Poll: XPS or Alienware?

[VicunaBlue]

I've only just recently gotten an income large enough to think about getting a gaming PC. I've been a console gamer for a while and don't know how to build one, so I just want to know a good starting brand. if you know a better one please write it in a comment.

Okay, since it is apparent that building one isn't as hard as I assumed, could anyone give me a broad price range for all the components?

 

[Markness]

Go XPS, I would have got one if my mum wasn't so stingy she didn't want to spend her hard earned money on it.

 

[Rednog]

As stated above, make your own, it is cheaper and you actually learn something about your pc.
I had an alienware and while it lasted like 5 years, I had one problem or another every year, at one point the graphics card they slotted me with kept dying and it took like 6 returns to get one that finally worked.
I don't know specifically how XPS is, but Dell in general seems very hit or miss with their PCs, you either get something that will magically work forever or it will be riddled with problems from the get go.

 

[Paragon Fury]

DO NOT GO WITH THE DO IT YOURSELF OPTION.

Unless you have the innate ability to deal with computers, making your own will jut be an exersice in fustration and futility. That, and there will be no one to blame or call and fix it when you fuck up. Which you will. Or it will. Its not easy at all to do.

As for the two options, go with XPS. They're basically as good as Alienware, but cost less since they don't have all the asthetic doo-hickies, and Dell is pretty decent with Customer Support.

 

[Sneaky-Pie]

Newegg.com (if you live in the USA or Canada)

Build your own. You'll save tons of cash.

 

[CWestfall]

I've got an XPS right here. It's very flashy and when people come over I'm like, "Guess who got rid of the beige box?" and they're like, "Wow! Let's see it in action."

20 minutes later Windows finally loads.

Go to Newegg.com for the sake of all humanity.

 

[Crash486]

Ehh build your own. Both the XPS and Alienware are ridiculously overpriced (the alienware especially). Sure they use top of the line hardware but alot of the stuff they use is just unneccessary, you'll never need all the cpu power/ram they put in there, you can build a machine that gets the same performance on the same games easily for 1000$ less, no joke.

You'll save 500$ on the gimmicky case and for the name brand alone. In fact, I'm almost positive you could build the exact same machine for at least 500$ less, no one needs that much power for a gaming rig. People just like to go crazy to satisfy their tech boners.

It comes down to this; you'll save alot of money by building your own and you'll have more control over what goes into it, And if you're trying to impress your nerd friends by buying an alienware, you won't because they'll know you just got ripped off.

 

[Reillk]

Go with an Asus instead.

 

[Gamer137]

Custom build one with your own selection of parts if you know what your doing. I;m sure you can find some online guides. Why pay way to much extra for someone to assemble it and add software you don't even want?

 

[Arcticflame]

DO NOT GO WITH THE DO IT YOURSELF OPTION.

Unless you have the innate ability to deal with computers, making your own will jut be an exersice in fustration and futility. That, and there will be no one to blame or call and fix it when you fuck up. Which you will. Or it will. Its not easy at all to do.

As for the two options, go with XPS. They're basically as good as Alienware, but cost less since they don't have all the asthetic doo-hickies, and Dell is pretty decent with Customer Support.

Erm, PC's are rather easy to put together with like half a day of research, the vast majority of parts are made to be easy to install.

 

[ThrobbingEgo]

XPS or Alienware? If you're getting a laptop, Sager.

 

[ChromeAlchemist]

Go with an Asus instead.

I have one, it's great stuff. Just get one custom built. For what Alienware are claiming to give you, you could probably build it for much cheaper. If you have enough to buy an alienware, buy a custom built PC that's enough to run every game out now on Max and then some.

 

[CWestfall]

DO NOT GO WITH THE DO IT YOURSELF OPTION.

Unless you have the innate ability to deal with computers, making your own will jut be an exersice in fustration and futility. That, and there will be no one to blame or call and fix it when you fuck up. Which you will. Or it will. Its not easy at all to do.

