Alienware vs. self-built

[TOAD6147]

My oldest son has been to Alienware.com and was wondering if we could build something similar or as good or better than a 3 Ghz system they are showing. Any thoughts here?


1-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support with Onsite Service
Alienware Full-Tower Case (420-Watt PS) - Space Black
Alienware Cable Management System
Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 3.0GHz 800MHz FSB w/ 512KB Cache & HyperThreading
Intel® Desktop Board D875PBZ - Intel 875P Motherboard
1GB DDR SDRAM PC-3200 - 4 x 256MB Module
NVIDIA GeForce™ FX 5900 Ultra 256MB 8x AGP w/DVI & S-Video
AlienIce™ Video Cooling System - Astral Blue
120GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 Serial ATA 8MB Cache - Quantity 1
Samsung 52x24x52x16x CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive - Black
Creative Sound Blaster® Audigy 2 Platinum - 6.1 w/Black Audigy 2 Drive
Integrated Intel Pro/1000 CT Gigabit Ethernet Adapter w/CSA
3.5" 1.44 MB Floppy Disk Drive - Black
Alienware™ USB 2.0 16MB Flash Drive
Alienware™ 8-in-1 USB 2.0 Internal Card Reader
Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional
Microsoft Internet Keyboard - Space Black
Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 - USB - Space Black
Microsoft Works Suite 2003
Free Alienware® T-Shirt - Black
Bonus 12-Month Subscription to Computer Games Magazine!

$2,841.92 including $285 in shipping and taxes. What BS!
Note: no monitor or speakers.

[DPA]

$2,841.92 including $285 in shipping and taxes. What BS!

i think that you've got it pretty well figured out right there. for that kind of money you could buy a killer P4 or AMD system and still have money enough for a prometia II and huge MHz ram and OC the crap out of it.

IMO, alienware is just selling their products for huge cash and high performance, but not the best.

if you are an experienced computer guy, building will always be better than buying.

[JimJRJ]

Yeah, but your getting a free alienware t-shirt, black at that, plus you get a free subscription to computer games magazine!!! C'mon wake up, that's a awesome deal for 2.8K!!!!!

I bought an alienware about 3 years ago for 2k, it was a nice computer, but overpriced. I feel I got ripped off, especially with their horrendous customer service and support. Build your own, or if you can't there are other companies that are much cheaper and their systems are just as good if not better. Unless you really want to pay extra for that alien head logo.

[CraigK]

you could definitely build a better system for cheaper, but i would like to propose the obvious question. Why does your son want that much power??? I don't think any ordinary home user would need that.

two other questions. what will he be using it for? and secondly how old is he?

[0ptical]

Originally posted by TOAD6147
$2,841.92 including $285 in shipping and taxes.

What a ripoff!!!

[VHockey86]

I kinda agree with Craig... I dont really see any reason to buy a topped out system like that. The higher tier of equip always seems to have huge markup (especially w/ vid cards and processors), and comes down pretty quick. Unless you have alot of money to kill I think a budget of 1500-2000 including nice speakers/LCD panel would be about right. That is of course simply my person opinion b/c I dont have that kinda money for buying comps.

[Ubik]

Hmm. Let's look at newegg.

Processor = $402
Board = $160
Memory = 2 512MB for $95 each
Video card = $410
HD = $120
CD/DVD drive = $60
Sound card = $167
Network card isn't listed, but I'd say $50.

Your BASIC hardware adds up a few bucks over $1500 there. Say you spend $500 on case, cooling, software and bells and whistles (you could probably include a monitor in that too), and another $100 on shipping. You can have the same computer for ~$2100, just without all the useless crap and Alienware bling bling.

Definetely pass.