Alienware Crams Gaming PC Into Console Form Factor
Is it a new Alienware gaming console? No, but it will fit right in nicely with your PlayStation 3 and Xbxo 360, but packing superior hardware.
On Tuesday, Dell updated its blog with news of a new Alienware desktop gaming PC that fits within a console-like chassis. Called the Alienware X51, the compact rig is a direct response to community demands for a more efficient gaming system with a smaller, more versatile form factor.
That said, the Alienware team came up with an impressive-looking rig measuring 13.5-inches tall in the front, 12.54-inches tall in the back, 12.52-inches deep and 3.74-inches wide. Standing up it looks like a super-slim PC, dwarfed by its bigger Alienware desktop brothers -- laying flat, it could be mistaken for a next-generation gaming console sporting a sleek matte black finish, dark chrome accents and three customizable lighting zones, but better hardware.
"The X51 is Alienware’s smallest gaming desktop ever produced, and yet is powerful enough to give gamers the freedom to do it all – play modern games, immerse themselves in PC hobbies and tasks for work or school, or even create an entertainment hub by integrating it into a home theater setup for watching Blu-ray movies with 7.1 surround sound," the blog reads.
Under the hood, the Alienware X51 features Intel's 2nd-generation Core i-Series CPUs, Nvidia GeForce GT or GTX GPUs with GDDR5 memory, 802.11n connectivity, HDMI 1.4 output, and USB 3.0. But don't let the small form factor fool you: this rig isn't a closed system, but rather is fully upgradeable, allowing owners to quickly perform their own hard-drive, graphics, and memory upgrades quickly and easily.
Here's the list of specifications:
- Intel Core i3 Dual Core (standard) and Intel Core i5 and i7 Quad Core Processor Options
- Intel H61 Express Chipset Architecture
- Mini-ITX Motherboard
- Nvidia 1 GB GDDR5 GeForce GT 545 (Standard) and 1 GB GDDR5 GeForce GTX 555
- Up to 8 GB of DDR3 Memory (4 GB Standard); 2x 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM Slots
- Fast 7,200RPM 1 TB Hard Drive
- Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
- Slot-Loading Dual Layer DVD Burner (Standard) or optional Blu-ray Disc Reader
- Internal High-Definition 7.1 Performance Audio with Waves MAXX Audio Software
- Integrated 10/100/1000 Mbps RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet NIC and Integrated 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi Wireless LAN (standard)
- USB 2.0 (6x) and USB 3.0 (2x)
- Microphone In; Headphone/Speaker Out
- HDMI 1.4 Output
- Front, Rear and Center Speaker Ports
- SPDIF Digital Output (TOSLINK); SPDIF Digital Output (Coax)
- Alienware 240 Watt Power Supply (Standard) or optional 330 Watt Power Supply
- Dual-orientation tower system dimensions: h: 13.5-inches (343-mm) x w: 3.74-inches (95-mm) x d: 12.52-inches (318-mm)
- Starting Weight: 12.1 lbs. (5.49 Kg.)
Alienware X51 is available now on Dell.com and Alienware.com with a starting price of $699 USD. Alienware Gaming Services is available in the U.S. and Canada at this time.
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Xbxo 360 in title - Typo!
What community demands? Now it is an overpriced gimped gaming PC with limited ability to upgrade. Who demanded that?
Small size, Core i3 and GeForce GT 545 for $699.....nah
Would like to see a more potent gpu in it, but otherwise very interesting. I could see myself possibly getting one for the living room after the IVB Kepler update.
I saw this this morning at the Escapist.
I have to say, besides being in a small case, it's a bit of a rip off. They advertise BF3 at High settings, 1080p, 32fps+... yeah. Right.
How about we just build our own SFF pc?
i3 2120 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6819115077
BioStar H61 mATX mobo http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6813138332
Patriot Signature 8gb 1600mhz RAM http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6820220570
XFX Double D 6790 1gb GPU http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6814150534
Hitachi 750GB 7200rpm HDD http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6822145532
Apevia Small Form Factor Case with 420W PSU http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6811144161
Samsung BluRay drive http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6827151222
Windows 7 64 bit http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6832116986
Total: $725.92
Not 100% sure that 420W PSU is enough though, so maybe add $62 for a Silverstone 500W PSU http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6817256061
PC Gaming for the poor. I'm perfectly fine with my 2 GTX 580s 3Gb versions in SLI, 2700k @ 5Ghz and 2560 x 1600 res IPS panel thanks. Get 90fps on Ultra in BF3 at my res.
packs a punch but overpriced..as if we should we exspect anything else from alienware other than overpriced lol
Is it justifiable for rich people to say things that are funny?
Welcome back to the circus!
