Computers & Home Networking

[Justice_AA]

I saw a similar Aurora desktop on another retailers site.  That one had a single GTX260 with 1.8gb of RAM so it is likely that the BB one only has a single graphics card as well.  The good things was that it had a 850W power supply rather then the standard 550W which will not handle the new GPU's.

Best case scenario is dual GTX260 and a 850W power supply, I would also be okay with a single 260 and the larger power supply.

Worst case is a single 260 and a 550W power supply, then I will be an unhappy customer and return it for being misleading.

I will know for sure tomorrow.

--Nokia, go flame somewhere else you are not needed in this conversation, period.

[Drew-Intel]

given that BBY doesn't do much in terms of customization, it may have made more sense to go to alienware directly so you know EXACTLY what you spent money on.

also, if gaming is your focus, why not look for a system packed with one of the new HD5000 series cards from ati rather than gtx260 that's been around for a while?

[Nokia]

A 550W can run the GTX series just fine. I have one running a GTX275. Sorry, but we're all entitled to our opinions, especially if they are extremely valid. A gamer should be building his system, not ordering a prefab.

@Drew - Because ATI's drivers are not as stable.

[Drew-Intel]

ah, i haven't paid much attention to any driver developments since late this past summer when i built my current desktop w/ an HD4890. homebuilt, ftw.

[Justice_AA]

The answer to all of your question is the cost.  Buying a prefab computer that I can slowly update as new things come out is just cheaper in the long run, and BB has 18 month no interest.  I am still using a 5 year old gateway that I bought from BB that has a hyperthreaded 3.4ghz processor, 2MB RAM and I put a 8800GT and a soundblaster xfi in and it has done me well this long.

And I see that the GTX295 are the ones that require the 680W PSU and the rest work with the 550W so maybe that will be alright.  There is no way I am going to spend $700 on the the new foot-long ATI Card!

[Nokia]

Graphics card power requirements are always grossly overstated. I have a GTX275, but my system never pulls more than 350W.

[Justice_AA]

Here is the final answer.

The AA-2343CSB has one GTX260 w/ 1.8GB RAM and is a dual slot card.  BB customer service was clueless once again.

On the power cables there is also a sticker that says "For 525W supplies plug 16 and 17 are disabled." This would lead me to beleive that it one has a 525W supply, the case and the PSU are not marked.

If you know how to check the PSU through Windows let me know I will find out for sure.

This computer is still $100 cheaper from BB then direct from Alienware.  I think I am going to keep it because it is set to

[Drew-Intel]

there isn't any type of labeling on the PSU itself? that's odd ...

assuming you can't pull spec info off the PSU exterior, call up Alienware customer service with your model number and they should be able to tell you whatever you need.

[Nokia]

There's no way to view PSU specs through the OS.

[Kirkkarnage]

ok I have looked at what size the PSU is, but I can tell you guys that the CPU is liquid cooled, and there is alot of cooling the system, and the bios are unlocked for Overclocking.

I have not done any overclocking yet, but I will work on it next week, but I must say so far I love this computer.