Bored and Waiting.

So, I traded my defunct 7700 laptop in for a 7500 desktop, and I'm now just waiting on it. I've refrained from posting a thread for my phase waiting, but there are no more tech support threads for me to answer and I'm sitting here at work all bored. So, here's my config for the hellizle of it.

Area-51® 7500

Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E6400 2.13GHz 2MB Cache 1066MHz FSB
Operating System (Office software not included): Genuine Windows® Vista Home Premium - With no Media Center Remote Control or TV Tuner
Chassis: Alienware® P2 Chassis - Space Black
Chassis Customization : Alienware® High-Performance Liquid Cooling
Motherboard: Alienware® Approved NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI Motherboard
Memory: 1GB DDR2 Performance SDRAM at 800MHz - 2 x 512MB
System Drive: Single Drive Configuration - 250GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s 7,200 RPM w/ 8MB Cache
Primary CD ROM/DVD ROM: 18X Dual Layer DVD±RW/CD-RW Burner w/ Nero Software
Graphics Processor: 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8600 GTS
Power Supply: Alienware® 700 Watt Multi-GPU Approved Power Supply
Sound Card: High-Definition 7.1 Performance Audio
---

I was going to giving explanations for why I went with this configuration, because I know the questions will be asked, but, I figure since I'm bored, I should wait for questions so that I have something to do. One question per person, so we can make this last.

Umm, as can be seen in my sig, I'm in Phase 2 right now, waiting on the reverse manufacturing of my lappy so that a credit can be posted to my account, so that explains my Phase 2 wait. I've been assured today that I should hit Phase 3 by tomorrow at the latest.

Now for me to ask a question. What has been your experience with the dual NICs? Anyone teaming, or are you using it for an internet passthrough?

Obligatory Phase Freaking Out Comment:
I CAN'T WAIT ANY LONGER!!! I'm freaking out! I have a job interview Monday and I would really like to be able to re-render a few of my models and animations, and my other rig would take a week!!!

Ooh, tacos!

Hmph, no questions. Fine I'll answer them anyway.

Lets see, the processor is the lowest because I can upgrade it for cheaper.
And that's the answer for all the others, except for the sound card, and that's because I have an Audigy 2 something arather that works just fine. I already have 7.1 speakers, so no need for those. I don't need a monitor because I have a beatiful NEC 21" Flatscreen CRT that does the job perfectly, and a 42" Samsung TV with DVI input that works wonderfully too.

I went with liquid cooling because I'll be OC'ing, and because I've never had liquid cooling before.
I didn't get AlienFX because I'm an electronics technician, and am fully capable of setting this feature up on my own. I can also program, so it shouldn't be a problem to create a small app for controlling the lights.

There will be some extra work involved if I want to get the lights to change color when the different temperatures rise and fall, but it should be a fun project to work on. I've got extra systems lying around to test on.

Oh, and I hit phase 3, yay.

Oh yes, I'll definately be upgrading the RAM immediately. I've already priced it out on Newegg, and depending on what comes in the machine from the factory, I'll determine the brand. They have Patriot on Newegg, but I'm a big fan of Corsair, as I've never once had a problem with that brand. I'll be maxing the RAM out, regardless of brand. The Vista-monster will not slow me down I say. I'll also be upgrading the video card, or just getting another for SLI, once the tax return comes in. Slow IRS jerk-monkeys.

5.1 to 7.1. There is a difference, and you can tell in games like Oblivion when a wild boar is coming at you at 2:15, while a bear is rushing you at 7:00. But, when you get into the chaos of battle, the brain just isn't capable of telling much difference. However, I have other uses for 7.1. I just bought a house, and my office is in the basement. The room my office is in is finished, and I'll be finishing the rest of the basement, and right next to my office will be a recording studio. I plan on mixing in 7.1. How many people will benefit from it? Not many, yet. But the DVD version of Nine Inch Nails "The Downward Spiral" is mixed in 7.1, and damn are the subtle little things in each channel surprising and ear filling. And creepy.

As far as headphones, there will be no difference, at least not for the headphones I have. I have the basics. I will say that, while it isn't real surround, the hardware, and a lot of modern software, do a bang up job emulating surround, even with a cheap set of phones. But I'm in the basement of my own detached house, so I'll be cranking up the speakers and leaving the phones to collect dust. PC noise won't be an issue.

All in all, having 7.1 is sort of a status symbol, if nothing else, and it completes the Alienware setup nicely. Necessary? Absolutely not.

I will definately be doing a review with pics, but the LED system will likely take a while. Not sure what I'll be powering it with yet, but when I do it, I'll probably make a tutorial and parts list, and will make the controller app available to whoever wants it. Give me three to six months for this stuff.

EDIT: Jigga! Phase 5 and movin' on up.

My wife's band, as well as the bands of other friends. Interestingly, I don't play a single instrument, yet. Working on guitar at the moment, but I need to build up the callouses on my fingers. The fingers on my left hand are completely numb right now, strange feeling. I rock on guitar hero though.

Oh yeah, once the wifey is making enough money for me to quit working (that is actually the plan) I'll likely begin doing exactly that. Good money, but I won't gouge.

And, does anyone know when Alienware cut its number of phases back? I could swear that my first order had 14 phases to wait through. Did they combine phases or something?

Oh, and apparently I lied about the NIN album being mixed in 7.1. It's only 5.1. SO, 7.1 is pure status symbol I guess.

EDIT: HOLY APESHITE, Phase 3 to 7 in less than eight hours, and there's still a few work hours in the day to go. Granted it is basic spec system aside from the cooling, but, still, seriously, that's not bad at all.

EDIT (One day later.): Well, back to Phase 6 I go. I guess they found some issues with the system in Phase 7. I'm hoping they just forgot to install a driver, and it isn't a hardware issue. Blarg.

Congrats on your Sentia, did it show up?

Yes, the waiting is the hardest part, and it's been a month since my last dance with Mary Jane, so it makes it all the more difficult.

But let's get to the point. I'm wondering why I'm still on phase 7!? They tend to change my phase in the early morning, so I wouldn't be surprised to see it jump to eight or nine sometime today, but, it's essentially been three days. Oi.

Heh, yeah, I plan to give a review, someday, when the system ships. I think they've encountered problems or something. They hit Phase seven, went back to Phase six, then back to seven again, and it's been there on seven since the second. Oh well, not having a PC likely aided in my getting stuff done around the house.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a decent horror game? It doesn't have to be new, last four years or so is sufficient.

Note: It has been confirmed that an issue arose with the unit during testing phases. I hope this is not a foreshadowing of things to come. It's a good thing that they have testing phases, I would have hated to send the machine back as soon as I had received it. I just don't seem to have any luck with Alienware.

Note 2: Finally Phase 8. Jeebus.

Shipped and to be delivered on Friday. Excellent.

Arrived. Full review and images forthcoming.

I'm at work, so for now, all I can say is that Alienware either treats their desktop customers better, or they've simply improved when it comes to the bonus stuff. My laptop came with a white, folding, paper manual, this thing came with a leather binder. The laptop came with a flimsy AW mousepad, this one is much nicer, sturdy and stylish. It really is the little things that make a big difference to me.

Will set up tonight, configure Windows, load up software and games and do some benchmarking. Review expected before next weekend.