Alienware Aurora R13 vs. Area 51: Which is for You? 🔥

If you‘re an avid gamer in the market for a new high-powered gaming desktop, Alienware is likely on your radar. Two of the company‘s most popular models are the Alienware Aurora R13 and Alienware Area 51. But with similar specs and high performance claims, how do you choose between them?

We‘ll compare the latest generations of these iconic gaming PCs across all the metrics that matter – horsepower, design, customizability and more. Read on for a detailed head-to-head and our recommendations on which Alienware is best for different gamers.

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Gaming Desktop Head-to-Head

Let‘s break down how the Aurora R13 and Area 51 stack up across the specifications and components that matter most for high performance gaming.

Processing Power

The brains behind any gaming PC, the processor plays a huge role in overall speed and capability. The Aurora R13 leverages the latest generation Intel 12th gen CPUs like the flagship Core i9-12900KF while the Area 51 is still on Intel‘s 11th gen chips.

The flagship Aurora R13 configuration delivers up to 52% more cores and 33% more threads which equates to serious gains in both gaming performance and handling intense multitasking and productivity apps.

Graphics and Gaming Performance

Of course the graphics card is arguably the most critical component of a gaming desktop. Both models offer top-tier graphics from Nvidia‘s RTX 3000 series cards to power the latest games with high frame rates.

In terms of gaming frame rates, both systems outfitted with the same graphics card will deliver similar stellar performance – we‘re talking 120+ FPS at 1440p ultra settings in AAA games.

You can configure them with equal top-tier cards like the NVIDIA RTX 3090, so graphics power is effectively a tie here. Performance is mostly down to budget for the GPU you opt for. Of course with annual upgrades, the Aurora R13 will likely remain one generation ahead on GPU tech.

Memory and Storage

You‘ll want sufficient RAM and fast storage capacities to support new games and store your massive game library.

The Aurora R13 offers a clear edge here – Alienware‘s first platform with standard DDR5 RAM delivering up to 5200 MT/s speeds compared to the Area 51‘s leading edge of DDR4-3600 MHz.

While 16 – 32GB RAM is plenty for most users, the Aurora R13 can optionally scale up to 128GB if you really want to go all out! Both can be configured with fast PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSDs with 4TB being the ceiling.

So again, similar top storage capacities but the Aurora R13 pulls ahead on bleeding edge memory configurations.

Design, Dimensions and Lighting

The Aurora R13 and Area 51 share a similar case design language with sharp angles and an industrial look. However the latest Aurora R13 leverages a new Legend 2.0 chassis that‘s highly modular and optimized for cooling and acoustics. At nearly 20 x 20 x 9 inches, they have a commanding desktop footprint. Both ship in "Dark Side of the Moon" matte black.

Immersive RGB lighting has long been an Alienware signature and the Aurora R13 has the edge here with more extensive use across both internal and external sections of the case. Leveraging AlienFX, everything from customizable front logos and side panels to internal cooling fans can pulse in sync across 16.8 million colors.

So in terms of aesthetics, dimensions and bling, there isn‘t a major differentiation. Still, the Aurora R13 should have slightly greater customization and personalization options with its enhanced RGB implementation and modular parts.

Power and Cooling

Gaming PCs need robust power supply units (PSUs) and cooling solutions to ensure system stability and avoid thermal throttling during marathon gaming sessions.

The Area 51 comes out ahead here with a beefier 1500W PSU configuration and potent liquid cooling with a dedicated heat exchanger. The Aurora R13 still packs plenty of power at 1300W max PSUs and an impressive new airflow design with 4x fans.

So hardcore gamers seeking to overclock their rig to the limits may prefer the Area 51 but for most, the Aurora R13‘s cooling should easily handle the latest AAA games in boost mode.

Key Differences and Takeaways

What Gamers Should Buy the Aurora R13?

The Aurora R13 is ideal if you want the latest generation hardware ready to support upcoming games and tech advancements. With a CPU architecture modernized for both single and multi-threaded workloads, it should age better over the next few years.

Gamers focused on eSports titles that rely heavily on processor performance for extremely high frame rates will also benefit. And the improved thermals can ensure your system won‘t throttle during marathon gaming sessions.

The Aurora R13 is also better suited for hybrid gamers / power users. With next-gen DDR5 memory and leading connectivity (more USB + USB-C ports with 10Gb LAN options), it has the bandwidth for live streaming, content creation and productivity alongside gaming.

And if you want to customize components down the road, the modular Legend 2.0 chassis offers easier upgrades than the Area 51‘s tight interior layout.

What Gamers Should Buy the Area 51?

The Area 51 remains an icon amongst gaming PCs if you love the unique industrial futuristic aesthetics. The spacious interior fits extended liquid cooling solutions you won‘t physically cram into compact rigs. So for dedicated gamers planning on heavily overclocking, it may have a slight edge in thermal capacity.

Gamers looking for a proven reliable platform may also prefer the Area 51 that‘s been battle tested over years. And because it leverages more standardized components, you may also have an easier time finding compatible parts for repairs down the road.

Finally, hardcore gamers wanting to spec their system to the absolute limits may better leverage the Area 51‘s leading edge 1500W PSU over the Aurora R13‘s 1300W model today. However for the vast majority of buyers eyeing high end 3080 / 3090 builds, 1300W is perfectly sufficient.

Which Should You Buy?

Overall if you‘re shopping for a new top-of-the-line Alienware gaming desktop right now, the Aurora R13 makes the most sense for serious gamers wanting cutting-edge performance and components that will stay relevant over an extended ownership window.

But the Area 51 still retains a niche for gamers wanting maximum overclocking limits or prefer the iconic styling and expansive internal operating room. Unless you specifically need the incremental gains the Area 51 enables, we think the Aurora R13 is the best choice for most buyers thanks to its 12th Gen Intel processing muscle and excellent cooling capacity.

Best For	Most gamers – top performance, latest components	Extreme overclocking, max power delivery
Rating⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	4.8 / 5	4.6 / 5
See Aurora R13 Deals	See Area 51 Deals

Whichever Alienware model you select, both deliver incredible power for silky smooth high FPS 1440p and 4K gaming. You really can‘t go wrong but we think the Aurora R13 fits the needs of more buyers today.

Have questions on Alienware Aurora R13 and Area 51 models or want desktop gaming PC recommendations? Ask us in the comments!