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[ShinobiFist]

What games don't run in the proper resolution? I've never experienced this. I haven't had to touch the registry either, thank goodness.

Prototype one runs at 720p on HD sets no matter what. You have to fuck with it. Crysis 1 locks the game at 24hz on HD sets, so you have to do a custom profile of 1912x1080 to get 60hz. But other than that, I have no issues with resolutions, besides this issue I posted about.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=501102&highlight=

But, I resolved the issue.

 

[asdad123]

Buying a used one of these for $450 today. (i7 2600, 6gb ram, gt 545). Whats the consensus for the best graphics card to put into one of these?

I dont mind waiting a couple months if new ones are coming out soon.

 

[ShinobiFist]

Buying a used one of these for $450 today. (i7 2600, 6gb ram, gt 545). Whats the consensus for the best graphics card to put into one of these?

I dont mind waiting a couple months if new ones are coming out soon.

How big is the PSU? Also, I would go for the 660ti GPU. But first see How games run under that GPU and ram. I suggest you get more ram down the road as well.

 

[kharma45]

Buying a used one of these for $450 today. (i7 2600, 6gb ram, gt 545). Whats the consensus for the best graphics card to put into one of these?

I dont mind waiting a couple months if new ones are coming out soon.

Depends on your budget.

 

[asdad123]

How big is the PSU? Also, I would go for the 660ti GPU. But first see How games run under that GPU and ram. I suggest you get more ram down the road as well.

330w

Depends on your budget.

Looking to keep under $350.

 

[kharma45]

Looking to keep under $350.

Depending on the quality of the PSU you might be able to get a 7950 in as long as you don't OC it, rest of the system should be relatively low power draw.

Do you know if the X51's that have 670s in them are 330w ones too?

7870 and the 3GB 660 Ti are probably a good compromise between power use and performance.

 

[ShinobiFist]

330w

So you're good with that. You could put a 660ti 2GB+ or a GTX670 to push the system. MSI afterburner is your friend. But again, lets see what Nivida brings with the 700 series.

 

[mr stroke]

Anyone know if I can fit or add a cable card tuner to this? thinking about getting one of these as a PC gaming/media center/HTPC.

 

[Tobor]

Anyone know if I can fit or add a cable card tuner to this? thinking about getting one of these as a PC gaming/media center/HTPC.

Not an internal card, if that's what you mean. You could buy an external tuner, of course.

 

[mr stroke]

Not an internal card, if that's what you mean. You could buy an external tuner, of course.

Something like this would work with Windows Media Center via USB then?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002U6KT8U/?tag=neogaf0e-20


?

 

[Chittagong]

Something like this would work with Windows Media Center via USB then?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002U6KT8U/?tag=neogaf0e-20


?

Don't see why not. I wish I could find a card that works with our Sky cable box (we have a communal dish in the house)

 

[Ratrat]

Is the gtx670 still the best card that'll fit in this thing?

Also I got this to replace the DVD drive. For those looking to install an ssd and don't use discs.

 

[wildfire]

I'm surprised it's been over a week and noone has mentioned that there now exists an actual competitor for the X51.

IBuyPower Revolt

Tradeoffs with X51.
Larger Form Factor

Internalized PSU

Can support a single gpu as power hungry as the Titan.

Can be configed with AIO liquid cooling setups as large as the 140mm Kraken x40.

Very unique aesthetics.

 

[alexandros]

Good specs and reasonably priced, nice.

 

[Frankfurter]

So you're good with that. You could put a 660ti 2GB+ or a GTX670 to push the system. MSI afterburner is your friend. But again, lets see what Nivida brings with the 700 series.

Err, I'd definitely suggest checking out what the PSU can deliver over the 12V rail. If it's a usual low budget PSU, it probably be 250W or less and an i7 2600 + GTX670 isn't exactly the kind of setup you wanna run with 250W.

 

[mr stroke]

I'm surprised it's been over a week and noone has mentioned that there now exists an actual competitor for the X51.

IBuyPower Revolt

Tradeoffs with X51.
Larger Form Factor

Internalized PSU

Can support a single gpu as power hungry as the Titan.

Can be configed with AIO liquid cooling setups as large as the 140mm Kraken x40.

Very unique aesthetics.

Well priced(much less than Digital Storm or Falcon's offerings) but I just can't trust iBuyPower. They are notorious for having poor build quality and bad customer service. Their Reseller Reports are always bad.

 

[Pitmonkey]

Having some issues. Can't seem to get audio out of my HDMI out. Anyone have any setting/suggestions?

Edit: I need it to play both through speakers and HDMI out.

 

[SapientWolf]

Well priced(much less than Digital Storm or Falcon's offerings) but I just can't trust iBuyPower. They are notorious for having poor build quality and bad customer service. Their Reseller Reports are always bad.

Do their PCs just fall apart? I'm not sure if I would get a Revolt but I sure wouldn't get anything with less than a 500W PSU.

 

[MikeE21286]

Looking at this thread, I'm really wondering how these machines are any different than what the "Steam Box" will be.

