Clean, fast, massive

The Alienware Area 51 is a high-performance gaming desktop with a modern design and advanced cooling system. It features a range of ports, including USB 3.2, Thunderbolt, and Wi-Fi 6. Configurations vary, with options including Nvidia RTX 5080 and 5090 GPUs, up to 64 GB of DDR5 RAM, and 2-4 TB of storage. The system is designed for easy upgrades and maintenance, with QR codes linking to tutorial videos. The tested unit had a retail price of $5,259.99.

Gamers and computer enthusiasts often find themselves engaged in detailed conversations about the ideal system they envision for their next personal build. These discussions usually involve components at the high end of performance specifications, with each part selected for its ability to push graphical fidelity and system responsiveness. Yet, constructing such a system is not solely a matter of assembling hardware into a metal enclosure. The internal aesthetics are part of the appeal—how the machine looks on the inside can be just as important as how it performs. A visually appealing build that includes dynamic lighting and carefully arranged components is frequently viewed as a statement of design intent as much as engineering capability.

Designing and assembling a PC that meets personal preferences in both form and function can deliver a strong sense of accomplishment. At the same time, the process may prove challenging, requiring attention to detail, time, and financial investment. For individuals who enjoy hands-on projects and have the necessary resources, the process can be rewarding despite its demands. Speaking from experience, I have constructed multiple systems over the years. Although they met my performance expectations, I often found the visual result lacking. Time constraints—or in some cases, a dwindling reservoir of patience—meant that the finishing touches never quite achieved the standard I had hoped for.

An alternative path is to purchase a system that has already been assembled and tuned by professionals. Various manufacturers produce such machines, targeting users who want performance and visual flair without the need to build it themselves. Among the earliest companies to cater to this market is Alienware, a brand that made a name for itself by focusing specifically on gaming-oriented systems. Many still recall the launch of the original Area 51 desktop in 1998, a system that helped define a new category of personal

Area 51, circa 1998 (source Alienware)

In 2025, Alienware reintroduced the Area 51 name, offering a new interpretation of the concept with updated technologies and modern design considerations. Though nearly three decades separate the original and its successor, the new version pays tribute to the legacy while incorporating current-generation hardware and engineering. With a chassis weighing over 70 pounds—noticeably more than its predecessor, which came in at 50 pounds—this new iteration reflects the increased size and power requirements of today’s graphics cards and power supplies. Despite its substantial footprint, the system manages to convey a sense of refinement in its layout and presentation.

Figure 2. Alienare Area 51, circa 2025 and AW2725Q monitor

The system features side panels that can be opened without difficulty, allowing for direct access to internal components. Each major part of the build is accompanied by a conveniently placed QR code, which links to detailed tutorial videos or instructions that guide users through the process of removing, replacing, or upgrading hardware. This makes it considerably easier for both novice and experienced users to perform maintenance or customization. Notably, this desktop tower introduces a modern thermal design: it incorporates one of the earliest implementations of a positive pressure-cooling system. Rather than relying on traditional exhaust fans to force hot air out, this setup creates an internal environment where cooler air is actively pushed through the chassis, allowing excess heat to exit passively through various openings—thus reducing mechanical noise and increasing system airflow efficiency.

From a connectivity standpoint, the rear I/O panel comes equipped with an extensive range of ports, addressing both legacy needs and modern high-speed data requirements. Included are standard audio jacks such as microphone and line-out, along with two USB 3.2 Type-A ports rated at 5 Gbps and two USB 3.2 Type-C ports supporting 10 Gbps transfer speeds and power sharing capabilities. Additional ports include an SPDIF optical audio connector, dual Thunderbolt ports for high-throughput peripheral connections, three standard USB 2.0 ports, and two more USB 2.0 ports that offer power delivery. The system also includes a Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45) jack and two screw-in connectors for external Wi-Fi antennas. These antennas support dual-stream (2×2) MIMO over the 802.11be standard at 320 MHz, contributing to strong and stable wireless performance.

Configurations vary depending on the intended workload and user preference. One option features an Nvidia RTX 5080 GPU with 16 GB of VRAM, paired with either 2 TB or 4 TB of onboard storage, and main memory options of 32 GB or 64 GB of DDR5 RAM. Another version ships with a more powerful RTX 5090 GPU that includes 32 GB of dedicated memory, along with a 2 TB NVMe M.2 solid-state drive and system memory options of either 32 GB or 64 GB of DDR5 XMP RAM operating at 6400 MT/s. The motherboard supports additional storage or accelerator cards via three PCIe M.2 slots—two using the Gen 4 standard, and one utilizing Gen 5 for increased bandwidth. Powering the entire system is a 1500-watt power supply, providing enough headroom for intensive workloads and potential future upgrades.

