Canis lupus
Member
Good size for that amount of power. I won't complain if next gen consoles are of a similar size.
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Alienware X51 thread of 2.56TFLOPS comfy couch gaming at 180W in a console size box
- Thread starter Chittagong
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Good size for that amount of power. I won't complain if next gen consoles are of a similar size.
Jawmuncher
Member
Yeah it's sexy and sleek just like a console.
One of the reasons I caved and bought it.
Thanks, looks good.
Jawmuncher
Member
The one that's out now is the updated model.
The Graphics Card in it basically matches the Sapphire Card in the OP.
Jason's Ultimatum
Member
I'd seriously consider one if I had the money. I just watched a video of Crysis 2 running on X51:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNly68U4HpU&feature=related
Good lord that's amazing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNly68U4HpU&feature=related
Good lord that's amazing.
Exactly my situation, and I couldn't be happier. Well worth every penny.
ShinobiFist
Banned
This. Thats why I went extra on the RAM. And plus, I had a coupon as well. Best investment I made this year. BIG SCREEN mode(Steam) came through on my HDTV(Waiting on my Benq)
BTW, the mouse I posted in the previous page(MS Touch Arc)Is amazing, just got one today at Bestbuy(Got them to price match it)And Got the MS Arc Keyboard instead of Apple(They price match the keyboard)The wireless keyboard from MS is rather comfy on the lap. Love the key layouts and texture feel. It has a great piano black finish that matches the X51. Very light as well. I love the fact it has a directional pad(replaces the arrows)on the bottom right. Great for doing quick navigation on Netflix.
Jawmuncher
Member
I think i'm going to go ahead and copy you.
I didn't know there was a Arc Keyboard, which is why i was unsure about the mouse since I wanted it to match.
But both of those together and sleek and sexy.
Which is just what I wanted.
I didn't know there was a Arc Keyboard, which is why i was unsure about the mouse since I wanted it to match.
But both of those together and sleek and sexy.
Which is just what I wanted.
Since I'm mostly buying controller supported games, I purchased the Logitech K400. It's a mini keyboard with a trackpad built in. I mostly use it to get the X51 running, or for the few moments a controller supported game requires a keyboard.
One thing that needs improving is the game launchers. Skyrim for example. You can use big picture mode to launch the game, but it pulls up a launcher that requires a mouse. Once you get past that, you're fine with the controller, until you need to enter text. It's not a deal breaker or anything, just a little janky.
The Borderlands 2 launcher is controller supported, which is great. Developers will hopefully smooth this stuff out as more people get on board with this method. In the meantime, I have my little keyboard to take care of it.
One thing that needs improving is the game launchers. Skyrim for example. You can use big picture mode to launch the game, but it pulls up a launcher that requires a mouse. Once you get past that, you're fine with the controller, until you need to enter text. It's not a deal breaker or anything, just a little janky.
The Borderlands 2 launcher is controller supported, which is great. Developers will hopefully smooth this stuff out as more people get on board with this method. In the meantime, I have my little keyboard to take care of it.
ShinobiFist
Banned
Yeah, when I saw both of them together, I was like"What was I think of getting the Apple Keyboard" lol. All about synergy yo. Remember, price match those badboys at Bestbuy...
Rename the SkyrimLauncher.exe to SkyrimLauncher_old.exe and rename TESV.exe to SkyrimLauncher.exe, problem solved! Do the same thing for any other games that have separate launchers.
Anyone who uses wireless mice in here play games seriously/competitively? I mean like proper ladders/tourneys/leagues. I'm clueless as to the mouse to buy in that situation. I've tried a friend's G700 and the lag was really frustrating. The question gets asked all the time in the I Need a PC thread and I'm without an answer.
Jawmuncher
Member
I was doing extensive looking myself, and i've basically gathered that if you're playing sompetively and seriously then Wireless is not the way to go.