I understand that the Steam Box will have branded or certified hardware of some sort, but the "Steam Box" seems more and more like a concept or idea as opposed to a radical hardware revolution.

 

[Jawmuncher]

Having some issues. Can't seem to get audio out of my HDMI out. Anyone have any setting/suggestions?

Edit: I need it to play both through speakers and HDMI out.

Playing through both I'm not to sure.
But I know if your hdmi is giving no sound it will if you plug it into the graphics card hdmi.

 

[soul creator]

Looking at this thread, I'm really wondering how these machines are any different than what the "Steam Box" will be.

I understand that the Steam Box will have branded or certified hardware of some sort, but the "Steam Box" seems more and more like a concept or idea as opposed to a radical hardware revolution.

The X51 was actually rumored last year to basically be a "steam box"

Should rumors be believed, the Alienware X51 has already been developed to Steam Box standards and will be retroactively infused with Valve's software once it becomes available.

The hardware backbone is currently said to be an Intel Core i7 with eight gigs of RAM and an Nvidia GPU. Devices built on the standard will reportedly run any PC title, and will also support other digital distribution platforms like EA's Origin service.

 

[Tobor]

Looking at this thread, I'm really wondering how these machines are any different than what the "Steam Box" will be.

I understand that the Steam Box will have branded or certified hardware of some sort, but the "Steam Box" seems more and more like a concept or idea as opposed to a radical hardware revolution.

My X51 is named "SteamBox".

 

[Malajax]

So I ordered one and received it a couple of days ago.

...

Now what? I was never very big into pc gaming. I only recently started to splurge on a couple of games when I found out my laptop could actually run some modern stuff. I tried out SFIV on my X51 and completely blew away the benchmark (that game can run on a toaster), but when I actually went to play the game it was really slow. Never got it to optimum settings.

There are a few other games I have, but I don't really have any pc gaming experience. Could anybody point to some cheap must plays that I couldn't really do on a console before?

Also, when is the next excuse steam has for a sale?

 

[Chittagong]

So I ordered one and received it a couple of days ago.

...

Now what? I was never very big into pc gaming. I only recently started to splurge on a couple of games when I found out my laptop could actually run some modern stuff. I tried out SFIV on my X51 and completely blew away the benchmark (that game can run on a toaster), but when I actually went to play the game it was really slow. Never got it to optimum settings.

There are a few other games I have, but I don't really have any pc gaming experience. Could anybody point to some cheap must plays that I couldn't really do on a console before?

Also, when is the next excuse steam has for a sale?

Congrats dude, best purchase ever.

Give BF3 a go, it's an all new game on PC. Totally different from console. Looks crazy good.

Magical Drop V is amazing too. Think Puyo Puyo but in a new fresh 1080P way,

Legend of Grimrock is an incredible game you simply could not play on a console, it's basically a next gen Dungeon Master remake.

Diablo 3 is really fun, despite what haters would lead you to believe.

Also console franchises are way superior - LA Noire, Metro 2033, Skyrim, everything is that much better.

From indies, Dear Esther is magical, Walking Dead is crazy immersive even if buggy as shit, Trine 2 is rock slid, and people sing praise for Hotline Miami

Also, Super NES and MAME emu.

 

[DSmalls84]

When I launch Tomb Raider it defaults to my Intel integrated card instead of my 660ti. I have my nvidia software set to prefer maximum performance. Anyone have any ideas? At this point I can't even launch tomb raider.

 

[Tobor]

When I launch Tomb Raider it defaults to my Intel integrated card instead of my 660ti. I have my nvidia software set to prefer maximum performance. Anyone have any ideas? At this point I can't even launch tomb raider.

Is the HDMI cable plugged in to the 660 or the motherboard?

 

[Malajax]

When I launch Tomb Raider it defaults to my Intel integrated card instead of my 660ti. I have my nvidia software set to prefer maximum performance. Anyone have any ideas? At this point I can't even launch tomb raider.

Had the exact same issue with Sonic Generations. Had something to do with nVidia Optimus technology making the gpu sleep when it's not needed. Required a work around to get it to work, but it should be possible with Tomb Raider in a similar way.

That or nvidia updates their drivers soon to accommodate for this.

 

[ShinobiFist]

When I launch Tomb Raider it defaults to my Intel integrated card instead of my 660ti. I have my nvidia software set to prefer maximum performance. Anyone have any ideas? At this point I can't even launch tomb raider.

Did you go to "Manage 3D" settings in the Nivida Control Panel and set the global settings to "Nivida High Performance"?

 

[thechristoph]

The price of the 660ti has been steady at $300 for like a year now. What is up with hardware prices? Have we plateaued, and nothing new is coming out?

 

[kharma45]

The price of the 660ti has been steady at $300 for like a year now. What is up with hardware prices? Have we plateaued, and nothing new is coming out?

Pretty much, nothing until Q4 at best.

 

[DSmalls84]

Is the HDMI cable plugged in to the 660 or the motherboard?

I thought about this when I got to work today. I think my hdmi is plugged into the motherboard so I will check when I get home. I used to plug my hdmi into the motherboard because my 550 only had a mini-hdmi, now that I have a 660 ti I should have a full sized port to use. This is the only game I have has this issue with though.

