[Chittagong]

PS4 will have the same performances as this, for 1/3 of the price right?

That could happen. Then again, it just might as well happen that by the time PS4 comes out there is a two generations later card running in this bitch, and I am playing the multiplat launch games at 1080P 60FPS while PS4 owners will argue that 720P is more cinematic. Anything could happen.

[SRTtoZ]

If anyone is hesitant about the brand then rest assured, they put out quality products. Ive owned 3 (soon to be 4) alienwares and they have always lived up to expectations. First the m9750, then the m15x, then the m11x and hopefully this week the m17x R4 with a 7970m in it.

[Marty Chinn]

It might be the HDMI cable. I had picture cutting off because of a bad quality cable.

I just tried a different HDMI cable and it happened again. So hmm don't think that's it. Man I hope I don't have to swap for another video card. I'm running out of time if that's the case.

[Canis lupus]

That could happen. Then again, it just might as well happen that by the time PS4 comes out there is a two generations later card running in this bitch, and I am playing the multiplat launch games at 1080P 60FPS while PS4 owners will argue that 720P is more cinematic. Anything could happen.

I'll be glad if we can get BF3 on Ultra at 1080p with 64players next gen. :)

[mrklaw]

how quiet is it when not playing games, and anyone know the power draw? Wondering if I could replace my mac mini as a Plex server/client with this, and get the bonus of playing games too.

[Chittagong]

Mine is very quiet, consumption is 45W (idle), 80W (video etc.).

Marty - sorry to hear. Have you tried whether the integrated graphics have the same issue? Play some BF3 at 1FPS and see. If not, that would narrow it down to your 7870 or drivers.

[Monty Mole]

Has anyone been able to set this up like a games console?

ie. using XMBC or something to launch games, and using a 360 controller for everything?

I'm a comfy couch gamer through-and-through but I'm interested in this. Just wondering how feasible it is to set up like a console, not a keyboard/mouse in sight (well, except for installations anyway).

[LegoArmo]

Steam Big Picture Mode is coming "soon", and there are apps that let you control the mouse with the 360 controllers analog stick. Controller support in each game is up to the developer, but again, there are apps to map key presses to buttons, too. It would just require a little extra set up.

[mrklaw]

Has anyone been able to set this up like a games console? ie. using XMBC or something to launch games, and using a 360 controller for everything? I'm a comfy couch gamer through-and-through but I'm interested in this. Just wondering how feasible it is to set up like a console, not a keyboard/mouse in sight (well, except for installations anyway).

check the XBMC thread on here. I think you can bypass the steam front end entirely and just have shortcuts to all your games in the 'applications' menu on XMBC. So should be doable.

Go one step further and remote administer the PC via VNC using something like an ipad and you wouldn't need a mouse keyboard at all (I do this for my mac mini)

I think there might be too many games that aren't controller friendly though, so you'd probably want a mouse around.

[Monty Mole]

Thanks both for your advice, will check that out.

[diffusionx]

Any word on a GTX 660 coming down the pike? I've read that the 670 is doable but cutting it close, so I figure that a 660 should function quite well in the X51.

Has anyone been able to set this up like a games console? ie. using XMBC or something to launch games, and using a 360 controller for everything? I'm a comfy couch gamer through-and-through but I'm interested in this. Just wondering how feasible it is to set up like a console, not a keyboard/mouse in sight (well, except for installations anyway).

Yes, I did this.

I mean, I still have a keyboard/mouse and use it, because well, it's still a PC. And you need a keyboard and mouse to actually set up XBMC, create the shortcut when you get a new game, etc. And a lot of games don't play nice with a pad (but many do). But this works just fine.

Just search for 'neogaf xbmc console' on Google. It'll point you to a thread.

[Tunesmith]

Bought Max Payne 3 on today's steam sale. A bit surprised that this rig runs it at absolute maxed settings/AA at locked 60fps in 1080p. Had thought the GTX555 wasn't fully up for it but I was proven wrong.

[Canis lupus]

Any word on a GTX 660 coming down the pike? I've read that the 670 is doable but cutting it close, so I figure that a 660 should function quite well in the X51. Yes, I did this. I mean, I still have a keyboard/mouse and use it, because well, it's still a PC. And you need a keyboard and mouse to actually set up XBMC, create the shortcut when you get a new game, etc. And a lot of games don't play nice with a pad (but many do). But this works just fine. Just search for 'neogaf xbmc console' on Google. It'll point you to a thread.

Might be a silly question but: Is there a console like skin for Windows 7?

[Marty Chinn]

Might be a silly question but: Is there a console like skin for Windows 7?

