Alienware Gaming Computers

[mpare]

It's time to buy a new computer. The old one (Dell Dimension 8300) still works like a charm, but a new machine is one of my retirement treats. I was about to purchase a Dell XPS system with a "downgraded" Microsoft XP Professional operating system. However, I noticed the Alienware link on the Dell site. Now that is an impressive machine.

So here are my questions:

1) Whatever I buy, should I ensure that it comes with an XP operating system? I ask because I have read that Vista has compatibility issues with some gaming software. Were I not able to play golf on the Net or engage in a bit of aerial combat, I would not be amused.

2) Should I stick with a Dell XPS or should I opt for the Alien? If it's the latter, why and who stands behind it?

3. Any other suggestions for computers? Keep in mind that I have a fondness for Dell because they have never, ever, left me high and dry. In all the years, whenever I have had a problem (often times self-induced) I have been able to pick up the phone 24/7 and get their help. Service is important to me.

There you have it. I know that there are a lot of knowledgeable people on this site, who are not afraid to express their opinions. Bring it on. I'm all ears.

[Hacker]

I almost pulled the trigger on an Alienware computer but at the last second I decided to save a few bucks and I ended up buying another Dell.

In terms of Op System I've read all the negative hype for over Vista, but I got it anyway and I've not had any problems at all (and I have the 64-bit version)

[Colby]

Mike,

I've run some pretty graphic intensive games on Vista with no issues. The drivers for Vista are all pretty sound now. And if you want to move to Windows 7 in the future, there is no upgrade path from Windows XP, it will be a re-install.

[jvincent]

Can anyone else picture Mike fragging bad guys all day on his computer?

[mpare]

Thanks, Dave. You've convinced me.

Mike,

I've run some pretty graphic intensive games on Vista with no issues. The drivers for Vista are all pretty sound now. And if you want to move to Windows 7 in the future, there is no upgrade path from Windows XP, it will be a re-install.

[mpare]

I know that the thought of a 60 year old laying waste to his juniors is a frightening thought, but such are the mysteries and joys of life. Besides, it's a hell of a way to reduce stress.

Can anyone else picture Mike fragging bad guys all day on his computer?

[Colby]

Mike,

If you are interested in scuba diving, there is an excellent simulation at www.ediving.us and it's free.

[Kilroy]

Dell has some nice gaming rigs. IMHO Alienware is overpriced.

Vista 64 works well on modern games. I had graphics issues trying to play Links 2003. If that's a priority, it may be a problem. Others have reported no problems so your mileage may vary.

I am running a 2.6ghz Quad core with a NVIDIA 8800GTS 640 graphics card. 6 gigs of ram. It's a sweet machine I assembled myself from components. Much cheeper than Alien or Dell. My buddy has a very similarly spec'd machine from Dell and he plays lots of games, but he's only 50 like me.

[mpare]

Thanks for your youthful assessment. My concern about assembling a machine would be that I would have no clue what to do, and if anything went wrong at any time, I'd have no one to advise me on.

As for the specs, I'll try to match them as I put something together.

Dell has some nice gaming rigs. IMHO Alienware is overpriced.

Vista 64 works well on modern games. I had graphics issues trying to play Links 2003. If that's a priority, it may be a problem. Others have reported no problems so your mileage may vary.

I am running a 2.6ghz Quad core with a NVIDIA 8800GTS 640 graphics card. 6 gigs of ram. It's a sweet machine I assembled myself from components. Much cheeper than Alien or Dell. My buddy has a very similarly spec'd machine from Dell and he plays lots of games, but he's only 50 like me.

[Hacker]

Dell has some nice gaming rigs. IMHO Alienware is overpriced.

Vista 64 works well on modern games. I had graphics issues trying to play Links 2003. If that's a priority, it may be a problem. Others have reported no problems so your mileage may vary.

Is the Links 2003 community still going strong?? I used to play a ton of that back in the day, I probably haven't played it in 3 years or so.....

[Kilroy]

Still going pretty strong.

I'm a bit dissapointed I can't play it on my new rig here but I don't think I'll miss it much. I hadn't played in months when I went to re-install it.

I know mpare loved it... back in the day, so I figured I'd warn him.

[sillywilly]

hey mike, i buy all my computers from
shopRBC.com


great prices, AMD is way cheaper than intel and anyone who knows about computers knows AMD kicks intels arse

[Foddz]

Component shopping is the way to go, much better bang for your buck with the tradeoff being some time investment up front so you know what you're buying (reading reviews on Tom's Hardware http://www.tomshardware.com/ and Newegg http://www.newegg.ca for example).

Most brick&mortar shops will offer assembly service for a nominal fee (PC Cyber assembled my current machine for $50) if you have any concerns or reservations about assembling it yourself.

[mpare]

Would this configuration give me the get up and go that I want?

PROCESSOR Intel® Core™2 Q9550 Quad-Core (12MB L2 cache,2.83GHz,1333FSB)

OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Ultimate Service Pack 1

PRODUCTIVITY SOFTWARE Microsoft Office Home and Student Edition

MEMORY 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1066MHz - 2 DIMMs

HARD DRIVE 750GB - 7200RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache

GRAPHICS CARD ATI Radeon HD3650 256MB

OPTICAL DRIVE Dual Drives: 16x DVD-ROM Drive + 16x DVD+/-RW w/ dbl layer write capability

SOUND CARD Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Gamer

FLOPPY DRIVE 19 in 1 Media Card Reader

[Kilroy]

All good except for gaming you want more ram on the video card. 512, 640 or 750 megs. Can get pricey.

I prefer Nvidia cards to ATI but they are both decent brands.

Is it the 64 bit version of Vista? Not a big deal with 4g ram, but looking forward new apps will be faster in the 64 bit versions. You could still run 32 bit (older) software on a 64 bit OS, but not the other way around - ie: a 32bit OS won't run 64bit aps.

[mpare]

I considered all the suggestions and made my decision: a Dell XPS system that includes the following:

Intel Core i7-920 Processor (8MB L2 Cache, 2.66GHz);
Windows Vista Ultimate SP1, 64 bit;
8GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1066MHz - 6 DIMMs;
1TB - 7200RPM, SATA 3.0GB/s, 16MB Cache;
ATI Radeon HD 4670 512MB;
Sennheisser RS116 Wireless Stereo Headphones

This should keep me going for a while, especially with a 4 year warranty. Dell was, as usual, great to deal with. They even asked me where I worked to see if I might be eligible for a further employee discount. I was. Life is good.

[Colby]

You don't work...

[mpare]

Ah, but I do work and will continue to be gainfully employed until April 17th. Your mistake is to assume that I could not possibly work and still pursue my other interests. It can be done - just don't sleep very much.

You don't work...

[Colby]

Really? I thought you had retired before you moved. My apologies

[jvincent]

Ah, but I do work and will continue to be gainfully employed until April 17th.

Is it a coincidence that April 17 is the Friday of the week the official posting season for scores start? I think not.

[mpare]

It's just as fortuitous that handicapping begins that week, as it is that the 17th of April is the anniversary date of the coming into force of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It should make for good fortune, though.

Is it a coincidence that April 17 is the Friday of the week the official posting season for scores start? I think not.