Best products from r/AlienwareAlpha

Any game that has partial or full controller support on steam will work with a controller. Sometimes games that work with a controller don't always list it, so on steam go to the discussion forum for the game and search "controller". Someone usually asked already and got a reply that confirms if controller works or not.

Partial support generally means you may need a mouse to navigate menus, but once in the game, the controller should be all you need. Full means you should be able to launch the game and do everything with the controller and not need a mouse or keyboard for anything.

If you need a keyboard and mouse device to navigate the little bit of menus or use the windows desktop, I would suggest something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Keyboard-G-Senor-Gyro-Sensor-Android/dp/B00C85BAOA

Pretty cheap, wireless, and gives you a nice full keyboard with an air mouse all in the size of a tv remote. I haven't used that model specifically, but I have this similar version(not in stock on amazon) and it is the best thing ever for a computer hooked up to a tv: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DQ4OE1I

Some people love these, some complain saying they don't like them. I personally don't see how anyone can't like this. It is a cheap way to have a mouse and keyboard on a computer where you barely use mouse and keyboard. The complainers probably try to use this mouse/keyboard for gaming or something or as the main way they interact with their computer, which this isn't really best for. It is best for tiny bit of keyboard and mouse usage you would get on a media center type computer where you have a media center remote or in this case a controller for your main navigation.

The remote works as a mouse by tilting it in your hand and pressing the two buttons for right and left click in the middle. The very center button locks the mouse in one spot so the mouse stays hidden when you don't want it to show up and doesn't register movement while you are playing a game.

Currently, a new Aurora R6 via Dell.com w/ $50 promo has the lowest spec version new for $749.99:
7th Generation Intel® Core™ i5-7400 Processor
Windows 10 Home 64-bit English
8GB DDR4 at 2400MHz; up to 64GB
AMD Radeon™ RX 460 with 2GB GDDR5

Yes you're overpaying compared to DIY, but I get it. I think everyone should buy Alienware at least once. The Aurora is easy, no tool access, and you can change out the GPU inevitably, where as you cannot w/ the Alpha.

If set on Alpha, I saw a Alpha R1 for approximately $300, new, shipped / purchased via Amazon, but sold by Dell. The 960 is a poor GPU these days (As is the AMD 460 mentioned above) so the R1 would be the better value for hundreds less, and not too far off performance. It's essentially a PS4.

EDIT: Take that back, it's a Steam machine: https://www.amazon.com/Alienware-Machine-Console-NVIDIA-GeForce/dp/B016IH067A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492625307&sr=8-1&keywords=alienware+steam+machine but it's the same thing without windows 10, which you should get a free copy via your School (*I did). Add 4GB DDR3, SSD, and Best value right there. Give me rep people

Sure, the Alpha should be able to handle those, it's roughly the same performance as a PS4 for the R1 or R2 AMD, and about double the performance for the R2 Nvidia model. I'd highly suggest just getting an Alpha R1 (previous generation) though instead of the R2 with AMD graphics. Gaming performance of the R1 is just about the same as the R2 AMD, so save some bucks and get the old one. If the CPU model number is 4xxx it's an R1, 6xxx is R2.

IMHO prob the best deal right now is this open box from Gamestop: http://www.gamestop.com/pc/consoles/alienware-steam-machine-i3-500gb-open-box/130496

Note that is the Steam Machine version (Steam OS instead of Windows, Steam controller instead of kb/m). $225 for the system, but you'll need to get a copy of Windows ($20-$30 on sites like kinguin if you are ok with grey market), and I highly suggest $25 for another 4 GB of RAM (super easy to install): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009RBN6I6/

That gets you the same performance as the $550 config for $275.

Also check the Dell Outlet daily if you are not in a rush. They have one i5 R2 Nvidia model for $629 right now, only $80 more for a step up on the CPU and GPU, and it has a SSD + HDD. Stock and prices vary there.

Edit: OK looks like they may no longer offer the R2 AMD version. Thought that is what you meant by the $550 version (didn't look at your link, silly me). The $550 version at that link is an R1, and at that price a ripoff. I'd say pick between the gamestop R1 or the outlet R2.

Thanks man, I've been slowly upgrading as I find deals. I did a decent amount of looking for a laptop cooler, and I ended up with this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003ZUXXWO/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It is incredibly sturdy, made of metal "heavy mesh" has a nice "lift" off the ground and the fan moves more air than I would expect from a laptop cooler. It just feels like a quality product, and there is are buttons to turn the fan and LEDs off independently. The things I don't like are no usb passthrough (I just have it plugged into a hub, so that doesn't bother me) and the fan pulls air down, not push it up which id imagine would allow for better cooling. You might be able to do better, but this looks nice, it's $25ish, good quality, good looks, and I think it's going to last for quite a while. I'd buy it again in a second.

One of the best things about the monitor outside of its speakers and refresh rate is that there is 2 HDMI ports as well. If you ever need help with hooking up an external capture card to the Alpha or something let me know. And if you want to use a PC headset that has the mic and audio jacks separate you can use This although fiber optic utilizing headsets (Astros are great my opinion), sound the best.

As far as controllers go I think most people would be better off buying one of these three adapters:

http://www.amazon.com/Super-Smash-GameCube-Adapter-Wii-U/dp/B00L3LQ1FI

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SA5IJIM/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=1944687542&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00L3LQ1FI&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1DX7SZQ4P8M8EKATZTM7

http://www.amazon.com/Mayflash-GameCube-Controller-Adapter-nintendo-u/dp/B00RSXRLUE/ref=pd_bxgy_vg_text_y

and real Nintendo branded Gamecube controllers like these:

http://www.amazon.com/Super-Edition-GameCube-Controller-Wii-U/dp/B00L3LQ4B4/ref=pd_bxgy_vg_img_y
or
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0017KIBAI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The reason I recommend this is because the latest development builds of Dolphin have native controller support built in. This means you can just setup the adapter to work with Dolphin and then plug in your Gamecube controllers and you're ready to go with no additional setup. The controllers auto calibrate just like on a real console and you can even unplug controllers and plug them back in during gameplay and everything will still work. It's works really awesome.

