Alienware X51 as Streaming PC - Upgradability & Design!

Let me show you why the Alienware X51 is a great little PC for streaming. It's an affordable used PC, and it offers some very nice upgradability capabilities. Plus, the form factor is one that is very hard to match today.
It takes up very little room though the purpose-built design choices to have the two hottest components self-vent all the heat out of the back fo the case. This eliminates the need for a half dozen big-ass fans to try and get cool air in and hot air out of the case. No big fans or coolers means no big case.
Perfect for a dedicated or even portable streaming production PC.

[@greenspark7803]

It's time for upgrade this system 😈

[@StreamTeknology]

I've moved up to the NUC extreme computers now.

[@00sanghun]

Hey! Kinda late hopped on this video, great content btw! I've bought myself recently an R3, and considering that all 3 generations share a simmilar chasis, I've order myself an ODD cage, where I will place a second drive, and just out of interest, if the ODD is removed from the PC, is it possible to place 2 2.5" drives instead, or that place will be able to hold only one drive? The computer is running on an NVME SSD by the way, I want to add more drives just to have some spare storage.

[@StreamTeknology]

SSDs are so light, you can stick them anywhere - two might fit if they are thin enough, but if it doesn't, you can find anotherplace to put it, I'm sure. The space where the HDD can easily hold four SSDs. :)

[@00sanghun]

@@StreamTeknology I remember seeing a photo on the internet where an SSD was fixed with screws instead of the disc drive. That's why I'm interested wether it's possible to place 2 in that place. I'd rather fix them ion place with some screws, instead of sticking them. Anyways, once the ODD cage will arrive, I will play around and see what options I have, but thanks for the info :D And yeah, I do not think that I will even place 4 drives in that PC, as the board has only 3 SATA ports available. For now, I'm planning to install one 3.5" HDD, and another SSD or 2.5" HDD (didn't decide yet on the last part, will see the availability of both in my region, once all the parts arrive)

[@wurlah8984]

Hi, I have a Alienware X51 R2. I was wondering if you know how to change the memory speed from 1333MHz to 1600MHz.

[@IEBATechThoughts]

I don't, and it may also be a function of the motherboard whether it can or not.

[@baga7546]

Lol. I still game with my GEN 1, x51, i7-3770 and nvidia gtx. 660 ti... Still running strong

[@Lonely_Old_Gamer]

Hello I have a x51 R1 running a i5 2500k and a 2gb gt 1030 on 16gb of ram. What if anything would you recommend to do to it upgrade wise? not to sure if it has the upgraded power board though

[@IEBATechThoughts]

If you haven't already, get a SSD to boot from. There should be three SATA headers on the motherboard. Add the appropriate cabling for SATA and power and the SSD is much faster startup and operation than HDD. Keep the HDD for media. Aside from that, the 2nd generation i5 is going to be your biggest anchor. I don't know if the CPU is swappable, but you might see if you have the bigger power supply, and then if you find a 2nd gen i7, you might be able to swap that out as well. I'm not a computer expert so please do your own research on capmpatability and power requirements.

[@Lonely_Old_Gamer]

@@IEBATechThoughts awesome thanks for even replying got a new sub. I already have a SSD and upgraded a while ago from a i3 to the i5 was just so gutted I can't overclock on the bios will look at a 1155 i7 though that didn't cross my mind love the 2500k been such a good daily runner even now thanks again nice vids as well btw keep it up

[@IEBATechThoughts]

@@Lonely_Old_Gamer I appreciate the kind words. Good luck. Given that it's an intel 2xxx series, you certainly got a great run out of it. They're up to, what, 12 now? Maybe you'd be interested in my Gen 2, i7 4770 with GTX 1660 ti.

[@Lonely_Old_Gamer]

@@IEBATechThoughts haha yea something like that be perfect for what I do again was looking at that gpu but don't wanna overpay for them prices stupid atm. are you selling that pc? if so where are you listing it to

[@propeldragon]

The r2 power board can handle 20w more.