Alienware X51, any good?

Im clueless when it comes to PC hardware and specs so I was wondering if anyone here can help me out... I really want to get into PC gaming (mainly because of how amazing Steam is ;) ) and I saw this on Alienwares website: http://www.dell.com/uk/p/alienware-x51/pd?oc=d00and10&model_id=alienware-x51... Ideally I want something that can last me at least 3-4 years and I like I said, I dont know much about PC specs so can anyone tell me if thats a good deal? Thanks in advance :)

At that price it's not a good deal. Do you need a small case like that or are you fine with a larger one? And this should go in pc hardware forum.

inb4slipknot dude or anyone else praising the x51

At that price it's not a good deal. Do you need a small case like that or are you fine with a larger one? And this should go in pc hardware forum.

cain006

I apologise, Theres cheaper models (it goes as low as £649) and one thing I liked about it was the size but if I had to go bigger then I would be willing.

I was going to say don't expect much from this forum in favour of a prebuilt. But, after looking at the specs and unless that monitor is really really nice, I'd have to agree with the critisim of alienwares pricing.

The processor could be better and ram is eh. However I wasn't even aware there was a card lower than the 550 in the series lol.

Point is that you're not getting your moneys worth outta this system. Don't be afraid of potentually building a system of your own. The Hardware forum here is excellent for helping new people. Everything you purchase will come with manuals with easier instructions than most lego sets.

I was going to say don't expect much from this forum in favour of a prebuilt. But, after looking at the specs and unless that monitor is really really nice, I'd have to agree with the critisim of alienwares pricing.

The processor could be better and ram is eh. However I wasn't even aware there was a card lower than the 550 in the series lol.

Point is that you're not getting your moneys worth outta this system. Don't be afraid of potentually building a system of your own. The Hardware forum here is excellent for helping new people. Everything you purchase will come with manuals with easier instructions than most lego sets.

slimjimbadboy

Yeah after a bit of research, I'm only hearing bad things about the X51 :/ I might just have to take the plunge and build one :)

It's terrible.

I built my pc for a similar price.

inb4slipknot dude or anyone else praising the x51

MonsieurX

I was just gonna post this :P

Seriously guys, don't let slipknot see this

The GPU is one gen behind so nope

Im clueless when it comes to PC hardware and specs so I was wondering if anyone here can help me out... I really want to get into PC gaming (mainly because of how amazing Steam is ;) ) and I saw this on Alienwares website: http://www.dell.com/uk/p/alienware-x51/pd?oc=d00and10&model_id=alienware-x51... Ideally I want something that can last me at least 3-4 years and I like I said, I dont know much about PC specs so can anyone tell me if thats a good deal? Thanks in advance :)

MylesB93

UK prices are inflated compared to the U.S price but disregarding whether its a good value or not that alienware x51 will run any game out there at 1080p at at least 30fps as long as you tweak settings depending on the game defiantly will look better then consoles and its most cases run better but 3-4 years of staying power it does not have the gtx 555 is still a good care for gaming but past its prime. A quick look at uk amazon and you can get a much better gaming pc for less money.

You get a stonger gtx 560ti graphics card and similair specs otherwise to the x51 for only £769.00 this is a much better value then the x51 but may not do as well for 3-4 years of use without upgrading

http://www.amazon.co.uk/GAMING-INTEL-2600K-DDR5-VGA-DVI-HDMI-DirectX-Lizenzkey/dp/B004LF3NOU/ref=sr_1_21?ie=UTF8&qid=1344549447&sr=8-21

Looking around this a good upgrade in gpu performance will fair better at 3-4 years as long as stay as 1080p max resolution. The cpu isn't as strong though but good enough the gpu matters the most in games.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/VIBOX-Destroyer-Performance-Multimedia-Bulldozer/dp/B007PBHOYM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344550601&sr=8-1

One thing to consider is that pc are upgradable the gtx 560ti still does a great job for todays game and when games start getting to demanding to run well you can always sell the gtx 560ti and use the money towards upgrading to a more powerful card in the future when you really need it as opposed to spending more money now. Of course if you want the best experience now(the gtx 670 has no probleming maxing virtually every game out at 1080p) and don't want to upgrade as soon. Both are way better then the aleinware x51 which is laughable how much there charging in comparasion for those specs.

