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forum threadArktander posted Feb 26, 2026 09:30 PM
forum threadArktander posted Feb 26, 2026 09:30 PM

Alienware Aurora R16: 285K, RTX 5080, 32GB RAM, 2TB SSD Storage, 240mm AIO (Microcenter B&M pickup only) $2199.99

$2,200

$3,800

42% off
Micro Center
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Deal Details
https://www.microcenter.com/produ...-gaming-pc

Processor
Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 processor 285K (24-Core, 76MB Total Cache, 3.7GHz to 5.7GHz)
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5080 16GB GDDR7
Memory
32GB Dual Channel DDR5 (2x 16GB - Green) 5200 MT/s (this actually runs at 5600 MT/s for me)
Storage
2 TB, M.2, PCIe NVMe, SSD
Chassis
1000W Platinum Rated PSU, Clear Door & 240mm Liquid Cooler
Wireless
Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) 802.11ax Wireless LAN and Bluetooth
Hardware Support Services
Basic Onsite Service, 12 Month(s)

If you were watching the prices on these R16 models at Dell over the past month or two, you will remember that this exact configuration was selling for $2299.99 which was just $100 more. I couldn't pull the trigger back then and then the prices started rising. This price at Microcenter has been the lowest I have seen to get the 285K and the 5080 at pretty much anywhere. Granted, the 265 and the 5070ti are within 10-20% in speed, but getting the 285K and the 5080 for just $200 more was still a pretty good deal. Note that these are only offered in person at Microcenter and I know there are only 30 stores across the country but if you are near to one this would be something to consider. If you are signed up as a member (free) and you have their credit card, you could save 5% off the price of any system ($110 off of this one). There are three different R16 systems offered at Microcenter and I'll share them below for comparison.

Aurora R16: Core Ultra 9-285K, RTX 5080, 32GB RAM, 2TB SSD storage, 1000W PSU, 240mm liquid cooler (Microcenter price $2199.99 or $2089.99 with 5% off, which is 42% off the Dell list price of $3799.99)

Aurora R16: Core Ultra 9-285, RTX 5070ti, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD storage, 1000W PSU, 240mm liquid cooler (Microcenter price $1999.99 or $1899.99 with 5% off, which is 34% off the Dell list price of $3049.99)

Aurora R16: Core Ultra 7-265KF, RTX 5070, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD storage, 1000W PSU, 240mmm liquid cooler (Microcenter price $1499.99 or $1424.99 with 5% off, which is 31% off the Dell list price of $2549.99)

If you're finding it difficult to put together a DIY computer for a reasonable price this might be a good solution right now. And in case you were curious, the alien head on the AIO block does not light up, only the alien head power button on the front. Nor is there an Alienware logo that lights up. However, both of those features are on the new Area 51 computers. If you are near a Microcenter you should go and check them out on the floor, as they are gigantic. Way too big for my needs.
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
https://www.microcenter.com/produ...-gaming-pc

Processor
Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 processor 285K (24-Core, 76MB Total Cache, 3.7GHz to 5.7GHz)
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5080 16GB GDDR7
Memory
32GB Dual Channel DDR5 (2x 16GB - Green) 5200 MT/s (this actually runs at 5600 MT/s for me)
Storage
2 TB, M.2, PCIe NVMe, SSD
Chassis
1000W Platinum Rated PSU, Clear Door & 240mm Liquid Cooler
Wireless
Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) 802.11ax Wireless LAN and Bluetooth
Hardware Support Services
Basic Onsite Service, 12 Month(s)

If you were watching the prices on these R16 models at Dell over the past month or two, you will remember that this exact configuration was selling for $2299.99 which was just $100 more. I couldn't pull the trigger back then and then the prices started rising. This price at Microcenter has been the lowest I have seen to get the 285K and the 5080 at pretty much anywhere. Granted, the 265 and the 5070ti are within 10-20% in speed, but getting the 285K and the 5080 for just $200 more was still a pretty good deal. Note that these are only offered in person at Microcenter and I know there are only 30 stores across the country but if you are near to one this would be something to consider. If you are signed up as a member (free) and you have their credit card, you could save 5% off the price of any system ($110 off of this one). There are three different R16 systems offered at Microcenter and I'll share them below for comparison.