Glad i could share, while your here i could use some help. Do you think this stick would work with my alpha? it looks right I just wanted to double check. Im excited to upgrade from 8 Gb to 16 https://www.amazon.com/Certified-SNP47J5JC-A8650534-260-Pin-Memory/dp/B07J199N7D

I have afterburner running as well and my highest temperatures during gaming are from 70 - 72 degrees Celsius. I also have a coolermaster laptop cooling pad underneath it for peace of mind - link if you're interested


Edit: You should be fine! (Don't forget regular maintenance - cpu fan cleaning and dust clearing)

I have 12gb in mine, amazon bud. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006YG8X9Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Played gta 5 overclocked and completely maxed out and it handled it while hanging around 50fps which is honestly good enough for me for only paying 224. The graphics card is extemely overclockable too

FYI your post was removed because you didnt remove the ref part of the amazon url.

This is an acceptable version of your link https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015YPB6HQ

Feel free to resubmit if you still need answers

I purchased the Pluggable USB 3.0 model and it's worked like a charm. I didn't feel like trying some of the cheaper adapters out there and went with the one with the most positive reviews.

Only for have the max RAM.
This RAM Crucial: https://www.amazon.it/Crucial-CT16G4SFD8213-Memoria-PC4-17000-260-Pin/dp/B015YPB6HQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467898481&sr=8-1&keywords=16GB+DDR4+notebook

and this Hyper X: https://www.amazon.it/HX424S14IB-16-Memoria-Notebook-260-pin/dp/B01BNJL8K2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1467898481&sr=8-2&keywords=16GB+DDR4+notebook

are the same? Work perfectly with Alpha 2? Next week i receive Alpha 2 with 8GB ram. I Europe dell store we don't have the 16 GB options.

good point, thanks for your input! Do you run an external soundcard?

*edit

I was thinking of buying something like this, since the alpha doesn't have an aux headphone or mic input. No problems here, right?

You need to find out if its the R1 or R2 you have!

If it's the R2, then it only has 1 x SODIMM slot, so you cant add another 4GB, you will have to buy a 8 or 16GB stick to replace your 4GB one completely.
Its DDR4 also.

I put this in my R2:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01BNJL8K2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

But you can go for the cheaper 2133MHz version as that's the max speed the Alpha uses. My 2400MHz works but only runs at 2400MHz.

Hope this helps

I threw this one in. Works great. http://www.amazon.com/Kingston-Technology-1600MHz-PC3-12800-KVR16LS11/dp/B00CQ35GYE

I go through crucial a decent amount, they may not always have the best prices but their stuff is guaranteed compatible. I actually went through Amazon for the RAM for my alpha: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B006YG8X9Y/ref=sxts1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482850371&sr=1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65

You don't give your specs, but it sounds like you need to up your memory from 4GB to 8GB. For $30 at Amazon. Also, an SSD is a wonder on load times.

Ram is fairly easy to swap out so is the hard drive. Just requires a lot of screwing.


You can see how to replace the ram here
https://youtu.be/TANTrDdtZY4


Any DDR3l laptop ram would work, like this one -
Crucial 4GB Single 1600MHz (PC3-12800) CL11 204-Pin SODIMM DDR3L-SDRAM Memory (CT51264BF160BJ) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009RBN6I6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_0JwAybTKCDBBG


And hard-drive here -
https://youtu.be/Dr8S2S4XdMM

This is the sshd I recently bought -
Seagate 1TB Firecuda Gaming SATA 6GB/s 64MB Cache 2.5-Inch Internal Hard Drive (ST1000LX015) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LWRTRZU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_YHwAybN8BQPXJ


And regarding windows 10, you can clone that using Alien respawn. Which you need a USB drive, it's shown in the video above.

This is what I got for my R1 to upgrade it to 8gb total. The 1.35v is important.

Kingston Technology 4GB 1600MHz DDR3L PC3-12800 1.35V Non-ECC CL11 SODIMM Intel Laptop Memory KVR16LS11/4 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CQ35GYE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_0dbpzbKHQECVG

My Alpha came with 1 stick of 4GB RAM. I bought an additional RAM module, link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CQ35GYE?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00


The thing is the RAM I bought is working fine when plugged into slot 1.
I contacted the Dell Tech center in my country, and they said since they don't offer this model in my country, they do not have any training or spare parts to repair it for me. Sending to Dell USA means shipping it halfway across the world.

You need a usb mic splitter, I have this one Sabrent USB External Stereo Sound Adapter for Windows and Mac. Plug and Play No Drivers Needed. (AU-MMSA) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IRVQ0F8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_FpvkDbQVRART1

what about this one https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015YPB6HQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

I use this myself.
https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-External-Adapter-Windows-AU-MMSA/dp/B00IRVQ0F8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487289864&sr=8-1&keywords=external+sound+card

So this?

https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-Single-PC4-17000-SODIMM-260-Pin/dp/B015YPB6HQ

You need DDR3L memory.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CQ35GYE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I bought the Kinston, shown above. As long is its the same kind of RAM and the same Specs it shouldn't really matter. Although if there is a problem the PC will probably show some kind of error or crash.