Before you rate dumb, read the post. I dislike Alienware computers and it pisses me off when I see computer companies scamming users out of hundreds of dollars because the consumers don't know any better. I actually did a cost benefit analysis and chopped around $1,000 dollars of an Alienware pre-built if I actually built it myself. My question is, however this: My parents have both been working for Dell for a good number of years, and I get [I]monster[/I] discounts on all of their products. I was planning out a gaming rig to get when I get my taxes back. I was wondering that if I get can get an Alienware desktop pre-built for cheaper in the long run than a computer with reliable hardware that I buy by myself, is it worth it? I understand Alienware's hardware is not near as top-of-the-line as it could be, and many people report problems with these specific pre-builts that you don't see anywhere else. My case is a little different, because I am able to get the same performance for cheaper. The only problem is that the computer I would be getting is an Alienware. Anyone mind helping me make my decision?
People only hate them because they take advantage of people who could build it themselves for cheaper.
If you can get the same build cheaper as an Alienware prebuilt then I see no reason not to.
Problem with the prebuilts is usually that they aren't futureproofed in any way, they use the bare minimum quality cases, powersupplies, usually not even decent harddrives, overpriced RAM sticks, and all in all you could get better quality with equal performance for a lot less anyhow.
By building your own desktop you can spend money on what you actually need, if you don't need those 16gB of ram that goes for a fortune just because of some odd superpooper heatspreaders, headroom for future upgrades and other pieces of hardware that will fit your own personal needs, and not to mention get a case that isn't fucking hideous.
It all comes down to how much you need to pay for it, you can't just say that one choice will be better without knowing all of the variables.
[QUOTE=AgentBoomstick;33337321]Before you rate dumb, read the post. I dislike Alienware computers and it pisses me off when I see computer companies scamming users out of hundreds of dollars because the consumers don't know any better. I actually did a cost benefit analysis and chopped around $1,000 dollars of an Alienware pre-built if I actually built it myself. My question is, however this: My parents have both been working for Dell for a good number of years, and I get [I]monster[/I] discounts on all of their products. I was planning out a gaming rig to get when I get my taxes back. I was wondering that if I get can get an Alienware desktop pre-built for cheaper in the long run than a computer with reliable hardware that I buy by myself, is it worth it? I understand Alienware's hardware is not near as top-of-the-line as it could be, and many people report problems with these specific pre-builts that you don't see anywhere else. My case is a little different, because I am able to get the same performance for cheaper. The only problem is that the computer I would be getting is an Alienware. Anyone mind helping me make my decision?[/QUOTE]
I'd get the alienware just cause its cheaper for you but I would never buy pre built unless I absolutely have to.
[editline]18th November 2011[/editline]
[QUOTE=naos;33337400]Problem with the prebuilts is usually that they aren't futureproofed in any way, they use the bare minimum quality cases, powersupplies, usually not even decent harddrives, overpriced RAM sticks, and all in all you could get better quality with equal performance for a lot less anyhow.[/QUOTE]
Not necessarily, I believe when you build an alienware you get to pick your ram, PSU and hard drives. But if he can get a prebuilt cheaper than a build he makes for himself why shouldn't he get it and just slap all the parts in a less ricer case?
[QUOTE=Zerokateo;33337407]I'd get the alienware just cause its cheaper for you but I would never buy pre built unless I absolutely have to.
[editline]18th November 2011[/editline]
Not necessarily, I believe when you build an alienware you get to pick your ram, PSU and hard drives. But if he can get a prebuilt cheaper than a build he makes for himself why shouldn't he get it and just slap all the parts in a less ricer case?[/QUOTE]
Out of a small set selection, you don't have all the choices you'd have if you'd built it yourself.
But of course, variables. If it is what you need, then surely there is no problem with it, but if you'd be forced to pay more for stuff that you don't even want then why do so.
[QUOTE=naos;33337449]Out of a small set selection, you don't have all the choices you'd have if you'd built it yourself.
But of course, variables. If it is what you need, then surely there is no problem with it, but if you'd be forced to pay more for stuff that you don't even want then why do so.[/QUOTE]
So I'm assuming the best advice we can give him is to compare parts and prices?
[QUOTE=Zerokateo;33337469]So I'm assuming the best advice we can give him is to compare parts and prices?[/QUOTE]
Pretty much what I just said, I thought it was self explanatory enough.
I just checked their site, and made a cheap i5 2500k/560ti build, 500gB unknown brand harddrive, 8gB's of RAM, 1500$. That is a very good bit then what it'd cost you to build yourself, almost twice as much, but if you can get it for half of the price or less, then its a great buy.
You can't go lower on the gpu then a 560ti, you can't get a 64gB SSD and you're forced to pay for their overclock on the i5, lowest amount of RAM is 8gigabytes despite that its a gaming desktop and you might as well be just as good of with getting 4gB as it is now and just upgrade once you need it, the motherboard is god knows what, couldn't pick a powersupply.
Well at least they for free throw in an optical mouse and rubber dome keyboard that you can get for 10 dollars from rosewill. Hooray alienware.
I've actually looked at all of those variables myself, and have been thinking about it for a long time. I suppose it was a dumb question, considering I should just go for whichever build ends up cheaper.
[editline]18th November 2011[/editline]
And yes, building one myself is a lot safer in the long run. That's why I was asking if the cheaper prices are worth it.
Depends on how much you get it for.
Without doing any figuring or any particular build in mind, I could [I]potentially[/I] halve the price of the computer. That is best case scenario without anything taken into account.
Half the price on it is nearly as much what you'd have to pay to build the same thing, at least in the 2500k/560ti case, but its actually a decent deal if you can tolerate the looks of the case, as you get a warranty too.
Well if we are talking about 750dollars.
Part list permalink: [url]http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2sMg[/url]
Part price breakdown by merchant: [url]http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2sMg/by_merchant[/url]
CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.44 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($122.86 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Intel 320 Series 80GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 560 1GB Video Card ($182.97 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.26 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair 700W ATX12V Power Supply ($101.74 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($24.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $911.22
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated 2011-11-18 23:19 EST-0500)
This is what I would be comparing it to (stuff like the PSU is overdone because I plan on upgrading). The reason I didn't go all out-ish on the parts is because I have a 1600x900 monitor until I get a dual 1080p monitor setup going. So my games won't be as demanding.
[editline]1[/editline]
Probably replacing the GTX 560 with a 560 Ti.
Not bad but I'd get the 560 TI
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