Hey guys I'm looking for a new computer and I need your input on this computer thanks broo

http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-x51-r2/pd.aspx

The 699 one

Edited January 4, 201412 yr by winrrar808

Personally if it was me I wouldn't bother with Alienware at all, I would do some research and build your own.

It's more fun to build your own and you learn to look after it more than you do if you have it pre-built.

 

But if your a novice with computers I can understand that it is safer and easier to buy a pre-built PC.

 

For those who cannot be bothered to follow the link the PC has the following specs:

Dell Alienware X51

4th Gen Intel Core i3-4130 (3MB Cache, 3.40GHz)

6GB DDR3 Ram (1600Mh)

1TB SATA HDD (7,200rpm)

Nvidia GTX 645 (1GB GDDR5)

 

Bottom line is it is a good build, dell PC always have been pretty solid. If you're using it as a first time gaming rig then fair enough go for it, but don't expect it to be easy to upgrade bits. Dell have a tendency to build very specific computers for dell parts meaning when you decide you want a bigger GPU it likely won't fit the case.

 

I wont go too specific with that build but generally speaking it will do what you want it to do, it will run the games to put on it for the time being and it will be reliable if you look after it.

 

Be aware as well that you've still got to buy monitor's and peripherals because that is £699 for just the desktop. (unless of course you already have those)

 

For me though, if I was building this as a custom PC:

(Note everything in the following spoiler is my opinion so for other's viewing don't hate it for any reason, we all have preferences)

Scrap the i3 for an i5. Yes you'll get the same clock speed or maybe higher if you go bigger, but the crucial part is the i3 is dual core, the i5 is quad core. You'll also get a bigger cache with a quad core meaning more data can be fast switched in the CPU.

 

The RAM is ok but again most games now say recommended 4 GB minimum on their requirements. You've got to run windows as well, plus for GTA you want mods which uses more memory. I would go 8GB as it is the best option for builds now. It also makes things easier because then you can get 2 of the same RAM chips when you upgrade. with 6GB you have 2 different sized chips (a 2GB and a 4GB) which will be a nightmare to get rid of cause people tend to buy 2, 4, 8 or 16GB.

 

The card isn't available to purchase, its an OEM. It is a good starter card but you will probably want to upgrade it, I personally would go for anything with 2GB memory on the card because I find 1GB is a bit limiting.

 

I wouldn't keep the alienware case, it's small and designed to be a compact build which will restrict airflow. That has its good things, like it's small. But at the same time it will mean higher internal temperatures and it will limit you in the future.

 

 

Hope that helps :)

Personally if it was me I wouldn't bother with Alienware at all, I would do some research and build your own.

It's more fun to build your own and you learn to look after it more than you do if you have it pre-built.

 

But if your a novice with computers I can understand that it is safer and easier to buy a pre-built PC.

 

For those who cannot be bothered to follow the link the PC has the following specs:

Dell Alienware X51

4th Gen Intel Core i3-4130 (3MB Cache, 3.40GHz)

6GB DDR3 Ram (1600Mh)

1TB SATA HDD (7,200rpm)

Nvidia GTX 645 (1GB GDDR5)

 

Bottom line is it is a good build, dell PC always have been pretty solid. If you're using it as a first time gaming rig then fair enough go for it, but don't expect it to be easy to upgrade bits. Dell have a tendency to build very specific computers for dell parts meaning when you decide you want a bigger GPU it likely won't fit the case.

 

I wont go too specific with that build but generally speaking it will do what you want it to do, it will run the games to put on it for the time being and it will be reliable if you look after it.

 

Be aware as well that you've still got to buy monitor's and peripherals because that is £699 for just the desktop. (unless of course you already have those)

 

For me though, if I was building this as a custom PC:

(Note everything in the following spoiler is my opinion so for other's viewing don't hate it for any reason, we all have preferences)

Scrap the i3 for an i5. Yes you'll get the same clock speed or maybe higher if you go bigger, but the crucial part is the i3 is dual core, the i5 is quad core. You'll also get a bigger cache with a quad core meaning more data can be fast switched in the CPU.

