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Alienware Space-51 (2025): Two-minute evaluation
Alienware has a popularity amongst system-building lovers for being, nicely, a bit odd, a bit out of the atypical. As premium manufacturers go, there is a sure air about it, a je ne sais quoi, so to talk. Iconic? Maybe, but it surely additionally does not know fairly what it desires to be. Whether or not it is an organization that is devoted to the teenage gamer from yesteryear or the modern-day millennial skilled continues to be up for debate, and its merchandise present that. None extra so than the Alienware Space-51 (2025), I have been testing over the previous couple of weeks.
Constructed for a gamer who’s not within the finer particulars, but outfitted with sufficient {hardware} to simulate the solar, it has an expert workstation price ticket however a bodily look that’d be extra at house in 2009 than 2025. It is obtained a top-tier spec sheet, but lacks a number of the fundamentals that will make it a extra pro-grade workstation. Briefly, who it is for is type of a thriller.
The unit I examined comes with an Intel Core Extremely 9 285K processor, Nvidia RTX 5090 GPU, 64GB of DDR5, and a 2TB PCIe 5.0 SSD, so this isn’t going to be a budget gaming PC, that is for positive. The configuration I examined is available in at $5,700 within the US (though that is with a 2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, not the 5.0 SSD in evaluation), £5,469 within the UK, and an obscene AU$12,320 in Australia. That could be a staggering price, notably when you think about similar-spec’d DIY machines may be constructed for lots much less.
That, after all, comes with some pretty main caveats. In case you do wish to construct your individual machine, you must know what you are doing, put within the analysis, and be comfy shopping for all these particular person elements and placing all of it collectively. There may be some justification for skipping all of that and selecting one in every of these up. Significantly in case you’re useless set on the {hardware} and have the finances for it.
What you get is otherworldly efficiency, as you’d think about. Computational duties completely crumble earlier than the Space-51, and gaming, notably at 4K, is excellent with even probably the most intense titles on the market touchdown north of 100 fps on common with out AI upscaling or any of the extra trendy body technology shenanigans. Slap these settings on high of that inventory efficiency, and that RTX 5090 simply runs away with it, hitting body charges nicely into the 200s.
The Space-51 retains its elements good and funky too, due to twin 180mm consumption followers within the entrance, two 120mm followers within the PSU flooring, plus a 360mm AIO within the roof, exhausting upwards. That is all backed up with a slightly curious 1500W platinum-rated PSU delivering energy to the lot.
Apart from the premium pricing, issues additionally come up whenever you start to dig below the floor. The rear I/O on that customized Alienware motherboard is sub-tier at finest, with an overreliance on USB-C and little or no USB-A in any respect, and the remainder of the I/O is equally as lackluster, with minimal ethernet assist and little in the best way of built-in HDMI/DisplayPort or different options all too commonplace on even the most cost effective of modern-day Z890 boards.
Then there’s the case itself. It is massive, cumbersome, and much too heavy. The size are large, and on supply, the complete factor weighs 88 lbs (or 40 kg), requiring both one robust PC gamer or a two-person crew to raise it and chuck it in your desk. That is shocking given the outside of the chassis feels notably boring, largely composed of an unemotive satin plastic, slightly than the thick, girthy metal you’d probably anticipate, given the heft.
Sure, there are these signature Alienware curves and contours and sufficient RGB lighting dotted round to maintain that 15-year-old child in you cheerful, but it surely simply lacks the finesse that the best gaming PCs of this worth and caliber ought to include, and that is an issue.
Alienware Space-51 (2025): Worth & Availability
- How a lot is it? Beginning at $3,749.99 / £3,799 / AU$7,271
- When is it accessible? You may choose one up in the present day
- The place are you able to get it? Instantly from Dell’s webstore
Let’s be truthful, all of us knew the worth tag for this factor was going to be ridiculous; in any case, it is indubitably Alienware’s signature social gathering trick and is loaded down with top-tier specs from the best graphics cards, best processors, best RAM, and best SSDs you could find in the marketplace proper now.
