Alienware ALX

[Bghead8che]

Well, I have an Athlon ALX on order. They are shipping at 2.8.

I'll post some benchmarks when I get it.

-Brian

 

[Manzelle]

The Lexus of desktops...

 

[ciwell]

Originally posted by: Manzelle
The Lexus of desktops...

For that kind of money, I would put a down payment ON a Lexus. Insanity at its best.

 

[HappyCracker]

Wow that power cable must give the machine awesome power after traveling through miles of Romex. High performance network cable? That thing must do tricks or clean my house. Eh, their cases still look tacky to me. I thought the alien thing died out after seventh grade sometime in the mid nineties.

 

[thirdlegstump]

Well they actually do look great and obviously spent a lot of money into design. I think for people who care about asthetics, it may very well be worth it. Same goes with the Macintoshes. Sometimes performance/price isn't the major deciding factor in buying things you know? It is sort of like trying to understand fashion. Some people don't want something so 5 minutes ago.

 

[zzzz]

can you buy simillar case ?

 

[TerryMathews]

I think probably one of the most underappreciated truths is that we, who post on this messageboard, are in the minority. By far. We build our own computers; normal people don't. Everyone knows it can be done, but most lack the determination, confidence, or experience to do it.

Consider that most of us buy our own cars; we don't have to. All the parts are available to construct your own. In most states, you can register and insure a prototype/kit car that you construct on your own. Same idea, just cars instead of computers.

Is this Alienware expensive? Hell yeah! Fast? No question. Somebody will be willing to buy it, and probably glad that they did. It's a level of performance that thus far has been unavailable to the non-enthusiast.

 

[Bghead8che]

Well my Alienware ALX system just arrived.

I bought the Athlon FX-53 system. My final price came to $5,300.

Here are some interesting tid-bits on my ALX Journey.

Ordering Experience:

1. The site lists system time as 30-45 days. By their own admission 30 days is unrealistic. They took 40 days to build and ship mine.
2. When I emailed them to ask how the computer will ship they told me Ground. Actually the computer ships 2nd Day Air.
3. After placing the order I had to ask my Rep 3 times to email me the speed of the Graphics card. Each time I was promised he would "get right back to me"
3. When I placed the order I was told by my Rep that the "average" system was shipping at 2.8. 4 WEEKS into the order I emailed my Rep to confirm my processor speed. He wrote back saying my system would ship at 2.6 and he was mistaken about the 2.8 speed! At this point since I have waited over a month I really had no choice but to continue w/ the order. I originally ordered the system because of the 2.8 promised speed.
4. A week before the order ships I get a call from the "system builder". He asks some of my setting preferences. I request that he email me w/ my processor and graphics card overclock when he is finished building the system. I never receive an email.

The System Arrives:

1. The case, while very cool looking, has an ultra cheap plastic feel. The case "feels" like a $60 case on close-out at CompUSA.
2. Another reason I ordered the Alienware system was because of the Liquid cooling. I wanted a system that was quiet. When I first turned on the system I thought I had turned on my vacuum by accident! LOUD! No problem. The system has 3 fan settings and the computer came set on the highest. Fan setting 1 (the quietest) is tolerable but far from quiet. Also, the large 120MM fan in the back rattles and is relatively loud. Also, what is the point of having 3 fan settings on this system? Maybe for people that enjoy the sound of vacuum cleaners?
3. The system IDLES at 53C. Isn't this high for a "Liquid Cooled" System?
4. Want to check the speed settings on your graphics card? Can't do it. Alienware disables the clock menu.
5. The system ships w/ 550mhz DDR. What is the point of this memory if they only overclock the system to 2570??? Someone help me here!
6. The site advertises the system as being shipped w/ "extra surprises". I think the only surprise is the fact you can not find the suprise. Everything I received was listed on the site.
7. The system shipped w/ the KNOWN TO BE CRAPPY Asus 939 board Revision 1. They have sinced changed to the Abit board (hmmm... I wonder why???). I requested prior to my computer being built that they change to the Abit board. They said no.
8. Upon receiving the system I anxiously unpacked the system and went straight to the system settings to see what speed my system shippped at. 2.93!!! Sweet! Well, actuall, no. My system shipped at 2.57, a measly 7% overclock! They could not even meet 2.6 as promised. At this point I am scratching my head. What is the point of 3 large/loud fans, 550Mhz Ram, and liquid cooling for a 7% overclock. Again people, help me out here.
9. Benchmarks are included! Whohaa! Wait a minute. They don't list any of the settings for the benchmarks. Was Doom, for example, tested at 1600 X 1200 or 800 X 600? We will never know. Also, interestingly enough, they show a 3DMark 2003 score of 12K. That is awesome..... if you bought a $1900 Compaq.
10. I swear. I am not making this stuff up Folks! I canceled my mouse/keyboard combo WELL before the order shipped (confirmed by my Rep AND the system builder). I know you will find this shocking........ I received a mouse and keyboard!

Now I have some questions for your guys.

1. Am I being unreasonable in my performance and customer service expectations considering I waited 6 weeks and paid over $5K?
2. Would you keep the system or ask for a well deserved refund?
3. Thoughts and comments?

-Brian

P.S. This is my FIRST time in 30 years EVER writing or posting anything even close to this. I'm not exactly what you would call a chronic complainer.

 

[Xernex]

Fark man, get a refund that?s terrible. You pay all that money and have all those problems? If there is ever a time in your life you are going to complain I strongly suggest you do it now. Using this forum post as a reference so you don?t forget to mention any points. Tell them all the problems you have had and that you want something to be done about it, preferably a refund. Probably the worst thing out of all that would be the customer service and all the promising of things that never came.

Seriously, don?t take it in the ass do something about it.

 

[Auric]

Last I heard their dual-card system uses a cheesy analog pass-through, circa 1998.