Buying a Dell Alienware X51 is it worth it?

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  1. Posts : 10
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #31

    Sorry, my bad. When I opened the Dell Alienware x51 page and the low tier was displayed as the default and went from there.

    Still, personally I wouldn't trust any pre-built computer unless it displays the full component list. Motherboard especially is a big thing since it dictates future upgrade paths and is usually where the prebuilt computers skimp at.

    The 330 w external PSU is also quite limited. There are more powerful and cheaper internal PSU's that can be used and that provide a better upgrade path. Also depending on how the power is split among the 330W, in some usage scenarios there may be some strain on the PSU reducing it's service life or the system will throw a fault when underpowered under transitory loads. That's one of the reasons why the custom built gaming computers typically go with 600-800W PSU's for single video card configurations when typical system loads don't go above 300-400W.
    I may be mean here but to me it looks like the PSU maybe is designed to fail in 2-3 years or so to generate future business.

    The non 'k' i7-3770 is put there just to be a eye-catcher with it's "i7" promo behind it. A cheaper i5 'K' series overclocked to over 4Ghz would pass over it at game performance. But of course, that would need a good aftermarket cooler, which I doubt the case can accommodate (heck..they even took out the PSU from the case...).

    GTX 660 video card is ok. Will play the latest and greatest games at medium-to-good graphics and should suffice for a couple of years.

    All in all it looks like a non-optimized system, with some marketing attached to it. Personally, stay away from the 51.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 491
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #32

    hexaq said:
    Sorry, my bad. When I opened the Dell Alienware x51 page and the low tier was displayed as the default and went from there.

    Still, personally I wouldn't trust any pre-built computer unless it displays the full component list. Motherboard especially is a big thing since it dictates future upgrade paths and is usually where the prebuilt computers skimp at.

    The 330 w external PSU is also quite limited. There are more powerful and cheaper internal PSU's that can be used and that provide a better upgrade path. Also depending on how the power is split among the 330W, in some usage scenarios there may be some strain on the PSU reducing it's service life or the system will throw a fault when underpowered under transitory loads. That's one of the reasons why the custom built gaming computers typically go with 600-800W PSU's for single video card configurations when typical system loads don't go above 300-400W.
    I may be mean here but to me it looks like the PSU maybe is designed to fail in 2-3 years or so to generate future business.

    The non 'k' i7-3770 is put there just to be a eye-catcher with it's "i7" promo behind it. A cheaper i5 'K' series overclocked to over 4Ghz would pass over it at game performance. But of course, that would need a good aftermarket cooler, which I doubt the case can accommodate (heck..they even took out the PSU from the case...).

    GTX 660 video card is ok. Will play the latest and greatest games at medium-to-good graphics and should suffice for a couple of years.

    All in all it looks like a non-optimized system, with some marketing attached to it. Personally, stay away from the 51.
    Dont have the money to build from scratch so I am having to buy on finance.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 491
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #33

    Would you suggest buying a Dell Auara or would that be overkill and a waste of money? I know people will say build your own but as I have said I need to get one on finance.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 491
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #34

    Just checked the Dell website and they are now shipping the X51 with the 4th generation i7 cpu.

    Gone up in price also.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 6,075
    Windows 7 Professional 64 bit
       #35

    Hi Bomber, I fully understand you cannot afford to buy all the parts to build your own hence you are looking to buy a ready made Dell, but are you aware that most etailers offer finance now, places like Ebuyer, Aria and Overclockers all offer finance, often at very low rates depending on your credit rating.
    If you were to go for that then you could order all the parts in 1 go from one of them and build your own. Then you can choose exactly what parts you want and it may be better value for money.

    Just a thought.

    Paul.

    Edit: The finance is not as low rate as what I thought, the lowest can be had from Overclockers at 16.9%
    Edit 2: Scan computers do it for 15.9%
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 10
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #36

    BomberAF said:

    Dont have the money to build from scratch so I am having to buy on finance.
    That's the catch. The parts can be bought from the major resellers on finance too (personally I hate to pay interest. I save for my computer parts and pay in full at purchase), and custom build will make your $ reach further:

    If you were to buy the exact same parts that come with the alienware and 'glue' it together yourself, you'd save money since you don't pay for the Dell profits.

