LoL at Alienware

[BudAshes]

Building your own system means you will have to rely on public forums for answers to questions or problems you may have. Participants from other forums are not likely to have your interests at heart, and may not be as knowledgeable. Can you trust them?

ROFLMAO

 

[Rebel Nugget]

Originally posted by: Zebo

good 19" only cost $150..

I feel sorry for you. Are you disabled? Recieving SSAI benefits for the blind? Sorry dude, no $150 19" monitor belongs anyplace other than a server room. Which is exactly why a premium dealer like AW does'nt sell garbage like that. They are building a repected company not pushing junk which won't last and leaves customers with a bad taste in their mouth.

As for the rest of your post. I challeged people to match any of their systems within 80% cheaper and they can't do it, you can't do it, you don't have to pick a $600 diamondtron pick anything you want there and I guarnatee AW is not more than 20% above newegg. Which makes thier systems not overpriced considering all you get for that 20% max price premium..assembly, service and support.

I would love to see some of these cheap lego boxes you guys assemble...seriously.I'm sure the kids in China would laugh at your cheapskate rattle traps with no re-sale value.

Let's do a little comparison here.
http://www.alienware.com/Confi...mp;SubCode=SKU-DEFAULT
Cpu: Fx-55+
Mobo: MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum
Ram: 1 gb Corsair XMS
GFX: 2x 6800 ultra
HDD: 74 gb W. Dig Raptor
Optical: NEC 16x dual later dvd +-
Built in liquid cooling
510 W Power and Cooling
Cost: $5,000

Compared to a system of the same specs bought online
FX-55 $900
MSI K8N $300 (this was not from newegg as it had to be pre-ordered and newegg doesn't do that)
Corsair XMS $261
2x 6800 ultras $1372 (again not from newegg, but from gameve)
Raptor $175
NEC $70
PSU, i couldn't really figure out wtf psu that was so i subbed in an antec true power 550w for $109
Case + Cooling.... lets say $300 just to be liberal
Total: $3487

Let's see here, I have to whip out my mad math skillz and that seems to be within 80% of the Alienware system. Not only that but it looks like it is 70% of the cost, a full 30% less!

Amazing cost for putting together the system and giving you tech support for a year. I'm sure that even if you built it like crap you would be hard pressed to spend almost $1600 on tech support in a year.

Just wanted to put to rest all these posts i was seeing about Alienware being at most 10% more and the tripe like that.

 

[exdeath]

Originally posted by: Rebel Nugget

Originally posted by: Zebo

good 19" only cost $150..

I feel sorry for you. Are you disabled? Recieving SSAI benefits for the blind? Sorry dude, no $150 19" monitor belongs anyplace other than a server room. Which is exactly why a premium dealer like AW does'nt sell garbage like that. They are building a repected company not pushing junk which won't last and leaves customers with a bad taste in their mouth.

As for the rest of your post. I challeged people to match any of their systems within 80% cheaper and they can't do it, you can't do it, you don't have to pick a $600 diamondtron pick anything you want there and I guarnatee AW is not more than 20% above newegg. Which makes thier systems not overpriced considering all you get for that 20% max price premium..assembly, service and support.

I would love to see some of these cheap lego boxes you guys assemble...seriously.I'm sure the kids in China would laugh at your cheapskate rattle traps with no re-sale value.

Let's do a little comparison here.
http://www.alienware.com/Confi...mp;SubCode=SKU-DEFAULT
Cpu: Fx-55+
Mobo: MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum
Ram: 1 gb Corsair XMS
GFX: 2x 6800 ultra
HDD: 74 gb W. Dig Raptor
Optical: NEC 16x dual later dvd +-
Built in liquid cooling
510 W Power and Cooling
Cost: $5,000

Compared to a system of the same specs bought online
FX-55 $900
MSI K8N $300 (this was not from newegg as it had to be pre-ordered and newegg doesn't do that)
Corsair XMS $261
2x 6800 ultras $1372 (again not from newegg, but from gameve)
Raptor $175
NEC $70
PSU, i couldn't really figure out wtf psu that was so i subbed in an antec true power 550w for $109
Case + Cooling.... lets say $300 just to be liberal
Total: $3487

Let's see here, I have to whip out my mad math skillz and that seems to be within 80% of the Alienware system. Not only that but it looks like it is 70% of the cost, a full 30% less!

