Dell Outs New Alienware Aurora, Area 51, And Alienware 15/17 PCs At Gamescom

Dell has pulled the wraps off a new series of computers at Gamescom that run the gamut from desktop to laptop systems. The Aurora packs in next-generation NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics options and can be crammed with up to five storage drives inside. Intel Optane memory is supported with the new Aurora and Killer Gigabit Ethernet hardware is integrated. For those who like to upgrade their rigs over time, Alienware says that this machine is its most tool-less mid-tower chassis ever.

Aurora PCs get the first chassis from Alienware that supports tool-less graphics card upgrades and no tools are required for accessing hard drives or memory. Optimized airflow inside the chassis helps to keep all the hardware inside cool. The entire chassis is designed to allow components to be upgradable and it has intelligent cable and WiFi antenna routing. Alienware crams 600W of dedicated graphics power inside the chassis and 120W of dedicated power for custom CPU cooling with liquid cooling.

Aurora machines feature 8th gen Intel processors including gen Core i5 and Core i7 CPUs. Memory is overclockable HyperX 2933MHz DDR4. Up to 32GB of Intel Optane memory is supported along with multiple SSD and SATA drive storage options. Graphics and CPUs will be updated as new parts come out and there are Radeon and NVIDIA graphics options with SLI and Crossfire options. Up to 64GB of RAM is supported and Aurora machines start at $899.

Dell didn’t offer a spec sheet for the Area 51 desktop computer but did call out that it would also be available with next-gen GeForce RTX graphics. We can assume that 8th gen Intel processors will be offered as they are on the Aurora desktop. On the portable gaming front, the Alienware 15 and 17 notebooks have been updated. These notebooks have up to 8th Gen Intel Core i9 K-series processors making these the most powerful Alienware notebooks ever. These machines will launch August 21 and will start at $1,399.99 for the 15 and $1,599.99 for the 17.

Both notebooks share many of the same features including anodized aluminum, magnesium alloy, and steel reinforcement on the chassis. The thermal management solution is copper. Accessing of internal hardware has been simplified with a new bottom door mechanism made of aluminum. Desktop graphics from AMD and NVIDIA are available with the optional Alienware Graphics Amplifier. Alienware notes it used the highest performance AMD and NVIDIA graphics available with GDDR5 video memory.

The keyboard is an updated TactX unit with per key RGB lighting and n-key rollover is supported. The keyboard supports over 108-key commands for maximum actions per minute. The keyboard has 2.2mm of key travel and a reinforced backplate good for up to 10 million strokes. An optional 120Hz TN+WVA 400-nit display is available that is designed for G-Sync experiences. The fancy keyboard lighting allows for over 80 quadrillion light combinations. All configurations have Killer Networks e2500 Gigabit Ethernet and Killer 1550 Networks 802.11ac 2x2 Wireless with Bluetooth 5.0. Connectivity includes three USB 3.0 ports and a single Thunderbolt 3 USB-C connector.