Buying an Alienware x51

Im buying an Alienware x51. The $1250 model. Before I buy it will there be a new version anytime soon?

Last time I bought a netbook and a week later a new one came out with better batter life,cpu,graphics and a fanless design.

I would get this instead http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1890499&CatId=493804dcarraher

Dude it is a laptop and can't be upgraded like the X51

Also to the TC I'm not sure why not ask on AlienWare Arena or facebook page.

I'm guessing they're waiting for the mid range kelpers and ivybridge to come out.

I can build a system with a 2500K and a GTX 680 in it and come out cheaper then $1250. That system is a rip off.

I can build a system with a 2500K and a GTX 680 in it and come out cheaper then $1250. That system is a rip off.

configme

An X51 probably couldn't either, the X51 is a desktop. Maybe you mean the M14x.

An X51 probably couldn't either, the X51 is a desktop. Maybe you mean the M14x.

configme

I can build a system with a 2500K and a GTX 680 in it and come out cheaper then $1250. That system is a rip off.

configme

This is a comparison I did with the $699 model

[QUOTE="configme"]

An X51 probably couldn't either, the X51 is a desktop. Maybe you mean the M14x.

slipknot0129

http://www.xoticpc.com/force-16f2012-msi-16f2-p-3376.html

Upgrade that to a quad-core processor and it will out perform your desktop while still being cheaper.

[QUOTE="configme"]Could I fit that in my backpack?

slipknot0129

[QUOTE="configme"]

I can build a system with a 2500K and a GTX 680 in it and come out cheaper then $1250. That system is a rip off.

slipknot0129

[QUOTE="slipknot0129"]

[QUOTE="configme"]

An X51 probably couldn't either, the X51 is a desktop. Maybe you mean the M14x.

configme

http://www.xoticpc.com/force-16f2012-msi-16f2-p-3376.html

Upgrade that to a quad-core processor and it will out perform your desktop while still being cheaper.

[QUOTE="configme"]

[QUOTE="slipknot0129"]On reviews it say X51 easily fits into a backpack.

slipknot0129

http://www.xoticpc.com/force-16f2012-msi-16f2-p-3376.html

Upgrade that to a quad-core processor and it will out perform your desktop while still being cheaper.

Here's an idea; an SG-07 based system for about $1400

Intel i5 2500K = $219.99

ASRock Z68 mITX board = $119.99

Silverstone SG-07 = $204.99

8GB DDR3 = $46.99

1TB Samsung HDD = $109.99

GTX 680 (lol) = $499.99

Windows 7 OEM = $99.99

Samsung slim ODD = $23.99

Hopefully I'm not forgetting anything. The SG-07 is about the same size as the x51, though it is a bit fatter; I'm not sure how well it'll fit in a backpack. You might want to look at the dimentions yourself to get a good idea of how big it is.

The 2500K and Z68 board, while nice to have, are not really necessary. You could save a few dollars by going with a cheaper non-K processor and maybe a H67 board or something along those lines. Speaking of which, you can fit a down-blowing heatsink into that case if I recall correctly; that should help quite a bit if you feel like overclocking a bit and to cool the motherboard components.

If you don't like the idea of packing a GTX 680 into that case, a lower end card is always an option. I think it would be best to stick with a rear-exhausting heatsink design though; it'll help in keeping the rest of the parts in the case cool.

And if you do end up going with this setup, be sure to spend a few minutes checking compatibility. I am reasonably confident that those parts will work together, but it never hurts to double-check.

--EDIT--

I'm wide awake and have nothing better to do at the moment, so I thought I'd look up the dimentions of each case to save you a bit of time. According so Silverstone, the SG07 is about 8.74" by 7.48" by 13.78", while the X51 is about 13" by 12.52" by 3.72" which is not including the power brick if I understand correctly.

[QUOTE="slipknot0129"]

[QUOTE="configme"]Why would you want to carry around a desktop? Why not just get a laptop?

http://www.xoticpc.com/force-16f2012-msi-16f2-p-3376.html

Upgrade that to a quad-core processor and it will out perform your desktop while still being cheaper.

configme

The thing can take a HD 7950........

[QUOTE="configme"]

[QUOTE="slipknot0129"]More power efficient graphics cards come out so I could upgrade in the future. Carry it in a backpack so it would be easy to take with me when I go to friends house.

NoodleFighter

The thing can take a HD 7950........

[QUOTE="configme"]

[QUOTE="slipknot0129"]More power efficient graphics cards come out so I could upgrade in the future. Carry it in a backpack so it would be easy to take with me when I go to friends house.

NoodleFighter

The thing can take a HD 7950........

[QUOTE="NoodleFighter"]

[QUOTE="configme"]They better be small and extremely power efficient, 330W PSU won't support much.

04dcarraher

The thing can take a HD 7950........

[QUOTE="NoodleFighter"]

[QUOTE="configme"]They better be small and extremely power efficient, 330W PSU won't support much.

configme

The thing can take a HD 7950........

Not in my opinion

I've did some custom builts on newegg with parts similar to the X51 and I didn't find much difference

[QUOTE="configme"]

[QUOTE="NoodleFighter"]

The thing can take a HD 7950........

NoodleFighter

Not in my opinion

I've did some custom builts on newegg with parts similar to the X51 and I didn't find much difference

[QUOTE="04dcarraher"]

[QUOTE="NoodleFighter"]

The thing can take a HD 7950........

configme

[QUOTE="configme"]

[QUOTE="NoodleFighter"]

The thing can take a HD 7950........

