Specifically I'd like to know if anyone out there uses the Alienware Alpha to play FFXIV as I am considering purchasing one to replace my PS4 for various reasons (not the least of which is the ability to use GPNs like WTFast on it).
What I would like to know is:
Are you using the i5 or i7 cpu?
Did you replace the stock standard 7500rpm sata with a solid state or hybrid drive?
and how does it handle FFXIV?
Gaming System Question
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10-21-2015, 11:00 AMSuddenStorm8Gaming System Question
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10-21-2015, 12:36 PMreiichi
It uses a custom Nvidia graphics card with unknown specifications and drivers. For a PC, I don't think I could trust that.
While the processor (now two generations old) is plenty fine, I'd be wary of driver support and limited ports. For the price, it's probably not a bad deal, but if you're going to make the push to a desktop for gaming, you'd probably be better off getting a custom-built one, or getting a desktop with a decent processor, then buying a new power supply and getting a better graphics card. Usually better in the long run, and MUCH more upgradeable for the future. -
10-21-2015, 12:44 PMCGMidlanderIt's a GTX860mQuote:
Originally Posted by reiichi
EDIT: In terms of actual performance, the closest desktop card to compare it to would be the GTX 750Ti.
Alienware Alpha's GPU specs:
http://i.imgur.com/8UzLfUk.jpg
GTX 750Ti specs:
http://i.imgur.com/xM6JmIl.png
The GTX750 Ti has a bit more memory bandwidth and a slightly higher boost clock, so it will be marginally faster. It's definitely not something that can max out the newest games at 4k resolution, but less demanding games @ 1080p should be ok with some more demanding settings like AO & shadows turned down. -
10-21-2015, 12:52 PMAshelia_FerronReally, they use a mobile GPU?Quote:
Originally Posted by CGMidlander
Then forget it, OP is better off getting a custom desktop. It's not worth the price just for a flashy system that doesn't perform as well as a similarly priced system with better parts. -
10-21-2015, 01:36 PMCGMidlanderWell, you have to consider the form factor. It's a pretty small system.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ashelia_Ferron
http://i61.tinypic.com/2q3nlp4.jpg -
10-21-2015, 01:38 PMCanadane
What's bigger, the systems form factor or my wallet before I make the purchase?
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10-21-2015, 02:15 PMWhocareswhatmynameis
For FFXIV i think the alienware alpha is a decent choice if your paying around $500, it should play on high settings. For the most demanding games like witcher 3, your prob going to have to play on medium settings with it.
Also the hybrid drives really aren't any faster than a regular spin drive. but a spin drive is good enough for the most part. -
10-21-2015, 02:28 PMRyios
How much are those?
You could build one for less than $1000 with multiple SSD's and it would have better specs. In fact I built one just last weekend for $482 dollars using an Intel GS3640 (3.5ghz dual core), would just need to up the CPU to an I5 for another 160 bucks and beef up the GPU a little putting it around $750.
You can get a 256gb Crucial SSD right now on new egg for $89.99 (included in above price), and if you use a Mini ATX mother board, you can can put it in a Mini ATX case and get it (not much bigger than that alien ware).
If you happen to live in northern VA.. I build them for people for $50 labor fee.
Update: Quick price check, with an nvidia 960 GTX 4GB GPU and an i5 Devils Canyon (unlocked) puts that $482 build at $840 something, $900 to upgrade ram to 16gb and psu another 200 watts, much cheaper than most bought gaming pc's. And that 900$ is with SSD's and Hard Drives and a raid, the alien ware will shoot up over that $700 range when you start doing that.
The way dell works, Just try their builder tool. They want $217 dollars to upgrade 4GB DDR3 to 16GB DDR3, but you can buy 16gb DDR3 for about 80$.... Rip off.