You mean like XBMC?

how quiet is it when not playing games, and anyone know the power draw? Wondering if I could replace my mac mini as a Plex server/client with this, and get the bonus of playing games too.

Mine is super quiet when I'm just using XBMC for media.

Marty - sorry to hear. Have you tried whether the integrated graphics have the same issue? Play some BF3 at 1FPS and see. If not, that would narrow it down to your 7870 or drivers.

Think I have it all sorted out now. I haven't seen it in the last couple of days after I did some clean up on the Nvidia driver which seemed to be lingering around a bit, and then did an uninstall of the ATI driver and reinstall. So it looks like it was just a driver problem. Thanks a lot for your patience, help and advice.

[Canis lupus]

You mean like XBMC?

Yes, but were you also can navigate through your system files, webbrowsing and stuff.

[diffusionx]

Yes, but were you also can navigate through your system files, webbrowsing and stuff.

You can't navigate a file system on a console.

You can launch a browser from XBMC, though.

[Horse Detective]

Stupid question incoming-

How difficult is it to set all of this up? Saw some of the stuff people are posting, and just wondering if this thing is ready to go when you buy it...

[Marty Chinn]

Stupid question incoming- How difficult is it to set all of this up? Saw some of the stuff people are posting, and just wondering if this thing is ready to go when you buy it...

Ready to go in what sense? XBMC is very usable if you just install it but it's flexible enough that you could spend plenty of time tweaking it to exactly how you'd like it. The X51 itself just works out of the box too.

[dekline]

Been thinking about picking one of these up instead of building one myself. The last 3 computers I owned I built myself (not counting laptops). As long as I can switch out the CPU/GPU in the future as I see fit this could really be worth it. I like the look of it too.

Still thinking about it.

[onegoodlogan]

So Best Buy has a model listed here that varies a little from what's available on Dell's page with an i7 processer and a GeForce GT 545. I haven't had much luck finding what power supply is in that particular model the Dell Outlet is the only place that lists it directly and they have it listed with both.

Anyone know what power supply is in the Best Buy model? If its the 240W is there any way to upgrade the power supply in the future? I'm got some gift cards to get rid of and it's time for me to upgrade.

[Marty Chinn]

So Best Buy has a model listed here that varies a little from what's available on Dell's page with an i7 processer and a GeForce GT 545. I haven't had much luck finding what power supply is in that particular model the Dell Outlet is the only place that lists it directly and they have it listed with both. Anyone know what power supply is in the Best Buy model? If its the 240W is there any way to upgrade the power supply in the future? I'm got some gift cards to get rid of and it's time for me to upgrade.

Never seen an i7 with the GT545, so can't say what the power supply is. However, you can easily upgrade it like I did from here:

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/p...9&sku=331-2429

[onegoodlogan]

Thanks Marty!

[Chittagong]

Stupid question incoming- How difficult is it to set all of this up? Saw some of the stuff people are posting, and just wondering if this thing is ready to go when you buy it...

It's ready to go out of the box, just start playing Diablo 3 or whatever, no configuration whataoever.

If you want to upgrade the graphics card, well I managed to do it as a total rookie so it can't be hard - there are good videos on YouTube and people on Dell boards are helpful too.

[mkenyon]

Posting this in here as I'm contemplating starting a project to build this sort of system for people. Figured as the people who are interested in the X51 over a DIY, you have certain aesthetic and form factor preferences that don't carry over to PC people, and wanted to double check my own.

What do you think about these three cases?

[Chittagong]

The bottom two are pretty hot. The one on the top is too much of a Power Mac G4 circa 2002 for my taste

[wazoo]

I recently made a Lanli V354 computer (Core I5+7850)

Quite small, more silent than any of my laptops, and fucking fast.

[mkenyon]

The bottom two are pretty hot. The one on the top is too much of a Power Mac G4 circa 2002 for my taste

Dang. Top one is the best in terms of capability and silence. I think for enthusiast builders, cases are like the kind of cute girl that you get to know who ends up being really rad. They end up looking more attractive due to the personality.

FT03 Mini I figured would be the pick. Sans videocard, you can have a 4.3GHz 3570K with 8GB of memory for $700. That leaves options open for people to pick what kind of graphics performance they want.

More or less, trying to build an X51 killer. The fact that one has to work so hard to find the right components and ostensibly come super close to the specs without saving hundreds of dollars says a lot about what you're getting with the X51.

[LyleLanley]

I really like the shape of the X51, it really is just like a console in that it's not as boxy or big as any standard computer case I've seen. It also fits in most living room media centers pretty perfectly.

