Dell's 6-Core Infused Alienware Area-51 Gaming PC Monster Invades HH Labs

I'm sure the numbers will be great, but why does Alienware build such butt-ugly cases? My guess is that the louvers will be cool to show off to friends, but annoying after the first week. And that frontplate looks like a Soviet tractor. Makes me miss their "greenish blob" case design of old.

Clem, Clem, CLEM! I couldn't DISAGREE with you more. This case, in my opinion is gorgeous when you see it up close and in person. It actually looks a little like a Muscle Car but with the little alien head on there letting you know it's something different. The louvers on the top look great too in my opinion. There will be more shots on the full review/launch so stay tuned!

I'm in-between on this: Not as radical and cool as their earlier cases... but still pretty tough looking.

Dave,

I have to say I both agree and disagree with you. On one hand I like the "tough" and angular look (you're right, almost like a muscle car), but the only thing that really bugs me is the top-angled faceplate; I prefer my cases to be either flat, or jut out at the bottom. And the transition from the side panels to the front plate isn't very nicely done; the metal underneath makes them look like poorly fitted parts.

Of course, this is all from looking at the pics; I'm sure the real thing looks SO much better...maybe a lucky HH contributor might find out in person some time, hmm? :P

That's actually a bad angle looking up at the machine. There are other lines/components on the tpp that blend it much better... More shots in the full review!

I could go either way on the exterior...but really, who cares with a i7 980x and dual 5970s?! It's like saying Usain Bolt sucks because his ears stick out too much. Sure, you may not want to put him on cereal boxes, but he's still the fastest man in the world!

@realneil Going by the Origin PC, Maingear, Falcon NW configs, I'd say around $5,500 - 6,500.

gibbersome:

@realneil Going by the Origin PC, Maingear, Falcon NW configs, I'd say around $5,500 - 6,500.

It's gonna be a mighty healthy price tag on it, I'm sure,..........

It will be what some people buy for bragging rights, some buy because they always buy the very best of everything, and some because they need the power and speed and either they or their bosses can afford to splurge on it.

Hail to the new Pinnacle!

ClemSnide:

I'm sure the numbers will be great, but why does Alienware build such butt-ugly cases? My guess is that the louvers will be cool to show off to friends, but annoying after the first week. And that frontplate looks like a Soviet tractor. Makes me miss their "greenish blob" case design of old.

I love Alienware's cases, whether they be on their laptops, or their desktop computers. Black cases, with red/green/blue lightning inside the case, I think it looks pretty badass..

Aww clem! its not ugly it looks very nice!

Looking forward to seeing those number!

Edit: SEE i agree with Dave on this one! i wish i could afford that computer or if they would sell the case separately!

Hey Dave what do you guys do with the systems after HH has tested them? *HINT*

Wow, Alienware assembled a beast. A 6 core processor, 4 gpu's, I would imagine 12gig's of ram, probably one of those NIC's with it's own little linux build and CPU fpr some smooth networking all on a 1200 watt PSU. That hard drive setup is pretty sweet as well. I would say some gpu's like that not being included in the liquid cooling might be a mistake, especially with all that hard drive damage in place.

Sorry Clem I have to go with Dave and Inspector on this one as well. This case looks nice to me, it is also nice to see something truly different from a big box outfit like Dell/Alienware. Hey Dave is that case made by an outside vendor or is it alienware only? I have to also admit I have never seen a hard drive setup like that in anything retail.

O wow i just took a closer look and those Hard drives look like they are very comfy! :P

Im positive that those cases are alienware only :(

I love the case. It has a sleek sporty look to it, and the hardware it protects gives it a kick of muscle. Like...for instance, a 2010 Chevy Camaro. (my love)

And the hardware itself is just...

/wipes away drool

Absolute teaser.. Really awesome luking case and its functional too.

Dropped another picture in to give you all a better view of the full chassis side view. :)

Great pic...makes you really notice how HUGE this thing is. And I thought my Thermaltake Armor was big...

Dave_HH:

Dropped another picture in to give you all a better view of the full chassis side view. :)

^LOL!

One more thing (and sorry for the triple post, I'm not trying to raise my post count), is that I just went on the Alienware website and this thing isn't even on there! I've got the other Auroras there, sure, but none of them have a hexacore processor option. You guys are really ahead of the curve here, to be getting such awesome stuff, sometimes before the official release it seems.

As for the interior LED lighting, Dell used that on some of their older XPS 700-series desktops. I wouldn't be surprised if there's an AA or AAA cell somewhere in there (or a CR2032 coin cell battery). Really handy should you have to do a system upgrade at some point.

Pretty sweet system. Dell can obviously still pack quite a punch in the PC gaming market. Personally not a fan of huge silver cases, would much prefer that beast in a charcoal/black color, but nonetheless a very solid case. That thing is massive, must weigh quite a bit packed with hardware. Anxious to see the marks!

Despite the slings and arrows, I maintain my original opinion. You want the macho industrial look, go with a case like the HAF 932, Thermaltake's V3, the Cooler Master Storm Scout (shout out to Realneil), the Azza Solano, or just about anything from Lian Li. Sure they look like Ford F-150s (back when they looked like real trucks instead of SUVs with truck beds), but there are those of us who prefer that tough look.

By way of making peace, I'll say that I do like the HD mounting system. But I really hate cases with front doors. What, you're ashamed of your DVD drive?

That having been said, if it becomes the next HH giveaway, I will retract all my hurtful words. "Why yes! I'm a greedy slob. It's my hobby." --Daffy Duck

I love the wall of storage. Are there ANY other cases that have this?

Can't say that I would like my case glowing 24:7.  However, they did a nice job, especially with those interesting accents on the interior.  Are those some kind of smoke colored acrylic, with the spirals?

mentaldisorder:

Can't say that I would like my case glowing 24:7

Agreed, the less-sparkly look is what I prefer. Both of my boxes have blue lights but they're behind screens and not wildly apparent.

Its a cool looking case except for the blue lights on the outside of it.