Is Alienware Alpha Even Relevant in Console Wars ?

I've seen all the models of the Alpha and maybe the most expensive version for almost $1000 is comparable in specs to an X1 or PS4, but how reliable is the G.U.I. and the O.S. itself?

Why didn't they just make one model that was equal to or slightly superior to a PS4 or X1 and price it more competitively ? The whole premise is good, but the pricing and various models is too confusing.

Does anyone have any insight to these Alienware consoles and if so, do they compare at all to current consoles?

How can I post pics of each Alienware Alpha here for a specs comparison, anyone know?

While I agree the SKUs are confusing for the average customer, speccing it similar to relatively outdated consoles is a bad idea.

Alienware are pieces of trash

@Slimmin360: Ya the Img option at the top of your typing window.

@Slimmin360:

From http://www.gamespot.com/articles/alienware-alpha-review/1100-6425017/

Specs for $499 USD

CPU: Intel Core i3-3130T "Haswell" at 2.9Ghz

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 860M (GM107), similar to 750 Ti desktop GPU.

alienware is the most overpriced piece of crap use cyberpowerpc or ibuypower or something

they build rigs half as expensive better parts alienware just like doesn't even give good deals its for rich ppl

@ProtossX:

From https://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/March_Madness_Special_I/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K

GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 750 Ti

Cost: $899 which is pretty crap deal i.e. it's CPU priced heavy.

https://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/SYBER_VAPOR_I

CPU: Intel Core i3 i3-4150 3.5 Ghz

GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 750 Ti

Cost: $699

Dell Alienware Alpha at $499 USD is competitive against CyberPowerPc's Syber Vapor I's $699.

Most pre-config PC gaming consoles are CPU priced heavy, which is not optimal for real PC gaming.

Actually the base Alpha easily beats the PS4 and Xbox One, as it's GPU is a GTX 750 ti equivalent and the CPUs in the PS4 and Xbox One are trash so it's CPU is leagues ahead, 4GB ram may be the only problem but you could just slap in another 2GB as they let you upgrade and it does not violate warranty. Not having an upgradable GPU is it's weakness, they either need to sacrifice a few inches or wait for Nvidia to release a card like the GTX 750 ti in their next generation line up.

It's as relevant to the console wars as a PC is, because it is a PC...

Since PS4's GPU is similar to R7-265, it would beat 750 Ti.

Source: https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NVIDIA/GeForce_GTX_750_Ti/25.html

PS4 has issues with the CPU and ported games from XBO's DX11 multithreading model flop.

Project Cars PS4 build has enabled multi-threaded rendering which is important for multiple weak CPU cores.

It think they are great little machines. I like the push for smaller pc. For that price you could put it in a second room use it as a gaming machine or even a streaming machine from a more powerful rig in the house. Use this for this kids and the upstairs tv, or your bedroom and have the big rig for downstairs or your gaming room. Actually now that I think about it I really like the idea of these tiny small pc's, when they are used to compliment my current rig.

its not a console, its just a small windows pc. These consoles hybrids have been tried before and they dont work.

is alienware even relevant? /

Anyone buying Alienware needs their head examined, just like Apple they're over priced and under powered at least with Apple you get a bespoke OS

generic alienware is 2expensive4me, therefore, its a piece of shit comment

no?

@GarGx1: Ya at least with windows you get to avoid 99% of the games released on pc's..

No because Alienware Alpha is a PC.

@ribstaylor1:

Huh?

The Alpha is still a PC at it's core. So will the Steam Machines. An extension that will allow more to "play on PC", sure, but not a different platform

Wat?

@ronvalencia said:

@NoodleFighter said:

Actually the base Alpha easily beats the PS4 and Xbox One, as it's GPU is a GTX 750 ti equivalent and the CPUs in the PS4 and Xbox One are trash so it's CPU is leagues ahead, 4GB ram may be the only problem but you could just slap in another 2GB as they let you upgrade and it does not violate warranty. Not having an upgradable GPU is it's weakness, they either need to sacrifice a few inches or wait for Nvidia to release a card like the GTX 750 ti in their next generation line up.

Since PS4's GPU is similar to R7-265, it would beat 750 Ti.

Source: https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NVIDIA/GeForce_GTX_750_Ti/25.html

PS4 has issues with the CPU and ported games from XBO's DX11 multithreading model flop.

Project Cars PS4 build has enabled multi-threaded rendering which is important for multiple weak CPU cores.

Except it doesn't outperform the 750 ti. The ps4 Apu has similar performance to that of an underclocked GTX 480.

