Building a Better Alienware PC Than Alienware

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Dell's Alienware Area 51 R2 was a pretty polarizing PC when it came out several years ago. It was powerful at the time, but also quite expensive. The questionable shape also proved to be hardware-limiting (as we'll rediscover today). Come along for the ride as we attempt to build a modern, "better" Alienware Area 51 R2 gaming PC than Alienware!
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[@elusivelectron]

Thanks for putting on a shirt to show who you're sponsored by. What's that I see? Dell? 😂

[@GregSalazar]

Someone caught the joke! Hahah. I'm a McLaren fan. But unlike McLaren, I can shit on Dell whenever I want :-)

[@sk0441]

​@@GregSalazar I thought you were a Ferrari fan 😭😭

[@GregSalazar]

Everyone is a Ferrari fan - whether they admit it or not! 😁

[@AGJayden2474]

@@GregSalazarim also a big mclaren fan! i screamed so hard when lando won! You could probably here me from 5 doors down 😂

[@evergreengamer5767]

Only recognized those colors cause of JD McLaren bottles that came in recently.

[@ScottGrammer]

I had a client bring me one of these to upgrade. I looked at it, looked at him, and said, "The first thing you need to upgrade is your case."

[@patrickhudson9236]

“Sorry not happening” the nice way to say “Screw this thing I’m done” 🤣🤣

[@SpreadTheLoveNotSTDs]

This PC has now unofficially been through a Fix or Flop, PCDC, and Gear Up episode. It’s amazing 😂

[@Shot_Kawla]

“If it doesn’t turn on, we’re still ending the video.” 😂😂

[@pdandersondo46]

Your method of installing a power supply is very remarkable!!

[@GregSalazar]

Don't blame me - blame the case!

[@Ldunk]

Funny thing Greg, I still have my Antec Hydraulic case that the real Alienware used in their Aurora line in the 90's

[@falkwulf3842]

I have one of the last Pre-Dell Buyout Area 51 Predator 1 cases. You case and my case are basically the same as both are based off of an old Chieftec Dragon case with mine having a custom proprietary "Alienhead" ABS plastic shell.

[@TechWithJohannes]

But will the Antec C3 raise my kids while I play Skyrim?

[@GregSalazar]

I'll get back to ya on that one 😂

[@LevelUpGamingPress]

Its Antec...it might

[@lilsabiegaming]

lol

[@ScottGrammer]

There's an attachment for that.

[@josephmills9031]

Yes just download the pdf it explains it all.

[@dragonbane6078]

Ever since Dell bought Alienware, it's not hard to build a better PC. Dell's Alienware PC are garbage and no one should ever buy one.

[@Devastator0]

Straight up this. One of my neighbors, about a year ago, bought an Aurora R13 for his son and omg, that machine, while spec is quite good, due to Dell/Alienware’s proprietary bullshit makes it a complete basket case.

[@TalesOfWar]

Alienware were shit before Dell bought them too, they were just more unique with case designs and stuff. But still incredibly tacky.

[@Liminal.Headspace]

​@@TalesOfWarThey were very janky, but they at least weren't glorified Dell Optiplexes.

[@DankMilkGamerz]

What are you talking about? Dell/Alienware sell great pc's. Your issue is proprietary hardware. Which isn't the same as it being a bad PC. It decent for performance so I really am confused if it isn't proprietary hardware

[@TalesOfWar]

@@DankMilkGamerz Dell and by extension, Alienware have problems with a lot of their machines thermally throttling because their cases aren't capable of adequate airflow to cool them.

[@BowsettesFury]

Wanted to do this with an older Alienware case. But even just getting the empty case isn’t worth it.

[@falkwulf3842]

I disagree but with a caveat, the thing about old Alienware cases is you either love them or hate them. Find one you love and have at it. I personally have had My Alienware case for 20 years now its an original Area 51 Predator 1. Im still using it to this day. I have had to mod the $h!t out of it internally over the years for various reasons. Like taking a dremel to the steel to make accommodations for 240 AIO and to accommodate modern graphics cards due to sheer length, but none of the mods I made can be seen from the outside as they are all hidden neatly under the ABS shell. I took great care in preserving the original aesthetic 100%.

[@themightypen1530]

Alienware really went downhill when Dell took over. They were awesome back when I was a wee-lad.

