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[j0hnny_385]

man, i am getting tempted to pick one of these up. but i'm finding it hard to justify 1000 just to play diablo III. that and i am interested in upgrading the gpu down the road but i haven't heard many stories of it being upgraded with nvidia cards, just ati. i've heard too many horror stories from friends about ati cards. oh well, guess i will never get to play diablo III. kinda makes me want to cry considering how much time i put into diablo and diablo II.

Stop. OK? Start breathing, calm down.

You don't need a 1000GBP computer to play Diablo 3.

Now that we got that out of the way, let's talk about "horror about ati card". No horror there my friend. I got a 6950 running since Sep '11 just fine and it's EATING Diablo III at max. settings alive (1680x1050). I can only guess how would Southern Island GPU (7xxx) do, but by look at charts: better. So no worries there.

You don't need an X51 to play Diablo 3.

 

[Kibbles]

Which version X51 did you get? The one in the OP is the $949 version which comes with a 330w PSU. Try BF3 with the stock card

Same setup as OP, 330w i5 8GB, but with the 7850. Halo 2 played just fine, only does it in Battlefield.

[edit] I seem to have fixed it! I uninstalled the AMD driver I downloaded and just used the one on my disc that came with the graphics card. I also changed to launch the game with Internet Explorer rather than Chrome and it appears to be working just fine now. I'm guessing it was the former rather than the latter that fixed it, but there you go. edit2: Fuck, nvm still get it. Ugh.... Seems to only be doing it when I overclock. I guess I shouldn't overclock then >_>. Some guy uploaded videos of overclocking this card on the x51 with Afterburner and it worked fine for him.

Here's what the screen looks like (the horizontal bars is just from my phone camera sucking at capturing picture from a plasma):

 

[Tunesmith]

Ordered the i7 3.4GHz Ivy Bridge model, now the shipping wait game begins. Will pair it up with my Philips 40" LED for comfy couch experience™.

 

[Gwanatu T]

So GAF, I need help. This thread has inspired me to redo my Comfy Couch PC setup with all wireless stuff. Since this is definitely applicable in this thread given that the Alienware X51 doesn't even come with a keyboard or mouse with your basic setup, I figure all GAFers would like to have this info. I'm running an Apple Wireless Keyboard, and the Bluetooth module I have is a pile of crap (this one); it only goes about 5ft away before losing signal. After reviewing what seems to be every bluetooth USB adapter on Amazon I've come to the conclusion that they are all crap, and now I have no idea what to buy. Any ideas? I really need this to work.

I also use Wii remotes via Dolphin and those go about 2ft, just so that's documented as well.

 

[Chittagong]

So GAF, I need help. This thread has inspired me to redo my Comfy Couch PC setup with all wireless stuff. Since this is definitely applicable in this thread given that the Alienware X51 doesn't even come with a keyboard or mouse with your basic setup, I figure all GAFers would like to have this info. I'm running an Apple Wireless Keyboard, and the Bluetooth module I have is a pile of crap (this one); it only goes about 5ft away before losing signal. After reviewing what seems to be every bluetooth USB adapter on Amazon I've come to the conclusion that they are all crap, and now I have no idea what to buy. Any ideas? I really need this to work.

I also use Wii remotes via Dolphin and those go about 2ft, just so that's documented as well.

The device actually comes with a crap, nasty wired mouse and keyboard you can use when you want to mess with the BIOS. They are pretty horrid though.

I'm using the Belkin USB stick, with Apple keyboard and Wiimote. Never had a problem. My G700 mouse has its own wireless adapter.

 

[Hawkian]

Apologize if this aspect is answered- what really keeps such devices from being truly seamless is HDMI out to an AV receiver, that is- HD surround audio and 1080p video from one cable. But it's been a few years since I've looked into the market. Has this problem been solved somehow?

 

[Marty Chinn]

Apologize if this aspect is answered- what really keeps such devices from being truly seamless is HDMI out to an AV receiver, that is- HD surround audio and 1080p video from one cable. But it's been a few years since I've looked into the market. Has this problem been solved somehow?

Not sure I understand the problem. Are you saying audio could not be sourced through the HDMI cable before? If so, ya, that's been fixed for awhile. I already get that out of my HTPC and it's years old.

 

[Hawkian]

Sorry, could you explain a little? Full surround audio- 7.1 channel- can be ported through an HDMI cable hooked up to a graphics card? Is this because the 7870/7850 has an actual HDMI port on it versus DVI (DVI absolutely cannot carry audio)?

 

[ShdwDrake]

Is there no way to get like a 500w PSU in this thing?

 

[Gwanatu T]

The device actually comes with a crap, nasty wired mouse and keyboard you can use when you want to mess with the BIOS. They are pretty horrid though.

