Welcome to the club ...

The Intel P55 chipset motherboard in the Aurora-R2 only supports Dual-Channel DDR3 (see online or manuals). It's not really a bottle-neck on your system though, and a good match for your processor series.

Not sure which utility you are using, but see what CPU-Z says.

I'm starting the Stalker series at Clear Sky. I've heard good things about the series but I'm not sure I like it too much (might just need to give it more time). Seems like a lot of story reading (un-voiced) and not too much puzzle-solving or action. I'm really just looking for FPS games like Half-Life 2 Series, Far Cry 1 or 2, Crysis, etc. (FPS, puzzles, tactics, shooting).

Hi

Thank you.

K, dual channel is cool, was just under the impression it used triple. Love the performance. Even had eq2 with all settings maxed and it flew. But, the systems fans have not gone full blast while playing games....remains silent..is that normal? Before buying this Alienware I read lots of posts about these machines being super loud.

I'll look into CPU-Z, and see what it says.

Stalker will just slowly start to creep on you so to speak. It's truly amazing. I bought the bundle on Steam but started with Call of Pripyat. If u have COP then I'd play that for a lil bit, maybe it will be better?

I love FPS games. Half Life 2 rocks. Also love MMO and rpgs etc.

1 other thing. I cannot understand the hate that some people have towards Alienware. I mean, they are actually quite awesome systems.  I know that I love mine.

1 thing I do not look forward to is if anything goes wrong, offshore support? I've heard lots of horror stories.

Is it possible to purchase extended warranty after buying an Alienware?

Well, thanks and hope you get into Stalker.

But, the systems fans have not gone full blast while playing games....remains silent..is that normal?

I guess it depends on how you have your system fans and video card fans programmed. I've never heard mine ramp up all the way during use or play either.

Well, thanks and hope you get into Stalker.

"Stalker - Clear Sky" is getting better now that I gave it a chance.

I guess a lot of the text and reading at the beginning is to build up the story and let us know what is happening. I don't mind the dialog. I didn't originally care for the fact that some of the dialog is un-voiced (seems a little un-finished) but as I play I see most of that dialog is not important or new.

The missions are pretty good and I get the impression that the game isn't as linear as it likely truely is. So, it helps to get a few completed missions under your belt before judging the game too heavily.

The Inventory is a major addition to a game like this. Reminds me of Hidden and Dangerous 2 (which I really liked as well).

@ Nutty Micce ...

Stalker - Clear Sky was good. I am playing Stalker - Call of Pripyat now.

Have you found any more FPS games like Half-Life 2 (and it's additional Episodes) or even like Crysis or Far Cry 2? So, a FPS shooter but with puzzles and an adventure element.