LoL at Alienware

[exdeath]

If anyone knows what kind of blocks Alienware uses for their PCI Express Ultras, I'd like to know.

There is a layout change from the reference AGP board to the PCIe board that places a single capacitor in a location that interferes with the most excellent Innovatek CoolMatic NV40 blocks!!!!

It's only like 1/8" too and thats snug against the capacitor... I am sooooo pissed!!!! I probably need to RMA these blocks and wait for a new revision or seek alternatives... but they were sold out forever and a day, scream such high quality, and are beautiful to look at; I haven't forced myself to return them...

I could always keep just one on hand for the 6800 UEE AGP and return the other

The Danger Den NV68 blocks are my next obvious choice but they aren't as sleek as the Innovatec blocks, don't cool the regulators, and I would need 1/2" to 1/4" adapters and it would just be a mess of unneccessary complications.

1/4" meets my needs for now as I would have to unwillingly ditch my ATC-111 case for anything custom with 1/2" cooling (not much space for internal rads, pumps, etc.)

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: exdeath
Anyhow I would expect OEM systems to cost LESS due to bulk discounts and enjoying dealer prices on each part and marking up the system as a whole unit rather than each piece seperately as is the case with a custom build. In other words, buying custom should cost more due to the middle (wo)men and the individual markup on each item that is allowed for in the MSRP. Alienware chooses to charge more than MSRP for each component option, which means they are getting the profit margin allowed for in the MSRP of each part, and then tacking on an additional $1000 to the final system.

Where is that money going? Somebody's pocket...

I just prefer that it stays in my pocket and I have a better computer as well!

You are overlooking a major expense, advertising These guys advertise rather heavily for such a small player IMO. They doubtless spent big to get that ad in 3Dmock, they sponsor that game show Arena, and of course that is on top of their print advertising costs and any other advertising and marketing expenses incurred.

 

[exdeath]

Originally posted by: exdeath
If anyone knows what kind of blocks Alienware uses for their PCI Express Ultras, I'd like to know.

There is a layout change from the reference AGP board to the PCIe board that places a single capacitor in a location that interferes with the most excellent Innovatek CoolMatic NV40 blocks!!!!

It's only like 1/8" too and thats snug against the capacitor... I am sooooo pissed!!!! I probably need to RMA these blocks and wait for a new revision or seek alternatives... but they were sold out forever and a day, scream such high quality, and are beautiful to look at; I haven't forced myself to return them...

I could always keep just one on hand for the 6800 UEE AGP and return the other

The Danger Den NV68 blocks are my next obvious choice but they aren't as sleek as the Innovatec blocks, don't cool the regulators, and I would need 1/2" to 1/4" adapters and it would just be a mess of unneccessary complications.

1/4" meets my needs for now as I would have to unwillingly ditch my ATC-111 case for anything custom with 1/2" cooling (not much space for internal rads, pumps, etc.)

*bump*

Anyone know what water blocks they use on the 7500 SLI system?

 

[Deleted member 4644]

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER
My perspective on the topic is this; Alienware makes very good points if you are an inexperienced DIYer or are simply essaying your first attempt vs prebuilt. Honestly, I can't imagine most of us seriously perusing AW for a purchase, and I doubt AW does either, so I don't believe we are intended to be a segment of the target audience/market focus.

There are waves of n00bs pouring in to the message boards every month that have questions about what they should buy, rate their intended build specs, and the thousands of pleas for help because they are unable to troubleshoot issues with the new build due to lack of experience. Look, a monkey can build their own PC, it is when things go awry *which is quite often judging from post on tech forums around the net* when experience along with knowledge of platform and product specific issues becomes invaluable. A n00b could spend weeks trying to get a problem resolved through posting for help, searching, and installing and reinstalling software and hardware, and if all else fails, RMA time and shipping costs. It is enough to make these poor souls wish they just ordered that AW system to begin with.

In the end, for our crowd it amounts to satire and a cause for derisive laughter, but for the inexperienced, I believe it is a good check list of items that need to be evaluated and weighed. If time=money for the prospective buyer, and they have little to no experience with building and upgrading PCs, then the process of acquiring the knowledge about the hard&software that they will need, how to integrate all of it properly, and the potential for a time consuming and fustrating troubleshooting adventure, should all be carefully considered before going DIY over OEM. I think that is exactly what that AW propaganda attempts to do, albeit with a very proAW slant, and that the points are all valid for the n00b.

