Reddit reviews Crucial 4GB Single DDR3/DDR3L 1600 MT/s (PC3-12800) Unbuffered SODIMM 204-Pin Memory - CT51264BF160BJ,Multicolor

Sure, the Alpha should be able to handle those, it's roughly the same performance as a PS4 for the R1 or R2 AMD, and about double the performance for the R2 Nvidia model. I'd highly suggest just getting an Alpha R1 (previous generation) though instead of the R2 with AMD graphics. Gaming performance of the R1 is just about the same as the R2 AMD, so save some bucks and get the old one. If the CPU model number is 4xxx it's an R1, 6xxx is R2.

IMHO prob the best deal right now is this open box from Gamestop: http://www.gamestop.com/pc/consoles/alienware-steam-machine-i3-500gb-open-box/130496

Note that is the Steam Machine version (Steam OS instead of Windows, Steam controller instead of kb/m). $225 for the system, but you'll need to get a copy of Windows ($20-$30 on sites like kinguin if you are ok with grey market), and I highly suggest $25 for another 4 GB of RAM (super easy to install): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009RBN6I6/

That gets you the same performance as the $550 config for $275.

Also check the Dell Outlet daily if you are not in a rush. They have one i5 R2 Nvidia model for $629 right now, only $80 more for a step up on the CPU and GPU, and it has a SSD + HDD. Stock and prices vary there.

Edit: OK looks like they may no longer offer the R2 AMD version. Thought that is what you meant by the $550 version (didn't look at your link, silly me). The $550 version at that link is an R1, and at that price a ripoff. I'd say pick between the gamestop R1 or the outlet R2.

Ram is fairly easy to swap out so is the hard drive. Just requires a lot of screwing.


You can see how to replace the ram here
https://youtu.be/TANTrDdtZY4


Any DDR3l laptop ram would work, like this one -
Crucial 4GB Single 1600MHz (PC3-12800) CL11 204-Pin SODIMM DDR3L-SDRAM Memory (CT51264BF160BJ) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009RBN6I6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_0JwAybTKCDBBG


And hard-drive here -
https://youtu.be/Dr8S2S4XdMM

This is the sshd I recently bought -
Seagate 1TB Firecuda Gaming SATA 6GB/s 64MB Cache 2.5-Inch Internal Hard Drive (ST1000LX015) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LWRTRZU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_YHwAybN8BQPXJ


And regarding windows 10, you can clone that using Alien respawn. Which you need a USB drive, it's shown in the video above.

It also comes with a 9 cell battery, although the seller told me it last around 2-2.5 hours from his experience.

Thinking about throwing this in
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009RBN6I6/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

But I don't know what RAM it is using (Speeds) so it might not be good to mismatch.

Actually get 2 of these instead http://www.amazon.ca/Crucial-PC3-12800-204-Pin-Notebook-CT51264BF160BJ/dp/B009RBN6I6/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1426187269&sr=1-3&keywords=204+pin+ddr3

Thanks for explaining it in a easy way for me! The 1080p screen is very tempting...do you happen to know what the difference is between these 2 types of ram??

https://www.amazon.ca/Crucial-DDR3-1600-PC3-12800-204-Pin-CT51264BF160BJ/dp/B009RBN6I6/ref=pd_sim_147_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=AXP69ZQDPWRTBEV4ZD8N

https://www.amazon.ca/Crucial-PC3-12800-204-Pin-Notebook-CT51264BF160B/dp/B005LDLV6S/ref=pd_sim_147_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=AXP69ZQDPWRTBEV4ZD8N

would this one work for me? https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-Single-PC3-12800-Unbuffered-204-Pin/dp/B009RBN6I6/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1519082105&sr=8-6&keywords=ddr3l+ram+chromebox