Question Alienware on sale worth it?

Gorrath

Distinguished
Sep 20, 2008
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I need to change my PC but I'm too lazy to put one together.

I know buying a pre-built PC is really not worth it compared to buying all the pieces and building it myself...well in my case I would need to pay someone to do it cuz I don't want to so that's some extra cost.

But let's say I'm gonna buy a pre-built PC, is Alienware a good option?
Something on sale like this:
https://www.dell.com/en-ca/shop/del.../alienware-aurora-r16-desktop/caneahctor16i17

I'm in Canada btw

Thanks for your help
 
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I need to change my PC but I'm too lazy to put one together.

I know buying a pre-built PC is really not worth it compared to buying all the pieces and building it myself...well in my case I would need to pay someone to do it cuz I don't want to so that's some extra cost.

But let's say I'm gonna buy a pre-built PC, is Alienware a good option?
Something in sale like this:
https://www.dell.com/en-ca/shop/del.../alienware-aurora-r16-desktop/caneahctor16i17

I'm in Canada btw

Thanks for your help
No, maybe if it were like 1400. If you want to try yout hand at building check this list out for around the same price.

I put some really nice parts in this build.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 4.2 GHz 8-Core Processor ($429.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Phantom Spirit EVO 69 CFM CPU Cooler ($49.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock X870 Pro RS WiFi ATX AM5 Motherboard ($209.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Venom 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($167.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial T500 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($142.72 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Mercury Magnetic Air Radeon RX 7900 XTX 24 GB Video Card ($869.99 @ Amazon)
Case: be quiet! Shadow Base 800 DX ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.90 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: FSP Group Hydro PTM X PRO,Gen5 1000 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($170.00 @ Amazon)
Total: $2119.49
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-10-06 16:39 EDT-0400
 
is Alienware a good option?
Something in sale like this:
for $2100, i'd say that's a pretty bad choice.
adding/upgrading any further increasing the cost makes it even worse.
no details whatsoever on the PSU or the motherboard included,
a cramped lesser quality case,
low amount of slower DDR5 RAM,
entry level GPU,
only 1 year of basic warranty coverage on the system as a whole...

you may want to find a local shop and see what custom options they may have to offer.
or better yet, what they may charge to physically construct a system out of your own purchased parts for you.
 
I need to change my PC but I'm too lazy to put one together.

I know buying a pre-built PC is really not worth it compared to buying all the pieces and building it myself...well in my case I would need to pay someone to do it cuz I don't want to so that's some extra cost.

But let's say I'm gonna buy a pre-built PC, is Alienware a good option?
Something in sale like this:
https://www.dell.com/en-ca/shop/del.../alienware-aurora-r16-desktop/caneahctor16i17

I'm in Canada btw

Thanks for your help
Slow RAM (only 16GB btw), small SSD, no mention of motherboard, airflow restricted case and it would be nice to know the make & model of the psu.
 

Math Geek

Titan
Ambassador
honestly the alienware pc's tend to use a lot of proprietary stuff. upgrading them down the line are always a pain if possible at all.

throw in the extra cash for the name on the case and they are rarely worth it. this one as others have noted is expensive for what you get and will need some upgrades right out of the box. i'd look elsewhere myself if you can't/won't build it yourself.

there is always a local high school kid who would happily build it for you for a few bucks. usually an old enthusiast like myself also willing and able to do it. just got to ask around some, i have never advertised and get calls almost daily from folks who were passed my name and number looking for pc help in one way or another. :)
 

Gorrath

Distinguished
Sep 20, 2008
100
8
18,685
Well, it's 2100$CAD so like 1546$US.

A build like the one posted above would cost way more than 2129$ here.
The Radeon 7900 XTX is like 1300$CAD :(
 

TeamRed2024

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Aug 12, 2024
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Alienware is a solid laptop choice IMO... but for desktops you should build it yourself. Better value and upgrade path.
 

TeamRed2024

Upstanding
Aug 12, 2024
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That's because Alienware laptops are made for Dell by Quanta Computer, the largest laptop manufacturer in the world. The desktops aren't.

Hey that's cool... I had no idea. Google says they are located in Taiwan. I guess that shouldn't be surprising. At any rate... this is my first laptop and the build quality is impressive.

It's been 20 years since I have seen an Alienware desktop up close. I remember hearing good things about them back then... but it was before the buyout.