However if they're insisting the best recommendations are for this
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003VAM32E/?tag=neogaf0e-20
Mainly since do to the fact that it has a cord attachment for recharging and using it plugged in if needed. That was the best I found though a lot of the other mice are the typical wireless affects playing games and what not.
nice i'll be sure to remember this
Yep either set up thats 1000 is what you should get.
With choosing which one depending on what you'd be doing with it.
Will do
Windom Earle
Banned
4:3 720p video? Meh.
ShinobiFist
Banned
So good....SONY EX46501(Amazing CCFL LCD. Solid blacks, and no problem doing just frames on this or my CRT)It looks really amazing on the Panny too. BTW, I'm 12 feet away from the TV.
Cant wait for the holiday sales
Cant wait for the holiday sales
Jawmuncher
Member
So good....SONY EX46501(Amazing CCFL LCD. Solid blacks, and no problem doing just frames on this or my CRT)It looks really amazing on the Panny too. BTW, I'm 12 feet away from the TV.
Cant wait for the holiday sales
Sexy.
Can't wait to get my hands on mine.
KefkaPalazzo
Member
Picked up the i7 over the weekend.
Pretty sweet, even with the standard graphics card in it, it runs Skyrim on ultra high with all the best mods. Killer stuff.
Pretty sweet, even with the standard graphics card in it, it runs Skyrim on ultra high with all the best mods. Killer stuff.
ShinobiFist
Banned
It comes with a 660(Not the 660ti)The 660 that the X51 has 1.5 gigs of RAM, instead of 2 like the 66oti. But the 660 of the X51 has no problems running a lot of games on MAX settings so far. Batman AC runs on 60fps MAX settings(AA turned off)Witcher, with a little tweaking at 50-60fps. The upgrade some folks are doing is the GTX 670. That seems to be the go to card right now for X51 owners.
Thanks. Sucks that there is no way to upgrade the stock card to 670 on build ..
Yep, that's the one I tried. If I played some random CoD/BF3/Borderlands and then tons of single player games, I could see someone being okay with it.
But man, that lag is totally unacceptable.
Jawmuncher
Member
Yeah not much you can do about it that I know of.
Unless someone else here knows of a better alternative for a wireless mouse.
So I want to get the best model and the one that will remain caught up going into next gen, do I get the i7 660 model or the i5 660?
I feel like I've read the i5 is better for gaming but will it remain that way long term and if not is it worth it to get the i7 now or is it upgradable down the line?
Also what sort of performance increase should I expect going from the 670 to the 670 should I choose to do it?
I feel like I've read the i5 is better for gaming but will it remain that way long term and if not is it worth it to get the i7 now or is it upgradable down the line?
Also what sort of performance increase should I expect going from the 670 to the 670 should I choose to do it?
Jawmuncher
Member
From the thread a lot of talk was that the i5 is perfect, since even next gen gaming shouldn't be using more than that. The i7 is more so if you plan on doing a bit more with the system (Such as streaming and what not)
I'm not the best with this though so i'm mainly just going off what people have been telling me. Replies here have been pretty slow but Mkenyon or someone else should be able to help you better than me.
You're right. The i5 will be more than sufficient for gaming for a few years, but if you wanna do more or hold out a little longer get the i7. The i7 is good if you plan to do some streaming/recording while playing a game (I believe it's HT so that helps out with the load, while the i5 isn't HT)
maquiladora
Member
Ok guys, so I haven't touched PC gaming in over a decade and haven't a clue about building my own PC or what graphics cards are best etc. All I know is, I love the form factor of the X51 and think it's about time I got into comfy couch PC gaming.
So are these X51 specs good enough for PC gaming for the next couple of years (on high but maybe not max settings)? Would I need to upgrade the GTX 660 within that time and is there any concerns about the space limitations in the X51 for a future card? Thanks guys
So are these X51 specs good enough for PC gaming for the next couple of years (on high but maybe not max settings)? Would I need to upgrade the GTX 660 within that time and is there any concerns about the space limitations in the X51 for a future card? Thanks guys
Jawmuncher
Member
From everything I read in the thread this would be good.
