Alienware Reviews
Alienware Area-51 7500
PC Gamer : January 2007
“From the Skies Descends a Weapon of Benchmark Destruction.”
“Like the death ray from Independence Day that
reduced Los Angeles down to rubble and Vivica A. Fox, the Area–51
7500 turned a horrific, scorching beam into PC Gamer’s
benchmarks and left me gasping for air. Alienware’s latest
pull–out–all–the–stops, no–holds–barred
showcase for the absolute pinnacle of crushing PC gaming power...gets
you more than you may have expected.
Like 240 frames per second in F.E.A.R., for example. ...This Area-51
7500 spat out 17,301 3DMarks without breaking a sweat. It may as well
have been buffing its nails as it ground out the score. Sick.
Two elements conspire to make the Area-51 7500 not only the fastest
gaming rig money can buy, but also one with exceptional longevity.
The processor is Intel’s quad-core Core 2 Extreme QX6700 CPU
(water-cooled) running on NVIDIA’s nForce 6 chipset. Essentially
two Core 2 Duo tucked into a single die and running at 2.66GHz, the
QX6700 may be factory-clocked 270MHz slower than the dual-core Core
2 Extreme X6800 processor, but with four brains instead of two and
twice the L2 cache (8MB), it performs faster not only in multithreaded
games and applications, but also your operating system, if you upgrade
to the heavily threaded Windows Vista. You might hear skeptics questioning
claims of improved performance in multithreaded games versus a dual-core
proc, but developers -- including Valve, which is building scalable
effects into games such as Half Life 2: Episode Two and Portal (that
are intended for quad-core) — are already testifying to the advantages
of this four–core CPU.
"This Area-51 7500 spat out 17,301 3DMarks without
breaking a sweat."
The graphics are churned out by two hot–off–the–waffle–iron
GeForce 8800 GTX video cards in SLI configuration (with a total of
over 1.5GB of high-speed GDDR3 memory). The 8800 series is the first
DirectX 10–compatible hardware, and Alienware is serving it up
just in time for DX10 games like Crysis and Hellgate: London.
While you wait for those DX10 games — and for your moment of
ecstatic bliss as the first to be able to play them in all their volumetric
glory — you can enjoy 16x full–screen antialiasing with
frame rates that still hover in the low three digits, in a machine
that you’ll still be able to gloat over by the time you have
to start holiday shopping again.”
PC Gamer Final Verdict: 94%
Alienware Area-51 7500
Digital Trends : November 2006
“A good pick for anyone looking to buy a new system.”
“The Alienware Area-51 7500 desktop PC packs quite a
punch, even when it’s not stocked to the gills with every
high-end option offered. Our test system represents a good
balance between price and performance, making it a good pick
for anyone looking to buy a new system. Read on to find out
how the new P2 enclosure with Core 2 Duo water cooled system
stacks up.
One of the icons of the gaming PC community is the Alienware PC. ...Nothing
earns respect like a huge, honkin alien head for a PC case. The Alienware
case has always broken away from the norm, and the most recent case
is no exception. You want lights? You got 5 software customizable ‘zones’ of
multi-LED goodness. You want cooling? Four strategically placed fans
and CPU liquid cooling good enough for ya? Wanna make that case pretty?
Choose from a variety of colors, all sporting no less than three alien
heads. Now that’s style!
The P2 chassis is truly an innovative leap in case design. ...The
engineering really shines through. The front drive door pulls forward,
then rotates to reveal 5.25” bays with two overhead LEDs for
lighting. The Alienware insignia on the door’s front side doubles
as the power button. Below the door are the “always exposed” front
mounted ports. The alien eye-like front grills hide behind them yet
more LED’s and the 120mm intake fan. Along the side, as the ‘eyes’ stretch
to the back of the chassis, the grill conceals two more fans. The rear
of the unit has the water cooling output fan. Alienware has removed
the cord management system found on the P1.
"A good pick for anyone looking to buy a new system."
The access door has a simple latch opening mechanism, and is perhaps
the easiest to use we’ve seen. The door mounted fan uses a clever
contact connection system instead of wires to make access even easier.