As for the two options, go with XPS. They're basically as good as Alienware, but cost less since they don't have all the asthetic doo-hickies, and Dell is pretty decent with Customer Support.

Only just noticed this.

Assembling computers nowadays is incredibly easy. Very, very, very often the part can only go in the right way, and it's usually obvious. If you really feel nervous take apart your old computer and reassemble it. After you've done it once you will be able to take apart and reassemble ~90% of the computers on the planet. (Due to 10% Mac market share)

 

[Crash486]

DO NOT GO WITH THE DO IT YOURSELF OPTION.

Unless you have the innate ability to deal with computers, making your own will jut be an exersice in fustration and futility. That, and there will be no one to blame or call and fix it when you fuck up. Which you will. Or it will. Its not easy at all to do.

As for the two options, go with XPS. They're basically as good as Alienware, but cost less since they don't have all the asthetic doo-hickies, and Dell is pretty decent with Customer Support.

Innate ability to deal with computers? It's like playing with legos man... COLOR CODED legos! You just can't drool on them. Seriously, you'd have to be pretty incompetent to not be able to figure out how to build your own rig.

Worst case scenario, most people know at least one person who knows how to build a PC. It's not too difficult to find someone to give you a consult.

Why would you recommend someone not learn how to build their own computer? Do you work for Dell or do you just oppose education? Learning how to build your own computer not only gives you a much greater appreciation of your hardware at work, but its a great hobby and gives you a skill you'll be able to use for the rest of your life, or at least for as long as we keep the same modern day PC model.

 

[Dys]

Go to the local computer shop and have them build you one if you aren't confidant to do it yourself. Spend an hour doing some research on what cpu and graphics you want, have a general idea of what motherboard and ram you like and marvel at how you just got a gaming rig for half the price you were going to spend. You can then spend the money you've saved on an insane screen to utalize the stupid amount of power your computer can put out^^

DO NOT GO WITH THE DO IT YOURSELF OPTION.

Unless you have the innate ability to deal with computers, making your own will jut be an exersice in fustration and futility. That, and there will be no one to blame or call and fix it when you fuck up. Which you will. Or it will. Its not easy at all to do.

As for the two options, go with XPS. They're basically as good as Alienware, but cost less since they don't have all the asthetic doo-hickies, and Dell is pretty decent with Customer Support.

Only just noticed this.

Assembling computers nowadays is incredibly easy. Very, very, very often the part can only go in the right way, and it's usually obvious. If you really feel nervous take apart your old computer and reassemble it. After you've done it once you will be able to take apart and reassemble ~90% of the computers on the planet. (Due to 10% Mac market share)

Even those aren't that scary if you know how to undo welding without damaging any delicate computer parts...nevermind, forget about toying inside of macs.... Really though, it is amazingly easy, but if you're really uncomfortable with it the local computer parts shop will assemble it for you without laughing at what you're paying them.

 

[Gruthar]

I build my own desktops, but I wouldn't trust myself to build a laptop. I own an XPS, and let me tell you, the hardware options are shit. And it overheats. I could heat an Antarctic research base with the exhaust from my fans. Alienware is a rip off though.

Laptops are not much different, just a lot more screws involved and you have to be more careful with wires/ribbons. Not that many people sell barebone laptops anyway...

 

[Abedeus]

Custom-built are always better.

 

[asinann]

Custom-built are always better.

And generally cheaper.

 

[megapenguinx]

Neither, XPS under performs and Alienware over heats and has a lot of problems. Does it have to be a laptop/desktop?

 

[uhgungawa]

Building your self is the cheepest way, but if that's not your cup-o-tea try one of these

http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/landingpages/intel/i7/?gclid=CPrKx7yGvpsCFQE0xgodeRPY_g

http://www.ibuypower.com/INTEL-i7/INTEL-i7.asp?gclid=CK3kgeuGvpsCFQE0xgodeRPY_g

basically the same company, but you can go as min/max as you want and save a ton over the other companies