Dell Alienware Area-51 (Ultra 9 285K / RTX 5080 / 64GB RAM / 4TB SSD) specifications and in-depth review

Dell Alienware Area-51 (Ultra 9 285K / RTX 5080 / 64GB RAM / 4TB SSD)

Manufacturer: Dell

The Dell Alienware Area-51 (Ultra 9 285K / RTX 5080 / 64GB RAM / 4TB SSD) is a high-performance gaming PC designed to handle intensive gaming and multitasking. It features a bold 4000GB SSD for ample storage and rapid access speeds, making it an excellent choice for gamers and professionals alike.

Powered by an advanced RTX 5080 GPU with 16GB of VRAM and 56.34 TFLOPS of floating-point performance, this system ensures smooth rendering of complex graphics. It also boasts 64GB of high-speed RAM (6400 MHz) and a robust Intel CPU with 24 threads and a turbo clock speed of 5.7GHz, providing exceptional computing power for both gaming and creative tasks.

Pros
  • Supports multiple Wi-Fi standards, including Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7, ensuring fast and versatile connectivity options.
  • Has Intel Resizable BAR for improved GPU performance in supported games and applications.
  • Equipped with 64GB of high-speed RAM running at 6400 MHz, providing ample memory for demanding tasks.
  • Includes 4 USB-C ports and Thunderbolt 4 ports, offering fast data transfer and extensive peripheral support.
  • Supports ECC memory, enhancing system stability and data integrity for critical tasks.
Cons
  • Does not include air-water cooling, which may limit cooling efficiency under heavy loads.
  • No USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 or USB-C ports with high-speed support, which may limit connectivity options for certain high-performance devices.
  • Lacks a VGA connector, which could be inconvenient for users with older display setups.
  • The large 360W CPU TDP could result in higher power consumption and heat output, potentially requiring a more robust cooling solution.
Who is this for?

This product is ideal for users who require robust performance and multitasking capabilities, such as content creators, gamers, and professionals working with demanding applications. With its 64GB of high-speed RAM at 6400 MHz and support for Intel Resizable BAR, it can handle intensive workloads and provide smooth gaming experiences. Additionally, the extensive connectivity options, including multiple Thunderbolt 4 ports and high-speed USB-C, make it a great choice for users who need fast data transfer and versatile peripheral support.

Who is this NOT for?

This product may not be the best fit for users seeking a highly portable or energy-efficient system. With its 360W CPU TDP and lack of air-water cooling, it could generate significant heat and require advanced cooling solutions, which might be a challenge in smaller or less ventilated environments. Additionally, the absence of USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports limits connectivity for certain high-speed devices, and the lack of a VGA connector could be inconvenient for users with older display setups.

General info:

release date April 2025
SSD storage capacity 4000GB
form factor ATX
Is an NVMe SSD
volume 80451.9342 cm³
thickness 610.5 mm
height 569 mm
width 231.6 mm

The Dell Alienware Area-51 features a spacious 4000GB SSD for fast storage, ensuring quick access to games and files. It has a compact ATX form factor with dimensions of 569 mm in height, 231.6 mm in width, and a thickness of 610.5 mm, allowing it to fit into most standard setups. The system also supports NVMe technology for improved storage speed and efficiency, making it ideal for high-performance tasks.

Graphics card:

VRAM 16GB
floating-point performance 56.34 TFLOPS
effective memory speed 30000 MHz
GPU clock speed 2300 MHz
GPU memory speed 1875 MHz
GPU turbo 2620 MHz
GDDR version GDDR7
DirectX version DirectX 12 Ultimate
PCI Express (PCIe) version 5
supports ray tracing
texture rate 880 GTexels/s
pixel rate 293.4 GPixel/s
maximum memory bandwidth 960 GB/s
memory bus width 256-bit
supports DLSS
supported displays 4
semiconductor size 5 nm
texture mapping units (TMUs) 336
shading units 10752
render output units (ROPs) 112
OpenGL version 4.6
OpenCL version 3
has LHR
Supports multi-display technology
Has Double Precision Floating Point (DPFP)
Supports 3D
has RGB lighting
number of transistors 45600 million

The Dell Alienware Area-51 is equipped with an advanced RTX 5080 GPU featuring 16GB of VRAM and delivering an impressive 56.34 TFLOPS of floating-point performance. With a maximum memory bandwidth of 960 GB/s and a GPU clock speed of 2300 MHz (boosting to 2620 MHz in turbo mode), this graphics card ensures high-performance gaming and rendering. It supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, ray tracing, and DLSS, as well as multi-display technology, making it highly capable for demanding graphical tasks.