NoodleFighter

Not in my opinion

I've did some custom builts on newegg with parts similar to the X51 and I didn't find much difference

"I've did"........ English fail.

[QUOTE="NoodleFighter"]

[QUOTE="configme"]Yeah, I did some research and see that it can. Still a ripoff for what you're getting though.

kmarrelly

Not in my opinion

I've did some custom builts on newegg with parts similar to the X51 and I didn't find much difference

"I've did"........ English fail.

Everyone makes a mistake every once in a while dude.

[QUOTE="04dcarraher"]

[QUOTE="NoodleFighter"]

The thing can take a HD 7950........

configme

[QUOTE="configme"]

[QUOTE="04dcarraher"] I highly doubt a 330w can run a 7950 safely. The 7950 needs two pci-e 6pin power connectors no 300-400w psu has more then one while a good chuck dont have one at all, and the gpu will use an average of 160w by itself not including the rest of the system. Under normal gaming usage a system with 7950 uses 330w-370w.

kraken2109

The kid clearly just wants to get an Alienware to show of to his mates.

(I say kid because noone over the age of 15 would take their desktop to a friends house)(and if you are over 15 get out and meet some girls)

The kid clearly just wants to get an Alienware to show of to his mates.

(I say kid because noone over the age of 15 would take their desktop to a friends house)(and if you are over 15 get out and meet some girls)

jonleeprice

[QUOTE="jonleeprice"]

The kid clearly just wants to get an Alienware to show of to his mates.

(I say kid because noone over the age of 15 would take their desktop to a friends house)(and if you are over 15 get out and meet some girls)

Klipsh

lol @ alienware.

lol @ alienware.

Gen_Mojo

[QUOTE="Klipsh"][QUOTE="jonleeprice"]

The kid clearly just wants to get an Alienware to show of to his mates.

(I say kid because noone over the age of 15 would take their desktop to a friends house)(and if you are over 15 get out and meet some girls)

jonleeprice

Don't be a fool, build your own pc. YoshiYogurt

Don't waste your money on this... With the horrible PSU, you will never upgrade your graphic card, and the price is outrageous.

Go with a solution like the people said above and get a small form factor PC. Some cases even come with a handle on top.

that xion htpc case doesnt fit fullsized dualslot graphics cards the expansion ports arent wide enough only low profile cards.

If you are totally set on the size factor of the x51 get the lowest end model and do your own upgrades and it can become more high end for less. I've read that with the PSU in there the best graphics card it can go with is a GTX 560 which can be found for about $150 and that alone should be great.

If you are totally set on the size factor of the x51 get the lowest end model and do your own upgrades and it can become more high end for less. I've read that with the PSU in there the best graphics card it can go with is a GTX 560 which can be found for about $150 and that alone should be great.

dovberg

The HD 7870 or 7850 would be much better upgrades

Don't waste your money on this... With the horrible PSU, you will never upgrade your graphic card, and the price is outrageous.

Go with a solution like the people said above and get a small form factor PC. Some cases even come with a handle on top.

Idontremember

Once again

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iAimE5aQUI&feature=channel

[QUOTE="Idontremember"]

Don't waste your money on this... With the horrible PSU, you will never upgrade your graphic card, and the price is outrageous.

Go with a solution like the people said above and get a small form factor PC. Some cases even come with a handle on top.

NoodleFighter

Once again

Once again:

It's not because they managed to make it work that it is a good idea.

Anyone who pays with their very own money the hardware should not attempt this.

Clearly, you have never dealt with people who have fried their PC because of a stupid graphic card upgrade with a crappy PSU. It is a very high risk with extreme consequences.

Sure they managed to get a 7950 running, that doesn't mean that in a few months the PC will have survived.

What they are doing is taking a ridiculously uncalculated risk. Period. If it works now, then good for them, anyone else souldn't try it.

There is a recommended PSU from the manufacturers because PSU vary a lot in quality, even when rated equal. If the PSU isn't strong enough in the long run, you can pretty much destroy the entire computer. Like I said before, you should never overestimate the PC. The card is rated at 500W by AMD and there is a reason for it.

EDIT: The 7870 actually consums much less than a gtx 560, so you were right on that point, if it consumes less than a gtx555, than I guess it's ok then. I admit my mistake on that one, but a 7970, I still woudn't try it. My argument about not pushing a PSU to its limit still stands though. It's a bad idea.

To answer the original question: yes, it's getting Ivy Bridge and probably new GPUs in the near future. It's hard to say how big a performance increase the update will bring (Ivy is more about lower power consumption, mid-range Kepler is a big question mark, and Dell might not offer an AMD GPU in order to keep Optimus support), but if nothing else Dell tends to offer pretty decent clearance prices on old SKUs.

To answer the question of whether the x51 is worth it: probably not. The x51 is really more of a gaming HTPC or entry-level gaming rig than a LAN box -- if you're really worried about portability just go with a decent laptop, or if you want upgradability build yourself a mini-ITX rig.

[QUOTE="Klipsh"][QUOTE="jonleeprice"] Sorry i have never sunk to such sad lows as to do this, i grew out of playing games at friends houses etc when i reached 16, (so my point still stands imo that is) :)jonleeprice

I still don't see how it's sad. How is hanging out with friends bad, regardless of what you're doing?