Alienware Alpha i5 vs i7

[tuns3r]

I've been looking at the Alienware Alpha and was wondering i5 6400t vs i7 6700t. Would it be worth the $200 upgrade?
I am looking at the Alienware Alpha because it is small and would be easy for me to take with for when I travel and would be a lot cheaper than purchasing a gaming laptop

 

[superninja12]

be specific what do you want to do with it.

 

[tuns3r]

Going to be mostly for gaming. Playing games like WoW, Overwatch and GW2. Wife will probably want to run photshop on it as well

 

[superninja12]

its a huge scam of money we can build you a really small portable desktop pc? any size limits? and money limits?

 

[tuns3r]

I was thinking of building but would want something for similar size and have read that's tough to do. For budget would like around $1000 but probably could stretch to $1500. And it needs to have a SSD

 

[superninja12]

idk if u like the case.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($319.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z170N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($129.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: GeIL EVO POTENZA 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($56.32 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($89.39 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($47.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 1080 8GB STRIX Video Card ($629.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo EVOLV ITX Mini ITX Tower Case ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($90.88 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1469.03
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-08-22 16:51 EDT-0400

 

[tuns3r]

Should have mentioned that I am in Canada and up here that build is almost $2000...

 

[superninja12]

alright no problem you pick the case and i pick the parts

 

[superninja12]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($255.98 @ DirectCanada)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($37.98 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: ASRock H170M-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($151.00 @ Vuugo)
Memory: G.Skill NT Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($77.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($114.99 @ Memory Express)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($61.98 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1070 8GB Windforce OC Video Card ($544.98 @ NCIX)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo EVOLV ITX Mini ITX Tower Case ($79.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.98 @ DirectCanada)
Total: $1434.87
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-08-22 18:57 EDT-0400


no it wont bottleneck in anyway, losing the i7 is the only option which means in actual pc use:

- streaming and recording gameplay gets a bit harder
- rendering times from video edditing gets a bit harder

the game settings and fps will be the same as the i7 !!

 

[tuns3r]

Thank you for that! Now I got some thinking to do! Nice thing about the Alpha is that it is 7.5"x7.5"x2.5". Fits in a laptop bag with screen really nice! But that you get way more bang for you buck which is probably the better way to go

 

[tuns3r]

What is your thoughts on AMD? For example AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor is half the price of the Intel i5 you have in that build.

What are your thoughts on this? Obviously wouldn't be as good but could upgrade in future?

PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/D6ymkT
Price breakdown by merchant: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/D6ymkT/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($124.99 @ NCIX)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($33.98 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: ASRock 970M PRO3 Micro ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard ($69.00 @ Vuugo)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.34 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($114.99 @ Memory Express)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($62.75 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Superclocked Video Card ($132.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($49.98 @ DirectCanada)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($42.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $679.01
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-08-23 16:53 EDT-0400

 

[superninja12]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($147.98 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H110M-A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($68.98 @ DirectCanada)
Memory: G.Skill Aegis 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($44.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($114.99 @ Memory Express)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($62.95 @ shopRBC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon RX 460 4GB WINDFORCE OC Video Card ($169.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($49.98 @ DirectCanada)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Total: $739.85
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-08-23 17:16 EDT-0400

maybe this is more reasonable you will be able to play all kind of games on medium-high settings.

dont go amd currently for the following reasons :

- weak single core, games focus on a strong single core thats why an i3 beats amd most powerfull cpus in certain games.
- no upgrade possibility
- heat powerdraw

 

[tuns3r]

Was actually just about to post to say never mind to what I said. I did some deeper digging and found that out! Thank you for your help!

 

[tuns3r]

I would also need to add a wireless network adapter and sound card correct? And how about a fan?

 

[superninja12]

Additional fans wouldnt hurt.
An aftermarkt cooler could be nice if you dislike the helicopter noise.
and no you wont need a network adapter unless you want wifi.

 

[tuns3r]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($148.95 @ Vuugo)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($33.98 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H110M-A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Crucial BX200 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($84.98 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($62.95 @ shopRBC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GT 740 4GB Superclocked Video Card ($130.00 @ Amazon Canada)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($49.98 @ DirectCanada)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($64.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Wireless Network Adapter: Gigabyte GC-WB867D-I PCI-Express x1 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi Adapter ($44.99 @ Memory Express)
Total: $730.80
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-08-24 16:33 EDT-0400

I think for now I may cut back and go with something similar to your last build. I adjust to crucial parts for memory and ssd since they are a little cheaper and I have used them in the past. Also adjusted the video card and put a 600w power supply. From amazon.com the one I chose had better reviews. What are your thoughts on this build? Would it easy to keep upgraded and up to date?

 

[superninja12]

- the graphics card is a 2 generation setback grab the amd rx 460 or if you want nvidia the gtx 950(amd is stronger since its newer).
- the powersupply is bad look for the seasonic s12ii or xfx ts (or if youre on a really budget the antec vp)

if the price is too much for you, you can drop the cpu cooler. the intel comes with a stock cooler which is all you need.

and to clarify the onbaord graphics from the i3 = a gtx 730 so it would be a waste of money. a 740 isnt that much better.

 

[tuns3r]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($148.95 @ Vuugo)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($33.98 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H110M-A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Crucial BX200 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($84.98 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($62.95 @ shopRBC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon RX 460 4GB WINDFORCE OC Video Card ($169.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($49.98 @ DirectCanada)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($91.00 @ shopRBC)
Wireless Network Adapter: Gigabyte GC-WB867D-I PCI-Express x1 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi Adapter ($44.99 @ Memory Express)
Total: $796.80
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-08-24 17:04 EDT-0400

Adjust as per your advice. Thank you for all your help. I left the cpu cooler on for now unless you think it's pointless!

 

[superninja12]

great build everything looks great