Alienware X51 R3 Review

Alienware’s original X51 system was launched in 2012. It was one of the first gaming PCs to adopt a less-is-more approach to design. Alienware X51 R3 has amazingly merged the PC and game console. It was basically designed for gamers, who were in need of such a system, which is more powerful than a gaming console but compact enough to slide into their entertainment center.

Alienware X51 R3 is powered by an Intel Skylake processor and an Nvidia Maxwell GPU. Although it is fast enough but if you want really fast frame rates, you can attach an optional graphics amplifier. You can attach this amplifier without opening the chassis. However, adding a graphics card costs extra. If you want a step forward from your PlayStation or Xbox, X51 R3 is something, you shouldn’t overlook. But keep in mind that versatility and compact frame cost more so you will have to be ready to pay more.

It’s slim and attractive outlook make it distinguishable among others. It has designed so skillfully by using expert passive cooling procedures and quiet chassis designs that it operate at a whisper quiet volume level. It has solid graphics performance. Although it is bit expensive but relatively affordable. With so many plus points, there are also some shortcomings like if you want to add amplifier to your system then you should ready to pay more. Because amplifier adds significantly to cost, largely depends on GPU. By contrasting it with traditional desktops, one can clearly see the advantage in terms of power as the later provide more power for less money.

Alienware X51 R3 Review

Here is a quick review of design, specs, graphics and some hardware components of Alienware X51 R3.

Design

Alienware X51 R3 is almost square shaped in design, only slightly longer than it is wide. If you replace it with your Xbox , you will hardly find any difference in terms of size as Alienware X51 R3 is around the same size of an Xbox. The only difference is that you can stand it straight. It is very similar in design with original X51’s design. Clad in black plastic with a green diagonal strip along the sides.

In addition, it places a ventilation grill towards the front’s bottom edge below an Alienware logo. It is in the market since three years but its design hasn’t lost its appeal till today. When there are different consoles on a shelf then you'll take to the X51 immediately. Due to compact chassis, it doesn’t need CD drive. You will get removable tray for the GPU, which allows single-width cards, alongside an M.2 PCIe SSD and standard 3.3-inch HDD for storage.

Graphics and Gaming

Alienware X51 R3's Nvidia GeForce GTX 960 GPU with 2GB of video memory can produce solid frame rates. Players of Metal Gear Solid V know about the Phantom Pain, the game ran at a steady 35 frames per second (30 fps is playable) at 2560 x 1440 pixels and every setting pushed to high. By using Alienware X51 R3, player is usually amazed as he dragged his character along the floor with the light bouncing off of his withered husk of a body.

X51 R3 has pushed to its limits i.e. last light benchmark, in which a frame rate of 40 fps at 4K resolution is seen on low settings. It’s above the usual playability threshold, but it's still noticeably short of the 98-fps average. The Fang Trinity scored barely 102 fps. On high, the X51 R3 and the Fang Trinity dipped to an unplayable 8 and 19 fps, respectively.

Liquid Cooling Inside

Usually a compact system like Alienware X51 R3, you're relying on fan strength to avoid overheating. However, this model of the X51 R3 is pioneer in this regard as it is the first to offer a custom liquid cooling solution. Due to this, desktop remains not only relatively cool in the face of over clocked components but is also remarkably quiet.

Ports

The new R3 model has plenty of ports, like the standard X51. There are two USB 3.0 ports, a microphone jack and a headphone jack. While on the backside, there are four USB 3.0 ports, a pair of USB 2.0 ports, Gigabit Ethernet, DVI, three Display ports, HDMI and inputs for speakers and a microphone.

SPECS

Following are the spec of Alienware X51 R3

• It's operating system is Windows 10
• It has 4.2-GHz Intel Core i7-6700K processor
• It contain Graphics Card i.e. Nvidia GeForce GTX 960 GPU
• It has Video Memory of 2GB
• The size of hard drive is 256GB
• Ports include headphone, display Port, Audio-in, security lock slot, Proprietary, HDMI, DVI, USB 3.0, Microphone, Gigabit Ethernet, Audio-out and USB 2.0
• It’s size is 13.5 x 12.5 x 3.7 inches
• You will get 1 Year Limited Hardware Warranty with Onsite Service after Remote Diagnosis