[1-D_FTW]

Look at that sleek baby. Don't all thank me at once.

[krumble]

so looking at Dells website the X51 is now available with GTX660 which is kepler right?

[1-D_FTW]

so looking at Dells website the X51 is now available with GTX660 which is kepler right?

Yes. Slightly slower than the 670/680s, but a fine card as long as you're talking about the 660ti and not some weird special order OEM card that's been nuked.

EDIT: Doesn't seem like it's a ti. And it only has 1.5GB of memory as opposed to 2GB. I would assume it's still kepler though. Especially with the markups they're putting on ebay.

[I Stalk Alone]

Posting this in here as I'm contemplating starting a project to build this sort of system for people. Figured as the people who are interested in the X51 over a DIY, you have certain aesthetic and form factor preferences that don't carry over to PC people, and wanted to double check my own.

get this it is called the TIKI



only 4" wide and 13" tall

i7 3770
GTX 680
2x SSD + 1x HDD
16GB ram
Mini ITX
BLu Ray


Granite stand.


Liquid cooling


eat your heart out x-51 ;)

I really hope this form factor is copied by a case manufacturer so I can use it to build my own.

[diffusionx]

The Tiki looks awesome, but it's Falcon NW. Of course it does. If I ever hit it big I'll buy all my systems from them.

More or less, trying to build an X51 killer. The fact that one has to work so hard to find the right components and ostensibly come super close to the specs without saving hundreds of dollars says a lot about what you're getting with the X51.

Yep. I still maintain that the X51 is a great system.

I'm planning to install a GTX 660 Ti in mine. It looks like a perfect fit for the system.

[Marty Chinn]

Look at that sleek baby. Don't all thank me at once.

What case is this? You didn't really supply a link.

[tkscz]

get this it is called the TIKI only 4" wide and 13" tall i7 3770 GTX 680 2x SSD + 1x HDD 16GB ram Mini ITX BLu Ray Granite stand. Liquid cooling eat your heart out x-51 ;) I really hope this form factor is copied by a case manufacturer so I can use it to build my own.

I found this at my local Microcenter.

http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0284178

Holy crap is this thing ever thin. I doubt a gaming PC can be made out of it, but if it could, I'd buy it.

[DemonCleaner]

@OP: good choice in speakers. not so much with the TV, though. got the same one. its backlights died just half a year after the warranty wore off. damn you sony!

[Chittagong]

@OP: good choice in speakers. not so much with the TV, though. got the same one. its backlights died just half a year after the warranty wore off. damn you sony!

Yeah, gotta love them Genelecs. when I manage to save a bitof money I want to get a bigger one. Any suggestions on a 65-70 inch, preferably one that doesn't break the bank horribly?

[mkenyon]

get this it is called the TIKI only 4" wide and 13" tall i7 3770 GTX 680 2x SSD + 1x HDD 16GB ram Mini ITX BLu Ray I really hope this form factor is copied by a case manufacturer so I can use it to build my own.

As configured: $2400

Getting the same parts on Newegg: $1200, sans case.

To top it off, you have some tiny fans that will need to spin at ridiculous speeds to keep a crazy loud reference card cool enough. That 'watercooling' solution is also not great.

No thanks.

That's the thing about the X51. Outside of the fact that the CPU will bottleneck in a decent number of current games, and you can't OC it, the price is really hard to compete with even when building from scratch. This is coming from an enthusiast/hobbyist builder.

As far as the case being copied, there's all sorts of cases out there you can buy that would be almost exactly the same. ITX case + 90 degree PCI-E adapter = TIKI. It's a pretty crappy case too. They stick it on a slab of granite and give it a cute little cutout to give the appearance of sophistication. It's like putting a turd on a pedestal.

I found this at my local Microcenter. http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0284178 Holy crap is this thing ever thin. I doubt a gaming PC can be made out of it, but if it could, I'd buy it.

With just a bit of modding the bottom expansion slot area, this would totally work.

[Burai]

It seems that Dell is now offering a 1.5GB GTX 660 as an option with the X51, so no need to worry about swapping out cards and hoping they'll fit.

For $200 on top of the 545 option, plus they throw in an extra 2GB of RAM.

[xJavonta]

I'm really considering getting one of these. The 550ti will be enough for my 720p 32" and I can easily take it to a friends house. Unless I can find the case for sale somewhere else, then I'd just build something similar.