Found this guy on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/duncan33303 and after watching a few of his videos (namely this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPHCBWayEsY ) I think I will definitely go ahead and build one myself ;) Thanks again for all of your advice, glad I didnt make the mistake of wastingt nearly £1000!

honestly with Alienware you can't go wrong. Plus they have a cool alien logo. doesn't get better than that.

Found this guy on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/duncan33303 and after watching a few of his videos (namely this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPHCBWayEsY ) I think I will definitely go ahead and build one myself ;) Thanks again for all of your advice, glad I didnt make the mistake of wastingt nearly £1000!

MylesB93

Do you know what parts you are going to use?

Found this guy on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/duncan33303 and after watching a few of his videos (namely this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPHCBWayEsY ) I think I will definitely go ahead and build one myself ;) Thanks again for all of your advice, glad I didnt make the mistake of wastingt nearly £1000!

MylesB93

Im clueless when it comes to PC hardware and specs so I was wondering if anyone here can help me out... I really want to get into PC gaming (mainly because of how amazing Steam is ;) ) and I saw this on Alienwares website: http://www.dell.com/uk/p/alienware-x51/pd?oc=d00and10&model_id=alienware-x51... Ideally I want something that can last me at least 3-4 years and I like I said, I dont know much about PC specs so can anyone tell me if thats a good deal? Thanks in advance :)

MylesB93

I wouldnt trust any of the cheaper pre-builts. They have more issues and use generic looking cases. Plus Alienware has one of the coolest communities and they are pretty friendly.

If you do ever want to upgrade the gpu, know that each gen uses less and less power. So good upgrades will always be available given time with the gpu.

[QUOTE="MylesB93"]

Im clueless when it comes to PC hardware and specs so I was wondering if anyone here can help me out... I really want to get into PC gaming (mainly because of how amazing Steam is ;) ) and I saw this on Alienwares website: http://www.dell.com/uk/p/alienware-x51/pd?oc=d00and10&model_id=alienware-x51... Ideally I want something that can last me at least 3-4 years and I like I said, I dont know much about PC specs so can anyone tell me if thats a good deal? Thanks in advance :)

slipknot0129

I wouldnt trust any of the cheaper pre-builts. They have more issues and use generic looking cases. Plus Alienware has one of the coolest communities and they are pretty friendly.

If you do ever want to upgrade the gpu, know that each gen uses less and less power. So good upgrades will always be available given time with the gpu.

Any of the x51's is a good value for just getting into pc gaming...slipknot0129

What do you get? Like $20 bucks from Alienware each time you post something positive about their prices?

Found this guy on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/duncan33303 and after watching a few of his videos (namely this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPHCBWayEsY ) I think I will definitely go ahead and build one myself ;) Thanks again for all of your advice, glad I didnt make the mistake of wastingt nearly £1000!

MylesB93

slipknot.. born2fail am i rite?

[QUOTE="MylesB93"]

Im clueless when it comes to PC hardware and specs so I was wondering if anyone here can help me out... I really want to get into PC gaming (mainly because of how amazing Steam is ;) ) and I saw this on Alienwares website: http://www.dell.com/uk/p/alienware-x51/pd?oc=d00and10&model_id=alienware-x51... Ideally I want something that can last me at least 3-4 years and I like I said, I dont know much about PC specs so can anyone tell me if thats a good deal? Thanks in advance :)

slipknot0129

I wouldnt trust any of the cheaper pre-builts. They have more issues and use generic looking cases. Plus Alienware has one of the coolest communities and they are pretty friendly.

If you do ever want to upgrade the gpu, know that each gen uses less and less power. So good upgrades will always be available given time with the gpu.

