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Alienware launches budget SLI gaming rig
Starting from £799, the Area-51 750i range aims to offer a configuration for everyone
While motherboards based on Nvidia’s top-end SLI chipsets are often overpriced for what’s on offer, the company’s 750i chipset hits an affordable sweet spot if you want to get hold of the company’s dual graphics technology. It’s a sweet spot that Alienware has also noticed, and the space age computer maker is now using the affordable chipset as the basis of its new line of Area-51 PCs.
The prices start from £799 inc VAT, although this doesn’t get you a brilliant spec, with a 3GHz Core 2 Duo E8400, 2GB of RAM and a GeForce 9800 GT. You’ll need to pay an extra £160 for an SLI GeForce 9800 GT setup, and a further £679 for a GeForce GTX 280 SLI rig. This is pretty tight when you consider that you can buy a single GTX 280 for just £309.35, and that Alienware will also be saving some money on not giving you the standard 9800 GT. Still, that looks like the price you have to pay if you want Alienware to build your system.
The new range of PCs is designed to appeal to a large audience with a wide range of configurations, stretching from the budget-conscious gamer to the loaded enthusiast who wants the full works. Alienware’s senior vice president, Brian Joyce, explained that ‘the Area-51 750i desktop is one of the most robust computers we’ve ever developed, adding that there’s ‘something here for everyone – from the entry-level system to the high-end maxed out configuration – the Area-51 750i promises an experience that will fit your gaming needs and your budget.’
Would you be interested in buying an Alienware PC for £799, or would you rather build your gaming rig yourself? Let us know your thoughts.
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Probably not, I just specced up the sort of minimum spec I'd want, and it came to over £2,500. For that money I could build a triple SLI setup, probably with an Intel Extreme CPU, Easy 4gb of RAM, full on KobaltComputers ApacheIceX like liquid cooling set up, 1000w PSU, choice of many top end cases and maybe even a monitor. Or maybe for the CPU, one of Intel's new i7s - but I'd rather wait till they've been on the market for a bit to prove themselves, and there's a few more mobo choices etc. Mind you - it doesn't stop me wanting a mega flash pre-built :) I'd like the ApacheIceX from Kobalt that I mentioned earlier please, in the same spec that CustomPC reviewed a few months back. I don't mind if there's a new faster one, I'm not greedy, that one will do hehe :-p
Comment by dan_tx2 at 12:06am 23rd November 2008
I totally agree. Nothing like a self-build. I've never gone back.
Comment by RedHotsRule549 at 4:49pm 21st November 2008
I much prefer to self build. You get exactly what you want. Plus there are much nicer cases around. Alienware's rounded front case doors look weird. I prefer square, symetrical, minimal looking all black aluminium cases. Pre built PCs frustrate the hell out of me, especially when the configuration options are very limited. You can't beat the freedom and satisfaction of a self built PC.
Comment by smith at 4:48pm 18th November 2008
I've just finished my latest gamiing rig, based around asus maximus II q6600 (3.02ghz oc) GTX280 and all wrapped in a zalamn GT1000 titanium coluored case, took me 3 days to build and sort out the problems, imagine getting 7 boxes and a screwdriver on xmas morning, but not being able to game until the day after boxing day, buying a perbuilt PC isnt for me, i wanted exactly what i got, alienware cant do that but they can post a couple of boxes to you which you can plug in and game straight away. important thing especially on xmas morning :D
Comment by chiefie at 3:52pm 18th November 2008
I've just finished my latest gamiing rig, based around asus maximus II q6600 (3.02ghz oc) GTX280 and all wrapped in a zalamn GT1000 titanium coluored case, took me 3 days to build and sort out the problems, imagine getting 7 boxes and a screwdriver on xmas morning, but not being able to game until the day after boxing day, buying a perbuilt PC isnt for me, i wanted exactly what i got, alienware cant do that but they can post a couple of boxes to you which you can plug in and game straight away. important thing especially on xmas morning :D
Comment by chiefie at 3:52pm 18th November 2008
There cases are so damn ugly, I might have liked that 3 years ago, now they just look cheap-tastic
Comment by gavin_maw at 3:17pm 18th November 2008
for the brand here. thats obvious.
Comment by Lightning_Pete at 2:32pm 18th November 2008
Arn't their 'Wonderful" cases just an old centurian with a piece of pvc nailed onto it?
