Alienware Was So Shut: $4,650 Space-51 Pre-Constructed Gaming PC Assessment
They’ve QR codes in every single place to element how customers can service elements, which has been our primary Alienware criticism for a few decade now. They’ve switched to utilizing fewer proprietary parts, which means extra person serviceability. That’s an enormous enchancment.
However Alienware nonetheless had negatives, like the shortcoming to manually management the followers. The most important unfavorable is the worth: We paid $4,650 for this, which on the time of buy, was $1,500 costlier than DIY on the time we put the pricing desk collectively. And that’s with “$400 off” the “estimated worth,” a quantity that Alienware claims is predicated on aggressive knowledge however is clearly, as a substitute, based mostly on one thing we name, uh, “bullsh*t.”
The excellent news is that, in some way, that is nonetheless extra worth aggressive than Origin’s high-end pre-built PCs. Underneath regular circumstances, on worth alone, we’d say this prebuilt is eradicated from consideration; nonetheless, Origin places Alienware into a brand new perspective the place, in some way, even a $1,500 greater worth than DIY elements appears to be like doable.
The thermals and development are probably the most attention-grabbing for this one. Let’s get into it.
Alienware Space-51 Value Comparability vs. DIY
Alienware Space-51 AAT2250 Pre-built | Half and Value Breakdown | GamersNexus
| Half Title | DIY Equal Half | DIY Half Value | |
| CPU | Intel Extremely 9 285K | Intel Extremely 9 285K | $589 |
| CPU Cooler | 360mm Liquid Cooler | Arctic Liquid Freezer III Professional 360 | $85 |
| Motherboard | Alienware Z890 ATX with WIFI7 | Gigabyte Z890 EAGLE WIFI7 | $225 |
| Reminiscence | 64GB DDR5-6400 (2x32GB) | 64GB DDR5-6400 (2x32GB) | $230 |
| Storage | 4TB NVMe M.2 PCIe 4 SSD | Teamgroup T-FORCE G50 4TB PCIe 4 SSD | $200 |
| GPU | NVIDIA RTX 5080 16GB | NVIDIA RTX 5080 16GB | $1,380 |
| Case | Alienware Space 51 Case | Lian Li Lancool 216 RGB | $103 |
| Energy Provide | 1500W Platinum ATX12VO | be quiet! Straight Energy 12 1500W Platinum | $235 |
| Followers | 2x180mm entrance and 2x140mm backside | 2x Arctic P14 PWM PST A-RGB | $44 |
| Pre-built Value: $4650 | DIY Whole: $3091 | ||
| Pre-built Premium Over DIY: $1559 |
We’ll begin with a worth comparability. Costs for DIY elements had been taken on the finish of Could and had been as shut a match as we might discover to Alienware’s choice. We didn’t attempt to fine-tune.
The brand new Space-51 is available in 13 completely different configurations, up from simply 3 once we ordered, all with Intel Core Extremely CPUs and NVIDIA RTX 50 Sequence GPUs.
Our configuration has a 285K, an RTX 5080 (learn our evaluate), 64GB of DDR5-6400, and a 4TB SSD.
Together with that may be a 360mm liquid cooler and a 1500W 80 Plus Platinum rated ATX12VO PSU.
Worth dialogue is a complete non-starter. The DIY complete involves $3,091 on the time of writing, making it $1,559 inexpensive than the Alienware’s ridiculous $4,650 price ticket. Expressed one other means, the Space-51 is 50% costlier than DIY elements value; there are cheaper pre-builts on the market. For those who’re against DIY (and we don’t have an issue with individuals shopping for pre-builts). We predict the Space-51’s case might be costlier to provide than the manufacturing value of our Lian Li Lancool 216 RGB substitution, however that’s clearly not sufficient to essentially sway the mathematics. It’s additionally not related to an finish person.
Overview and Advertising
The most important updates to the Space-51 are the development, thermal options, and half selections. Alienware really had emailed us to ask if we needed to take a look at one, as the corporate felt assured in its modifications. We rejected the supply and acquired one independently, as at all times for pre-built opinions, as we needed the complete buyer expertise.
