The Alienware Area51 Threadripper is one of the best gaming PCs on the market (on paper). It’s equipped with an AMD Ryzen Threadripper CPU and a pair of Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 graphics cards. It has a 16GB DDR4 memory module, 1TB 7200RPM drive, and three USB 3.0 ports. The Intel Core i7-7800X processor and the GTX 1080 graphics cards make the Area51 Threadripper an excellent choice for gamers who need a robust system that can handle multi-tasking. If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line gaming PC, the Alienware Area51 Threadripper should be at the top of your list.
In addition, the Alienware Area51 Threadripper comes with a Mini DisplayPort that allows you to connect to an external display. This is perfect for gamers who want to take their gaming to the next level. Finally, the Alienware Area51 Threadripper also has an inbuilt subwoofer that enhances audio quality when playing games or watching movies using either speakers or headphones.
One of the most impressive things about these new CPUs is that they are compatible with existing AM4 motherboards, meaning that you don’t need to upgrade your whole system to take advantage of the new technology. Whether you’re looking for a gaming processor or a chip for intensive creative work, the AMD Ryzen is sure to offer excellent performance.
Design
The Alienware Area51 Threadripper is a massive machine, measuring 569mm tall and 272mm wide. The front panel comprises a series of slats made of glossy, dark plastic, with RGB LEDs running around the edge and sitting on the side panels. The familiar Alienware logo serves as the power button on the front of the machine. Each point of the triangular case is supported by a metal handle, making it easier to tilt the machine to access its various ports and sockets. The build quality throughout the machine is excellent, with solid metal construction and sturdy plastic materials used throughout. While this all sounds great, the reality is that the sheer size of the Area51 Threadripper makes it difficult to use on a day-to-day basis. It’s not easy to take to LAN parties or gaming events, and the awkward shape means it’s not always easy to find a place to put it. Ultimately, this machine is best suited for those looking for raw power and aren’t as concerned about portability or ease of use.
The processor is topped off with a bulky 120mm water-cooler with a single 120mm fan, and the two graphics cards are plastic-clad models that look very much like bog-standard reference units. The motherboard is basic, with no RGB LEDs, snazzy heatsinks, or extra features.
The power supply is an ugly metal box; most cables are multi-colored. The placement of these cables isn’t neat, either – they cluster across the case and sit in a huge bundle towards the bottom of the chassis. All of this makes for an unattractive and unimpressive system.
Performance
The star component is the Ryzen Threadripper 1950X. This is a range-topping chip from AMD’s 2017 architecture. It has 16 cores that support 32 concurrent threads. The1950X has a stock speed of 3.4GHz, improving to 4.2GHz with Turbo boosting. It has 32MB of cache and the core Threadripper architecture, which means quad-channel memory support and better Precision Boost turbo performance. The alienware also has 64GB of 2,666MHz memory. This is a generous amount that only a few high-end Alienware computers have.
The new Alienware Area-51 Threadripper is a powerful gaming machine, but its huge core count means its single-core performance suffers compared to cheaper rivals. Its single-threaded Geekbench result of 4024 is more than 1000 points behind the Corsair and is about level with the Ryzen 7 1800X. The Alienware scored 4184 in PCMark 8, which lags behind its cheaper rivals.
It’s an interesting set of results but reveals a tricky conundrum about AMD’s latest chips. The 1950X may have more cores than almost anything else, but there are only a handful of applications that will truly make use of them.
More conventional Ryzen and Core i7 chips will be better for most workers and gamers. And, of course, the huge core count means that single-threaded speed takes a hit. That means Intel’s chips and pacier Ryzen parts will better suit video editing and 3D rendering tasks. For most people, the Area-51 Threadripper isn’t worth the extra cash.
The Alienware Area51 Threadripper Edition has two Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Ti graphics cards. Between them, the range-topping GPUs deploy 7168 stream processors and 22GB of GDDR5X, so there’s no power shortage. The two graphics cards will play any new game at 4K without breaking a sweat. The two cards will also handle the market’s raft of VR headsets, widescreen panels, high refresh-rate screens, and multi-monitor setups. They’re great for work, too, with enough power for video production and other graphical applications. For more evidence of the Alienware Area-51 Threadripper Edition’s raw performance, look to 3DMark. In the Fire Strike Ultra test, Alienware scored 12,479. The Corsair could manage only 7075.
The two graphics cards will play any new game at 4K without breaking a sweat. The two cards will also handle the market’s raft of VR headsets, widescreen panels, high refresh-rate screens, and multi-monitor setups. They’re great for work, too, with enough power for video production and other graphical applications.
Computer Background Noise
The theArea-51 delivered reasonable thermal performance. Its CPU and GPU peak temperatures of 65°C and 84°C are fine, and the rig was quiet in most situations. You probably won’t be disturbed by the system’s low, almost inaudible rumble if you’re not pushing the components.
However, push the key components with tough gaming tasks or high-end work applications, and the quiet whirr becomes a loud, low rumble. It won’t be a huge issue if you’re gaming with a headset or speakers, but trying to use the PC for work in a quiet environment could be a problem.
Verdict: Yay or Nay
The new Alienware Area-51 Threadripper Edition is a beefy gaming desktop with some serious hardware. But while it’s certainly powerful, it falls short in several important ways. First and foremost, it’s prohibitively expensive, especially compared to other Threadripper-powered systems. It’s also quite loud, running at an earsplitting 95 decibels when under full load. And while the alien-themed design is certainly eye-catching, it’s not particularly practical, making it difficult to access the internals for upgrades or repairs. Overall, the Alienware Area-51 Threadripper Edition is a nice idea that doesn’t quite deliver on its potential. If you’re looking for a high-end gaming desktop, you’d be better off shopping around.
Daily Contributor is a collective of writers that love entertainment, video games, sports, and nerding out.