Alienware Aurora R16 Desktop Pros
Slick and pretty compact design
Largely quiet even below load
Tool-less entry and elements abound
Nice I/O
Cons
Underwhelming efficiency for the value
Proprietary as might be
Likely a mud magnet
Alienware has by no means been identified for its worth. It has all the time had extra occurring with fashion and efficiency. The Alienware Aurora R16 desktop matches that mildew with a curious design that eschews loads of typical approaches to PC constructing in favor of one thing a bit offbeat. It’s not as wild because the Aurora R15 externally, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a curious sight. As for efficiency, the Alienware Aurora R16 has loads. The airflow could be a little bit complicated, and common dusting will most likely be excessive on the upkeep listing, however the Aurora R16 can ship the place velocity is worried. That stated, it is not precisely punching above its weight. That’s very true as configured right here for $2,365 with simply an RTX 4070 inside. However, that’s paired with a monster of an Intel Core i9-14900KF. That’s not essentially the most wise pairing, because it goes a little bit CPU-heavy. Consider that Lenovo’s Tower 7i Gen 8 is simply barely extra, at $2,549, with the identical CPU, beefier liquid cooling, fewer proprietary elements and most significantly, an RTX 4080 Super. With a selection between the 2, I would not even hesitate to go for Lenovo’s much more value-minded possibility. Alienware Aurora R16 Specs Price as reviewed $2,365Measurement 38-liter customized (16.5 x 7.8 x 18.1 in/418 x 197 x 458 mm)Motherboard Alienware 0RF96M Z690 customCPU 3.2GHz Intel Core i9-14900KFMemory 32GB DDR5-5600Graphics NVIDIA RTX 4070Storage 1TB NVMe M.2 PCIe Gen 4 SSD (boot) (SK Hynix PC801)Networking GbE, Killer Wi-Fi 6E AX1675x 802.11AX, Bluetooth 5.3Connections USB 2.0 (x2 rear), USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (x3 entrance, x2 rear), USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (x1 entrance, x1 rear), USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C (x1 rear), 3.5mm audio connector (x1 entrance, x6 rear), Optical SPDIF, Coaxial SPDIF, Gigabit Ethernet, Antenna x2, HDMI (x1 on GPU), ShowPort (x3 on GPU)Operating system Windows 11 Pro The Alienware Aurora R16 begins at $1,344. This will get you an air-cooled Intel Core i7-14700F, Nvidia RTX 4060, 16GB of DDR5-5600 reminiscence, 1TB of NVMe storage, a 500-watt 80 Plus Platinum energy provide, Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX210 and no peripherals. From there, Alienware affords a ton of improve choices. Before we get into that, nonetheless, it is value noting that as of this writing, Nvidia’s new 50-series playing cards can be found and will discover their means into the Aurora quickly sufficient. The actual construct of our check PC won’t be accessible. So the pricing beneath, correct as of this writing, will possible be completely different by the point you learn this. It ought to provide you with a normal thought in regards to the R16’s worth and different improve choices, although. With that in thoughts, you will get a collection of Intel CPUs, together with the Core i7-14700F, -14700KF, i9-14900F, -14900KF and even a 13th-Gen i9-13900F. All of the Okay Series processors require upgrading to a 1,000-watt energy provide and liquid cooling. On the GPU facet, there’s every little thing accessible from an RTX 4060 Ti to an RTX 4090, with many steps in between. You may even go the AMD route with a Radeon RX 7900XTX. Everything above the RTX 4070 additionally requires upgrading the ability provide to a 1,000-watt mannequin. Mark Knapp/CNETDDR5 reminiscence at 5600MT/s is out there in 16GB or 32GB capacities and 64GB at 5200MT/s. Storage additionally is available in a variety with 1, 2 and 4TB M.2 SSDs accessible to populate a single slot or each accessible slots. Alienware additionally affords a 7,200rpm exhausting drive with 1TB of