Baconsammy
Banned
How quiet do these run? Considering getting a cheaper one and sticking it in the entertainment center.
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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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Unless you want to build your own, the X51 is the best bang for your buck.
It's no louder than my 360 was.
Baconsammy
Banned
Which 360? My launch 360 could be heard throughout a rather sizable house. My 360 slim can't be heard mere feet away.
diffusionx
Gold Member
It's much quieter than the launch 360. It's also more quiet than the PS3 4000 in my experience.
I'd agree with this. I have a PS3 slim and it's about the same.
BruceLeeRoy
Banned
How upgradable is the X51?
Do The Mario
Unconfirmed Member
Thanks guys, this is a great thread.
Although I am about to move state in a month (so it's a bad time to purchase a new PC) I am pretty keen on getting a x51 in the near future and doing the Nintendo/PC combination next generation. The fact that it will double as a media centre/blu ray player is also welcome additional functionality. The graphical fidelity of PC games, the pricing of games, the ability to keep a backlog and the fact that the PC gets most major console titles, to my mind, really suggests that a good PC is a better investment than another console.
One small question: How does the x51 run in a confined cabinet? I assume that I would keep the power brick outside? I have a white/minimalistic living room with electronics hidden is kind of a must.
Although I am about to move state in a month (so it's a bad time to purchase a new PC) I am pretty keen on getting a x51 in the near future and doing the Nintendo/PC combination next generation. The fact that it will double as a media centre/blu ray player is also welcome additional functionality. The graphical fidelity of PC games, the pricing of games, the ability to keep a backlog and the fact that the PC gets most major console titles, to my mind, really suggests that a good PC is a better investment than another console.
One small question: How does the x51 run in a confined cabinet? I assume that I would keep the power brick outside? I have a white/minimalistic living room with electronics hidden is kind of a must.
Baconsammy
Banned
That's more than fine then. Thanks for the input.
One more question, do people recommend going with Windows 7, 8 or XP (is XP even an option anymore from Dell)?
diffusionx
Gold Member
If I were buying it today, I'd just get it with Windows 8. XP would be worse than useless on a modern PC.
More than you'd think.
Upgrading the video card is easy, as long as the GPU requires less than around 150 watts and you have the 330w PSU.
Upgrading the RAM is also very simple.
You can put a SSD in there without too much trouble, I've read.
You won't be overhauling the cooling system or upgrading the CPU or anything (though I am sure people are trying or have tried), but for the basics, it's totally doable.
More than you'd think.
Upgrading the video card is easy, as long as the GPU requires less than around 150 watts and you have the 330w PSU.
Upgrading the RAM is also very simple.
You can put a SSD in there without too much trouble, I've read.
You won't be overhauling the cooling system or upgrading the CPU or anything (though I am sure people are trying or have tried), but for the basics, it's totally doable.
BruceLeeRoy
Banned
Man that's cool. I have to get one of these
I'd say 7 if it's still a free option. I'm avoiding Windows 8 as long as possible.
Dave_6
Member
I think I may be getting one of these here very soon. Looks right up my alley for having PC gaming performance pumped thru my 5.1 living room home theater. From what I've gathered, the preferred setup is to get the i5 instead of the i7, 8GB as 16 is overkill, and the GTX660 right? I have no plans to record or capture, just play and that's it. Sound good?
Also I guess I need to get a keyboard and mouse at the same time, as well as a controller as I'd rather use one since this is my first foray into PC gaming.
Also I guess I need to get a keyboard and mouse at the same time, as well as a controller as I'd rather use one since this is my first foray into PC gaming.
Baconsammy
Banned
Last I checked 7 was the default and 8 had to be chosen specifically. I used Windows 8 over the holiday on my nephews new laptop (specifically to play Minecraft PC) and disliked it it very much. I might like it more if I had a touchscreen.
Chittagong
Gold Member
I haven't dared to try yet. I mean, it's a hell of a lot of tech crammed into that box, probably close to a next gen console, and it does need cool air. I too love minimalist living rooms, but somehow I have rationalized that this one item outside the cabinet is ok, but no more.