And it will burn up one month after the one year warranty runs out... >.>
Put HD 7970 with 2GB GDDR5, X-Fi, Core i3 fastest, WiFi 450n, Bluetooth, 8GB DDR1600, on a single circuit board without any add-on slots. Cool it with a large heatsink using 240mm fan. Release new hardware every 3 years. No need for consoles at all. I wonder if that would work...
How much did they pay Tom for this ad...I mean article.
Very niche market. I can't really see any point in this computer. Most LAN gamers build their own PC and like it that way. Too pricey for a HTPC. Too weak for a gaming desktop. Too expensive for kids with consoles..
PC Gaming for the poor. I'm perfectly fine with my 2 GTX 580s 3Gb versions in SLI, 2700k @ 5Ghz and 2560 x 1600 res IPS panel thanks. Get 90fps on Ultra in BF3 at my res.
Umm... no you don't. http://www.hardwareheaven.com/revi [...] ld-3.html. This review has SLIed 1.5GB 580s paired with a 3960X averaging 81 FPS at 1080p. If you are going to embellish, at least make it believable.
On topic, this needs a better GPU as pointed out by others but there may not be a better one available if it has to be low-profile. This is a very niche market product and I can't imagine it getting very many sales
Xbxo 360
"We put an extra-special effort into not only editing the grammar, spelling, and technical correctness of each feature story that goes live on Tom’s Hardware"
LMAO
PC Gaming for the poor. I'm perfectly fine with my 2 GTX 580s 3Gb versions in SLI, 2700k @ 5Ghz and 2560 x 1600 res IPS panel thanks. Get 90fps on Ultra in BF3 at my res.
Right because everyone that cant afford to drop $2,000 on a PC is poor. But guess what, there are guys out there running Quad SLI with $10,000 setups that make you look poor. Troll.
AlienWare is overrated
AlienWare is overrated
I have their m17x laptop, latest edition. I don't think it is overrated, just overpriced. The build quality and parts in it are top notch and super fast. The price was heart attack worthy but considering a Macbook Pro can't even compare in specs and is even more expensive it may not be such a bad deal after all.
WOOOOOOOOOO XBXO!!!!!! YAAAAAA CANADA EH
nice a PC tailored for the battlefield/call of duty kids. Dell will love them because they will be the only ones they can go to to get upgraded parts for it
Who demanded that?
Your average clue less buyer.
Alienware is almost as overpriced as Apple...
How come I don't see more people talking about the glaring flaw with this PC. 240w standard external PSU and a 330w external for the upgraded version seem as if its the very minimum of what they could use to power the system. If I'm not mistaken that means all this awesome customization they continually hammer down your throats is complete rubbish. You try to upgrade anything in this computer that uses more wattage than what it uses at stock and your comp wont run or it will blow up.
What community demands? Now it is an overpriced gimped gaming PC with limited ability to upgrade. Who demanded that?
Me.. for one. I hate big PCs. I like small ones that I can put in my luggage.
Me.. for one. I hate big PCs. I like small ones that I can put in my luggage.
well good luck. if a part fails on it and you have to get some real exotic pricey replacement for it. all thanks for that sumer small tower you wanted
Well I will say one good thing to come from this..
They got the console form factor down, now they just need to work on PRICE. then console makers will have another competitor on the market then!
An alienware gaming console...interesting..
yes, "form factor" is the most important thing in picking out a gaming PC.
My issue until now was that my gaming case didn't look enough like my Atari and now that it looks more like it, I will henceforth, pledge my life to serve Alienware and their Texan overlords: Dell.
The giant hole that existed in my existence was this glaring lack of "form factor", now I am finally complete as a human being....
Neat and all, but the GPU is too underwhelming to even bother.
Well I will say one good thing to come from this..
They got the console form factor down, now they just need to work on PRICE. then console makers will have another competitor on the market then!
An alienware gaming console...interesting..
not really. a PC is still not as user friendly as a console. the console crowd want to pop a disk in and play. not pop a disk in, install,setup controls, display, sound also maybe install new GPU,PSU,ram etc etc to play a the latest games
Xbxo 360 in title - Typo!
You will find lots of cheap knock offs with that slapped on it.
There even one called BS3 and Vii
Good concept, horrible execution and even worse price.
PC Gaming for the poor. I'm perfectly fine with my 2 GTX 580s 3Gb versions in SLI, 2700k @ 5Ghz and 2560 x 1600 res IPS panel thanks. Get 90fps on Ultra in BF3 at my res.
LOL your setup isnt even that spectacular yourself. Ive seen rigs at school that would blow yours away. Getting 90fps on Ultra is simple dude, i get that with 3 470 gtx's at that resolution. Now if you had a 3-5 monitor setup with 3d then you would have something. Otherwise GTFO with your non existant Epeen.
What does size have to do with anything?
You could put slied gfx cards in there or Xfire cards in there. Imagine the possiblities if they converted a laptop mobo into one of those things with dual laptop GPUs. Dell has the money to do that and this looks interesting to say the least.