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Alternative to Alienware

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    #32
    DarkDusk
    Registered Users Posts: 914 ✭✭✭DarkDusk


    If he really likes Alienware you could look at letting him choose a nice case for himself. I think it's worth paying for a good case that performs well (cooling, noise) and also looks good. Have a look at NZXT cases some of them are similar to Alienware https://www.nzxt.com/category/products/1-cases

    The reason he wants an Alienware is probably because of the case, everything else in the PC you can get everywhere else.


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    #33
    challengemaster
    Registered Users Posts: 16,930 ✭✭✭✭challengemaster


    I remember when Alienware used to be something special... maybe around 2006? I'm not saying you couldn't still have built the same machine for cheaper, but there's no way you'd have found a mid spec graphics card in one then. Everything was SLI/Crossfire and watercooled.


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    #34
    Calibos
    Registered Users Posts: 7,806 ✭✭✭Calibos


    Happyman42 wrote: »
    :D My son is not one bit happy with the re-emergence of Mammy and Daddy Scrooge!
    Thanks folks

    If he's really hooked on that form factor how about spending a few more euro's on a case like this.





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    #35
    moc moc a moc
    Registered Users Posts: 1,299 ✭✭✭moc moc a moc


    Happyman42 wrote: »
    :D My son is not one bit happy with the re-emergence of Mammy and Daddy Scrooge!
    Thanks folks

    Tell him he can get a summer job if he's not happy with what he's getting for free


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    #36
    Happyman42
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,066 ✭✭✭✭Happyman42


    Ok, after late night talks and tears and grinding of teeth (mostly mum and dad! :)) and promises of enslavement to housework and room tidying, we have a list. Wonder would somebody have a look and tell me what you think. Is this (with Windows 7 or 10 and peripherals we have- monitor keyboard mouse etc) a working computer?

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sapphire-Vapor-X-Radeon-GDDR5-Graphics/dp/B00FOR007C/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1439804848&sr=8-9&keywords=R9+270X

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Intel-i3-4160-Processor-3-60GHz-Socket/dp/B00M0F0PR6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1439893127&sr=8-1&keywords=i3+4160

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/H81M-PLUS-Motherboard-Socket-Intel-Express/dp/B00EIG2O2O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1439806355&sr=8-1&keywords=H81M+board

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/1TB-inch-Internal-Hard-Drive/dp/B0088PUEPK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1439806417&sr=8-1&keywords=1tb+HDD

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/HyperX-FURY-1600MHz-Memory-Module/dp/B00J8E92M6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1439806467&sr=8-2&keywords=8gb+RAM

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zalman-A1-mini-tower-micro/dp/B00RTKHUZW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1439806537&sr=8-1&keywords=Zalman+A1

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-Builder-Modular-Bronze-Certified/dp/B00ALYOTTI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1439892780&sr=8-2&keywords=600w+PSU

    Thanks again for all the input- much appreciated.


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    #37
    Digital Solitude
    Registered Users Posts: 11,397 ✭✭✭✭Digital Solitude


    Steep PSU, should be able to get one for £35-40 but nothing wrong with that one.

    Terrorfirmer is selling an i3 4160 for €100 on Adverts, and you should be able to get a 270X off Donedeal or Ebay for closer to €120 if you're not adverse to buying second hand parts.

    Everything else is good


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    #38
    grindle
    Registered Users Posts: 6,026 ✭✭✭grindle


    It is, but the build below [from mindfactory.de] is pretty much the same build with a fancier Zalman case, much better PSU (as in high quality components, it's up high on the PSU tier list) and costs E35 less (E55 less if you get the Fractal case).

    gJgsEjm.png

    Zalman R1 Case - although to keep costs lower again I'd get this Fractal case, it's very easy to build in.

    If you do get the Fractal case you can add this to the list on mindfactory - it's the most worthwhile change for general PC use and I'd highly recommend it.

    And that'll still be under the E610 budget that those amazon links added up to.


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    #39
    Happyman42
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,066 ✭✭✭✭Happyman42


    grindle wrote: »
    It is, but the build below [from mindfactory.de] is pretty much the same build with a fancier Zalman case, much better PSU (as in high quality components, it's up high on the PSU tier list) and costs E35 less (E55 less if you get the Fractal case).

    gJgsEjm.png

    Zalman R1 Case - although to keep costs lower again I'd get this Fractal case, it's very easy to build in.

    If you do get the Fractal case you can add this to the list on mindfactory - it's the most worthwhile change for general PC use and I'd highly recommend it.

    And that'll still be under the E610 budget that those amazon links added up to.

    Ok...gonna go with this set-up with the SSD plus add on. Have it all in the basket but the damn checkout page won't translate for some reason, will have another go later.

    Typically how long does delivery take with that site?


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    #40
    Robert ninja
    Registered Users Posts: 3,878 ✭✭✭Robert ninja


    Teaching your son how to properly use a computer and not to fill it with toolbars, viruses and what would be a good idea. Just my 2 cents. Good luck with the build.


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    #41
    grindle
    Registered Users Posts: 6,026 ✭✭✭grindle


    Happyman42 wrote: »
    Typically how long does delivery take with that site?

