New PC

[Ephialtes]

Hi - I'm buying a computer. Here are the specs - what do you guys think?

Code: [Select]

Alienware Aurora Standard Cosmic Black Chassis
Intel® Core™ i7 Processor 920 (2.66GHz, 8MB cache, 4.8GT/sec)
Genuine Windows® 7 Professional 64bit- English
9GB 1333MHz (3x1GB + 3x2GB) Tri Channel Memory
1TB (7200rpm) Serial ATA/100 Hard Drive
1GB ATI® Radeon™ HD 5870 graphics card
Alienware TactX™ Keyboard - UK QWERTY
Alienware Optical Mouse
24X DVD+/- RW Optical Drive (DVD & CD read and write)
Dell™ Wireless 1505 Wireless-N MiniPCI Card EUR
Dell SP2309W 23-inch Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor - Black
Total cost is £1700ish.

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[Niven]

Alienware = awsum

[Niliscro]

For 1700 it seems pretty decent, but I only have one question:  Tri-channel memory is the new equivalent to DDR2 RAM, just installed in groups, right?

[A.R.C.]

Alienware = awsum

Best be jokin'

[Nymethus]

Alienware = awsum

Xenos?

[Duckmeister]

Looks great.  Prebuilt?

The only quibble I have is the Windows 7 Professional.  What are you planning on doing that you couldn't do in Home Premium?

And, although this is my opinion, I think 9GB is a bit overkill.  I applaud the use of triple-channel RAM, but 6GB is more than enough.  i7s tend to have this sweet spot at 3x2GB, so, save yourself the money and go with 6GB at 1333Mhz, or don't save yourself the money and upgrade to 6GB at 1600Mhz or something like that.

But those are extremely minor quibbles.  Great computer, you'll really be happy with it.

[Sandvich]

 /envy

[Bisjac]

including that monitor that is a good price.

but why does it have to be alienware. there are plenty sites that can build that same thing, im sure cheaper.

[Moybus]

y so alienware.

[Bisjac]

i almost CANT stop using newegg now. ive gotten so many computers and parts for myself and the group i work with, that i have built up nearly 12k in credit on the site now.
i cant really shop around anymore.

[Ephialtes]

i almost CANT stop using newegg now. ive gotten so many computers and parts for myself and the group i work with, that i have built up nearly 12k in credit on the site now.
i cant really shop around anymore.

Yeah we don't get Newegg in the UK and I just like the no-hassle of prebuilts. I'm a big dell fan and the Inspiron range (which I usually buy) doesn't really have the specs I need to play games. This is like my first desktop too - I usually buy laptops.

The only quibble I have is the Windows 7 Professional.  What are you planning on doing that you couldn't do in Home Premium?

It was only like £30 more which is nothing compared to the £1700 so I figured I'd just roll with it. It usually makes things less basic and exposes more options to you by default, I think. There were differences between Xp Home and Pro which I hated so I'm just going with pro again.

And, although this is my opinion, I think 9GB is a bit overkill.  I applaud the use of triple-channel RAM, but 6GB is more than enough.  i7s tend to have this sweet spot at 3x2GB, so, save yourself the money and go with 6GB at 1333Mhz, or don't save yourself the money and upgrade to 6GB at 1600Mhz or something like that.

Would there be a big difference between 1333 and 1600? I am in no way a computer person - I have no idea what any of this does, the Dell salesperson just told me everything was good.

[Tom Gunn]

Inb4inverted

[Radial543]

No hassle pre builts are nice. Those are some real good specs, but as Bisjac has said, if you really are looking for a bang for your buck, you could most definitely get it cheaper if you bought all the parts separately. That being said, since you like the pre built nature, I would go with it.

[Inv3rted]

Dell salesperson just told me everything was good.

Even though the build is pretty good (and fairly cheap, especially for a prebuilt from Alienware), I wouldn't listen to salespeople.

[Ephialtes]

Well, I did save a lot of money in some places. He was trying to flog me some Alienware 3D monitor which was £200 more than the one I picked. I don't need that 3D stuff anyway.