[@TalesOfWar]

Were they? Or is that nostalgia talking? lol. I remember them being pretty crappy from the get go. Gaudy and tacky case designs and really cheap moulding and massively overpriced for the hardware in them. Dell just kept on the same tradition with slightly better build quality lol.

[@MrBeetsGaming]

@@TalesOfWar You have got to be joking.... You think the build quality improved lol.....

[@TalesOfWar]

@@MrBeetsGaming Only slightly lol.

[@stacyromanchuk]

I don't know guys. I think this was awesome! I love reusing old hardware if you can and I can almost guarantee you that no one else has this setup. Don't be to hard on yourselves and I hope you do a giveaway with it. Don't know why but I think it's rad. Great job as always!

[@GregSalazar]

Thanks for watching!

[@bongodoug]

That case has the same shape as a poop emoji. Coincidence, I think not!

[@Kemulnitestryker]

Engineers justify their position by over engineering and complicating a design.

[@GregSalazar]

100%. Sincerely, an engineer 😂

[@bigta1982]

The worst part about being an engineer is working for an engineer.

[@TalesOfWar]

I'm always both impressed and horrified just how overly complex the plastic contraptions and brackets you see in many OEM systems are, that have to design around the obvious limitations of the chassis they clearly designed in the 90's, bought millions of and don't want to send to the scrap pile. I've seen several generations of XPS and Precision systems at work that use the exact same metal chassis outfitted with numerous plastic bits used to attach all manner of more modern hardware that clearly didn't exist when they were making the frame. I've seen images of the insides of a bunch of Alienware systems that also use the exact same chassis, with the huge plastic shells slapped on around them. The chassis design clearly isn't made for hardware from the last 15 years or so, no way near enough airflow. That's made worse with the extra shell slapped over them lol. A lot of XPS and Alienware models are infamous for thermal throttling.

[@MultiNKnight]

And then make even more money when they "refine the original design."

[@geestenenorbsverschijninge3361]

Great T-shirt Greg.... Mclaren...Lando Norris

[@metalguitarman01]

they did that design at the front with the fan to duct air into the fan... i.e. efficiently it may be complicated but it was the solution that they came up with to combat the ever-increasing wattage of modern parts. I actually thought that those were some of the coolest looking cases Alienware (dell owned that is) have ever made tbh.

[@akr4s1a]

a 120mm AIO ideally can dissipate 150w, and the 7800x3d has a power draw under 100, so in theory it should be totally fine. Love the efficiency of that 7800X3D chip

[@karldammann]

I running one with a Thermalright Peerless Assassin and it never gets above 65!

[@ClarkBark14]

That AIO is gonna cry until it dies, being the highest point in the loop.

[@kylewylde7548]

i am 100% searching for one of these cases to buy now, that looked fun

[@clayton8816]

I just finished building mine recently. Did some custom work to the motherboard tray to allow access to where the CPU backplate is and opted for air cooling. It was a nightmare to work with even with my dad's help, but it still turned out great and it will be easier to work on in the future.

[@mj1s735]

You got it to work. I would not have added the custom cables since you can't see them. I would have put two fans on the AIO. And if I did put the AIO in the front of the case, I would have added a fan to the rear as an exhaust.

[@sitordan]

I simply enjoy this type of videos. Thanks for making them, Greg. Please, don't stop.

[@djtribo8925]

I don't think it was a waste of time! Doing these types of builds and making them work is so satisfying!!! Great job, Greg!!!!

[@EyeRektYou]

thank you for building in this case, showing me it can be done with hard work. i always wanted a Area 51 but didnt have thousands of $ when they came out

[@oonflea]

I liked when Greg pissed on the case.

[@Micecheese]

i loved it when he morbed all over the power supply.

[@josmjen]

The three things that jumped at me was: 1. The AIO fan worked cause of all the room in the front of the case. 2. What was keeping the PSU from installing? 3. A Dell.....Alienware.....has a removable mobo tray? Someone was thinking that day at the engineering meeting.

[@OcDmn]

that removable mobo tray probably the only good thing coming out of that case lul

[@TechWithJohannes]

When I was a kid all I wanted was an expensive alienware pc and all I got was an old pc from the schools lab... might have been a blessing in disguise 😆

[@Dipto9]

Loved the look though not gonna lie. Hope such kind of cases with some modern touch would come up into the market

[@cj_zak1681]

Guilty pleasure for this build - not sure why but I love it 🤣 diasppointed to hear you're 'taking it apart ASAP' ....Heartbroken

[@MarinosMysteries]

Great video, love it.

