Alienware Area-51
The basics
The Area-51 gaming PC has Intel Core 2 Duo, Quad and Extreme processors and the world's most powerful graphics card – the 602MHz NVIDIA GeForce GTX 280 GPU. It runs Windows Vista, has 4TB of storage space, and has options for RAID 1 and 0 configurations for enhanced speed and security.
The good
Everyone knows that aliens built the Pyramids, sank Atlantis and installed a robot George W. Bush as President to distract the world from its genetic experiments on the Loch Ness monster. What is less well known is that they also gave Dell (Alienware’s parent company) access to futuristic technology like the Killer Xeno Pro network card, with which first person shooters can dispatch online enemies before they even see you. Everything about the X-58 is accelerated, from its 64-bit operating system that boots from a solid state drive to multi-processor SLI graphics card and laser-fast terabyte RAID storage.
The bad
Alienware didn’t have the urge to over-clock the Core i7 processor. If you feel the need for the extra speed, a heinously expensive (£4000) ALX version cranks out a few more cycles with the help of a liquid cooling system. Weirdly, there’s no HDMI output on board, either.
The bottom line
A rock solid, match ready, gaming maestro that rips through Crysis or Unreal Tournament 3 with all the ease of the real Alien dispatching a wheelbarrow full of assorted puppies and kittens. Razor sharp tech for serious gamers only.
User comments (32)
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Connorg3505 August 2009
WOW
Report as inappropriatejames 06 August 2009
An £900 alienware computer is budget ! where as the £!1299 is top spec !! somethings wrong there me thinks research is the key .
Report as inappropriateTheOrrery24 August 2009
Do want Alienware. T-T
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Jenish12 September 2009
ITS JUST EXCELLENT IT IS THE THE FASTEST COMPUTER AND THE COOLEST AND IT SHOULD HAVE 5G'S!!!!
Report as inappropriatematthew taylor21 September 2009
i am looking for a pc gaming desktop with a budget of about £500 which one would you recamend i have looked at the acer aspire x3200 spec is gd. As i have the acer aspire laptop 5920 but can only play certain games on it can you help me here many thanks matthew .
Report as inappropriatebagman22 September 2009
hey matt taylor you should buy a desktop from yoyotech all the computers are hand made and they choose the best componets and if you want ot buy a pc it should be from there they are incredable value
Report as inappropriatesubash03 October 2009
i would rather buy a BMW!!! instead of this! i mean its so expensive and has the same use!! as a normal computer.. the price is even highter than a normal car!!!!!
Report as inappropriateDan05 October 2009
Yeah alienware -- not that great in all honesty - you can get twice the spec for the same amount of money for example i have built an intel i5 ddr3 system with the top graphics card the 5870 by ati with 8gb of ddr3 ram and with a mobo that supports crossfire. And to top it off the full atec 1200 case all for £650 wich is cheaper than the alienware and alot faster. Future proof too. To be honest with alien ware your paying for the name.
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Dave Bowick15 October 2009
I have had an Alienware computer for 2 years now and it has been faultless. I have only needed to add memory to keep up with todays games. The customer service at Alienware is second to none even now that I am out of warranty. Oh yeah and it looks amazing.
Report as inappropriateThegenegenie03 November 2009
Its listed under "Budget" ?? I have spent £1,000's over the years on pc's & been pretty happy with most allthough they all were well behind the consoles of the day for gaming & all too quickly fell behind with the relentless tide of new & improved progs. This x58 though is different, had it 4 weeks & its superfast & as good as or even better than consoles for games, super smooth, superquick loading & superb graphics. Minus points, its VERY big and heavy compared to todays mini/midi towers, no hdmi, its quite loud as well, at first it was like sitting next to a power station, its also a love or loathe metallic lime green. Spec, core i7 extreme, asus pt6 deluxe v2 with overclocking facilities, 12gb DDR3, 2x nvidea gtx in sli. They have introduced new cases now so that will probably keep the prices high although the Area 51 x58 case is iconic & a symbol of the brand.
Report as inappropriateitsacomment09 November 2009
This is under budget??? I have a feeling someone has messed up on the coding here. £600 can get you a good budget rig that can play any modern game. Oh and there is HDMI output on the GTX280, just check the Nvidia site if you don't believe me.
Report as inappropriateThegenegenie15 November 2009
... I dont have to check the Nvidia site, just look round the back of my PC thanks & the gtx285's do not have HDMI.
Report as inappropriatePr4nzz16 November 2009
that is AWESOME
Report as inappropriateJ21 November 2009
Sorry but how is this a budget PC.
Report as inappropriaterob 24 November 2009
as j said (Sorry but how is this a budget PC.)????
Report as inappropriateJames30 November 2009
Build one yourself. Its not hard and you get a buzz out of doing it too
Report as inappropriateMathew Woolley12 December 2009
If you want the best possible pc your money can buy simple build your own pc or ask a specialist to build one for you therefore there is no ridiculous value added most 4000 pound alienware pcs can be built for under 1 grand your paying for their logo as with anything.
Report as inappropriateBen Watson27 December 2009
What price am I looking at?
Report as inappropriatedarren22 February 2010
ive built my own pc... 2.6 quad core i7 920 cpu.... 6 gig ddr3 ram.... 4870x2 gpu...asus p6t mobo...1000watt psu plus few little bits for a little over £550 :) ALIENWARE is a brand and thats what you pay for you can get the same stuff without the name for 1/2 the price! SHOP AROUND! www.overclockers.co.uk www.scan.co.uk www.microdirect.co.uk www.misco.co.uk all good sites for cheap pc gear, hope this helps someone :)
Report as inappropriateTopNotch Gaming08 May 2010
this sounds rediculasly good and i think its under 1000 pounds how is that even possible for a gaming computer if anyone has it leave a comment and tell me if its reliable because i might get this
Report as inappropriateHtl08 May 2010
How much is it?!?!?
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Steve27 October 2010
Certainly beats the heck out of my Dell 720 H2C, looks better too. I've always wanted an alienware pc, mostly just for the looks, but the spec is pretty attractive too. :) C'mon lottery ticket, make me proud, make me rich first though.
Report as inappropriatePieter09 November 2010
Not bad, I think it's cool.hehe
Report as inappropriateN.Machine24 December 2010
It is an impressive system, but many gamrs are not looking for an intel core 2 processor, and the current model is MUCH more expensive. While it will still bring class performance I may want to consider an old processor.
Report as inappropriateRyan27 January 2011
i spent 600 pound on my pc and is by far better than that :/
Report as inappropriateJoe:)19 February 2011
Guys. Cheaper to build. Not hard. So matthew best option for you. :)
Report as inappropriateBAZ11 April 2011
Get a job and splash out u only live 1's + it is dam gd lookin
Report as inappropriateGeorgesGadgets08 November 2011
Looks well cool
Report as inappropriateOliver17 December 2011
this is a epic thing but there is newer just look at there website www.Alienware.com
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