Alienware Aurora R9 Review:

The Alienware Aurora R9 is the newest edition in the Aurora line, the R9. It is the epitome of high-end gaming, it maintains the aesthetic of other Aurora models and the gaming-centric design is filled with the best & most convenient components, specialised for strong gaming performance. With up to Up to 9th Gen Intel® Core™ i9 9900K processors, the latest NVIDIA graphics, and its extensive RAM and storage capabilities, the Aurora R8 is able to handle nearly all the needs of any gamer effectively and efficiently.

The Aurora R9 is well-engineered for esports and features the Legend Industrial Design with an improved airflow pattern from the previous generation. A new chassis design ensures airflow moves more fluidly and efficiently to reduce CPU temperatures while fans operate slower. The lower temperatures allow a more stable performance and higher overclocking which results in higher frames per second while gaming, a huge bonus. The R9 delivers superior memory capabilities thanks to Kingston’s HyperX. You can choose between 2666Mhz, 2933Mhz or 3200Mhz of memory that is available in single and dual-channel configurations with options ranging from 8GB to 64GB of DDR4 memory for convenience.

The Aurora R9 is also very thoughtfully engineered for enhanced usability and flexibility. With an easy-access side-entry panel and conveniently placed ports, including three USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Type A) ports, a USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Type-C™) port, plus a headset and mic plug-in all located in the front of the system, it’s built for easy access and flexibility. This shows that the R9 really does cater to the gamers’ needs.

Equipped with RGB lighting and gaming-relevant software that is well-implemented, the R9 has very limited faults. The Aurora R9 has an easily accessible chassis enabling the owner to modify the PC with ease. The £1700 price tag, for the model we reviewed, is sharp but the PC’s spec and features make up for this, justifying and redeeming the high-end price.

The Alienware Aurora R9 features the all-new command centre software, developed using gamer feedback. This useful software is continuously updated and the latest version now includes features specifically desired by the gaming community. This includes auto-tuned game profiles, a new responsive UI, intuitive overclocking options and all-new AlienFX settings. The latest AlienFX hardware and software supports full RGB values with up to 16.8 million colours.
You can easily manage your FX lighting zones, edit peripheral settings and save new themes you can then assign for each game.

The intuitive overclocking control module allows the user to quickly and safely squeeze additional performance out of their system. You can create your own system overclocking profiles, then easily control their system performance. The R9’s command centre allows a performance-optimized airflow, the rear and top vents of the Alienware Aurora work as an exhaust to keep temperatures in ideal ranges by removing heat from the system. The front and side vents simultaneously take in cool air to enable high performance and maintain system health efficiently.

Is it worth it? – The Big Question

I think it is. After testing the Alienware Aurora R9 vigorously, its performance is impressive. If you’re looking for a high-end gaming PC, this may be your one, take a look into the powerful spec of the model we reviewed – that should give you a definite answer. Although pricey, it’s certainly a beast of a computer that doesn’t disappoint. You guaranteed premium performance and frame rates.

However, after our tests, we don’t think the R8 is suitable for 4K gaming just yet, so if 4K is a priority maybe this PC isn’t for you, but I believe this is still the best PC for most gamers.

The Spec Analysis 

• 9th Gen Intel® Core™ i7 9700
• Windows 10 Home 64bit
• 16GB Dual Channel HyperX™ FURY DDR4 XMP at 2666MHz
• AMD Radeon™ RX 5700 8GB GDDR6

• 3 Type-A USB 3.1 Gen 1 Ports with Powershare technology
• 1 Type-C™ USB 3.1 Gen 1 Port with Powershare technology
• 1 Headphone/Line Out
• 1 Microphone/Line In
• 1 SPDIF Digital Output (Coax)
• 1 SPDIF Digital Output (TOSLINK)

• 1 RJ-45 Killer E2500 Gigabit Ethernet
• 5 Type-A USB 2.0 Ports
• 1 Full-Size Display Port 1.2 Output
• 1 Type-C™ USB 3.1 Gen 2 with Powershare technology (up to 15W)
• 1 Type-A USB 3.1 Gen 2
• Side Surround Output
• Microphone In
• Line Out
• 3 Type-A USB 3.1 Gen 1
• Rear Surround Output
• Center/Subwoofer Output
• Line in
• Height: 481.6mm (18.9″)
• Width: 222.8mm (8.771″)
• Length: 431.9mm (17″)
• Volume: 33.8 L
• Maximum Weight: 17.8 kg (39.2 lbs)

The Alienware Aurora R9 is a superior gaming PC that combines peak performance with a slick design. It’s available in multiple configurations with prices starting at £899, depending on what spec you choose. Click here to take a closer look and purchasing options.

This review is based on the model priced at £1700.