The specific unit tested for this review came with the RTX 5090 graphics card, 64 GB of RAM, Windows 11 Pro installed, and a listed retail price of $5,259.99. Setting up a new system for evaluation, however, is a process that takes far more time than simply turning it on and checking performance. To conduct proper benchmarking, reviewers typically need to download a variety of applications and diagnostic tools—often more than a dozen. Each download might take close to an hour, depending on server speeds, and accessing many of those tools via the web introduces additional time spent navigating download links and performing necessary installations.

Experienced reviewers often try to save time by maintaining a pre-configured system image, which can be transferred to the new machine rather than starting from scratch. Even so, imaging and system restoration can still take hours, depending on drive speeds and network conditions. The point here is simple: while a reader can consume a comprehensive hardware review in a matter of minutes, producing that review requires many hours of setup, troubleshooting, benchmarking, and documentation behind the scenes.

Area 51 – Benchmarked

• Assassin’s Creed Mirage: 2020 Ubisoft
• Call of Duty: Black Ops VI 2024 Activision
• Cyberpunk 2077 2020 CD Projekt
• Far Cry 6 2021 Ubisoft
• Final Fantasy XV 2016 Square Enix
• Metro Exodus: 2019 Deep Silver
• Shadow of the Tomb Raider: 2018 Square Enix
• Watch Dogs: Legion: 2020 Ubisoft

With one notable exception (Call of Duty), the difference in fps result between 1440 and 2160 resolution was not significant, averaging (without COD) to 3%, and in some cases, higher resolution got a better score. And yet, a 4k screen has 225% more pixels than a 1440 screen. That suggests the games may be more CPU-bound than by graphics.

In-game benchmark results in fps

We used the in-game benchmark program for all the game benchmarks. That is our preferred methodology because of the repeatability and ability to compare to other systems’ results.

Synthetic benchmarks use the benchmark company’s game engine, which is highly comparable to independent game companies’ engines, but different, nonetheless. It is, however, highly repeatable and reliable.

Synthetic benchmarks

• UL Port Royal
• UL Speedway
• UL Steel Nomad
• UL Time Spy Extreme 4k
• UL DLSS Feature test 4k
• UL Mesh Shader Feature test
• UL Procyon Computer Vision
• UL Procyon Office Productivity
• UL Procyon AI Image Generation
• Geekbench 3

The following charts show the test results we got with various benchmarks.

Figure 4. Primary UL game benchmarks in fps

The frame rates in the DLSS and tests were absurdly high. The tests don’t really offer much insight into the system’s behavior.

Figure 5. DLSS and Mesh shader benchmarks in fps

The following tests gave an arbitrary score, and comparisons are interesting but not conclusive.

Figure 6. Geekbench score, higher is better

As would be expected, fp16 had higher AI performance than fp32.

Figure 7. UL’s Procyon computer vision score, higher is better

The office productivity and image generation tests gave predicably higher scores for smaller resolutions.

Figure 8. UL’s Procyon office and image generation score, higher is better

We also ran the Blender benchmark and the SPEC workstation benchmarks.

Blender ray tracing program scores

The SPECviewperf benchmark measures the performance of GPUs for computing systems running the latest versions of SolidWorks, 3ds Max, Catia, Maya and more. The benchmark bases its measurements on “viewsets,” which are actual traces of the source applications running various workloads.

Figure 10. SPECviewperf scores

We ran the latest version of SPECviewperf (literally hours old) so there’s no comparative scores, but previous SPEC results were in the 30s to 50s.

Alienware AW2725Q monitor

As of this writing, the Alienware AW2725Q stands out as a uniquely high-performance and high-resolution display offering. It features a 4K QD-OLED panel capable of rendering HDR content, supporting HDR10 as well as Dolby Vision and VESA DisplayHDR 400 standards. Its variable refresh rate ranges from 48 Hz up to 240 Hz, allowing for exceptionally smooth visuals during both fast-paced gaming and high-definition video playback. The monitor delivers an ultra-fast response time of 0.03 milliseconds, which contributes to reduced motion blur and clearer image transitions in action-heavy scenarios.

