Punchy4486
Banned
Probably easy, but how did you set that up? I'd like it to give me the option of desktop or AlphaUI every time I power up.
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Alienware Alpha first impressions and benchmarks
- Thread starter outunderthestars
- Start date
Probably easy, but how did you set that up? I'd like it to give me the option of desktop or AlphaUI every time I power up.
Thanks for the information!
I did a bit of searching, and apparently we "did" have the base model available for $499, but it's since expired. I'll check occasionally and see if it becomes available again.
Here's hoping...
reSpec Gaming
Member
Well, the way I see it there's no point in keeping bloatware on a computer you don't use. So I uninstalled it.
Google auto login on Windows 8. You do it via netplwiz.exe.
I figure I might want to go back to it if they improve it in the future.
reSpec Gaming
Member
Don't know for sure, but I'm guessing the same as any PC. 1-5 watts of power while in sleep mode.
I wonder if this would be a great upgrade from my current PC : an old AMD Phenom Quad-core, 4 GB Ram and a Nvidia GTX 570? I really like the compact size of this and I'm not the big gamer I used to be. I would still like to play GTAV and Far Cry 4 @ 1080p Med/High.
I'm looking at the i5 model with 8 GB of RAM.
I'm looking at the i5 model with 8 GB of RAM.
reSpec Gaming
Member
Just comparing GPUs, significantly better (see this rough example as the GPU isn't a 750ti in the Alpha but it is comparable: http://gpuboss.com/gpus/GeForce-GTX-750-Ti-vs-GeForce-GTX-570)
TsunamiOfSwagger
Member
Has anyone tried running Wolfenstein the old blood yet on your alpha?
shoplifter
Member
I'm not entirely happy with the hard disc, which I've heard folks complain about in the past (100% disk usage when installing The Old Republic, etc)
I'm looking at either a 7200rpm 1TB SSHD or a 256GB SSD. These options are $100ish. That's my budget. If I could afford it if get a 500GB SSD and be done with it.
Thoughts, comments? I'm concerned about the 256 only because at the sizes of many games that's 7-8 games installed at a time tops and I like to skip back and forth.
I'm looking at either a 7200rpm 1TB SSHD or a 256GB SSD. These options are $100ish. That's my budget. If I could afford it if get a 500GB SSD and be done with it.
Thoughts, comments? I'm concerned about the 256 only because at the sizes of many games that's 7-8 games installed at a time tops and I like to skip back and forth.
outunderthestars
Banned
Finally decided to pull the trigger and upgrade to an SSD. Who makes a good one? Looking in the $200 range...
reSpec Gaming
Member
Well, I watch a lot of Twitch and advertising worked on me so I picked up a HyperX Fury one, heh. Reviews on it were positive anyway.
QuantumZebra
Member
wait for the APU
outunderthestars
Banned
I might have the money to get the lowest tier Alpha next month. Money is tight and it takes ages to save up so would I be alright with the lowest tier? Medium settings are fine by me, I'm not huge into graphics. Would it play DA: Inquisition on medium settings okay? That's probably the most graphics intense game in my library right now.
The lowest tier still has the same gfx card then the top tier. You will be fine. The loading time will be bad but in-game should be fine. Oh and that windows boot up will feel like age.
outunderthestars
Banned
darkjedi187
Member
Sucks I keep missing the sales on these.
TsunamiOfSwagger
Member
Guy never replied, sent another email and its sold apparently.. Oh well.
I found the i3 on amazon for £430 (dell is £499) so might grab that.
I have a question about the ram, I want to upgrade to 8GB but would prefer just buying a 4GB stick to match the 4GB already in the alpha. Whats my best option? From what i'm aware its not a good idea to mix and match different brands right?
I did find this which seems reasonable
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005LDLV6S/
Edit: Also is anyone rocking a SSHD in their alpha? I can't afford a 512GB SSD but found a 1TB SSHD for a very good price.
I found the i3 on amazon for £430 (dell is £499) so might grab that.
I have a question about the ram, I want to upgrade to 8GB but would prefer just buying a 4GB stick to match the 4GB already in the alpha. Whats my best option? From what i'm aware its not a good idea to mix and match different brands right?
I did find this which seems reasonable
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005LDLV6S/
Edit: Also is anyone rocking a SSHD in their alpha? I can't afford a 512GB SSD but found a 1TB SSHD for a very good price.
reSpec Gaming
Member
Going to install it tonight so I'll probably get a chance to play it tomorrow. I'll let you know what I think.
reSpec Gaming
Member
reSpec Gaming
Member
So i7 Model, I'm getting 30 FPS at 1080p at Medium graphics. High gets me 24-28 FPS. Running on Low gets about 32-34 FPS. (FPS according to FRAPS)
I read somewhere PS4 runs 900p 30FPS on High settings. Assuming that's correct, you could match that on the Alpha. I'd just prefer to medium and 1080p over high and 900p.
