Poll: XPS or Alienware?

[Abedeus]

Custom-built are always better.

And generally cheaper.

Well, I'm talking about the priceower ratio. Custom-built are better AND cheaper ;p

 

[sunpop]

Go on newegg and buy one of there computers for less and get a damn good one just got mine for a little over 700$ with an extended warranty. I'm still not 100% sure if its an actual brand of computer or just a random assortment of parts they decided should be united under one case but it works great.

Also newegg has what might be the best return policy they will even take things back for a full refund because you decided you don't want it even if you have opened it already. They only took 2 days to get it here so don't bother with rush shipping or processing.

 

[Odude]

Other.

I got an Alienware some time ago, only to realize that the bios on my motherboard was bad, and that Alienware tweaks your bios so you can only update it through them. And guess what? They don't support most of their hardware.

As others have said, build one yourself, it's much cheaper and you don't get any "surprises" like I did.

 

[Unusual_Bulge]

Although it is really quite easy to build a computer yourself, I can understand why you might not want to. If you have a friend who has done it successfully before you could ask for their help in building your own, and you really do want to 'build your own' in some sense or another because you'll get a massive saving over one of the big brands.

My advice would be to forget about the big brand stores and see what you have locally. There will likely be some little shops that sell PCs they put together themselves, or would allow you to choose whatever parts you want and put it together for you. Do whatever research you can about computer components and computer building first so you can have a fair idea of whether or not someone is trying to rip you off.

 

[vampirekid.13]

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?

the only gaming PC is the one you build yourself.


if you want a truly optimized system custom made for your needs the only way to do so is to buy each part individually, generally its:

processor
video card
motherboard
powersupply
ram
hard drive
cd/dvd-r/rw combo drive
monitor
recycle old keyboard/mouse
optional sound card.

 

[DigitalSushi]

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.

My laptop also overheats, in fact on thursday it shut down after 4 minutes of use because i'd opened the curtains to let light in... and deadly daystar rays cooked my laptop.

I've since taken cases off to allow more cooling. Turn it over and LAPTOP GUTS! YAY

 

[Georg8]

This has inspired me to build my own PC. Since mines a genuine POS and I would rather play fps on my pc

 

[Sevre]

Build your own, but if you have to pick, XPS for the simple reason that ALIENWARE PCs ARE JUST XPS ONES with a price tag. People fall for this so many times thinking Alienware are better.

 

[Avida]

XPSs are ugly as hell, get an Alienware or build - building is easy but will almost invariably be frustrating and time consuming and at the end you still wont get the same 'omg!' reaction when you try and show it off.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

Build. Money is a sacred thing, and it pains me when buffoons throw it away for shiney things and crap. Like buying a BMW instead of just getting the far cheaper Mondeo, which is a better car and far cheaper. Or so on.

 

[TxMxRonin]

With Alienware you're paying for the name and XPS you're paying for something that should be better. I'm buying mine from Digital Storm cause they have reasonably priced pre-build PCs with great quality. And they let you build your own on the site to order. But if you have the skill then build your own. It's cheaper to do so but if something goes wrong you only have yourself to blame.