awesome that there is an evga board out that works...
too pricey. sure they added some nice perks in the power button head and power supplied to the door, but still...and the ram...omg...get it right already...
Can't honestly understand why a X-FI extremegamer !
Also, I would prefer to have a couple of 10000 rpm hard disks either in mirroring or in striping (for performance) and that 500 GIGA disk (which, I presume is 7200 rpm) as the data drive.
I too was surprised by the lack of an additional drive for the O/S - perhaps a 150GB Raptor? A lot of the really high end systems are shipping with two 500GB data drives too.
Overall though, it looks like Alienware is slowly listening and improving.
Where is that proprietary power connector? I think the article failed to mention it and I sure as hell couldn't see it.
It's an interesting system for sure and its a nice touch that the alien head is the power button but I'm one of those that will get hung up on the price tag. Of course specing up a similar system your self will run to similar prices but via overclockers you can buy that lot retail (or nearly the same stuff) for about 300 quid less so in all fairness it's not too bad I guess. I just can't see why someone wouldn't put that 3k down on a house or car though instead :p
Originally Posted by Lazlow I too was surprised by the lack of an additional drive for the O/S - perhaps a 150GB Raptor? A lot of the really high end systems are shipping with two 500GB data drives too.
Overall though, it looks like Alienware is slowly listening and improving.
personally i'd go for 2x 150 GB Raptor's in raid 0 and 2x 750 GB Seagate babys in raid 1 for such a highend system. (i know it sounds like overkill, but that would be about the equivalent of 2x 8800gtx cards if it comes to hdd's :D )
they could have put in some nice corsair dominator ram :D
but, otherwise a very nice system, except for the price tag... but well...
The Alienware case is a bit dated now though. Only one hard drive!
If Alienware were to have two 8800GTS in SLI and more storage options, would that have resulted in a better or same overall score from a reviewers perspective?
Ah, I see it now. Shows how much attention I SHOULD pay to things when I read them :p
In some ways I would love to cry "that's stupid" but from a marketing point of view I guess they can then sell those power cables to the paying public at an extortionate rate should they require a spare/replacement.
It's still a pretty bad ethic though.
I've always been a fan of Alienware machines. The styling is what got me attracted and then the usually pretty insane specifications are good too, however I don't see the need for a Blu-Ray drive yet and a machine like this really deserves more storage!
However, Alienware rock and the prices are huge! Maybe one day I'll buy one but I can't see it being anytime soon.
those propietary power plugs are quite common these days. I have seen them on HP server and on some sgi machines. It won't be too difficult to find one in case yours get broken.
Still, we didn't need another plug standard
You know you've been working with computers for too long when you look at that first exterior shot of the back of the machine, and think "eVGA i680, 8800s in SLI, and an x-Fi eXtremeGamer."
Originally Posted by Techno-Dann You know you've been working with computers for too long when you look at that first exterior shot of the back of the machine, and think "eVGA i680, 8800s in SLI, and an x-Fi eXtremeGamer."
That case looks nasty, it truely diserves to live in a scrap yard, and the price tag, well, i wont even go there. One thing i dont like about alienware is the fact you pay extra, thats extra for a system restore disk :( Bad bad move.
That proprietary plug on the PSU is indeed a slightly different version of the same plug family as what people commonly refer to as a Kettle lead or IEC Cable. The humble kettle lead as we know it is actually an IEC-320 C13 and is has a rated load of 10A. The connector on the back of that power supply appears to be an IEC-320 C19, rated to 16A. Further details for those interested can be found at HERE and many other places Im sure. They are normally used for UPS output and rack PDU (power distribution units) due to their higher rated capacity.
Now thats the technical babble out of the way, using that style of connector is a bit of a strange move, the good old IEC-320 C13 being rated to 10A means that in the UK it gives enough capacity to supply around 2.3KW of power, now Ive not bought a new system in a while, but im pretty sure they arent that bad for power yet The extra 3A you could draw using that IEC-320 C19 (I say 3 as UK sockets and plugs are rated to 13A not 16A) would never be used by a PC (nothing out for a while at least I would hope), so this means that the move is just a marketing ploy, most likely to get people to buy replacement power cables from them (Likely available cheaper elsewhere with a little digging about). So never fear they are not as un-common as you might first imagine, but they are certainly not as ubiquitous as the good old kettle lead. Forget to take your power lead to a LAN party and I think you might struggle to find someone with a spare
let me choose m/b, wot brand of mem and a xifi card with onboard mem and i'd buy this system....not to mention 2 raptor drives running RAID as the system n gaming drive, sweet rig!
MAKE A SFF SYSTEM ALIENWARE!!!! shuttle needs some competition to up the anti
Originally Posted by IanW That PSU connector looks like a 16A rated IEC socket. (I use them at work)
The standard "kettle leads" are rated at 10A max.
Absolutely correct. They are used as you say for high current applications.
I work with them every day at work on the 65/75 page per min photocopiers i work with at Xerox which have higher current drain than a kettle lead can handle. To be honest i think a proprietry connector would be better, the tolerances on that spec are far too loose which results in the connectors not staying in the socket very well which from my experience can have some quite worryingly hot and melted results. Lets hope alienware/dell have specified tighter tolerances on their components although i highly doubt it due to them being international standards and manufacturers only care whether they conform to the spec as i've found out :(
As a result of them being standard they'll be available fairly easily, RS and farnell will definately have them as will most electrical suppliers.