I'm using the Belkin USB stick, with Apple keyboard and Wiimote. Never had a problem. My G700 mouse has its own wireless adapter.

Could I be a pain and ask for a model number or picture? I REALLY want to get one that works. Thanks!

 

[Ledsen]

Sorry, could you explain a little? Full surround audio- 7.1 channel- can be ported through an HDMI cable hooked up to a graphics card? Is this because the 7870/7850 has an actual HDMI port on it versus DVI (DVI absolutely cannot carry audio)?

All modern graphics card have both HDMI and DVI ports.

 

[MonkeyRoach]

Sorry, could you explain a little? Full surround audio- 7.1 channel- can be ported through an HDMI cable hooked up to a graphics card? Is this because the 7870/7850 has an actual HDMI port on it versus DVI (DVI absolutely cannot carry audio)?

DVI does carry audio by using a dvi-hdmi adapter. The ATI HD 3k to 7k series and the Nvidia 4 to 6k series all do audio

 

[Marty Chinn]

DVI does carry audio by using a dvi-hdmi adapter. The ATI HD 3k to 7k series and the Nvidia 4 to 6k series all do audio

No it does not. DVI by definition does not carry audio.

 

[Gwanatu T]

The device actually comes with a crap, nasty wired mouse and keyboard you can use when you want to mess with the BIOS. They are pretty horrid though.

I'm using the Belkin USB stick, with Apple keyboard and Wiimote. Never had a problem. My G700 mouse has its own wireless adapter.

This one maybe?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001E96INY/?tag=neogaf0e-20

 

[Chittagong]

This one maybe?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001E96INY/?tag=neogaf0e-20

Indeed.

 

[Gwanatu T]

Indeed.

Thanks! Ordered! This setup is going to be sweet, you've inspired us all!

 

[killdatninja]

No it does not. DVI by definition does not carry audio.

Technically he's right, DVI can carry audio signal but will only output the audio when you converted to something that accepts it (DVI to HDMI for instance).

Not sure what his point is since it's essentially just turning the DVI port to HDMI and chances are the graphics card would already have a dedicated HDMI port...

 

[Hawkian]

All modern graphics card have both HDMI and DVI ports.

Rough that my GTX260 is not a "modern" graphics card anymore :'(

Sorry to be unclear guys. Again- my question is, full audio (7.1 surround) from a sound card is ported through the graphics card to an HDMI out?

DVI does carry audio by using a dvi-hdmi adapter. The ATI HD 3k to 7k series and the Nvidia 4 to 6k series all do audio

Ahhh so I think this does the trick then- just need a newer card. They solved the problem in the 4 series and I'm two generations back.

I was sure DVI could not carry audio packets but maybe I'm wrong, I guess technically I've never tried. Not that it would matter with my "ancient" cards

 

[Chittagong]

Rough that my GTX260 is not a "modern" graphics card anymore :'(

Sorry to be unclear guys. Again- my question is, full audio (7.1 surround) from a sound card is ported through the graphics card to an HDMI out?

Yep, the graphics card HDMI serves great 7.1 audio. But you have to manually enable it from the Control Panel, which is not entirely intuitive.

 

[MANGOD]

Anyone know if the X51 could run with the newer NVIDIA cards? GeForce GT 620 etc. Or even the 7959/70

 

[Hawkian]

Yep, the graphics card HDMI serves great 7.1 audio. But you have to manually enable it from the Control Panel, which is not entirely intuitive.

Huh- definitely not prior to the 400 series though, right? Would make my setup so much more awesome.

 

[Tunesmith]

Had forgotten how long Dell/Alienware takes to build/ship stuff, 1st week of June delivery.

/impatient

 

[DR3AM]

Does the $699 verison work good with Diablo 3? Also, can you upgarde the RAM and Video card on these things? Thanks

 

[DR3AM]

got the $700 with i3 and 4 gigs version with $200 gift card but then i saw the i5, 8 gig version for $750 on outlet so i got that instaed, no gift card

 

[soxinthebox]

Where do you guys find these dell vouchers?

 

[out0v0rder]

Rough that my GTX260 is not a "modern" graphics card anymore :'(

Sorry to be unclear guys. Again- my question is, full audio (7.1 surround) from a sound card is ported through the graphics card to an HDMI out?


Ahhh so I think this does the trick then- just need a newer card. They solved the problem in the 4 series and I'm two generations back.

I was sure DVI could not carry audio packets but maybe I'm wrong, I guess technically I've never tried. Not that it would matter with my "ancient" cards

I would like to chime in....
I have a gtx 260, it should have came with a tiny cable that you plug into the following area on the card :

the other end should go into the SPDIF header on your motherboard (or sound card if it has it), then in windows you select hdmi output and wham, all set.