We were amazed by the cable tying job inside the case. You’d
think every available connection was used, and all the cables cut to
the exact length. But, when we went to install a couple more internal
hard drives, we realized that the system builders not only tied a tidy
system, but the unused cable leads were located right where they were
most useful.
Alienware bundles two interesting applications with all their systems.
The first is a limited version of ObjectDock dubbed AlienGUIse, which
changes the appearance of the windows interface. Everything from window
borders and fonts, to wallpapers, icons, and sound schemes can be changed.
The second application is the AlienFX controller, which allows the
user to customize the case’s lighting scheme. There are 24 colors
to choose from and each of the five zones can use any color. Themes
can be saved, and loaded later.
So is it fast? We ran 3DMark03, 3DMark05, 3DMark06, and SiSoft’s
Sandra. Here’s what we got:
| 3DMark03 |
32578 |
| 3DMark05 |
32578 |
| 3DMark06 |
8268 |
| SM2.0 |
3675 |
| HDR/SM3.0 |
3520 |
| CPU |
2269 |
| Sandra Dhrystone |
24412 |
| Sandra Whetstone |
16930 |
| Sandra Integer |
145858 |
| Sandra Float |
79042 |
These are some impressive numbers. We ran all tests using the default
values on a single monitor with SLI enabled. In real world performance,
we have been running FEAR, Battlefield 2, and City of Villains at 1600x1200
with most sliders at maximum values, and we still maintain playable
frame rates. We should also point out again that this system is not
the highest end you can configure, but represents a second tier gaming
system from the venerable PC maker. Needless to say, we were very pleased
with the performance.
Conclusion
Simply put, the Alienware Area-51 7500 is an excellent all around
PC worthy of serious attention. ...It’s impossible to ignore
the craftsmanship of the internal wiring, the unique bells and whistles,
the fine configuration job, and the ease of a single source for support
issues, should you ever have any. When the dust has settled, you
will welcome our uber-gaming rig overlords, and their glowing eyes
of pwnage.”
Score: 9 / 10
Alienware Area-51 7500
Computer Shopper : November 2006
Best-Designed PC
"We saw many well-designed desktops this year, but the
improvements Alienware made to its tower chassis made our eyes
bug out. Well-placed, lighted front ports, the AlienFX lighting
system, an ultraclean, and no-tools-needed bays and side panels:
The Area-51 is a shining example of what a chic PC should be.
The latest model in Alienware's high-end Area-51 series comes outfitted
with an overclocked Core 2 Duo Extreme X6800 processor and two 512MB
GeForce 7900 GTX graphics cards in a snazzy redesigned case. ...Our
tests show it certainly delivers performance.
Because it isn't as tall...it fits better under your desk. Thanks
to a smartly designed electrical-contact system, the side-panel fan
and lights aren't connected to the PC's power supply. This means no
fumbling with wires to remove the panel.
"We saw many well-designed desktops this year, but
the improvements Alienware made to its tower chassis made
our eyes bug out."
The new chassis has five external-lighting locations, which you can
change to any color via a custom-built software interface. You can
also program the lights to do various things, such as turn off when
a DVD movie starts or blink when you receive a new e-mail message.
It comes as no surprise that Alienware would debut its redesigned
chassis with Intel's 2.93GHz X6800 chip, overclocked to 3.26GHz. Our
test unit also included 2GB of 800MHz DDR2 SDRAM. The rest of the 7500
is a fairly standard high-end configuration that includes two 250GB
7,2000rpm hard drives and a double-layer DVD burner.
...The Alienware PC delivered 124 frames per second in our Quake 4
test at 1,024x768, sufficient horsepower for hard-core gamers."
Alienware Area-51 m5550
Network World : December 2006
“We used our notebook to try out several PC games, and the system
worked superbly in some of the higher-end games we were trying.”
“Alienware has been known for years as high–end
notebooks and desktop PCs aimed at the gaming market. While
that certainly still remains the case, you might want to take
a look at Alienware if you’re a normal “business” user
who might just want to add a flash of cool to your next notebook.
