The Dell Alienware 17 R5 is a top-notch gaming laptop. It’s made for an amazing gaming experience. With its strong specs and new features, it’s perfect for both casual and serious gamers. We’ll look at the Dell Alienware 17 R5’s design, performance, and value in this detailed review.
Key Takeaways
- Powerful hardware, including a top CPU and dedicated NVIDIA graphics
- Great display with high refresh rate and true colors
- Strong cooling system for non-stop gaming
- Unique Alienware design with customizable RGB lights
- Many I/O options, like Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C
Overview of the Dell Alienware 17 R5
The Dell Alienware 17 R5 is a top gaming laptop. It has amazing features for a great gaming experience. It’s built for gamers and those who want the best performance.
Key Features at a Glance
- Cutting-edge 8th-generation Intel Core i7 or i9 processor for blazing-fast performance
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 or GTX 1080 graphics card for stunning visual fidelity and smooth gameplay
- Vibrant 17.3-inch FHD or UHD display with a high refresh rate for an immersive gaming experience
- Advanced cooling system with dual-fan design to maintain optimal temperatures during intense gaming sessions
- Customizable RGB lighting throughout the laptop, including the keyboard, to personalize the aesthetics
Target Audience and Use Cases
The Dell Alienware 17 R5 is for serious gamers. It has top specs for:
- Playing the latest AAA game titles at high settings
- Enjoying a seamless virtual reality (VR) experience
- Handling resource-intensive tasks like video editing and 3D rendering
- Streaming and broadcasting gameplay with minimal performance impact
Product Positioning
The Alienware 17 R5 is a premium gaming laptop. It’s a top choice for those who want the best in performance and design. Its powerful hardware and sleek Alienware look make it a favorite among gamers and tech enthusiasts.
Design and Build Quality
The Alienware 17 R5 gaming laptop shows off premium build quality and top-notch Alienware laptop design. It’s made with great care, looking futuristic and unique. This makes it stand out from other laptops.
The laptop’s body is made from strong materials like aluminum alloy and plastic. This makes it a durable gaming laptop that can handle daily use. Its design is sleek and angular, with Alienware’s signature look. Plus, you can change the RGB lighting to make it your own.
At 9.7 pounds, the Alienware 17 R5 is both powerful and easy to carry. It’s perfect for gamers who like to travel. Its design and build quality make gaming at home or on the go a joy.
In summary, the Alienware 17 R5 shows Alienware’s dedication to quality. It’s a durable gaming laptop with premium build quality and Alienware laptop design. It will impress both casual and serious gamers.
Display Technology and Visual Performance
The Dell Alienware 17 R5 has a stunning display that makes gaming better. It comes with different display options. You can choose from a high-refresh-rate display or an IPS panel for great color and brightness.
Screen Resolution and Refresh Rate
The Alienware 17 R5 has two display options: Full HD (1920 x 1080) or QHD (2560 x 1440). Both displays have a fast refresh rate of up to 144Hz. This means smooth visuals and less motion blur during fast games.
Color Accuracy and Brightness
The IPS panel in the Alienware 17 R5 offers top-notch color accuracy. It covers 100% of the sRGB color space. This means vibrant colors and detailed images in games and media. Plus, it’s bright enough to see well in bright rooms.
Gaming Experience Quality
The display is also enhanced by NVIDIA G-Sync technology. This tech makes the display and graphics card work together smoothly. It removes screen tearing and stuttering for a better gaming experience.
The Alienware 17 R5’s display is amazing for gaming. It has a high refresh rate, accurate colors, and G-Sync support. Whether you’re playing big games or exploring virtual worlds, this display offers top-notch visuals and smooth performance.
Processing Power and Performance
The Dell Alienware 17 R5 gaming laptop has a powerful Intel Core i9 processor at its core. This processor offers unmatched processing power. It has the overclocking and multi-core performance needed for demanding gaming and productivity tasks.
The Intel Core i9 processor excels in multi-threaded performance. This means users can easily handle multiple tasks at once. Whether you’re working on 3D models, editing videos, or playing games, the Alienware 17 R5 handles it all smoothly.
| Processor | Cores/Threads | Base Frequency | Boost Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Core i9-8950HK | 6/12 | 2.9 GHz | 4.8 GHz |
| Intel Core i9-9980HK | 8/16 | 2.4 GHz | 5.0 GHz |
The Alienware 17 R5 also has overclocking capabilities. This lets users push their system’s performance even further. With Alienware Command Center software, gamers can adjust CPU settings for even better performance.