Most modern graphics cards/mobos can send audio over HDMI without that cable nowadays, it just works. So yeah, old cards needed a lil workaround.

 

[K' Dash]

Had forgotten how long Dell/Alienware takes to build/ship stuff, 1st week of June delivery.

/impatient

You're lucky, I have to wait a month for my parts to arrive, I'm fucking anxious

 

[LyleLanley]

How accurate is the estimated delivery date from Dell/Alienware? My new graphics card has been sitting here for a few days and I'm becoming impatient.

 

[Chittagong]

How accurate is the estimated delivery date from Dell/Alienware? My new graphics card has been sitting here for a few days and I'm becoming impatient.

My experience was that they usually beat or meet their estimates

 

[DR3AM]

ordered 1 yesterday from outlet, should be here on wendesday.

 

[Hawkian]

I would like to chime in....
I have a gtx 260, it should have came with a tiny cable that you plug into the following area on the card :

the other end should go into the SPDIF header on your motherboard (or sound card if it has it), then in windows you select hdmi output and wham, all set.

Most modern graphics cards/mobos can send audio over HDMI without that cable nowadays, it just works. So yeah, old cards needed a lil workaround.

iiiinteresting, thank you.

 

[Tunesmith]

Had forgotten how long Dell/Alienware takes to build/ship stuff, 2nd week of June delivery.

/impatient

Quoting myself, Dell has already shipped my order, should get it within a few days tops.

Spoiler

success of not ordering custom builds!

 

[raven777]

How accurate is the estimated delivery date from Dell/Alienware? My new graphics card has been sitting here for a few days and I'm becoming impatient.

Mine arrived about a week earlier than scheduled date.

 

[DR3AM]

anyone install a SSD on this thing along with the stock HDD?

 

[Marty Chinn]

http://www.frys.com/product/6944367?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Ugh so tempting. How big of a difference is the GT 545 over the GTX 555? Wonder how Max Payne 3 will run on it....

 

[Dreamwriter]

My experience was that they usually beat or meet their estimates

My experience was every two weeks they would change its estimated ship date for two weeks later...

 

[Tunesmith]

anyone install a SSD on this thing along with the stock HDD?

I will be, most likely by ripping out the DVD drive and using the space that leaves behind.

 

[Ledsen]

I will be, most likely by ripping out the DVD drive and using the space that leaves behind.

SSD:s are tiny, isn't there any other space where you can squeeze it in?

 

[Tunesmith]

SSD:s are tiny, isn't there any other space where you can squeeze it in?

Not sure yet, from what I've read space is very limited in the cases, will see what the options are.

 

[Windom Earle]

Was thinking about buying this for Diablo but in the end went with a custom build. So much more bang for the buck. Alienware is always overpriced.

 

[LyleLanley]

I like that my next day air shipping is actually taking five days.

 

[LyleLanley]

X51 came in today and after a while of trying to stuff the new video card in there everything is finally up and running.

 

[JB1981]

X51 came in today and after a while of trying to stuff the new video card in there everything is finally up and running.

Which one you get the 7850 or 7870?

 

[LyleLanley]

Which one you get the 7850 or 7870?

7870.

 

[DR3AM]

hows that compared to the stock 545?

mine should be here tomorrow and i found a way to install both the stick HDD and ssd. ill try to make a video

 

[loosus]

I wonder if they will make an upgraded version of this. I just wish the power supply were marginally better.

 

[JB1981]

hows that compared to the stock 545?

mine should be here tomorrow and i found a way to install both the stick HDD and ssd. ill try to make a video

Supposed to be much better. I wonder if when Nvidia releases the 660 if that will be an option for these ...

 

[Marty Chinn]

I was almost going to buy one but I think I'm going to wait for E3 since Alienware has a booth. Gotta at least hold out to see if they announce something new.

 

[LyleLanley]

Is there an easy way to download all my available steam games without having to right click/install each of them?

 

[Tunesmith]

I was going to upgrade the GeForce GTX 555 that came with the thing but this runs Diablo 3 maxed out at 100fps in 1080p so I'm putting that on the back burner.

The specs of my version are the i7-3770 CPU @ 3.40GHz one with 8GB ram, 330w supply (the only one they sell here in EU).

Space is extremely limited inside it, I read up above someone had found where to store a 2nd SSD drive in addition to the stock 1TB 7200 rpm drive, where?

I might end up buying a second SSD and then putting them in the same caddy that the 1TB one uses at the moment instead if there's no feasible solution.

Oh and in terms of delivery for those curious, it arrived 8 days ahead of the initial planned delivery date (ordered direct from Alienware/Dell).