To be honest though, building computers isn't that hard now days. Pick a case, Pick a socket (Intel 1150, 1151) or (AM3+ AMD), pick a CPU that matches the socket, pick out an SSD, video card, Power Supply, RAM (ddr3 1600mhz). Make sure the Power Supply is at least 600 watts, by some thermal paste (to adhere the process fan to the processor better). Then when you get all the parts, just youtube a how to. All the parts are color coded now days, pins that only plug in one way, tool less cases (don't need any tools except a phillips screw driver), and once you make the leap to do this you can buy upgrade parts and do it yourself and save a mint. -
10-21-2015, 03:29 PMCGMidlanderWattage alone isn't indicative of quality. There are a ton of bad quality PSUs that can't output even half of what their labels claim before frying.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryios
It's not uncommon for new PC builders to skimp on the PSU because they don't know any better, so I feel like I should mention this at least. -
10-22-2015, 05:00 AMUltimateAoe2
Take everyone's advice and build yourself a computer. Alienware has gone downhill ever since Dell bought them.
Expensive prices for the price of building it yourself. (900-1k in parts, then another 1k for labor. lmao..) -
10-22-2015, 07:46 AMRyiosTrue,Quote:
Originally Posted by CGMidlander
I generally buy everything on new egg. They have a really good review system. My basic process for filtering parts is filter only parts with 4 stars or above, then by lowest price. Then I find the pest part for the lowest price with the best rating. Then I read through some of the reviews to see the cons people listed, which is generally where you will see someone mention "Not correct wattage rating" then I move on to another one until I find one where no one has much bad to say about it.
The downside to that process is I generally stay away from brand new stuff, I buy things that have been tried and tested with the exception of processors, graphics cards and motherboards because I trust Intel and asus/asrock/gigabyte, nvidia etc. But for RAM, Power Supplies, Cases, Hard Drives, etc etc (tried and tested).
Very important to check review count to, 8 reviews isn't really a good indicator of quality, but 1500 is.
It's also worth mentioning that black friday is around the corner. In 2011 I built a 1800$ rig for $1100 with black friday specials.... New egg has some CRAZY black friday/cyber monday deals. For example, I got 2 22" monitors that were originally 140 for 89.99 each. I got two ssd's that were 149.99 for $90 each, I saved about 50$ on ram, 100$ on a case, and 50% on a motherboard, etc etc. -
10-22-2015, 08:02 AMCGMidlanderYeah Black Friday sales can be pretty goodQuote:
Originally Posted by Ryios
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10-22-2015, 08:09 AMFevelle
I play FFXIV on a 860M on my notebook.
Maximum: 25 fps
Custom settings: 48 fps (I use this one capped to 30)
High (laptop): 50-60 fps -
10-22-2015, 08:28 AMCGMidlanderThe Alpha isn't really that bad.Quote:
Originally Posted by UltimateAoe2
It's $450 for the base model , $700 for the intermediate config, and $750 if you throw everything on.
Base model's compromises are
-500 GB HDD (As opposed to 1TB on top and intermediate config)
-i3 4170T (As opposed i7 4785T on the top config and i5 4590T on the intermediate config)
-4GB RAM (As opposed to 8GB on the top and intermediate config)
-Inferior Wifi module
All configs come with an Xbox 360 controller as well
Honestly, I'd be hard pressed to build something comparable to the base model for the same price. The upgraded configs have a poorer price/spec value though. -
10-23-2015, 01:11 AMRyios
I was curious what a Skylake MiniITX build would run, so I just pieced one out on new egg and made it public. I'll post the link when it shows up.
Case: Xigmatek Aquila White Steel Micro-Atx
MotherBoard: GAGABYTE G1 Gaming GA-Z7170N (mini itx, with wifi onboard)
CPU: Skylake I5-6600K
Cooler: Dynatron K5 (simple air fan cooler) "has to fit in case"
RAM: 2 * 8 GB (Total of 16 gig) GSkill Ripjaws Series DDR4 2133mhz
PSU: Enermax Revolution 530W Modular Gold Certified
Hard Drives-
Main Drive (OS): 250 GB Crucial Sata III SSD (solid state drive)
Data Drive: 1TB Hitachi HUA721010KLA330, Enterprise Drive
Total Price: 1098.39 without any black friday specials or promo codes.