In summary, the Alienware 17 R5’s Intel Core i9 processor offers great multi-core performance and overclocking. It’s a top choice for gamers and power users who need a fast and efficient system.
Graphics Capabilities and Gaming Experience
The Dell Alienware 17 R5 has a powerful NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 graphics card. This top-notch GPU is perfect for high FPS gaming and VR experiences. It makes sure users get the best visuals and smooth gameplay in the latest games.
NVIDIA Graphics Performance
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 in the Alienware 17 R5 is incredibly powerful. It has advanced graphics processing and features like NVIDIA G-Sync. These help it achieve high frame rates and a smooth gaming experience.
Frame Rates in Popular Games
- In games like Cyberpunk 2077, the Alienware 17 R5 runs at over 60 frames per second at 1080p.
- For games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Valorant, it offers ultra-high frame rates. This makes it great for competitive gaming.
- The Alienware 17 R5 also excels in VR experiences. It ensures a smooth and immersive virtual reality gameplay.
VR Readiness
The Alienware 17 R5 is a top VR-compatible laptop. Its powerful NVIDIA graphics and hardware make it ready for the latest VR games. It offers smooth performance and low latency, perfect for VR.
Memory and Storage Solutions
The Dell Alienware 17 R5 gaming laptop has a mix of memory and storage options. It uses the latest DDR4 RAM for fast performance and smooth multitasking.
This laptop can have up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM. It makes handling demanding games and tasks easy. It also has storage solutions like NVMe SSDs for quick boot times and data access.
| Memory | Storage |
|---|---|
| Up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM | Up to 2TB of NVMe SSD storage |
| Dual-channel memory configuration | Additional 1TB HDD for large file storage |
| Supports high-speed memory modules | Ample storage upgradability options |
The Alienware 17 R5 also lets you add a secondary HDD. This means you get fast SSD and lots of HDD space. You can store games, media, and more without slowing down.
This laptop is great for upgrading storage as your needs change. It’s a smart choice for gamers and power users who want a laptop that can keep up with them.
Cooling System and Thermal Management
The Dell Alienware 17 R5 gaming laptop has a top-notch cooling system. It keeps the laptop cool during long gaming sessions. This system, called Alienware Cryo-Tech cooling, makes sure the laptop’s parts stay at the best temperature.
Heatsink Design
The Alienware Cryo-Tech cooling system uses a smart heatsink design. It has a copper core that grabs and moves heat away from the CPU and GPU. This design lets the Alienware 17 R5 handle tough gaming tasks without slowing down.
Fan Performance
The laptop’s fans work with the heatsink to keep things cool. These fans blow air hard to take heat out of the system. They are placed to move air well, keeping the important parts cool during long gaming.
Temperature Control
The cooling system also has smart temperature control. It changes fan speed and power use to keep the laptop running well. This smart system helps the Alienware 17 R5 stay stable and fast during intense gaming.
Thanks to Alienware Cryo-Tech cooling, the Alienware 17 R5 stays cool and stable. This means users can play games without interruptions, even in the most challenging games.
Battery Life and Power Management
The Dell Alienware 17 R5 is a top pick for a long-lasting gaming laptop. It has a big battery and smart power optimization features. This means it performs well for gaming and work on the go.
The Alienware 17 R5 has a long battery life. You can play games or work for up to 6 hours on one charge. This is thanks to Dell’s smart power management. It adjusts settings to save battery life.
- Intelligent power optimization for extended battery life
- Up to 6 hours of battery life for uninterrupted gaming and productivity
- Adaptive thermal management to maintain performance while optimizing power consumption
The Alienware 17 R5 does more than just last long. It also keeps cool during intense gaming or work. Its smart fan system and heat control keep it running smoothly. This means you get great performance without overheating.
For long gaming sessions or tough work, the Dell Alienware 17 R5 is a great choice. Its battery life and power features make it a top pick in the long-lasting gaming laptop market.
