Falcon-NW, Alienware or build-your-own ?

Hi, I'm seriously considering purchacing a system from Falcon Northwest, but am curious as to what experiences you might have had with either them, or Alienware ? Also, is it worth the extra $$$ to save the hassles, conflicts, etc to go with one of the above (or some other like Dell) rather than build my own which I feel I could probably do ? Thanks! Jay J Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ Before you buy.

Jay, Dunno about these guys, but drop me a line at [email hidden] -- I might be able to help point you in a different direction, depending on what type of system you're looking for. -- JB In article <8iu4ou$rnl$[email hidden]>, Jay J <[email hidden]> wrote: > Hi, I'm seriously considering purchacing a system from Falcon > Northwest, but am curious as to what experiences you might have had > with either them, or Alienware ? > > Also, is it worth the extra $$$ to save the hassles, conflicts, etc to > go with one of the above (or some other like Dell) rather than buildmy

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> own which I feel I could probably do ? > > Thanks! > Jay J > > Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ > Before you buy. >

Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ Before you buy.

Brett C. Cammack <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

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> On Fri, 23 Jun 2000 00:14:51 GMT, [email hidden] (Raymond, ACT > LABS) wrote: > > >I always build my own systems because I get a lot of hardware for > >free, but if I was to buy a system, I would not hesitate to buy from > >AlienWare. We used their computers at E3 and they ran without a > >hitch. > > > And their URL is.....??? <g>

I have never even heard of this company, but I am going to go out on a limb and take a wild guess: www.alienware.com just typed it in..yup, it works. It's tough being a genius. ~daxe -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! -----== Over 80,000 Newsgroups - 16 Different Servers! =-----

Jay, might be able to help point you in a different direction, depending on what type of system you're looking for. -- JB Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ Before you buy.

Kinda depends on how much your time is worth, whether you enjoy fooling with things and whether you are not prone to panic :-) With 20/20 hindsight, building a computer is about as difficult as putting together a dresser from IKEA. However, things can and do go wrong. If you don't want to waste your time troubleshooting go with the pros. Then you have someone to call if there is trouble down the road. For the record you could probably put together a nice beast for around 2000 bucks (prices ridiculously rounded). motherboard 100 cpu 300 case/ps 100 hard drive 200 dvd 100 sound 50 video 300 nic 50 memory 300 bits and pieces (fans, cables, keyboard, mouse) 100 up monitor 500 (don't skimp here) etc etc etc linux freee windows around 100 gpl 20 lwff 150 squash ball 2 bucks or ch pro 100 attach mb to case (make sure one post to one hole to one screw) attach memory and cpu to mb attach drives to case to mb attach video attach mouse attach keyboard plug in turn on be happy attach nic and sound install windows install linux install lwff install install gpl have fun Of course your mileage may vary. I've spend more time trying to figure a good way to attach a squash ball to my lwff than it has taken me to build a computer. However, if you just want to play or if you need the beast for mission critical apps (quiet down everyone) just go with a good premium builder. Christian H. Jay J <[email hidden]> wrote: > Hi, I'm seriously considering purchacing a system from Falcon > Northwest, but am curious as to what experiences you might have had > with either them, or Alienware ? > > Also, is it worth the extra $$$ to save the hassles, conflicts, etc to > go with one of the above (or some other like Dell) rather than buildmy

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> own which I feel I could probably do ? > > Thanks! > Jay J > > Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ > Before you buy. >

Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ Before you buy.

Hello, I always build my own systems because I get a lot of hardware for free, but if I was to buy a system, I would not hesitate to buy from AlienWare. We used their computers at E3 and they ran without a hitch. Raymond ACT LABS www.act-labs.com On Thu, 22 Jun 2000 22:42:41 GMT, Jay J <[email hidden]> wrote:

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>Hi, I'm seriously considering purchacing a system from Falcon >Northwest, but am curious as to what experiences you might have had >with either them, or Alienware ? > >Also, is it worth the extra $$$ to save the hassles, conflicts, etc to >go with one of the above (or some other like Dell) rather than build my >own which I feel I could probably do ? > >Thanks! >Jay J > > >Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ >Before you buy.

