In 2015, Alienware (a Dell subsidiary) introduced the powerful personal computer known as the Alienware Area 51 Threadripper. Some people are still looking for the device even after nine years of advancements in PC and gaming technologies.
But many people are confused. They wonder whether or not Alienware Area 51 Threadripper is worth it or not. This article is a brief yet comprehensive review of the device. It is kept simple so that every individual can understand.
Our aim is to let people have an overview of the device without getting into the nitty-gritty. So, is this device still worth it in 2024? Let’s find out.
Alienware Area 51 Threadripper
The Alienware Area 51 Threadripper is essentially a gaming PC. It comes equipped with AMD’s Ryzen 1950X (16-core) processor and Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 1060 graphics card.
The device can run demanding multimedia files smoothly even today. However, one thing that needs to be considered is that the device is very pricey. This is especially true when you compare it to its rivals that outperform it.
Design
The design of the Alienware Area 51 Threadripper is one of the coolest things about it. Unlike traditional devices that have a rectangular shape, the Area 51 Threadripper features a sleek hexagon (which is a six-sided shape) design. However, the hexagon shape is not regular; three out of six sides are smaller as compared to the other three.
The alienware Area 51 weighs about 28 kg, or 62 pounds, which is average for a gaming PC. It is 22.4 inches tall, 10.75 inches wide, and 25 inches deep (spacious enough to fit three graphics cards). Which is roughly the same size as an average gaming desktop tower.
Operating System
The Alienware Area 51 Threadripper can support different operating systems, such as Windows, Linux, and others. However, Alienware Area-51 Threadripper Edition R3 and R6 do not support Windows 11. Whereas the edition R7 seems to be compatible, be sure to confirm it before making a purchase.
Processor
When it comes to the brain of the Alienware Area-51 Threadripper, it comes equipped with a powerful processor: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X. Which is sufficient to run a load of multimedia tasks simultaneously.
The device is capable of running most older titles (that were released at the time it was manufactured) at 4K resolution. But the Area-51 is not recommended as a pure gaming PC. More on this later.
Graphics
The Alienware Area 51 Threadripper performs very well when it comes to running multimedia tasks such as photo editing, illustration, animating, video editing, etc.
It comes equipped with an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060, a mid-range graphics card, which is still a decent choice for running demanding multimedia.
The gaming capabilities of this device are also considerable, but not necessarily at 4K. For gaming enthusiasts, adding additional graphics cards would significantly boost gaming performance. But if you’re looking forward to using this device for graphics editing only, then it comes down to your budget.
Memory
The PC comes with 32 gigabytes of RAM. The motherboard features four DIMM slots (like other motherboards) that come equipped with 8 GB of RAM each. 8 x 4 = 32.
Area-51’s 32 GB of RAM is sufficient for running a plethora of tasks without hindrance. You can play games, listen to music, browse, and run some other tasks at the same time.
Storage
It comes with a storage capacity of 3 terabytes. That includes a 1TB SSD and a 2TB HDD. The 1TB SSD makes the overall gaming experience smoother due to the faster data transfer rate.
Moreover, the 3 TB of storage allows you to store as many games as you want, considering most modern AAA games require up to 10–120 Gigabytes of storage on average. Additional SSDs or HDDs can also be installed.
Cooling System
The front of the PC allows air to flow into it, while the back of the PC lets it escape. The escaping air becomes hot as a result of the PC’s internal heating, but this ventilation system helps it stay cool and prevents cooling fans from becoming aggressive.
Connectivity
The Alienware Area-51 features the following connectible ports and slots:
On the front:
- One USB-C and two USB 2.0 ports
- One headphone jack and another for microphone
- One SD Card slot
- One DVD drive slot
On the back:
- Seven USB 3.0 ports
- Two USB 2.0 ports
- One USB-C port
- Two HDMI ports
- Two Ethernet ports
And a few more ports. The wireless connectivity features Killer 802.11ac Wi-Fi to minimize lag and packet loss while gaming. Lastly, it features a Bluetooth 4.1 wireless connection.
NOTE
The exact number and types of ports may vary depending on individual variants of devices.
Price And availability
The starting price of the Alienware Area 51 Threadripper series is $2,400+ up to more than $5,000, which is quite expensive, to be frank. As for availability, this device series has been discontinued, so the chances of its availability are low.
Warranty
Almost all Alienware rigs come with a warranty. And the Alienware Area 51 Threadripper is no exception. It comes with a standard warranty. Each product’s warranty usually differs in respect to the duration of the warranty, depending on factors like model number and region.
So, it all comes down to the model you purchase and where you live. We advise taking some time to check the warranty on the device. It will come in handy if the PC’s parts need a replacement or if you need to contact customer support.
Pros And Cons
Here are some notable pros and cons of the Area 51 Threadripper:
Pros:
- Extensible chassis for extra memory and graphics cards
- Excellent ventilation
- Capable of running a decent load of multimedia tasks
Cons:
- CPU architecture is old as compared to the CPU’s coming out in 2024 so it can easily be outperformed by modern devices
- Expensive
- Some competitors that came out around the same time outperformed it
- Not good for modern gaming, especially the games released after 2016
Remember, every device is unique and has its pros and cons.
Is it still the best device?
If you ask me, then I wouldn’t recommend buying the Alienware Area 51 Threadripper. The major drawback of this device, and the main reason why I wouldn’t recommend it, is its high cost.
The PC being old is another big reason why someone shouldn’t invest in it in 2024 for gaming. Why? Because newer and moderner games require CPUs and GPUs with advanced architectures to run seamlessly,. An outdated system is likely to struggle to run a modern AAA title even with sufficient memory.
As newer and newer CPUs are manufactured, their architecture improves, resulting in faster processing speeds.
These two are the biggest drawbacks, in my opinion. Some modern computers that are less expensive can outperform the Area-51 by a heap due to relatively advanced CPU and GPU architectures.
Besides, Area 51 is a gaming PC. But it cannot smoothly run most modern AAA games at 4K or even at 1080p that were released after 2016. Well, it’s because it is an older technology. So, for better gaming performance, you will have to invest more money.
So, I would recommend you do your research and look for better options. But the Alienware Area 51 Threadripper can still be a viable option for some who intend to use it for graphics-related work.
Final Words
The Alienware Area 51 Threadripper is a gaming PC by Dell. The series has been out since 2015 but has been discontinued. It features a sleek, hexagonal design and powerful features to play games smoothly.
Although it is supposed to be a gaming rig, considering the fact that the device is now 9 years old, it is incapable of running modern AAA games at high resolution. However, it is capable of smoothly running many multimedia tasks simultaneously.