The Space 51 begins at $3,749.99 / £3,799 / AU$7,271 within the US, UK, and Australia, respectively, which continues to be fairly premium so far as gaming PCs go. That is very true contemplating you are getting a Core Extremely 7 system with an RTX 5080, 32GB DDR5 (and even 16GB DDR5 in Australia), and pretty modest 1TB or 2TB storage. The RTX 5090 configuration I examined (with Core Extremely 9 285K, 64GB RAM, and 2TB PCIe SSD) is available in at $5,699.99 within the US, £5,469 within the UK, and a frightful AU$12,320 Down Below.
If I am trustworthy, we have not examined very similar to this PC at TechRadar so far, largely due to the RTX 5090 at its coronary heart. And whereas it is an unabashed monster that delivers distinctive efficiency, in comparison with final gen’s RTX 4090, it is seen a major worth improve—and that was earlier than Nvidia’s low availability and inventory points that it is suffered since its launch.
Put this in opposition to one of the best worth attainable on a DIY rig, although, with the identical part tier as my evaluation unit, and the worth distinction is substantial. In keeping with PC Half Picker, a DIY construct would set you again simply $4,842.91 in the US, £4,267.64 in the UK, or AU$9,914.60 in Australia. It is as much as you whether or not you wish to pay a roughly 18-28% premium to have a prebuilt system like this, however you’ll be able to probably get the identical efficiency for cheaper.
Alienware Space-51 (2025): Specs
- Stable beginning configurations within the US and UK
- Simple to improve later down the road
- Configuration choices fluctuate drastically by area
|
Area |
US |
UK |
Australia |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Worth |
|||
|
CPU |
Intel Core Extremely 7 265 |
Intel Core Extremely 7 265 |
Intel Core Extremely 7 265 |
|
GPU |
Nvidia RTX 5080 |
Nvidia RTX 5080 |
Nvidia RTX 5080 |
|
Reminiscence |
32GB DDR5-6400 |
32GB DDR5-6400 |
16GB DDR5-5600 |
|
Storage |
1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD |
2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD |
1TB SSD |
|
Cooling |
240mm AIO |
360mm AIO |
240mm AIO |
|
PSU |
1500W 80+ Platinum |
1500W 80+ Platinum |
850W 80+ Gold |
All configurations include a customized 02JGX1 E-ATX Z890 motherboard and fluctuate from there based mostly on area. Moreover, all fashions function a bespoke PSU, with the US and Australia beginning with an 80+ Gold 850W energy provide, whereas the UK solely has an choice for a 1500W 80+ Platinum PSU.
The US and Australia begin with 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD storage, whereas the UK begins with a bigger 2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD. The US and Australia additionally begin with a smaller 240mm AIO cooler, whereas the UK solely has a 360mm AIO choice.
There are additionally a complete of eight followers included: two 180mm intakes, two 120mm intakes within the PSU flooring, and three 120mm exhausts hidden above the topmost radiator.
Beginning reminiscence choices come within the type of a dual-channel package of Kingston Fury DDR5, starting from 16GB all the best way as much as 64GB capability, relying in your area.
|
Area |
US |
UK |
Australia |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Worth |
|||
|
CPU |
Intel Core Extremely 9 285K |
Intel Core Extremely 9 285K |
Intel Core Extremely 9 285K |
|
GPU |
Nvidia RTX 5090 |
Nvidia RTX 5090 |
Nvidia RTX 5090 |
|
Reminiscence |
64GB DDR5-6400 |
64GB DDR5-6400 |
64GB DDR5-6400 |
|
Storage |
4TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD |
4TB + 4TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs |
4TB + 4TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs |
|
Cooling |
360mm AIO |
360mm AIO |
360mm AIO |
|
PSU |
1500W 80+ Platinum |
1500W 80+ Platinum |
1500W 80+ Platinum |
In relation to max spec configurations, there’s not a lot distinction between areas, apart from the US maxing out at only one 4TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, whereas the UK and Australia include two 4TB PCIe 4.0 SSDs for a complete of 8TB of storage.
For the top-tier configurations, you get an Intel Core Extremely 9 285K CPU, an Nvidia RTX 5090 GPU, 64GB DDR5-6400 reminiscence with XMP overclocking, a 1500W Platinum-rated PSU, and a 360mm AIO cooler.