Amazing cost for putting together the system and giving you tech support for a year. I'm sure that even if you built it like crap you would be hard pressed to spend almost $1600 on tech support in a year.

Just wanted to put to rest all these posts i was seeing about Alienware being at most 10% more and the tripe like that.

That's also with some severe price gouging on several of those parts, dual Ultras should only be $1,000 for example, so you actually come out cheaper!

Cooling and case would probably be a little more, it's basically a Koolance case with 500 watt cooling capacity, plus CPU water block $50 and GPU water blocks about $100 each for good ones (I can't tell if the Alienware GPU blocks are full card contact or just weak GPU blocks with ram sinks).

Hmm lemme price my system, I actually have no idea what the total is since I do incremental upgrades rather than full system builds. These are the prices I remember paying and some of them have dropped a little since then. I will include the price of a 21.3" LCD instead of my Sony F500-R 21" CRT as it reflects current prices and availability: the CRT was $1,750 and is no longer produced!!!

Core Components:
FX-55 @ 3.0 GHz ----------------------- $870
Asus A8N-SLI --------------------------- $300
Corsair 3200 XL 1024MB -------------- $275

Chassis and Cooling:
Coolermaster ATC-111 ---------------- $170
Enermax 465w PSU -------------------- $80
Koolance Exos Al ----------------------- $200
Koolance CPU-300 cpu water block---- $50
Koolance GPU-180 mobo water block - $35
Innovatec NV40 water blocks ----------$265

Audio & Video:
Samsung 213T 21.3" LCD -------------- $850
Dual 6800 Ultra PCIe cards in SLI ---- $1140
Audigy II ZS ---------------------------- $80

Storage:
Dual Raptor WD740GD RAID0 ---------- $300
Sony DRU-710A -------------------------- $80

Input Devices:
Logitech MX Duo cordless kb/mouse ---- $70

Software:
Win XP Pro (full retail, no discounts) --- $200

Total --------------------------------- $4965


Alienware Equivilent System ------- $5450

Wow, thats alot better than I expected considering the extra preinstalled software and games they also give you (right?) and any rebates/specials. I guess they only rape you for Intel hardware.

I can't figure out why it's so close when, for example, I got my Raptor WD740GD drives for $150 each, Alienware charges $220 to go from 1 drive to 2.

EDIT: Crap the Alienware system didn't include a display!!!!! Hah! I knew it! Add the 20.1" LCD that's closest to the 213T and you have around $6,400

And we know Alienware doesnt pay MRSP prices let alone gouged prices over MSRP, they get these items at dealer cost... so yeah fu#$ them.

 

[Philippine Mango]

Some one needs to also configure a system at the exact price of theres but show how much *better ours is. What a lot of people miss is that you can save a lot of money if you have all the peripherals, it's not like were buying a system for granny and if we are, why does she need an FX Chip?

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: Rebel Nugget

Originally posted by: Zebo

good 19" only cost $150..

I feel sorry for you. Are you disabled? Recieving SSAI benefits for the blind? Sorry dude, no $150 19" monitor belongs anyplace other than a server room. Which is exactly why a premium dealer like AW does'nt sell garbage like that. They are building a repected company not pushing junk which won't last and leaves customers with a bad taste in their mouth.

As for the rest of your post. I challeged people to match any of their systems within 80% cheaper and they can't do it, you can't do it, you don't have to pick a $600 diamondtron pick anything you want there and I guarnatee AW is not more than 20% above newegg. Which makes thier systems not overpriced considering all you get for that 20% max price premium..assembly, service and support.

I would love to see some of these cheap lego boxes you guys assemble...seriously.I'm sure the kids in China would laugh at your cheapskate rattle traps with no re-sale value.