    3-5 days. Was 3 the last time I ordered.


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    #42
    Happyman42
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,066 ✭✭✭✭Happyman42


    Grindle, is there any way to translate that site...a button I am missing?

    it's ok...figured it out.
    Thanks


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    #43
    Happyman42
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,066 ✭✭✭✭Happyman42


    All done - the German elves are packing the box as we speak!

    Many thanks again for all the help. If this goes well I may be back looking for advice on a build suitable for a busy graphics office.


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    #44
    Happyman42
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,066 ✭✭✭✭Happyman42


    I cannot quite believe the uber efficient Germans sent the package to ,

    'My street name', Ireland',

    No town or county on the address details. :eek:

    Delivery delayed until tomorrow.

    Any guidelines to follow setting it all up folks?


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    #45
    Digital Solitude
    Registered Users Posts: 11,397 ✭✭✭✭Digital Solitude


    Not a patch on our postal service! Build it outside the case first to be sure it works


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    #46
    Lu Tze
    Registered Users Posts: 3,495 ✭✭✭Lu Tze


    Digital Solitude wrote: »
    Not a patch on our postal service! Build it outside the case first to be sure it works

    Do people do this as a rule? I never have, though luckily never have had to troubleshoot a new build, they have always worked! I take it that it just rules out any shorting in the case? Any other benefits?


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    #47
    grindle
    Registered Users Posts: 6,026 ✭✭✭grindle


    Lu Tze wrote: »
    Any other benefits?

    Not having to take it out of the case to troubleshoot, just makes things easier to grab at & reseat.


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    #48
    Digital Solitude
    Registered Users Posts: 11,397 ✭✭✭✭Digital Solitude


    Lu Tze wrote: »
    Do people do this as a rule? I never have, though luckily never have had to troubleshoot a new build, they have always worked! I take it that it just rules out any shorting in the case? Any other benefits?

    I don't, but to a benginner on your first build I would recommend it.


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    #49
    challengemaster
    Registered Users Posts: 16,930 ✭✭✭✭challengemaster


    Lu Tze wrote: »
    Do people do this as a rule? I never have, though luckily never have had to troubleshoot a new build, they have always worked! I take it that it just rules out any shorting in the case? Any other benefits?

    Not once in 11 years have I bothered


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    #50
    Happyman42
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,066 ✭✭✭✭Happyman42


    Well that was fun!
    Although we didn't complete in the time suggested (took a bit of trial and error) we now have a functioning PC. Seems like an awesome bit of kit so far.

    Couple of things you may be able to help with:

    The Hard Drive is not showing up so far...all connections checked.
    And when loading the graphics card we get the message 'VGA cards of Asus not installed'

    Haven't had much time to google the problem yet so may be an easy fix.


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    #51
    grindle
    Registered Users Posts: 6,026 ✭✭✭grindle


    Happyman42 wrote: »
    The Hard Drive is not showing up so far...all connections checked.
    Does it show up if you go to Disk Management? It might need to be partitioned and formatted.
    Happyman42 wrote: »
    And when loading the graphics card we get the message 'VGA cards of Asus not installed'
    Do the GPU's fans spin up on boot? Have you downloaded AMD's drivers and made sure the GPU is enabled in the UEFI and Intel isn't marked as the default?
    And the monitor/TV is hooked up to the GPU?


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    #52
    Happyman42
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,066 ✭✭✭✭Happyman42


    grindle wrote: »
    Does it show up if you go to Disk Management? It might need to be partitioned and formatted.

    Do the GPU's fans spin up on boot? Have you downloaded AMD's drivers and made sure the GPU is enabled in the UEFI and Intel isn't marked as the default?
    And the monitor/TV is hooked up to the GPU?

    Sorted the VGA prob when hooked up to telly...new monitor required.

    I take it I will have format disk on another computer? Can't see it at all in Management


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    #53
    grindle
    Registered Users Posts: 6,026 ✭✭✭grindle


    There's an unintuitive panel that scrolls on the bottom right of Disk Management - rescan disks and it should be there, ready to partition and format.


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    #54
    Happyman42
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,066 ✭✭✭✭Happyman42


    All sorted I think.
    Awesome machine...fast and super quiet.

    In terms of sense of achievement for both of us it has been great. I think he learned a lot and will continue to learn.
    He has had his mates around and they are impressed too.

    Thanks again folks. I will open a new thread for a build I want to do for work, I don't think I would buy an off the shelf PC again tbh...next one will be even easier.


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    #55
    Digital Solitude
    Registered Users Posts: 11,397 ✭✭✭✭Digital Solitude


    Happyman42 wrote: »
    All sorted I think.
    Awesome machine...fast and super quiet.

    In terms of sense of achievement for both of us it has been great. I think he learned a lot and will continue to learn.
    He has had his mates around and they are impressed too.

    Thanks again folks. I will open a new thread for a build I want to do for work, I don't think I would buy an off the shelf PC again tbh...next one will be even easier.

    Isthereanydeal.com is a good way of keeping prices for games down. If he's been on Console then he's going to lose himself over the prices of games. There's also a sale on humblebundle.com at the moment


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