Aurora R16: Core Ultra 9-285K, RTX 5080, 32GB RAM, 2TB SSD storage, 1000W PSU, 240mm liquid cooler (Microcenter price $2199.99 or $2089.99 with 5% off, which is 42% off the Dell list price of $3799.99)

Aurora R16: Core Ultra 9-285, RTX 5070ti, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD storage, 1000W PSU, 240mm liquid cooler (Microcenter price $1999.99 or $1899.99 with 5% off, which is 34% off the Dell list price of $3049.99)

Aurora R16: Core Ultra 7-265KF, RTX 5070, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD storage, 1000W PSU, 240mmm liquid cooler (Microcenter price $1499.99 or $1424.99 with 5% off, which is 31% off the Dell list price of $2549.99)

If you're finding it difficult to put together a DIY computer for a reasonable price this might be a good solution right now. And in case you were curious, the alien head on the AIO block does not light up, only the alien head power button on the front. Nor is there an Alienware logo that lights up. However, both of those features are on the new Area 51 computers. If you are near a Microcenter you should go and check them out on the floor, as they are gigantic. Way too big for my needs.

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21 Comments

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Pro
Feb 26, 2026 09:55 PM
3,219 Posts
Joined Dec 2020
BlueRaccoon1085
Pro
Feb 26, 2026 09:55 PM
3,219 Posts
Proprietary parts?
1
Original Poster
Feb 26, 2026 10:03 PM
26 Posts
Joined Sep 2011
Arktander
Original Poster
Feb 26, 2026 10:03 PM
26 Posts
Quote from BlueRaccoon1085 :
Proprietary parts?
Yes, Dell has not yet decided to go with standard parts. Pretty much everthing is proprietary except the CPU. I would not expect this to be great for heavy gaming but there are folks like me who don't run it at the limit or build their own computer or upgrade over the years.
1
Feb 27, 2026 01:09 AM
4 Posts
Joined Nov 2021
MandingalatorFeb 27, 2026 01:09 AM
4 Posts
Quote from BlueRaccoon1085 :
Proprietary parts?
Yes and it performs poorly. Terrible bloatware, heat problems, and the fact that if ANYTHING goes wrong, the whole pc has to be tossed. Only off the shelf parts are RAM and CPU.
2
2
Feb 27, 2026 02:31 AM
2 Posts
Joined Jan 2026
TenderStove890Feb 27, 2026 02:31 AM
2 Posts
Quote from Mandingalator :
Yes and it performs poorly. Terrible bloatware, heat problems, and the fact that if ANYTHING goes wrong, the whole pc has to be tossed. Only off the shelf parts are RAM and CPU.
Good information. Not surprised coming from Dell.
2
Feb 27, 2026 04:19 AM
20 Posts
Joined Mar 2013
ilovehotdealsFeb 27, 2026 04:19 AM
20 Posts
Does anyone know if an 240mm AIO is enough to cool down the 285K?
Mar 02, 2026 11:37 PM
33 Posts
Joined Feb 2019
MrElusiveMar 02, 2026 11:37 PM
33 Posts
I'm glad somebody posted this, definitely a good deal!
Considering the CPU and the GPU alone may cost you $2,200 (depending on the card), I think this PC is a great value.
The motherboard and case are proprietary, and designed to be restrictive for future upgrades down the road, but I'm glad to see it includes at least an AIO liquid cooler for the CPU.
We buy Dell at my work, 1 or 2 machines per year. I never found them to have much bloatware but you pretty much have to keep their Dell driver/BIOS software updater thingy. I usually just uninstall any McAfee antivirus BS if it's pre-loaded, run Windows updates and it's good to go.
Dell ships 11 million units per quarter; you are buying a PC that represents that. Little to no upgrade path, it's gonna run for a long time without headaches, and it's going to favor reliability and throttling rather than crushing benchmarks.
Mar 05, 2026 03:45 PM
472 Posts
Joined Jun 2018
9594Mar 05, 2026 03:45 PM
472 Posts
Quote from Arktander :
Yes, Dell has not yet decided to go with standard parts. Pretty much everthing is proprietary except the CPU. I would not expect this to be great for heavy gaming but there are folks like me who don't run it at the limit or build their own computer or upgrade over the years.
The motherboard and PSU are proprietary. Everything else can be swapped/changed.