 

The RAM is ok but again most games now say recommended 4 GB minimum on their requirements. You've got to run windows as well, plus for GTA you want mods which uses more memory. I would go 8GB as it is the best option for builds now. It also makes things easier because then you can get 2 of the same RAM chips when you upgrade. with 6GB you have 2 different sized chips (a 2GB and a 4GB) which will be a nightmare to get rid of cause people tend to buy 2, 4, 8 or 16GB.

 

The card isn't available to purchase, its an OEM. It is a good starter card but you will probably want to upgrade it, I personally would go for anything with 2GB memory on the card because I find 1GB is a bit limiting.

 

I wouldn't keep the alienware case, it's small and designed to be a compact build which will restrict airflow. That has its good things, like it's small. But at the same time it will mean higher internal temperatures and it will limit you in the future.

 

 

Hope that helps :)

 

thanks for your lengthy input sir.. also on the next page there's one for 599 is there a drastic change in parts than the 699??

Edited January 4, 201412 yr by winrrar808

For $645, those are pretty bad specs. Which is why you should build your own.

 

In addition, ever since Dell bought alienware they have done an awful job.

 

What's your max budget? And what do you play/do on the computer? Based on that we can suggest parts to look for.  

 

"A new computer" is very vague.

Alienware is a pretty good computer, but you are mostly paying for the name. Mine was $600 and is really good.

For $645, those are pretty bad specs. Which is why you should build your own.

 

In addition, ever since Dell bought alienware they have done an awful job.

 

What's your max budget? And what do you play/do on the computer? Based on that we can suggest parts to look for.  

 

"A new computer" is very vague.

 

mainly for lcpdfr and my budget is around 600~800

$600 - $800 can buy a decent gaming computer.

 

What do you plan on doing? building or buying? 

$600 - $800 can buy a decent gaming computer.

 

What do you plan on doing? building or buying? 

 

id perfer to buy one since i dont really know how to build

I personally wouldn't "waste" your money on an Alienware (Not that their not good, but you can build your own PC alot cheaper and with better parts !)

If you can search for a Computer store that sells components they have pre-builds pcs that are better than the x51 §699. And then choose one that fits in budget

 

Maybe try this website? http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/

 

I really don't know much about buying gaming PCs, most of the time the user builds them, that's what I did.

Maybe try this website? http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/

I really don't know much about buying gaming PCs, most of the time the user builds them, that's what I did.

how much did yours cost?

And what computer would you recommend within my budget??

Edited January 5, 201412 yr by winrrar808

how much did yours cost?

And what computer would you recommend within my budget??

 

Well I built mine, and I've been adding on to it for about a year. I'd say total maybe $1500. 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227507

 

This is mine. Although it is currently out of stock, and when I bought it, about a month and half ago, it was only $600.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227507

This is mine. Although it is currently out of stock, and when I bought it, about a month and half ago, it was only $600.

I see it in Stock for 675 but how good is it with gta??

I see it in Stock for 675 but how good is it with gta??

 

I can run Game4Video ENB, all vehicles modded, and all setting set to pretty much the highest, and still get a steady 45-50 FPS and 35-38 FPS lows.

Well I built mine, and I've been adding on to it for about a year. I'd say total maybe $1500. 

 

can you please help me out and build a pc from cyberpower

Well newegg is also good, that link computer looked pretty good.

Well newegg is also good, that link computer looked pretty good.

 

what about this one

http://www.amazon.com/Avatar-Gaming-FX77-Desktop-Black/dp/B00AJZCTTG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1387058638&sr=8-1&keywords=iBUYPOWER+AMD+FX-Series+8GB+DDR3+1TB+HDD+Capacity+Desktop+PC+Windows+8.1+64-Bit+SOURCE+SERIES+NE641FX#productDetails

Yes that does look pretty good, I can't tell too well because I'm not an AMD person. But it doesn't look that bad.