storage. There’s each air cooling for the CPU or 120mm or 240mm radiators for liquid cooling. One liquid cooling possibility has AlienFX lighting, however that features solely a 500-watt energy provide and 120mm radiator. Our check unit prices $2,364 as configured. Dell would not provide this config with Windows 11 Pro however our check unit got here with it as an alternative of Windows 11 Home. If we have been constructing one ourselves, and once more this was earlier than the 50-series GPUs turned accessible, we would go for the RTX 4070 Super configuration since there was no extra cost on the time of this writing, or we would spend the additional $100 for the 4070 Ti Super. The Intel Core i9-14900KF appeared a bit overkill when paired with an RTX 4070. Instead, we would decide to save lots of a little bit and get the cheaper Core i7-14700KF and even the air-cooled Core i7-14700F. Doing so would largely offset the price of the sooner video card. Generally talking, whereas there have been a plethora of improve choices accessible, they shortly may balloon the value of the R16 to far above what a similarly- outfitted PC could be from a extra value-oriented producer. It’s simply one thing to remember. Speedy, however not exceedingly or class-leadingly Mark Knapp/CNETIn some ways, the Alienware Aurora R16 is a efficiency powerhouse. The processor included in our check unit is a correct beast, and regardless that the followers can ramp up a bit to maintain it cool with only a single 240mm radiator, they do not make far more than a relaxing hum whereas the Core i9 blasts via workloads. In Geekbench 6, it even zipped previous the Core i9-14900KF contained in the Lenovo Legion Tower 7i Gen 8 by a modest margin. However, the Lenovo got here out forward within the Cinebench R24, the place its 360mm radiator possible helped sustain the sustained efficiency required for that check. The mixed efficiency of the R16’s CPU and GPU, in addition to its quick reminiscence and storage, make it a drive to be reckoned with within the holistic PCMark10 benchmark, the place it hit an enormous 9,778 factors. So nearly any on a regular basis computing job thrown its means can be a breeze. Its gaming efficiency is predictably sturdy, with the RTX 4070 placing up strong numbers in our benchmark suite. Despite the graphics card being on the small facet, it seems to get loads of air from the one entrance consumption fan and the facet vents, which helped it preserve warmth down and velocity up. There’s a great hole between it and the efficiency of the RTX 4060 within the Lenovo Legion Tower 5i Gen 8 I examined, nevertheless it’s additionally a far cry from the Tower 7i Gen 8’s RTX 4080 Super. Mark Knapp/CNETThe system is ready to put up triple-digit body charges at 1080p simply sufficient, hitting a little bit over 200fps in Guardians of the Galaxy at High settings and in Shadow of the Tomb Raider at Highest settings. However, there’s nonetheless room for enchancment. It underperformed in some areas subsequent to the RTX 4070 FE in our exams of that card, which managed higher ends in 3DMark’s Port Royal Time Spy and Fire Strike Ultra benchmarks and The Riftbreaker’s GPU benchmark. On the plus facet, the Alienware Aurora R16 can maintain its efficiency. Running 3DMark’s Steel Nomad stress check, which pushes the system with a demanding benchmark run 20 occasions in a row, the Alienware Aurora R16 handed with 99.1% consistency, seeing scores starting from 3,610 to 3,644 with solely mild noise coming from the system. Some alien oddity inside to get a considerably smaller outdoors Mark Knapp/CNETThe Alienware Aurora R16 is an interesting-looking machine. It’s not fairly as out-there because the alien heads of yore, nevertheless it includes a distinctive air channel on the entrance with a hoop of RGB lighting that syncs with an exhaust fan within the again. The high of the system and half of the glass facet panel each function a lattice of honeycomb-shaped