Co-worker selling his pre-built Alienware PC

[Cameratoss]

I have a rig, that I still use today that has lasted me since 2010, custom built. Plays PR 1.3 nicely, though I keep AA off. Nvidia 460 SE, 4GB RAM, AMD Phenom II x4 3.60 GHz. No OC, too scared to try hahaha. Paid close to 1,100USD at that time.

Now my buddy at work is offering his PC for 350 USD, said the price is just for me. Also mentioned how it doesn't play Borderlands 2 well for a strange reason, but everything else is fine. If I'm interested, I can go see how it runs at his place. I think he's also putting his Steam account with it and I don't know if I'll be allowed to add mine on the same computer without getting banned.

Alienware Alpha
Intel Core i3 4130T @ 2.9ghz
2 x 4GB DDR3 1600 @ CAS 11
180GB Intel Cherryville SSD (OS)
500GB Seagate HDD (Steam and Origin)
Alienware Custom Modified Nvidia GTX 860m w/ 2GB DDR5 @ 1155mhz core 3106mhz DDR4 memory (stable)

What do you guys think about this pre-built PC? I don't know much about building, I had to get help from others to get my current PC built and I love it, but it's start to show its age. Also would love to play Skyrim on 60FPS with a massive amount of mods. Current I can only play at 30FPS with my 200+mods setup ;_; and at lower resolutions. Thank you guys and I hope this is the correct place to post. I don't know any other community better than PR

[ComradeHX]

Well it's better than consoles.

I wouldn't get it because it's not upgradable; but if you absolutely must have a low-budget gaming pc that isn't going to be upgraded, this is fine.

[Cameratoss]

Thanks for the reply ComradeHX. Doing some more digging, I originally thought these were one of those under the radar pre-built PC, but I guess it was Alienware's console killer as they're still on sale today.

I may pass, I don't know about have dual core i3 instead of a quad core. I was watching ReviewTechUSA's review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqgBoUl77xU and he said it's upgradeable, though as I said above, I don't know much about upgrading, maybe I could add in my quad-core processor, not sure. I have the AMD Phenom II x4 3.60 GHz and maybe if I add it in, nothing will burn up.

[ComradeHX]

Thanks for the reply ComradeHX. Doing some more digging, I originally thought these were one of those under the radar pre-built PC, but I guess it was Alienware's console killer as they're still on sale today.

I may pass, I don't know about have dual core i3 instead of a quad core. I was watching ReviewTechUSA's review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqgBoUl77xU and he said it's upgradeable, though as I said above, I don't know much about upgrading, maybe I could add in my quad-core processor, not sure. I have the AMD Phenom II x4 3.60 GHz and maybe if I add it in, nothing will burn up.

No.

You can't put AMD cpu in Intel cpu's socket.

It's not worth upgrading either. You only have choice from Intel's desktop cpus(and probably only S and T variants); and more powerful cpu may simply thermally throttle due to the lack of cooling in that tiny form factor.

It's not upgradable in gpu, which is the thing that really needs upgrading for future games, not cpu.

For the vast majority of games(including PR, unless you are playing on fallujah), that i3 won't bottleneck Gtx 750ti(which is basically 860m).

It's not a bad pc if you are willing to sacrifice upgradeability.

I have run borderlands on much worse setup before, he probably forgot to force discrete gpu(instead of igpu on the i3).

[PLODDITHANLEY]

Its an all in one or something isn't it? What games do play now and will you play in the future? What do you have right now?

The CPU is probably upgradable as its an 1150 LGA socket, but check mobo details FIRST, maybe needs a different BIOS/PSU for a quad. I have a portable so I would say the GPU would be upgradable but in terms of price and availability it'd be cheaper to get a 'normal' mobo and a full size card.

My advise would be if you need the portability of this thing get it if not upgrade yours. I just bought a second hand i5 2500k plus mobo for $150, this chip easily goes to 4.4 with a normal cooler.

[Cameratoss]

Thanks. I didn't know about discrete GPU, would that be something I can do on my current system? I assume it's on by default. A good idea if it helps improve performance on mine

I've been thinking about upgrading mine, I just don't know where to start. I read a guide for upgrading on PCGamer and I still find it very complex. I guess what I need is a list of what changes I'll need and make sure everything is compatible.

About games, I'll play PR, modded Skyrim, and a bunch of old classics. I haven't touched anything next-gen yet. Lack of interest. I expected better from next generation games, oh well. I don't know if it's some gaming syndrome, but I also get burned out more than I used to. I know I'll find something to play, just not so much dependent on newer titles. I still feel the need to stay ahead to make sure I'll get to play the next big title that'll consume my time.

