Need help deciding between these two gaming pc's!

xcrzyaznbo1 · 06-19-12 at 11:39 PM

Hi i recently accumulated a total of around $900 in giftcards to spend at the Microsoft Store.
I came in determined to buy the Alienware x51, but then they also showed me the HP Phoenix which came out recently.
The HP comes with the new i7 ivy bridge processor and 2GB Radeon HD 7770, while the Alienware comes with the i7 Sandy Bridge and 1GB Geforce GTX 555.

Here are the full specs on both of the PC's.

Alienware X51

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http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/pd/Dell-Alienware-X51/productID.247107600/vip.true

HP Pavilion HPE h9-1182

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http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/pd/HP-Pavilion-HPE-h9-1182-Phoenix/productID.247935700/vip.true

Which one would be better for gaming wise and long term use? also which one has a better graphics card? and by how much?

Also i am pretty sure the HP would be more upgrade-able in the future due to the limited power supply on the Alienware.

Thank You!

Other Possible option is to sell my giftcards and lose about $125-$200 in the process and buy parts to build one.

ogloc42 · 06-19-12 at 11:54 PM

The hp has better specs, so you might as well get it. I don't know if those microsoft gift cards you speak of are redeemable (I doubt they are), so you might as well go for one that has more of a future, so to speak.
AFAIK, that alienware is aimed at people who prefer consoles over pcs. I remember reading about it somewhere.

**CyberKingdom** · 06-20-12 at 12:02 AM

Wow, way too expensive. The HP shouldn't be more than a grand. But if you are going to buy one, the HP is about 20% more powerful than the Alienware.

hazet3k · 06-20-12 at 01:13 AM

HP Pavilion HPE h9-1182 is a way better deal more ram, bigger HDD, Bigger Tower (for addons), and just better overall!

The alienware one is to small. Only thing i like from it is the Graphics card.
The alienware power supply is weak and leaves no extra power for future upgrade.
Dont like the sound card on the HP. Dr Dre can make beats not computer components (but its still 7.1).

So yes the HP hands down is better. I dont know your power supply but if I have to guess it will need a Upgrade!
But if your willing to spend this kind of money just make your own!!

**blaxroze** · 06-20-12 at 01:43 AM

i will get that HP if I were you, with 16 GB of ram you can dedicate some portion of it as a ramdisk

TheProwe · 06-20-12 at 01:45 AM

The HP is the better buy (better performer and more future proof), but both are just expensive.

Zero_Desu · 06-20-12 at 02:20 AM

HP "new i7 ivy bridge processor and 2GB Radeon HD 7770" is far better then the sand bridge and 1gb vid card

and alienware isnt acutally good unless u got a few k for one

xcrzyaznbo1 · 06-20-12 at 11:56 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by ogloc42

The hp has better specs, so you might as well get it. I don't know if those microsoft gift cards you speak of are redeemable (I doubt they are), so you might as well go for one that has more of a future, so to speak.
AFAIK, that alienware is aimed at people who prefer consoles over pcs. I remember reading about it somewhere.

What are you talking about? I guarantee you it is redeemable i got it directly from the Microsoft Store for free.

06-19-12 at 11:54 PM	#2
ogloc42 Newcomer Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 42	The hp has better specs, so you might as well get it. I don't know if those microsoft gift cards you speak of are redeemable (I doubt they are), so you might as well go for one that has more of a future, so to speak. AFAIK, that alienware is aimed at people who prefer consoles over pcs. I remember reading about it somewhere.

06-20-12 at 12:02 AM	#3
CyberKingdom Master Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,130	Wow, way too expensive. The HP shouldn't be more than a grand. But if you are going to buy one, the HP is about 20% more powerful than the Alienware.

06-20-12 at 01:13 AM	#4
hazet3k Newcomer Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Land of the Lost! Posts: 66	HP Pavilion HPE h9-1182 is a way better deal more ram, bigger HDD, Bigger Tower (for addons), and just better overall! The alienware one is to small. Only thing i like from it is the Graphics card. The alienware power supply is weak and leaves no extra power for future upgrade. Dont like the sound card on the HP. Dr Dre can make beats not computer components (but its still 7.1). So yes the HP hands down is better. I dont know your power supply but if I have to guess it will need a Upgrade! But if your willing to spend this kind of money just make your own!!

06-20-12 at 01:43 AM	#5
blaxroze Expert Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 959	i will get that HP if I were you, with 16 GB of ram you can dedicate some portion of it as a ramdisk

06-20-12 at 01:45 AM	#6
TheProwe Novice Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 124	The HP is the better buy (better performer and more future proof), but both are just expensive.

06-20-12 at 02:20 AM	#7
Zero_Desu Apprentice Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Holy Empire Posts: 340	HP "new i7 ivy bridge processor and 2GB Radeon HD 7770" is far better then the sand bridge and 1gb vid card and alienware isnt acutally good unless u got a few k for one

06-20-12 at 11:56 AM	#8
xcrzyaznbo1 Newcomer Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 48	Quote: Originally Posted by ogloc42 The hp has better specs, so you might as well get it. I don't know if those microsoft gift cards you speak of are redeemable (I doubt they are), so you might as well go for one that has more of a future, so to speak. AFAIK, that alienware is aimed at people who prefer consoles over pcs. I remember reading about it somewhere. What are you talking about? I guarantee you it is redeemable i got it directly from the Microsoft Store for free.