Let's do a little comparison here.
http://www.alienware.com/Confi...mp;SubCode=SKU-DEFAULT
Cpu: Fx-55+
Mobo: MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum
Ram: 1 gb Corsair XMS
GFX: 2x 6800 ultra
HDD: 74 gb W. Dig Raptor
Optical: NEC 16x dual later dvd +-
Built in liquid cooling
510 W Power and Cooling
Cost: $5,000

Compared to a system of the same specs bought online
FX-55 $900
MSI K8N $300 (this was not from newegg as it had to be pre-ordered and newegg doesn't do that)
Corsair XMS $261
2x 6800 ultras $1372 (again not from newegg, but from gameve)
Raptor $175
NEC $70
PSU, i couldn't really figure out wtf psu that was so i subbed in an antec true power 550w for $109
Case + Cooling.... lets say $300 just to be liberal
Total: $3487

Let's see here, I have to whip out my mad math skillz and that seems to be within 80% of the Alienware system. Not only that but it looks like it is 70% of the cost, a full 30% less!

Amazing cost for putting together the system and giving you tech support for a year. I'm sure that even if you built it like crap you would be hard pressed to spend almost $1600 on tech support in a year.

Just wanted to put to rest all these posts i was seeing about Alienware being at most 10% more and the tripe like that.

Tripe indeed thats so apples to oranges and not even usable CPU.

-AW uses PCPC turbocool 510 PSU not some crappt $100 PSU Add $220
-AW Gives you MS mouse and keyboard which you don't even have a mouse or KB add $60
-AW gives you XP pro you have no OS Add $140

$109
Case + Cooling.... lets say $300 just to be liberal

-LMAO just a 6800 water block is $129 alone they use and they have two, pump $80, CPU $55 rad etc. Sorry WC = $600 conservative if you disagree it's obivous you never been into water cooling
http://www.dangerdenstore.com/...&cat=48&page=1
-Case add $100 minimum for same quality as AW's but $200 is more resonable
-Where's your Creative Sound Blaster??? $70

-wheres your free shipping AW gives add $70 shipping from newegg
-Where's the instant $199.00 rebate from AW which you failed to mention?

Your off by $1200 dollars. Again within 20%

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: exdeath



That's also with some severe price gouging on several of those parts, dual Ultras should only be $1,000 for example, so you actually come out cheaper!

Cooling and case would probably be a little more, it's basically a Koolance case with 500 watt cooling capacity, plus CPU water block $50 and GPU water blocks about $100 each for good ones (I can't tell if the Alienware GPU blocks are full card contact or just weak GPU blocks with ram sinks).

Hmm lemme price my system, I actually have no idea what the total is since I do incremental upgrades rather than full system builds. These are the prices I remember paying and some of them have dropped a little since then. I will include the price of a 21.3" LCD instead of my Sony F500-R 21" CRT as it reflects current prices and availability: the CRT was $1,750 and is no longer produced!!!

Core Components:
FX-55 @ 3.0 GHz ----------------------- $870
Asus A8N-SLI --------------------------- $300
Corsair 3200 XL 1024MB -------------- $275

Chassis and Cooling:
Coolermaster ATC-111 ---------------- $170
Enermax 465w PSU -------------------- $80
Koolance Exos Al ----------------------- $200
Koolance CPU-300 cpu water block---- $50
Koolance GPU-180 mobo water block - $35
Innovatec NV40 water blocks ----------$265

Audio & Video:
Samsung 213T 21.3" LCD -------------- $850
Dual 6800 Ultra PCIe cards in SLI ---- $1140
Audigy II ZS ---------------------------- $80

Storage:
Dual Raptor WD740GD RAID0 ---------- $300
Sony DRU-710A -------------------------- $80

Input Devices:
Logitech MX Duo cordless kb/mouse ---- $70

Software:
Win XP Pro (full retail, no discounts) --- $200

Total --------------------------------- $4965


Alienware Equivilent System ------- $5450

Wow, thats alot better than I expected considering the extra preinstalled software and games they also give you (right?) and any rebates/specials. I guess they only rape you for Intel hardware.

I can't figure out why it's so close when, for example, I got my Raptor WD740GD drives for $150 each, Alienware charges $220 to go from 1 drive to 2.

EDIT: Crap the Alienware system didn't include a display!!!!! Hah! I knew it! Add the 20.1" LCD that's closest to the 213T and you have around $6,400

And we know Alienware doesnt pay MRSP prices let alone gouged prices over MSRP, they get these items at dealer cost... so yeah fu#$ them.

apples to oranges applies to you too..all that work for nothing what a shame.

