Dell unleashes new Alienware gaming PCs with NVIDIA's new RTX GPUs

By Rich Edmonds
last updated

Dell pulls Alienware into 2018 with new toys for gamers to play with.

Dell has saved some big announcements for Gamescom 2018, including the new esports training platform Alienware Academy, Alienware Command Center for managing all kinds of PC accessories, as well as some cool new monitors and PCs with NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics processors. In short, the company is going all out this year with some cracking new hardware and services for gamers.

We already covered the Alienware Academy, which is essentially a resource and training facility of sorts for anyone who desires a career in professional gaming on the big stage. As for the new Command Center, it's simply Alienware's version of the peripheral manager for Windows 10, allowing gamers with compatible keyboards, mice, and more to connect everything together using one app. It also works on any PC — not just Dell — which is an added bonus.

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Dell S2419HGF

Dell's new 24- and 27-inch gaming monitors (FHD and QHD, respectively) sport overclocked refresh rates of 144Hz and 155Hz, with an awesome rapid response time of just 1 ms — ideal for gaming. Both displays support AMD's FreeSync technology, which pairs nicely with any AMD-powered GPU.

They're appropriately designed as far as gaming displays go and come backed by Dell's superb Premium Panel Exchange program, allowing the replacement of a display should there be any issues throughout the warranty period, even if it's only a single pixel out of line.

The Dell S2419HGF and S2719DGF displays will be available in the U.S. and Asia starting August 28 at $319.99 and $549.99.

Aurora and Area 51 with NVIDIA RTX

Dell Alienware Area 51

The Alienware Aurora will be available with the recently announced NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070, 2080, and 2080 Ti GPUs. All this power will be housed in a mid-tower chassis, allowing for future upgrades and modding. Better yet, these new GPUs will allow for some excellent 4K gaming.

As well as the Aurora, Dell is also refreshing the flagship Area 51 desktop gaming PC with the new GPUs from NVIDIA. What sets this model aside is the option to configure the system with an Intel processor rocking 18 cores, because why not? The new Aurora PCs will be available for preorder in early September, but you will be able to buy the Area 51 desktops with RTX GPUs that very same month.

Fancy Alienware 15 and 17 keyboard lighting

Dell Alienware 15

Finally, Dell has made some changes to the Alienware 15 and 17 gaming notebooks. Both models now come rocking per-key LED lighting for more than 80 quadrillion combinations, utilizing various modes and effects. Not only is there more colorful light emitting from each key, they're also using the upgraded TaxtX keyboard, sporting a key travel of just 2.2mm.

Both the Alienware 15 and 17 will be available on August 21, starting at $1,399.99 and $1,599.99, respectively.

Rich Edmonds
Rich Edmonds
Senior Editor, PC Build

Rich Edmonds was formerly a Senior Editor of PC hardware at Windows Central, covering everything related to PC components and NAS. He's been involved in technology for more than a decade and knows a thing or two about the magic inside a PC chassis. You can follow him on Twitter at @RichEdmonds.

3 Comments
  • Waiting for the RTX 2080 in Alienware 17 laptop; hopefully they will go for better cooling over thin design, with a 4k 144hz screen; and would love to see an option to pay to have a better thermal compound, so you don't have to have the thing repasted afterwards.
  • When will Alienware offer a program to upgrade ones system.. For example I have an Area 51 R2 and its x99 mobo and I want a x299 mobo but you cant just by one from amazon and put it in because it has to be Dell's special fancy made unique as **** mobo that only works with Alienware. So I have to buy a new PC to get a x299 mobo and Dell will not just sell me the board. If your a PC enthusiast do not buy Alienware guys.. You get stuck...
  • This is a pretty common and widely known caveat. This is one reason I opted for an Aurora vs the more eccentric Area 51. However, just so you know, you can buy refurbished parts from third party vendors. This includes motherboards, etc. So, while they don't offer direct channels, it is possible. I have owned several Alienware PCs: Alienware x51, Alienware 18 SLI, and an newer Aurora. They are all excellent PCs and work fine. Upgrading smaller form factor x51 can be a challenge, but it is doable. The Alienware 18, well its a laptop. What do you expect? Still, beast specs. And as for my Aurora, there was plenty of room for upgrades. "Being stuck" isn't a problem someone who buys an Alienware should have. If upgradability is of import, always build your own or choose less integrated/ custom products. Simple as that.