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Dell Alienware Alpha Only £399, £342.16 with possible 10-15% VIP discount £50 off until the 8th Dec. Inc Delivery

Found 5th Dec 2014Found 5th Dec 2014

Buy forBuy forBuy for£399

Could get it even cheaper with a premier code possibly?

Looking for one of these as my next gen console. Should be fantastic when steam OS comes out.

Processor
4th Generation Intel® Core™ i3-4130T processor (3M Cache, 2.9 GHz)
Operating System
Help Me Choose
Windows 8.1 (64Bit) English
Video Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX GPU 2GB GDDR5
Memory1
4GB(1X4GB) DDR3L 1600MHz Memory
Hard Drive
500GB 5400 rpm SATA Hard Drive
Wireless
Intel® Dual Band Wireless-AC 3160 802.11ac, 1x1, 2.4 & 5GHz + Bluetooth 4.0

GEEKEYE

I have just ordered for £342.16 with 15% VIP discount:-)

[Ulti here] Just wanted to add some info about the VIP discounts.

It seems MOD employees are the only ones that can get 15% VIP discounts so far. If anyone else can then please feel free to add here.

To receive a discount for VIP, head here:
dell.com/lea…age

You can register if you are any of the following:
- VIP Company
- Employee
- MoD
- Student

They will then email you a 10% off code. If you use this code on the website normally it will not work so you will have to click the link in the VIP registration email to take you to the shop and checkout from there and add the code to get the base Alienware Alpha config for £361.10.

I applied for VIP under student and they only asked for my uni and didn't seem to actually check so might be worth trying that.

Hope that helps.
- Ulti

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180 Comments

Original Poster5th Dec 2014

Not sure why people are voting cold this is the cheapest deal available on these?

5th Dec 2014

I've give you some heat chap. can understand cold votes as you can build a better spec yourself but for the console generation gamer this is a easy way to get into pc games

Original Poster5th Dec 2014

I agree you can build cheaper but this includes controller, and custom console interface.
Plus support for steam OS when you want to go to it.

If you're not a techy these could be life savers and is the best option for people who just want easy PC gaming and a console like experience.

Also you can role up your warranty in one package.

Edited by: "Dusterfluster" 5th Dec 2014

5th Dec 2014

Dual core won't cut it anymore. Dragon Age inquisition won't even load without at least a quad. These are overpriced and underspecced.

Banned 5th Dec 2014

This is the lower spec model. If you want to go all out there's a i7 model & 8GB Memory otherwise the lower spec is close to console ps4 gaming so no point

Original Poster5th Dec 2014

kilboy
Dual core won't cut it anymore. Dragon Age inquisition won't even load … Dual core won't cut it anymore. Dragon Age inquisition won't even load without at least a quad. These are overpriced and underspecced.

Not everyone wants to play the highest specced games, also better specced than the average PC and next gen console?

Depends on your gaming needs TBH.

PS, I bet it will load, it just won't run very well, minimum requirements are the minimum it needs to run at a decent rate, not a precursor to if it will load or not.

Edited by: "Dusterfluster" 5th Dec 2014

Original Poster5th Dec 2014

sweep_puppy
This is the lower spec model. If you want to go all out there's a i7 … This is the lower spec model. If you want to go all out there's a i7 model & 8GB Memory otherwise the lower spec is close to console ps4 gaming so no point

But PC games like for like are significantly cheaper than a PS4 and Xbox One.

Edited by: "Dusterfluster" 5th Dec 2014

5th Dec 2014

Can anyone suggest how this fares on the the Alien Isolation test?

Will that game run better on this system compared to a PS4?

I'm keen to buy a PC system for the very cheap Steam games but only when the performance/price ratio beats consoles

Edited by: "FrugalFergal" 5th Dec 2014

5th Dec 2014

FrugalFergal
Can anyone suggest how this fares on the the Alien Isolation test?Will … Can anyone suggest how this fares on the the Alien Isolation test?Will that game run better on this system compared to a PS4?I'm keen to buy a PC system for the very cheap Steam games but only when the performance/price ratio beats consoles

Alien: Isolation is not an intensive game, CPU or GPU wise. It should run it fine with adjusted settings.