[@Cobalt_Capacitor]

Kinda bummed Corsair doesn't make the H80 or any of its variants anymore. It was a nice way of getting some better cooling out of a 120mm AIO provided you had fans optimized for static pressure. The radiator was basically twice as thick as the H60's, but the H80 still maintained a 120mm form factor. Woulda worked well in this scenario.

[@Chickenchu]

9:10 Greg looked like a kid messing with lego trying to put that PSU in, got a good laugh out of that, thank you, Greg!

[@matiasluna6578]

That was an intresting one... That feeling of frustration came all the way down here ( Argentinta) when you were trying to scooch that psu :P

[@jrose-xp6tf]

I've worked in these over the years and the word that comes to mind first is.. PAIN.

[@Cornelis1983]

At some point, when Greg was installing the new power supply in the case, I had the feeling I was watching Dawid doing tech stuff 😂

[@EdGwhaddafook]

I spent 15 years in The Seventh Circle of Dell, buying 3 of their PC's and having problems with the last two with failing power supplies and being stuck with 3rd party used for replacements. Then I finally went with independent SI's and have had zero problems. Dell should stick to enterprise.

[@grisselbrandthegreat5567]

Thank you for building in this case. It really does look fantastic. Keep up the awesome work man.

[@ScreaminSeahawk]

My first ever gaming PC was an Alienware x51 r2. It was such crap and even had a laptop-like external power supply. So I got brave enough one day and started to tinker with it. I added some RAM, an SSD, and a new GPU (which I had to cut out the side of the case to get it to fit 😂). As bad of a pc as it was, it’s why I ended up building PC’s. I have built 4 since then and it’s so fun! I would like to thank Dell for getting me to never want to buy a prebuilt again… Nice video btw. It was fun to watch.

[@noahrichards553]

I love that style of Alienware! I’ve always wanted the Triad. Looks great! You should make another video about it. 😊

[@bluewave2432]

something about watching greg take a hose to a computer case just sends a shiver down my spine

[@ralithorn3798]

Looks good Greg!

[@serjsorrow9241]

Really nice work

[@2528drevas]

"Greg, it's a Dell!" Seriously, Sleeper PC's can be really cool, and despite Dell's best efforts, "Alienware" is still an iconic brand.

[@teetea7734]

Good upgrade. I'm sure many others already suggested this, but I think a tower air cooler would've been a better choice than using the 120mm AIO given the limited space and trouble with the radiator placement.

[@vaibhavchouhan7084]

I loved the way you put psu in the case 😂😂😂

[@408civettethreat]

Last photo 13 mins in last side shot of the tower. Reminded me of this ~~~~>💩😂😂😂😂. Either way the more of the challenge the more you will become to appreciate it

[@davidcampbell6146]

That worked out well in the end. New twist on the "sleeper" concept. Did you switch allegiances ? Ferrari --> McLaren ? Must have gone to the MIami race ..... LOL

[@GregSalazar]

I'll always be a Ferrari fan. Recently purchased a 650S and wanna rep the F1 team a bit as well :-)

[@lumpyni]

Not only interesting and informative, but a McLaren top to boot, damn man your rocking it all, love the work

[@johnhudson7055]

I have one of those NZXT 120 AIOs and they aren’t too great when the airflow is limited. I’m assuming NZXT because I see the pump in the radiator. It wasn’t able to get my 5600X3D temps under 70 while gaming. Love the video and all the work you put into upgrading the hardware in that old Area 51. I’ve always loved those weird cases.

[@jjlambonscloudyproductions]

Dell had the fore thought of designing that PC with you in mind Greg...lol! Great video. I will admit I would so try what you did with the PC...

[@pascaldifolco4611]

That case was the ultimate winner of "Crazy designer World Championship" at that time ^^

[@aldozampatti]

"my name is Greg and thanks for.... Being frustrated with me" 😂😂😂

[@skinnyg190]

Missed opportunity with the aio. Having the the alienware logo on there would have been a nice touch.

