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Review: Alienware Aurora R5

by Parm Mann on 7 December 2016, 11:30

Tags: Dell (NASDAQ:DELL), Alienware (NASDAQ:DELL), Intel (NASDAQ:INTC), NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA)

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Conclusion

...ticks almost all the relevant boxes for a gaming PC with muscle, and we like the fact that the smaller size has been achieved with little detriment to accessibility.

The latest-generation Alienware Aurora desktop serves as an attractive option for anyone looking to take their first steps into the world of PC gaming.

Adopting a more compact profile than your average mid-tower, the chassis is reasonably sleek with subtle RGB lighting effects and cleverly juggles a selection of high-performance components.

Configuration options are plentiful and our £1,385 review machine strikes an optimal balance between price and performance courtesy of a Core i7 processor, GTX 1070 graphics, DDR4 memory and NVMe storage. It ticks almost all the relevant boxes for a gaming PC with muscle, and we like the fact that the smaller size has been achieved with little detriment to accessibility. Multiple tool-free upgrade options are within easy reach, and noise levels are kept in check, too.

Bottom line: want to try your hand at PC gaming with a potent rig from a well-known manufacturer? The Alienware Aurora R5 is well worthy of consideration.

The Good
  
The Bad
Smaller than your average mid-tower
Strong all-round performance
Good choice of CPU/GPU options
Multiple tool-free upgrade options
Subtle RGB lighting effects
Excellent connectivity
Doesn't get too loud
  
Plastic exterior lacks premium feel
Top configurations are pricey



Alienware Aurora R5

HEXUS.where2buy

The Alienware Aurora R5 gaming PC is available to configure and purchase from Dell UK.

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At HEXUS, we invite the companies whose products we test to comment on our articles. If any company representatives for the products reviewed choose to respond, we'll publish their commentary here verbatim.


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HEXUS Forums :: 15 Comments

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Posted by Shazadam - Wed 07 Dec 2016 11:50
Eww…
Posted by g8ina - Wed 07 Dec 2016 11:54
Surely that has some impact on the cooling of the CPU ??

Posted by Dashers - Wed 07 Dec 2016 11:59
Unlikely in non-overclocked form.

It's one thing I like about Dell/HP, is the level of functionality in their cases. Useful clips and bendy bits to hold places in clever positions. All the “premium” case manufacturers seem to stick to the same shell print and bolt on some different body panels or garnish it with rubber gromits and LEDs.

I wouldn't stick a PSU where that one is, but I'd love an arm like that to mount a radiator and fans to. Such lost/dead space in a standard build unless you're running a tower cooler.
Posted by aidanjt - Wed 07 Dec 2016 12:08
Good grief, kill it with fire!
Posted by LSG501 - Wed 07 Dec 2016 12:09
g8ina
Surely that has some impact on the cooling of the CPU ??
That will be fine, it's no worse than my old sugo sg01, I actually ended up cooling the cpu (s939 x2 opteron so pretty hot)via the psu fan using an nt07 without any issues.

I'm more concerned with the massive wasted space bump at the top…. it's anything but compact with that thing sticking up.

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