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nevertaken
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January 28th, 2011 16:00
RAM Pricing Question
So I'm waiting for the Aurora R3 I ordered last week (estimated date Feb 4), but I had a question about the RAM pricing. I went with 16 GB at 1333 MHz. On the Canadian site (where I am), to upgrade that to 16 gigs at 1600 MHz costs $1,180. I checked the US site, and although there are more RAM options there, the incremental price step from 16gigs @ 1333 to 16 gigs @ 1600 is $750.
Is it just me, or is that an insane price to ask for this upgrade? A quick look around the web indicates that I could buy 16 gigs at 1600 for $200 to $300.
Anyway, I'm not complaining. I think I got decent enough value for the options I picked (yes, I know I could have built it myself for cheaper, but on the time vs. money calculation for this one, time won), but that one jumped out at me as being kind of silly. Am I missing something?
Anyway, if anyone's curious, here's what I'm waiting for:
i7-2600K @ 3.9GHz
16GB DDR3 @ 1333
AMD HD 6950 (2GB version, just the single card though)
2X 500GB SATA II in RAID 0
BD Burning and DVD RW
Sound Blaster X-Fi
875W PSU
Nope, you're both correct. Dell's upgrade prices are astronomical. To put it in perspective, I just finished building a computer myself, with the new i5 2500K processor, mobo, 12 GB G.Skill RAM, GTX 570, and a much cleaner case than the Aurora for $1300.
Either buy only the base model and upgrade it yourself, or build the whole thing from the ground up.
canderella
11 Posts
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Posted January 29th, 2011 23:00
I looked at other well known computer builders - upgrading memory from 1333MHz to 1600MHz is about $300, not the more than $1000 charged by Dell.
I was online with a Dell rep earlier today - he was unable to explain the exorbitant upgrade charges.
The rep said he would get back to me - he hasn't yet.
I don't think he will.
Jesse Brown
42 Posts
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Posted January 30th, 2011 20:00
For those of you who know what I mean by this... the "new Alienware" (because of who started the company) charges only $455 to upgrade from 6GB ddr 1333 to 24GB 1600MHz...
Think about it...
It is a shame.. Dell needs to really take a look around the world and realize that most people who would buy Alienware's have the internet.. and can do a little research prior to buying them...
Look at the M11x... they charge what $600 to uprgade to a 356GB SSD which you can easily find for 500 by itself not including the very cheap 160GB stock hard drive... or the $350 to upgrade from 2 to 8GB of DDR3 800MHz ram... they charge $50 to upgrade from 2 to 4GB but yet $350 to go from 2 to 8... makes a lot of sense right? hah..
canderella
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Posted January 30th, 2011 22:00
Yes, I also looked at the "new Alienware". Their prices are reasonable, including those for upgrades.
If I lived in the US, I probably would have already purchased from them.
I live in Canada - which brings up some issues; one related to warranty coverage (for example, consumers outside the US are responsible for 2-way shipping charges).
But maybe this is a small price to pay...so I don't know yet what to do.
Maybe I'll get a base Area-51, and then upgrade it myself; but on the other hand, it makes me angry that a large company like Dell would charge over a $1000 for an upgrade part than can be purchased separately online for $200-300.
Jesse Brown
42 Posts
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Posted January 31st, 2011 19:00
they must just be making all their money on RAM lol!
idk I have had three and still have two Alienware computers, I would just get the semi-base model, you know upgrade some stuff, unless you feel comfortable upgrading all of it, and just upgrade the RAM and such later.
While you would expect some mark up on items the price they want for RAM is insane. The price they are asking is what the stuff would have gone for 2 years ago..maybe one year ago but sure not what it costs today. I would NOT pay that I don't care what they told me.
Buy the base and upgrade it and just keep the old stuff incase you need to return it or something.
canderella
11 Posts
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Posted January 29th, 2011 02:00
I have the exact same concerns.
Upgrade prices are indeed insane - I question if these prices are more than that - a swindle?
Outrageous prices are also listed for upgrades to processors, video cards, hard-drives ....
Why would upgrading an i7 930 quad core processor to an i7 980x processor cost a $1000?
Online stores charge a $1000 for the i7 980x processor; without any trade-in for an i7 930 processor. So why does Dell charge the full price of the processor for the upgrade?
Online stores charge a $500 for the GTX 580 video card; but Dell charges $400 for upgrading the Radeon HD 6950 to the GTX 580.
The Radeon HD 6950 itself costs about $230, so upgrading to the GTX 580 should only cost about $270.
Upgrading from a 1TB Sata-II hard-drive to a 2TB Sata-II hard-drive costs $275. But a new WD Caviar Black 2TB costs $199.99. So again, why does the upgrade cost than the full price (actually more than the full price) of the drive?
Memory prices are the most outrageous:
- upgrading 12 gb triple channel1333mhz to 12 gb triple channel 1600mhz is $1350.
- one can buy corsair vengeance 12 gb triple channel 1600mhz memory for $189.99, or corsair XMS3 12 gb triple channel 1600mhz memory for $199.99.
So why the 800% markup for an "upgrade"???
I understand that Dell wants to make a profit - but those upgrade prices border on a scam.
I am interested in the Area-51; and I was looking at the XPS 9100, as well as the Aurora. The price for base models are fair - but for the prices of upgrades, you can buy 2 or more NEW computers!
I apologise if my analysis is wrong, of my concerns actually unfounded.