Flaming pissed off. Attn Future Vista Buyers.
Hi, I'm Vex, and I got assraped by Alienware.
Vista 32-bit has the same RAM bottleneck that XP pro had.
I purchased my alienware system, completely vista compatible ( or so i thought ), I spent a fuckload* on the shiny new 8800 GTS video card with DirectX 10 compatibility, I bought 4 gigs of ram. I bought Vista Ultimate.
I was never given the option to get 64-bit. But they allowed me to purchase 4 gigs of ram, while I was completely ignorant of the fact that it was a WASTE OF MONEY. And how did i find out i wasted money? I had to have my bank-breaking 70lb machine sitting in front of me, so I could open up the properties on 'My Computer'. Its using 2.8gig of ram.
2.8 gig
versus
4 gig
So, lets remember folks, when you're putting your house up for collateral so you can run the Age of Conan and it look all pretty, be sure you don't buy 4 gigs of ram unless you have 64-bit version of vista.
* = $4100 and some change
Laschae
18 years ago
That really sucks Vex I know you were so excited about getting that computer. :-(
Verileah
18 years ago
Ouch. What's the return policy like?
Vex
18 years ago
i dont know. I wrote an email and asked what sort of compensation i can expect.
I'm seriously feeling nauseous.
64-bit Vista can use over 128GB of ram. but it requires 64-bit processor, and 64-bit program support.
alienware's website now says "2gb - recommended for vista!", didn't say that before, AND it lists no reason why it suggests 2gb over 4gb.
Absolutely shoddy business practice.
they KNOW the average consumer ( despite knowing a decent chunk about hardware and software - I am the average consumer ) doesn't know that 4 gigs of ram is worthless in a 32bit system, yet they still fucking let you throw $600 away on it.
they are so fucking lucky those cocksuckers live in miami.
I'm seriously feeling nauseous.
64-bit Vista can use over 128GB of ram. but it requires 64-bit processor, and 64-bit program support.
alienware's website now says "2gb - recommended for vista!", didn't say that before, AND it lists no reason why it suggests 2gb over 4gb.
Absolutely shoddy business practice.
they KNOW the average consumer ( despite knowing a decent chunk about hardware and software - I am the average consumer ) doesn't know that 4 gigs of ram is worthless in a 32bit system, yet they still fucking let you throw $600 away on it.
they are so fucking lucky those cocksuckers live in miami.
SnowDragon
18 years ago
Ahhh Vex I am so sorry to hear that. That is why I am so glad that my husband and most of our friends are computer geeks and know all about that. It's not like I can't fix my pc or put it together since I had to build it from scratch (hubby made me do it). But to be able to ask someone who knows and won't tell you otherwise just because they get more money. And you know just because you wrote that letter Alienware probably put that on the web and now are going to say it was there all the time you should have read it just to cover their asses and not have to give you any kind of refund. Sorry I ramble to much!!!
Vex
18 years ago
well i took screenshots of their current product page ( which also has no indication that 4gigs of ram is useless )
If all else fails, i'll just call the credit card company.
If all else fails, i'll just call the credit card company.
Verity
18 years ago
Oy.. thanks for this info! Sorry that you got bamboozled by them. Hubby's about to buy a new computer, so this info will come in very handy. He's such a dork, he just *loves* vista, uses it at work. But I'm sure he'll be a bit surprised, when it's not so hot on a gaming puter :teehee
I have absolutely no intention of using vista till they remove the DRM crap...
I have absolutely no intention of using vista till they remove the DRM crap...
Vex
18 years ago
my setup plays EQ2 on damn near max quality settings just fine.
i just bought 4 gigs of ram because i could , and mainly for poser-work. its a joy to know its a waste for that ;(
i just bought 4 gigs of ram because i could , and mainly for poser-work. its a joy to know its a waste for that ;(
Verileah
18 years ago
Yeah see if you can send it back an' swap out the extra ram for the 8800 GTX :D
Vex
18 years ago
hehe i have an 8800 GTS i know its not an X but its damn near close, if i send it back for a swap i'd probably demand SLI or something.
Vex
18 years ago
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!
bah, i wish i could burn the fucker down with my eyeballs.
