AlienWare X51 R3 - the first VR Ready computer

Summary

• DESIGN Alienware X51 R3
• CONNECTIONS Alienware X51 R3
• GRAPHIC CARD
• PROCESSOR
• COOLING
• ALIENWARE X51 R3 – VR READY OU PAS VR READY

DESIGN Alienware X51 R3

This new model is visually not very far from its predecessors. True to itself, the brand combines quality components and an almost reptilian design. Compact and light, it is clear that the platform looks more like a living room console than a computer. Bright LEDs surround its steel frame and plastic shell. These are also customizable thanks to a small software. You can therefore choose the color of the lights emitted by the LEDs according to your mood. These can also act as an alarm and change color in response to events or notifications. The Power button is located at the top of the chassis and, at the other end, we find the Alienware logo, also illuminated. Fairly light and compact, it weighs only 5,5 kg and its dimensions are 343 x 318 x95 mm. You can use it in a horizontal or vertical position, and can move it from one room to another without too much difficulty. The power supply is external and is, however, quite bulky.

CONNECTIONS Alienware X51 R3

To look more like a home console, two USB 3.0 ports are located on the front of the machine, along with jack ports for headphones and microphones. At the back, we find a total of 6 USB ports (two USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0 ports, two USB 3.1 ports). Then, as regards the monitors, we are in the presence of an HDMI port, three DisplayPorts and a DVI port. Finally, we have a Gigabit Ethernet port and an expansion slot to optionally accommodate an Alienware Graphics Amplifier.

GRAPHIC CARD

The Alienware X51 R3 has a GeForce GTX 960 graphics card that is, of course, not the best on the market but offers more than satisfactory graphics capable of displaying games in 4K. However, it is obsolete when it comes to running the most powerful and power hungry VR games. It is therefore possible and even recommended to replace it with a higher model, a second 6-pin PCI-Express connector being provided for this purpose.

PROCESSOR

Regarding the processor, no complaints. The on-board model, a Core i7-6700K (the K indicates that it is overclockable) is one of the best on the market, at least for the general public.c and is clocked at 4GHz.

COOLING

The computer is equipped with a powerful and silent liquid cooling system. But other fans come to support the first system and it must be admitted that the latter tend to get carried away quickly, the computer is therefore no longer silent but can be noisy after long use.

ALIENWARE X51 R3 – VR READY OU PAS VR READY

The beast manages to run games smoothly with the Oculus CV1, but begin to show flaws when the game in question is richer and requires more power.e. This is not alarming given that it is the first representative of VR Ready PCs, which should only improve following the improvement of virtual reality. In addition, the computer can be customized with a better quality graphics card, which would directly solve the problem.. Another negative point is that when you push the machine a little more, it can start to overheat and make an uncomfortable noise. But Dell's promise is kept and the computer is indeed well suited to virtual reality, without being too bulky.

Finally, we can say that this first iteration of PC VR Ready is a success, despite some shortcomings, that gamers will be able to detect and remedy by possibly installing their own components. Its price of around 1500 € could put off some, but the quality is there. In addition, know that it will be possible for you, thanks to the partnership between Dell and Oculus, to buy a pack including the Rift in order to save some money.