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Alienware X51 review(2)

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Core Tip:Alienware X51PerformanceThe Core i7-6700K processor delivered some excellent results at its default 3.9GHz clock frequen

Alienware X51 – Performance

The Core i7-6700K processor delivered some excellent results at its default 3.9GHz clock frequency. In Geekbench, the multi-core result of 16,533 still outclasses the older Core i7-4790K at its 4.4GHz Turbo frequency, although the lower clock speed means a worse single-core result of 4,177. Nevertheless, expect superb performance in CPU-bound tasks such as video encoding.

The PM951 offered better performance in CrystalDiskMark than Samsung quotes on its web page, with 1,500MB/sec read speeds and 330MB/sec write. These results are good, but write speeds are lower than what you’d achieve with a normal 2.5-inch SSD, so this drive really isn’t quite as impressive as you might hope from a PCI Express 3.0 device.


image: http://img.tradeleo.com/img/201512/15/095439494.jpg

Alienware X51


You’re probably most interested in the gaming performance of the X51, however, and here it puts in a reasonable showing.

I first tried a fairly up-to-date game, Grand Theft Auto V, at its default video quality settings. There’s no simple way to choose between Medium, High or Ultra detail, but these settings were restricted by the 2GB of video memory, with many of the advanced visual settings disabled. The X51 managed fine at 1080p, putting in an average frame rate of 50fps. Raising that to 1440p dropped this to 39fps, while at 4K it could muster only 25fps. Note that, with additional graphical detail, these frame rates would be much lower.

In Middle-earth: Shadow Of Mordor, with the Ultra graphics quality setting, the game managed a minimum frame rate of 32fps, with an average of 44.95fps at 1080p well within playable limits. But at 1440p this dropped to a minimum frame rate of 24fps, and an average frame rate of 31fps, which isn’t playable without stuttering or dropping the detail setting.

In BioShock Infinite at 1080p with Ultra detail, the X51 clocked an average result of 71fps, with 37fps minimum. Again, though, at 1440p it couldn’t quite stay above 30fps, with an average frame rate of 46fps, but a minimum of 27fps.

Internal temperatures look quite good. Idling around 36 degrees, after 20 minutes of Prime95 testing, maximising the CPU resources, this went up to 76 degrees.

Noise output was particularly low. I recorded 41dB when idle and 44dB during the Unigine 3D benchmark. Again, with Prime95 running and the CPU fans at full pelt, it went to 47dB, with a noticeable hum but no helicopter-like piercing sound.


image: http://img.tradeleo.com/img/201512/15/095439814.jpg

Alienware X51


Should I buy the Alienware X51?

The specification of the 2015 version of the Dell Alienware X51 is a significant upgrade over the previous version. There’s more hard disk space, an SSD, which was notably lacking from the last model’s configuration, and the memory has been doubled from 8GB to 16GB. In addition, there’s a more powerful graphics card and Skylake, which offers improved all-round CPU performance.

However, it’s more expensive; the memory, SSD and GeForce upgrades bring the total cost of the X51 to £1,350 including VAT. Ultimately, this is quite a lot of money for what is a mid-range gaming PC.

Benchmark results show that the X51 absolutely nails 1080p gaming, better than its predecessor, with playable minimum frame rates of at least 30fps in all tests. However, it struggles to achieve those frame rates at 1440p, and 4K is completely out of the question with this graphics card.

But this isn’t a gaming PC sold in a massive desktop case, only suitable for an office or gaming den. It’s a micro-ATX slimline desktop chassis, small enough to fit under a living room television, or on a cramped desk.

Smaller often means pricier with PC technology and it’s clear that you’re paying for the X51’s svelte design, possibly with a little extra added on just for the Alienware branding. While the liquid-cooling and PCI Express SSD explain some of that extra cost, a DIY build will offer a considerably better specification for the same money, particularly in the graphics department.

An upgrade to a GeForce GTX 970 would make a huge difference to all-round gaming performance, but this isn’t offered on Dell’s configuration page, potentially due to space and thermal constraints.

Verdict

While the small compact size will be a draw for some, for the gaming market at large it will be performance that counts – and here the X51 looks overpriced and underpowered.


 

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