[QUOTE="MylesB93"]

Im clueless when it comes to PC hardware and specs so I was wondering if anyone here can help me out... I really want to get into PC gaming (mainly because of how amazing Steam is ;) ) and I saw this on Alienwares website: http://www.dell.com/uk/p/alienware-x51/pd?oc=d00and10&model_id=alienware-x51... Ideally I want something that can last me at least 3-4 years and I like I said, I dont know much about PC specs so can anyone tell me if thats a good deal? Thanks in advance :)

slipknot0129

I wouldnt trust any of the cheaper pre-builts. They have more issues and use generic looking cases. Plus Alienware has one of the coolest communities and they are pretty friendly.

If you do ever want to upgrade the gpu, know that each gen uses less and less power. So good upgrades will always be available given time with the gpu.

[QUOTE="slipknot0129"]

[QUOTE="MylesB93"]

Im clueless when it comes to PC hardware and specs so I was wondering if anyone here can help me out... I really want to get into PC gaming (mainly because of how amazing Steam is ;) ) and I saw this on Alienwares website: http://www.dell.com/uk/p/alienware-x51/pd?oc=d00and10&model_id=alienware-x51... Ideally I want something that can last me at least 3-4 years and I like I said, I dont know much about PC specs so can anyone tell me if thats a good deal? Thanks in advance :)

jonleeprice

I wouldnt trust any of the cheaper pre-builts. They have more issues and use generic looking cases. Plus Alienware has one of the coolest communities and they are pretty friendly.

If you do ever want to upgrade the gpu, know that each gen uses less and less power. So good upgrades will always be available given time with the gpu.

Its not a waste of money. Its a pretty good value. Each x51 is good enough for games these days. X51 is a pretty good gaming computer to get.slipknot0129

honestly with Alienware you can't go wrong. Plus they have a cool alien logo. doesn't get better than that.

jakes456

[QUOTE="jonleeprice"][QUOTE="slipknot0129"]Any of the x51's is a good value for just getting into pc gaming. Graphics arent going to improve that much. I expect any x51 to last you 4 years at least. If you want more power make sure to get the x51 with the gtx 555 because it comes with the 330w psu. You can use a more powerful gpu with that. For example a gtx 660 ti.

I wouldnt trust any of the cheaper pre-builts. They have more issues and use generic looking cases. Plus Alienware has one of the coolest communities and they are pretty friendly.

If you do ever want to upgrade the gpu, know that each gen uses less and less power. So good upgrades will always be available given time with the gpu.

slipknot0129

Shut the hell up slipknot. You can't argue with facts.

I could build 4 pcs that can run anything on high setting for that much, you need slapped.Travis_Odell

You will only be throwing money out the window when you buy any prebuilt computer from any of the major brand computer companies. I would advise you find a mate that can build you 10x better machine for the same cost.

I was in the market buy any prebuilt brand name computer probably go with Asus.

honestly with Alienware you can't go wrong. Plus they have a cool alien logo. doesn't get better than that.

jakes456

You will only be throwing money out the window when you buy any prebuilt computer from any of the major brand computer companies.

JAYSC81

[QUOTE="jonleeprice"][QUOTE="slipknot0129"]Any of the x51's is a good value for just getting into pc gaming. Graphics arent going to improve that much. I expect any x51 to last you 4 years at least. If you want more power make sure to get the x51 with the gtx 555 because it comes with the 330w psu. You can use a more powerful gpu with that. For example a gtx 660 ti.

I wouldnt trust any of the cheaper pre-builts. They have more issues and use generic looking cases. Plus Alienware has one of the coolest communities and they are pretty friendly.

If you do ever want to upgrade the gpu, know that each gen uses less and less power. So good upgrades will always be available given time with the gpu.

slipknot0129

[QUOTE="Travis_Odell"]I could build 4 pcs that can run anything on high setting for that much, you need slapped.slipknot0129

Disclaimer: I've been building computers since the CPM days with 300 BAUD modems... which proves that I don't know 'nuthing 'bout these fancy new hootenanny's.

