The Alienware Aurora R10 is pretty much similar to the Aurora R11 in that it offers extreme performance at an exorbitant price for the high-end models, but it’s also available in various configurations that cost much less. Therefore, both budget-conscious gamers and deep-pocketed pro gamers can rest assured that they’re getting one of the top contenders for the best gaming PC of the year with this rig.
The Aurora R10 model we’re reviewing is the first AMD-Nvidia desktop from Alienware we’ve looked at that shows off both the Ryzen 500O series of processors and the Radeon 6000 series of GPUs, and given that pre-builts are the easiest way to buy these parts right now, we’re keen to see how they stack up against Intel and Nvidia’s offerings in a pre-built environment.
But being a pre-built gaming PC, it doesn’t just provide an opportunity to evaluate fancy new AMD components but is also competing with the best gaming PCs for 2022. We’ve reviewed other Auroras including the Alienware Aurora R14 in the past and have had issues with the cooling options and noise under load, but that seems to have changed here. But for those looking to access AMD and Nvidia’s hard-to-find components, the Aurora R10 is still worth a look.
ALIENWARE AURORA R10 SPECS
| Desktop Class | Gaming |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 9 5900 |
| Processor Speed | 4.7 GHz |
| RAM (as Tested) | 32 GB |
| Boot Drive Type | SSD |
| Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) | 2 TB |
| Secondary Drive Type | Hard Drive |
| Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested) | 2 TB |
| Graphics Card | AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home |
Design and Features
Alienware continues to refine its Sci-Fi inspired design that blends style and serious functionality. Even if the fan can get a little louder under heavy load, there are different power/cooling options including a more expensive 1000-Watt Multi-GPU approved PSU and an AIO liquid cooler. The design changes debuted on the Aurora R9 and are now present on the R10, trading off the boxy gray of the original model, for a curvier, sleeker design with a two-tone paint job.
With lights on or off, the black case with modest lighting looks beautiful. An RGB light ring encloses the light Alienware logo power button, along with three USB-A ports, one USB-C port, and headset/microphone ports. Both lights can be tweaked via the Alienware Command Center application which comes pre-installed. Around the back of the case, there’s a standard assortment of USB, audio, ethernet, and GPU ports. It also features a single screw and latch mechanism, meaning upgrading is pretty easy.
In addition to the RGB lights on the front, the Aurora 10’s concave front panel and lots of vents kind of make it like a giant heater or air purifier; however I find the cleaner look to be a much-needed refresh for a pc that was starting to feel stagnant. The new look is optimized for better airflow, and aside from a few whirs at startup, the R10 runs fairly quiet.
Port selection is excellent, with the R10 packing just about any connection you’d need for gaming and content creation. Up front, there are the already mentioned three USB 3.1 Type-A ports, alongside a PowerShare-enabled USB-C port. Around the back, there are five USB 2.0 ports, four USB 3.1 Type-A ports, and a USB-C port. There’s also an RJ-45 Killer E2500 Gigabit Ethernet port and a full-suite audio connection for speakers and subwoofers. For your displays, the machine’s AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT comes with HDMI 2.1, two DisplayPort 1.4a, and a USB Type-C port.
Finally, at 17 x 8.77 x 18.96 inches and 39.3 pounds, the Alienware Aurora R10 will require a sizeable amount of space on your floor or desk, and you’ll need some energy before you can lug it to a LAN party. The Aurora R10 is a bit heftier than the HP Omen Obelisk (17.0 x 14.0 x 6.5 inches) and is much bigger than the compact Dell G5 Gaming desktop (14.5 x 6.7 x 12.0 inches), but about the same size as most boutique machines like the CYBERPOWERPC Gamer Xtreme GXiVR8400A9.
