Homebuilt vs Falcon NW vs. Alienware

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
D

drunkgamer

Distinguished
Feb 2, 2007
96
0
18,630
BACKGROUNDWell, first off I'm not someone that is overly interested in building my own rig although my technical expertise should allow me to - but I don't want to deal with the time and hassles that could be involved.

I am posting this here because I don't see any real general systems forum, only those for a particular mfg. Also, you guys are the most knowledgable and in particular, my interest in FNW potentially since I can tweak it like a custom-built.

Sooooooo... My last gaming PC came from Dell (and XPS) and although I upgraded some components as soon as I recieved it, it worked for what I wanted and was stable, reliable, etc.

So this time around I thought let me try Dell again. Since they had no Penryn offering, I thought I'd give the XPS 630 a shot. After returning both boxes due to a myriad of issues and just not being happy with the performance vs. cost, I am looking elsewhere unless the XPS 730 comes out in a couple weeks. That said, after my XPS 630 experience, I'm not sure how I would feel about that if I even had the option.

CURRENT-STATE
I'm trying to decide between an Alienware and a Falcon Northwest.

Well to be clear, I don't think this would even be a choice if the FNW had ports in the front of their case for headphones, usb, etc. etc.

The way I see it, Alienware has a cool case if you are 21 and younger but for us old folks, somehow that plastic case is less than impressive. Add to it that Dell now owns them and the HORRENDOUS customer service posts I read all over the internet and I'm not too impressed. Also, Alienware, like Dell, hides what manufacturer you will get for some components.

Falcon Northwest has been around as long (longer I think) and seems to use all best-of-breed top-end manufacturer equipment with nothing proprietary. In fact I can literally go configure their system and take each component and read the reviews on NewEgg. So basically the premium I am paying them is for support (marginally useful at best), warranty (more important), and them assembling and testing the build saving me time. Otherwise, I could just order all the components and build it myself if I had the interest.

The only con for Falcon that I can find is the lack of ports for headphones, usb, etc. I do like that I can pull out components (including MOBO) and upgrade at any time.

So is there anything I'm missing or another vendor to consider?

Yes, I know there are smaller ones but I will not order from someone that does not have a proven, long track record. Voodoo was ok but now they are under HP and I'm not too keen on the Blackbird PCs.

I've not read anything horrid about Falcon's customer service...

 


If you have the gut to build a apc, and you want to go with a high end system, build a pc yourself. those high end systems from dell, falcon or alienware are for those who either do not know how to build a pc or do not care of money.
 
If you can, cost is a big reason to do it yourself. Most of the people here are building their own because they enjoy it, so don't be surprised for a lot of biased opinions.

Benefits of pre-built as you mentioned above:
Warranty - each of your components will have a warranty, and if you're picky you can get very long ones
Support - Marginally important as you mentioned. If you have the ability to build your own, their support won't give you much over what you already know
Time and effort - This is where pre-built shines. If building your own sounds like a hassle, you probably shouldn't. Not dealing with the placement of cables, proper seating of parts and testing can be huge for some (decide that for yourself).

Cons of pre-built:
Cost - Easily the number one argument against. I don't know about Falcon's prices, but you can build an Alienware PC (sans the case) for less than half the cost.
Placement of ports (and general custom looks and experience) - Pre-built limits your choices on how the computer looks and feels. I know Falcon has a box with front ports (Tom's Hardware just reviewed one, it's on the front page), but in general you don't have a lot of choice when it comes to enclosures for your boutique boxes.

You'll have to decide on your own how to weight those issues above, but for many of us it's an easy choice. If you want advice, post your thoughts or desired build here and we can help. If you post a link to the specific machine from Falcon or Alienware you're thinking of, we can part out a better cheaper one for you.

If you decide that route, it helps to post your general location or merchants you'll be using (Newegg, EBuyer, NCIX, Directron, etc..). Finding specific deals at your chosen place of purchase will help you get a more accurate and useful build from us.
 
If you got the bucks, buy a Falcon NW.