CPU:

CPU speed 8 x 3.7 & 16 x 3.2 GHz
Has integrated graphics
Has an unlocked multiplier
L2 cache 40 MB
L3 cache 36 MB
turbo clock speed 5.7GHz
CPU threads 24 threads
uses multithreading
Turbo Boost version 2
clock multiplier 37
Supports 64-bit
CPU temperature 105 °C

The Dell Alienware Area-51 is powered by a high-performance CPU with 24 threads, featuring a total clock speed of 8 x 3.7 & 16 x 3.2 GHz. It supports multithreading and has a turbo clock speed of up to 5.7GHz for extra processing power when needed. With an unlocked multiplier and 40 MB of L2 cache, this CPU is capable of delivering fast and efficient computing, while also supporting integrated graphics for additional visual performance.

Benchmarks:

Geekbench 6 result (multi) 22722
Geekbench 6 result (single) 3215
PassMark result 67565
PassMark result (single) 5094
PassMark result (overclocked) 67872

The Dell Alienware Area-51 demonstrates exceptional performance in benchmark tests, with a Geekbench 6 multi-core score of 22722 and a single-core score of 3215. It also achieved a solid PassMark score of 67565, which increases to 67872 when overclocked. These results reflect the system's strong computing capabilities, making it well-suited for demanding applications and multitasking.

Memory:

RAM 64GB
RAM speed 6400 MHz
DDR memory version 5

The Dell Alienware Area-51 comes equipped with 64GB of RAM, running at an impressive 6400 MHz, ensuring smooth performance during heavy multitasking and demanding applications. The system also supports the latest DDR5 memory version, providing enhanced speed and efficiency for modern workloads.

Connectivity:

Wi-Fi version Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
supports Wi-Fi
USB 2.0 ports 5
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A) 0
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A) 3
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C) 4
USB 4 40Gbps ports 2
USB 4 20Gbps ports 0
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports 0
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C) 0
RJ45 ports 1
Thunderbolt 4 ports 2
Thunderbolt 3 ports 0
DisplayPort outputs 3
HDMI version HDMI 2.1
HDMI ports 1
Has Bluetooth
Bluetooth version 5.4
DVI outputs 0
Has S/PDIF Out port
has a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack
has a VGA connector

The Dell Alienware Area-51 offers extensive connectivity options, including support for Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 standards for fast wireless speeds. It features multiple USB ports, such as 5 USB 2.0 ports, 4 USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) ports, and 2 USB 4 40Gbps ports, ensuring versatile connections for peripherals. Additionally, the system is equipped with Bluetooth 5.4, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort outputs, and an RJ45 Ethernet port for reliable wired and wireless connectivity.

Miscellaneous:

has an HDMI output
AMD SAM / Intel Resizable BAR Intel Resizable BAR
GPU architecture Blackwell
USB-C ports 0
Has air-water cooling
Thermal Design Power (TDP) 360W
mini DisplayPort outputs 0
Supports ECC memory
has XeSS (XMX)
chipset Z890
Type Desktop
CPU socket LGA 1851
instruction sets MMX, F16C, FMA3, AES, AVX, AVX2, SSE 4.1, SSE 4.2
Has NX bit
memory channels 2
RAM speed (max) 6400 MHz
maximum memory amount 192GB
Uses big.LITTLE technology

The Dell Alienware Area-51 features Intel Resizable BAR technology for enhanced GPU performance, alongside a robust 360W CPU TDP for efficient power management. The system supports ECC memory for increased stability, and its Blackwell GPU architecture ensures superior graphics processing. While it does not include air-water cooling, it offers ample flexibility with support for up to 192GB of RAM running at a maximum speed of 6400 MHz.

Final Verdict

The product stands out as a high-performance option for power users, featuring impressive specifications like 64GB of high-speed RAM and Intel Resizable BAR support, making it an excellent choice for demanding tasks such as gaming, content creation, and multitasking. With a range of connectivity options, including Thunderbolt 4 ports and USB-C, it offers great flexibility. However, its high thermal design power (TDP) and lack of air-water cooling may require careful consideration for cooling solutions in certain environments. Overall, it is a strong contender for users who prioritize raw power and versatility in a desktop setup.