Originally Posted by M1CUZ Now thats the technical babble out of the way, using that style of connector is a bit of a strange move, the good old IEC-320 C13 being rated to 10A means that in the UK it gives enough capacity to supply around 2.3KW of power, now Ive not bought a new system in a while, but im pretty sure they arent that bad for power yet The extra 3A you could draw using that IEC-320 C19 (I say 3 as UK sockets and plugs are rated to 13A not 16A) would never be used by a PC (nothing out for a while at least I would hope), so this means that the move is just a marketing ploy, most likely to get people to buy replacement power cables from them (Likely available cheaper elsewhere with a little digging about). So never fear they are not as un-common as you might first imagine, but they are certainly not as ubiquitous as the good old kettle lead. Forget to take your power lead to a LAN party and I think you might struggle to find someone with a spare
I'd bet my money that power supply will be exactly the same in the US, and with 110VAC there's not enough headroom in 10A, especially when we're speaking of one-phase AC. You must always remember that converting amps and volts isn't as straightforward as just a simple multiplication when we're talking about AC. I'd say the decision to use C19/C20 is just sound electrical engineering for the lowest common denominator.
Anyway, those cables are fairly easy to get and even my local electronics store sells them for EUR 4.50 a piece, which I wouldn't consider a ripoff even when they sell standard C13 cables for EUR 2.60.
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1) It's good to see that they can get Blu-ray right. :)
2) Proprietary power connector: bad. ;)
3) Price. Ouch.
Good review, as always. Did you run it through your normal high-level stress test, or did I miss that mention?
too pricey. sure they added some nice perks in the power button head and power supplied to the door, but still...and the ram...omg...get it right already...
Can't honestly understand why a X-FI extremegamer !
Also, I would prefer to have a couple of 10000 rpm hard disks either in mirroring or in striping (for performance) and that 500 GIGA disk (which, I presume is 7200 rpm) as the data drive.
Overall though, it looks like Alienware is slowly listening and improving.
It's an interesting system for sure and its a nice touch that the alien head is the power button but I'm one of those that will get hung up on the price tag. Of course specing up a similar system your self will run to similar prices but via overclockers you can buy that lot retail (or nearly the same stuff) for about 300 quid less so in all fairness it's not too bad I guess. I just can't see why someone wouldn't put that 3k down on a house or car though instead :p
personally i'd go for 2x 150 GB Raptor's in raid 0 and 2x 750 GB Seagate babys in raid 1 for such a highend system. (i know it sounds like overkill, but that would be about the equivalent of 2x 8800gtx cards if it comes to hdd's :D )
they could have put in some nice corsair dominator ram :D
but, otherwise a very nice system, except for the price tag... but well...
If Alienware were to have two 8800GTS in SLI and more storage options, would that have resulted in a better or same overall score from a reviewers perspective?
In some ways I would love to cry "that's stupid" but from a marketing point of view I guess they can then sell those power cables to the paying public at an extortionate rate should they require a spare/replacement.
It's still a pretty bad ethic though.
Having said that, it would only be £2300 if you didn't include the pointless Blu-Ray drive. :)
However, Alienware rock and the prices are huge! Maybe one day I'll buy one but I can't see it being anytime soon.
800mhz 5-5-5-16- 2T seriously?
Still, we didn't need another plug standard
How much of the price goes to alienware and dell?
Sam
The standard "kettle leads" are rated at 10A max.
Maybe you should have changed the striker system to a SLI 8800GTX GPU setup for better 3D comparison.
the case is great, but i prefer the bigger one. :D (i like big computer cases)
Now thats the technical babble out of the way, using that style of connector is a bit of a strange move, the good old IEC-320 C13 being rated to 10A means that in the UK it gives enough capacity to supply around 2.3KW of power, now Ive not bought a new system in a while, but im pretty sure they arent that bad for power yet The extra 3A you could draw using that IEC-320 C19 (I say 3 as UK sockets and plugs are rated to 13A not 16A) would never be used by a PC (nothing out for a while at least I would hope), so this means that the move is just a marketing ploy, most likely to get people to buy replacement power cables from them (Likely available cheaper elsewhere with a little digging about). So never fear they are not as un-common as you might first imagine, but they are certainly not as ubiquitous as the good old kettle lead. Forget to take your power lead to a LAN party and I think you might struggle to find someone with a spare
MAKE A SFF SYSTEM ALIENWARE!!!! shuttle needs some competition to up the anti
Absolutely correct. They are used as you say for high current applications.
I work with them every day at work on the 65/75 page per min photocopiers i work with at Xerox which have higher current drain than a kettle lead can handle. To be honest i think a proprietry connector would be better, the tolerances on that spec are far too loose which results in the connectors not staying in the socket very well which from my experience can have some quite worryingly hot and melted results. Lets hope alienware/dell have specified tighter tolerances on their components although i highly doubt it due to them being international standards and manufacturers only care whether they conform to the spec as i've found out :(
As a result of them being standard they'll be available fairly easily, RS and farnell will definately have them as will most electrical suppliers.
I'd bet my money that power supply will be exactly the same in the US, and with 110VAC there's not enough headroom in 10A, especially when we're speaking of one-phase AC. You must always remember that converting amps and volts isn't as straightforward as just a simple multiplication when we're talking about AC. I'd say the decision to use C19/C20 is just sound electrical engineering for the lowest common denominator.
Anyway, those cables are fairly easy to get and even my local electronics store sells them for EUR 4.50 a piece, which I wouldn't consider a ripoff even when they sell standard C13 cables for EUR 2.60.