Edit: sorry for double post
OdysseusVA
Banned
1080p with most things on medium, I believe.
dragonfart28
Banned
Also running this on the i7 model and I can verify the performance others are seeing on this platform.
What I would add is that the ability to tweak the settings makes the Alpha version a better option imo.
Turning off depth of field for instance gives a pretty good performance boost with no visible cost to IQ.
What I would add is that the ability to tweak the settings makes the Alpha version a better option imo.
Turning off depth of field for instance gives a pretty good performance boost with no visible cost to IQ.
JohnnyWestlake
Banned
Any numbers after overclocking the GPU with MSI? May be enough to get High up to 28-32 fps
longnosedgoblin
Member
The i5 is back on amazon for £540 if anyone is interested.
reSpec Gaming
Member
Interesting. So then I guess basically what I'm doing is matching a PS4
I'll have to try it. I'm currently using the "default" medium without adjusting things and optimizing to get some things on high that I'm sure it could do. Eventually I just wanted to play the game a little bit though, haha. When I feel like tinkering, I'll let everyone know what settings I get with a stable 30 FPS.
longnosedgoblin
Member
Does using a ps4 pad or Wii U pro still give you mouse control or is that specific to the 360 pad?
reSpec Gaming
Member
For those interested in the Steam Machine version, it'll come with a faster hard drive (7200 RPM over the 5400 RPM) and at a lower starting price ($449 USD instead of $549). Of course, doesn't have Windows.
(LINK: http://www.polygon.com/2015/6/4/872...achine-was-born-out-of-a-desire-to-evolve-the)
(LINK: http://www.polygon.com/2015/6/4/872...achine-was-born-out-of-a-desire-to-evolve-the)
Consequence
Member
Is this old news? Surprised that there's no thread on this.
ashecitism
Member
No, it's new. Originally the price was to be $480 and can't recall any talk about the HDD.
made a thread: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1057124
made a thread: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1057124
reSpec Gaming
Member
Exact specs just released today.
reSpec Gaming
Member
I agree - while for me having Windows is the way to go it's cool that consumers have options.
longnosedgoblin
Member
Has anyone managed to get a ds4 working in console mode yet? I can't see any obvious way of doing it.
dugdug
Banned
It's specific to the 360 controller. Can't even get it to work using an Xbox One controller.
Nope. I've only been able to use my XB1 controller. I imagine it will depend on Sony releasing drivers for it, which it doesn't look like it will do. Shame, because I'd really like to use my DS4 instead.
longnosedgoblin
Member
I thought there might be some way of getting to task manager in console mode then installing ds4 windows but the task manger window disappears straight away.
outunderthestars
Banned
Agreed. I'm going to learn how to dual boot and try it out when my Steam controller arrives.
longnosedgoblin
Member
Reading their reddit it looks like they are going to implement ds4 support into console mode at some point.
The Alpha I bought for my sister (the i3 version that was on sale a couple weeks ago) seems to do about this well on medium settings with textures on Ultra. Seems to maintain 30fps just fine. Also note that the 4GB of RAM in the base model is downright criminal - the game was completely unplayable with stutter due to extensive swapping. Bumping up the total to 8 completely fixed that.
outunderthestars
Banned
Won this from Alienware but wasn't comfortable keeping it as I post so much about the Alpha. 
Listing of games: https://steamdb.info/sub/14/apps/
Listing of games: https://steamdb.info/sub/14/apps/
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Sorcerer
Member
I am getting a Steam Machine in November but I figure the Alpha is close enough that my question would still apply.
1. I have already bought a 1 terrabyte ssd. When I replace the 7200 rpm drive should I buy an enclosure for it and put the games on the 7200 and just use the ssd for the operating system?
2. I know Alpha users got free games with their systems. It doesn't look like Steam Machine users will get any free games, (maybe thats why they chopped the price down to $450) but just in case were you given codes for the games or were they installed on the hard drive already?
If I replace the hard drive do I lose those games if they are preinstalled.
Thank's in advance for any information.
1. I have already bought a 1 terrabyte ssd. When I replace the 7200 rpm drive should I buy an enclosure for it and put the games on the 7200 and just use the ssd for the operating system?
2. I know Alpha users got free games with their systems. It doesn't look like Steam Machine users will get any free games, (maybe thats why they chopped the price down to $450) but just in case were you given codes for the games or were they installed on the hard drive already?
If I replace the hard drive do I lose those games if they are preinstalled.
Thank's in advance for any information.