Alienware went with a historically laid out massive tower case with way more air flow than its previous designs. As a reminder of how dangerous it’s been earlier than, we made a complete video “fixing” the dumpster fireplace generally known as the Alienware R13.
On the brand new system, the highest, entrance, and a lot of the backside are all air consumption areas, leaving the meshed-out rear as a very passive exhaust. Significantly attention-grabbing are the 2 180mm followers within the entrance panel, paying homage to the Fractal Torrent. There’s roughly 35mm of clearance within the entrance cutout, which ought to be enough to keep away from an excessive amount of restriction regardless of wanting lined. It helps that the hub loses probably the most entry to air, and but is the one a part of a fan that air can’t undergo. The mud filter contained in the panel is magnetically retained for simpler cleansing as properly, which is a pleasant characteristic.
The CPU is cooled by a 360mm liquid cooler with entry to contemporary air by means of the highest, with a mud filter that slides out to the rear, retained by a screw. The underside has one as properly.
Alienware Space-51 Tear-Down
The final couple of Alienware programs we’ve examined have been actually troublesome to take aside. This one is less complicated to work with.
To get inside, you take away a screw, flip the lock knob, then press these spring-loaded buttons to launch the aspect panels. Happily, they relaxation in {a partially} opened place with out falling – then you definately simply raise up. Entry inside is fairly good, and the cable administration is total good.
The subsequent greatest factor following after thermals is the Space-51’s shift to plain ATX elements – properly, largely. The motherboard is a customized Alienware mannequin with commonplace ATX mounting factors, but it surely’s really ATX12VO electrically. That additionally signifies that the 1500W PSU is ATX12VO to match. You may see how as a substitute of a 24-pin connector, the board has a 10-pin and a supplemental 6-pin alongside the precise edge.
For those who don’t know what ATX12VO is, we’ve got a video from a pair years in the past that covers it, so go test that out after this.
Cable administration is rather well accomplished. That is an space the place pre-builts are likely to do rather well.
Wanting on the different aspect and contained in the system, the video card is comparatively massive however there’s loads of room to improve.
The underside of the system has a extremely enormous energy provide shroud, which has followers inside them.
The highest of the case has a bar that covers the aspect of the radiator, which has been in previous Alienware programs.
We usually like how the warmth sink for the VRM are finned.
The system makes use of a fan header cage that creates a make-shift 12-pin connector.
The PC doesn’t use any proprietary connectors and all of the connections into the motherboard had been safe.
The RTX 5080 inside is held in place by probably the most substantial GPU bracket we’ve ever seen. It’s a piece of stable steel connected to each the tip of the GPU and the interior wall of the case and it slides into place. It’s fairly good, however completely pointless and provides to the expense. It does considerably make sense in a pre-built to stop breaking throughout transport, nonetheless.
Wanting on the video card, it makes use of a really massive flow-through space, which is great. The final time we examined Dell’s video card, which was a 4090, the corporate’s design did surprisingly properly for what it was.
Contained in the PC, we seen a completely customized USB 3.0 connector, which matches into the motherboard at a 90-degree angle.
Their HD-audio connector additionally has an additional protrusion on it to latch it in.
We like how Alienware labeled nearly each single cable.
Eradicating the pump block, we will see a thermal pad was utilized beneath. The paste sample is a bit missing in spots.
On the CPU aspect, we seen a slight hole in protection on one of many corners, however that’s an okay spot. General, it appears to be like good.
We additionally like how water block’s cables had been saved brief and run straight into the board, which is a bonus that Dell has.
Eradicating the screws from the motherboard, we found one which wasn’t all the best way in.
Lifitng the motherboard out of the case, we seen that it was sticky on the again, which signifies that it wasn’t completely cleaned. It shouldn’t damage something, but it surely’s form of ugly.
Eradicating the warmth sink off of the SSD and having a look at its thermal pad regarded good as there was no tape on it.
Having a look on the SSD itself, that didn’t look nice because it was bent. Alienware is fortunate it didn’t snap the SSD. That is disappointing as a result of the corporate was doing comparatively properly up till this level. Taking the drive out, it maintains its very slight arc consequently.
Taking one other have a look at among the parts, there was loads of manufacturing facility mud contained in the system.
