Alienware Alpha?

[SoapSudz]

hello fellow steamers,

just wondering about your thoughts on the alienware alpha, PROS & CONS. I was thinking about buying one due to the fact my dell studio can't play elderscrolls.... well it can.... but it just lags like crazy. any input is welcome. :)

[_I_]

pros: its small

cons: its aliendell
price, heat, notebook cpu/gpu performance, dell suport ...

for the price you can buy a low end gaming with upgrade abilities

[76561198135154379]

Build your own. You'll get a lot more for your money.

[Rove]

Yep, building your own is the way to go.

Examples

AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor
Gigabyte GA-970A-DS3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard
A-Data XPG V2 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory
Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
PowerColor Radeon R9 280 3GB TurboDuo Video Card
Raidmax ATX-402WB ATX Mid Tower Case
Thermaltake SMART 750W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ddN2NG
Base Total: $557.24
Combo Discounts: -$11.00
Mail-in Rebates: -$50.00
Shipping: $8.97
Total: $505.21 :

AMD Athlon X4 860K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor
MSI A88XM GAMING Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard
A-Data XPG V2 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory
Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
PowerColor Radeon R9 280 3GB TurboDuo Video Card
Cougar MG100 MicroATX Mini Tower Case
EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/HqTRbv
Base Total: $571.24
Combo Discounts: -$29.00
Mail-in Rebates: -$50.00
Shipping: $3.98
Total: $496.22

AMD Athlon X4 860K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor
Gigabyte GA-F2A88XM-D3H Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard
A-Data XPG V2 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory
Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
HIS Radeon R9 270 2GB IceQ X² Video Card
HEC Vigilance MicroATX Mini Tower Case
EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/6fNj7P
Base Total: $452.14
Promo Discounts: -$5.00
Mail-in Rebates: -$45.00
Shipping: $1.99
Total: $404.13

OR entry level Alienware Alpha Clone + better GPU, better PSU and more RAM.

Intel Core i3-4150 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor
Gigabyte GA-B85M-DS3H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
A-Data XPG V2 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory
Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
PNY GeForce GTX 960 2GB XLR8 Video Card
HEC Vigilance MicroATX Mini Tower Case
EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/pXjCVn
Base Total: $508.22
Mail-in Rebates: -$10.00
Total: $498.22

All these builds (even the one for $400~ after rebates) are significantly better than the entry level Alienware Alpha for general gaming. Similarly you can match or beat all the higher level Alphas for less or the same if you put it together yourself. Only thing they got is small size & prebuilt.

[Fly Guy]

I always build my own. How can I comment about Alienware? It's like buying a plain T-shirt for a few bucks and stamping a Nike symbol on it and selling it for $50 bucks.

[_I_]

amd cpu is still a step backwards from a notebook i3/i5/i7

[˜lokkandload˜™]

Dude youre getting a DELLIAN WARE

[Dean The Hardy]

I know I'm late but... I've had my Alpha for about 10 days now... Am still within Buyers Remorse time frame and.... Honestly I'd probably die without this thing... like a guy with no nuts...

Pros:
Processor
No Need to have BOTH Xbox and PS anymore (Game Console Restrictions)
Graphics Card Available
Comes with Windows 8
Operates as a CPU
Is fully customizable (Parts-wise minus the graphics card / soldered to motherboard)
Easily expand Memory
Endless Library of Games

Cons:
Sometimes a little slow if running too many apps
All software / media must be downloaded (Frustrating right out of the box but downgrades to just a slight downside once you are FULLY up and running)


So all in all for the price you pay... Vs the Gaming Console Competition... And I have all Consoles by the way but hands down this Alpha kills it... No Question... Get one and youll see too... True there are parts to it that can / should be upgraded but again for the price at what u pay vs Xbox1 and PS4 hardware... and keep in mind this is just an INTRODUCTION to the PC gaming world technology currently available... I am so sold on this that Instantly my PS4 and XBOX One have become the most expensive electronicalyl powered paperweights of ALL TIME (Except MLB The Show... Thats a MUST have for me)

[hint003]

go for the i7 i paid only 644$ on ebay and it blew my built desktop away which had i7/16gb ram/500gb ssd/ Nvidia GTX 760ti asus m11bb. No regrets here its a very simple os and runs flawless after i upgraded it to 16gb ram and 500gb ssd which was simple. The coolest thing is how small it actually is. half the size of xbox or ps4