holes that present trendy air flow. Out in entrance, Alienware has an nearly barren case aside from the glowing Alienware brand that doubles as an influence button, a recess with three USB-A ports, one USB-C port and a headphone combo jack. Those ports are complemented by a great assortment of connections on the again: six USB-A and two USB-C ports (one clocking in at 20Gbps), plus surround-sound-ready audio ports, Wi-Fi antenna connections, Ethernet and the standard array of video outputs coming from the graphics card. The system is not huge, nevertheless it’s not precisely small both, at 16.5 by 7.8 by 18.1 inches. It matches neatly between the ATX-sized Legion Tower 7i Gen 8 and mATX Legion Tower 5i Gen 8 whereas being barely narrower than each. However, the place these two desktops conform to some requirements, the Alienware Aurora R16 largely would not. As the identify may counsel, the within of the Alienware Aurora R16 is really alien. Having messed round with PCs a great bit, I felt like I wasn’t in Kansas anymore after I cracked open the case. It’s simple sufficient to get inside, with a quick-release glass facet panel and toolless entry on the other facet. That’s the place the normality ends. The R16 has a customized motherboard, particular energy provide and all types of inside case accouterments. A cumbersome plastic bracket attaches to the only entrance case fan and appears to channel the air towards the graphics card whereas additionally slotting right into a GPU assist bracket. Another bracket attaches atop the PSU’s personal cowl, and it appears to easily function a plug for holding onto the ends of unused energy connectors. Like the skin, a ton of elements inside use toolless attachments, which might be helpful however could make upgrades and replacements troublesome (aside from the half elimination). Mark Knapp/CNETThe motherboard itself is not the standard ITX, mATX or ATX form, as an alternative stretching out horizontally about as a lot as an ATX board however solely about as tall as an mATX. It’s not even rectangular: a bit protrudes close to the case’s entrance. Cables run in surprising locations and are uncommon varieties. Upgrading or changing elements on this system seems to be prefer it could be a substantial headache outdoors of storage upgrades. Those, nonetheless, needs to be easy with a free M.2 2280 slot and a cage for a single 3.5-inch drive. Upgrading the GPU would require not solely making certain it is brief sufficient but additionally not too thick, as something above a 2.5-slot thickness is liable to run into the PSU enclosure. It would additionally positively name for a blower-style cooler. Memory upgrades are additionally a letdown, as there are solely two slots, so that you’d possible should sacrifice the present sticks somewhat than add to them. Then once more, you could wish to, since they’re unpleasant sticks with no warmth spreaders, simply naked inexperienced PCB. With one consumption fan, three exhaust followers and loads of unfiltered inlets, the Alienware Aurora R16 is all however assured to finish up having destructive stress contained in the case, which is able to suck in mud. I’d encourage common cleansing, which the quick-release facet panel fortunately makes simple. Overall, the Alienware Aurora R16 is an fascinating system: highly effective and enticing but additionally expensive, which is fairly commonplace for Alienware. With Nvidia’s RTX 50-series playing cards coming quickly, you will most likely wish to maintain off both for the newest CPU and GPU choices or if the costs come right down to filter out the remaining inventory of the R16. Geekbench 6 (single-core) Alienware Aurora R16 3092Lenovo Legion Tower 7i Gen 8 34IRZ8 3062Dell XPS 8960 2948Minisforum AtomMan G7 Ti 2833HP Omen 35L 2656Lenovo Legion Tower 5i 26IRB8 (90UT001AUS) 2427Lenovo LOQ Tower 17IRR9 (90WY0000US) 2273 Note: Longer bars point out higher efficiency