PS where you getting these 6800 Ultra PCIe cards??? Please, I got to know. Especially at the price.

Hell I bet you can't even build thier system at any price let alone thier price. Both pricewatch and pricegrabber have zero vendors listed for 6800 ultra PCIe's

 

[exdeath]

Originally posted by: Zebo

Originally posted by: exdeath



That's also with some severe price gouging on several of those parts, dual Ultras should only be $1,000 for example, so you actually come out cheaper!

Cooling and case would probably be a little more, it's basically a Koolance case with 500 watt cooling capacity, plus CPU water block $50 and GPU water blocks about $100 each for good ones (I can't tell if the Alienware GPU blocks are full card contact or just weak GPU blocks with ram sinks).

Hmm lemme price my system, I actually have no idea what the total is since I do incremental upgrades rather than full system builds. These are the prices I remember paying and some of them have dropped a little since then. I will include the price of a 21.3" LCD instead of my Sony F500-R 21" CRT as it reflects current prices and availability: the CRT was $1,750 and is no longer produced!!!

Core Components:
FX-55 @ 3.0 GHz ----------------------- $870
Asus A8N-SLI --------------------------- $300
Corsair 3200 XL 1024MB -------------- $275

Chassis and Cooling:
Coolermaster ATC-111 ---------------- $170
Enermax 465w PSU -------------------- $80
Koolance Exos Al ----------------------- $200
Koolance CPU-300 cpu water block---- $50
Koolance GPU-180 mobo water block - $35
Innovatec NV40 water blocks ----------$265

Audio & Video:
Samsung 213T 21.3" LCD -------------- $850
Dual 6800 Ultra PCIe cards in SLI ---- $1140
Audigy II ZS ---------------------------- $80

Storage:
Dual Raptor WD740GD RAID0 ---------- $300
Sony DRU-710A -------------------------- $80

Input Devices:
Logitech MX Duo cordless kb/mouse ---- $70

Software:
Win XP Pro (full retail, no discounts) --- $200

Total --------------------------------- $4965


Alienware Equivilent System ------- $5450

Wow, thats alot better than I expected considering the extra preinstalled software and games they also give you (right?) and any rebates/specials. I guess they only rape you for Intel hardware.

I can't figure out why it's so close when, for example, I got my Raptor WD740GD drives for $150 each, Alienware charges $220 to go from 1 drive to 2.

EDIT: Crap the Alienware system didn't include a display!!!!! Hah! I knew it! Add the 20.1" LCD that's closest to the 213T and you have around $6,400

And we know Alienware doesnt pay MRSP prices let alone gouged prices over MSRP, they get these items at dealer cost... so yeah fu#$ them.

apples to oranges applies to you too..all that work for nothing what a shame.

PS where you getting these 6800 Ultra PCIe cards??? Please, I got to know. Especially at the price.

Hell I bet you can't even build thier system at any price let alone thier price. Both pricewatch and pricegrabber have zero vendors listed for 6800 ultra PCIe's

How is that apples to oranges? I configured an Alienware system with every last component including the OS, kb, & mouse to match my system, with two or 3 parts picked for the closest match (They don't have a 21.3" LCD for example)

And it wasn't for nothing... I learned how much my PC is currently worth :Q One part here, one part there... damn it adds up fast!

I got the PCIe Ultras at www.buyxg.com for $569 each a few weeks ago when they listed only 5 in stock and none since then :-(

 

[Zebo]

Enermax 465w PSU -------------------- $80 ??

They say right on thier page they use PCP&C Turbocool 510 which is $220

You failed to include shipping, they have none on ALX. The ALX is also only $4999 - $200 instant rebate = $4800 add thier $800 monitor = $5600 Shipped.

What did you pay for yours? $4965 plus shipping (maybe $100 since you order from several vendors?) = $5165

$5600@AW vs $5165@exdeath

Well within 20% margin I said earlier. 8.4% more money for AW actually.. 8.4% worth setup, warranty, software, support???

(note I did'nt add the 2nd raptor to AW setup, but neither did you add PCPC PSU to your setup so it's a wash)

 

[Zebo]

BTW exdeath, frekken awesome system

 

[Elemennop]

If Alienware is making you pay $250 for a 500W power supply, that's what I call wasteful spending.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: Elemennop
If Alienware is making you pay $250 for a 500W power supply, that's what I call wasteful spending.

