Dell Alienware Area-51 (Ultra 9 285K / RTX 5090 / 64GB RAM / 4TB SSD) specifications and in-depth review

Dell Alienware Area-51 (Ultra 9 285K / RTX 5090 / 64GB RAM / 4TB SSD)

Manufacturer: Dell

The Dell Alienware Area-51 Ultra 9 285K is a high-performance gaming PC designed to tackle demanding applications. With 64GB of RAM and a 4TB SSD, it offers ample storage and memory for seamless multitasking and gaming. The system is built in an ATX form factor, making it a robust option for enthusiasts looking for raw power.

At its core, the Alienware Area-51 is powered by an 8-core CPU with a turbo clock speed of 5.7GHz. The system is also equipped with an RTX 5090 GPU featuring 32GB of VRAM, capable of reaching a GPU clock speed of 2010 MHz. It supports multiple displays and has a PCIe 5.0 interface, ensuring smooth, high-resolution gameplay. Other features include Wi-Fi 6E support, 3 HDMI outputs, and 2 Thunderbolt 4 ports, making it highly versatile for various connectivity needs.

Pros
  • Supports Intel Resizable BAR for improved gaming and performance optimizations.
  • Includes 64GB of RAM with a fast 6400 MHz speed for smooth multitasking and demanding applications.
  • Equipped with USB 4 40Gbps ports for fast data transfer and future-proof connectivity.
  • Has Thunderbolt 4 ports for high-speed external device connections.
  • Features ECC memory support for enhanced data integrity and error correction.
Cons
  • No USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 or USB-C ports for even faster data transfer and modern device support.
  • Lacks air-water cooling, potentially limiting cooling options for extreme workloads.
  • Only supports HDMI 2.1, which may not be enough for some cutting-edge display setups.
Who is this for?

This product is ideal for high-performance computing tasks, such as gaming, video editing, or content creation, where fast processing power and large memory capacity are required. With 64GB of RAM and a CPU speed up to 5.7GHz, it can handle demanding applications with ease. The inclusion of Thunderbolt 4 ports and USB 4 40Gbps ports ensures fast data transfer for external devices, making it suitable for users who require top-tier connectivity and speed for professional workflows.

Who is this NOT for?

This product may not be ideal for users who prioritize portability or quieter, low-energy setups, as it lacks air-water cooling and has a significant CPU TDP of 575W, which may result in higher power consumption and heat. Additionally, the lack of USB-C ports and only one HDMI 2.1 output may limit the connectivity options for some users, especially those with modern peripherals or multi-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 Ultra 9 285K features a generous 4000GB SSD for ample storage, offering fast access speeds thanks to its NVMe technology. It comes in an ATX form factor, measuring 569mm in height, 231.6mm in width, and with a volume of 80451.9342 cm³, ensuring a compact yet powerful design for intense performance.

Graphics card:

VRAM 32GB
floating-point performance 104.9 TFLOPS
effective memory speed 28000 MHz
GPU clock speed 2010 MHz
GPU memory speed 1750 MHz
GPU turbo 2410 MHz
GDDR version GDDR7
DirectX version DirectX 12 Ultimate
PCI Express (PCIe) version 5
supports ray tracing
texture rate 1638.8 GTexels/s
pixel rate 424.2 GPixel/s
maximum memory bandwidth 1792 GB/s
memory bus width 512-bit
supports DLSS
supported displays 4
semiconductor size 5 nm
texture mapping units (TMUs) 680
shading units 21760
render output units (ROPs) 176
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 92200 million

The Dell Alienware Area-51 Ultra 9 285K is equipped with an impressive 32GB VRAM and boasts a powerful GPU clock speed of 2010 MHz, with turbo capabilities reaching 2410 MHz. This GPU leverages a maximum memory bandwidth of 1792 GB/s and supports advanced features like ray tracing and DLSS for enhanced graphics performance. With a 5 nm semiconductor size and DirectX 12 Ultimate support, it ensures smooth and realistic visuals across multiple displays.

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 Ultra 9 285K is powered by a CPU with a total clock speed of 8 x 3.7 GHz & 16 x 3.2 GHz, and supports Turbo Boost up to 5.7GHz for enhanced performance. With 24 CPU threads and a clock multiplier of 37, it provides robust multitasking capabilities. This processor also includes 40 MB of L2 cache and 36 MB of L3 cache, ensuring quick data access and smooth processing.

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 Ultra 9 285K shows strong benchmark performance, with a Geekbench 6 multi-core score of 22722 and a single-core score of 3215. Its PassMark results are equally impressive, achieving 67565 in the overall test, with a single-core score of 5094. The overclocked PassMark result reaches 67872, demonstrating its capacity for enhanced processing power under load.

Memory:

RAM 64GB
RAM speed 6400 MHz
DDR memory version 5

The Dell Alienware Area-51 Ultra 9 285K is equipped with 64GB of RAM, running at a speed of 6400 MHz for fast data processing. This system also supports the latest DDR5 memory version, ensuring improved performance and efficiency compared to previous memory generations.

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 Ultra 9 285K offers robust connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 6E support and Bluetooth 5.4 for wireless connections. For wired connections, it includes USB 4.0 40Gbps ports, Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a DisplayPort output, ensuring high-speed data transfer and multi-display support. It also features an HDMI 2.1 port, an RJ45 Ethernet port, and a 3.5mm headset jack for versatile connectivity needs.

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) 575W
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 Ultra 9 285K includes a range of advanced features such as Intel Resizable BAR support and a CPU TDP of 575W. It uses the Blackwell GPU architecture for enhanced graphics performance and supports ECC memory for improved data integrity. The system is equipped with a LGA 1851 CPU socket and features big.LITTLE technology for optimized power efficiency.

Final Verdict

The product excels in performance and connectivity, making it a powerful option for users who require high-speed computing and advanced features. With 64GB of RAM and a turbo clock speed of 5.7GHz, it is well-suited for resource-intensive tasks. The inclusion of Thunderbolt 4 ports and extensive USB-C options enhances its utility for professionals and tech enthusiasts. However, its substantial power requirements and lack of portability may limit its appeal for those seeking a more energy-efficient or compact solution. Overall, this product is best suited for power users in need of exceptional performance and connectivity.