You could try it inside a cabinet. The worst that a happen is that it gets really loud as the fans work double time, if that happens bringing it back out will resume normal fan speed.
Here's how it looks for me:
On another note, it's great to see how much the consensus about the Alienware X51 has changed since I made this thread.
Jawmuncher
Member
You're set.
However personally I went with the i7 and 16gb ram mainly because there was a 15% off sale when I did and i wanted less to upgrade later on. Crisis 3 high specs were a good example of what to expect going forward.
There are machines sold at a lower price but for the price/performance this is hands down the best prebuilt machine.
Your only other option is the Digital Storm Bolt which came out recently in November and Falcon Northwest Tiki. The Bolt offers a lot more headroom for upgrading because it uses a stronger PSU. The two drawbacks in exchange is that it is more expensive and less user friendly.
In both absolute terms and price per performance it costs more than the Alienware. There are design choices that reveal the drawbacks of trying to put a more powerful machine in a console sized case. The PSU is internal which makes it aesthetically more pleasing but combined with the stronger GPU inside it builds up enough heat that makes it louder.
Since it builds up a lot of heat it needs more vents to perform at acceptable levels. Based on the picture below you can easily see those additional vents will be blocked if you try to lay down your Bolt horizontally (both sides are vented). Lastly people who have opened up a Bolt say the internals are messier than the Alienware and as a result make modifications more annoying than it should be.
If you can tolerate the annoyances and want to run all games at 60 FPS the premium might be worth it. Personally I would just wait and see if Alienware comes out with a 3rd generation machine with a beefier PSU or build my own.
http://www.digitalstormonline.com/comploadbolt.asp?id=734513&price=$999
The FalconNW Tiki is just a mildly more expensive Bolt with different aesthetics. I won't bother saying much but I'll provide a link.
http://www.falcon-nw.com/desktops/tiki
Do The Mario
Unconfirmed Member
I haven't dared to try yet. I mean, it's a hell of a lot of tech crammed into that box, probably close to a next gen console, and it does need cool air. I too love minimalist living rooms, but somehow I have rationalized that this one item outside the cabinet is ok, but no more.
You could try it inside a cabinet. The worst that a happen is that it gets really loud as the fans work double time, if that happens bringing it back out will resume normal fan speed.
Here's how it looks for me:
On another note, it's great to see how much the consensus about the Alienware X51 has changed since I made this thread.
Thanks for that Chittagong. I'm looking forward to posting my setup once I unpack my new apartment and buy a few new pieces of furniture! Hmmmm I don't think the missus will be happy with the X51 sitting on the cabinet. That said, my cabinet is similar to yours but has more room in it than the one you posted.
You could compromise by having it in the cabinet, but leaving the door open when in use? And if it has a closed back, consider cutting out slots for ventilation. That's what I do with my consoles
Do The Mario
Unconfirmed Member
Great ideas, thanks.
Edit: I guess my concern about jumping in straight away is waiting to see what the next generation consoles of capable of (both in terms of graphical fidelity and as media centres). At this stage it may be prudent to wait a few months to get an idea of how the successor to the 360 stacks up to a high spec'ed x51. That said, this brings into the play the whole dilemma about launch hardware.
Nothing that can come close to Alienware on price.
epicnemesis
Member
Almost pulled the trigger yesterday after seeing this thread. Good thing I didn't though because now I am getting $150 off on top of my $200 gift card I was getting yesterday. The gift card expires tomorrow though so if anyone is in my boat act fast. Not quite as good as that 30% off thing a month ago but I'll take it.
EDIT: I think I am wrong about the expiration date on the gift card promotion.
EDIT: I think I am wrong about the expiration date on the gift card promotion.
The main issue with the OEM SFF systems is that you can't overclock. Being able to put a SB/IB processor at 4.0GHz on a stock cooler is what makes the processor so fantastic (with two values in BIOS, so easy even a neophyte could do it). There's a number of games where frame latency increases substantially at stock clocks, like source games (Dota 2, CS:GO), UE3 games, Farcry 3, Diablo 3, and SC2.