Seeing as a PSU like that can survive multiple system upgrades I'd call it a damned sound investment.

The arrogant, elitest attitude of most computer geeks is enough to make the average consumer want to pimp slap them I'm certain It is the inspiration for things like the SNL company tech support guy skits, and numerous derogatory names and stereotypes attached to the hobby

 

[exdeath]

Originally posted by: Zebo
Enermax 465w PSU -------------------- $80 ??

They say right on thier page they use PCP&C Turbocool 510 which is $220

You failed to include shipping, they have none on ALX. The ALX is also only $4999 - $200 instant rebate = $4800 add thier $800 monitor = $5600 Shipped.

What did you pay for yours? $4965 plus shipping (maybe $100 since you order from several vendors?) = $5165

$5600@AW vs $5165@exdeath

Well within 20% margin I said earlier. 8.4% more money for AW actually.. 8.4% worth setup, warranty, software, support???

(note I did'nt add the 2nd raptor to AW setup, but neither did you add PCPC PSU to your setup so it's a wash)

Well you may have me on the power supply, but then it's not really my fault that all they offer is that particular model. Just highlights another advantage of a custom build: flexibility in choosing components. Not that the PCPC PSU isn't a premium unit, but it's also kinda like saying I should factor my Ultra's at $800 each instead of the $569 I paid just because that's what Alienware charges I am also pretty sure that the Alienware SLI video water blocks hold nothing on Innovatek Coolmatic NV40 blocks, so there is a little bit of this both ways.

I did also acknowledged that I didn't factor any kind of rebates or warranties or anything.

As for shipping, just about everything I listed, including the case, was free fex ex shipping from places like newegg. Due to various promotions and stuff, this of course is expected to vary. At most I probably spent $20 on shipping. To Alienware's credit you just get the machine and be done with it and not have the hastle of mailing in rebates, waiting for special sales and deals on certain parts at different times, etc.

I just configured that ALX system as close to mine as possible; I noticed people here aren't including the cost of the OS software, etc. which I did include in mine. I also removed all the extended warranties, extras, etc. that I don't have explicitly shown for my custom build. I also realized just now that I didn't check for a premium mouse and keyboard and assumed one was included; but that would just raise my price more than AW's. Added the largest and most comparible 20.1" LCD, and the price I got was somewhere around $6,400 without rebates or anything.

Ultimately though I found that the difference is still probably within $1,000. When I figured I could build the same machine cheaper I was thinking my machine was probably worth around $3,000 .... It's hard to believe what it did cost me total.... you don't really see that when you upgrade piecewise constantly. Eitherway the Alienware systems are overpriced.

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER

Originally posted by: Elemennop
If Alienware is making you pay $250 for a 500W power supply, that's what I call wasteful spending.

Seeing as a PSU like that can survive multiple system upgrades I'd call it a damned sound investment.

The arrogant, elitest attitude of most computer geeks is enough to make the average consumer want to pimp slap them I'm certain It is the inspiration for things like the SNL company tech support guy skits, and numerous derogatory names and stereotypes attached to the hobby

I'm honestly surprised the enermax 465 can handle exdeath's setup (probably due to fat 33A 12 it's got)...

Good to know though since that what I have with way less overhead than he....room to grow is cool.

turbocool is in another league though. 38A on 12, 1% tolerences etc...

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: exdeath

Originally posted by: Zebo
Enermax 465w PSU -------------------- $80 ??

They say right on thier page they use PCP&C Turbocool 510 which is $220

You failed to include shipping, they have none on ALX. The ALX is also only $4999 - $200 instant rebate = $4800 add thier $800 monitor = $5600 Shipped.

What did you pay for yours? $4965 plus shipping (maybe $100 since you order from several vendors?) = $5165

$5600@AW vs $5165@exdeath

Well within 20% margin I said earlier. 8.4% more money for AW actually.. 8.4% worth setup, warranty, software, support???