Alienware Aurora R10 Review: Performance
Packing AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT (16GB GDDR6) paired with AMD Ryzen 9 5900 processor, the Alienware Aurora R10 will tear through every AAA game you throw at it, even at 4K with all settings cranked up. The Radeon RX 6800 XT is AMD’s big comeback to the top-tier GPU, and this impressive graphics card takes on Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 3080 with matching performance, flooring the RTX in some games – like Resident Evil Village 1440p without ray tracing – but it tails in some, and offers a slightly more attractive price tag.
With the AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT, gamers are getting 4K gaming power as well as advanced features like ray tracing, and that makes the R10 even more attractive. Where this graphics card really shines is in DirectX 11, and that is reflected in some select games. In Grand Theft Auto V, for instance, the Radeon RX 6800 XT is around 8% faster than RTX 3080-equipped gaming machines, and it’s even 9% faster in Assassins Creed: Odyssey. However, the RTX beats the AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT by up to 12% at 4K with ray tracing, and the gap extends to up to 34% with ray tracing turned on, and if you turn on DLSS, you can get 65 fps at 4K with ray tracing enabled.
In real-world gaming, the Aurora R10 runs Assassin’s Creed Valhalla at a decent 66 frames per second at 4K and max settings, and a blistering 136 fps at 1080p. Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War runs at a decent 65 fps in 4K max settings and a spirited 182 fps in 1080p. All these scores should give you a good idea of what to expect on an AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT machine with a powerful CPU.
Away from gaming performance, the Aurora R10 is the first Aurora model in several years to feature AMD processors. And if the performance you get from the AMD Ryzen 9 5900 with 32GB DDR4 XMP HyperX Fury and 2TB SSD + 2TB HDD is any indication, this is a welcome return. It also sports an improved version of Alienware’s Command Center software which lets you manage your system performance and game library in addition to customizing the backlighting.
In fact, the Command Center is only part of a slew of built-in software, including My Alienware, which serves as a hub for many of them. The Alienware Command Center, outside of light customization previously mentioned, offers performance and overclocking options available for tweaking. The settings can be saved under a user profile through the Command Center, as well Alienware Mobile Connect which allows everything from screen mirroring and text to full-on phone calls from an Android and iOS phone. It also features Customer Connect for troubleshooting when restarting can’t fix issues.
Should you buy the Alienware Aurora R10?
Yes, if you have an unlimited budget to splurge on a powerful gaming rig and need a stylish case that’s easily upgradable. If money isn’t a limitation in your quest for serviceable frame rates from 1080p all the way to 4K, the Aurora Ryzen Edition R10 is an excellent choice. It packs solid gamer-centered components in a package that continues to emphasize Alienware’s ability to deliver unique designs without compromising upgradability.
Overall, the Alienware Aurora R10 model we’ve reviewed is one of the most powerful gaming desktops money can buy. There isn’t any game this machine can’t handle, and Alienware offers it in various configurations to match different budgets. From the premium case design and solid gaming hardware to customer service, everything about this package feels luxurious.
If you want similar performance in a more compact chassis and don’t mind pinching on upgradability, the Corsair i200 is an excellent alternative worth considering. Still, the Aurora continues to hit a sweet spot between performance, price, and ease of use, and the Alienware Aurora R10 is the best rendition of this PC yet.
The Review
Alienware Aurora R10
The Alienware Aurora R10 is a high-end gaming PC that offers blisteringly fast performance and seamless upgradability, all packed into an attractive, luxurious design.
Recommended Configuration
Alienware Aurora R10 Liquid Cooled Gaming Desktop - AMD Ryzen 9 5900, 32GB DDR4 XMP HyperX Fury RAM, 2TB SDD + 2TB HDD, Wi-Fi 6, VR Ready, AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT 16GB GDDR6, Windows 11 Home - Black
PROS
- Premium, attractive case design
- Blistering gaming and CPU performance
- Sleek, customizable RGB lighting
CONS
- Can be expensive
Review Breakdown
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EDITORS RATING
Last update on 2024-11-15 at 03:56 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
