Alienware Aurora R8 Gaming Desktop Review

Building your first gaming PC can be an intimate journey of fun, frustration, and self-discovery. It’s a lot like gardening. But for many people who just don’t have the time or patience, purchasing a pre-built gaming PC may be the way to go.

While it’s far easier to select a gaming PC with all the parts you need already pre-installed, it’s not always a cake walk. There are so many great brands selling pre-built desktop and laptop gaming units. Some stand head and shoulders above others. One of these brands happens to be Alienware. They’re a subdivision of Dell and they’ve been building gaming gear since the late 90s.

They’ve just recently released their Aurora R8 gaming PC. In this review, we’ll see if it’s worth getting hot and bothered about. Alternatively, check out the best gaming PCs under $1500 if Alienware Aurora R8 is slightly too much for your budget.

Alienware Aurora R8 Review

When I hear the term R8, trust me, I don’t think of a gaming PC. I think of the Audi R8, a car that was basically popularized by Robert Downey Jnr as Iron Man. We can’t really give Tony Stark all the credit for its fame. The Audi R8 is a compact marvel of engineering and its popularity is owed to its design.

Could we say that the Alienware Aurora R8 is the gaming computer version? Well, in this review we’ll find that out. We’ll look over its performance, design and even cover some alternatives. Near the end of the review, we also have some FAQs. So if you’re interested in learning even more about the computer, maybe read on and give that a gander.

It should be noted that for the purpose of this review, we looked at the AWAUR8-7787SLV-PUS which was currently the base version and the cheapest iteration of the Aurora R8. Let’s go over the spec list, shall we?

Alienware Aurora R8 Performance

If you’re buying this computer, you’re not buying it to waste it on a game like Fortnite. That would be a tragedy. However, if you’re running Fortnite, you can reach over 300 FPS on full HD. It will also reach over 120 FPS during quad HD 1440p gaming.

Fortnite is definitely not the right game for benchmarking a mid to high range gaming system. One of the most resource intensive single player games released in 2020 is Kingdom Come Deliverance.

If you’re buying an expensive gaming computer like the Alienware Aurora R8, you want to be sure that it can at least handle it on medium settings without a sweat. This will allow you to gauge your computer’s lifespan or how long before you’ll need to upgrade it.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance’s minimum system requirements are as follows:

• CPU: Intel CPU Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz, AMD CPU Phenom II X4 940
• RAM: 8 GB
• OS: OS 64-bit Windows 7 or 64-bit Windows 8 (8.1)
• VIDEO CARD: Nvidia GPU GeForce GTX 660, AMD GPU Radeon HD 7870
• PIXEL SHADER: 5.0
• VERTEX SHADER: 5.0
• SOUND CARD: Integrated
• FREE DISK SPACE: 40 GB
• DEDICATED VIDEO RAM: 2048 MB

While looking at these specs, one may realize that a high-end PC from five-years ago would not be able to handle this game on its medium settings. However, the Aurora R8 scoffs at them.

Now let’s look at the recommended requirements:

• CPU: Intel CPU Core i7 3770 3,4 GHz, AMD CPU AMD FX-8350 4 GHz
• RAM: 16 GB
• OS: OS 64-bit Windows 7 or 64-bit Windows 8 (8.1)
• VIDEO CARD: Nvidia GPU GeForce GTX 1060, AMD GPU Radeon RX 580
• PIXEL SHADER: 5.1
• VERTEX SHADER: 5.1
• SOUND CARD: Integrated
• FREE DISK SPACE: 40 GB
• DEDICATED VIDEO RAM: 4096 MB

The Aurora R8 will have just enough processing power and RAM to run Kingdom Come: Deliverance. The graphics card won’t struggle much either. Running the game using very high quality presets and Direct X 11 on full HD through the Aurora 8 will give you an average frame rate of 85 FPS .

This is without adding any mods to the game. If you try to run the game using the very same presets but on Wide Quad HD (2560×1440), frame rates will drop down to around 60 FPS. Use the same presets but on Ultra HD (3840×2160), you’ll get average frame rates at around 31 FPS.

This is still pretty respectable. Just make sure you have a great gaming monitor that can handle it. The Aurora’s graphics card also allows ray-tracing for a select few games. If you’re unfamiliar with ray tracing, it’s a rendering technique that produces near-photorealistic graphics by imitating real-world lighting and shadow formations.

The Aurora is HTC Vive and Oculus-certified. It was given a perfect score of 11 from Steam’s VR performance test. The entire system was made for hardcore enthusiasts in mind. Both the GPU and CPU are overclock ready.

The chassis has enough ventilation and cooling to help prevent any damage while overclocking. In terms of performance alone, this is a great entry into Dell and Alienware’s pantheon. It will take a few years before you’ll need to upgrade it again.

Alienware Aurora R8 Design

Alienware have always tried to make their tech look like it fell out the back of a UFO. Aesthetically, they have some hits and some misses. The Aurora R8 falls into the former. It only comes in one color – Epic Silver.

This thing looks like a monolith. Like if you put your palm on its head, it will give you access to all the secrets to the universe. I tried it and I am no wiser until I learned that I could access its secrets by simply turning it on using the Alienware emblem on the front of the computer.

I’ve never been a huge fan of the emblem, there is simply no way you can make it look cool. I do appreciate the fact that the power button is located on the front of the computer though. On top of the computer, near the edge of the front, you’ll find six ports. 3 high-speed USB 3 ports, a headphone jack, a microphone jack, and a USB-C port.

