Building Alienware Equivalent PC

[Alien Ware]

Hello,

Recently Ive been thinking about building my own Alienware Area-51® ALX CrossFire equivalent computer. This will probably save me up to two grand and hopefully not be too tedious. I'm having trouble finding the parts that Alienware puts into their computer. So far all I have found was the Intel® Core™ 2 Extreme QX9650 3.0GHz 12MB Cache 1333MHz FSB processor. I would like MAJOR help if someone could point me to the direction.

CPU- Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor ($239.99)
Motherboard- GIGABYTE GA-X38-DS4 LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard ($199.99)
Memory- Crucial Ballistix Tracer 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory x2 = 4GB ($144)
Graphics- (2)DIAMOND Radeon HD 3870 X2 3870X2PE31G Video Card ($890)
CD/DVD Drives- Unknown?
Power Supply & Case- COOLER MASTER Stacker 830 Evolution RC-830-KKR3-GP Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case Real Power Pro 1000W Power Supply ($379.99)
Hard Drive- Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31000340AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive ($269.99)
Total: $2,124 (Pretty Darn Cheap)
http://www.alienware.com/Configurat...?SysCode=PC-AREA51-ALX-R7&SubCode=SKU-DEFAULT

-Thanks... please post suggestion.. etc

 

[MBGraphics]

The only case that I have seen that looks like the alienware is the NZXT Apollo

 

[ThatGuy16]

It looks like you have a high budget?

I would get

QX9650 - with after markter heatsink such as Zalman 9700 / zerotherm nirvana / or Thermalright ultra 120
Gigabyte X38-DQ6
2 ATI HD3870's for crossfire
OCZ 700w power supply or Corsair HX 620w
Seagate or Western Digital 500GB hard drive, depending on how much space you need
Fairly large case, of your choice. (Full ATX tower)
Also i would get Windows Vista 64bit (OEM)

thats just a rough suggestion

 

[Ramodkk]

^ Yep, thats right, for the case look at the pics on my sig. Is like you're seeing Alienware!

Oh and, what are you going to use the computer for? because that processor is not worth it if you're going to be gaming.

 

[Alien Ware]

Well, I will in fact be gaming, movies, and web design on my 40" LCD with my massage recliner.

I really need more suggestions, thanks guys. I'm sort of a Newb when it comes to choosing what to use.

What's your estimated cost for your pc thatguy16. My budget is sort of 2-3 grand

BTW... cod4 ftw

 

[Ramodkk]

And whats your budget?

 

[Alien Ware]

Edited previous post, but 2-3 grand if you didn't catch that.

 

[ThatGuy16]

You could even get two 3870x2'x. Those will help on a large screen like that, at $450 each.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814103052

Drivers will be coming out very soon that supports those in crossfire. You could save alot by going with the E8400.

If you got two of those, i would get something like PC power & cooling 1000w power supply.

and a large case such as a Cooler master Stacker

 

[Alien Ware]

True, I will probably just take the E8400, very cheap and reliable. Would the 3870's be better then the 2900's?

 

[ThatGuy16]

Yes they are better, the 2900's are being discontinued

 

[Alien Ware]

Thanks for your advice. I have updated what I have compiled so far (Mainly your suggestion). Now to decide on the Motherboard and the Hard Drive.

 

[ThatGuy16]

Keep in mind, if you do order soon, the current drivers (8.2) don't support crossfire on the 3870X2's. but the 8.3 will, and it should be coming out within the next few weeks.

In my opinion, DDR3 isn't worth it and the motherboard doesn't support it.

i would get two sets of these for 4gb

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148076

I have that motherboard and it is fantastic.

For 4GB you'll need a 64bit version of Vista

 

[Alien Ware]

Alrighty, thanks so much. I'll just have to wait for those 8.3's to come out

 

[ThatGuy16]

no problem. from what i have read, they should be out in march, hopefully sooner.

 

[Alien Ware]

My birth day is in March