Opening up the PSU shroud enclosure, and eradicating the back-most fan, we will see it doing functionally nothing because it’s proper up towards the facility provide. The case’s 2 grills additionally add impedance as properly. Wanting on the backside of the system, there isn’t loads of room for air to return up by means of.
We additionally seen much more manufacturing facility mud.
We took the highest radiator followers out and measured them at 38mm, that are fairly thick.
Alienware Space-51 Upgradeability
Again to the remainder of the evaluate:
Alienware intends for this technology of Space-51 to be expandable and upgradable into the long run. That’s obvious in instant methods just like the empty drive trays underneath the precise aspect panel with pre-routed cables, which is one thing we like.
Sadly, rumors level to LGA1851 being a dead-end platform. If that’s true, there gained’t be any CPU upgrades.
The GPU could be as simple to swap as in any regular PC, and house is plentiful. Alienware additionally claims as much as a 420mm radiator can match within the high of the case.
It will get bizarre when contemplating a motherboard swap. Since that is an ATX12VO system, meaning it might both should be one other ATX12VO motherboard otherwise you’d need to additionally swap the PSU, which might be a disgrace. This can be a rooster or the egg downside. There aren’t many ATX12VO motherboards within the DIY market, however Alienware additionally isn’t utilizing one thing proprietary. It’s a actual commonplace. It’s simply not one which’s closely adopted by DIY motherboards.
The actually bizarre factor is the so-called “AlienFX board” behind the precise aspect panel. It’s a combo platter of fan and lightweight management, together with offering entrance panel connectivity. Nonetheless, it doesn’t even have any followers linked to it – they’re all instantly linked to the motherboard as regular. Alienware’s thought right here, we expect, is that when you ever do swap the motherboard, you should purchase a conversion equipment. That equipment hooks the AlienFX board to the brand new motherboard, and would then present each gentle and fan management through the Alienware software program.
Frankly it appears back-asswards to how we’d suppose this is able to go. It will make extra sense to us if the inventory configuration had all of the followers linked to the AlienFX board, then a future motherboard swap would simply use the common headers.
So total, the Space-51 is technically upgradeable, it’s simply in a distinct segment tech-tree with a doubtful future.
The case can be lined in at the least 7 QR codes that hyperlink to varied sections of the guide. It’s detailed, together with this cool exploded diagram of the system and a devoted screw checklist. Alienware is definitely making progress right here. Utilizing ATX12VO and LGA1851 is a limiter, however the elements are commonplace, and that’s an enormous enchancment over the proprietary crap they’ve used up to now.
Intro to Charts
Let’s get into the benchmarks.
CPU Thermals – Regular State – Alienware Management
We’re beginning with CPU thermals at regular state. The Efficiency fan preset resulted in an enormous temperature discount versus the opposite choices of seven.3 levels Celsius on the P-cores versus the inventory Balanced preset at 74.5C. The Quiet preset didn’t change a lot and was roughly 1 diploma hotter than Balanced.
E-cores common and observe the identical sample.
GPU Thermals – Regular State – Alienware Management
GPU thermals underneath automated fan management are just about a wash and illustrate NVIDIA’s upkeep of a goal temperature from VBIOS.
GPU Thermals vs. Fan Pace – Over Time – Alienware Management
Right here’s a fast have a look at GPU temperature and its fan velocity over time. The outcomes are unremarkable besides as a mannequin for what this could seem like. GPU temperature shortly climbed to the excessive 60s and the followers locked in at 50% after a couple of minutes. That’s positively loads higher than what we noticed with Origin, the place it took 8 minutes for the followers to do something.
I/O Thermals – Regular State – Alienware Management
Different temperatures had been largely unremarkable, except the PCH temperature getting considerably extra cooling with Efficiency mode. Any of those outcomes are acceptable for the chipset temperature, although, so this largely tells us the place the air goes.
Intro to Handbook Fan Management Thermals
Subsequent, we’re manually controlling the fan speeds to do some A/B testing to guage Alienware’s design selections. We linked all of the followers to a Corsair fan controller preloaded with PWM values that roughly correspond to the values at steady-state underneath Alienware’s management. The GPU followers had been fastened at 50%.