From the front and back, this thing has more vents and USB ports than a Michael Jackson jacket had zippers. However, with all jokes aside, the Aurora has a great diversity of ports. It caters to newer technology without abandoning technology that is now near obsoletion.

There are some very pragmatic and useful design choices when it comes to the case. The top of the case is ideal for resting your VR headset when it’s not in use. The Aurora also has a handle near the end to not only help you move the case but also assist you in organizing your cables.

The Aurora R8 uses Alienware’s proprietary AlienFX Lighting Zones. You get three programmable zones with up to twenty different and distinct colors that can provide over eight-thousand lighting combinations.

The lighting and effects can be customized using Alienware’s AlienFX software. Other software included with the PC is: Alienware Command Center, AlienFusion advanced power management controls and AlienAdrenaline which also helps you manage the computers thermal settings.

To keep itself cool, the Aurora R8 uses Alienware’s Low-Profile Smart Cooling Heatsink Solution and High-Performance Liquid Cooling. To power everything, it uses Alienware’s 460 Watt Power Supply and 850 Watt Multi-GPU Approved Power Supply.

Opening it up feels like dissecting an alien with all its cages and tubes. Not all components are accessible and easy to swap out. It’s a mid-Tower case that uses a micro-ATX motherboard. While the interior set up may be confusing at first (especially with the liquid cooling) but once you get accustomed to the lay of the land, you’ll see how neatly everything is organized and packed.

Alienware Aurora R8 Pricing and Alternatives

A similar model, the AWAUR8-7787SLV-PUS, is currently the most affordable PC in the Aurora R8 range. You can get it for $1666.81 from Amazon. Alternatively, take a look at the latest HP OMEN 880 which we reviewed.

However, if you find that it’s unavailable and you’re looking for an Alienware desktop computer that is very similar in style and price, then maybe you should check out the Aurora R7 (AWAUR7-7876SLV-PUS) for $1,496.19 with free shipping. If you’re not interested in this model or Alienware at all, but you want a really good pre-built gaming PC, check out our guide on the overall best gaming computers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Alienware Any Good?

Yes, Alienware are very good, particularly for gaming. While they’re great at making desktop computers, their contribution to gaming laptops is far more noteworthy. Their products are known for their distinct looks and high price tags. But it’s the hardware they source and use that counts the most. Alienware provides high-end gaming computer. So yes, they’re pretty great.

Are Alienware PCs Worth It?

Alienware PCs are worth it, due to their custom setups and optimized hardware. While it’s cheaper to build yourself a gaming computer, it’s nearly impossible to build one as unique and effective as an Alienware PC. You also won’t get a warranty and support from Dell in the same way you do with an Alienware PC.

Does the Alienware Aurora Come with a Keyboard and Mouse?

Like most pre-built computers from Dell, the Alienware Aurora (R8) comes with a basic keyboard and an optical mouse.

Can you upgrade Alienware Aurora?

You can upgrade the Alienware Aurora. Dell and Alienware have made it easy to upgrade the Aurora R8 and swap out its components as easily as possible. It utilizes a tool-free or screw-free design where it can. Most noticeably for its graphics card and storage drives. The graphics card is basically clamped on. Opening the R8’s case may feel like a dizzying task at first because of how Alienware have chosen to lay their components out.

The power supply is basically in a cage on a swivel. You don’t have to figure this all out on your own. Alienware provides you with a manual as well as software to make upgrading all the more easier. If you’re still uncertain, you can always visit the odd YouTube video. Not only is the Alienware Aurora upgradeable, but it also encourages upgrading, from its overclock-able chips to its layout.

Is the Aurora VR Ready?

Yes, the Aurora R8 is VR Ready. It’s compatible with an Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and Windows Mixed Reality Ultra. The Aurora R8 has a SteamVR score of 11.

What Motherboard is in the Aurora R8?

The Aurora R8 uses an Alienware branded motherboard with a Z370 chipset. It’s a Model IPCL-SC and it’s a micro ATX motherboard.

Does Alienware Aurora Have HDMI?

Yes, the RTX 2080 graphics card (RTX 2070) comes with an HDMI port. Unfortunately, it may not come with an HDMI cable.

Related: Best GTX 2070 Super

Final Verdict

If you’re part of the 1% that doesn’t have to sell a kidney to be able to afford it, the Alienware Aurora R8 is worth it. And yes, it’s the gaming PC’s equivalent to the Audi R8. With that being said, if you haven’t already, remember to give Kingdom Come: Deliverance a try. It’s one of the biggest sleeper hits of 2020. I have a feeling that it may go ignored when critics and gaming sites start compiling their year-end lists.

Performance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

It performs like a high-end PC should. With great VR and an overclock ready CPU and GPU, you’re getting every penny of your money in gaming performance.

Design: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

It’s a mid-tower case, covered in gills, vents, and lights. It isn’t very pretty although it tries. It’s like it was designed by Guillermo Del Toro. There are some great design choices here that only Alienware can pull off.

Price: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

It’s an Alienware gaming machine so as you’d expect, it’s expensive. But you’re not being robbed here. You get what you pay for. You won’t find any other brand that will give you what Alienware is giving you here.

Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

You could probably get something a little more compact and cheaper. But you can’t really go wrong with Alienware and the Aurora R8 isn’t a misstep – not by any means.