I don't intend to hijack the thread, but I feel it is relevant. I do apologize for the long post, but I could really use some help.
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A little background: I have always built my own systems, relying on tomshardware and similar sites, usually newegg for my parts. 2 years ago I decided I wanted a mobile gaming platform, so I could "be in the same room as the wife" and it count as quality time. I purchased a Dell XPS m1730. Yes it was overpriced, but I got a Dell credit account and 18 months no interest, so I did it. I generally liked the system, but had some issues with overheating and system lockups. After some horrible customer service issues, I got a replacement, gaining a +2 GB memory, faster processor (T8300), and larger hard drive, which was a nice bonus. It has been fine since, just not overwhelming. However, I starting to regret the purchase, and wished I had chosen a desktop, so I could upgrade components. This time I wanted to build, but with 2 new children since the XPS, and budgets and such tight, I opted to use my Dell credit account.
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I must say, the Alienware Area-51 is beautiful. Yes I could build one cheaper, heck, even cyberpowerpc has the same build for $1k less. But the Dell warranty is worth it. The people you talk to might challenge your patience, but if you can get past that, having full system replacement as an option (they replace with something equivalent at the time) years later really makes it worth it, should you need it.
Ok, that said, the Alienware just came in, and I have already had some issues. First, the Creative Labs Titanium X-Fi when a mic is connected to the front-panel is causing weird feedback issues, to the point I had to literally rip the headphones off my head for fear of bursting my ear drums. The system, card, and headset were ordered from Dell/Alienware. I also had a few bluescreens within the first few days. Usually I wouldn't care, and just chalk it up to Windows. Checking the event logs, it was getting tons of "bad block" errors. I did notice drive performance was slower than I expected.
Then, I happened to check a new Area 51, and noticed they just released the ATI 5970, of course, just after I got mine with a 5870, so I was a bit upset. I called Dell to have my issues addressed, and got the typical "The Dell Experience." (I know it is busy with the season and all). I finally got somenoe to log the issues, and say he would replace the drive and sound card. He said the mic issue was known. After asking, he confirmed they would send refurbished parts - "that's the Dell system" as he said it.
So I finally called customer care to discuss a return - I was still within 21 days. I did not want to regret another purchase. They offered a replacement system completely instead, but could not replace any components. Even though I offered to pay any difference, they would not upgrade the video card. I know hardware sometimes has issues, it was the no-upgrade and support issues that drove me over the edge.
I spent the next 3 hours of my life on hold and re-dialing. Details available here if interested:
http://twitter.com/ogreinside
In the end, I am returning the system. I still have my credit account, so I am open to re-purchasing one. I know it might be stupid, given the issues I have had, but I know the system is solid. It is really fast, and has nice touches like "scales" on top that move as the CPU usage increases. Very impressive.
So, I would love nothing more than to build it myself, but deferring payment is #1 priority to the wife, so if I get a system it has to be Dell.
From what I read, the ATI 5970 is actually clocked slower than the 5870, should I worry about this? I'm sure by the time I'm ready to drop in a 2nd 5970, there will be something better altogether.
As far as drives, I never ran any specific tests, but games loaded about the same speed as on my XPS. The "Windows 7" x64 experience was as follows:
Processor (i7 920): 7.4
Memory (6GB 1333 DDR3): 7.7
Graphics: 7.8
Gaming graphics: (ATI 5870): 7.8
Hard disk (fake-raid 0 2x 7200 rpm SATA-II 1TB): 5.9
My XPS has 2x 500 GB 7200 rpm drives also using fake-raid, which also scores 5.9.
I want to get the ATI 5970, which is another $250. I can also replace the 2 drives with 1x SATA-II 10k rpm 300GB drive for the same price, or spend a couple hundred more for the 256GB SSD. I don't know any specifics about the SSD, unless anyone else does? I think the 300 GB drive is the Raptor, not sure though.
My budget is around $3000, and with that this is what I got a month ago. However, I did get the 18 months no interest, which I would only get 12 months if I re-order. Also, a manager called me back from Dell after revewing my account, and is desperate to get me to re-order. He is offering to expedite the return, and offer several hundred (no hard number yet) discount. I would love to upgrade the CPU, but the 960 is $500 more. I figure just replacing the CPU with a next gen one would be the smart thing to do.
I use this system primarily for gaming, games like Left 4 Dead 2, Modern Warfare 2, Dragon's Age, WoW, and anything else Steam puts out. I also do a bit of video editing, and encoding (though typically overnight batch runs). I'm not usually one for overclocking, but I'm open to any options. I'd like the fastest I can get with as much future-proof as possible.
Many thanks in advance.
Vinny
Edit: spelling, added history tag, and slightly changed language about Dell support to not bash as much
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