At CES 2025, Alienware announced the return of its legendary Area-51 desktop PC, which has long been synonymous with high-end gaming systems. After years of silence, the new model promises to return the Area-51 to its throne as the flagship PC for gamers. However, as befits royalty, this powerful machine will come at a hefty price, with a starting price of around $4500.

The new model promises to bring the Area-51 back to its throne as the flagship PC for gamers.

Design and cooling

The new Alienware Area-51 comes in a large 80-liter chassis that has enough space to accommodate the most powerful components, including 600W graphics and 280W CPU power. It supports the latest NVIDIA graphics cards and Intel Core Ultra 9 285K processors, making it a true performance monster.

For efficient cooling, the design utilizes a positive pressure system with fans that only supply air and all emissions are handled by passive airflow. The system includes two 140mm fans that deliver air upwards to the GPU, two 180mm fans facing the front of the GPU, CPU, and RAM, and two or three 120mm fans that deliver air from the top for liquid-cooled configurations. As a result, the increased internal pressure helps exhaust hot air through the rear of the case.

Alienware claims the new cooling system delivers 25 percent more airflow, 13 percent more efficient cooling, and 45 percent quieter operation than previous Aurora PC models. These improvements result in up to 50 percent more performance.

Ease of Service

Area-51 is designed not only for powerful performance, but also for easy maintenance. All you have to do to open the case is turn the special handle on the back panel. Inside the PC, there’s plenty of room to work comfortably and replace components. Alienware has added QR codes with instructions that can save you a few seconds of searching video guides, such as how to replace RAM, GPU, SSD and power supply, as well as maintenance, including cleaning fans and filters. The system includes three removable and cleanable filters.

Configurations and expansion options

The new Area-51 supports up to 64GB of DDR5 XMP RAM (2x 32GB) at 6400 MT/s, up to 8TB of storage, and liquid cooling in 240mm and 360mm radiator configurations (with DIY upgrade options to 420mm). The PC utilizes 1500W Platinum Rated ATX12VO or 850W Gold Rated ATX12VO power supplies to provide the necessary power for top-end components.

Pricing and Availability

The starter configuration with «the next generation of NVIDIA graphics cards» will cost about $4500 and go on sale in the first quarter of 2025. More affordable versions with other configurations will be available at a later date, but exact pricing and details have not yet been disclosed.

Closure

Alienware’s Area-51 is a powerful gaming PC that is reborn in a new guise, maintaining its legendary status as a flagship model. With impressive performance, improved cooling and upgrade options, the new Area-51 promises to be the choice for those looking for maximum power and style. Despite the high price tag, it’s the perfect solution for professional gamers and enthusiasts who aren’t willing to compromise on performance.