Should I reuse Alienware area 51 r2 case for first PC build?
Posted by JeesusDio@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 17 comments
So, I'm building my first PC. The specs are AM5, GPU 7900xt sapphire nitro plus, ryzen 7700 and moba is MSI tomahawk x670e. I also live in a country that gets really hot. I found the Alienware area 51 r2 selling really cheap locally, (same price as a decent case) and I was thinking about salvaging/reusing it as my PC case as it looks sick. I heard it has thermal issues but since I'm undervolting my PC for electricity issues and playing on a 1080p 60hz work monitor (I'll save up and upgrade to 1440p in the future), I don't think the case will be an issue with thermalight phantom fans and CPU cooler. This is my first PC and ive never built a PC. What will the challenges be of reusing this case and should I do it since it isn't costing me anything extra?
tybuzz@reddit
I wouldn't use anything but a standard ATX case, especially for your first build. It may not even fit a standard ATX motherboard or power supply and the power button likely does not use standard atx wiring as well.
Get a cheap, standard ATX midsize case for your first build. Once you get some experience, you can always change cases later.
JeesusDio@reddit (OP)
According to Google its standard ATX, but I've also heard Alienware uses proprietary parts with their cases. This is one of the more open ones since it was made to run with flagship large cards and uses standard ATX. I cannot find what proprietary part it uses.
Liesthroughisteeth@reddit
I'd also be concern with the airflow. There are some pretty incredible cases out there that will support large radiators along w/ large fans that are quieter and move more air and have amazing airflow overall.
JeesusDio@reddit (OP)
What sort of airflow and heating issues should I expect? Linux made new holes in old PCs to fit new fans for example. Will I have to do something like that? I just wanted to use this PC case because of its drip man. But if it causes issues, I'll have to ignore it.
Liesthroughisteeth@reddit
I'm just saying, modern nonproprietary ATX cases have amazing airflow. I wouldn't build in one of these just because it is an Alienware/Dell case and they don't have a great reputation. If that's not something important to you, do as you wish. :)
JeesusDio@reddit (OP)
Every video I've seen on this case seems... A bit conflicting, mainly PC shop vs guy doing stuff for a hobby. PC shop used a build similar for what I'm going for and made it work but hated working with the case since it had a weird shape and took em a day to disassemble. Hobbyist guy loved the case and has made it his daily PC (running am4 though) and built it with mostly nothing proprietary. It looks like this case can be used but it's not the smoothese experience as dissassembling it for water cleaning is a pain. It supports standard ATX and even has a removable motherboard tray... But the powersupply slot is finicky in the sense you have to place it just right. Hobbyist guy ran cyberpunk maxed on it and the temps were acceptable (CPU and GPU were both in the 60 degrees range). What's your opinion on the case after this info? I've never built a PC before but it seems easy, if finicky (PC shop guy hated it since apparently the time spent building it won't be worth the YouTube views or something.)
tybuzz@reddit
It's your risk to take, I just don't suggest it for a first build. Maybe see if anyone has used the case on a youtube build.
JeesusDio@reddit (OP)
Could you translate this for me? Found it while doing research.
The Area 51 is afaik one of the few dell alienwares that uses standard atx parts. Unfortunately, they use some custom (read:short) cables to connect the front iO so you’ll probably need to extend those. People have upgraded the machine, for example here:
https://www.alienowners.com/threads/my-experience-upgrading-an-area-51-r2-to-2020-specs.8248/
English ain't my first language bra so imma sorry if it sucks. Imma legit serious, ain't born American. From what I understand, it should be possible but need cable extenders?
tybuzz@reddit
That link is pulling up a bunch of ads and malicious sites for me, so I can't see what it is.
JeesusDio@reddit (OP)
Oh, sorry. I use a lot of adblockers and stuff so I didn't notice. Forgot lots of people didn't.
JeesusDio@reddit (OP)
Good suggestion. Imma do more research before fucking around like that. Don't have the cash to burn for sick drip man so gotta make sure it works.
firey_magican_283@reddit
It was a long time back but my old Alienware area 51 case didn't have great airflow and was more difficult to work in than a 60 USD equivalent case
(Exchange rate was closer to 75 USD at the time)
JeesusDio@reddit (OP)
Its selling for 60 bucks and looks sick. Would you suggest it and will my build work with it?
firey_magican_283@reddit
The R2 this looks like the one I had based on a Google search
The fans in this ran at 4% idle on the Alienware setup and like 20% underload, I couldn't get my Asus motherboard to run the fans that slowly ended up using the computer in a different room using steam remote play on my laptop. Replacing the fans by unplugging the base ones and zip tieing fans in place that couldn't be removed resulted in poor airflow as the case was quite restrictive.
It will work and my hearing is sensitive but no I do not recommend
JeesusDio@reddit (OP)
So it was either too hot or the fans were too noisy.... If it's too hot, thatll be an issue. If it's too noisy? That won't be an issue. I'm undervolting and running it 1080p 60hz till I upgrade monitor so i shouldn't have those issues. Will it support the parts/build I want and how difficult will build be for total newbie since this is my first PC?
firey_magican_283@reddit
I didn't do the build directly as when the Alienware system has an issue my dad brought it to an IT repair shop, although I ended up moving it to a new case so can make some assumptions.
The build process was annoying as the Alienware pc had custom length cables meaning if you use a new PSU cables might not reach through the original holes. The case limited CPU cooling options. There wasn't really any good way to manage cables without zip ties as the end user isn't meant to see the inside.
I think half the front USB ports worked while the others didn't reach the motherboard as the cables where a specific length, with the ports being in slightly different positions.
The case will work but you need to plan around it, the only place for a liqud cooler is a 120mm at the rear, and as for air coolers since the side panel is curved it's difficult to get an accurate measurement.
As for the noise it could faintly be heard upstairs the motherboard would not let me set the fans low enough not to be annoying regardless of temperatures. My current motherboard is a bit more flexible with fan settings. A good case that doesn't restrict airflow can stay cool and quiet at the same time.
JeesusDio@reddit (OP)
Here's what I found while doing research.
The Area 51 is afaik one of the few dell alienwares that uses standard atx parts. Unfortunately, they use some custom (read:short) cables to connect the front iO so you’ll probably need to extend those. People have upgraded the machine, for example here:
https://www.alienowners.com/threads/my-experience-upgrading-an-area-51-r2-to-2020-specs.8248/
That means what this case should work for me right?