In article <[email hidden]>, Uncle Fester <[email hidden]> wrote:

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> Jay J wrote: > > > > Hi, I'm seriously considering purchacing a system from Falcon > > Northwest, but am curious as to what experiences you might have had > > with either them, or Alienware ? > > > > Also, is it worth the extra $$$ to save the hassles, conflicts, etc

to > > go with one of the above (or some other like Dell) rather than buildmy

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> > own which I feel I could probably do ? > > > > Thanks! > > Jay J > > > > Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ > > Before you buy. > > Building your own is the only way to go! I've done it twice, would > never do it any other way again. Lower cost for superior spec'd > machine, and you *know* what got put in there. >

I'd definitely agree - I haven't bought a pre-built system since the original IBM PC my dad bought (which is now in my attic with a 286/12 upgrade board). My first PC was built around a $2000 Mylex 386/20 motherboard! A couple tips: - READ EVERYTHING YOU CAN - do alot of investigating on the motherboard/proc/video/hd combo you're thinking about. Check out overclocking web pages and newsgroups (i.e. www.overclockers.com, www.hardocp.com). Lots of good info on various hardware configurations and how to make them work for you. - Don't skimp on your case/power supply - in just about no other place can an extra $30-$50 save you more trouble. I've had good luck with Enlight cases. Athlons in particular seem to be very sensitive to power. My current systems: Win98 Gaming PC: ABIT BE6-II M/B Intel PIII CuMine 550E running @733Mhz (can go higher, but V3 dies) Voodoo 3 2000 @170Mhz SB Live Linux PC: ABIT BH6 M/B Intel PII 350 @ 392Mhz Diamond SII 220 Win2000 PC: Intel M/B (just had it laying around) Intel PII 400 Good M/B's seem to be ABit, Asus, Soyo. Also check out merchants like PCNut - you can get pretested overclocked CPU's and CPU/MB/memory combos that may cost a little more, but take the element of chance out of getting a good CPU stepping and memory that works at your target speed. Good luck! Kendt Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ Before you buy.

Thanks for the advice Kendt, and all! Here's what the folks at Falcon-NW said... They gave me price of around $3K, which includes shipping plus a 1 year warranty which includes tech support, the ability to buy additional hardware from them at cost (which they claim usually is stuff not available to the general public, only OEM's can get, etc) and if they can't help me fix a problem over the phone, they pay overnight shipping both ways to fed-ex my pc to them to fix, and fed-ex it back to me. No charge! They also claim that they usually have things fixed and back within a day or two, which is why I was looking for advice from anyone else who's bought a Falcon-NW system. As I said above I feel confidant that I could build my own, but have had SOOO many hassles with my current system (a PII 266, SCSI drives, soundblaster Live xgamer, TNT 1, and VII) that I don't relish the thought of having to deal with the probable hardware conflicts, and other headaches involved with a do-it-yourself system. Here are the specs they sent me: Motherboard Asus Apollo Pro P3V4X PC133 6PCI 1ISA Cu P3 CPU Intel Pentium Coppermine 866MHz/SSE/133FSB/256k cache CPU Cooler CPU cooler/heatsink for Pentium IIIs 128MB SDRAM 128 Megabyte SDRAM, 7 ns, PC133, CAS 2 -133MHz ATX Midtower 3- 5�" & 5- 3�" (2 open) bays, 300 Watt PS, 2 extra fans Hard Drive Maxtor 40.9GB Diamondmax Plus 40 9ms 7200RPM ATA66 2M Floppy Drive TEAC 1.44mb 3�" Drive 19" Monitor Optiquest Q95 .27dp, 1600x1200 Video Card 3dfx Voodoo 5 - 5500 2 Chip VSA-100 64mb Keyboard Keytronics 104 Key CD-ROM Toshiba 48X Speed, Internal, Caddyless, 78ms, UDMA/2 Windows '98 Windows '98 Second Edition Plus on CD, full version UPS 2 Day Insured Shipping & Handling for system boxes <40 lbs. dim. Total System Price Delivered UPS 2'nd Day Air Insured $3056.00 I've already got a modem, sound card, and mouse for this system, so I won't need to buy them, and they say I can mail my hardware and games to them and they'll install and test them too!! Pretty impressive. I also checked with Alienware, but don't feel as confidant in them, partly due to their Miami location (I lived and worked in Miami for 4 years from 1993-1997 and know how many business run down there ;-) Thanks again everyone for your thoughts and advice! Jay J Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ Before you buy.

Jay J wrote:

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> > Hi, I'm seriously considering purchacing a system from Falcon > Northwest, but am curious as to what experiences you might have had > with either them, or Alienware ? > > Also, is it worth the extra $$$ to save the hassles, conflicts, etc to > go with one of the above (or some other like Dell) rather than build my > own which I feel I could probably do ? > > Thanks! > Jay J > > Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ > Before you buy.

Building your own is the only way to go! I've done it twice, would never do it any other way again. Lower cost for superior spec'd machine, and you *know* what got put in there. -- Chuck Kandler "If guns don't kill people, people kill people, what happens if you give a gun to a monkey?" Registered Linux User #180746 http://counter.li.org

On Fri, 23 Jun 2000 00:14:51 GMT, [email hidden] (Raymond, ACT LABS) wrote: >I always build my own systems because I get a lot of hardware for >free, but if I was to buy a system, I would not hesitate to buy from >AlienWare. We used their computers at E3 and they ran without a >hitch. And their URL is.....??? <g> Regards, Brett C. Cammack That's Racing! Motorsports Pompano Beach, FL (who's gonna buy a nice bloody machine configured for GPL when he gets another job...)

