Alienware working on cheaper AMD-based system

Posted on Tuesday, May 13 2008 @ 21:23 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck
Dell is working on a new "cheap" Alienware gaming PC with AMD chips. CNET says the system will cost $1,699 and will feature a AMD Phenom X4 9550 (2.2GHz) processor along with Radeon HD 3870 X2 graphics and a high-end motherboard from Asus that features the AMD 790FX chipset.
Systems configured with a quad-core processor and dual graphics chips are typically well over $2,000.

Overall, Alienware is seeing respectable demand for AMD-based systems. "AMD is a good entry point," according to Diana.

Alienware is already offering a relatively high-end system for less than $3,000 with a quad-core Phenom X4 9850 (2.5GHz) "Black Edition" (Black Edition indicates that the processor can be overclocked) and two ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2 graphics boards (each with two 3870 graphics chips).

"It's not your granddaddy's AMD system. We're talking top-of-the-line quad core," he said.

This not the sentiment at all game PC makers, however. Falcon Northwest is seeing virtually no demand for AMD-based systems, according to a spokesperson at that company. Falcon Northwest sells Intel-based systems almost exclusively. The company attributes this to the fact that customers are spending big bucks for its systems and that they will invariably opt for higher-performing Intel chips.

Diana concedes that AMD will not take the performance crown--this goes to Intel. And in graphics, Nvidia typically performs better in games than ATI, he said. "(Nvidia is) able to refine their drivers more for the most popular games," he said.


About the Author

Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.



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Re: Alienware working on cheaper AMD-based system
by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 13 2008 @ 23:20 CEST
They call this cheap? $1700 is more than most people I know spend on their gaming rigs.