Does Alienware use Proprietary Parts???

[bryan240g]

My bro is planning on buying a used Alienware pc, for his wife. It's good enough for her, but it's a P4 3.4ghz. How much can he upgrade? Does Alienware us proprietary parts? Like changing out the mobo, power supply?

 

[dagger]

My bro is planning on buying a used Alienware pc, for his wife. It's good enough for her, but it's a P4 3.4ghz. How much can he upgrade? Does Alienware us proprietary parts? Like changing out the mobo, power supply?

Is this a joke? It doesn't matter what they use. Anything that is compatible/on par with P4 is long obsolete and not compatible with any half new components.

How much is he paying? Tell him to get a Dell instead.

 

[sailer]

Older Alienware computers used common parts, but newer ones used propriety parts. Generally speaking, though, virtually everything is upgradeable. Changing out the PSU, mobo, CPU, etc should be easy. However, if it is a P4 machine, it will take extensive upgrades to bring it to modern specs. If its cheap enough, like under $300, it should be worth it. And no, don't get a Dell instead.

 

[WR2]

How much will the Alienware pc cost? Good chance a P4 3.4ghz socket 478 system can't be upgraded much beyond what it already has...

 

[dagger]

Older Alienware computers used common parts, but newer ones used propriety parts. Generally speaking, though, virtually everything is upgradeable. Changing out the PSU, mobo, CPU, etc should be easy. However, if it is a P4 machine, it will take extensive upgrades to bring it to modern specs. If its cheap enough, like under $300, it should be worth it. And no, don't get a Dell instead.

Seriously, it's not worth nearly $300. You'd have to get rid of the cpu, motherboard, graphics card. The psu might be enough, depending on how it is, but it's shaky, especially since it's so old and will run below ratings. There is the hdd, but chances are it'll be such a small ide drive that you won't want to keep it. Basically, you're paying $300 for a case.

And of course, don't buy a Dell, but a Dell would be far better than falling for that scam.

 

[EXT64]

We'll need full specs to say for sure, but I'd be wary of used computers unless they are tested and VERY cheap.

 

[runswindows95]

Full specs and asking price would be helpful to know. Also, if you're going to upgrade it anyway, just build a new one then. P4's are not even worth upgrading anymore considering the Pentium e2XX0 CPU's are way better overall and cost less than $100.

 

[bryan240g]

Ok, he said he is not getting it. Keep in mind this is not for gaming, and is basically for writtng papers, and surfing the net. And the price was 300 bucks or less.