(note I did'nt add the 2nd raptor to AW setup, but neither did you add PCPC PSU to your setup so it's a wash)

Well you may have me on the power supply, but then it's not really my fault that all they offer is that particular model. Just highlights another advantage of a custom build: flexibility in choosing components. Not that the PCPC PSU isn't a premium unit, but it's also kinda like saying I should factor my Ultra's at $800 each instead of the $569 I paid just because that's what Alienware charges

I did also acknowledge that I didn't factor any kind of rebates or warranties or anything.

As for shipping, just about everything I listed, including the case, was free fex ex shipping from places like newegg. Due to various promotions and stuff, this of course is expected to vary. At most I probably spent $20 on shipping. To Alienware's credit you just get the machine and be done with it and not have the hastle of mailing in rebates, waiting for special sales and deals on certain parts at different times, etc.

I just configured that ALX system as close to mine as possible; I noticed people here aren't including the cost of the OS software, etc. which I did include in mine. I also removed all the extended warranties, extras, etc. that I don't have explicitly shown for my custom build. I also realized just now that I didn't check for a premium mouse and keyboard and assumed one was included; but that would just raise my price more than AW's. Added the largest and most comparible 20.1" LCD, and the price I got was somewhere around $6,400 without rebates or anything.

Ultimately though I found that the difference is still probably within $1,000. When I figured I could build the same machine cheaper I was thinking my machine was probably worth around $3,000 .... It's hard to believe what it did cost me total.... you don't really see that when you upgrade piecewise constantly.

Dude we're totally in agreement, you see me building my own after all. I just think it's stupid in this day in age to bash AW and was pointing that out. They used to have crazy assed prices, double what you or I could assemble for, and the citizism was justified then, not anymore.

No overclcoker should bother with AW, no one on a budget should either, no one who knows and likes tweaking should either... but for the normal, uneducated person I think they offer something of value for a 20% max premium.

 

[exdeath]

Originally posted by: Zebo

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER

Originally posted by: Elemennop
If Alienware is making you pay $250 for a 500W power supply, that's what I call wasteful spending.

Seeing as a PSU like that can survive multiple system upgrades I'd call it a damned sound investment.

The arrogant, elitest attitude of most computer geeks is enough to make the average consumer want to pimp slap them I'm certain It is the inspiration for things like the SNL company tech support guy skits, and numerous derogatory names and stereotypes attached to the hobby

I'm honestly surprised the enermax 465 can handle exdeath's setup (probably due to fat 33A 12 it's got)...

Good to know though since that what I have with way less overhead than he....room to grow is cool.

turbocool is in another league though. 38A on 12, 1% tolerences etc...

Quite a surprise to me too... I do need a new supply though, I am completely out of molex. The 6800 PCIe cards are each powered by a single cable with both molexes on a 2 molex -> 1 PCIe connector; you're supposed to have a seperate cable for each one for a total of 4 The cables aren't getting gooey and the PSU temp hasn't changed much so it's all good for now But I know I am running it near its peak full time; never a good thing to do with a PSU even of high quality.

I am probably going to replace it with the new SLI turbocool PSU that has the 2 native PCIe rails and 24 pin ATX and retire this to powering the system it once powered: An A7M266 with a 1,333 TBird that I have sitting around with no case or power supply.

 

[Gothgar]

Originally posted by: Zebo
Enermax 465w PSU -------------------- $80 ??

They say right on thier page they use PCP&C Turbocool 510 which is $220

You failed to include shipping, they have none on ALX. The ALX is also only $4999 - $200 instant rebate = $4800 add thier $800 monitor = $5600 Shipped.

What did you pay for yours? $4965 plus shipping (maybe $100 since you order from several vendors?) = $5165

$5600@AW vs $5165@exdeath

Well within 20% margin I said earlier. 8.4% more money for AW actually.. 8.4% worth setup, warranty, software, support???