Comment by WTF_Shelley at 12:16pm 18th November 2008
ive always been a fan of alienware, only bcoz everytime i buy a system i get a free hat lol. however the pcs are not that bad. i tend 2 build ma own pcs, using ma 1st alienware case, but i dnt buy em anymore i just now buy the alienware laptops. but the technical support team is really helpfull. but about this whole budget pc, i just think dell the new owners of AW are tryin 2 downgrade the top gaming stature. thus i dnt think i would wanna buy any more of the AW PCs but like i sed, the laptops are pretty good. so il stick with them for now. :D
Comment by Trikadoc at 10:04am 18th November 2008
Because then they can say "looookk wee have twwwwoooo grappphicsssss cards!!!!, twwwooo i say!!!!" That's why...
Comment by Anonymous at 9:58am 18th November 2008
Poor build quality and overpriced PCs sold on the basis of a gimmicky case. They dont pay attention to cooling performance, cable managment solid component selection or any of the important factors of a custom PC. Build your own and reap the benefits
Comment by Anonymous at 9:55am 18th November 2008
Poor build quality and overpriced PCs sold on the basis of a gimmicky case. They dont pay attention to cooling performance, cable managment solid component selection or any of the important factors of a custom PC. Build your own and reap the benefits
Comment by Anonymous at 9:55am 18th November 2008
About 15 years ago I saw my first AW system and decided I wanted one. 12 years later, after adding a wife 2 kids, a mother-in-law, 3 dogs, 3 cats and assorted sundries, I finally clicked on the "Configure" button. It was expensive. Overpriced. But I had one. And that's all. I wanted one. I've built a fair few pc's in my time. My latest was a Asus P5ne 32-sli with a quad-core 6600, twin 8800gt's, 2gigs Dominator DDR2, all costing me just over £550 from my favourite e-tailer, Scan. Which in my mind just proves that buying a AW is not logical,sensible or financially sound. But in the same way as you don't buy a Ferrari F40 as your daily driver, you don't buy an AW to just use as a pc. I'm proud to say that there is not one piece of productivity software on my system, It exists only to game. And that's why I bought it. It's an indulgence, a toy, an luxury item. And I've been rewarded with a machine that kicks any game up the behind. Its reliable, rock-solid and has lasted me all this time without a hassle. Unless you include the red ccfl's I need to replace once a year! Speaking of replacement parts and upgrades, they come in quite cheaper than Scan. I have bought items from them that were quite a bit cheaper than buying from Scan or Yoyotech. Their tech-support so far has been very good. There have been one or two calls where I was like "WTF?!?" but generally its been a rewarding experience being an owner. Summing up? If you really really want an Alienware, buy one. If you want a pc, build it yourself, or get a buddy to do it for you. Self-builds are a fantastic education, all you need is a phillips-head screwdriver, patience and common-sense. I'm almost 50, if I can do it, any one of you youngsters can!
Comment by redphyve at 9:55pm 17th November 2008
And this'll be the reason we here all build our own machines...
Comment by John_T at 7:50pm 17th November 2008
no point when you can self-build a much better pc for less cash, but i do like their cases :) i reckon if they sold the cases on their own theyd make much more money lol
Comment by soddit113 at 7:29pm 17th November 2008
If you really want a system like this cheat look at all of there specs then buy the exact same components and put it together yourself the best PC is one you put together yourself oh and for the mexed out configuration most people who want that build there own
Comment by Deathtaker27 at 7:19pm 17th November 2008
Why would you buy two 9800's in SLi? You've be better getting a single GTX 2xx or ATi 4xxx X2 card.
Comment by l3v1ck at 6:37pm 17th November 2008
this uses the cheap asus P5N-D board. a lot of money can be saved by self building. i also enjoy self build, knowing every component is self chosen and personally specced gives a nice feeling of accomplishment when the system is complete. 800 pounds isnt budget is it really, not what i would call budget. a BETTER specced self build would cost maybe 600 pounds at most. the thing that bugs me most with OEMs is the price of their option upgrades. alienware for example - since when does 2GB extra DDR2 RAM cost 80 pounds.
Comment by vulcanproject at 6:04pm 17th November 2008
Again short and sweet no i've just built a 680 sli based on 2 x 8800 gt's a q6600 for alot less so unless your a muppet i dont think a 750 system will apeal.
Comment by stonedwiley at 6:14pm 17th November 2008
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