Alienware celebrates 25 years with revamped Aurora desktop PC

Alienware is commemorating its 25th anniversary with a special Twitch stream scheduled for later today (2pm US central time, 8pm UK time). A press release has already given us a sneak peek at the star product of the event – a new flagship desktop from the Dell-owned gaming brand. The revamped Aurora system is the desktop PC that Alienware is looking to impress us with. While the design of the new desktop isn’t drastically different from the current model, it’s a significant update from the last Alienware Aurora reviewed in 2010.

The new Alienware Aurora design maintains the familiar look but with a slightly larger frame and an optional transparent side panel. The increased space, reportedly 50% larger than the Aurora R12, allows for bulkier hardware components and better airflow. The side panel also offers a view of the LED lighting and showcases Alienware’s “meticulous internal cable management”.

One new feature of the tool-less chassis that stands out is the optional magnetic rear cable cover, which is likely to be popular among eSports enthusiasts. This cover gives the system a clean look from the rear, free of cable clutter.

Every new Alienware Aurora will come equipped with at least two 120mm fans, with higher-end models featuring up to four fans and liquid cooling options. The enhancements in airflow and chassis design make the new Aurora up to 16% quieter at idle and up to 9% quieter under heavy workloads. Testing has shown that the new chassis runs games up to 5% faster than the previous model due to improved cooling.

Although specific details on the max specs of the anniversary Aurora gaming desktop PC are still under wraps, it has been confirmed that it will support up to a GeForce RTX 3090. Alienware may be waiting for the latest CPUs from Intel and AMD to be available before revealing the full specs, but more information is expected to be released before the end of the year.

Upon release, the new Aurora will be offered in Lunar Light and Dark Side of the Moon finishes.