On Thu, 22 Jun 2000 23:09:17 -0400, "daxe" <[email hidden]> wrote:

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>I have never even heard of this company, but I am going to go out on a limb >and take a wild guess: > >www.alienware.com > >just typed it in..yup, it works. > >It's tough being a genius.

And so humble, too!! <g> Thanks. Regards, Brett C. Cammack That's Racing! Motorsports Pompano Beach, FL

Jay J wrote:

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> Here are the specs they sent me: > > Motherboard Asus Apollo Pro P3V4X PC133 6PCI 1ISA > Cu P3 CPU Intel Pentium Coppermine 866MHz/SSE/133FSB/256k > cache > > CPU Cooler CPU cooler/heatsink for Pentium IIIs > 128MB SDRAM 128 Megabyte SDRAM, 7 ns, PC133, CAS 2 -133MHz > ATX Midtower 3- 5�" & 5- 3�" (2 open) bays, 300 Watt PS, 2 extra > fans > > Hard Drive Maxtor 40.9GB Diamondmax Plus 40 9ms 7200RPM ATA66 > 2M > > Floppy Drive TEAC 1.44mb 3�" Drive > 19" Monitor Optiquest Q95 .27dp, 1600x1200 > Video Card 3dfx Voodoo 5 - 5500 2 Chip VSA-100 64mb > Keyboard Keytronics 104 Key > CD-ROM Toshiba 48X Speed, Internal, Caddyless, 78ms, > UDMA/2 > > Windows '98 Windows '98 Second Edition Plus on CD, full > version > > UPS 2 Day Insured Shipping & Handling for system boxes <40 lbs. > dim. > > Total System Price Delivered UPS 2'nd Day Air Insured > $3056.00 >

Best of luck to you, hope you enjoy your new system! I just priced out your spec list. I could build the exact spec'd machine for myself for ~$1800. Hmmmmm..... <g> -- Chuck Kandler GPL F1 Handicap of +210.00 as of 6/15 GPL F3 Handicap of +438.42 as of 6/21 K&S Racing http://www.fortunecity.com/silverstone/thepits/195 Registered Linux User #180746 http://counter.li.org

Doesn't this guy ever criticize other manufacturers <G> -- Ian P <email address invalid due to spam Raymond, ACT LABS <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > Hello, > > I always build my own systems because I get a lot of hardware for > free, but if I was to buy a system, I would not hesitate to buy from > AlienWare. We used their computers at E3 and they ran without a > hitch. > > Raymond > ACT LABS > www.act-labs.com > > > On Thu, 22 Jun 2000 22:42:41 GMT, Jay J <[email hidden]> wrote: > > >Hi, I'm seriously considering purchacing a system from Falcon > >Northwest, but am curious as to what experiences you might have had > >with either them, or Alienware ? > > > >Also, is it worth the extra $$$ to save the hassles, conflicts, etc to > >go with one of the above (or some other like Dell) rather than build my > >own which I feel I could probably do ? > > > >Thanks! > >Jay J > > > > > >Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ > >Before you buy. >

daxe how can you be considered a genius of you haven't even heard of Alienware? Shoot Every mensa dropout knows 'em... "daxe" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > > It's tough being a genius. > > ~daxe-- dave henrie Team Backmarker #55b Dodge Stratus Super Touring Car TPTCC

LOL On Thu, 22 Jun 2000 23:09:17 -0400, "daxe" <[email hidden]> wrote:

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> > >Brett C. Cammack <[email hidden]> wrote in message >news:[email hidden]... >> On Fri, 23 Jun 2000 00:14:51 GMT, [email hidden] (Raymond, ACT >> LABS) wrote: >> >> >I always build my own systems because I get a lot of hardware for >> >free, but if I was to buy a system, I would not hesitate to buy from >> >AlienWare. We used their computers at E3 and they ran without a >> >hitch. >> >> >> And their URL is.....??? <g> > > >I have never even heard of this company, but I am going to go out on a limb >and take a wild guess: > >www.alienware.com > >just typed it in..yup, it works. > >It's tough being a genius. > >~daxe > > > > >-----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- >http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! >-----== Over 80,000 Newsgroups - 16 Different Servers! =-----

In article <[email hidden]>, "daxe" <[email hidden]> writes:

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>I have never even heard of this company, but I am going to go out on a limb >and take a wild guess: > >www.alienware.com > >just typed it in..yup, it works. > >It's tough being a genius. > >~daxe

daxe e. coyote...SUPER genius... :) Eldred -- Tiger Stadium R.I.P. 1912-1999 Homepage - http://www.umich.edu/~epickett GPL hcp. +70.45 Never argue with an idiot. He brings you down to his level, then beats you with experience... Remove SPAM-OFF to reply.