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Alienware X51 thread of 2.56TFLOPS comfy couch gaming at 180W in a console size box

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SeanR1221 said:
So something like the model with the GTX 660 should last a pretty long time, right?
Click to expand...

Yeah. Also note, some games are badly optimize, so turn off features that don't convey the atmosphere that the game is trying to accomplish to get the best performance in either 30fps or 60fps.
 
I feel like this 660 card will be sufficient for at least a couple of years.

Far Cry 3 will be an interesting test.
 
I just upgraded my GPU from GTX555 to GTX660ti.

So far its running good. Haven't tested much games yet.

With the only game I checked (Blade&Soul) it does run better (full spec in 1080P)
 
raven777 said:
I just upgraded my GPU from GTX555 to GTX660ti.

So far its running good. Haven't tested much games yet.

With the only game I checked (Blade&Soul) it does run better (full spec in 1080P)
Click to expand...

I'm looking to upgrade my gpu was was wondering what the highest card in the Nvidia 600 series is that can safely run in the first gen model? I have the i-5 2320/GTX 555 config and was wondering how much of a performance upgrade the 660 will give?
 
DSmalls84 said:
I'm looking to upgrade my gpu was was wondering what the highest card in the Nvidia 600 series is that can safely run in the first gen model? I have the i-5 2320/GTX 555 config and was wondering how much of a performance upgrade the 660 will give?
Click to expand...

"technically" the highest card you can put in x51 is 660ti. I think the limit power consumption for GPU is 150 watt for x51 with 330 watt power supply, and I think 660ti is 150.

But there are people who have put 670 FTW and are using it with no problem. But you will need minor modification to fit in 670 FTW. With the 660ti you don't need any modification.

As far as the performance upgrade, I don't exactly know but you can check out the benchmarks.
 
raven777 said:
"technically" the highest card you can put in x51 is 660ti. I think the limit power consumption for GPU is 150 watt for x51 with 330 watt power supply, and I think 660ti is 150.

But there are people who have put 670 FTW and are using it with no problem. But you will need minor modification to fit in 670 FTW. With the 660ti you don't need any modification.

As far as the performance upgrade, I don't exactly know but you can check out the benchmarks.
Click to expand...

I'm looking at the EVGA brand 660 ti cards on newegg and was wondering if the brand or version of the card you pick matters? I'm kind of new at picking out pc components and having so many skus is confusing. Thanks for the reply

Edit: For example would this work?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130810

Would also like to know if this ram would work? I stuck with the stock 6 gb config and figure If I'm going to replace the gpu might as well upgrade the ram too.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314
 
I'm still running my 555 and the stock HDD, I'm thrilled with this thing's performance. The Mass Effect series and Skyrim all run at max settings at 16x10 res.

In the new year, if I have some play money come tax time, I'd like to upgrade to a 24" monitor and a new video card. Months after this thing is out, it still seems like the 660ti is the way to go (which is cool, but I've been hoping for a price drop). Is there any particular flavor of the 660 to go for so it fits properly? Or any models to avoid?
 
DSmalls84 said:
I'm looking at the EVGA brand 660 ti cards on newegg and was wondering if the brand or version of the card you pick matters? I'm kind of new at picking out pc components and having so many skus is confusing. Thanks for the reply

Edit: For example would this work?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130810

Would also like to know if this ram would work? I stuck with the stock 6 gb config and figure If I'm going to replace the gpu might as well upgrade the ram too.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314
Click to expand...

I also went with EVGA. Its the most recommend one. Just try to get the reference looking card (like the one you posted with one fan at the side) instead of dual fan cards.

I think that card will work, I went with the same brand but not the superclocked one (normal $299 one).

And I don't know anything about ram so I can't help you on that. sorry


thechristoph said:
I'm still running my 555 and the stock HDD, I'm thrilled with this thing's performance. The Mass Effect series and Skyrim all run at max settings at 16x10 res.

In the new year, if I have some play money come tax time, I'd like to upgrade to a 24" monitor and a new video card. Months after this thing is out, it still seems like the 660ti is the way to go (which is cool, but I've been hoping for a price drop). Is there any particular flavor of the 660 to go for so it fits properly? Or any models to avoid?
Click to expand...


As I mentioned, EVGA seems like the most popular choice. Make sure you go for the reference card, and try to avoid the dual fan.
 
raven777 said:
I also went with EVGA. Its the most recommend one. Just try to get the reference looking card (like the one you posted with one fan at the side) instead of dual fan cards.

I think that card will work, I went with the same brand but not the superclocked one (normal $299 one).

And I don't know anything about ram so I can't help you on that. sorry





As I mentioned, EVGA seems like the most popular choice. Make sure you go for the reference card, and try to avoid the dual fan.
Click to expand...



Thanks for pming me your card. I found the same one on Amazon and I'm probably going to order it today. I just wanted to make sure I wouldn't have any compatibility issues because I wasn't sure how easy it is to return a gpu if it doesn't work. I guess I will hold off on the ram upgrade for now because I read on some sites that the X 51 doesn't have enough clearance for some ram sticks if they have heat sinks. I think the 6 gb I already have should be fine though.
 