(note I did'nt add the 2nd raptor to AW setup, but neither did you add PCPC PSU to your setup so it's a wash)

from exdeath

Core Components:
FX-55 @ 3.0 GHz ----------------------- $870
Asus A8N-SLI --------------------------- $300
Corsair 3200 XL 1024MB -------------- $275

Chassis and Cooling:
Coolermaster ATC-111 ---------------- $170
Enermax 465w PSU -------------------- $80
Koolance Exos Al ----------------------- $200
Koolance CPU-300 cpu water block---- $50
Koolance GPU-180 mobo water block - $35
Innovatec NV40 water blocks ----------$265

Audio & Video:
Samsung 213T 21.3" LCD -------------- $850
Dual 6800 Ultra PCIe cards in SLI ---- $1140
Audigy II ZS ---------------------------- $80

Storage:
Dual Raptor WD740GD RAID0 ---------- $300
Sony DRU-710A -------------------------- $80

Input Devices:
Logitech MX Duo cordless kb/mouse ---- $70

Software:
Win XP Pro (full retail, no discounts) --- $200

Total --------------------------------- $4965


Alienware Equivilent System ------- $5450


Okay, lets make this a little more equivalent to the Alienware, get the same monitor Dell 2005fp for $575,
Win XP Pro @ Newegg for $140, that is $335 cheaper , drop the 140 more for the PSU, makes a $195 difference, we can take off the one raptor now, (150) for a $345 difference

so actually, a more accurate comparison to the alienware would be 4965 - 345 = $4620 and we can go with 100 for shipping, so $4720 compared to AW@ $5600...

thanks, but I will save 1000 dollars for something else...

"worth setup, warranty, software, support??? "

yes, setup = cake, and it is fun.
Warranty, uhm, all retail crap has good warranties, but I suppose you could go with Newegg warranties on everything for prolly around $100,
software - not familiar with what software the alienware has, but prolly a lot of spyware preinstalled for your use!
support - ha ha ha, maybe you could have your mom hold your hand if something doesnt work right, is that support enough?

 

[exdeath]

Don't forget that $5,600 was the initial quote for the AW before I went to the second screen and remembered to add a display. It pushed it to $6,400, and that was with 2 Raptors, not one.

Price asside, comparing my system to the Alienware is like comparing a stock '03 Cobra to my KB '03 Cobra: Mine is faster and custom tuned, but a stock '03 Cobra still isn't something to laugh at

 

[Gothgar]

Originally posted by: exdeath
Don't forget that $5,600 was the initial quote for the AW before I went to the second screen and remembered to add a display. It pushed it to $6,400, and that was with 2 Raptors, not one.

Price asside, comparing my system to the Alienware is like comparing a stock '03 Cobra to my KB '03 Cobra: Mine is faster and custom tuned, but a stock '03 Cobra still isn't something to laugh at

hehe, no computer that cost that much damn money is going to suck, hopefully...

I just checked out Newegg, and as far as in stock 6800 Ultras, they have 4 different flavors in stock right now, they all come with about 3-5 games, plus they are giving away HL2 download for free with purchase, and a free printer (cannon c84 after MIR) seeing as from the second video card you wouldnt need the software, sell 4*20$ a piece, that's another 80$ that can be used for Antiviral software, etc, and you get tons of games for free... oh yeah, free napster downloads

 

[exdeath]

I got every game short of Doom 3 and Halflife 2 free with hardware (SB Audigy II ZS Gamer with $35 rebate and like $200 in games including Halo and Raven Shield).

Oh yeah I guess I did buy Generals Zero Hour and Warcraft III FT...

Bah! Hardcore PC users don't use anti virus software! It slows down your machine and consumes vital CPU time and disk IO!!!

taskmgr and netstat should be all you need to monitor your machine for unauthorized pwning

Of course SP2 also helps, and revoking your own create/write permission on %systemroot% prevents 90% of spyware and viruses from installing themselves

 

[Mellman]

I can't speak for their desktop systems...but I know on their area-51m laptops they were making around $1000 profit per laptop. Probably more because they had a better discount then my company was getting. I was able to keep my PM to about $100 and was around $8-900 cheaper then AW. That was WITH it being professionally painted. I bought an AW to do a comparison to, exactly the same!

I swore off AW because of their horrible customer support, non transferring warranties, oh and did i mention they bend you over on pricing? Unfortunatly they wised up and got an exclusive contract with their new laptop ODM so my business slowed down

 

[Gothgar]

Originally posted by: exdeath
I got every game short of Doom 3 and Halflife 2 free with hardware (SB Audigy II ZS Gamer with $35 rebate and like $200 in games including Halo and Raven Shield).

