The Alienware Aurora R9 desktop gaming PC is a powerful system with 9th gen Intel Core i7 processors and Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 graphics. It has all the firepower needed to run almost anything that you throw at it, and it’s all encased in a beautiful signature Alienware case that gets factory liquid cooling. It is certainly worthy of the best gaming pc title.
Why We Like It – Alienware Aurora R9
The Aurora R9 from Alienware is a powerful gaming desktop that looks like it came from an alien mothership. This gaming PC will let users play most of the games at ultra settings without any lag.. It gets a powerful Intel Core i7 processor, plenty of storage, and a top of the line graphics card. If you’re building from scratch and your computer is missing a case, you should also read our review of the In Win H-frame aluminum computer case (flux capacitor not included).
- Overclockable 9th Gen processors
- Factory liquid cooling
- Upgradeable hardware
- Difficult to clean
Performance
The Aurora R9 has a fully upgradeable motherboard that is equipped with a 9th gen Intel Core i7-9700K chipset, which is overclocked to 4.6GHz across all 8 cores. The PC comes with a liquid cooling setup from the factory to keep things cool. This is paired with 16GB dual-channel DDR4 memory, and a powerful Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Super graphics card with 8GB GDDR6 memory. You also get plenty of storage with a 256GB SSD and a 2TB 7200rpm hard drive. If this is too much for you, maybe take a look at the CyberpowerPC Gamer Xtreme Gaming PC.
Related: Also be sure to checkout our Skytech Shadow Gaming Computer review.
Design
The Alienware Aurora R9 carries the typical Alienware design with clean lines and an upgraded chassis that offers optimal air flow thanks to inbuilt fans. Alienware has tried to make the case as compact as possible, and added a swing-arm for the PSU that enables tool-less upgrades. On the front, you get easy access to three USB Type A ports, a USB Type C port, a headphone jack, and a microphone input. The case also features customisable RGB lighting zones, which can be configured using the AlienFX software. If you want a more extravagant design, then check out the iBUYPOWER Pro Gaming PC.
Value
For a hard-core gamer or a video/photo editor, the Alienware Aurora R9 is a total value for money. It has some of the best upgradeable hardware, and a compact and minimal design. The factory included liquid cooling setup ensures that the overclocked CPU can provide the best performance. The gaming PC also comes with built-in Killer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 wireless connectivity. Furthermore, the Alienware Command Center allows for easy overclocking as well. It also offers better value when compared to less priced systems such as the SkyTech Blaze II Gaming PC.
Alienware Aurora R9 Wrap Up
The Alienware Aurora R9 is an incredible deal considering the factory liquid cooling system, compact and easy to access case design, all the digital output, and upgradeability. However, the case can be a little hard to clean as all the parts are cramped internally and it will be difficult to access things without removing them. Which is something we also found in our Avadirect Avant Nano Cube gaming pc review.
