Alienware Area-51 Gaming PC Levels Up: AMD Ryzen 9000X3D For Big Gaming Gains
You spoke and Dell's Alienware division heard you—the latest-generation AMD Ryzen processors based on Zen 5 are now an option on the Alienware Area-51 desktop gaming PC, the same one we reviewed in May and which earned our coveted Editor's Choice badge. And yes, the expanded processor options included X3D models with 3D V-Cache.
AMD Ryzen 9000 And 9000X3D Processor Options On The Alienware Area-51
In an email announcing the expanded chip range, a spokesperson for Alienware told us the Area-51 desktop in North America is unlocking a new tier of performance power with the new Ryzen 9000/9000X3D options.
"Following the resurrection to reclaim its seat at the top of our desktop portfolio at CES 2025, our community spoke loud and clear and we’re listening: more optionality that packs the firepower demanded for any game title to hit digital libraries," the spokesperson said.
AMD Ryzen fans now have a choice of three Zen 5 chips in the Area-51 desktop, starting with the Ryzen 7 9700X. That's an 8-core/16-thread chip with a 3.8GHz to 5.5GHz clock speed and 40MB of total cache (8MB L2 + 32MB L3). It's also the sole non-X3D option.
After that, buyers can step up to the Ryzen 7 9800X3D or AMD's flagship Ryzen 9 9950X3D. The 9800X3D is an 8-core/16-thread CPU with a 4.7GHz to 5.2GHz clock speed and 104MB of total cache (8MB L2 + 96MB L3). In our Ryzen 7 9800X3D review, we found it to be an ideal choice for PC gaming setups, with its balance of strong gaming performance, overall versatility, and price point.
We also reviewed the Ryzen 9 9950X3D, which is a dominant offering. It ups the ante with a 16-core/32-thread configuration clocked at 4.3GHz to 5.7GHz. It also features 144MB of total cache (16MB L2 + 128MB L3).
Same Upgraded Desktop Design, Now With AMD or Intel Inside
The new AMD chip options join Alienware's existing Intel Arrow Lake configurations, giving buyers a choice between the latest-generation CPU models from either camp. Either way you go, you're getting the latest iteration of the Area-51, with Dell tweaking the latest design for better cooling and quieter operation.
"Our specific component layout combined with Positive Pressure Airflow make the Area51 run up to 13% cooler, 45% quieter, while driving 25% more airflow, and delivering up
to 50% more processing power than its predecessors over 5 years ago," Dell says.
Dell's also offering the same component selections on both its AMD and Intel models. For graphics, that means a choice between the GeForce RTX 5070, GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, GeForce RTX 5080, and GeForce RTX 5080.
Other options include up to 12TB of SSD storage, up to 64GB of dual-channel DDR5-6400 memory, and up to a 1,500W platinum-rated power supply. You also get Wi-Fi 7 and a 2.5Gbps LAN port.
Of course, the motherboard is not the same across both builds. The AMD model is based on the X870E chipset and sports a 10+2+2 phase power design with aluminum heatsinks.
It's a solid move by Dell to expand its chip options to include AMD Ryzen 9000/9000X3D models. They're popular chips, as evidenced by AMD's market share gains on Intel.
The expanded Alienware Area-51 range is available now.
