Gaming System Question

[SuddenStorm8]

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?

[reiichi]

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.

[CGMidlander]

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.

It's a GTX860m

EDIT: In terms of actual performance, the closest desktop card to compare it to would be the GTX 750Ti.

Alienware Alpha's GPU specs:


GTX 750Ti specs:


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.

[Ashelia_Ferron]

It's a GTX860m

Really, they use a mobile GPU?

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.

[CGMidlander]

Really, they use a mobile GPU?

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.

Well, you have to consider the form factor. It's a pretty small system.

[Canadane]

What's bigger, the systems form factor or my wallet before I make the purchase?

[Whocareswhatmynameis]

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.

[Ryios]

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.

[CGMidlander]

Make sure the Power Supply is at least 600 watts, by some thermal paste (to adhere the process fan to the processor better).

Wattage 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.
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.

[UltimateAoe2]

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..)