The configuration I am reviewing right here is in the direction of the upper finish, that includes a Core Extremely 9 285K, RTX 5090, 64GB DDR5 RAM, and a 2TB SSD, although the closest US config to my evaluation unit has a PCIe 4.0 SSD, slightly than a PCIe 5.0. It additionally has a 360mm AIO cooler and the beefier 1500W PSU.
Alienware Space-51 (2025): Design
- Outsized case leaves a lot to be desired
- Inner industrial styling is intense
- Exterior shell a bit boring within the trendy period
The Alienware Space-51 desktop is massive. Severely massive. Its monstrous dimension will probably preserve it off most desks. Even by myself check bench, at three meters lengthy and 60cm deep, it might simply hold off the sting if I had located it like I do my regular machine.
It is heavy too; that just about 90 lbs/40kg weight is nothing to snort at—it is the type of heft I might anticipate from a customized liquid-cooled machine, not a pre-built system like this that is largely comprised of plastic and a single AIO cooler.
The general design is alright. It is obtained that Alienware stylish, with the curves and the alien head emblem on the entrance. Fonts are tidy, and cooling is for probably the most half nicely applied throughout the board. The interior structure is huge, and there are QR codes littered all over the place so that you can scan in case you ever want a useful information on learn how to replace the graphics card or set up new reminiscence sooner or later. It nonetheless appears higher suited to a launch a decade in the past by trendy styling requirements.
What’s much less spectacular is Alienware chopping some corners to convey this machine to market. Cable administration internally is lower than stellar. There are not any braided cables right here, and though the rear of the case is tidy, neat, and well-managed, there’s plenty of additional cable across the entrance jutting out that is fairly unpleasant, or it is sure collectively awkwardly, pushed into headers on that bespoke motherboard.
There’s even a large chunk of steel strapped to the right-hand aspect of the GPU, solely to assist cable-manage that 12VHPWR cable going into the RTX 5090, which not solely feels massively overkill but in addition type of does not work, because it’s nonetheless draped alongside the highest of it anyway. I imply, sure, technically it’s performing as an anti-sag bracket as nicely right here. The RTX 5090 is not the lightest of playing cards on the market, however there are such a lot of higher, extra elegant options on the market today than simply a big block of rectangular steel. It is an actual disgrace.
Then there’s that customized Z890 motherboard, the adorably named—hold on, let me test my notes right here—ah sure, the 02JGX1. A bizarre-looking factor, full with two DIMM slots to your RAM, three M.2 ports, and, nicely, that is about it.
It does appear to be Alienware has tried to lean into that industrial aesthetic right here, however there’s a lot uncovered PCB, wi-fi playing cards, and ports simply littered all over the place, mixed with that poor cabling, it is significantly distracting.
Energy part setup is pretty tame too (which immediately interprets to CPU efficiency, which I am going to communicate to momentarily), with a 14-phase design, and the rear I/O is virtually nonexistent, with solely a smattering of USB Sort-A and much too many USB Sort-C.
You get one Ethernet port and WiFi assist (weirdly working as a passthrough all the best way on the backside of the chassis), and that is type of it. No Clear CMOS, BIOS flashback, HDMI or DisplayPort out, and no 5.1 audio both.
I convey this up very particularly as a result of this can be a $5,700 machine, and motherboards at $235 ship way more for a lot much less.
Alienware Space-51 (2025): Efficiency
- Unimaginable 4K gaming framerates
- PCIe 5.0 SSD rips
- CPU comparatively sluggish
Alienware Space-51 (2025) Benchmarks
This is how the Alienware Space-51 (2025) carried out in our suite of artificial and gaming benchmarks:
Cinebench R24 (Multi-core): 2,186; (Single-core): 136
Geekbench 6.4 (Multi-core): 21,786; (Single-core): 3,148
CrossMark General: 2,500
CrossMark Creativity): 2,872
CrossMark Productiveness: 2,256
CrossMark Responsiveness: 2,242
3DMark Hearth Strike: 44,342
3DMark Time Spy: 36,886
3DMark Hearth Strike Extremely: 30,352
3DMark Time Spy Excessive: 22,215
3DMark Velocity Manner: 14,285
3DMark Metal Nomad: 13,707
3DMark Port Royal: 34,020
Black Fantasy: Wukong (1080p, Cinematic): 102 fps; (4K, Cinematic): 59 fps
Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Extremely): 120 fps; (4K, Extremely): 57 fps
Metro: Exodus (1080p, Excessive): 149 fps; (4K, Excessive): 90 fps
Monster Hunter Wilds (1080p, Highest): 102 fps; (4K, Highest): 79 fps
Shadow of the Tomb Raider (1080p, Highest): 244 fps; (4K, Highest): 169 fps
Complete Conflict: Warhammer III Battle (1080p, Extremely): 291 fps; (4K, Extremely): 150 fps
In relation to efficiency, the Space-51 delivers, though you in all probability anticipate it to with top-line specs prefer it has.