5th Dec 2014

These alienware alphas are great deals. When my pc is past its best ill be grabbing one of these if they still exists

5th Dec 2014

I would not buy one of theses as I have a very high spec PC and Xbox one, but I can see why its a good deal for some people out there

Original Poster5th Dec 2014

FrugalFergal
Can anyone suggest how this fares on the the Alien Isolation test?Will … Can anyone suggest how this fares on the the Alien Isolation test?Will that game run better on this system compared to a PS4?I'm keen to buy a PC system for the very cheap Steam games but only when the performance/price ratio beats consoles

When steam OS comes out games should run better than PS4 and Xbox one as this is more powerful and will remove the windows overhead. I would say in windows mose they would be about the same.

When I get one and steam OS comes out it should be able to dual boot so you can keep it as a PC and a Steam games console.:)

Edited by: "Dusterfluster" 5th Dec 2014

5th Dec 2014

I can't believe people are still mentioning Steam OS in a sentence without immediately followed by the word 'dumb', both the Xbox and the PS4 are already what the steam box is 'trying' to achieve, highly efficient small gaming PCs albeit without the openness of a PC.
I mean the Xbox one was trying to be the ultimate steam box where you couldn't trade in your games and people revolted because of that so why on the would anyone thing about getting something like this when you already get the benefits on the consoles?

Not to mention the that this is severely underpowered when compared to an Xbox One let a lone a PS4:

Dual Core Intel vs 8-core AMD
4GB Ram vs 8GB DDR5 on PS4
Nvidia 2GB of what? vs 5GB on Both consoles

5th Dec 2014

Would this run minecraft?

5th Dec 2014

Well with a VIP code the basic i3 and the i5 are cheaper than when it was posted last
hotukdeals.com/dea…e=4

5th Dec 2014

Dusterfluster
Not everyone wants to play the highest specced games, also better specced … Not everyone wants to play the highest specced games, also better specced than the average PC and next gen console?Depends on your gaming needs TBH.PS, I bet it will load, it just won't run very well, minimum requirements are the minimum it needs to run at a decent rate, not a precursor to if it will load or not.

The benchmark review I saw stated it simply won't run on a dual core. The game just locks up. And this is a cross generational game. Next year we start see the first new generation only cross platform games like Witcher 3 and Arkham Knight which are going to push the minimum PC requirements up further.

If you're spending £400 buy a console. This machine is a dead end.

5th Dec 2014

noiren
I can't believe people are still mentioning Steam OS in a sentence … I can't believe people are still mentioning Steam OS in a sentence without immediately followed by the word 'dumb', both the Xbox and the PS4 are already what the steam box is 'trying' to achieve, highly efficient small gaming PCs albeit without the openness of a PC. I mean the Xbox one was trying to be the ultimate steam box where you couldn't trade in your games and people revolted because of that so why on the would anyone thing about getting something like this when you already get the benefits on the consoles? Not to mention the that this is severely underpowered when compared to an Xbox One let a lone a PS4:Dual Core Intel vs 8-core AMD4GB Ram vs 8GB DDR5 on PS4Nvidia 2GB of what? vs 5GB on Both consoles

I hope you know cores aren't everything.

Original Poster5th Dec 2014

twinkle
Well with a VIP code the basic i3 and the i5 are cheaper than when it was … Well with a VIP code the basic i3 and the i5 are cheaper than when it was posted lasthttp://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/alienware-alpha-console-sized-pc-offer-dell-12-off-from-397-52-using-code-2067663?page=4#comments

I know, but they are unavilable now

5th Dec 2014

Dusterfluster
Not everyone wants to play the highest specced games, also better specced … Not everyone wants to play the highest specced games, also better specced than the average PC and next gen console?Depends on your gaming needs TBH.PS, I bet it will load, it just won't run very well, minimum requirements are the minimum it needs to run at a decent rate, not a precursor to if it will load or not.

People may not want to play the highest specc'd games but they will want to play the new releases and as stated above this won't play a lot of the new releases AC Unity, Far Cry 4 which require a quad core processor.

In a few months you will have other games out including Dying Light etc which this won't even match on the lower spec requirements.

Original Poster5th Dec 2014

noiren
I can't believe people are still mentioning Steam OS in a sentence … I can't believe people are still mentioning Steam OS in a sentence without immediately followed by the word 'dumb', both the Xbox and the PS4 are already what the steam box is 'trying' to achieve, highly efficient small gaming PCs albeit without the openness of a PC.