I had a friend that had a Alienware laptop. It was overheating all the time and the videocard actually got so hot it had liquid coming from the memory chips. Alienware refused to do anything for him other that send him a new video card which died with the same problems. He is currently fighting over getting it fixxed with them. This is pretty indicative of Alienwares service as a whole for what Ive seen.

If you dont want to spend a crapload of money, build your own. Look at what parts FNW is using and part your own machine together. Keep in mind that the 10% more performance they are getting over a home built rig is pretty hard to detect without running a benchmark.
 
Thanks litlrabi and Kaldor.

Both good points. I am actually very mechanically inclined and normally LOVE things like building a PC.

But as I've gotten older, I think I don't have the patience for waiting to get a part mailed to me, then wonder why it doesn't work (is it the memory, the mobo, etc.), and then waiting/fighting to get an RMA, etc.

For example, I just don't want to deal with the CPU cooler, the paste/glue and hoping something doesn't mess up, etc. I know it is not rocket science but at the same time, since I saved up some $$$ for the new PC, I almost rather spend it to avoid some headaches.

Of course there are even bigger headaches if your $5k boutique box doesn't work as expect 😉

And yes, I was tempted to just order the items Falcon NW lists and build it myself but I also like that they share this info with the consumers (even list memory timings - try getting that from Dell, Alienware, etc.) so I sort of want to support them as well.

Also, the Falcon box Tom's reviewed was the Frag Box. I'm not a lan-party guy and want a full desktop. Unfortunately, they have been using that case forever (though it is great and built like a tank - all metal - etc.) and it has no front ports.

So yes, that is one of the tradeoffs for not making your own.

On a side note, does NewEgg or someone sell say a QX9650 or QX9770 with a best-of-breed cooler already attached to the CPU so it removes one of those 'you can't return the CPU now that you have glu/paste all over it' type scenarios?
 
If you got the money go FNW. They've been around a long time, and like you said you get to see exactly what components they use. Dell buying Alienware is definately not a pro for alienware.
 
litlrabi - here is the machine I'm eyeing at Falcon Northwest.

Price came out to $5500 (ouchie, I know) with a 3 year warranty and 1 year of overnight service.

ICON - Brushed Aluminum (case)
ICON Standard Solid (side panel to case)
Silverstone 1000Watt Strider - Modular (PSU)
EVGA 790i Ultra SLI (MOBO)
Intel Core 2 Quad Extreme QX9650 3.0GHZ
Zalman CNPS7000B-ALCU LED (CPU cooler)
4GB (2X2GB) 1066MHZ DDR3 (timings are shown as Latency settings 1066MHz 7-7-7-20)
nVidia 9800GX2 1024MB (worried a bit about how hot I read these run)
Creative Labs X-Fi (XtremeGamer version, not Fatal1ty)
Western Digital Raptor 150GB 16MB Cache
Western Digital 250GB 16MB Cache SATA 2 (I don't care for RAID0 and have a server for more storage)
Lite-On 20X DVD+-RW W/Lightscribe
Plextor 800A DVD/RW Dual Layer
Ultra Flash Media & Floppy Drive

I realize for some reason (maybe because of the move to DDR3) they don't show the memory mfg. but I can call them for that, otherwise yes everything is pretty much available from a retailer.

I live in SoCal so other than NewEgg, Fry's will have some items but not most I fear.
 
Good god. Thats entirely too expensive. You can do a machine what might run 10% slower for $2000 less. Not worth it IMO.

But if you have the bucks to blow, hey its your money. My only caveat is Id rather have 2 8800 GTXs or Ultras in SLI than a 9800GX2.
 

Agreed. They have #1 for customer service on my list (Although I personally don't own a Falcon, a few of my friends do and they love it)
 

Agreed. Also note that Alienware is actually owned by Dell.
 
Thanks guys for confirming my thoughts. And yes, I realize I'm paying a hefty premium but at least I'm hoping that if I _do_ it, I'll be doing it with some confidence.

I called them for the first time because I was wondering if there are any options for a headphone jack on the front of their chasis.