Oh yeah I guess I did buy Generals Zero Hour and Warcraft III FT...

Bah! Hardcore PC users don't use anti virus software! It slows down your machine and consumes vital CPU time and disk IO!!!

taskmgr and netstat should be all you need to monitor your machine for unauthorized pwning

Of course SP2 also helps, and revoking your own create/write permission on %systemroot% prevents 90% of spyware and viruses from installing themselves

well, those are all fine and dandy, trust me, I take advantage of those same techniques , but the average user isn't gunna want to do that.

 

[exdeath]

Actually we forgot something...

Assuming you build the system all at once and use a credit card to purchase online...

If you don't have the cash on hand to immediately pay off the $5g by the next billing cycle are hit hard with interest!!

Alienware suddenly doesn't seem so bad anymore

 

[Philippine Mango]

Who are you guys buying this system for? Are you buying this system for granny? Is this going to be her first computer? NO! If your buying this system for your self, I'm POSITIVE you have SOME PC hardware at home, and if you don't pick some up for free. The point a lot of your are missing is that you already have half the peripherals, so why spend money for more of them? The real reason why you can save so much money on a system is not necessarily because you built it and newegg is cheaper, but because you have half the components so why in the hell buy them agian. To build a "sweet" system like alienware's you can just use your old case, or monitor and keyboard and mouse and HDD and so on! Thats why I was able to build a friend a system for $500. He already had a keyboard, mouse, monitor, optical drives etc. It was an Athlon Mobile 2400+ with corsair XMS memory for good overclocking, he was able to overclock the system to 2.5GHZ+. Because you already have half the stuff there is no need to go to a company like alienware, even if you DIDN'T have the stuff at hand, you could still get it for much less than what alienware is charging.

 

[Rebel Nugget]

Originally posted by: Zebo
-LMAO just a 6800 water block is $129 alone they use and they have two, pump $80, CPU $55 rad etc. Sorry WC = $600 conservative if you disagree it's obivous you never been into water cooling
http://www.dangerdenstore.com/...&cat=48&page=1
-Case add $100 minimum for same quality as AW's but $200 is more resonable
-Where's your Creative Sound Blaster??? $70

-wheres your free shipping AW gives add $70 shipping from newegg
-Where's the instant $199.00 rebate from AW which you failed to mention?

Your off by $1200 dollars. Again within 20%

That's completely incorrect. $600 for water cooling is ridiculous. Look at your own post, you have only $400 accounted for. That leaves a $200 case, which has already been determined to not be the value of an AW case previous in this thread. Also, that's still too expensive. Go take a look at some ThermalTake water cooling if you think I"m wrong.

As for the sound blaster, that's not included in the price I listed for AW, if you had looked at the link you would see it is not. As for the $200 rebate, I'm sorry, I did not see that on the webpage.

Off by $1200.... even adding your numbers 600+200+200+70 = 1070? That's not 1200.

At any rate, since that AW setup did not have a sound blaster and $600 for cooling is completely insane, AND trying to say that a 510W pccp psu is not equivalent or less then a 550W Antec is completely asinine, I would have to stick with my numbers adding at most $200 for random cooling.

Oh yeah, and the keyboard, I'll give you that. Shipping though, I just ordered pretty much all those parts I listed and I paid a total of $30 shipping.

 

[exdeath]

Has anyone priced an Intel SLI system from AW? That is the one I remember being like $6900 or something!!!!

As for the water cooling, it adds up. $129 x 2 for GOOD 6800U blocks, $35 for northbridge block, $50 for CPU block, $200 for Exos. That's $543 assuming tubing, fittings, brackets, etc. are all included! And that's only an entry level system... which is all I will focus on since Alienware essential uses the same setup. The cost of the Exos unit (self reliant integrated pump/res/rad) and the case can be merged, so figure the cost of a Koolance case with water cooling built in (FYI: that's right Koolance is the OEM case supplier for Alienware and the CPU and motherboard blocks are also Koolance blocks). What I cant tell is what video card blocks they use, but from the pics they probably dont hold a candle to danger den or innovatek. Prob the cheap little $35 koolance blocks with ram sinks!! No not quite $600 in this case, but we aren't talking cooling = $15 in fans either.

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!