Cinebench R24 efficiency was nicely into the 2 1000’s, with a multi-core rely of two,186, on common, and a mean single-core rating of 136. That is not too shabby in any respect. In reality, the multi-score quantity is round 91 factors per thread, making it wildly environment friendly. Equally, Geekbench 6 additionally had a fairly good outing, with 21,786 factors scored on the multi-core and three,148 in single-core efficiency.
That SK Hynix PCIe 5.0 drive in my system, although, is the true winner, and though its sequentials had been comparatively low for a modern-day PCIe 5.0 drive (averaging simply 12.3 GB/s on each learn and write), the random 4K efficiency completely decimates just about each drive I’ve seen this yr. Its random 4K learn efficiency hit a comparatively speedy 113 MB/s, with random writes coming in at 350 MB/s. You are going to see some significantly fast load occasions with this drive.
Temperatures and energy draw had been nicely inside parameters, too, with the CPU topping out at round 92°C and the GPU at 75.8°C. Nothing out of the atypical there. And whereas it’s power-thirsty, the max energy draw I noticed throughout testing hit 840.8 W from the wall at peak, which is not nice, however is not the worst both.
On the gaming aspect, in my 1080p testing, just about each title was nicely into the 120+ fps vary or greater with out the assistance of DLSS or Body Gen, and a 4K, I noticed upwards of 150 fps in Complete Conflict: Warhammer III’s Battle benchmark, whereas Cyberpunk 2077 averaged 57 fps at 4K with ray tracing and no DLSS assist in any respect.
The one delicate drawback I’ve with this setup is the slight discrepancy in opposition to an equally kitted-out rig I constructed earlier this yr. Full with an RTX 5090 plus Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, my very own DIY rig beat out the Space-51 in virtually each graphical and computational check.
At a guess, that is probably all the way down to that CPU efficiency being closely restricted by the 14-phase VRM design, because it simply could not produce sufficient juice to maintain that Extremely 9 working at full velocity for so long as its DIY counterpart.
The odd factor about that, although, is that the DIY machine solely featured a $220 Gigabyte motherboard, but temps had been at 100°C for the chip (and secure), however efficiency, each computational and in-game, was round 5-10% greater, relying. For a system that is $1,500 cheaper, that is not an excellent look.
Ought to You Purchase The Alienware Space-51 (2025)?
|
Class |
Verdict |
Rating |
|---|---|---|
|
Worth |
This is not an inexpensive gaming PC, not one bit. Except you’ll be able to justify the associated fee, or it saves you time in some method, you would be much better off constructing your individual. |
3 / 5 |
|
Specs |
With the proper config, you’ll be able to simply get one of the best of one of the best {hardware} in the marketplace proper now, and you’ll improve it later—in case you’ve obtained any finances left over. |
4 / 5 |
|
Design |
A design straight of the 2010s, there’s quite a few fumbles right here that permit down an in any other case stellar spec sheet. |
3 / 5 |
|
Efficiency |
Unsurprisingly with that top-tier {hardware} it completely dominates 4K gaming and any job you’ll be able to throw at it. |
4 / 5 |
|
Complete |
Huge, daring, and a bit brash. It delivers on the efficiency entrance, however with mediocre styling, common construct high quality, and an insane worth, it does not fairly hit the mark. |
3.5 / 5 |
Purchase the Alienware Space-51 If…
Do not buy it if…
- Initially reviewed Might 2025