For casual players, people without 120hz screens, or people who think 30-60FPS is perfectly acceptable, it is impossible to beat. I'm not kidding when I say if you price out a similar system and build it yourself, you either save $100 and get something about twice as big as the X51, or end up spending *more* to get something similar, albeit with the ability to OC.
For casual players, people without 120hz screens, or people who think 30-60FPS is perfectly acceptable, it is impossible to beat. I'm not kidding when I say if you price out a similar system and build it yourself, you either save $100 and get something about twice as big as the X51, or end up spending *more* to get something similar, albeit with the ability to OC.
ShinobiFist
Banned
Also, don't forget that you could downsample games on the X51 with the 660 card with no problem. The resolution that works best is 2400x1360. Also, you need to make a custom profile of 1916x1080 for the earlier Crysis games when you connect the X51 to your HDTV.
Why? Because the game locks in at 24hz. By picking the custom resolution, you'll get 1080p/60hz, instead of 1080p/24hz. And for the Prototype 2 exe error, just disconnect the keyboard and 360 pad during the start-up of the game, and leave the mouse plugged in. Once in the main menu, plug your devices back in. This solved the issues on two people I know with the X51.
Why? Because the game locks in at 24hz. By picking the custom resolution, you'll get 1080p/60hz, instead of 1080p/24hz. And for the Prototype 2 exe error, just disconnect the keyboard and 360 pad during the start-up of the game, and leave the mouse plugged in. Once in the main menu, plug your devices back in. This solved the issues on two people I know with the X51.
To expand on what I was saying above, here's a sample of three minutes of Dota 2 gameplay during a period of multiple team fights. Max settings, 1080p, 3570K + 7970. The time in ms it took to render each frame was recorded.
16.7ms = 60FPS. When it dips below that, this is when you get the 'chugging' or 'stutter' feeling. If you compare it to average FPS, you wouldn't think the game ever chugs. This is because min/max/average is polled every second rather than with every frame. So within a given second, the game could completely stutter on a few frames, but this would be averaged out with the others to seem like it was actually decent.
16.7ms = 60FPS. When it dips below that, this is when you get the 'chugging' or 'stutter' feeling. If you compare it to average FPS, you wouldn't think the game ever chugs. This is because min/max/average is polled every second rather than with every frame. So within a given second, the game could completely stutter on a few frames, but this would be averaged out with the others to seem like it was actually decent.
Chittagong
Gold Member
Really interesting. Is this X51 overclocked, or some device more forgiving cooling wise?
ShinobiFist
Banned
Yup, The i7 on the X51 cannot be OC, it has its own method of boosting for certain situations.
I ordered one of these last month and just got it yesterday. It's nice having a new gaming PC after 6 years. It was good timing with the Steam winter sale.
I'm looking for a wireless keyboard now. How do the WASD keys feel(in terms of spacing, placement) for games on the Microsoft Arc?
I'm looking for a wireless keyboard now. How do the WASD keys feel(in terms of spacing, placement) for games on the Microsoft Arc?
Arpeggio23
Member
What "gift card promotion"?
epicnemesis
Member
When I added it to my cart it came with a $200 gift card, maybe a student thing. I'll let you know if I get it. The sales rep I talked to about it online was confused by it too.
ShinobiFist
Banned
My man, I got the arc, and the fellow mouse as well, great for TV viewing and all. As for the WASD on that keyboard is perfect for me. The beef I have with the mouse the scroll sound it does, it can't be turned off.
The cons about the keyboard is that it doesn't have NUM pad, so if you want to use the FPS unlocker for Transformer WOC, you need to use the keyboard it came with. Besides that, it great navigating with the keyboard on Netflix and other apps. Thanks to the dpad it has and the size of the keyboard that makes it comfy enough to hold it like control pad. Overall, get this keyboard with a gaming mouse.
-EDIT-forget what I wrote, just saw the post about that Logitic keyboard solar goodness. Get that shit. Kenyon always coming through with the knowledge.
