First Look: Alienware High Definition Media Server

[hnzw_rui]

I think you could recreated this for about 1500 as long as you don't mind adapters to get different video outs.

For $1500, you probably won't get hot-swap... For this project, I'm guessing you can build one for $3000 upper bound. You don't get the nice form factor, though.

[dgood]

aren't all sata drives hot swap as long as they aren't the OS harddrive?

[Apoptosis]

from what I've been told yes...

[Apoptosis]

Ken cracked open the system... anyone want to guess what board is in it? It's the X38 chipset.

[dicecca112]

Asus

[Apoptosis]

Ken cracked open the system... anyone want to guess what board is in it? It's the X38 chipset.

Let's go board and model number to see if we have any good guessers out there.

[DMB2000uk]

Could you imagine if Alienware had of gone HDDVD when designing this?

Erm, I was going to say asus too. I take it is Asus then. and from the looks of it it's not a custom made one?

Dan

[dicecca112]

Maximus Extreme

[martini161]

dfi lanparty x38

[DMB2000uk]

Maximus Extreme

No freaking way matt, I was just looking at that exact board to suggest it

Dan

[dicecca112]

yup its that CMOS button

[Spiderv6]

Well, I am (was) seriously interested in this, so surfed the alienware site in detail and then started looking for a config and pricing sheet which isn't to be found - sold through dealers only. Fair enough.

The NJ dealer listed is actually a bulk chemicals company. Strange, must be some mistake, so I 'chat" with an Alienware rep thru the site who point blank refuses to talk about pricing (or the product in general) and says that all questions must be directed through the agent. A bulk chemical reseller, I ask, yes he says, you have to talk to them.

Still confused, I call Alienware, who don't answer the phone, so I'm still in the dark.

Frankly, if they seriously think I'm going to spend $7K on a piece of hi-end equipment that they are unable to discuss and is apparently sold through a local bulk checmical manufacturer, they are sadly mistaken......I wish them luck but predict a disastorous failure.

[Zertz]

Maximus Extreme

The backplate matches perfectly, except they removed the extra 2 USB ports and PS/2