Far Cry 3 runs really well on my X51. I turned Shadows down to just "High", left it in Directx 11 mode, and run it in 1080p. Plays well, chugs sometimes when lots of action is happening, but nothing that bothers me. I have vsynch on "1 frame" as well, and I forget which AA I'm using at the moment.

Anyway, I'm happy.

Specs:
i7-3770 3.4ghz
16GB RAM
GTX 660
2TB hdd
330w psu
 
Got mine last friday, honestly can't complain for what I want it for.

jFKhc.jpg


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Specs:
i7-3770 3.4ghz
16GB RAM
GTX 660
1TB hdd
330w psu
 
These computers are also good for just browsing the internet, listening to music, and writing papers on etc as well as gaming correct? Its still a regular PC just in a small tower? or is this mostly just meant for gaming and gaming alone?
 
TerminalDogma said:
These computers are also good for just browsing the internet, listening to music, and writing papers on etc as well as gaming correct? Its still a regular PC just in a small tower? or is this mostly just meant for gaming and gaming alone?
Click to expand...

Gaming is the most demanding thing most people will ever do with a computer.

It'll destroy those things. And CPUs and GPUs down-volt when doing light work, so it'll idle at a fairly low wattage with those specs.
 
Thanks for the reply. So if I were to order one of the refurbs at 30% off, is it recommended that I switch out to a different graphics card? Seems like they only come with a GTX 555 or a GT 545, and from quick google searches those don't seem to be very good cards. Mind you, I'm not looking for best of the best graphics, but I'd like to be able to play a game such as Diablo 3 on High settings.
 
C-Drive said:
I guess all X51s are refurbs now? Looking at that 30% off deal it seemed that way.
Click to expand...

This is the Dell Outlet store so most of their stock is either Certified Refurbished or Scratch/Dent. The one I purchased was actually New but stock tends to vary.
 
TerminalDogma said:
Thanks for the reply. So if I were to order one of the refurbs at 30% off, is it recommended that I switch out to a different graphics card? Seems like they only come with a GTX 555 or a GT 545, and from quick google searches those don't seem to be very good cards. Mind you, I'm not looking for best of the best graphics, but I'd like to be able to play a game such as Diablo 3 on High settings.
Click to expand...

Here's how Diablo 3 looks on Max Settings on an x51 with a GTX 555.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCDgxJjYaaU

The benefit of getting the 555 model over the 545 is the better power supply which will make it easier to upgrade your video card. Regardless, a 555 should be plenty for something like Diablo 3.
 
Once again thanks for the reply. I ended up buying an i5 3450 with the 555 so I could upgrade it later. Crazy how you got one with an i7 blu ray disc and 555 for 600. Mine was 622 before tax, just dual layered dvd. Maybe mine had more RAM or something.
 
I got my 660 ti and installed it today. Is it normal for the fan to be louder than on the 555? I looked at my max temp on the gpu and it said it hit 87c. Is that within an acceptable range?
 
raven777 said:
I also went with EVGA. Its the most recommend one. Just try to get the reference looking card (like the one you posted with one fan at the side) instead of dual fan cards.

I think that card will work, I went with the same brand but not the superclocked one (normal $299 one).

And I don't know anything about ram so I can't help you on that. sorry





As I mentioned, EVGA seems like the most popular choice. Make sure you go for the reference card, and try to avoid the dual fan.
Click to expand...

Edit: Didn't mean to post twice.
 
I got the x51 but I'm trying to game from my couch. What are my wireless keyboard and mouse solutions? Should I set a tray or some shit over my lap to rest them on? How about the phantom lap board? The Logitech wireless keyboard seems best but there's nothing for me to lay it on. Halp
 
Docpan said:
I got the x51 but I'm trying to game from my couch. What are my wireless keyboard and mouse solutions? Should I set a tray or some shit over my lap to rest them on? How about the phantom lap board? The Logitech wireless keyboard seems best but there's nothing for me to lay it on. Halp
Click to expand...

You can either bust up around $200 for the Couchmaster which is a big ass tray that will rest both your keyboard and mouse on your couch for creature comfort OR try to jimmy rig one yourself as posted on Christen Svensson's blog (VP of Capcom) here.

There is also recommendations in the OP. Myself, I do have a Logitech Wireless Keyboard for PS3 with a mouse pad that works nicely (just rest it on your lap), but I do not game with it. It's simply there to run Steam so that I can get to a game that plays with a controller (no Couchmaster for me...)
 