The Area–51 m5550 series certainly has the power required for
gaming and other high–performance applications — including
the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processors, 1GB of memory, a 200GB hard
drive and the option of some high-end graphics cards. The system includes
DVI output, 3 USB 2.0 ports, integrated 802.11a/b/g wireless LAN connectivity,
and a combination CD–RW/DVD–ROM drive (other features customizable
for additional cost).
"The system flew through our video editing and sound
editing applications."
Probably the best feature is a lack of pre-bundled software, that “junk” that
clogs up a lot of other notebooks and PCs these days — it was
very nice to boot up initially and not have 25 programs load up or
have trial versions of other software (there is some pre–bundled
stuff, but those are things such as the CD burning software).
We used our notebook to try out several PC games, and the system worked
superbly in some of the higher–end games we were trying. At work,
the system flew through our video editing and sound editing applications,
and we were able to take this on the road to complete some mobile video
editing and podcast recording.
The kicker is the really cool blue glowing alien head that lights
up when you have the notebook on, which gives you lots of street cred
when you’re using this in a packed conference room and your colleagues
are bringing out their boring, black bricks.”
Alienware Area-51 m5550
Laptop : September 2006
“If you’re looking for top-notch performance, higher-end
A/V connections, and futuristic design, the Alienware Area-51 m5550 delivers.”
"If you’re looking for top-notch performance, higher-end
A/V connections, and futuristic design, the Alienware Area-51
m5550 delivers.
With its silver coloring, black accents, and glowing alien-head ornament,
the m5550 looks way cooler than your typical mainstream notebook. The
firm lid and scratch-resistant case give it a sturdy overall bearing.
Measuring 14.3 x 10.7 x 1.9 inches, it’s not bad for its size
at 6.8 pounds...
The m5550’s translucent keyboard is quiet and comfortable to
use... The responsive touchpad and mouse buttons are of adequate size...and
the touchpad features vertical and horizontal scrolling zones for speedier
Web page and document navigation; we also like the external touchpad
on/off button that lets you prevent unintentional cursor movement when
using an external mouse.
“The m5550 looks way cooler than your typical mainstream
notebook.”
The 15.4-inch widescreen display serves up crisp, vivid colors and
images, and the WXGA native resolution, average for a display this
size, offers a nice balance of readability and screen real estate.
We appreciate the external volume control wheel, and the two stereo
speakers deliver clear audio...
The m5550 accommodates some deluxe connections: Besides three USB
2.0 ports, FireWire, S-Video, an ExpressCard slot, and a 4-in-1 card
reader, you get a DVI output, for connecting digitally to an external
display, and an optical audio port. Also onboard are Ethernet and modem
ports, and there’s a handy Wi-Fi on/off switch.
...The...m5550 we tested came equipped with a top-shelf processor,
Intel’s 2.33-GHz Core 2 Duo T7600, which turned in a simply blazing
MobileMark 2005 score of 279.
Powered by Nvidia’s mid-tier 256MB GeForce Go 7600 graphics
card, the m5550 notched an impressive 3DMark03 score of 8,235."
Alienware Area–51 m5550
Productdose.com : November 2006
“Alienware is based in Miami, FL, and runs its business
on the mantra of "build it as if it were your own." Aside
from the distinctive alien logo, outer space themes are prominent
everywhere from the logo to the names of systems, giving the
company a unique feel. More importantly, Alienware sets itself
apart from build–to–order houses (such as Dell)
by offering the discerning customer top–shelf components
in a well assembled system. The company recently sent over
its Area–51 m5550 notebook for us to check out.
It is clear from the moment you open the package that Alienware is
very committed to professionalism and organization. The box is black
and emblazoned with the silver logo, and, inside, you’ll find
the notebook and a single accessory box with everything you need, including
manuals, cables, and CDs. Upon removing the notebook, you’ll
notice it has a respectable amount of weight to it. The Area–51
line is Alienware’s "power and productivity" line,
with the m5550 being the most mobile of the bunch.