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Mar 05, 2026 09:59 PM
1 Posts
Joined Dec 2025
DelightfulMeat685Mar 05, 2026 09:59 PM
1 Posts


https://www.microcenter.com/produ...-gaming-pc


Intel Core Ultra 9 285K (3.2GHz) Processor
32GB DDR5-5200 RAM
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Graphics Card
2TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
2.5GbE LAN, 2x2 WiFi 7 (802.11be), Bluetooth 5.4
Windows 11 Home
Protect and Support

Pretty good specs. Considering a 5080 runs for around 1500, I think this is a steal if anyone is in the market for a PC
Original Poster
Mar 05, 2026 11:40 PM
26 Posts
Joined Sep 2011
Arktander
Original Poster
Mar 05, 2026 11:40 PM
26 Posts
I also thought this one was too good to pass up. My previous Dell/Alienware computers have lasted many years. Several older Dells have passed 15 years, my previous went 12 years. They may not be for everyone but they have for me. I can't believe how good this computer is!
Mar 11, 2026 12:19 AM
10 Posts
Joined Jul 2020
Electron12Mar 11, 2026 12:19 AM
10 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank Electron12

Quote from Mandingalator :
Yes and it performs poorly. Terrible bloatware, heat problems, and the fact that if ANYTHING goes wrong, the whole pc has to be tossed. Only off the shelf parts are RAM and CPU.
I have 2 of these and I am a fairly hard core gamer - mostly COD and battlefield. I have zero issue with my system - they perform as well as any system I have here that I have built. But there are a ton of performance screen shots and videos and all say the performance is very good. I have zero heat problems but as most know the new processors really dont heat up like the old ones did - again there are a ton of videos on this as well as the heat performance of the ACT1250's I would take nothing from the tools on this site and do a bit of research. These are build very well and come with zero bloatware. I actually would recommend to anyone who can afford and who does not want to take the time to match hardware. Good luck with your search! All replacement parts are available from Alienware but in the year and a half I have had mine I have not had any issues requiring any parts to be replaced. They have worked flawlessly.
3
Mar 17, 2026 02:20 PM
92 Posts
Joined Feb 2013
asianjabbaMar 17, 2026 02:20 PM
92 Posts
I know past Alienware had issues but these are the 'refreshes' no? I am curious is this intel chip better or the amd 9900x at Costco for 2299 instead of 2199 here
Mar 18, 2026 08:32 PM
4 Posts
Joined Oct 2018
RaviM2973Mar 18, 2026 08:32 PM
4 Posts
I bought this computer. Will report on how it runs.
Mar 20, 2026 01:57 PM
33 Posts
Joined Dec 2012
arethiz86Mar 20, 2026 01:57 PM
33 Posts
Best buy price matched. Thank you
Mar 21, 2026 01:54 PM
15 Posts
Joined May 2010
osulu91Mar 21, 2026 01:54 PM
15 Posts
I was able to price match at Best Buy as well! Great deal honestly

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Mar 22, 2026 03:24 AM
53 Posts
Joined Jan 2008
sandkebayMar 22, 2026 03:24 AM
53 Posts
I also got one from Bestbuy with price match. Only have had it a full day but is doing great so far and runs very quiet.

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