    Looking at it the other way around, if you take the exact same budget for the alienware and build a custom desktop, you can 'glue' together a better and more powerful configuration than what is offered.

    But I guess building a custom desktop isn't for everyone. Just to mention it: custom build requires lots, and lots, and lots of research and tech know-how for optimum results. If you are not confident with taking the custom build plunge then the alienware will serve you well for the next few years, as long as you don't expect too much from it.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 491
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #37

    hexaq said:
    BomberAF said:

    Dont have the money to build from scratch so I am having to buy on finance.
    That's the catch. The parts can be bought from the major resellers on finance too (personally I hate to pay interest. I save for my computer parts and pay in full at purchase), and custom build will make your $ reach further:

    If you were to buy the exact same parts that come with the alienware and 'glue' it together yourself, you'd save money since you don't pay for the Dell profits.

    Looking at it the other way around, if you take the exact same budget for the alienware and build a custom desktop, you can 'glue' together a better and more powerful configuration than what is offered.

    But I guess building a custom desktop isn't for everyone. Just to mention it: custom build requires lots, and lots, and lots of research and tech know-how for optimum results. If you are not confident with taking the custom build plunge then the alienware will serve you well for the next few years, as long as you don't expect too much from it.
    What do you mean dont expect too much from it?
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 5,956
    Win 7 Pro x64, Win 10 Pro x64, Linux Light x86
       #38

    custom build requires lots, and lots, and lots of research and tech know-how for optimum results
    Compatibility is a big part of building your own rig but if you was to list your chosen parts I'm sure members here would help, or you could try This compatibility and price is done for you when you build a virtual Computer, its handy as a guide :)
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 10
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #39

    BomberAF said:

    What do you mean dont expect too much from it?
    Much as in if you plan for:
    * multi-monitor gaming
    * high to very high settings on the latest and greatest generation of games with acceptable frame rates
    * 3D gaming gimmicks
    * games 3-4 years from now to run at high graphical settings with acceptable frame rates
    * gaming on PC monitor with higher than 1920x1080 or so resolution without sacrificing eye-candy

    ..then you may be a bit disappointed. If the above don't ring any bells, then by all means the 51 will be an ok machine.


    Stephanie said:
    custom build requires lots, and lots, and lots of research and tech know-how for optimum results
    Compatibility is a big part of building your own rig but if you was to list your chosen parts I'm sure members here would help, or you could try This compatibility and price is done for you when you build a virtual Computer, its handy as a guide :)
    That's only the starting point. For each and every part (starting with the CPU and going down to the cooling fans) one must look at the tech specs, features, reviews, compatibility, reliability (for instance, a part may be having a great price, great performance, great 'official' reviews, but quite a lot of reports on hardware failing). Price vs performance. Best place to use the available funds to maximize the performance in the chosen area of interest. All this while having a eye out for the future upgrade path.
    All in all the actual putting together of the parts is the easy bit.

    That being said, once it's up and running is a very nice feeling to know the machine you built down to the last part, as per your personal and informed decisions, runs better and for less invested cost than the off the shelf stuff.
    Last edited by hexaq; 05 Jun 2013 at 07:48.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 491
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #40

    [QUOTE=hexaq;2423757]
    BomberAF said:

    What do you mean dont expect too much from it?
    Much as in if you plan for:
    * multi-monitor gaming
    * high to very high settings on the latest and greatest generation of games with acceptable frame rates
    * 3D gaming gimmicks
    * games 3-4 years from now to run at high graphical settings with acceptable frame rates
    * gaming on PC monitor with higher than 1920x1080 or so resolution without sacrificing eye-candy

    ..then you may be a bit disappointed. If the above don't ring any bells, then by all means the 51 will be an ok machine.


    I will always be able to upgrade the graphics card on that machine.
      My Computer


 
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