dollars to spend on nothing just buy a mac!

jtl7125 · Oct 27, 2016

I have 2 macs. A 2006 cheesegrater Mac Pro (a rehab project that I use in my recording studio) and a 2015 Macbook Pro 15". I'm a Mac guy from way back in the day and an audio engineer in one of my lives. Cut my teeth on Macs and still greatly prefer them over PCs for creative work.

jtl7125 · Oct 27, 2016

heavyartillary9 :

jtl7125 :

yeah, last time i did an impulse buy i ended up with a microsoft smart phone.... i regret it soo much

I had a Windows phone for a minute. I really liked the phone and the OS, but no apps...

heavyartillary9 · Oct 27, 2016

yeah, no apps, the battery life is like 30 minutes after a while

Need help deciding between pre-built Alenware and PC I built myself

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