Alienware vs. Dell

[Moohasha]

I'm saving up for a new gaming machine to replace my 5 yr old laptop. At first I decided I'd go all out and buy an Alienware because I've heard they're the best for gaming, but I decided to do a price comparison with a Dell XPS to see what the difference would be, and I was a little suprised. It looks like I can get a Dell that's pretty much the exact same as an Alienware for much less. Here are the specs (the ones I thought were most important) and prices of each:

Alienware Area 51 750i:
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 2.83 GHz (12MB Cache, 1333 MHz FSB)
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 1GB
RAM: 8 GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM @ 800 MHz
HDD: 500 GB SATA (7,200 RPM, 16MB Cache)
OS: Windows Vista 64-bit Home Edition
Extra: Killer K1 Gaming NIC
Price: $2,214

Dell XPS 630
CPU: Intel Core 2 E8400 3.0 GHz (6MB Cache, 1333 MHz FSB)
Video Card: CrossFireX ATI Radeon HD 4870 1024 MB
RAM: 8 GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM @ 800 MHz
HDD: 500 GB SATA (7,200 RPM, 16MB Cache)
OS: Windows Vista 64-bit Home Edition
Extra: Killer K1 Gaming NIC
Price: $1,748

(Neither of these include a monitor, since I'm going to use my 42" LCD HDTV ) So as you can see, the Dell is about $500 cheaper, and the only differences are a slightly faster CPU with less cache on the Dell, and different brands of Video Cards. I don't know enough about video cards to know which of those is better, but they both have 1GB onboard memory, and the Dell's has CrossFireX. So is the extra $500 in the Alienware simply branding? These by far are not the most powerful machine from each brand that I could buy, but it's in the price range that I'm looking for. So am I missing something, or is the Dell really a better deal than the Alienware??

[xavier]

I would do neither, and buy and assemble the parts yourself. That's just me, though.

[Moohasha]

You know, I was thinking about doing that. The last PC I bought was a Dell, but that was only because I could finance it and I needed one right away to replace my old PC that died. This time I have the luxury of saving up for it, so I just might assemble it myself.
Still though, I'd like people's opinions on the above comparison.

[synaptic]

this subject always makes me laugh - which is better alienware or dell?

Well considering alienware is Dell the parts will be the same in either system, with the alienware model though your buy a slim version of windows xp/vista that is suited only to gaming, oh and dont forget the dog tags

i'd say build you own system, it will be a damn site cheaper and you can customise it to your needs

[Moohasha]

this subject always makes me laugh - which is better alienware or dell?

I'm not asking which is better, I'm asking which is the better value. Like you said, the parts are the same, so I'm just curious why the Alienware machine is $500 more. I haven't kept up with hardware in years, so I'm just not sure if I was missing something or if the $500 is just in the name.

[synaptic]

well the main reason why the alienware is more expensive is because of the settings, in that all the components are configured for maximum performance, even windows is a stripped down version allowing for better gaming, if you have the money to burn then go for the alienware otherwise i'd recommend build it yourself

[johnhpus]

Oh man, I can't agree with Xavier enough on this one.

Here's a easy way for you to see the point. Go to Dell.com and find the best they have to offer, or pick one that fits your needs... either way.

Take those same specs and go to <newegg.com>, then add up the prices for the parts. The last time I did this, which also the last day I ever considered buying retail, the difference between Dell and Newegg was something like $4000 vs. $1000.

Here are the downsides to buying parts from Newegg

1) You have to have the time and knowledge to do the assembly
2) You might screw up and fry your system
3) You might accidentally buy incompatible parts if you're not careful
4) No full-system warranty

Downsides to buying from Dell:

1) Around %400 more expensive (could be wrong on that figure)
2) They may make a bad ass computer, but they may also be trying to cut corners with the little things, smaller power supply, etc. (no idea)
3) Hard to get one without a Windows license coming along for the ride

I will never buy another desktop from a retailer, or at least I won't be doing that until they cut way, way back on their profit taking in the exchange.