I have a few questions, hoping someone here can help.
1) for those who've had an x51 for 6-9 months, still happy with your purchase? Any problems with your system?
2) if I'm gunna hook up my x51 to my 46" lcd Samsung 1080p, 120hz, should I use PC cable or hdmi? ( I've seen some vids on YouTube say hdmi was "disabled")
3) completely new to the PC side of gaming here, realistically speaking, how long can I expect decent graphics with my nvidia gtx 660? Can I get a year, year and a half before considering an upgrade? Or am I dreaming?
Thanx.
1) for those who've had an x51 for 6-9 months, still happy with your purchase? Any problems with your system?
2) if I'm gunna hook up my x51 to my 46" lcd Samsung 1080p, 120hz, should I use PC cable or hdmi? ( I've seen some vids on YouTube say hdmi was "disabled")
3) completely new to the PC side of gaming here, realistically speaking, how long can I expect decent graphics with my nvidia gtx 660? Can I get a year, year and a half before considering an upgrade? Or am I dreaming?
Thanx.
Honestly there is a good chance that the 660 is significantly more powerful than what will be in next-generation consoles.
You could last 5 years on that single card, longer if you are willing to turn some settings down.
I build my own computers so I can't answer any of the other questions.
EDIT: Wow the prices on those are pathetic compared to building your own. I'm sure you get a garbage psu and mobo as well. That's how they get you.
I guess the size is the justification, but you can get really clean looking cases and pair them with smaller mobos.
Paddington Bear
Member
Wow, this looks great. I think I'll get one. I have a question though... Other than heat, would getting the i7 be a bad idea? I'm a complete PC noob
Chittagong
Gold Member
Nah, not a bad idea, it's just that supposedly it won't give you much bang for the buck in gaming. I don't think the heat penalty is that bad to be honest.
1. Super happy, cheap games (all my purchases are sub £10), all the indie and PC exclusives. Also Windows 8 with Plex is amazing for comfy couch.
2. I would think HDMi is always preferable. If you swap to an AMD card you just need to use its HDMI out as the integrated HDMi won't channel it, as its a NVIDIA mobo. Non issue really.
3. I'd guess some 3 years until you feel that Max settings itch again.
Which one? The mobo in X51 is a decent NVDIA one iirc, and has some clever custom components to allow horizontal stacking of the video card, making that small size possible. PSU is top notch, very cool and efficient, and double as powerful as you'd ever need. I doubt that a similar setup with a Windows license would be significantly cheaper even if built self,
Paddington Bear
Member
Cool thanks, ill probably use it for some video and 3d work so I'd like the better processor
Glorified G
Member
Has anyone in Canada ordered the x51 with Windows 7? It seems like the only option on dell.ca is windows 8 which is unlike dell.com.
Chittagong
Gold Member
Windows 8 works great on X51, the new Start screen is amazing for sofa use, Plex metro is fantastic etc. Also stuff like D3DOverrider works now. I'll post pics later.
Marty Chinn
Member
My friend was complaining the fonts were too small for his tastes on a TV and there was either very little or no real way to change the size.
Chittagong
Gold Member
There's an acceccibility option to make everything double the size, it works well for me on the sofa and has clearly been properly designed to act as a primary UI, even Metro apps scale to it. It's not just scaling, but it actuallu rearranges the layout to accommodate the bigger elements.
The biggest shortcoming is that the Start screen doesn't support the 360 controller. What the hell, Microsoft?!
Marty Chinn
Member
He tried the accessibility option and still said it was too small. I don't have Windows 8 yet so I have no idea how it looks, but he was very annoyed by the lack of being able to set the font size to be as big as he'd like. I'll see if I can find the info on what his exact complaint was on it.
Chittagong
Gold Member
Hmmm... I will try to snap a couple of pics tonight. Not sure if TOS permits me posting Plex screens, but all else
Marty Chinn
Member
I found a screen cap at max font size:
Text still seems a bit small in a lot of areas.
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