(Part 2) Top products from r/AlienwareAlpha

Any game that has partial or full controller support on steam will work with a controller. Sometimes games that work with a controller don't always list it, so on steam go to the discussion forum for the game and search "controller". Someone usually asked already and got a reply that confirms if controller works or not.

Partial support generally means you may need a mouse to navigate menus, but once in the game, the controller should be all you need. Full means you should be able to launch the game and do everything with the controller and not need a mouse or keyboard for anything.

If you need a keyboard and mouse device to navigate the little bit of menus or use the windows desktop, I would suggest something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Keyboard-G-Senor-Gyro-Sensor-Android/dp/B00C85BAOA

Pretty cheap, wireless, and gives you a nice full keyboard with an air mouse all in the size of a tv remote. I haven't used that model specifically, but I have this similar version(not in stock on amazon) and it is the best thing ever for a computer hooked up to a tv: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DQ4OE1I

Some people love these, some complain saying they don't like them. I personally don't see how anyone can't like this. It is a cheap way to have a mouse and keyboard on a computer where you barely use mouse and keyboard. The complainers probably try to use this mouse/keyboard for gaming or something or as the main way they interact with their computer, which this isn't really best for. It is best for tiny bit of keyboard and mouse usage you would get on a media center type computer where you have a media center remote or in this case a controller for your main navigation.

The remote works as a mouse by tilting it in your hand and pressing the two buttons for right and left click in the middle. The very center button locks the mouse in one spot so the mouse stays hidden when you don't want it to show up and doesn't register movement while you are playing a game.

Thanks man, I've been slowly upgrading as I find deals. I did a decent amount of looking for a laptop cooler, and I ended up with this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003ZUXXWO/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It is incredibly sturdy, made of metal "heavy mesh" has a nice "lift" off the ground and the fan moves more air than I would expect from a laptop cooler. It just feels like a quality product, and there is are buttons to turn the fan and LEDs off independently. The things I don't like are no usb passthrough (I just have it plugged into a hub, so that doesn't bother me) and the fan pulls air down, not push it up which id imagine would allow for better cooling. You might be able to do better, but this looks nice, it's $25ish, good quality, good looks, and I think it's going to last for quite a while. I'd buy it again in a second.

Since you asked for recommendation for a good backlit keyboard with the budget <$100, I can strongly recommend Cherry MX Brown / Gateron Brown Mechanical Keyboards as they are both good for gaming and daily use. Here are couple of good, proven mechanical keyboards:

• Corsair STRAFE ($90) - Link
  
• Corsair Gaming K70 LUX ($80) - Link
  
• CM Storm QuickFire Rapid ($85) - Link
  
  Or, you can go with some cheaper keyboards with Gateron Brown (Here is one that's only $40, but the rather unconventional layout might confuse you).
  
  /r/MechanicalKeyboards is a great resource on this subject, and I really suggest that you check them out.

Glad i could share, while your here i could use some help. Do you think this stick would work with my alpha? it looks right I just wanted to double check. Im excited to upgrade from 8 Gb to 16 https://www.amazon.com/Certified-SNP47J5JC-A8650534-260-Pin-Memory/dp/B07J199N7D

I have afterburner running as well and my highest temperatures during gaming are from 70 - 72 degrees Celsius. I also have a coolermaster laptop cooling pad underneath it for peace of mind - link if you're interested


Edit: You should be fine! (Don't forget regular maintenance - cpu fan cleaning and dust clearing)

For the whole adapter you just need the voltage to be the same, the amps to be the same or higher, and the same plug tip. You can find universal adapters that have different tips and voltage support, but probably easiest just to get a Dell compatible 130w adapter, like so: http://www.amazon.com/Dell-Charger-Replacement-Adapter-Precision/dp/B004T3LMR4

http://www.amazon.com/Replacement-Adapter-Notebook-Models-Compatible/dp/B0064PQOSC

I purchased the Pluggable USB 3.0 model and it's worked like a charm. I didn't feel like trying some of the cheaper adapters out there and went with the one with the most positive reviews.

What thermal paste would you recommend? I've seen a lot that claim to be the best but I don't know which to use. This is the processor incase that matters (http://www.amazon.com/Intel-i5-4570S-Quad-Core-Processor-BX80646I54570S/dp/B00CO8T9VW/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1448576215&sr=1-2&keywords=i5+4590s)

Some good options are the Samsung 850 EVO, SanDisk SSD, or the Kingston Digital. If you're looking for space and you don't mind the loss in speed you can also go with this Seagate SSHD. You can also use the stock hard drive and use an external hard drive enclosure for some extra space.

For sure upgrade the ram to 8GB, I did that immediately. I bought a ram stick along with my Alpha and they both shipped together.
This is the one I got, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008CP5R8K.

Also upgrade the HDD. I didn't know how important that was until a year later (now), when i started playing more demanding games. Loading times are slow with the standard 5200 RPM drive it includes.
But if you had to choose between the two, I would say upgrade the ram first. 4GB is not going to cut it for a lot of games.

On a side note, you might also want to consider getting a USB hub if you're going to be plugging in a lot of things.

I use this a pair of Logitech G430s: https://smile.amazon.com/LOGITECH-G430-DTS-Headphone-981-000536/dp/B00CQ35C1Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1497833223&sr=1-1&keywords=g430

Comes with the adapter you're trying to buy, and you can plug in other headphones as well.
I also sometimes port the sound through my monitor's speakers.

isnt this the one that comes with it? i want the exact same chip if i upgrade. https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-PC3-12800-1600MHz-204-Pin-M471B5273DH0-CK0/dp/B009AEYBYI/ref=sr_1_3?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1480235093&sr=1-3&keywords=samsung+4gb+ddr3l

This isn't exactly what you're looking for. But I didn't want to spend a lot of money on speakers, so I bought an optical converter:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005DIRI6I/ref=pd_aw_sim_23_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=31cRxVo0LcL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL130_SR130%2C130_&refRID=9VZEDSQ079HQSV56SX0R

And I plugged in a pair of cheap speakers via the converter's headphone jack. It works well enough for times when I don't feel like wearing headphones.

Try these. I'm about to upgrade to dual monitors.

USB to VGA adapter

powered USB hub

Maeline 3.5mm Female to 2 Male Gold Plated Headphone Mic Audio Y Splitter Flat Cable https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PYZ2BT4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_oTuMybHXE13KT

This will split a headset with mic into the two plugs.

Or Logitech g230 will plug right in.

Logitech G230 Stereo Gaming Headset with Mic https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BFOEY4I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_CVuMybWN2A1RF

You'll need something that has the 3 required 3.5 jacks for 5.1 audio. The alpha doesn't have those built in, so you'll have to get a USB adapter. Like this.

I currently have a Logitech K400, but I don't much care for having a surface without a spot for a mouse. I've used a spare wooden board from some cheap shelves to suffice. What are your thoughts? Useful for your set-up? Or just another Razer flop?