Geekbench 6 (multi-core) Alienware Aurora R16 19924Lenovo Legion Tower 7i Gen 8 34IRZ8 18735Dell XPS 8960 18699Minisforum AtomMan G7 Ti 16959HP Omen 35L 12745Lenovo Legion Tower 5i 26IRB8 (90UT001AUS) 12091Lenovo LOQ Tower 17IRR9 (90WY0000US) 9947 Note: Longer bars point out higher efficiency
Cinebench 2024 GPU Dell XPS 8960 27034Lenovo Legion Tower 7i Gen 8 34IRZ8 26537HP Omen 35L 25725Alienware Aurora R16 18063Minisforum AtomMan G7 Ti 11444Lenovo Legion Tower 5i 26IRB8 (90UT001AUS) 10474Lenovo LOQ Tower 17IRR9 (90WY0000US) 10038 Note: Longer bars point out higher efficiency
Cinebench 2024 CPU (multi-core) Lenovo Legion Tower 7i Gen 8 34IRZ8 1896Alienware Aurora R16 1806Dell XPS 8960 1554Minisforum AtomMan G7 Ti 1431HP Omen 35L 961Lenovo Legion Tower 5i 26IRB8 (90UT001AUS) 783Lenovo LOQ Tower 17IRR9 (90WY0000US) 749 Note: Longer bars point out higher efficiency
3DMark Steel Nomad Lenovo Legion Tower 7i Gen 8 34IRZ8 6636HP Omen 35L 6445Dell XPS 8960 5239Alienware Aurora R16 3659Minisforum AtomMan G7 Ti 2878Lenovo Legion Tower 5i 26IRB8 (90UT001AUS) 2366Lenovo LOQ Tower 17IRR9 (90WY0000US) 2335 Note: Longer bars point out higher efficiency
3DMark Fire Strike Ultra Lenovo Legion Tower 7i Gen 8 34IRZ8 17565Dell XPS 8960 17525HP Omen 35L 16426Alienware Aurora R16 9927Minisforum AtomMan G7 Ti 7277Lenovo Legion Tower 5i 26IRB8 (90UT001AUS) 6232Lenovo LOQ Tower 17IRR9 (90WY0000US) 6007 Note: Longer bars point out higher efficiency
PCMark 10 Pro Edition Alienware Aurora R16 9778Lenovo Legion Tower 7i Gen 8 34IRZ8 9720Dell XPS 8960 9539HP Omen 35L 8732Minisforum AtomMan G7 Ti 8533Lenovo Legion Tower 5i 26IRB8 (90UT001AUS) 8128Lenovo LOQ Tower 17IRR9 (90WY0000US) 7531 Note: Longer bars point out higher efficiency
Guardians of the Galaxy (High @1920 x 1080) Alienware Aurora R16 219Dell XPS 8960 213Lenovo Legion Tower 7i Gen 8 34IRZ8 207Minisforum AtomMan G7 Ti 184HP Omen 35L 146Lenovo Legion Tower 5i 26IRB8 (90UT001AUS) 144Lenovo LOQ Tower 17IRR9 (90WY0000US) 129 Note: Longer bars point out higher efficiency
The Riftbreaker GPU @1920 x 1080 Lenovo Legion Tower 7i Gen 8 34IRZ8 560Dell XPS 8960 550HP Omen 35L 523Alienware Aurora R16 354Minisforum AtomMan G7 Ti 269Lenovo Legion Tower 5i 26IRB8 (90UT001AUS) 243Lenovo LOQ Tower 17IRR9 (90WY0000US) 235 Note: Longer bars point out higher efficiency
Shadow of the Tomb Raider (Highest @ 1920 x 1080) Lenovo Legion Tower 7i Gen 8 34IRZ8 255Dell XPS 8960 250Alienware Aurora R16 226Minisforum AtomMan G7 Ti 174HP Omen 35L 174Lenovo Legion Tower 5i 26IRB8 (90UT001AUS) 148Lenovo LOQ Tower 17IRR9 (90WY0000US) 142 Note: Longer bars point out higher efficiency
3DMark Port Royal Dell XPS 8960 18402Lenovo Legion Tower 7i Gen 8 34IRZ8 18139HP Omen 35L 17936Alienware Aurora R16 10736Minisforum AtomMan G7 Ti 7868Lenovo Legion Tower 5i 26IRB8 (90UT001AUS) 6186Lenovo LOQ Tower 17IRR9 (90WY0000US) 5985 Note: Longer bars point out higher efficiency
Systems configurations Lenovo LOQ Tower 17IRR9 (90WY0000US) Microsoft Windows 11 Home; 2.5GHz Intel Core i5-144400F; 16GB DDR5 RAM; 8GB Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics; 1TB SSDDell XPS 8960 Microsoft Windows 11 Home;3.4GHz Intel Core i7-14700Okay; 21GB DDR5 RAM; 16GB Nvidia RTX 4080 Super graphics; 1TB SSDMinisforum AtomMan G7 Ti Microsoft Windows 11 Home; 2.2GHz Intel Core i9-14900HX; 32GB DDR5 5,600MHz RAM; 8GB Nvidia RTX 4070 graphics; 1TB SSDHP Omen 35L Microsoft Windows 11 Pro; 4.2GHz AMD Ryzen 7 8700G; 64GB DDR5 3,600MHz; 16GB Nvidia RTX 4080 Super graphics; 2TB SSD + 1TB SSDLenovo Legion Tower 7i Gen 8 34IRZ8 Microsoft Windows11 Home; 3.2GHz Intel Core i9-14900KF; 32GB DDR5 4,400MHz RAM; 16GB Nvidia RTX 4080 Super graphics; 1TB SSDLenovo Legion Tower 5i 26IRB8 (90UT001AUS) Microsoft Windows 11 Home; 2.5GHz Intel Core i5-144400F; 16GB DDR5 5,600MHz RAM; 8GB Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics; 1TB SSDAlienware Aurora R16 Microsoft Windows Pro; 3.2GHz; 3.2GHz Intel Core i9-14900KF; 32GB DDR5 5,600MHz RAM; 12GB Nvidia RTX 4070 graphics; 1TB SSD