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Alienware x58 or build my own? Seems like a close call!

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - Alienware x58 or build my own? Seems like a close call!

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Here's the Alienware x58 spec and price

-Intel® Core™ i7-920 2.66 GHz 8MB Cache
-Space Black Alienware® P2 Chassis with AlienIce™ 3.0 Video Cooling
-Alienware® Approved CPU Liquid Cooling
-Alienware® 750 Watt Multi-GPU Approved Power Supply
-Single 1,792 MB NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 295 (For $200 more I got the GTX 295 instead of dual SLI'd
512 GTS 250s)
-3GB DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz - 3 x 1024MB (upgrading this to 6gb is $150 more, so I'll probably just
see how 3gbs treats me and if i need to add more ill remove the 3gb and just buy a 6gb (3x2gb)
1600mhz ram)
-Alienware® Approved Intel® X-58 Motherboard- Socket 1366 Core i7 Ready, Dual Triple Channel
DDR3 (read reviews on this system and this is apparently built by ASUS and is almost identical to
the p6t, just custom built for alienware systems)
Memory
-Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium (64-bit Edition) with Service Pack 1 plus Free Windows 7
Upgrade Option
-500GB SATA 3Gb/s 7,200RPM 16MB Cache
-20X Dual-Layer Burner (DVD±RW)
-Dual High Performance Gigabit Ethernet Ports
-High-Definition 7.1 Performance Audio
-Standard Keyboard Stand Mouse

Price (after shipping and tax): 1867 CAD

Newegg.ca priced computer

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 22X DVD-R 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner LightScribe Support - OEM
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6827151188 $32.49

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6811129021 $119.99

Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6822136320 $74.99

Here's the Alienware x58 spec and price

-Intel® Core™ i7-920 2.66 GHz 8MB Cache
-Space Black Alienware® P2 Chassis with AlienIce™ 3.0 Video Cooling
-Alienware® Approved CPU Liquid Cooling
-Alienware® 750 Watt Multi-GPU Approved Power Supply
-Single 1,792 MB NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 295 (For $200 more I got the GTX 295 instead of dual SLI'd
512 GTS 250s)
-3GB DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz - 3 x 1024MB (upgrading this to 6gb is $150 more, so I'll probably just
see how 3gbs treats me and if i need to add more ill remove the 3gb and just buy a 6gb (3x2gb)
1600mhz ram)
-Alienware® Approved Intel® X-58 Motherboard- Socket 1366 Core i7 Ready, Dual Triple Channel
DDR3 (read reviews on this system and this is apparently built by ASUS and is almost identical to
the p6t, just custom built for alienware systems)
Memory
-Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium (64-bit Edition) with Service Pack 1 plus Free Windows 7
Upgrade Option
-500GB SATA 3Gb/s 7,200RPM 16MB Cache
-20X Dual-Layer Burner (DVD±RW)
-Dual High Performance Gigabit Ethernet Ports (What exactly is this? Do I need to purchase something similar to this if I were to build my own computer)
-High-Definition 7.1 Performance Audio
-Standard Keyboard Stand Mouse

Price (after shipping and tax): 1867 CAD

Newegg.ca priced computer

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 22X DVD-R 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner LightScribe Support - OEM
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6827151188 $32.49

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6811129021 $119.99

Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6822136320 $74.99

EVGA 017-P3-1295-AR CO-OP Edition GeForce GTX 295 1792MB 896 (448 x 2)-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6814130504 $561.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC
Compatible with Core i7 Power ... - Retail
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] MPSU-750TX $114.99

ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6813131359 $307.99

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6819115202 $309.99

OCZ Gold 3GB (3 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1333LV3GK - Retail
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6820227370 $85.49

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 2116677CVF
$142.99

Price (after shipping and tax): $1,983.80

Conclusion:
Alienware is $116.80 cheaper
If I were to go with dual GTS 250 then the pricing is as follows, Alienware: $1758 CAD and Newegg.ca: $1670 CAD
Alienware has 1 year tech support
I enjoy the look of the Alienware case and the reputation of the brand
All the parts in the Alienware are easily interchangeable/upgradable

Please advise and thanks, Alienware used to be such a rip but looking at this it seems like a good way to go.
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6814130508 $561.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC
Compatible with Core i7 Power ... - Retail
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] MPSU-750TX $114.99

ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6813131359 $307.99

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6819115202 $309.99

OCZ Gold 3GB (3 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1333LV3GK - Retail
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6820227370 $85.49

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 2116677CVF
$142.99

Price (after shipping and tax): $2,008.77

Conclusion:
Alienware is $141.77 cheaper
If I were to go with dual GTS 250 then the pricing is as follows, Alienware: $1758 CAD and Newegg.ca: $1670 CAD
Alienware has 1 year tech support
I enjoy the look of the Alienware case and the reputation of the brand
All the parts in the Alienware are easily interchangeable/upgradable

Please advise and thanks, Alienware used to be such a rip but looking at this it seems like a good way to go.