And with Big Picture Mode coming, oh god comfy couch PC gaming is gonna be sick

[mrklaw]

Dang. Top one is the best in terms of capability and silence. I think for enthusiast builders, cases are like the kind of cute girl that you get to know who ends up being really rad. They end up looking more attractive due to the personality. FT03 Mini I figured would be the pick. Sans videocard, you can have a 4.3GHz 3570K with 8GB of memory for $700. That leaves options open for people to pick what kind of graphics performance they want. More or less, trying to build an X51 killer. The fact that one has to work so hard to find the right components and ostensibly come super close to the specs without saving hundreds of dollars says a lot about what you're getting with the X51.

why not go AV shaped? Like a slimmer Silverstone LC17 - something horizontal that'll stack with Receivers and bluray players etc.

I'd argue you don't need tons of Hard drive slots, maybe two plus an SSD would be more than enough unless you're going media server, and thats better hidden away somewhere anyway.

HTPC for running quietly - perhaps with a passive PSU and GPU for those wanting a HTPC, then a gaming option willing to sacrifice noise when gaming to gain performance.

I'd buy one.


edit: that 660 option is interesting. Why do they not call it a ti? Is there a vanilla 660 available? How would that compare to the kinds of cards being fitted aftermarket?

[xJavonta]

Anybody have any Mini-ITX case recommendations or close to this in size? I'm thinking I'll just use my main rig's old CPU and RAM in this as an excuse to upgrade my computer.

[Canis lupus]

get this it is called the TIKI only 4" wide and 13" tall i7 3770 GTX 680 2x SSD + 1x HDD 16GB ram Mini ITX BLu Ray eat your heart out x-51 ;) I really hope this form factor is copied by a case manufacturer so I can use it to build my own.

Wow. What is the price?

[Magic Mushroom]

It seems that Dell is now offering a 1.5GB GTX 660 as an option with the X51, so no need to worry about swapping out cards and hoping they'll fit. For $200 on top of the 545 option, plus they throw in an extra 2GB of RAM.

Very tempting. How would it compare to the Sapphire HD 7870?

[MaverickHunterX]

Hey guys stupid question, but has anyone else had problems with the disk drive? I just finished installing arkham city on my x51 and on both discs, there are huge vertical stratches going from the center of the disc to the outer side. Granted, they're hairline marked but it still pisses me off. I do keep the unit standing upright, with a mat beneath it so it doesn't slide. Any idea to what can be causing it? Thanks

[Mindlog]

What case is this? You didn't really supply a link.

I found it on Newegg for $90. I'm pretty close to pulling the trigger. Would have to do a little modding on the faux brass plastic bits.
That Tiki case looks great as well. I helped someone pick up an X51 and now I'm in the DIY mood.

[Zaptruder]

get this it is called the TIKI

Incredible power packed into the size... but goddamn does that thing look like a piece of shit.

[LyleLanley]

Incredible power packed into the size... but goddamn does that thing look like a piece of shit.

Welcome to the world of prebuilt gaming computers.

[1-D_FTW]

What case is this? You didn't really supply a link.

I found it on Newegg for $90. I'm pretty close to pulling the trigger. Would have to do a little modding on the faux brass plastic bits. That Tiki case looks great as well. I helped someone pick up an X51 and now I'm in the DIY mood.

Yeah. Sorry. Not sure how I missed your post. Then it fell from the front page and I completely lost sight of it.

edit: that 660 option is interesting. Why do they not call it a ti? Is there a vanilla 660 available? How would that compare to the kinds of cards being fitted aftermarket?

http://techreport.com/discussions.x/23456

While the Ti disables one of that chip's eight SMX units, the GTX 660's 1152 shader ALUs suggest the lights have been turned off on two SMX engines. The GeForce GTX 660 Ti uses three of the four ROP partitions on the GK104, and I'd expect the same number to be active in the OEM card.

In addition to fewer ALUs, the GeForce GTX 660 sports lower clock speeds. The card has an 823MHz base clock and an 888MHz boost rate, both down about 100MHz from the Ti. The memory clock is slower, as well. Nvidia quotes a 5.8 GT/s memory transfer rate, which is admittedly a drop of only 200 MT/s. Although the OEM variant's memory interface width remains 192 bits wide, cards will be available with 1.5 or 3GB of onboard memory rather than the 2GB found on the Ti.

Trimming units and lowering clock speeds allow Nvidia to squeeze the OEM model into a smaller power envelope than its big brother. The GTX 660 Ti has a maximum power rating of 150W and requires dual 6-pin PCIe power connectors, but the OEM flavor is rated for 130W and demands just one PCIe power lead.

[jonhuz]

There's a 10% off code for the next few days and I really wouldn't mind double dipping on Dark Souls. Would the base GTX660 handle this game well, or could I drop to the cheaper 545 model?