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 4070ti, 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 4070, 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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6 Comments
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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.
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