However like XJavonta said i5 is good now expecially for gaming, but i7 might become more handy in a few years if you're looking for longevity.
Also upgrading the GTX 660 shouldnt be needed for awhile. The X51 from people here has already been running a lot of game at 60FPS or very near to it for games that can already be considered Next Gen such as Max payne 3, Witcher 2, and battlefield 3 on the MAX settings.
maquiladora
Member
Cool, thanks. So I could go for i7 with 8gb RAM and then buy another 8gb elsewhere cheaper and slot it into the X51? I'm guessing it would be easy to put it more RAM into this.
The X51 when it launched had a 20% markup over do it yourself solutions with cases no where near as compact as this.
It was a good deal back then and it is simply a great bargain now since they added better components.
Jawmuncher
Member
Yeah that would definitely be the best idea.
The website even mentions that upgrades such as that are easy to do.
So if you can wait then thats definetly a option.
The only other thing to take note is that I believe the 5% code still works.
Not sure but if you're going to buy it you might as well get some money back (It's in one of my earlier posts)
i5 and 8GB is all you need. Swap graphics when you need to.
maquiladora
Member
Thanks guys. I'm going to go with i7 (because I'll probably be using it for video editing too) & 8GB.
Can I put in a request for a couple of 720p tests? Assuming most of these are played on big TVs, I'm curious about higher settings/AA at 720p vs lower settings at 1080p
Yeah, was going to do 3DMark11 and Heaven at 720 and 1080. Heaven will be 1080 with no AA and then 1080 with high AA.
*edit*
To clarify, I wanted to do a whole suite including some multimedia benches in comparison to a budget build I am doing for a friend that came in at right around $800. I'm a fan of the X51, and told him if he felt better having a company backing the product that he should go that way over any other prebuilt. I was hoping to get some nice apples:apples benches to give an accurate assessment of the difference in performance rather than this rough guessing crap.
*edit 2*
And to further clarify, this will be on a system that would be right around $950 if made into a SFF build instead of a small mATX build.
*edit*
To clarify, I wanted to do a whole suite including some multimedia benches in comparison to a budget build I am doing for a friend that came in at right around $800. I'm a fan of the X51, and told him if he felt better having a company backing the product that he should go that way over any other prebuilt. I was hoping to get some nice apples:apples benches to give an accurate assessment of the difference in performance rather than this rough guessing crap.
*edit 2*
And to further clarify, this will be on a system that would be right around $950 if made into a SFF build instead of a small mATX build.
ShinobiFist
Banned
Well, I have an i7 with 16gigs of RAM. I could do some 3DMark stuff for reference. In 720 and 1080p AA on and off. I know is not what you're exactly looking for, but is good to know for future buyers.
I'll do it when I get out of work tonight.
I'll do it when I get out of work tonight.
So out of curiosity does anyone have any idea how well the i7 660 model will likely fair with far cry 3 given the recommended specs? I know it's impossible to tell but I though some resident experts might have a rough estimate.
http://m.neogaf.com/showthread.php?t=493056&highlight=far+cry+3+specs
I just bought mine yesterday and have been road mapping what games I'd like to get now and coming up and this is on the top of my anticipation list(mostly to test the graphics, as horrible as that sounds).
http://m.neogaf.com/showthread.php?t=493056&highlight=far+cry+3+specs
I just bought mine yesterday and have been road mapping what games I'd like to get now and coming up and this is on the top of my anticipation list(mostly to test the graphics, as horrible as that sounds).
It's only slightly bottlenecked by processor (X51's only downside), and it's the same engine that powers Far Cry 2. I can't give you ballpark estimates, because it would be dishonest of me (or anyone who hasn't benched the exact game for that matter) to do so. But, chances are good that it will run really well.
When you say bottlenecked by processor, what exactly do you mean. Is the x51's processor bad or something? Can it be upgraded at all?
