• The list in brief ↴
1. Best overall
2. Best with AMD
3. Value option
• How to choose
Building a killer gaming PC can be daunting for a novice, with cutting-edge hardware running up costs and compatibility mismatches causing headaches. Even the most hardcore enthusiasts spring for a pre-built machine if individual parts suffer from chip shortages and price hikes.
Even if pricing in the PC hardware space has mostly returned to normal, those who don't want to spend a lot of time putting a build together can sit back and enjoy their favorite games with pre-built convenience.
Custom-designed gaming rigs from Alienware, a subsidiary of computer giant Dell, are designed with performance in mind, taking advantage of their custom-made cooling technology and sleek case design.
While they're not a great option if you prefer a more standard design with parts that can be swapped out and moved across PCs — Dell uses a lot of proprietary hardware and designs in these PCs — those who simply want a PC that runs games right out of the box should find something suitable.
Here are the three best pre-built Alienware gaming PCs based on availability, price, and configuration options.
The quick list
Dell's collection of Alienware pre-built desktop PCs is fairly limited, and you might be able to find what you need from this quick list of top options. Feel free to click through any of the options for a more detailed breakdown of pros, cons, and available hardware.
Best overall
The Aurora R16 is the latest Intel-powered model from Alienware, with up to a 14th Gen Intel Core i9-14900KF CPU, NVIDIA RTX 4090 GPU, 64GB of RAM, and 8TB of SSD storage. It has an updated case design with prominent RGB lighting, and it can be liquid-cooled.
Best with AMD
The AMD-based Aurora R15 is still the most recent version with Ryzen CPUs. It features the older, more stylized design, and it's equipped with up to a Ryzen 9 7900X CPU, NVIDIA RTX 4090 or Radeon RX 7900 XTX GPU, 128GB of DDR5 RAM, and up to 6TB of storage split between M.2 SSD and SATA HDD.
Value option
The Alienware Aurora R15 with Intel hardware has been replaced by the R16, but the older model is still available at Best Buy. Clearance pricing makes it a great deal if you don't mind older configuration options and the older style with a more aggressive, stylized design.
The best Alienware pre-built PCs in 2024
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We can now dig into why these Alienware PCs might be perfect for you. We haven't personally tested these latest models yet, but we do have experience with older Alienware desktop PCs. We can still offer configuration guidance and general recommendations as to why these gaming PCs might be right for you.
Best overall
The Alienware Aurora R16 is the latest and greatest pre-built gaming PC on offer from Dell. Announced October 2023, the new Aurora R16 features a redesigned tower with a boxier build, which Dell says improves airflow and lowers noise.
It's also about 40% more compact than the previous design, but it still features prominent AlienFX RGB lighting and a side panel without a cutout for a clear view of performance hardware. If you don't like the aggressive, stylized design of previous Aurora models, this should be a better choice.
There are a bunch of configuration options available at Dell's website, which include Intel's 14th Gen Core CPUs and either NVIDIA or AMD GPUs. Introductory models with a Core i7-14700F CPU, NVIDIA RTX 4060 GPU, 16GB of DDR5-5600MHz RAM, and a 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD cost about $1,350 before any promotions; do keep in mind that these PCs are prone to sales events.
You can customize a system with up to a Core i9-14900KF CPU, NVIDIA RTX 4090 GPU, 32GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD, costing about $3,700 before any discounts. There are plenty of stops along the way, and there's even an optional AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX GPU for those who prefer to split between an Intel CPU and AMD graphics.
The chassis has a ton of ports, and you can configure up to a 1,000W PSU with liquid cooling for the CPU. The main drawback here, at least for enthusiasts, is the use of a proprietary PSU and motherboard, which limits how many DIY upgrades can be performed.
Note that I've listed below the Aurora R16's predecessor as a more affordable option. Third-party retailers like Best Buy are clearing out stock, and you might be able to find the right discount as long as you don't mind slightly older CPUs and designs.
Best with AMD
Those who prefer a system centered around an AMD CPU are also taken into account by the likes of the Alienware Aurora R15. The chassis redesign hasn't yet happened on AMD's side so you're still looking at a much more aggressive and chunky design, but for lots of people that won't matter much.