I think dumb things is paying 25% -50% more for your new release games on an Xbox One or PS4 personally?

Why would people not want cheaper games and a console experience?

5th Dec 2014

Dusterfluster
I know, but they are unavilable now

Yes, that's what I'm saying...its cheaper now (2 models only) than it was before if you use the VIP codes

Original Poster5th Dec 2014

dillo1982
People may not want to play the highest specc'd games but they will want … People may not want to play the highest specc'd games but they will want to play the new releases and as stated above this won't play a lot of the new releases AC Unity, Far Cry 4 which require a quad core processor. In a few months you will have other games out including Dying Light etc which this won't even match on the lower spec requirements.

Would the i5 and i7 versions be more aimed at such people though. No one is saying this is for playing every available PC game on.

Personally I don't like 1st person perspective shooters. That knocks out a lot of my hardware requirement.

Original Poster5th Dec 2014

twinkle
Yes, that's what I'm saying...its cheaper now (2 models only) than it was … Yes, that's what I'm saying...its cheaper now (2 models only) than it was before if you use the VIP codes

Sorry Mis-read

Original Poster5th Dec 2014

555gc8
Would this run minecraft?

Yes, easy.

Original Poster5th Dec 2014

kilboy
The benchmark review I saw stated it simply won't run on a dual core. The … The benchmark review I saw stated it simply won't run on a dual core. The game just locks up. And this is a cross generational game. Next year we start see the first new generation only cross platform games like Witcher 3 and Arkham Knight which are going to push the minimum PC requirements up further. If you're spending £400 buy a console. This machine is a dead end.

You do know you can buy an I5 or i7 version or just upgrade the CPU in the future?

5th Dec 2014

Dusterfluster
When steam OS comes out games should run better than PS4 and Xbox one as … When steam OS comes out games should run better than PS4 and Xbox one as this is more powerful and will remove the windows overhead. I would say in windows mose they would be about the same.When I get one and steam OS comes out it should be able to dual boot so you can keep it as a PC and a Steam games console.:)

SteamOS won't be viable unless Mantle, DX runs on Linux, or more games support OpenGL. All look very unlikely

5th Dec 2014

Dusterfluster
You do know you can buy an I5 or i7 version or just upgrade the CPU in … You do know you can buy an I5 or i7 version or just upgrade the CPU in the future?

So you agree it's a waste of money to buy this one?

5th Dec 2014

Remember though it is a 2/4 threaded CPU, so it's not terrible. Most games will run fine with this setup.

Original Poster5th Dec 2014

kilboy
So you agree it's a waste of money to buy this one?

No, as I dont play games that require a nuclear power station to run them

5th Dec 2014

It's much better than a console because the games are way cheaper even after a few weeks of release drop massively. It's prices maybe £50 too expensive. But in the long term it's worth it. Better graphics than ps4. What's not to like?

5th Dec 2014

Some alternatives to these posted on Hotukdeals this week, i5 gtx760 £505 Medion Akoya i5 p.c. or
this i7 4790 2gb gtx770 Gaming spec p.c. for approx £450-£475 offer him what you like in that price bracket, he has at least another 80 to sell. The company does advertising and bought 200 machines for a Lexus campaign which never used all the machines so they are selling off the unused p.c.'s to recoup some cost. I bought mine on weds and they are superb machines for the money, (current price for components on amazon is £798.11. You may need a little pc knowledge and probable extra hdd but the spec is amazing for the price.

Edited by: "agent_c" 5th Dec 2014

Original Poster5th Dec 2014

agent_c
Some alternatives, i5 gtx650 £505 Medion Akoya i5 p.c. or this i7 4790 … Some alternatives, i5 gtx650 £505 Medion Akoya i5 p.c. or this i7 4790 2gb gtx770 Top spec gaming p.c. for approx £450-£475 offer him what you like in that price bracket, he has at least another 80 to sell. The company does advertising and bought 200 machines for a Lexus campaign which never used all the machines so they are selling off the unused p.c.'s to recoup some cost. I bought mine on weds and they are superb machines for the money, (current price for components on amazon is £798.11. need a little pc knowledge and probable extra hdd but the spec is amazing for the price.

It's a great spec, but for sofa gaming and putting in my tv stand it is not ideal
Also not as easy to use for my 7 year old.