Off topic, but for what it's worth, Dell does seem to make some great displays these days. The last few Dell displays I've seen have all blown my Samsung out of the water when it comes to viewing angle, and I think they're decently priced too.

[xavier]

Like you said, the parts are the same, so I'm just curious why the Alienware machine is $500 more.

Name. They charge more because they can, and because there will always be someone who will pay that $500 more.

[xavier]

Off topic, but for what it's worth, Dell does seem to make some great displays these days. The last few Dell displays I've seen have all blown my Samsung out of the water when it comes to viewing angle, and I think they're decently priced too.

Agreed -- the Dell 24" are still holding their value on eBay (damn them!!!! )

[Klaim]

I'm a self-builder man too so I'm with xavier too on this point.
But if it was for a laptop would the recommandation to avoid Dell be the same?

[Pyritie]

I'm a self-builder man too so I'm with xavier too on this point.
But if it was for a laptop would the recommandation to avoid Dell be the same?

I have a Vostro 1700 and I've been loving it. Its screen is wonderful.

Only problems I've had with it were due to massive abuse on a bus and would've had the same effect on any other laptop. :3

Such as the battery. A new battery lasts about 4-5 hours on minimum brightness and balanced power settings. I think it lasts for more on minimal power settings but it's been a while since I've checked. After 1 and a half years my old battery's gone down to balanced settings + lowest brightness = 40 minutes, but that's because I practically abuse the battery. (Run on battery for 40 minutes followed by recharge twice a day on every school day. D:)
Screen's hinge is kinda off too, but being on a bumpy bus that's pretty expected.
Recently a little plastic hook thing that holds in the battery broke off. Tried to superglue it on but it didn't work. So now I've had to tape in the battery. :P

Despite what it's been through, my laptop's held up very well. I'd definitely recommend dell for laptops.

Desktops, however, are another story. :P

[Moohasha]

@Pyritie
I agree. I've had a Dell Inspiron laptop for about 5 years and it's still running well. I have the exact same issues with the monitor hinge being loose and the battery being on its last leg (if I unplug it, I'll get about 30-40 minutes out of it if I don't use it ), but after 5 years that's not bad. The only reason I want to replace it is because...it's 5 years old. You can only do so much upgrading to a laptop, and I'm just ready to trade it in for a powerful desktop so I can play WoW at more than 5 FPS

@johnjpus
I actually did that yesterday (except I went to tigerdirect.com). I took what was a $2500 PC from Alienware and a $1700 PC from Dell and selected all the same parts (more or less), and it came out to about $1400. Not a huge difference over the Dell, but still good.

[johnhpus]

Hmm. I wonder how I could have been SO off on the difference in price then. I must have a wire loose in the ole memory, or happened to have compared prices during a Dell CEO's whiskey binge.

[jjp]

Well considering alienware is Dell the parts will be the same in either system, with the alienware model though your buy a slim version of windows xp/vista that is suited only to gaming, oh and dont forget the dog tags

This is nonsense, there are no magic tricks for tweaking Windows that make it faster for gaming. The Alienware has a CPU about 100$ more expensive and it probaby has got more expensive case, cooling and power supply. So it is not 500$ for the Alienware branding but only about 200$-300$

[synaptic]

This is nonsense, there are no magic tricks for tweaking Windows that make it faster for gaming. The Alienware has a CPU about 100$ more expensive and it probaby has got more expensive case, cooling and power supply. So it is not 500$ for the Alienware branding but only about 200$-300$

You want to contact alienware on this one, i own an Alienware machine windows has been stripped and streamlined for gaming, you say its nonsense and theres no magic tricks, well what about reducing the number of fonts loaded into memory or creating a static sized swap-file making the desktop 24bit not 32bit, of course they do a hell of lot more, but im late for work so i'll maybe add them later on :p

[jjp]

Such "tweaking" really is nonsense. Do you really believe Windows wastes space by keeping fonts in memory and that make your games slower, for example? That reducing desktop colour depth increases performance? You can't gain anything noticeable or even measurable with such "tricks". Nothing but placebo effects.

