Alienware Area-51 7500 System Review

[One4yu2c]

Perhaps one of the most recognizable name brands in the boutique OEM system market, Alienware's built a reputation on their trademark alien-themed cases with high end components under the hood. The Area-51 has been a staple in their lineup, and today HardwareLogic abducts a build for our own autopsy. Will we uncover out-of-this-world performance, or are these rigs better left in outer space? - Paul Lilly

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[Yellowhello]

Nice review. If I were to build a system that nice, I'd build it myself. That case is hidious. Nice wiring, though. Anybody who's gonna spend that much on a system might as well get an okay looking case.

[sean126]

Nice job....I enjoyed reading it.

[WhiteEagle]

Very good review. I might just consider using the case that Alienware's selling for a build.

[garetjax]

I have always enjoyed seeing what Alienware brings to the table, year after year. However, this new monstronsity is a joke. It evokes the kind of feeling you get when you spend good money on a supposedly great product and not receive what you paid for. Alienware has dubbed themselves as the premiere boutique system builder, competing against the likes of Voodoo. Looking at this reviewed Alienware rig has only cemented my dislike for the 'new' Alienware.

I mean, come on: generic RAM with no heatsinks? 8MB cache in a hard drive? This is supposed to be a top tier boutique vendor; not some local computer store hocking together some POS system. Alienware can definitely do better than this, and their apparent lack of interest in building and providing their customers with quality parts and components per dollar spent is as much sickening as it is pathetic.

Good job, Alienware. You've managed to convince me that while you are not only a washed up, has-been company, you have indeed sold out on the enthrusiasts who touted your products far and wide in the past.

___________

I just wanted to remark that the review was very well written and extremely unbiased. It could have very easily been a review that was littered with comments about the way boutique vendors fleece their customers. However, Paul did a suberb job keeping everything in a fair and equitable manner. And the inclusion of the chick on the fourth page of the review was a nice touch too. ;)

[Zenphic]

Nice review, guys. You must have been thrilled to have the honour to review such a famous computer system

But I didn't really understand one part of the review though. You mentioned that the Alienware system uses a wireless fan controller for its side panel fan? I've never heard of this technology before. Could you discuss and explain it's functionality for me?

[One4yu2c]

Originally Posted by Zenphic

You mentioned that the Alienware system uses a wireless fan controller for its side panel fan? I've never heard of this technology before. Could you discuss and explain it's functionality for me?

The fan on the side panel plugs into a controller, as seen here:


And that controller mounted on the side panel plugs into a controller board mounted inside the chassis, which gives the fan power. This is the controller board:


A traditional method would have the fan plugging directly into the motherboard or power supply, and you'd have to detach the connection whenever you remove the side panel. With Alienware's implementation, you can whisk away the side panel and chuck it across the room if you wanted to.

[killswitch83]

that's also a piece of technology I'd like to see sold on the market to us enthusiast types. I think it'd be a helpful tool across the board IMO.

[polobunny]

Nice review. A bit expensive for the computer, and the RAM used... what a let down. :/

Other than that, HL has babes now?
IS THERE MORE IN THE VIP???? :P

[Zenphic]

Originally Posted by One4yu2c

The fan on the side panel plugs into a controller, as seen here:

And that controller mounted on the side panel plugs into a controller board mounted inside the chassis, which gives the fan power. This is the controller board:

A traditional method would have the fan plugging directly into the motherboard or power supply, and you'd have to detach the connection whenever you remove the side panel. With Alienware's implementation, you can whisk away the side panel and chuck it across the room if you wanted to.

Oh okay, thanks for the quick reply mate. I was guessing it was like that but I just needed to make sure. Neat design indeed and nice review!