And we haven't even gotten to the DIY factors of using overclocking to enhance value, the many nuances involved with an overclock depending on the particular components or which to choose for that matter, bios flashing/editing, how to evaluate the stability of the overclock, the risks involved from voiding the warranty and being out the money spent on the hardware, ect. We all take it for granted because it is practically 2nd nature now, but when you started out was it that way?

I'd go so far as to submit spending more on the AW is a better investment for the aforementioned crowd, why? Because they won't get caught up in this highly infectuous DIY game of constant costly upgrades and fads that drain their wallets through out the year after year after year Instead they will have an expensive one time cost system that since they are blissfully unaware isn't up to our crowds snooty standards, will likely satisfy their computing needs for years to come

MBHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHA

BEST POST EVAR.

DAPUNSIHER, you have caused my to reevaluate my entire existence. I am surrendering my DIY PC and joining an upper Tibetan monastery. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And may your life flow with harmonious peace.














Seriously, you made some good points. But never remind me how much I've spent on computuer parts over the years. Never!

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: exdeath
If anyone knows what kind of blocks Alienware uses for their PCI Express Ultras, I'd like to know.

There is a layout change from the reference AGP board to the PCIe board that places a single capacitor in a location that interferes with the most excellent Innovatek CoolMatic NV40 blocks!!!!

It's only like 1/8" too and thats snug against the capacitor... I am sooooo pissed!!!! I probably need to RMA these blocks and wait for a new revision or seek alternatives... but they were sold out forever and a day, scream such high quality, and are beautiful to look at; I haven't forced myself to return them...

I could always keep just one on hand for the 6800 UEE AGP and return the other

The Danger Den NV68 blocks are my next obvious choice but they aren't as sleek as the Innovatec blocks, don't cool the regulators, and I would need 1/2" to 1/4" adapters and it would just be a mess of unneccessary complications.

1/4" meets my needs for now as I would have to unwillingly ditch my ATC-111 case for anything custom with 1/2" cooling (not much space for internal rads, pumps, etc.)

You can use a maze4 or GPU maze on 6800's... the holes line up perfect. Keep in mind DDR3 is very cool so ram sinks are just fine if not OCing.

 

[kki000]

AW has a market, its for the lazy rich and stupid. The same market that Runco goes after.
They definitely have a place in this market place as there are plenty of lazy rich and stupid ppl.

Its really insulting to see the marketing muscle in full gear with these ridiculous pages.
They could have made some intelligent, cogent arguments for their brand vs building, they really could have.
Unfortunately they seemed to have geared these pages for their target audience.

I really think highend custom builders should exist to serve the market place.
These pages though highlight the stupidness of their target demo.
So whoever is defending AW as a place for noobs thats fine, i value that idea of a custom builder with a focus on performance.
These pages though are simply stupid and tout things that are simply wrong.

BTW, i dont think the building cars analogy is accurate. Whenever someone is impressed at the fact that i "build" my own machine, i really remind ppl its more like building a home hifi. The parts are all self contained and interchangeable more or less, no more complicated than adding a tapedeck to yer hifi system.
K

 

[exdeath]

Originally posted by: kki000
AW has a market, its for the lazy rich and stupid. The same market that Runco goes after.

Hehe you can get a Sony G90 or 1292Q 9" CRT projector for $4000 or so with a few hundred hours of use Thats just shy of the $35,000 MSRP

Best image quality you can get, exceeding HDTV at 2500 x 2000. I'd like to see some of the cinema LCOS projectors though: 4096x4096 resolution and no screen door effect!!!!

 

[JohnDoh]

Im build all my pcs but you cant compaire dell to any other manufactuer. They have a very anal R&D and setups are built like a rock. Intel motherboards, thermalright coolers, zippy psus, nidec fans/keyboards.... How many companys come up with there own drivers for others hardware, dell makes makes there own ati driver packages, intel chipset ect... If you dont build your own systems dell is a no brainer, now what you do with it once you got it and f*ck it up.... thats not dells fault

oh im curious has anyone been able to find these alienware cases (other then ebay), im intrested in the case, I dont care how cheaply built it is, can allways mod it

Im sorry if it was mentioned in the thread, long a** thread I dont have patience 2 read it all

 

[PCboy]

Alienware ALX's are hawt.