The PC still has a lot of ports, there's a cutout on the side panel to show off your hardware, and you can even get liquid cooling for the CPU if you're worried about performance.
There are fewer configuration options compared to the Intel-based Aurora R16, but you can nevertheless find affordable and high-end options. At the time of writing, for example, Dell has discounted a model with AMD Ryzen 9 7900 CPU, NVIDIA RTX 4070 GPU, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and 512GB SSD/1TB HDD combo down to $1,400. That's $900 off the regular price, and there are even larger discounts available on models with higher-end hardware.
The AMD Aurora R15 is available with up to an AMD Ryzen 9 7900X CPU, NVIDIA RTX 4090 GPU, 128GB of DDR5 RAM, and up to a 2TB SSD with 2TB SATA HDD. If you'd rather go full AMD, you can change that GPU over to a Radeon RX 7900 XTX with 24GB of GDDR6 VRAM.
These AMD systems will likely be refreshed soon to the new design that we're already seeing in the Intel-based R16, but for now, you can take advantage of deep sales on the R15 model.
Value option
The Aurora R15 with Intel CPUs is Dell's last-gen version of the current R16, and it uses the same chassis design as the latest AMD-based R15 (albeit with a different color scheme). It's a huge tower without as good of cooling as its replacement, but it can still provide a high-quality gaming experience.
Dell no longer directly sells the Intel-based Aurora R15, but you can find discounted models at third-party retailers. These units are usually discounted to be cleared out, and you might be able to snag a great price on 13th Gen Intel hardware. Don't worry about the GPUs, as you can still get NVIDIA's 40-series cards in the older R15.
Like the other Alienware towers, there's a wide range of ports available. You can even still get liquid cooling in a model available at Best Buy. However, it still uses a proprietary motherboard and PSU, which can make it difficult to upgrade for future DIY projects.
How to choose the best Alienware desktop PC for you
Dell has traditionally offered only a handful of pre-built Alienware desktop gaming PCs, with some crossover between generations as older stock is cleared out. We've arrived now at a point where the Aurora R16 has the latest Intel hardware in a redesigned chassis, with the AMD-based Aurora R15 waiting on the same treatment for its chassis.
As it stands now, those who want the latest performance hardware should check out the Alienware Aurora R16. Prices start as low as $1,350, even without any discounts, and that price can deliver a quality gaming experience thanks to the Core i7-14700F CPU and NVIDIA RTX 4060 GPU. Dell has a ton of hardware options available, and you can easily spend thousands on a high-end system with liquid cooling should you have the budget.
If you prefer AMD hardware and don't mind the older, more aggressive tower design, the Aurora R15 is still readily available in a number of configurations. You can choose between a Ryzen 9 7900 and a Ryzen 9 7900X, and you can get up to an NVIDIA RTX 4090 or AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX GPU. These PCs enjoy deep discounts as they age, and you might be able to save more than $1,000 on some models.
And finally, the Intel-based Aurora R15 is a wild card that you might be able to find at a more affordable price than a comparable R16. It's no longer sold at the Dell website, but it can be sourced from third-party retailers where you'll frequently find deep discounts. The R15 is still using the old, chunky design with inferior cooling, but with the right discount, you might be able to overlook the drawbacks.
What about building your own gaming PC?
Pre-built Alienware PCs are solid options for gamers who don't want the hassle of ordering and putting a bunch of pieces together on their own. They work out of the box, and they're available with a ton of configuration options to help you get the perfect setup.
However, it often doesn't take long after being introduced to the PC gaming world to get the urge to build your own PC. It's a fun (if expensive) hobby that can really deliver a sense of accomplishment, as well as some extra knowledge on how PC parts work together.
Building your own PC can save you money since you aren't paying for someone else to build it (with Dell's premiums jacking the price up), and it'll give you in-depth knowledge of how to upgrade your PC in the future.
If you would like to take the next step and create your own gaming PC, our guide on how to build a PC has a ton of information that can help you get started. You can also check out our picks for the best gaming laptops if you'd like something that you can take everywhere.