Just jumped in...
Processor
3rd generation Intel® Core™ i7-3770 processor (3.4GHz, 8MB Cache, with Hyper-Threading and Turbo Boost 2.0)
Operating System
Windows 8, 64-bit, English
Monitor
No Monitor
Memory
16GB* Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1600MHz
Hard Drive
1TB SATA 3Gb/s (7,200RPM) 32MB Cache
Video Card
1.5GB GDDR5 NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 660
Optical Drive
Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Reader (BD-ROM, DVD+-RW, CD-RW)
Warranty
1 Year Essential Support

200$ off until Friday at dell.ca
http://m.dell.com/mt/www.dell.com/ca/p/alienware-x51/pd?oc=dax51_f_4e&model_id=alienware-x51
 
MARNEY said:
Just jumped in...
Processor
3rd generation Intel® Core™ i7-3770 processor (3.4GHz, 8MB Cache, with Hyper-Threading and Turbo Boost 2.0)
Operating System
Windows 8, 64-bit, English
Monitor
No Monitor
Memory
16GB* Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1600MHz
Hard Drive
1TB SATA 3Gb/s (7,200RPM) 32MB Cache
Video Card
1.5GB GDDR5 NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 660
Optical Drive
Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Reader (BD-ROM, DVD+-RW, CD-RW)
Warranty
1 Year Essential Support

200$ off until Friday at dell.ca
http://m.dell.com/mt/www.dell.com/ca/p/alienware-x51/pd?oc=dax51_f_4e&model_id=alienware-x51
Click to expand...
Welcome! If you run to any issues with the text on your HDTV when launching a game, check this thread I posted it awhile ago. I updated it today. http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=501102&highlight=
 
Got one With the i5 8gb ram and a 640 gt for Xmas...disappointed with the performance for gaming but his great for a media center
 
OverHeat said:
Got one With the i5 8gb ram and a 640 gt for Xmas...disappointed with the performance for gaming but his great for a media center
Click to expand...

Define disappointment. If that means you can't do perfect 60fps at 1080p then fine but a card like that should run any game ever made with very little compromise and in most cases, no compromises in (visually) at all.
 
LiquidMetal14 said:
Define disappointment. If that means you can't do perfect 60fps at 1080p then fine but a card like that should run any game ever made with very little compromise and in most cases, no compromises in (visually) at all.
Click to expand...

Exactly. That card could run current games on mixed settings(Mixed of Ultra and High)at 1080p 60fps.
 
What the F? I cant see to even order one from dell.ca anymore? Are they being phased out?

edit: nevermind, i was on the wrong subsite. I deserve the whip!
 
OverHeat said:
Far cry 3 as to run at 720p without AA to get decent framerate on highest setting
Click to expand...

That game has issues with some high end cards as well, that goes for Assassin Creed 3 in Boston, read the nightmares people are having with that game. Some games are badly optimize.
 
I just wanted to say I got mine hooked up a few weeks ago and I love it. Everything I have wanted to play runs great. Plan on upgrading the card though as soon as they release the smaller version of the 680 that fits better into the x51
 
I'm still good with the 660. Far Cry 3 runs well at 1080P after the new Nvidia drivers were installed.

Overall, I'm super happy with my purchase.
 
Jawmuncher said:
I just wanted to say I got mine hooked up a few weeks ago and I love it. Everything I have wanted to play runs great. Plan on upgrading the card though as soon as they release the smaller version of the 680 that fits better into the x51
Click to expand...

Same here. Got mine during the last sale several weeks ago and put a 670 in it. So far so good.
 
ShinobiFist said:
That's going to happen?
Click to expand...

From what I read Nvidia makes smaller cards out of a lot of their bigger ones. Now when that'll happen I don't know. But I'm pretty sure there'll be upgrade opportunities for us soon that'll be simply swapping the Graphics cards rather than having to deal with some cramming and what not. It's how they wanted the x51 to be after all.

So it might not be branded as a 680 but it should be just as powerful and a better fit for x51
 
I put a 660ti in my X51, it's a huge upgrade over the GTX 555. My 3DMark more than doubled and the games I tried run so much better. It also, strangely, runs quieter than before. I feel like I unlocked this system and revealed most or all of its potential. Outside of how I thought I stripped the screws for the riser platform, it really was a very simple upgrade.
 
Jawmuncher said:
From what I read Nvidia makes smaller cards out of a lot of their bigger ones. Now when that'll happen I don't know. But I'm pretty sure there'll be upgrade opportunities for us soon that'll be simply swapping the Graphics cards rather than having to deal with some cramming and what not. It's how they wanted the x51 to be after all.

So it might not be branded as a 680 but it should be just as powerful and a better fit for x51
Click to expand...

Oh okay, so it might come in the form of the 700 series then. That's what I'm waiting for. BTW, who here is on Steam? I go by the same name there.
 
what's the reason you can't put a beast of a GPU in this? Size + inadequate PSU I presume? Anyone has any workarounds for this? I'm talking 7950/7990 or 680/690
 
IvanI said:
what's the reason you can't put a beast of a GPU in this? Size + inadequate PSU I presume? Anyone has any workarounds for this? I'm talking 7950/7990 or 680/690
Click to expand...

Correct. The PSU is 330 watts, and can't be upgraded. There is also a custom drive cage that won't fit the largest cards.

That said, a card like that really isn't necessary right now. The X51 is designed to connect to TV's, so it only needs to run 1080P. 660s/670's are fine right now. By the time I need to upgrade, lower powered smaller versions of the 680/690 will be available.
 
Looking to get in to PC gaming without a desktop/laptop. Is this the best living room PC out there(ie to plug in to my HDTV), or are there cheaper equals out there??
 
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