They reminded me that if needed, unlike other companies they still do all custom stuff so they could do whatever I want but I don't want to pay extra for something that isn't a common practice. He did, however, mention that they get their fair share of questions/concerns over no front headphone jack so I'm not alone.

He added they they are actually producing their own case design now and it's going to be quite intense but also won't be ready/coming out for 'quite some time' so I'm guessing they might roll that out when Intel releases their new flagship platform in the next year.

I could go with the Fatal1ty card vs. just the XtremeGamer basic card and put their thingy in one of the bays and plug in that way so it will shut off the main speakers and also switch the creative software to headphone mode automatically (something the XPS 630 actually did right). But it sucks to pay $1xx more for just that and I need to leave the big front panel open.

Ahhhh us enthusiasts can be so neurotic. I can blame this on being a PC/gaming enthusiast right?

And yeah it was wierd - I call up Falcon and expect this big long menu voice system and I just get this guy right away...and he can answer all my questions in a technical fashion.

Seems that I should need to go through 16 layers of voice dial, 2 transfers, and a harsh foreign accent named "Bob" before I get close to that type of response.

P.S. My all time favorite at Dell was someone who sounded like he was the spokesperson for Al Jazeera network and his name was 'Kyle' ... wtf

P.P.S. I hope my P.S. comments are not too mean, but it is what it is :)

*dream*
 


well for about 120$ more I could have 2 9800GTX's but...I keep reading how SLI can be really iffy on how much it helps (very game and resolution specific).

And that unless you are running high resolutions, usually the best single card beats 2-tiers down card in SLI mode.

Also, I mostly play MMORPG's with the more demanding stand-alone games here and there and I have a 2232BW 22" in 1680x1050 as my monitor.

So I don't know that even 2 9800 GTX's will help more than the 9800GX2. And I'd avoid any of the issues with SLI (at times) as well.
 
Bah, would cost your about $10 and a 30 minutes or your time to add a front headphone jack. Just would need to make sure to run the cables in a orderly fashion. Rat Shack FTW!
 
I would say 2 8800 GTXs in SLI is alot better tech wise than a cobbled together mess the 9800GX2 is. 9800 GTX's are no faster overall that a 8800 GTX/Ultra. If your running a max res of 1680x1050, a single 8800/9800 GTX will have you covered and leave the door open for SLI in the future.
 


Yeah I agree the 9800gx2 isn't all that at all from what I've read other than you can OC it a bit easier from reports though the card already allegedly runs very hot (from the same similar reports).

Either way, the video card options are always easy to play with (or with a 790i it won't ever be a concern with Nvidia) but it is the other issue that are difficult.

Also, the headphone jack up front isn't just the running the cable part. I know that is easy. I want it to interact with the hardware/software such that when a headphone plugs in, it automatically cuts off the main speakers and switches the software console into headphone mode with associated settings.

The Dell XPS 630 did this as I think the Alienware's do it as they both customize their MOBO's for it along with a teeny card in the front of the panel. The Fatal1ty with the drive-bay insert also does it.

But no, the issues isn't that I can't plug into the front and need to reach around back. It is everything else that comes with it.
 


The 9800GX2 is an SLI setup, its just SLI on a single card versus using two regular cards and a SLI enabled mobo. So if you wanting to avoid ANY SLI issues, you probably do not want to go with that card. If all you are playing is MMORPG then a single 8800GT or 8800GTS would be sufficient. As well as dropping down from the QX9650 to a regular Q9X50 quad core.

Also since your not wanting to deal with SLI you may want to revise your mobo selection as well since you are paying a premium for the 790 SLI mobo. Then again if you drop to a 8800GT you may want to keep the board and have the option of going to SLI later.

You can get a decent rig up and going for well under $1500 or less then a third of the FNW box your looking at.

I recently put together this setup.