The palm rests are large and do not get warm like other notebooks
I’ve used. The touchpad is responsive and features a right and
left click button below, in addition to a dedicated scroll section
to the right. This sure beats the program–based scroll controller,
because it’s very clear where you have to go up or down a page.
The 15.4" widescreen is crisp... Watching DVD’s on the
system is very satisfying, as the aspect ratio is closer to that of
Hollywood movies. There are also plenty of ports for you to increase
productivity. On the front right, you have a WiFi On/Off switch, which
is extremely useful, much like the silent switch on my Treo or the
Bluetooth switch on my personal notebook. (I am a huge fan of stepping
away from digital (program) switches and on to hardware switches. I
don’t care how fast you can move and click your mouse. It only
takes milliseconds to flip a physical switch.) On the right side, you’ll
find an Express Card slot (perfect for wireless highspeed), USB 2.0,
Firewire, 4–in–1 media ready, Ethernet, S–Video and
DVI. The opposite side has audio ports (headphones and microphone),
DVD±–RW, and two more USB ports. The rear only has the
A/C adapter and modem ports and a security lock slot. There are six
buttons on the keyboard area of the notebook; my favorite is the one
above the touchpad that allows you to disable it. (I always carry a
mini–optical mouse with me, and I absolutely hate my mouse cursor
moving when I am typing.) The rest of the buttons from left to right
are: media launcher, web browser, email, fan, and power. There are
a series of icons on the hinge, below the screen, which convey the
status of various aspects (power, WiFi, battery/charge, etc) of the
notebook. They are backlit by green and blue LED’s which, again,
are very subtle and not at all blinding. It’s nice to see Alienware
understands balance in execution.
When you first enter Windows XP Media Center Edition (MCE), the first
thing that hits you is the cleanliness of the desktop. There are just
two icons: Recycle Bin in the lower right hand corner and a XML document
titled "My Alienware PC Information." Double–click
to view the step–by–step checklist that was used to get
your system ready. It even includes 3dMark and Doom 3 benchmarks, which
we’ll discuss later. The system is truly "bloat–free," with
no objectionable programs present. I was expecting at least an AOL
Free Trial, but Alienware came through and kept things clean.
The real world speed of this machine is impressive. I ran the m5550
through its paces: surfing the web, watching a DVD, playing Doom3,
chatting, etc –– often at the same time! There was no noticeable
lag when launching and switching between applications.
“Personally, I think it’s an excellent product.”
...Even playing at ultra high quality on the highest (native) resolution
of 1280x800 yielded just over 60 frames per second. This performance
is a testament to the powerful onboard graphics of the m5550. At the
time of this writing, the Area–51 m5550 offers the best graphics
of any notebook with a 15.4" widescreen.
In my opinion, the Area–51 m5550 notebook represents the culmination
of foresight and innovation that the Alienware Corporation has exhibited
over the last ten years. The company has been successful in bringing
the customizability and fine tuning of the home PC builder to the mass
market. The notebook is well designed, with wonderfully intuitive and
convenient features like hardware switches for the touchpad and WiFi
radio. It has a beautifully crisp and large widescreen display, which
makes it perfect for both maximum data presentation (for business applications)
and widescreen movies (for your trip back home). The notebook is light
and does not get hot or uncomfortable on your lap nor under your palms
as you type. It features the latest and greatest connectivity and port
options, including DVI and ExpressCard. The customer experience with
Alienware is superb and has the attention to detail you’d expect
out of a boutique brand.
Personally, I think it’s an excellent product and the price
will pay for itself over the years from the customer service alone.”
Alienware Area-51 ALX
Extreme Tech : November 2006
“Those who worried about Alienware losing its way after the acquisition
by Dell seem to be worried about nothing.”
“Physically, the case uses Alienware's current P2 chassis
design. It looks like an alien head from the front, or sort
of like a retro '50s car grill on the sides. Think of it as
William Joyce meets H.R. Giger, and you wouldn't be far off.
The outside of Alienware's P2 chassis is nothing if not original.