I bought Alienware x51 i7 saved about $300 by getting the Sandybridge model instead of Ivy.
Also ordered a Samsung 830 128GB SSD for the OS so the 1TB HDD will be for data. Everything was 1K.

It's going horizonal in front of the 42" TV next to the PS3 in the home theatre with the Onkyo AVR.

Size and a appearance are important to me because the Gaming HTPC is the cornerstone of my living room entertainment center. Looks really don't matter if the system is in a bedroom vertical on a desk with a computer monitor and the door closed. Believe it or not, but people are willing to pay extra for 'looks' if it coordinates with the interior design.*

If so far as future upgrades to the video card - Nvidia's Kepler based Quadro K5000 has a 256-bit memory interface and sports 4GB of GDDR5 graphics memory and 173GB/sec of bandwidth across that memory. This card has an idle power of 18 watts and peaks out at 122 watts when it is working hard. It'll cost 2K when they come out in October.

Soon, when the 28 nanometer processes are fully ramped up, GPU's will be smaller, use much less energy, and costs will plunge quicker then SSDs affordability index.

AnandTech: "TSMCs 28nm process along with the Kepler architecture has greatly improved NVIDIAs power efficiency, with NVIDIAs graphics performance increasing while at the same time their power consumption has been greatly reduced."

I think I'll be able to upgrade the X51's graphic card in the future without a 850 watt PSU or SLI.

*Most importantly it passed the "Wife Acceptance Factor".

Disclaimer: I've been building computers since the CPM days with 300 BAUD modems... which proves that I don't know 'nuthing 'bout these fancy new hootenanny's.

I bought Alienware x51 i7 saved about $300 by getting the Sandybridge model instead of Ivy.
Also ordered a Samsung 830 128GB SSD for the OS so the 1TB HDD will be for data. Everything was 1K.

It's going horizonal in front of the 42" TV next to the PS3 in the home theatre with the Onkyo AVR.

Size and a appearance are important to me because the Gaming HTPC is the cornerstone of my living room entertainment center. Looks really don't matter if the system is in a bedroom vertical on a desk with a computer monitor and the door closed. Believe it or not, but people are willing to pay extra for 'looks' if it coordinates with the interior design.*

If so far as future upgrades to the video card - Nvidia's Kepler based Quadro K5000 has a 256-bit memory interface and sports 4GB of GDDR5 graphics memory and 173GB/sec of bandwidth across that memory. This card has an idle power of 18 watts and peaks out at 122 watts when it is working hard. It'll cost 2K when they come out in October.

Soon, when the 28 nanometer processes are fully ramped up, GPU's will be smaller, use much less energy, and costs will plunge quicker then SSDs affordability index.

AnandTech: "TSMCs 28nm process along with the Kepler architecture has greatly improved NVIDIAs power efficiency, with NVIDIAs graphics performance increasing while at the same time their power consumption has been greatly reduced."

I think I'll be able to upgrade the X51's graphic card in the future without a 850 watt PSU or SLI.

Everyone thinks my Alienware X51 looks wicked cool.

*Most importantly it passed the "Wife Acceptance Factor".

Stigmatist

None of this changes the absolutely undeniable fact that you can build a system with better components in every category for less money. Also, it is a fact that you are severely limited in your video card upgrade options, because of the tiny case. Top of the line cards physically will not fit in that case. If you want a prebuilt PC, and you're okay with spending extra money on meaningless things like a "cool" case (which is stupid, as pretty much any cheap, full size, or even mid size case on newegg also looks totally badass), then go ahead and get an alienware. But don't come on these forums feeding straight up lies to newbies who don't know any better. If you like your alienware, and you don't care about the money you spent on it, great. Good for you. Go enjoy your computer. But the next time someone comes on these forums and says anything by alienware is "good value", they're gonna get reported for spam. Because that is simply not true. And if you think it is, you clearly don't know what you're talking about, and shouldn't be offering advice. This should be a place where people can come with honest questions, and get honest answers, that actually help. Not thinly veiled advertisements.

