The 2025 Alienware Aurora’s strong gaming performance, flexible configurations, and distinctive design make it a worthy midrange gaming desktop.
Alienware’s Aurora gaming desktop (starts at $1,549.99; $2,299.99 as tested) is highly versatile, offering configurations from entry-level 1080p setups to high-end 4K performance dynamos. Its understated design remains unmistakably Alienware, particularly when equipped with customizable AlienFX RGB lighting, and its quiet operation and generous connectivity also help it stand apart. The Aurora does have some drawbacks: Its case materials feel less premium than expected at higher price points, and it doesn’t offer AMD processors or true budget-tier configurations. Nonetheless, the Aurora remains a dependable mainstream gaming PC option, particularly on sale, though we also suggest checking out the Editors’ Choice-winning HP Omen 35L.Configurations: Grounded 1080p to Out-There 4K
Thanks to its flexible configurations, Alienware’s mid-tower Aurora isn’t entirely overshadowed by the company’s flagship Area-51 model. The entry-level Aurora, listed at $1,549.99 but seen as low as $999.99 at different times during our review period, tackles 1080p gaming with a Core Ultra 7 265F processor, a GeForce RTX 5060 card, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. The base configuration also has a solid, non-transparent side panel, lacks AlienFX lighting, and relies on a 500-watt power supply and CPU air cooling.
While it’s commendable that Dell offers a lower-cost entry point, the inclusion of cutting-edge Core Ultra silicon pushes the pricing above the budget tier dominated by retailers like Best Buy. (Competing systems from the likes of iBuyPower and CyberPower often use older CPUs but pair them with an RTX 5060 for as little as $900.) Additionally, the Aurora does not offer any AMD processor options, a notable omission for users who prefer Team Red.
Stepping up to a higher-wattage Intel Core K-series CPU requires upgrading to 240mm liquid cooling and a 1,000-watt power supply. This bundle also adds a clear side panel and AlienFX lighting, all together increasing the price by $600. Our review unit, priced at $2,299.99, includes a Core Ultra 7 265KF, a GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, and 32GB of XMP-configured RAM clocked at 6,400MHz, up from the standard 5,200MHz. Available upgrades include a Core Ultra 9 285K, dual storage drives, and up to 64GB of RAM. The top-tier GPU, the GeForce RTX 5080, allows the Aurora to compete against full-size towers.
At $2,249, our review sample (dubbed model number ACT1250) is slightly pricey for its specs. For comparison, Best Buy listed an iBuyPower desktop with a Core Ultra 9 285K and a 2TB SSD for $2,299, and a CyberPower system with the same CPU as our test unit (but with a 2TB SSD) for $2,359. HP’s Omen 35L also enters the mix, though no RTX 5070 Ti variant was listed on HP’s site during our review. The closest configuration featured an RTX 5070 (non-Ti) and a Core Ultra 7 265F for $1,829. As we often note in Dell reviews, timing is key; weekly sales can significantly improve value. During our review period, our specific Aurora configuration dipped to $2,049, making its price-to-performance ratio more compelling.Design: Subtler, But Still Alienware
Alienware’s Aurora has matured since its 2023 redesign, yet it continues to stand out in the crowded mid-tower space. While it no longer embraces the otherworldly styling of classic Alienware systems, it retains signature elements like the alien-head power button and softened, rounded edges. The understated aesthetic broadens the brand’s appeal.
At 16.5 by 7.75 by 18.1 inches (HWD), the Aurora sits firmly in mid-tower territory. The chassis features a plastic outer shell wrapped around a metal interior frame. While functional, the plastic finish and clear side panel feel less premium than the system’s price might suggest.