Gigabyte P35 Mobo $135
Intel Q6600 $199
4x1 Gig Corsair DDR2 800 $150
2x250 WD SE16 $160
400 WD SE16 $100
Antec 900 $60 Caught a nice sale
Antec Neo 650 $100
BFG 8800GT 512MB $200
Total $1104
Prices include some rebates that I have gotten and catching items on sale.

It runs Vista Ultimate x64 just fine and very quickly.

Short of Crysis, you would be hard press to build a noticable quicker box and you sure as hell wouldn't need to spend $5k to do it
 
i always look at pricing from manufacturers and find that on high end builds i can save thousands of dollars by buying from newegg and building it myself.
 
Yeah, I know that I don't need the box to be as beefy as it is for pure MMORPG games but I also love RTS and the occassional FPS like Crysis for fun.

Of course Crysis is one of the few games that really can cripple any hardware out there (at least for next couple of years) but even many RTS' are much more CPU intensive than other games because of the units involved (gpu to render them but cpu to deal with all the calculations for controlling them, etc.)

Thing is, although $$$ is important to me (trust me, we're still renting), the peace of mind in a strong, solid, scalable, STABLE product is more important. No one will even try arguing about the cost differences, especially the higher-end of a machine one considers.

For the amount of time and energy and $$$ I spent effing around with both XPS 630's before they went back, I would have paid someone 1k on the spot to give me what I had expected, with no issues, etc.

It's not just the 'time is money' aspect, but as you get older, 'headaches is gray hair' also applies :kaola:

I need to keep my sexiness for those virtual female elves you know!

P.S. As for the 9800G2X, I know the card is basically two lesser cards put together and although one could say they 'SLI'd' them together as a metaphor, there is no actual SLI what-so-ever, and this is especially important at the driver level. But as I also said, the video card in a box (unless you have an older system, small case, etc.) is always the EASIEST part to change/upgrade/decide on. It is also the funnest :bounce:
 
wow... my only problem with prebuilts is price... you can build basically that exact same system, for about 3000 dollars less.... maybe closer to 3500, 4000. Homebuilding is easy, and if you play your cards right with the companies, than you don't need to worry about support. Just do a couple different, and simple tests when something goes wrong, report it and then spam the heck out of the company =D
 
Drunkgamer,
Very simple..
Building your own pc will be one of the most rewarding things you will go through. Especially your first build. I really cannot emphasize it enough. Ask any of the veterans on here and they'll vouch. If you are mechanically inclined then you are way ahead.
Very simple..

Step 1.
Introduce yourself to Newegg.com
Read the reviews. One page of reviews is worth much more than you can possibly imagine.

Step 2.
Get comfortable with what monitor you wish to be looking at for extended periods of time and build your computer around the resolution.

I just saw benchmarks from a 790i / DDR3 2000 Crucial Ram / QX9770 / 3 Ultras SLI. This build will cost about $3,000-$4,000 if you build it yourself and $6,000-$9000 if FNW or Alienware get it to you and will perform on average about 20-30% over this build:

680i
2g DDR2 1066 PC2-8500
Q6600
8800GTX
750 quad PSU

*board / ram / cpu / gpu - are all overclocked

Now, the first system mentioned is THE top of the line currently available to consumers and some will argue that the 8800Ultras are not as good even though their bandwidth is higher than the 9800GTX in SLI or 9800GX2 etc.. (there is a marginal difference in these cards)
I can build the second system for around $1,250.
The point is that everything is cheap and you can learn in 2 months.

My friend in two months (maybe 4) Nvidia will introduce the G200 architecture and those brand new 9800's that just came out will be garbage. Nvidia screwed up bad and they know it which is why the whole 9800 line is being sentenced to death.

You won't regret it.. any questions you can email me at this address
JKCase11@hotmail.com

 
Wow, thanks for the great response.

I have NO doubt it would be a very rewarding experience. Anything I've build (or developed, etc.) with my hands and mind is always very fulfilling.

I just wish this was a 1.5k effort instead of the 3k-4k one as I am looking to put together the best of what is out there currently. It might not make sense to all, but I had the same crap azz gaming PC for almost 4 years and couldn't even run some of the new titles at ANY resolution/setting.