Thank you for contacting Alienware’s Electronic Support Department.
Our RAM memory recommendation for the Area-51 7500 is the 2GB [2 x 1024MB] choice. However, as the system is able to theoretically recognize up to 3.5 GB (check the KDB article below), the offer for a 4GM choice stands.
Title: If my computer has 4 GB of RAM why does Windows show a lesser amount?
URL: http://4help.alienware.com/cgi-bin/alienware.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=1289&p_created=1087006479
You may want to know that Alienware computers that have a 64-bit processor should be able to run any 64-bit based applications including Windows 64-bit Edition.
Nevertheless, unlike Windows XP and the 32-bit version of Vista, which can work with the majority of drivers written for the 32 version of Windows XP, the 64-bit version of Vista requires 64-bit drivers for all the components inside the system as well as for all devices connected such as cameras, scanners, printers, etc.
Drivers for the 64-bit version of Vista are being released at the discretion of hardware and device manufacturers. As there are not many 64-bit drivers out there currently, we have chosen not to offer the 64-bit Vista Edition yet on most our systems.
Have a great weekend!
Best regards,
Jose Urena
Technical Support, ESD
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!
bah, i wish i could burn the fucker down with my eyeballs.
Vex
18 years ago
some great informative (not for the unnerdy) links
http://www.dailycupoftech.com/2007/03/11/mia-ram-in-32-bit-vista/
http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/000811.html
in layman's terms,
32bit vista system can and does use 4 gigs of ram,
If you have a 320mb video card, that will eat up 320mb of your ram.
if you have a 1gb video card, it will eat up 1gb of your ram.
addon the AGEA PhysX processors, thats some more ram being used.
yes these video cards have their own memory banks, but your PC must match its ram amount.
to quote this blog though :
its sound advice, and it'll save you money :(
http://www.dailycupoftech.com/2007/03/11/mia-ram-in-32-bit-vista/
http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/000811.html
in layman's terms,
32bit vista system can and does use 4 gigs of ram,
BUT
by the time you get from the startup whirring noise -> post screen > windows loading > to your desktop, that ram is steadily being allocated to things like your video card, bios, and other peripherals.If you have a 320mb video card, that will eat up 320mb of your ram.
if you have a 1gb video card, it will eat up 1gb of your ram.
addon the AGEA PhysX processors, thats some more ram being used.
yes these video cards have their own memory banks, but your PC must match its ram amount.
to quote this blog though :
Here's one parting bit of advice: if, like me, you're planning to stick with a 32-bit operating system for the next few years, don't waste your money on 4 GB of RAM. You won't be able to use it all. Buy 3 GB instead. Every motherboard I'm aware of will happily accept 2 x 1 GB and 2 x 512 MB DIMMs.
its sound advice, and it'll save you money :(
Rikr
18 years ago
Sorry to hear this Vex. I was looking into an Alienware, but I started reading all kinds of horror stories about their "shoddy" business practices. For the kind of money their machines cost, one would think that they wouldn't lead you in an unnecessary direction. High ticket items like this should have good support behind it. Good luck getting them to take care of your complaints. From what I've heard, and read in their reply to you, they don't give two shits about its customers.
Sergon
18 years ago
Dell bought Alienware from what I remember. That would be source of your problems :).
Dell is crap
S
Dell is crap
S
FyreGarnett
18 years ago
ouch.
i was looking forward to upgrading my RAM one of these days - apparantly I'm going to have to do even more research than I thought. I have enough probs with Vista as it is - I still have hardware that it refuses to recognize.
and my dad bitched me out for my last computer not being a dell!!! he loves them, swears by them. pass.
i was looking forward to upgrading my RAM one of these days - apparantly I'm going to have to do even more research than I thought. I have enough probs with Vista as it is - I still have hardware that it refuses to recognize.
and my dad bitched me out for my last computer not being a dell!!! he loves them, swears by them. pass.
SnowDragon
18 years ago
Ok Vex my husband said there is a way to make your pc use all 4 gigs of ram. He will have to remember and get with the other person to remember how they did it. As soon as he remembers I will let you know.