The alpha is just a prebuilt pc.

who even buys this kind of shit? how uninformed you must be to waste this amount of money for something this weak?

@Link3301 said:

@ronvalencia said:

@NoodleFighter said:

Actually the base Alpha easily beats the PS4 and Xbox One, as it's GPU is a GTX 750 ti equivalent and the CPUs in the PS4 and Xbox One are trash so it's CPU is leagues ahead, 4GB ram may be the only problem but you could just slap in another 2GB as they let you upgrade and it does not violate warranty. Not having an upgradable GPU is it's weakness, they either need to sacrifice a few inches or wait for Nvidia to release a card like the GTX 750 ti in their next generation line up.

Since PS4's GPU is similar to R7-265, it would beat 750 Ti.

Source: https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NVIDIA/GeForce_GTX_750_Ti/25.html

PS4 has issues with the CPU and ported games from XBO's DX11 multithreading model flop.

Project Cars PS4 build has enabled multi-threaded rendering which is important for multiple weak CPU cores.

Except it doesn't outperform the 750 ti. The ps4 Apu has similar performance to that of an underclocked GTX 480.

From http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2015-evolve-face-off

For this game, PS4 beats a PC with 750 Ti.

"Moving on to PC performance, it's fair to say that Evolve is fairly heavy on the GPU. Our "go to" system for console-equivalent performance features a Core i3 4130 matched with an entry-level enthusiast GTX 750 Ti and 8GB of RAM. Here, we see 25-30fps performance at 1080p with settings matched to the consoles as close as we can (everything on high, with very high shadows). To achieve console-level frame-rates, you'll need to blend medium and high quality settings, or else simply drop down to 1600x900 resolution"

"CryEngine is seemingly compute-heavy and it's in this scenario that AMD graphics cards exert an advantage over their Nvidia counterparts"

GPU bound game would lessen the impact on PS4's low performance CPUs.

Its just a small PC. So far, its the strongest in its class as it has a true dedicated video card chip embedded to the motherboard and possible one of the highest laptop grade cpu's.

Nothing special about it. Its a PC. Its nothing that re-invents the wheel.

Others small pc's include:

• Gigabyte Brix
• Intels Nuc
• Asus Vivo
• Zotac Zbox
• HP Stream Mini
• and Misc Mac Mini

Offcourse, for probably over a decade, you have had HTPC's which also fall in line with this genre. The types above are just proprietary and even smaller form factor.

@ronvalencia: So one game and I do believe Evolve has performance problems on all platforms.

The game is fine on AMD GPUs and PS4 is not immune to the usual AMD vs NVIDIA optimisations bias.

Those 2 aren't any better

@ronvalencia: So only on one game?

Interesting idea.. Though I am not sure if it will take off due to the increase in network technology and the push for home-streaming.. Why have a steam machine-esque system when you can have a powerful machine in another room and have it streaming to the Razer Forge TV in another room? I see that honestly being the better option once wireless technology improves a little bit further.

Can you bring that powerful machine with you to another place or have that Razer Forge TV activate it from where ever you take it outside your home as long as you have an internet connection? Mean while you can just shove things like this in your backpack/suitcase and the only cloud you'll need is Steam cloud saving

I went to newegg.com and priced parts of a DIY to match the lowest end Alpha ($500). I already reached the Alpha $500 price and I still have to add a case, PSU, video card, keyboard and mouse, and WiFi adapter.

Of course, Win 8.1 and a wireless 360 controller are included within the $500 spent so far.

Edit:

The Alpha has a custom interface that use the controller. A DIY will still need a keyboard n mouse.

.......Ah. The wonders of being able to buy bulk.

@ronvalencia said:

@NoodleFighter said:

Actually the base Alpha easily beats the PS4 and Xbox One, as it's GPU is a GTX 750 ti equivalent and the CPUs in the PS4 and Xbox One are trash so it's CPU is leagues ahead, 4GB ram may be the only problem but you could just slap in another 2GB as they let you upgrade and it does not violate warranty. Not having an upgradable GPU is it's weakness, they either need to sacrifice a few inches or wait for Nvidia to release a card like the GTX 750 ti in their next generation line up.

Since PS4's GPU is similar to R7-265, it would beat 750 Ti.

Not by much. And a good factory overclocked version of the of the GTX 750Ti (both GPU and RAM) comes even closer to matching the 265.

Actually YES they are working on doing it with over internet streaming..

It's not very relevant.

No,
Heck, it's not even relevant in PC gaming.