[@ichibi87]

Used to want an Alienware PC when I saw the cases, never thought about upgradabilitt or even maintenance. Watched this video thinking there's a way to salvage the interesting case designs but it seems it would take a great deal of effort to work with them.

[@davidhines7592]

i saw the pc and the shirt and i just knew this was gonna be a great vid!

[@juliowbarbosa]

I'd really love to see the Starfield 7900XTX in there to complete that Intergalactic feel. Still, this turned out great. Cheers from Brazil!

[@xsAMOR]

When you post videos in late hours in the evening for EU-CET time, I always fell asleep watching them, like lullaby, then I watch it again in the morning with cup of coffe…this time happend again, watched with one ear bud, fell asleep and boy I woke up scared and looked who’s in my room making noise when you were slamming the power supply to fit it in the case 😮

[@kingyRaid]

Hey bruz! We love to watch your content, so you could 100% split a video like this into 2 maybe even 3 parts and we will watch them all!! Haha Great video mate, cheers

[@NotMuchHere]

percussive installation on the power supply !

[@watercannonscollaboration2281]

Did the side panel lighting ever work? If I remember the side lighting was hooked up to the USB3 header and not sure if it works or not if you’re not using the stock motherboard As someone who has one of these 2nd hand, this is the HMS Hood of Dell computers

[@GregSalazar]

When we first ordered this on eBay a few weeks ago, the lighting on _one_ of the side panels did not work. We did not attempt to reconnect it with this new board.

[@UsernameRedex]

that Dominator ram looked pretty cool lit up

[@oldbiker1150]

I like the build. Good job not giving up!

[@GregSalazar]

Hahah thanks for watching!

[@Drvudoo]

Worth it. Loved watching it

[@jonathanmellette8541]

Dude, I don't get your complaints. 2 days isn't bad. I know you're a pro and time is money, but you built an amazing machine. And it was complex. Don't you get tired of super easy builds? Or bored, anyway? What you did was something that not everyone can d. I think it's an amazing build, and as someone who thought about buying that exact machine when it came out, I'd LOVE to have it. You should be proud of the effort it took, your success, and less upset about the time it took. It just shows what a master builder you are. BTW, you're gonna hit a million by the end of 2025. What an amazing milestone. I've watched you since you had 15k subscribers. I love your content. Anyway man, be proud. And be happy that you found something that was a challenge. It's not all about money and views. I know that's important, but life isn't supposed to be easy all the time. Top quality video production, top quality build, and you need to rethink your position and take some pride in some awesome work! In my humble and accurate opinion, of course. You do you. But *I* am proud of you and for you.

[@GregSalazar]

My complaints pertained to the design of the case itself. Did you not see what we saw in the video? The case was horrible. Overengineered and senselessly laid out. This was the source of the negativity. I'm not gonna lie to my viewers and pretend like I was having a good time. I appreciate your compliments. Just understand that I'll always be real in my videos.

[@jonathanmellette8541]

@@GregSalazar For sure, I get it. It is a horrible design that I'm sure they didn't want people to get into. I apologize. I didn't mean to come across as overly critical -- text is a horrible medium to communicate in. And I really didn't do a good job anyway. I just thought you might find the challenge fun after so many similar builds. I am sorry that you didn't have a good time. Was it even a type 2 kind of fun? The kind you hate doing while you're doing it, but after it's done, you feel like you enjoyed the challenge? Like mountain climbing? :) It was such an amazing build when you were done, I just don't see how you couldn't be proud of your abilities. :)

[@ForzaE2]

Parts inside the case 👍

[@ReckIamation]

Do you think you could have done a baby custom loop with distroplates? Do they even make 120 rads for custom loops? Spread the cpu heat with more surface area.

[@TheMegatron673]

Installing that power supply almost sound like someone putting in the clip for a barret 50 cal. 😂

[@punkywozza4330]

Nice to see Greg wearing an F1 t-shirt from my hometown team... I live about 4 miles from Mclaren's HQ.

