Need advice - What are your opinions

I am opening up my own gaming business within the next few months. Basically, I will be renting a 1,000 square foot store front and I would like to set up 20 or more computers. I will charge a small fee per hour per computer and have a nice selection of games to choose from. My question is, to you fellow gamers, which company should I invest with.

I spoke to Dell today regarding their Dimension XPS systems. This is the configuration they propose:

Intel Pentium 3.2GHz w/800 FSB and HT
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
1GB Dual Channel DDR SDRAM at 400MHz
120GB SATA Hard Drive
Floppy Drive
16X DVD-ROM Drive
19in Monitor (not sure which one yet)
ATI Radeon 9800Pro 128MB
Intel PRO 1000
3 Year Warranty - The Works

The system enclosure is really cool and easily accessible. The following link should give you a better idea XPS Product Views

Now for the other company. I also spoke to Alienware today regarding the Aurora and this is what they propose:

AMD Athlon 64 3200+
1GB Corsair XMS DDR SDRAM PC-3200 - 2 x 512MB
ATI RADEON 9800 XT 256MB
120GB Seagate Barracuda 7200 Hard Drive
16x DVD-ROM
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 - 6.1
Integrated 3com Gigabit Ethernet Adapter
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
NEC 19" MultiSync FE991SB Flat CRT
Plantronics DSP-500 USB Digital Headset w/MIC
Battlefield 1942: Deluxe Edition
Call Of Duty
Unreal Tournament 2003
Free Alienware T-Shirt - White (Yay! lol)

Dell priced out the systems to $2,376 per computer. Now of course since I will be ordering 20 or more computers, they will offer a discount. The sales consultant told me that a senior sales consultant would be returning my call within the hour with a price per system.

Alienware priced out the Aurora systems to approximately $3,200 per computer. Again, they will be calling me within the hour with a price per computer with the discount.

Now before you completely dismiss Dell and say "pick Alienware," you have to keep in mind that these computers are for a business. I prefer Alienware too but there is no way I will be spending $3,200 per computer. For $3,200 the price better include dry cleaning, car washes, and a blow job. You also have to keep in mind that I do not want the hassle of fixing each and everyone of these computers. Dell offers excellent support with next day onsite. If one of the processors were to take a crap, Dell would be there the next day to replace it. The same applies with Alienware but I have heard that their customer support is below average.

Please let me know what you think and share any suggestions you may have. I would also like for you to suggest some games. I do not want most of the games to be first person shooters so feel free to name some games. Thank you all for your support.

Note: If I omitted any details about the business or the systems, please feel free to ask.

Whatever you do I think you should get the best processor, i know it'll cost a boatload more, but go with AMD no matter what, BUT DO THE AMD ATHLON FX-51.. its the best... but what do i know..

overall i'd go with the Alienware, because of all the extra stuff, and I hate dell. and i hate Intel, and i hate.. well.. get the point.. i hyper.. so

Curious: Are you opening one of those lan party places?

As far as the comps.. I can imagine that the Alienwares will have a certain WOW factor with gamers, and that factor is kind of hard to figure into things.

But, I have worked with Dell support and their hardware, and I can tell you from experience that they are top notch. I recently rolled out 35 Dell systems with XP pro and there was not a single hardware related issue in the bunch, and 1 month later we have had 0 hardware issues.

As far as their on-site support operation goes, when I worked in GE's operations center, Dell had an employee that had a desk in our facility and was on call 24x7 for us. I'm sure you are not going to get that kind of service, but it does give you an indication what their attitude toward customer service is.

I really don't agree that AMD is the one to go with here. AMD is great if you are going to o/c them and do that kind of thing, but the 64bit cpu isn't going to give you any big advantage right now. Intel is the numero uno guys in the business world because they have almost zero problems.

Personally, I don't see what the extra $900 is getting you that you can't get cheaper elsewhere. The only possible reason for the Alienware system is that extra "wow" factor. But is that worth almost $20k?

the spec's are "quite"the same, and since you can play everything well on bove pc's i'd pick Dell

ABS builds some great systems and are reported by PC World to have the best customer service in the industry. The prices seem very reasonable and I'm willing to bet that they'd work out some sort of deal with you if you were to buy a bulk of they're systems. Almoszt by bedfinition you'll be overpriced by Alienware, Dell does build some very solid systems but I know thye're custopmer support can't hold a candle to that of ABS. Personally I'd recommend checking these guys out before you make any decisions. Good luck with the new buissiness venture, we had two open up in town within the last year and both are absolutely swamped with teenagers every Friday and Saturday night.

ABS-PC

Moveing to Hardware section

If I were to ask Alienware to build me 20 or 25 computers with the FX-51, the prices would still be outrageous. And as hell-slayer said, both company offerings are fast enough to play games so why spend the extra money on Alienware.

I could have Dell build 15 systems and have Alienware build 5 systems. This is a possibility. You also have to keep in mind that the Alienware systems look cool and they alone would attract more customers.

Originally posted by Orion@Feb 3 2004, 01:13 AM
If I were to ask Alienware to build me 20 or 25 computers with the FX-51, the prices would still be outrageous. And as hell-slayer said, both company offerings are fast enough to play games so why spend the extra money on Alienware.

I could have Dell build 15 systems and have Alienware build 5 systems. This is a possibility. You also have to keep in mind that the Alienware systems look cool and they alone would attract more customers.

Get somebody to do some real nice case mods for your systems in the front of the store

Well I know shit about your investors and money... maybe mafia has to clean some money so the most you pay the better.

Anyway in a similar situation, I would get some guy to setup all the pcs himself, buying quality but cheap (also as in quantity) components and there you'll have an huge saving, then you could get same guy to work inside and fix any eventual problem that may arise (I assume you'll need someone to assist clients there); Even if you want mod-cases, still do-it-on-your-own is the best way as it is going to have a 200% or so saving.

Again, all depends on your needs, Dell would ship everything fast probably... but do you really want to pay that much more (not even considering Alienware)?

I could build the systems myself and save a lot of money. Actually, not really because Dell gave me a quote for 25 computers and if I were to build 25 computers myself, it would come out to be the same. Don't forget, Dell gave me a bulk discount. They will give anyone a bulk discount when ordering so many computers.

If I did build the systems myself, I will run into problems. Unless I am lucky and all of the components shipped from newegg or wherever arrive in working condition. But what are the chances. I ordered an Asus A7V333 a year ago and it would not boot with any RAM modules. I had to call Asus so they could RMA it for me. I do not want to deal with those types of situations. Time is money. The faster I have these systems up and running, the better off I will be. I have to pay rent for the location so the longer I am delayed, the more money out of pocket. Dell will ship the systems to my work place and set them up for me. They will even help me network all of the systems and build a server for my type of business.

I would also like your suggestions on my hours of operation. I came up with different configurations so let me know which you like best.

Monday through Thursday 12 noon to 12 midnight. Friday and Saturday 12 noon to 2AM.
Monday through Thursday 11AM to 11PM. Friday and Saturday 12 noon to 2AM.
Monday through Thursday 9AM to 11PM. Friday 9AM to 12PM and Saturday 12PM to 2AM.

There possibilities are endless. Let me know what you think.

Note: think about school the next day and parents too.