Test: Alienware Aurora R13, gaming above all

Test: Alienware Aurora R13, gaming above all

Today in the Hardware Kitchen, we are happy to have a full review of the Alienware Aurora R13 PC. It is a computer pre-assembled by the manufacturer Dell and marketed by the gaming branch of the firm, namely Alienware. Inside, we find the latest generation and high-end components such as a twelfth-generation Intel processor, an RTX 3080 graphics card, 64 GB of DDR5 memory, a 1 TB SSD, and liquid cooling. In short, a computer should allow you to work or have fun in good conditions.

Alienware Aurora R13 computer review, summary

• Introduction, visual appearance, and characteristics
• Software
• Application benchmarks
• Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Valhalla
• Battlefield V and Black Ops Cold War
• Far Cry 6 and STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order
• Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 and Resident Evil Village
• Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2
• F1 2021 and Shadow of the Tomb Raider
• Watch Dogs Legion and Cyberpunk 2077
• Temperature readings, consumption, and decibels
• Price comparison with a self-assembled computer
• Conclusion

We’re back for a desktop computer test with the Alienware Aurora R13. Within it, this PC is equipped with an Intel Core i9-12900KF processor (16 cores and 24 threads at 3.2 GHz base and 5.2 GHz in turbo mode). We also have an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 graphics card with 10 GB of GDDR6 (LHR) memory. We have 64 GB of memory in DDR5 clocked at 4400 MHz. On the storage side, we have a 1TB Samsung PM9A1 SSD. The computer chassis comes in the Lunar Light colorway, which matches the white color. We also have 120mm AiO-type liquid cooling for the processor and a 750 Watt power supply. The computer measures 510 mm in height, 225 mm in width, and 529 mm in length for a maximum weight of 15.5 kg.

On paper, the computer offers a configuration that would make many of us dream. But is the computer effective? How does it behave during gaming use? And for the office? We will answer all these questions by testing the computer thoroughly. We will take the temperatures and the consumption to see if it is quiet enough. Finally, we will open it and analyze how the components are incorporated into the case.

Let’s start by addressing the price of this Alienware Aurora R13 computer. Dell markets the model we received at approximately 3,739.72 euros. A particularly high price. We will therefore check if it is worth it and see if we can get an equivalent machine for less.

Without further ado, let’s start by discovering the packaging before tackling the computer itself.

Packaging

The Alienware Aurora R13 comes in a huge black colored box. We have an exploded view of the computer and the different components on the different sides. We need product information. No label to know the model that is inside the box. The box opens from above, allowing us to discover the computer, a mouse, and a box containing the keyboard and power cable.

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The packaging is basic but enough to protect the computer well during transport.

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Appearance: Alienware Aurora R13

Now let’s move on to the visual aspect of this computer. Our PC is Lunar Light, in other words, white, and has a transparent (plastic) window on the left side to see the inside of the beast. The design is quite ambitious and may appeal to only some. Indeed, the computer has an oval-shaped facade in the center: the front panel with the power buttons and the USB ports is surrounded by an RGB band. Thus, on the facade, we have:

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• Earphones/Line out
• Two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports
• 1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 port with PowerShare technology
• USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type C ® port with PowerShare technology

The rear part has all the connectors needed to use the computer. Thus we find:

• SPDIF digital output (TOSLINK)
• Side surround output
• Microphone input
• line out
• USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type C® port ( 10 Gbit/s)
• USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type C® port ( 20 Gbit/s)
• Two USB 2.0 Type-A ports
• SPDIF digital output (Coax)
• Center speaker/subwoofer output
• Line in
• Two USB 2.0 Type-A ports
• Two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type A (5 Gbps) ports
• Killer™ E3100 Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 port

After having gone around the owner, we can tackle what is inside. To open the computer, nothing is rocket science. Just unlock the hooks on the back of the computer. Once done, you can remove the side panel and access its innards.

We thus discover a gray metal cage that largely hides the computer’s interior. A good point compared to the Ryzen Edition version: the power supply cables are not yellow and black like many years ago; we have black cables, which brings a much more qualitative rendering. We appreciate the CPU’s water block/pump combo, which is pleasing to the eye. We also discover the graphics card, which is very discreet, and also the DDR5 memory modules, which for once are not supplied with a heat sink. So the PCB is bare and green in color, which is a stain in the middle of the rest; too bad!

Otherwise, nothing to complain about; the cables are perfectly passed, and everything is planned to connect an additional HDD. Behind the cage that holds the graphics card, we find two 120mm fans. On the other hand, from the opening, we wonder how the hot air of the graphics card will be evacuated. The only air exhaust from the rear is via the AiO’s heatsink. Which, in terms of airflow (let’s be fearless of words), is pretty abysmal. However, on the top, two fans extract hot air through the back of the machine (the honeycomb area). We will see what this installation gives regarding temperatures in the test. At the top of the case, we have an RGB strip with the ALIENWARE inscription.

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Test: Alienware Aurora R13, gaming above all