[@Swaangin]

Enjoyed the video

[@echeese63]

Setting the hose to "looks like Greg is peeing on it" is a flex

[@sorrytodisappoint]

Me seeing the screws on the table at the beginning of the video: WHAT THE HELL?! To be fair, I think the schtick of Alienware is the crazy desktop cases. Eye-catching, but crazy indeed. Also, having their themes before were clean. 🤣 PS: That freaking button on the side that helps you unlatch the GPU... I need that. 😮

[@MikeRota]

That's too bad you gave up on this system. I always wanted an Alienware system when I was growing up. Now I can live the dream through you. I would really like to see you do more with this system. I went to college to become a Computer Hardware Technician. I worked in the field for about a year at Arrow Electronics down in Phx, AZ. Anyways enough about me, plz do another video with this case please?!?

[@buildyourcomputer]

what was temps in this oven?

[@WarpRulez]

Why didn't you show the end result closed?

[@jya0131]

Since you could only use 120MM AIO and its placement isn't ideal either, why not just use an air cooler? I'm guessing the support for bigger air coolers are limited too?

[@Valfaun]

i didn't know NZXT still did pump-in-radiator designs. aren't they using Asetek stuff anymore?

[@HarlockTheSin]

Why not putting 3x 120 xflow rads?

[@patpatboy2]

It probably wouldn't have made sense to do a custom water loop for this video, but I bet doing 2 separate 120 mm radiators would help keep the CPU temps down in this case.

[@animalyze7120]

I get a 13,684 with an Arc A770 Titan and an Intel i5 12600KF, not too bad of a comparison. Great fun video!

[@prrocker9637]

Would you have been able to mount an air cooler in this? Because while it's an air cooler something like a thermalright peerless assassin shouldn't have an issue taming a 7800x3d

[@DegeneRated09]

Jonsbo did make a case visually similar to these silhouette (dorito shape) - but with none of the proprietary bullshit, its TR03 iirc. My gripe with it is that it use solid panel/glass over front 3 fan vent area.

[@knottssonasty3603]

It came out pretty nice imo, but the man Gregg looked defeated lol. I’ve been there brutha! 👊

[@drdrenox]

Sorry for your pain but it turned out really cool!!!

[@Goldstacker1972-kp2bh]

Is it for sale?

[@bertgo305]

I think it's gonna be a gold like build if you can figure out a custom water loop with it and make a custom acrylic front cover. Thanks for the effort Greg another I wonder idea that you made in to reality 😁👌

[@nobushi]

Now do a build on those pyramid cases XD

[@absentmindedjwc]

I was recently looking at building a new PC.. but then remembered that my sister worked for Dell.. After checking, I bought one of the 14900kf/4090 Alienware systems.. and ended up paying less than the cost of just the processor and GPU. Figured that, worst case, I could just treat the machine as an expensive bag and build a whole new computer around those two components.. and still save money in the process, lol. That being said, I've been using it for a little while now, and it actually seems to be pretty solid. Cooling seems fine, it's pretty quiet... overall, it seems to be pretty well built. You would be happy to hear that there's also no obvious-super weird stuff like you saw in this case, lol. The most questionable aspect of it to me is the fact that they have a 14900kf cooled using a 120mm AIO. I didn't think that could even remotely be enough.. but while the temps do get a little high, they're not getting into the "eek" range. Doesn't seem to really throttle.. so /shrug

[@notatechguy1209]

I actually dig it. I love the challenge of building in unique cases.

[@DarioEspina]

I'll enjoy using that case

[@samdogygaming918]

What a sick upgrade

[@corydonahue3144]

Great showing by McLaren this weekend. I think they are going to be really competitive going forward this year.

[@DM00SE]

I've always wanted one. Just never been able to afford it as they are well expensive in the UK.

[@0verload]

I was actually impressed that it had a removable motherboard tray. Btw, about that AIO. LOL JK

[@venomousninetails]

it would be interesting to redesign the case as something that actually works.

[@BlueThunder1965]

Push / pull on the 120mm rad would work there is still room even with gpu right behind.

[@DarkKiba]

man that broke my heart at the end were you said you were going to take it apart that pc looks sick and i would love to have it xD to bad i'm not rich

[@Mech4MS]

Now make a custom water loop inside of that case

[@tcolec540]

I for one would like to see you find more ridiculously difficult cases to build in.

[@nickpallotta4834]

Thanks for making this entertaining video for us. Despite the frustrations it caused you.

[@daviddesrosiers1946]

Building a better Alienware than Alienware. That's a spectacularly low bar.

[@sk8er8679]

I'd make a custom made tempered side glass panel for it. :)