We did testing inventory, with the entrance panel eliminated, and with the highest followers flipped to exhaust.
Regular State – Handbook Management
Broadly talking: Eradicating the entrance panel had no significant impression on outcomes and was inside error. Prime exhaust considerably improved drive temperature, GPU reminiscence temperature, and GPU temperature for the core, with reductions of about 3 levels in every. The GPU temperature specifically improves due to the higher capacity to make the most of flow-through cooling, evicting warmed air out the highest of the case in a straight path for the GPU. This naturally heats up the CPU radiator extra, which implies CPU temperature barely will increase. The CPU can take it although, and the GPU will really increase barely greater because of this. Likewise, the CPU temperature enhance is lower than the GPU temperature lower.
Frequency – CPU
CPU frequency has steadily been a key space of failure for a number of of the pre-builts that we’ve reviewed – often as a result of poor thermals or energy administration.
To Alienware’s credit score, that’s not the case right here. The Intel 285K with the 360mm liquid cooler and the followers on the Efficiency preset solely loses a mean of 29MHz throughout the P-cores versus our unique evaluate of the 285K. The inventory Balanced preset provides up 115MHz on common, and Quiet falls behind by 145MHz versus inventory. A 145MHz loss is massive throughout all cores averaged and could be noticeable the place efficiency is time-based, however as a result of it’s an optionally available fan preset, we’re OK with it so long as customers find out about it. It’s buying and selling clocks for decrease noise.
Acoustics – dBA Over Time
Subsequent up is testing in our hemi-anechoic chamber, which we’ll use to guage noise ranges of the completely different preset fan profiles (now that we all know the trade-off for efficiency and thermals).
The inventory Balanced profile idles round 21-22dBA earlier than spiking in response to the preliminary CPU load. There’s a faint prolonged stair-step sample all through the check length earlier than settling in at 29.7dBA common at steady-state.
The Quiet profile follows a lot the identical sample – really measuring barely louder than Balanced throughout elements of the check. This displays the extraordinarily related thermal habits we noticed between Balanced and Quiet.
Efficiency idle was round 24-25dBA, ramping past 30dBA shortly, then settling in at 35.9dBA at steady-state. It’s not objectively that loud, however is by comparability to the reserved nature of the default curve.
Energy on the Wall
Measuring energy on the wall throughout the full system torture load exhibits solely marginal variations between the three profiles, all sitting round 650W common at load. Essentially the most vital distinction is elevated energy consumption at idle when utilizing the Efficiency profile. That is because of the raised fan and pump speeds.
Setup and Software program
Software program and setup is subsequent.
The Home windows set up course of was modified to incorporate a registration kind and agreements to Alienware’s phrases. We will by no means simply get a clear Home windows set up from Dell. The excellent news is that you just don’t need to fill them out or conform to them, you may simply press subsequent. The dangerous information is that it doesn’t inform you that’s even an choice.
After hitting the desktop, we noticed that every one drivers had been current, however the NVIDIA driver model was 572.16 from the 50 collection launch on January thirtieth, regardless of newer variations being obtainable on the time of construct. Additionally, one of many Intel drivers was even older, relationship again to October 2024, despite the fact that a lot newer variations can be found.
Bloatware consists of the Alienware Command Middle (which is definitely wanted for fan and lightweight management), Alienware Digital Supply, Dolby Entry, Killer Intelligence Middle networking, Microsoft Workplace, together with “Outlook (new),” and SupportAssist.
This can be a lot of crap for a clear set up. It’s not the worst we’ve seen: There weren’t any anti-virus options put in from McAfee or Norton, which is a significant optimistic, but it surely’s nonetheless a bit of bit bloated.
Upon opening the Alienware Command Middle, you get hit with textual content studying “Welcome, Gamer!” The principle web page exhibits just a few fundamental metrics like CPU, GPU, and RAM utilization, and likewise fundamental thermals. From right here you may select efficiency profiles, which management the fan curves.
Weirdly, the efficiency web page claims that Efficiency mode does this: “GPU energy consumption is elevated above the rated energy ranges. Your system’s graphics efficiency could also be amplified whereas consuming extra power.”
