As a researcher looking back at my past fascinations, I must admit that Alienware’s Area-51 pre-built gaming PC was one of the tech marvels that left me speechless as a youngster. Over two and a half decades have passed since it made its grand entrance into the market, only to take a brief pause. However, Dell has now brought this iconic brand back to life, offering both desktop and laptop versions for tech enthusiasts like myself.
As a researcher, I am thrilled to confirm that Dell continues to stand behind its Alienware Area-51 desktop as the pinnacle of their offerings. The announcement of more straightforward DIY upgrades, enhanced airflow even without a rear exhaust fan, and top-tier performance hardware has only heightened my anticipation.
Custom-built computers generally offer more flexibility for upgrades compared to pre-built Dell PCs like Alienware desktops, as they often prioritize aesthetics over standard components. However, Dell aims to address this issue with its new Area-51 model; yet, certain design aspects still leave room for confusion.
Alienware’s Area-51 now uses more standard parts, but some design choices leave me baffled
Dell emphasizes that “upgradeability forms a significant aspect of the Area-51 user experience,” and it’s evident that this is largely accurate. The spacious 80L case features quick-release side panels, making access effortless, and its generous interior offers plenty of space for your hands and the tools they require.
Instead of relying on exclusive parts that may prove difficult or impossible to replace during future upgrades, Dell opted for standard industry components across several key areas. I can’t tell whether they are using a specific brand for RAM, storage, fans, power supplies, and so on – it seems like they might be their own OEM products – but Dell assures us that there won’t be any unexpected complications when the time comes for upgrades.
The innovation goes beyond limits by embedding QR codes within the bodywork, directing users to instructional videos on upgrades and maintenance, including cleaning techniques. A feature I consistently value is the inclusion of detachable dust filters; in the Area-51 model, there are three such filters, making it particularly convenient for pet owners.
Over the course of many years, I’ve been accustomed to designing unique shapes for Alienware motherboards. However, it appears that the Area-51 is shifting towards a conventional ATX form factor. Although information about this Alienware-branded board is scarce, I can confirm that it boasts a 14-phase power system, sports one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, accompanied by two PCIe 4.0 x4 slots, and surprisingly, seemingly just two RAM slots.
At this stage, I found myself puzzling over whether there might have been an error, but it turns out that this high-end gaming PC, touted as the cream of the crop, comes equipped with a motherboard featuring just two UDIMM slots. Entry-level configurations come with a 2x8GB setup, and it’s possible to upgrade to 2x32GB directly from the manufacturer. However, given that many users will likely only use two slots, not providing an option for four at this level of PC specifications seems perplexing.
Dell notes that changing the motherboard requires purchasing a separate AlienFX mounting kit. However, it seems that simply replacing the motherboard with another standard ATX board, as you might do in a custom build, is not an option.
Moving onto more positive topics now, the Area-51 desktop will soon support NVIDIA’s upcoming RTX 5000 GPUs, along with Intel’s Core Ultra Series 2 desktop processors. The CPU will be cooled by either a 240mm or 360mm all-in-one (AIO) liquid cooling system, and it can handle power supplies of up to 1,500W Platinum rating.
By examining the product pictures, it’s clear that the computer does not have an exhaust port at the rear. Dell claims they were able to remove the spinning blades due to a novel positive pressure design that causes hot air to naturally exit from the back of the computer. This feature is said to allow for 25% increased airflow compared to previous models, which results in a decrease in system noise by 45%. This will certainly be an intriguing point to evaluate when we finally get our hands on the computer.
In Q1 of 2025, we anticipate the release of the Area-51 desktop, priced at approximately $4,499. After its launch, Dell hasn’t specified the exact prices for the more affordable models they plan to offer later on.
Dell expands and updates more of its gaming hardware at CES 2025
While the Area-51 desktop is stealing much attention, it’s important to mention that upcoming Area-51 branded laptops are also in development. Alienware will unveil 16-inch and 18-inch Area-51 laptops, slated for release in Q1 2025. The price range will begin around $1,999, with a premium model reaching approximately $3,199.
The designs of these models echo Dell’s past gaming laptops with a rounded aluminum finish, while featuring an entirely revamped cooling system for optimal heat management. Dell claims that it can deliver up to 280W of combined power between CPU and GPU, making it unmatched in the gaming laptop market.
At the base of this laptop, there’s a transparent glass panel displaying its internal components. The fans sport RGB illumination, and the touchpad glows too. You’ll notice AlienFX lighting along the back thermal vent, which also accommodates most of the ports. These laptops are equipped with NVIDIA’s newest mobile GPUs and can handle Intel’s Core Ultra 9 275HX mobile processors.
If you’re pondering the ideal display to complement your Area-51 desktop, Dell unveiled the Alienware 27 4K QD-OLED gaming monitor as an option. This monitor is added to their existing lineup of highly-rated QD-OLED gaming screens. Notably, Dell claims it boasts “the world’s highest pixels per inch in any OLED or QD-OLED monitor.” Translating that to numbers, a 4K resolution at 27 inches equates to 166 pixels per inch.
It might be even more astonishing that this monitor offers such a high speed, considering its 4K resolution. What makes it perfect for competitive gaming is its rapid 240Hz refresh rate and swift 0.03ms response time.
As a gaming enthusiast, I can’t help but be thrilled by its versatile features. It supports G-Sync compatibility for smooth, tear-free gaming experiences and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro for a seamless visual journey. Plus, it boasts Dolby Vision certification, ensuring vibrant, lifelike images. And the cherry on top? It can swiftly switch between full sRGB or DCI-P3 color modes, tailoring the display to suit my specific tasks and games. What a fantastic addition to my setup!
Dell expects the Alienware 27 4K QD-OLED to enter the market in March 2025 starting at $899.99.
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2025-01-07 07:09