Luckily since I was more into MMORPG's, I was able to get by - barely.

So this PC is a 'reward' PC as I waited so long and also saved up. But it is also why I need a sure thing and don't want to learn some of the lessons of assembling the hard way on the more expensive components I'll be using.

I also realize this isn't rocket science but given the issues I had with the two Dell's and I assume they tested to hell the compatability of hardware, drivers, etc. I can only imagine what one might encounter doing it all from scratch - if things go wrong [though the Dell haters will says 'uh, they design and test their systems?' to which I'd say 'well, I'm not sure anymore - ask "Bob" or "Kyle" :cry: '].

BTW, one of the reasons I _do_ want to build my own is the control of course...and because on each successive upgrade or complete new system, I don't have to wait until a company has the flavor of what I want in a system before I buy it. But lets say I have my $350 mobo and my $1300 CPU and nothing fires up. Is it my mobo or CPU or memory or... Unless I have some extras to swap around and isolate variables, what do I do? The mobo guys can blame it on the CPU being faulty, intel can blame EVGA, and somewhere the ________ will get blamed due to illegal immigration, etc. Do you see the chain of events that can happen? Actually, I'm calling Oliver Stone...

*5 minutes later*

Ahhh, I can now afford 2 Falcon's!
 
because its a reward pc, its even smarter to build it yourself, save a couple g's and save it even more for when you really need it
 
I'd think about going FNW for a couple of reasons. I just built my own and in-terms of the hours it took me to build, configure, fix the niggles, route cables properly etc did add up. Plus I had a faulty component which was another few hours back to the shop to get it replaced etc... I did enjoy it but got a lot of time on my hands at the moment.

If I was back in work, as I shortly will be, I'd seriously ask myself if I'd want to take a couple of full weekends out to do it myself. You will pay more for the same buying a FNW, but if you earn more per hour working than you would save in terms of doing it yourself, then take the hassle out of the equation and get a pre-built FNW.

The real question is how valuable your time is to you.
 
Well, I think some of my fears, especially since I will be using more top-end gear, is that I'll do something like:

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/250189-31-damage

I was thinking, when reading the poor guys situation, is 'duh, even I'd know not to leave a fan off' and then I thought there are 1000 other situations where I'd not know to do what might seem common sense to others who have built a few boxes but not to me at the time.

As I'm sure this guy thought (at the time) he'd would just try leaving the fan off for a bit and...now his simple situation just turned much less simple and much more costly. _Next_ time he knows better but for the next x hours and x dollars, he has to deal with it.

So yeah, I guess I'll inquire further with FNW and when I have an opportunity to build a cheap simple one but still has all the same overhead involved, I'll try.

At least I have a good site to come to for help (all you guys).

The funny thing is I probably built PC's before most people on here owned one and now I'm on the other side of the fence.

I used to work at a small computer store when I was young. There were no big stores and barely anyone owned personal PC. The big thing was still commodore, apple, and some atari.

I was an Atari fanboi and at this time the 1030ST was big...if I remember the model right *hic*. The 8088 was also gaining some ground and I put together my first Intel-based PC.

Only back then, there were NO standards and compatability guidelines. But because IBM PC's cost about what my used car cost at the time, there was no choice but for me to assemble my own. In fact, if I remember right, we called any non-IBM machine (i.e. not build by IBM) a 'clone'. So there was IBM and everything else was a clone. Heh. Funny times and memories. At least the ones the resin and hops allow me to remember.

I'm trying to remember the hard drive standards at the time. This was before IDE existed if I remember right but I can't remember the choices at the time. Something that started with an M or N or something. Big nasty ribbon cables. The hard drives were so big I remember handling them with awe and revere since I started with a tape drive on my atari, went out to play football, and came back in preying for no CRCs after waiting for an hour. The good 'ole days :)

Anyyyyway it was good times and I loved it.

Now, I',m a wussie with this stuff :)

<-- old man with the dog and shaking knees you see at the Haunted House ride at Disneyland in SoCal 😛
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom