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Need help choosing a new PC, which is better?

Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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Hi i recently accumulated a total of around $900 in giftcards to spend at the Microsoft Store.
I came in determined to buy the Alienware x51, but then they also showed me the HP Phoenix which came out recently.
The HP comes with the new i7 ivy bridge processor and 2GB Radeon HD 7770, while the Alienware comes with the i7 Sandy Bridge and 1GB Geforce GTX 555.

Here are the full specs on both of the PC's.

Alienware X51
  1. <a href="http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/pd/Dell-Alienware-X51/productID.247107600/vip.true" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/pd/Dell-Ali...</a>


HP Pavilion HPE h9-1182 
  1. <a href="http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/pd/HP-Pavilion-HPE-h9-1182-Phoenix/productID.247935700/vip.true" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/pd/HP-Pavil...</a>


Which one would be better for gaming wise and long term use? also which one has a better graphics card? and by how much?

Thank You!

Other Possible option is to sell my giftcards and lose about $125-$200 in the process and buy parts to build one.

*Update!*
Would this be a good choice for a screen?
  1. <a href="http://www.samsung.com/hk_en/consumer/computer-peripherals/monitors/consumer/LS27B350HS/XK?subsubtype=series-3-led" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.samsung.com/hk_en/consumer/computer-peripher...</a>

Its going for $289.99 at Costco!
If not any moniter recommendations?

Lastly any other comments on these two desktops would greatly be appreciated!! (:

More about : choosing

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Graphics card Authority

I got to agree^. The alienware has laptop parts in it to make it that small. Although if you're willing to build your own computer you can end with something much better than both of those.
Graphics card Master

With that budget, you can get something way better than either of those by building it.

And dont come at me with "I'm not technologically inclined." A little bit over a year ago, I didn't know jack about computers, and disassembled an old HP, and decided that the Hp didnt seem fast enough, so I figured I would buy a whole bunch of parts and see if they worked. All of the parts work today.

Now I'm going to college to study computer engineering. Ironic. Anyway, you can build your own, its really not that hard. There are alot of guides on Youtube and such, and all the people here will help you too.

Deemo13 said:
With that budget, you can get something way better than either of those by building it.

And dont come at me with "I'm not technologically inclined." A little bit over a year ago, I didn't know jack about computers, and disassembled an old HP, and decided that the Hp didnt seem fast enough, so I figured I would buy a whole bunch of parts and see if they worked. All of the parts work today.

Now I'm going to college to study computer engineering. Ironic. Anyway, you can build your own, its really not that hard. There are alot of guides on Youtube and such, and all the people here will help you too.


Hey Deemo13 yeaa i planned on building one, but then i got these gift cards. There are a hand full of people that also have these giftcards or more from the Microsoft Store. I tried selling them on craigslist to get cash, no luck so far. I might just buy one of these instead. Which would you recommend and why? (:

Thanks for your opinion though!
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Graphics card Master

Here is a build I would say you could use in an instance:

And for all of you guys who are gonna comment and change stuff, this is just more of an example.

Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
219.99

ASRock Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z77
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
134.99

Patriot Gamer 2 Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
45.99

SAPPHIRE 11188-22-20G Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit GDDR5
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
199.99

SeaSonic M12II 620 Bronze 620W ATX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
89.99

Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
69.99 (the case is more your preference)

Western Digital RE4 WD5003ABYX 500GB 7200 RPM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
99.99

Sony Optiarc 24X DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
17.99

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
99.99

Total comes to 977 without shipping.

I built it to 977 because you are willing to spend $1400 on a Pavilion, and even if you did have a $500 or more coupon, the computer I created is going to outperform and suit your needs much more. Also it would look better physically and most likely last longer through upgrades, because upgrading your own computer is much easier than upgrading a HP.

Again, I just kind of threw parts together, feel free to change it members, I might end up using it as my recommended 1k build or something.

EDIT: If you plan to overclock in the future you might want to consider a aftermarket cooling fan, but if not the regular fan should suffice. If you do no plan to overclock at all, this would be the better choice:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

saves ya $20 for a new game or something.
Graphics card Master

andrewcarr said:
He already said he has to get one of the two hes listed because of the gift cards.


That's the point I am trying to make. Even if he's got a $500+ gift card, the computer I listed is going to outperform it.

But if the OP is anything like me, he would not like to waste the gift certificates. I would probably just buy the Pavilion. Its not a slouch and is much more upgradeable than the Alienware model. I have a HP a1730n from a long time ago, stuffed with a new power supply, as well as a Nvidia 8800GTX. They're easy to upgrade, because everything is universal.

If you plan to keep your computer for a very long time, the HP is going to be the one for you. You can upgrade the graphics card in the future, and that HP case is going to have much better airflow than the Alienware.
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