[SOLVED] Alienware Aurora vs. Cyberpower PC

[jeff5]

Hi everyone. It's been awhile since I've bought or built a new PC. I had built my own in the past, but with kids, job, etc., time is not on my side =D. I can do it again, but prefer not to.

My current PC is an old Alienware X51 R3. It has been a nice little PC, but is lacking in the ability to upgrade. I'm considering another Alienware or a Cyberpower. My hesitation with Alienware is upgrade ability and that I don't know what they use for components like the motherboard, power supply ,etc. Why I am considering them is reliability, reputation and support. (My current PC has been rock solid)

With Cyberpower, I know what components I am putting into it (ASUS mother board, corsair RAM, etc.) and can spec it out how I want. However, I am a bit leery of build quality based on some things I've heard. I've also heard that support is horrible. I can troubleshoot and fix many things on a PC, so I am not terribly concerned about support, but still I don't want to get a lemon and be left out in the cold.

I'd love everyone's thoughts on this and helping me make a decision. Or maybe there is another builder option I am not considering. I have specced out Digital Storm, Xotic, Falcon, and a few others, and all come out way more than Cyberpower or Alienware. I'm also considering Alienware for the financing. I can pay for it all now, but 12 months no interest is a good perk and it is nice to spread out the payments. Cyberpower has Affirm but it is not that good.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[DSzymborski]

Places like Falcon cost more because you get a better product.

I think given that you do have the technical ability to tinker with your PC, if the choice is between a Cyberpower or an Alienware, the Cyberpower is the better idea. Warranty will cover an actual lemon and if they do a bad job mounting something or connecting something, you ought to be able to troubleshoot that. With the ability to upgrade, the difficulty of upgrading is a pretty big deal, in my view.

I'd also still consider building. It's really only a single afternoon and you'll get exactly the PC you want. If you're worried about parts failing long-term, it's better to build your own because for most parts, the warranty is given to Cyberpower not you and many of your parts will no longer have a warranty as soon as your warranty with Cyberpower ends. There are exceptions -- EVGA and MSI tend to be very liberal here.

 

[USAFRet]

Look closely into the "warranty" terms of the CyberPower. Very closely.

https://support.cyberpowerpc.com/hc/en-us/articles/360015700333

"Warranty Coverage - Company warrants to the original purchaser that the Product(s) shall be free of any defect in material or workmanship for a period of one year for labor and one year for parts from the date of the original invoice with the exception of Costco. "

"You must ship the product shipping charges prepaid, and insure the shipment or accept the risk of loss or damage during shipment. "

 

[jeff5]

Thanks guys, appreciate the feeddback. I am considering Digital Storm now too. They are more expensive than either Alienware or Cyberpower, but not as expensive as say Falcon Northwest. They also seem to have a great reputation.