Edited by: "Dusterfluster" 5th Dec 2014

5th Dec 2014

Dusterfluster
It's a great spec, but for sofa gaming and putting in my tv stand it is … It's a great spec, but for sofa gaming and putting in my tv stand it is not ideal :)Also not as easy to use for my 7 year old.

My 12 year old thinks it's amazing and quite small, Verdict is out on windows 8.1 though...

Edited by: "agent_c" 5th Dec 2014

Original Poster5th Dec 2014

For an Example on Project cars the minimum recommended CPU is a Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400 that benches on Passmark @ 3228

The i3 in this benches at 4167.

It is in reality a fairly capable machine, not top of the range, but not claiming to be either.

Original Poster5th Dec 2014

agent_c
My 12 year old thinks it's amazing and quite small, Verdict is out on … My 12 year old thinks it's amazing and quite small, Verdict is out on windows 8.1 though...

With the Alien console GUI you can basically pretend its not there (unless you need to load a game from DVD).
I will look as it as a console with some windows functionality and pretend to ignore the windows 8.1 bit

5th Dec 2014

noiren
I can't believe people are still mentioning Steam OS in a sentence … I can't believe people are still mentioning Steam OS in a sentence without immediately followed by the word 'dumb', both the Xbox and the PS4 are already what the steam box is 'trying' to achieve, highly efficient small gaming PCs albeit without the openness of a PC. I mean the Xbox one was trying to be the ultimate steam box where you couldn't trade in your games and people revolted because of that so why on the would anyone thing about getting something like this when you already get the benefits on the consoles? Not to mention the that this is severely underpowered when compared to an Xbox One let a lone a PS4:Dual Core Intel vs 8-core AMD4GB Ram vs 8GB DDR5 on PS4Nvidia 2GB of what? vs 5GB on Both consoles

the ps4 contains a Radeon HD 7870
The Xbone contains a HD 7790
The Alpha contains a custom GT 860M
these all contain 2GB of VRAM, so where ever you got the 5Gb for the consoles is completely wrong! and actually in test the alpha beats the consoles

5th Dec 2014

Dusterfluster
For an Example on Project cars the minimum recommended CPU is a Intel … For an Example on Project cars the minimum recommended CPU is a Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400 that benches on Passmark @ 3228The i3 in this benches at 4167.It is in reality a fairly capable machine, not top of the range, but not claiming to be either.

agent_c
My 12 year old thinks it's amazing and quite small, Verdict is out on … My 12 year old thinks it's amazing and quite small, Verdict is out on windows 8.1 though...

In my limited research i read you have to ask alienware for a copy of windows 8.1 that they send out free on a memory stick? Am i right and my i7 4790 benches at just over 11,000 on passmark as a lone cpu!

I Love the compact size of the Alpha, but i will never game with handset.... mouse and keyboard forever...!

Edited by: "agent_c" 5th Dec 2014

5th Dec 2014

RGW29
the ps4 contains a Radeon HD 7870 The Xbone contains a HD 7790The Alpha … the ps4 contains a Radeon HD 7870 The Xbone contains a HD 7790The Alpha contains a custom GT 860M these all contain 2GB of VRAM, so where ever you got the 5Gb for the consoles is completely wrong! and actually in test the alpha beats the consoles

Due to the architecture of consoles they can leverage all their ram as vram effectively hence why you are seeing higher vram requirements on new console port games.

For what its worth I don't think these systems are up to much, the new interface is meant to make them more living room/layman friendly, but with most new games your going to have to tinker with setting, download latest graphics drivers etc.

Also a lot of new releases have been more difficult again to get optimised for 1080p 60fps. Mordor, Far cry, Unity, Watchdogs, and DA:I all guilty.

If you want no hassle gaming on your main TV get a console, the £20 extra you pay is worth less hassle.

Source: 15 years of PC gaming and 25 of console.

5th Dec 2014

I'm sure Clint Eastwood once maybe almost said, "When a man with a controller meets a man with a keyboard and mouse, the man holding the controller, is a dead man..!"

5th Dec 2014

Oh yeah final point.

Console performance will only improve as developers get used to the platform.

PC performance only gets worse

Dell Alienware Alpha Only £399, £342.16 with possible 10-15% VIP discount £50 off until the 8th Dec. Inc Delivery

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