Dell outlet Alienware system - bargain or not?

Ardent · 24-09-2021 10:47am #1

As a complete novice in the PC gaming department, appreciate it if you could let me know if this is a good deal or not in the current climate:

AMD 5900X

RTX3080

32GB TAM

1 TB SSD

2 TB HDD

Total: 2300 EUR

I need a new system for the Battlfield 2042 and other games.

I haven't yet paid for this system, but need to be sure before I blow a big chunk of my cash!

24-09-2021 10:55am

Personally I wouldn't buy anything premade and especially premade from Dell.

Check out these lads https://youtu.be/8ulhFi5N2hc

Tails142 · 24-09-2021 10:56am

It's reasonable price for an alienware, you could probably build a pc or get a non name from an independent builder with similar specs for cheaper.

I will say I have had mixed results from outlets, these are machines refunded for a reason, could be some hardware gremlin glitch that isn't showing up when they test etc. It's not unusual for a returned item due to fault to be sent out again if their testing didn't show anything up even though the fault may still be present. You just don't know why these were returned. Just something to keep in mind, there is a warranty anyway.

Ardent · 24-09-2021 10:56am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117932319#Comment_117932319

Would -or did you mean wouldn't?

24-09-2021 10:58am

Do you intend to use the onboard speakers or use a dell gaming monitor? You can buy a pair of Logitech Z 150 speakers off the dell website for 30 snots as well. Won't break the bank. Are you going to buy a gaming keyboard and mouse?

I'm not 'lit' myself by the specs OP. every man to his own

Ardent · 24-09-2021 11:05am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117932341#Comment_117932341

I have logitech external speakers already from an old system. Regardless, I plan to use a gaming headset for squad play etc.

I don't care too much about specs myself - but I was mostly fixated on getting an RTX3080, as I had read really good reviews on the card earlier in the year.

Most important thing to me is getting 60 FPS in Battlfield and other games on medium / max settings.

K.O.Kiki · 24-09-2021 11:26am

It’s not the worst but if it doesn’t have the upgraded CPU cooler, it will throttle under load unless you upgrade that.

60fps is in Battlefield is easy though, an RTX 3060 would do that (3080: 100fps+).

Ardent · 24-09-2021 11:51am

Thanks for the comments and links.

Looks like this rig suffers from bad airfow design, cheap air-cooling parts, throttling and excessive noise. Pretty sure this can all be remedied with cooling mods - but the question is how much will it cost?

Need to weigh up what I think is a keen price for this system vs the cost and ball-ache of fixing the cooling problems

24-09-2021 2:09pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117932331#Comment_117932331

Whoops. Edited now

K.O.Kiki · 24-09-2021 6:02pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117932621#Comment_117932621

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo3CKzeGw3c

120mm AIO: 50-70 EUR - avoid Arctic Liquid Freezer II (too big) and Enermax (bad quality)

Small VRM heatsinks: 7-10 EUR

120mm fan: Arctic P12 or Phanteks SK120 - 8-10 EUR each - get 1 for front + 1-2 for AIO (optional)

26-09-2021 5:53pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117934464#Comment_117934464

IMO 120mm AIO's aren't worth it. Decent tower would be better.

Wouldn't shake off the Freezer II's either, aside from the 120 obviously. They're fantastic AIO's.

K.O.Kiki · 26-09-2021 11:06pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117942245#Comment_117942245

In the Alilenware, you can't fit a tower as the PSU sits directly above the CPU socket.

And the Liquid Freezer II 120 is too wide to fit.

27-09-2021 8:04am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117943500#Comment_117943500

God that's a piss poor internal design

Ardent · 27-09-2021 9:45am

What are caseking.de like to purchase from? Is it easy to return stuff (in case I end up getting to wrong cooler for example)?

Ardent · 27-09-2021 9:46am

Also, is there anywhere else I can buy a similar system (but better built) for a similar price? I'm not seeing too many options since Brexit?

K.O.Kiki · 27-09-2021 10:53am

Lenovo do a decent model with RTX 3070 for 2k: https://www.lenovo.com/ie/en/desktops-and-all-in-ones/legion-desktops/legion-t-series-towers/Lenovo-Legion-T7-34IMZ5/p/99LE9700365

manshay · 11-10-2021 8:55pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117932327#Comment_117932327

I use an Inspiron tower and a 23 inc AIO at my business, both came from Dell outlet. I haven't had any problems with them. That said they are not under strain and I certainly wouldn't attempt to use them for gaming..

Cuddlesworth · 12-10-2021 10:09am

Big difference between gaming and general home/office use though. General office/home use really uses little to no resources and most, if not all, PC's sold now are over specced for what they are being asked of. Gaming is nearly always going to use what it can.

Dell outlet Alienware system - bargain or not?

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