Brightness levels on this display are notable, peaking at 1000 nits (cd/m²), while the color reproduction covers 100% of the DCI-P3 and sRGB color spaces, delivering a vibrant and accurate image. The contrast ratio is rated at an impressive 1,500,000:1, a figure made possible by the OLED technology, which allows for deep blacks and fine detail in dark scenes. The screen also integrates Low Blue Light technology to reduce eye strain, and it meets certification standards set by TÜV Rheinland for visual comfort and safety. It is further optimized for performance across various platforms with support for Adaptive Sync technologies, including Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro.

Alienware AW2725Q super high-speed, high-resolution gaming monitor (Source Dell)

Physically, the monitor includes a generous array of input and output options. Unlike many monitors that favor DisplayPort connectivity, this model features three HDMI 2.1 ports with HDCP 2.2 compatibility—something more commonly found on televisions or media center displays. These are complemented by a single DisplayPort 1.4 input. For peripheral connections, there’s also an upstream USB 3.2 port rated at 1.5 Gbps, as well as a 15-watt powered downstream USB 3.2 port for devices such as smartphones or external storage. The back panel, full of ventilation cutouts, contributes to thermal efficiency while giving the unit a visually distinctive and high-tech aesthetic.

From a user perspective, the experience is immersive and comfortable. As someone who typically prefers multiple large monitors, I found that extended sessions in front of the AW2725Q never felt visually fatiguing. The clarity, brightness, and motion responsiveness of the display made it feel like nothing was missing, even when used on its own. The unexpected emphasis on HDMI over DisplayPort hints at Alienware’s intent to make this monitor a versatile option—not just for traditional PC use, but also for modern gaming consoles and home theater configurations. Despite its compact footprint, it is clearly designed to be a universal display solution.

Alienware has managed to pack a wide array of features and performance attributes into a single unit, making it suitable for users across a variety of scenarios. With its vibrant OLED display, fast refresh rate, and comprehensive compatibility, this monitor provides an experience that feels both premium and practical. Given its overall specifications and performance, the $900 price tag positions it as a strong offering in the competitive high-end display market.

System: Alienware Area-51 AAT2250

Processor: Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, 3700 Mhz, 24 Core(s), 24 Logical Processor(s)

Installed Physical Memory (RAM): 64.0 GB

OS: Microsoft Windows 11 Pro

Storage: 2 TB SSD

AIB: RTX5090 Driver Version 32.0.15.7216

Monitor: AW2725Q 3840 x 2160 (no HDR) refresh up to 240 Hz, set base at 144Hz, with dynamic refresh

Conclusion—what do we think?

Considering that key components such as the CPU, GPU, power supply, network interface card, solid-state drive, and memory modules are sourced from third-party manufacturers and not built in-house by Alienware, one might ask: what does a pre-built system like this truly offer in terms of added value? In Alienware’s case, the answer lies in the accumulated experience of more than 37 years dedicated to assembling top-tier performance computers. This experience goes well beyond merely inserting hardware into a chassis and connecting wires. It encompasses thermal engineering, carefully measured cable routing and length, overall weight distribution, motherboard layout optimization, ease of maintenance and upgrades, and a refined sense of visual design.

Alienware’s approach has earned it credibility not only in the gaming world but also among professionals across various demanding sectors. Financial analysts, creative professionals in video and design, engineers, researchers, and lab technicians have all relied on Alienware systems for their reliability and raw computational power. This broad appeal underscores that the company is known not simply for high-performance systems, but for systems that combine performance with durability, thoughtful construction, and a form factor people find desirable to use and display.

During testing, the RTX 5090 GPU demonstrated its potential under load. In certain benchmarking scenarios, it ramped up to its maximum fan speed—between 1673 and 1978 RPM for factory-overclocked cards. That speed was clearly audible, even within a case that is built with considerable sound dampening. At those levels of stress, the system produces a noticeable hum that might remind some of a turbine. However, during actual gameplay—especially in fast-paced, action-heavy titles like first-person shooters or battle-based RPGs—any fan noise tends to be overwhelmed by the game’s own audio output. With headphones on, the sound becomes nearly irrelevant to the experience.

If you’re someone who has the funds to invest in a machine that doesn’t compromise on performance or construction quality, the 2025 edition of the Area 51 represents a highly compelling option. It’s more than just a collection of components—it’s the culmination of decades of design philosophy, hardware integration, and user-centered refinement.