That makes Efficiency sound aggressive, prefer it’s overclocked or one thing, and implies pushing past regular limits, which is only a lie. It runs on the rated energy ranges, not above them, except Alienware means above its personal rated energy ranges fairly than NVIDIA’s, wherein case that’s deceptive. The app claims it controls overclocking settings, however the Customized profile provides neither clock nor energy management.
One enormous miss right here is the shortcoming to set actually customized fan curves. All you are able to do is add a optimistic proportion offset to the prevailing base fan curve. It technically works, but it surely’s awkward and deprives the person of granular management.
Detailed temperature readouts are cut up into 8 “zones.” It will have been attention-grabbing if these had been thermocouples really positioned across the system, however they’re not. CPU, Entrance, and Prime are the CPU temperature, and Backside is the GPU temperature.
Packaging and Equipment
The Space-51 got here in an enormous and heavy field. The outer field pulls off after popping the retaining plugs, revealing the foam-encased PC. There’s even a piece of froth shoved into the entrance panel opening, which is welcomed consideration to element to stop entrance panel harm.
The case itself was completely mummified in a ridiculous quantity of plastic – each panel, edge, and piece of trim was lined. That is annoying to take away and likewise creates pointless waste.
Contained in the case was a block of froth for extra GPU assist. That is nice and permits Alienware to ship with the GPU put in, fairly than requiring person set up.
The one included equipment are a fundamental keyboard and mouse, like the sort you’d get with any Dell system off the shelf.
BIOS
The BIOS is Dell commonplace with easy sections and a simple format. Mildly attention-grabbing is the mud filter upkeep reminder setting, but it surely’s Disabled by default. This may very well be fairly cool if utilized correctly.
Fortunately, XMP and resizable BAR had been turned on, so just a few factors for that.
In any other case, there have been no oddities within the BIOS settings.
Alienware Space-51 Conclusion
Alienware’s Space-51 is massively improved over Alienware’s predecessor programs. The construct high quality is healthier. The corporate additionally moved over to standardized parts.
The most important mark towards the system that takes it down from an total optimistic evaluate to at least one with extra criticisms is basically that SSD. If we noticed that a lot of a bend on an SSD, we might personally decide to exchange it, even when it was working at that second, to keep away from any potential knowledge loss.
The mud and the filth had been additionally fairly gross all through the system and it’s a problem we’ve seen in previous Alienware programs. The corporate has not improved right here. What we discovered is that as you employ the PC, the mud loosens up and will get into the system itself. There’s no purpose this method ought to be this soiled out of the field. We don’t usually see that from different distributors.
These are 2 marks towards the system regardless of being total optimistic on it in any other case. The worth can be 50% over DIY worth. As a reference, the Thermaltake View collection system that we beforehand reviewed was roughly 7% over DIY half prices. We’ve checked out another programs up to now, like a few of Maingear’s stuff, which cost round 30% over DIY elements. So the 50% is basically excessive and that form of kills it on worth alone for us regardless of the entire different enhancements.
In a market the place it’s a roll of the cube whether or not competitors is even competent, some quantity of individuals can pay further simply to know that it really works. The construct high quality is nice and the bloatware shouldn’t be that dangerous.
Alienware clearly took among the criticisms concerning the former Aurora desktops severely. The case is heavy and considerably elaborate, but it surely’s really form of considerate in some locations. The half choice is area of interest and will not have a transparent improve path, but it surely’s not proprietary, in order that places fault on Intel greater than Alienware this time, although we’d prefer to see one thing like a 9800X3D (learn our evaluate) choice. ATX12VO is uncommon, but it surely’s an precise commonplace that has effectivity enhancements over common ATX12V. If Alienware sticks with this however lands on a extra upgradeable platform sooner or later, they could have the premise of an excellent components.
The worth is the worst half. We had been capable of finding some various pre-builts with related parts for a few $700 – $900 enhance over DIY value, which might make these cheaper, however we’re working to get these in to verify they’re any good.
Anyhow, it’s really an excellent laptop, and unironically, Alienware can get the “It’s-better-than-Dell” award. It’s technically a Dell, however now we simply have to see if Dell can enhance its precise Dell title product lineup for gaming. We could change the title of the award to “It’s-better-than-Origin.”