Dell’s Alienware lineup of pre-built PCs has a very bad reputation for often having terrible cooling, proprietary parts and just all around being the worst pre-built choice you can make. Today the company has released their new R16, redesigned with a smaller case for improved airflow and space-saving but still falls apart with everything else.
Alienware Aurora R16
The Aorora R16 from Alienware has been improved over the previous R15 focusing on one of the key problems that Alienware faces which is airflow. The new case that the R16 uses scraps the previous OVAL HOLE design and opts for a more modern and accessible design with a 40% decrease in total volume over the previous case. All the internals appear in a more natural and accessible layout. However, it still does use a proprietary motherboard which Dell should be ashamed of as these will only contribute to the already enormous E-Waste problem we face. The design has also offered improved airflow with a 20% quieter system, 10% lower CPU temps and 6% lower GPU temps, although the case has once again ignored modern mesh designs and uses a solid front panel. Alienware has provided a video below demonstrating how the airflow works.
What Specs Are Available
The Aurora R16 is fitted out with the latest NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40 series GPUs starting from the RTX 4070 which are paired up with either Intel 12th or 13th Gen processors. They can be equipped with up to 64GB of 5200 MT/s DDR5 and up to 8TB of SSD storage and powered by an 80 Plus Platinum proprietary power supply. All systems are fitted with Windows 11 which I’d assume being Dell, also comes with a lot of bloatware including the new Alineware Command Center 6.0. This is the first desktop to feature this app which offers a centralised dashboard for game profiles, themes, lighting, macros and more.
Price and Availability
Whilst its a step in the right direction for Alienware, their use of a proprietary motherboard and Power Supply just trumps everything else. The Aurora R16 is available now starting at $1749.99 (US), $2299.99 (CA) at Dell.com, though I don’t advise it.