Currently playing System Shock 2 with mods, lol nothing special in terms of visuals. I hope you guys understand. I will play a next gen title, trust me, just waiting for it to come, and PR 2 definitely. I would of paid for it.

[Steeps]

Start here:

[PLODDITHANLEY]

Have you heard about squad?
If not Google it and come back about computer specs!

[ComradeHX]

Thanks. I didn't know about discrete GPU, would that be something I can do on my current system? I assume it's on by default. A good idea if it helps improve performance on mine

I've been thinking about upgrading mine, I just don't know where to start. I read a guide for upgrading on PCGamer and I still find it very complex. I guess what I need is a list of what changes I'll need and make sure everything is compatible.

About games, I'll play PR, modded Skyrim, and a bunch of old classics. I haven't touched anything next-gen yet. Lack of interest. I expected better from next generation games, oh well. I don't know if it's some gaming syndrome, but I also get burned out more than I used to. I know I'll find something to play, just not so much dependent on newer titles. I still feel the need to stay ahead to make sure I'll get to play the next big title that'll consume my time.

Currently playing System Shock 2 with mods, lol nothing special in terms of visuals. I hope you guys understand. I will play a next gen title, trust me, just waiting for it to come, and PR 2 definitely. I would of paid for it.

There is no "next gen" for games, on PC anyway.

Recently, console peasantry has dragged down PC gaming too much, resulting in mediocre games everywhere. Very few good games came out in last 5 years.

Mod Skyrim in a different way, make sure children are killable...and get some mods, unavailable on nexus, from loverslab forum.

[Cossack]

Its an all in one or something isn't it? What games do play now and will you play in the future? What do you have right now?

The CPU is probably upgradable as its an 1150 LGA socket, but check mobo details FIRST, maybe needs a different BIOS/PSU for a quad. I have a portable so I would say the GPU would be upgradable but in terms of price and availability it'd be cheaper to get a 'normal' mobo and a full size card.

My advise would be if you need the portability of this thing get it if not upgrade yours. I just bought a second hand i5 2500k plus mobo for $150, this chip easily goes to 4.4 with a normal cooler.

Its all-in-one. Probably all components are soldered.

[PLODDITHANLEY]

Intel say its LGA not BGA.

Hell in my old laptop I can upgrade CPU, RAM and GPU (not by much another MMX II).

But either way best he builds his own unless he needs portability THAT we all agree on!

[ComradeHX]

Its all-in-one. Probably all components are soldered.

Alienware Alpha can upgrade CPU...etc.

Only GPU is soldered on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaARnTp6ds0

[Cameratoss]

Thanks for the tips all. I do like that it's portable. I just thought about taking it with me to play with friends and I can even use AA to play online at home with my current PC, using the same internet. Play Skyrim LAN Online when it's out :O total conversion Enderal Online, holy shhh...

I was watching another video from ReviewTechUSA. He was able to upgrade to Quad-Core without any issues. The intel core i7 4790s. If I heard correctly, he said that it didn't improve gaming by much.

About Next-Gen, I meant it as the mainstream term. I know it's not real Next-Gen. Real Next-Gen is a life-changing experience.

On upgrading my PC. I'll watch the video, but I may pass on upgrading. Still, thanks, as it'll be a good learning experience and maybe I could get comfortable with building a new PC.

Lastly, he is selling his Steam account, but separately. I kinda thought so, he's got about 200 games on it. I don't know the Steam rules on owning a second account. Wouldn't hurt to ask if he'll throw in his account with the AA for 350USD hehehe >)

[PLODDITHANLEY]

I play LAN with my kid with a portable and home fixed PC its fun, great when we go away for a few days to hotels but a dead duck for long term gaming. Mine was pretty good in 2008 now a $50 CPU and $50 graphics card beat it. So I keep it going as long as possible and buy a tower for home.

Just keep it clean every 6 months with heavy use, and I use this to help and I removed a bottom cover when its sat at home even though mine is very well cooled out of the box.

[Cameratoss]

Thanks, I'm interested in it, just gonna see about getting my hands on it first and try it out as my expectations aren't for high visuals, just as long as I can see everything and run games on 60 fps. PR 1.3 can go to 60 fos, right? I was watching Youtube let's play with the 1080p60fps feature, looks even better than in my game.