I'm a fairly big newbie when it comes to PC gaming so excuse me if I sound slightly stupid in asking these questions.
tl;dr is that some games just require balls the wall clocks in order to achieve great performance. Basically, console engines are holding back actual performance capability because they aren't coded to take advantage of what PC hardware can offer. You can't OC an X51 processor. Overclocking is a dirty word to a lot of folks, but it is literally changing two values in BIOS to get 30-40% increased linear performance.
Copy/pasta from PC thread:
Games in which processor has a significant impact on performance are single or dual threaded engines where the only thing that matters is speed per core. This is why 5ghz processors do so well in these games. Borderlands 2, for example, benefits from large cache and very speedy cores.
Now watch how the performance climbs as the frequency increases.
By contrast, the video card being used, while significant, does not have the same percentage of an impact on performance as the CPU.
The games that are multi-threaded, or extremely processor efficient, instead place the bottleneck on the videocard. Civ V, is n-threaded, meaning it can use as many cores as a system has. Notice that there isn't any significant difference between the processors here.
By contrast, here is the performance in Civ V between videocards.
Another example is BF3.
Again, the bottleneck goes straight to the videocard.
So, in summary, the reason why these dual Xeon/Operton boards don't do well in gaming is because you can't overclock them to get the same kind of performance per core like you can with SB, SB-E, and Ivy. In the games where CPU matters, they'll actually perform WORSE than a high clocked 2500K, as 14-15 of your threads will be going entirely unused. The times when they are actually used, the fact that you have 16 threads won't matter because the bottleneck will be on the GPU.
Copy/pasta from PC thread:
Games in which processor has a significant impact on performance are single or dual threaded engines where the only thing that matters is speed per core. This is why 5ghz processors do so well in these games. Borderlands 2, for example, benefits from large cache and very speedy cores.
Now watch how the performance climbs as the frequency increases.
By contrast, the video card being used, while significant, does not have the same percentage of an impact on performance as the CPU.
The games that are multi-threaded, or extremely processor efficient, instead place the bottleneck on the videocard. Civ V, is n-threaded, meaning it can use as many cores as a system has. Notice that there isn't any significant difference between the processors here.
By contrast, here is the performance in Civ V between videocards.
Another example is BF3.
Again, the bottleneck goes straight to the videocard.
So, in summary, the reason why these dual Xeon/Operton boards don't do well in gaming is because you can't overclock them to get the same kind of performance per core like you can with SB, SB-E, and Ivy. In the games where CPU matters, they'll actually perform WORSE than a high clocked 2500K, as 14-15 of your threads will be going entirely unused. The times when they are actually used, the fact that you have 16 threads won't matter because the bottleneck will be on the GPU.
Wow thanks man! I expected maybe a line response from someone if at all lol.
Thanks for the reply, very informative.
I was worried for a minute but it does seem like in spite of that the performance from these boxes is still pretty good on even the most taxing games. Very good stuff to know though. And I understand where you're coming from now. I guess building your own in the end would have been a better route for me because of what you just said but my main goal of this purchase is to hold me over til next gen so I'm still fairly happy with the purchase for now.
Thanks for the reply, very informative.
I was worried for a minute but it does seem like in spite of that the performance from these boxes is still pretty good on even the most taxing games. Very good stuff to know though. And I understand where you're coming from now. I guess building your own in the end would have been a better route for me because of what you just said but my main goal of this purchase is to hold me over til next gen so I'm still fairly happy with the purchase for now.
Barkley's Justice
Member
I mean, I appreciate your detailed analysis. But what I basically got out of your reply is games that are being released now (not to even mention in the future) are already stressing the x51 out? And games released last year (Batman, Skyrim) are "working prettttttty-pretty good!" (to paraphrase) in 2012...
I love what this thing represents but I don't feel safe buying it?
ShinobiFist
Banned
Okay, getting The Heaven Basic Edition right now(Is it still good for stats?)
Welcome to the joyous world of PC gaming.
Treemonkeys
Member
Can this thing fit 2 HDDs so I could have a 2TB and an SSD?
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