A year ago I would just have just bought the top-of -the-line Alienware Area 51. However, Dell has annoyed me to the point where I think I should look elsewhere.

I've been checking out some reviews and specs for other high-end gaming rigs, and the one that caught my eye was the Velocity Micro Raptor Z55.

Anyone else ever heard of this machine? It looks good on paper, for sure, but what do I know?

I will be reading this thread with interest. We bought a Velocity Micro computer back in the 2000s and were quite happy with it; however, that was a long time ago and I have no idea what they are like now.

Like Marian, I'm not sure how they rate now, but this has been a solid desktop.

I don't like the specs of the Z55 for gaming though. I would take a look at the Z95 for much better specs for gaming. The Z95 at least has the base Intel Ultra 5 processor... although I would certainly want to get at least an Ultra 7 processor. It has an Nvidia 5060 GPU, but I would personally prefer something better than that. I put a 5060Ti in my new build and I really like it. The Ti means it is an upgrade to the generic 5060. You can certainly go higher if you want to spend the money. I like the base motherboard in the Z95 too. The Gigabyte Aorus Z890 is a really good board.

Computer components are outrageously expensive right now in the US due to tariffs and other factors. You might not have to deal with it in Canada. I paid $2500 for my new computer and it's far from top of the line. I do feel like the Velocity Micro Raptor is a solid choice though. Be aware that both of the ones that I looked at are the full ATX form factor cases which are quite large.

Couldn't agree more with ditching Dell.

Okay. I will look at specs more closely since the Velocity seems like a solid choice. I would want a 5090 and all the other bells and whistles. Hopefully there's a human somewhere in the mix who can steer me in the right direction. I built my office specifically with the idea pf adding a desktop down the line so I have room under the desk and a keyboard shelf.

That's definitely the direction I would go. And if you can spring for the Intel Ultra 9 processor, go for it.

The Signature Edition looks good. It's big, but I have lots of room on top of my desk as it's ten feet long. I might enquire further.

I will follow along with interest/lust about that Signature Edition!

Yes, it does look rather good. I'd love to get something solid enough to last for a few years after this laptop debacle.

Wow. So many configuration choices on the Velocity PCs. Every single build item has choices. I don't even really know where to start with it.

The Signature Edition is, of course, very expensive with all the upgrades I put on the build, especially when translated into Canadian dollars, but it might be worth it if it lasted for years. The z95 is just over half the price, even with upgrades, and it also looks good.

The problem is that I don't know enough about it to judge the different specs. Of course, I could just click on the top-tier item for each, but then I'd have to sell my house.

I'm not sure why that Signature Edition only comes with an AMD processor and is well over $5,000 in USD. It does have some very good components, but only a 1 TB solid state drive... not sure about you, but I do keep a lot of large games downloaded and the 1 TB SSD on my Windows 10 computer was getting it too close to full! On my new one I got a 4th generation Samsung Pro with 2 TB.

I went back to the Z95 and did some upgrades to the base $4800 with an Intel Ultra 9 processor, a 5060 Ti video card, a 2 TB Samsung SSD and it came up to a little over $4800. Of course, all in USD.

To be honest, I don't think you can go wrong with any build here. It's just going to be a matter of how painful the cost will be!

I got a quote from their sales manager for the "ultimate gaming machine." It's got the Ultra 9 processor and the RTX 5090 card.

The quote also includes a 4 TB hard drive.

That RTX 5090 card is half of the total price!

Looks like a great machine. The cost is outrageous, when converted to Canadian and with the import fees! I think I'm buying it.

LOL! Hit that "add to cart!" As I said, components are just outrageous in general right now. RAM is also off the charts. That will include at least 32 GB of RAM and a minimum of a 1,000 watt power supply. And, oh YES, on that Ultra 9 processor!

It's got 2X 32 GB Ram and 1300 watts power supply.

I took the plunge.

Now I have to buy a 4K monitor and a keyboard.

Just want you to know that I am having a lot of vicarious fun and excitement reading this thread.

This is a major purchase but from everything I've read about this company the computer should be great. I bought a 27 inch 4K Asus monitor and a fairly good keyboard. I am space-limited on the monitor because of the built-in cabinets above the desk but honestly 27 inches will be more than enough.

Now I have to live on gruel for the next year.

Don't worry, Oliver Twist. It will all work out. And from what you have told us about John, I think he would be telling you to go for it.

Yes, John would have told me to go for it. He was the one who suggested that I buy the first Alienware instead of messing around with lesser laptops, all those years ago. Mind you, that was partly because he couldn't resist buying the latest and greatest professional Canon photography gear every time a new camera body came out. I still have it all. There's a LOT of it. Unfortunately it's old technology now, even the lenses.



EDIT: And I see that the nice fellow I was dealing with knocked a few hundred dollars off the final tally.

Wow !!

That all sounds totally fabulous, hagatha !! 🤗🤗🤗

Also, it wasn't the Signature Edition that I got. The recommended "dream machine" is actually the z 95 with all the bells and whistles.

It'll be odd playing on a large screen again. I am so totally accustomed to my Steam Deck now. I played Fallout 76 and Avowed and Elex and No Man's Sky and now Witcher 3 on it. Darned good little machine, that one is.