[Kojack]

has been stripped and streamlined for gaming... ...making the desktop 24bit not 32bit

24 bit is less efficient due to alignment, and it certainly isn't for game streamlining since directx9 doesn't even support 24bit displays.

[Moohasha]

What about all those Windows services that run in the background that never get used?
And such tweaks may not improve gamer performance (especially when in full screen), but certainly they must improve Windows performance. If you're building a machine specifically for gaming as oppsed to office work or something, then there are likely several windows components that you don't need that would speed up Windows loading and performance a bit. At least, that would be my assumption. I don't have any figures to back that up with.

[CABAListic]

Well, the thing with services is that they are usually programmed in a way that they use next to no CPU power when they are inactive. Check the task manager; even without shutting down unnecessary services, CPU usage for an inactive system is less than 1% usually. Shut down unnecessary services, and you will get - what? Less than 0,4%? I mean, it certainly doesn't hurt, and you will also save some megabytes of RAM, but it can be some effort to figure needed services from unneeded ones, and I personally don't bother.

[jjp]

What about all those Windows services that run in the background that never get used?

They don't matter when you are running a game or cpu/memory-intense application. You might get your pc to save a few seconds of boot time but that is most certainly not worth the effort.

Could Alienware be using Windows Embedded?

Looking at their web page I'd say: no, they equip systems with standard Windows Vista.

[Kojack]

Don't forget about the free programs nLite and vLite which let you create a custom version of the Windows Xp (nlite) and Vista (vlite) installer. You can remove components, set tweaks, add drivers, merge in service packs and fill in questions, so you have a customised and hands free install.


It's possible that Alienware have used something like that to customise a bit.

Then again I have no idea, there's no way in hell I'd buy a prebuilt desktop computer so I have zero experience with the practices of places like Alienware or Dell.
(I do like my dell axim pda, but it's not really as easy to custom build a pda)

[Evak]

Unless your getting a notebook, building your own PC seems to be best if you want both quality and value for money. If you have a ton of money to throw around and don't fancy pluging things in and out inside your PC case then either Dell or Alienware make fairly decent systems.

[Moohasha]

While I appreciate all the advice people have given, the topic was never "Should I buy a PC or build one myself." I just wanted to know why the Alienware machine costs more than the Dell when you're getting the same hardware.

I guess you shouldn't ask vegitarians if you should get beef or chicken!

[Evak]

Same reason Mac's cost more than regular PC's. Alienware have their own look/design sense and percieved quality much like Apple does. For a bunch of reasons, people are willing to pay a premium for that. I don't think it amounts to anything more than that really.

[syedhs]

Same reason Mac's cost more than regular PC's. Alienware have their own look/design sense and percieved quality much like Apple does. For a bunch of reasons, people are willing to pay a premium for that. I don't think it amounts to anything more than that really.

Well I am not sure about other places, but for discussions sake, the PC here can be divided into two:- branded and non-branded (built DIY or the retailer assemble it for you) PC.

Branded PC is like Dell, HP, IBM whereas non-branded also has brand which is the sticker sticked at the front of the casing . At first I didn't know this, but I was made aware that branded PC usually use 'tier-1' components like motherboard, harddisk (I am not sure about GPU) whereas non-branded WILL NEVER receive 'tier-1' supplies ie tier-2 or even tier-3. What is mean by tier-1 is the component which undergo stricter manufacturing processes to ensure that the component's produced are not easily broken down. At first this 'discrimination' sounds strange (why discriminate the client) but I can understand that some client probably have long understanding with the supplier that their priorities are reliability rather than dirt al-cheapo. So by paying extra for reliability the components manufacturer will ensure better manufacturing practices are taken place. This is not mere heresay, I have heard it myself from a harddisk factory manager myself (he is my brother in-law

So in here , the branded PC do look sturdy from both outside and inside, although I must say I am pretty satisfied using non-branded PC for years without any troublesome breakdown