 

[mr2xxx]

Looking at this thread, I'm really wondering how these machines are any different than what the "Steam Box" will be.

I understand that the Steam Box will have branded or certified hardware of some sort, but the "Steam Box" seems more and more like a concept or idea as opposed to a radical hardware revolution.

Steam Box will be Linux, that is the biggest difference. It makes sense for Valve to use it but they will have a hell of a time converting gamers and publishers to their side.

 

[Marty Chinn]

Man, Tomb Raider sure makes the X51 loud.

 

[Dicer]

Man, Tomb Raider sure makes the X51 loud.

Everything 3D makes it loud...which is why I turn my games way up or use headphones

 

[Marty Chinn]

Everything 3D makes it loud...which is why I turn my games way up or use headphones

This is even louder than usual. It actually made the fans hit full force. I think it's running hotter than the usual game.

 

[mr stroke]

Saw this on Dell's Twitter-

30% off any Dell Outlet Alienware laptop or desktop! Call 888-518-3355 to receive offer and select your system!

Too good to pass up. They pulled their inventory offline so I had to call, but got a great deal.



-i5 3450
-8GB RAM
-1TB HDD
-GTX660
-330W power supply


$608 total




Probably going to sell the GTX660 and swap it with a GTX670

 

[kharma45]

Make sure when you're selling it you note that it's not the retail 660, the OEM one in the X51 is closer to being a 660 Ti.

 

[ShinobiFist]

Man, Tomb Raider sure makes the X51 loud.

Not for me, the only game where I hear the fans get loud is Far Cry 3.

 

[Chittagong]

This is even louder than usual. It actually made the fans hit full force. I think it's running hotter than the usual game.

Have you used Speedfan to set the max RPM of Fan 2 lower? X51 BIOS maxes it higher than the intended spec of the fan component (I searched the OEM spec of it), which is why it makes such an awful noise with no real cooling benefit. Capping it to 75% will provide you with all the cooling and a significantly quieter noise.

 

[LyleLanley]

Everything 3D makes it loud...which is why I turn my games way up or use headphones

This is the one problem I've had with my X51, the thing gets crazy loud.

 

[smr00]

This is the one problem I've had with my X51, the thing gets crazy loud.

I hear this from some people but have yet to experience this.

The only game that makes mine even semi-loud is FC3 and even then it's still as quite as a slim 360

 

[Marty Chinn]

Have you used Speedfan to set the max RPM of Fan 2 lower? X51 BIOS maxes it higher than the intended spec of the fan component (I searched the OEM spec of it), which is why it makes such an awful noise with no real cooling benefit. Capping it to 75% will provide you with all the cooling and a significantly quieter noise.

Ya I've done this. At some point it just kicked into full speed. I forgot to check the temp at the time.

I hear this from some people but have yet to experience this.

The only game that makes mine even semi-loud is FC3 and even then it's still as quite as a slim 360

What? how? Original 360 ya, but Slim 360?

 

[LyleLanley]

I hear this from some people but have yet to experience this.

The only game that makes mine even semi-loud is FC3 and even then it's still as quite as a slim 360

Any good looking modern 3D game pretty much turns my X51 into an airplane engine.

 

[ShinobiFist]

I hear this from some people but have yet to experience this.

The only game that makes mine even semi-loud is FC3 and even then it's still as quite as a slim 360

Yup, I wrote the same thing a few post above.

 

[Chittagong]

Use Speedfan and see what Fan #2 is doing when the highest noise kicks in. If it's 5000-6000 RPM, your profile is wrong (= default from Dell). It should never go over 4750 RPM or something, iirc.

If you are unsure about which fan is the culprit, use Speedfan and MSI Afterburner to find out which fan is the noisy one - just max them to 100% one at a time until you hear your jet engine. Then cap the max RPM of that fan.

Speedfan UI is a bit shit, but I explain the settings on Page 10 in this thread.

 

[Tobor]

I'd say the sound is comparable to my PS3 slim.

 

[mr stroke]

Make sure when you're selling it you note that it's not the retail 660, the OEM one in the X51 is closer to being a 660 Ti.

What makes the GTX660 OEM that Alienware uses like the Ti? (Is it clocked higher, more Stream Processors,Texture Units, etc.)



Wondering if the OEM GTX660 thats included is suficient enough for maxed out 1080p games(except Crysis 3)

 

[Slayer-33]

-i5 3450
-8GB RAM
-1TB HDD
-GTX660
-330W power supply


$608 total

Is this worth it?

Hmm looking at the laptops too.. haha

 

[shuri]

has anyone tried the ARMA3 alpha on this rig?

 

[kharma45]

What makes the GTX660 OEM that Alienware uses like the Ti? (Is it clocked higher, more Stream Processors,Texture Units, etc.)



Wondering if the OEM GTX660 thats included is suficient enough for maxed out 1080p games(except Crysis 3)

More shaders (1152 vs 960) and more Texture Units (96 vs 80) compared to the one you'd buy in shops.