The large chrome side grills have a sort of retro vibe that reminds
you of cars with big fins, and of course they let plenty of air flow
into the system.
In general, we're impressed by the parts that went in there; you can
certainly say there's no Dell heritage here!
Benchmarks
At lower resolutions -- if you can call 1900x1200 "lower" --
the Alienware box's extremely high CPU clock speed is no doubt responsible
for such high Call of Duty 2, Prey, and Flight Simulator X scores.
For some reason, the Alienware system was scoring really high in Half-Life
2: The Lost Coast when we cranked up the resolution and add AA and
AF. It ran faster than any other system, and faster than it frankly
should have.
"It ran faster than any other system."
Still the Heart of an Alien
Those who worried about Alienware losing its way after the acquisition
by Dell seem to be worried about nothing, for the time being. The system
reviewed here has Alienware's stamp all over it, and not a touch of
Dell-ness. It uses funky liquid cooling (twice, even) and pushes high-end
equipment to seriously overclocked speeds.
Alienware Aurora ALX with Quad SLI
Firing Squad : July 2006
"…Imagine the lust on the part of the public (and
previous Alienware owners) when they saw the ALX system!
NVIDIA recommends Quad SLI setups for users who want to run
SLI anti-aliasing with high levels of anisotropic filtering.
In these cases Quad SLI can deliver a significant improvement
in performance over a more traditional GeForce 7900 GTX SLI setup.
NVIDIA supports three SLI anti-aliasing modes for Quad SLI: the
traditional 8x and 16x modes that are provided by all SLI-capable
cards, and a special 32xAA mode that’s unique to Quad SLI.
With a Quad SLI graphics setup providing up to 96 pixel shaders
and over 150GB/sec of peak memory bandwidth on tap, the premise
is that you can not only have the sharpest image quality available
on the PC thanks to these SLI-AA modes, but you’ve got
enough pixel-pushing horsepower to run that eye candy with the
highest frame rates available on the PC as well.
“Quad SLI gaming can be a very rewarding experience.”
…These cards are more than capable of running NVIDIA’s
8xSLIAA mode with very good performance. Let’s break it
down shall we?
In Quake 4, our GeForce 7900 GX2 setup was up to 33% faster
than the GeForce 7900 GTX SLI rig at 2560x1600. That’s
a performance improvement of 1.5x. Even at 1600x1200 with 8xSLI
AA we witnessed a 26% gap between the GeForce 7900 GX2 Quad SLI
and the GeForce 7900 GTX SLI setup. Quad SLI’s performance
in F.E.A.R. was equally impressive: at 1600x1200 the Quad SLI
setup ran 29% faster than the GeForce 7900 GTX SLI rig did, and
by 2048x1536 the gap increased to 31%. Half-Life 2 Lost Coast
didn’t quite show the same margins, but by 2560x1600 the
Quad SLI setup turned in scores that were 28% faster than the
GeForce 7900 GTX SLI. Finally we saw gains of up to 25% in Battlefield
2, while the Quad SLI rig was nearly 30% faster than GeForce
7900 GTX SLI in Oblivion.
…If you were on the fence about Quad SLI because of the
initial performance reports, don’t be. As long as you’re
aware of Quad SLI’s limitations and exploit the power of
GeForce 7900 GX2/GeForce 7950 GX2 appropriately, Quad SLI gaming
can be a very rewarding experience."
Alienware Aurora mALX
Wired : October 2006
"With two Nvidia Go 7900 GTX graphics chips, it’s
no surprise that the Aurora mALX was the performance champion
in our tests. Its 19-inch, 1600x1050- pixel screen displayed
deep, rich colors, and its four speakers produced loud, clear
sound. Playing F.E.A.R on it was like stepping into our own
personal horror movie. Though the price isn’t exactly
a deal, the mALX is still cheaper than some lesser machines.
Two top of the line graphics processors plus 2.4Ghz AMD Turion
63 Mobile CPU equals killer performance. Comes with nice headphones
and a backpack. "
"Playing F.E.A.R on it was like stepping into our own
personal horror movie."
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