Area 51 by Alienware ready gaming computer one of the first ones I remember drooling over as a kid. It’s been over 25 years since it first came on the scene and after a short hiatus, Dell has revived the brand in the form of desktops and laptops.
As before, Dell confirms that its Alienware Area-51 desktop is the best the company has to offer. Indeed, I was glad to see mention of much easier DIY upgrades, improved airflow despite the lack of a rear exhaust fan, and the latest hardware.
Dell’s pre-assembled PCs are notoriously difficult to upgrade compared to a system you build yourself; Standard features are often sacrificed for style, and I generally recommend Alienware desktops to those who don’t plan on making any upgrades in the future. Dell is hoping to change that with the new Area-51, but some of the design options are still confusing.
Alienware’s Area-51 now uses more standard parts, but some design choices leave me confused.
Dell says that “upgradeability is an integral part of the Area-51 customer experience,” and I find that to be largely true. The massive 80L suitcase has quick-release side panels for easy access, and the spacious interior has plenty of room for your hands and the tools they hold.
Alienware Area-51 Specifications
Motherboard: Standard ATX, Alienware brand, 14-phase power, one x16 PCIe 5, one x4 PCIe 4, one x4 PCIe 4
CPU: Up to Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
RAM: 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, dual channel, 2x UDIMM
Storage: Up to two 4TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs; One 2TB M.2 PCIe 5.0 SSD
Graphics: Next-Generation NVIDIA RTX Desktop GPUs
BP: Platinum up to 1500 W
Front ports: 3.5mm audio-in, 2 x USB-A 3.2 (Gen 1), 2 x USB-C 3.2 (2nd Gen)
Rear ports: 2.5GbE, 5 USB-A 2.0, 2 USB-C 3.2 (Gen 2), USB-A 3.2 (Gen 1), 2 Thunderbolt 4, SPDIF
Dimensions: 24.04(L) x 22.4(H) x 9.12(D) inches
Volume: 80.5 l
Color: Moonlight Silver, Moonlight
Instead of using proprietary components that are not easy (or impossible) to replace in future upgrades, Dell has switched to industry standard components in a number of notable areas. It’s unclear exactly what brand of RAM, storage, fan, power supply, etc. is used, leading me to assume it will be Dell’s own OEM hardware, but Dell promises there won’t be any surprises when it comes time to upgrade.
It has even gone so far as to include QR codes inside the case that point to videos with update instructions and cleaning tips. What I always appreciate are the removable dust filters; Area 51 has three, which is a clear boon for pet owners.
After years of custom Alienware motherboard shapes, the Area-51 is leaning towards the standard ATX shape. It’s an Alienware-branded board, and there’s not a lot of information on how to use it, but I do know that it has a 14-phase power design, one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot (along with two PCIe 4.0 x4 slots) and… two slots RAM?
At this point I started scratching my head, wondering if I had somehow made a mistake. But no: this flagship, best of the best gaming PC has a motherboard with two UDIMM slots. Entry models start with a 2x8GB setup and can be expanded to 2x32GB at the factory. Many users are only going to use two slots anyway, but not being able to use four at this level of PC specs is baffling.
Dell says you can replace the motherboard with something else, but you’ll need to purchase the AlienFX mounting kit separately to do so. I’m not sure why you can’t just pop in another ATX board like you would in a custom build.
In more exciting news, the Area-51 desktop will be available with Next-generation NVIDIA RTX 5000 GPUs and also Intel Core Ultra Series 2 desktop chips. The processor is liquid cooled using a 240mm or 360mm AiO radiator, and the system is powered by a Platinum power supply up to 1500W.
Looking at the product images, it is obvious that the PC is missing a rear exhaust outlet. Dell says it has eliminated rotating blades thanks to a new positive pressure design that allows hot air to naturally flow out the back of the PC. Dell claims this feature provides 25% more airflow compared to older models, which in turn reduces system noise by 45%. This will be a very interesting aspect to test ourselves when we get our hands on a computer.
The Area-51 desktop is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2025; The starting configuration is expected to cost $4,499. Cheaper models will be available after launch, but Dell has yet to confirm exact pricing.
Dell Expands and Updates Its Gaming Hardware at CES 2025
The Area-51 desktop is getting a lot of attention, but it’s worth noting that new laptops with the same name are on the way. Alienware is showing off the 16- and 18-inch Area-51 laptops, which are expected to launch in the first quarter of 2025. Prices will start at around $1,999 and go up to around $3,199 for the high-end model.
Both models feature a curved aluminum design reminiscent of Dell’s past gaming laptops, with a completely redesigned thermal architecture to keep monster-powered hardware cool. Dell says the total power between the CPU and GPU can be up to 280W, which is no other gaming laptop on the market.
There’s a clear glass window at the bottom of the laptop to show off the internal components, the fans have RGB lighting, the touchpad is backlit, and AlienFX lighting is visible on the rear thermal shelf, which also houses most of the ports. The laptops feature next-generation NVIDIA mobile GPUs and an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX mobile processor.
| Characteristics | Alienware Area-51 16 inches | Alienware Area-51 18 inches |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Up to Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX | Up to Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GPUs for Next-Gen Laptops | NVIDIA GPUs for Next-Gen Laptops |
| Memory | Up to 64 GB DDR5-6400 | Up to 64 GB DDR5-6400 |
| Storage | Up to 3 x 4 TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs, one 2 TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD | Up to 3 x 4 TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs, one 2 TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD |
| Display | 16 inches, QHD+, 240 Hz, 3 ms, 100% DCI-P3, 500 nits, G-Sync | 18 inches, QHD+, 300 Hz, 3 ms, 100% DCI-P3, 500 nits, G-Sync |
| Ports | 2 Thunderbolt 5, HDMI 2.1, 3 USB-A 3.2 (Gen 1), SD card reader, 3.5mm audio jack | 2 Thunderbolt 5, HDMI 2.1, 2.5GbE, 3 USB-A 3.2 (Gen 1), SD card reader, 3.5mm audio jack |
| Battery | 96Wh | 96Wh |
| Wireless communication | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 |
If you’re wondering what display to pair with your Area-51 desktop, Dell has also announced the Alienware 27 4K QD-OLED gaming monitor. It joins the existing suite of top-rated QD-OLED gaming screens, this time with what Dell calls “the world’s highest pixels per inch of any OLED or QD-OLED monitor.” For those counting, 4K resolution at 27 inches is 166 pixels per inch.
Perhaps more surprising is the speed of the monitor. Despite the 4K resolution, the screen has a stunning 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time, making it suitable for competitive gaming.
Additionally, it offers compatibility with G-Sync, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, and Dolby Vision certification with the ability to quickly switch between full sRGB or DCI-P3 color modes depending on the task (or game) at hand.
Dell expects the Alienware 27 4K QD-OLED to hit the market in March 2025, starting at $899.99.