Like clockwork, PC vendors update existing designs as Intel and Nvidia release new components. And just in time, Alienware announced the Aurora R15 desktop, utilizing Nvidia’s new 13th Gen Intel Core CPUs and GPUs up to his RTX 40 series, and a Radeon RX 6000 option. Perhaps more interesting than the spec update is Alienware making slight changes to the case to allow for better cooling. This is a desperately needed improvement.
For years, the Alienware Aurora series has come with the option of a 120mm all-in-one liquid CPU cooler, even though the CPU manufacturer doesn’t recommend it. Now Alienware offers his 240mm cooler (meaning a larger radiator and his pair of 120mm fans) with a total of five 120mm fans in the case.
| CPU | Up to 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13900K/KF |
| GPUs | Nvidia: GeForce RTX 4090, up to RTX 3090 Ti |
| AMD: up to Radeon RX 6900 XT | |
| memory | Up to 64GB DDR5-4800 |
| depository | Up to 4TB NVMe M.2 PCIe SSD + 2TB 7,200-RPM SATA HDD |
| cooling | Air cooler or 240mm AIO |
| power supply | 750W or 1,350W 80 Plus Platinum |
| motherboard | Custom Alienware motherboard with Intel Z7490 chipset |
| Chassis volume | 44 liters |
| Chassis dimensions | 23.2 x 20.1 x 8.85 inches |
| availability | Autumn 2022 |
| price | to be decided |
Additionally, Alienware has added side vents. Without the glass side panels, it looks like an interesting decoration. With glass, though, it appears to take up quite a bit of space under the glass side panels. Its glass has become much smaller, making it almost impossible to see the inner workings inside the case. If it really means better CPU performance, I’m in favor. But I have to see firsthand what it looks like. Otherwise, the design hasn’t changed at all, until the oddly optional rear cable cover. best gaming pccooling has been a thorny issue with the Aurora line, especially for non-gaming tasks.
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Alienware apparently removed the HDD cage from the top of the stem to make room for a larger cooler. But Alienware’s photo still has a 3.5-inch drive bay, just below the system.
To future-proof your system, Alienware offers power supplies from previous generations of 1,000W up to 1,350W. Even a top-end graphics card should suffice, but both the CPU and GPU require more power, so it’s good to have some headroom. All PSUs offered by Alienware are all 80 Plus Platinum rated, from the 750W base option to the top-of-the-line version. (The Alienware R13 has a Bronze rating of 460W starting capacity.)
Other changes include a move to faster DDR5-4800 memory (up to 64GB in two DIMM slots) and 12-phase voltage regulation aimed at maintaining peak performance over time.
Alienware still seems to use custom motherboards. This allows for more ports on the front, but it’s a shame these other minor updates leave the motherboard almost irreplaceable for someone who wants to hang in the system for a few years and upgrade.
Alienware claims that these changes deliver 58% more power to the CPU, improving performance by “two orders of magnitude” while allowing the CPU to run up to 5 degrees cooler. It also says the vents increase airflow through the system by 19%.
Alienware has yet to announce pricing for the Aurora R15. It is said to be nearing its launch sometime this fall.