I never said anything about "good value" or mention performance or quality. Just that the graphic card should be upgradeable with the new tech coming out soon.

It's not a good value. It's performance is barely passable. The quality of the build is questionable.

I have the money to waste. I suits my needs as primarily a HTPC. I got the extra warranty to cover me while it "breaks" in.
It got it because it matches the furniture.

I promise to never post an advertisement again. I haven't been here as long as you. I don't have as many posts either. Sorry for being uppity and not knowing my place. It'll never happen again. Forgive me.

I never said anything about "good value" or mention performance or quality. Just that the graphic card should be upgradeable with the new tech coming out soon.

It's not a good value. It's performance is barely passable. The quality of the build is questionable.

I have the money to waste. I suits my needs as primarily a HTPC. I got the extra warranty to cover me while it "breaks" in.
It got it because it matches the furniture.

I promise to never post an advertisement again. I haven't been here as long as you. I don't have as many posts either. Sorry for being uppity and not knowing my place. It'll never happen again. Forgive me.

Stigmatist

Lol. That's alright dude. I guess I clicked the quote button on your post cuz it was the most recent one, but I was more thinking about Skipknot, and a small handful of other users here who waste no time praising the x51 every time someone mentions it.

And yeah, you seem to be just who it was really made for. Someone who appreciates the design, and has the extra money to spend. Hope you enjoy it. And sorry if I came off sounding a bit hostile. The alienware fanboys around these parts have me on edge (along with some other users, as you can see in some of the previous posts in this very thread).

I've had a lot of experience with alien ware, none of them good... all of them trying to repair them. You're basically paying for an alien head logo and some flashy lights, as a lot of people have said already, build one or get one custom built if you dont have the know how. Also, if you do get one and discover its not worth your money, the company are a pain to get your money back from.AzKorGaming

Alienware sucks. It's that simple. You pay more money for less performance.

[QUOTE="AzKorGaming"]I've had a lot of experience with alien ware, none of them good... all of them trying to repair them. You're basically paying for an alien head logo and some flashy lights, as a lot of people have said already, build one or get one custom built if you dont have the know how. Also, if you do get one and discover its not worth your money, the company are a pain to get your money back from.slipknot0129

I see one huge heatsink here lol. I honestly hope you don't keep them stack like that cause amount of heat coming off two of them on at the same time can burn up the other.

Alienware was Lamborghini of pc gaming till Dell bought them out. You get cheapcomponents now and their built even more cheaper then before. You don't believe me open the case and check out the Power Supply and Ram bet it from company you never heard of.

Lol. You're paying nearly double the price for an alien head. Alienware is Dell now. Quite a few Alienware employees moved to Origin after Dell bought AW. If you're gonna dish a lot of money don't get an aliendell, go for Origin.

www.originpc.com

Lol. You're paying nearly double the price for an alien head. Alienware is Dell now. Quite a few Alienware employees moved to Origin after Dell bought AW. If you're gonna dish a lot of money don't get an aliendell, go for Origin.

www.originpc.com

k3ck

Alienwares are built to last.

Look at the hardware forum... People have power supplies dying, overheating problems, or can't even boot their computer.

Alienwares have no problems. They are strong from day 1 until the day you purchase your next Alien.

It don't get better than that.

Plus they have a cool alien logo.

Alienwares are built to last.

Look at the hardware forum... People have power supplies dying, overheating problems, or can't even boot their computer.

Alienwares have no problems. They are strong from day 1 until the day you purchase your next Alien.

It don't get better than that.

Plus they have a cool alien logo.

jakes456

Alienwares are built to last.

Look at the hardware forum... People have power supplies dying, overheating problems, or can't even boot their computer.

Alienwares have no problems. They are strong from day 1 until the day you purchase your next Alien.

It don't get better than that.

Plus they have a cool alien logo.

jakes456