Message edited by nive on 08-21-2009 at 04:24:32 AM

Add a reply

flatly... yeah the parts you picked yourself are going to be better. For one I know the PSU is a very good one that you chose. Secondly getting 2x as much HDD space and 2x as much RAM is nothing to scoff at.

Also they use an "approved" motherboard IE some 170 dollar(US) one. Not the quality 330 CAD one you are looking at.

For 100 CAD more you are getting much better quality parts and MORE ram and storage space. So yes, you would be better building the parts yourself.

One thing though, I would recommend against that, while badass, GPU. You can get a cheaper GPU or just SLI two lower cost ones for better/similar performance and less price. I do not feel that it is worth it to get something that beefy especially when the performance gain is negligible but the price mark up is not.

As for financing, you can always put it all on a credit card and work with them to pay it off(some companies have a 0% interest for the first 6 months deal, so just sign up for a card do this and pay it off later).

Message edited by aelyan on 08-19-2009 at 03:56:11 PM

Reply to aelyan

+1 ditch the GTX 295

Reply to spinny

Two GTX275s will out perform it, two of these saves you $17 after MIR
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6814130479
But a single one will be more than capable of playing everything on high. Alienware, being owned by dell now, likely uses crazy proprietary parts which can make upgrades or part replacements difficult.

The price difference is because you picked much better parts than they did, you picked 1600MHz ram, the best GTX295 out there which also makes it the most expensive, and a much better motherboard, they likely use the standard intel board or the cheapest x58 they could find.

Reply to hunter315

I just bought the Alienware x58 Wartime - specs are pretty similar to yours with a few changes:

Processor: Intel® Core™ i7-920 2.66 GHz 8MB Cache
Power Supply: Alienware® 750 Watt Multi-GPU Approved Power Supply
Graphics Processor: Single 2GB GDDR5 ATI® Radeon® HD 4870 X2 – Dual GPU Technology
PC GAMER Editors' Choice Award Winner!
Memory: 6GB DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz - 3 x 2048MB
Motherboard: Alienware® Approved Intel® X-58 Motherboard- Socket 1366 Core i7 Ready, Dual Triple Channel DDR3 Memory
System Drive: Single Drive Configuration - 500GB SATA 3Gb/s 7,200RPM 16MB Cache
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster® X-Fi™ Titanium High Definition 7.1 Audio
Speakers: Logitech® G51 Surround Sound Speaker System

The differences are the vid card, memory, sound card and speakers. Without considering the sound card and speaker upgrade the rig cost $2,083.58.

Wondering what the comparison is? I don't know enough technically. What I do know is that I am willing to pay a premium than go through a piecemeal whitebox approach.

Message edited by digitalux on 08-19-2009 at 06:55:57 PM

Reply to digitalux

Obviously you are also willing to blow money on parts that you dont need to, 2 4870s costs less than a 4870x2 and perform identically. And almost no one needs a dedicated sound card these days.

Reply to hunter315

I'd like to refernce your profile quote and apply it to this situation. Lol.

Reply to digitalux

+1 to buying your own. What kind of monitor do you have to be needing a 295, unless its something with ridiculous pixel density, a 275 or 275 sli should be more than enough for your needs.

My friend actually has an alienware, and I must say the the case is very plastic-y, not really to my tastes.

And honestly if you even think about buying alienware it's going to come with a price premium, if your looking at similarly specced items.

Reply to jonsy2k

Okay please refer back to the first post, I made some modifications in the comparison.

Message edited by nive on 08-21-2009 at 03:25:25 AM

Reply to nive

hey im in the same boat as you right now, im in love the the new alienware area51 case, and im thinking about buying it, $2101 cad plus taxes and shipping is free..http://www1.ca.dell.com/ca/en/home/desktops/alienware-area-51/pd.aspx?refid=alienware-area-51&s=dhs&cs=cadhs1.
i need some opinion on this please.

I currently have:-

The Nvidia Edition CM Stacker 830 Evolution case
evga 790i ultra mobo
evga gtx280 ftw videocard
intel quad core 2.66 ghz
150gb raptorx hdd
2gb ram patriot 1033ghz
corsair 750watt ps
logitech g15 keyboard
sidewinder mouse(sucks)
logitech x540 speakers
dual samsung 2443bwx monitors running in span mode.

and im thinking about selling the pc, keyboard and mouse and buy a alienware area51 tell me what you think i should do.
thanks

Reply to realmacoy

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Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - Alienware x58 or build my own? Seems like a close call!