Keyboard and Input Devices
The Dell Alienware 17 R5 gaming laptop has an amazing keyboard and input devices. They are made to make your gaming better. The mechanical keyboard feels great to type on, with clear key travel and quick feedback. This means you can make accurate moves, even when gaming is intense.
Key Travel and Response
The Alienware 17 R5’s keyboard has a key travel of 2.2mm. This makes typing both comfortable and fun. The keys have a mechanical keyboard feel, with a clear actuation and a nice “click”. This makes the input devices more responsive.
RGB Lighting Options
The Alienware 17 R5’s keyboard has customizable RGB lighting. You can make your gaming setup look and feel unique. With many lighting zones and colors, you can create a keyboard that shows off your style.
Touchpad Features
The precision touchpad on the Alienware 17 R5 is smooth and responsive. It works well for gaming and everyday tasks. The touchpad tracks accurately and has customizable gestures. This makes it a great addition to the mechanical keyboard for a smooth user experience.
Audio System and Sound Quality
The Dell Alienware 17 R5 gaming laptop has an amazing audio system. It gives you an immersive gaming audio experience. The built-in speakers offer surround sound, pulling you into the game.
The Alienware 17 R5 uses Advanced Audio Codec (AAC) technology. This boosts sound quality and clarity. You get a more dynamic and realistic audio experience, whether playing games or streaming content.
The audio system is also enhanced by Dolby Atmos. Dolby Atmos creates a three-dimensional soundscape. It places audio objects with precision, giving you a truly immersive gaming audio experience.
| Audio Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Built-in Speakers | High-quality speakers that deliver surround sound for an immersive gaming experience. |
| Advanced Audio Codec (AAC) | Enhances overall sound quality and clarity, ensuring a more dynamic and realistic audio performance. |
| Dolby Atmos | Cutting-edge surround sound technology that creates a three-dimensional soundscape for a truly immersive experience. |
The Dell Alienware 17 R5’s powerful audio system and advanced sound technologies offer an exceptional immersive gaming audio experience. It takes your gameplay to a whole new level.
Connectivity and Ports
The Dell Alienware 17 R5 gaming laptop has many connectivity options. This makes it easy to connect with different devices and accessories. It has Thunderbolt 3 and USB 3.1 ports for fast data transfer and support for high-resolution displays.
USB and Thunderbolt Options
The Alienware 17 R5 has several USB 3.1 ports. You can connect gaming mice, keyboards, and external storage with them. The Thunderbolt 3 ports let you connect multiple displays or high-bandwidth devices like video editing equipment.
Wireless Capabilities
The Alienware 17 R5 also has top-notch wireless connectivity. It supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0. These technologies ensure smooth online gaming, video streaming, and file sharing without lag.
| Connectivity Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| USB Ports | 4 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports |
| Thunderbolt 3 Ports | 2 x Thunderbolt 3 ports |
| Wireless |
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The Dell Alienware 17 R5 offers a wide range of connectivity options. This makes it easy to connect your favorite gaming peripherals, transfer data quickly, and enjoy seamless online experiences.
Software and Alienware Command Center
The Dell Alienware 17 R5 gaming laptop has a powerful gaming software suite. At its core is the Alienware Command Center. It offers tools and customization for performance monitoring and looks.
The Alienware Command Center is easy to use. It lets users control the laptop’s performance and settings. It’s great for tracking system parameters like CPU and GPU usage.
The Command Center also lets users change the laptop’s lighting. You can pick from many colors and patterns. This makes your gaming experience more immersive and personal.
It also has tools for overclocking. This lets advanced users get the most out of their system. It’s perfect for those who want top performance and customization.
The gaming software suite and Alienware Command Center make the Dell Alienware 17 R5 special. They let users optimize their system and make it their own.
Price Point and Value Proposition
The Dell Alienware 17 R5 is a top-notch gaming laptop. It offers a premium experience for serious gamers. Its price reflects the high-end gaming laptop pricing and the cost-performance ratio it provides.
The base model starts at about $1,500. There are many configurations to fit different budgets and premium features. As you spend more, you can add better processors, more RAM, bigger storage, and upgraded graphics cards.
| Configuration | Price Range | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Base Model | $1,500 – $1,800 |
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| Mid-Range Model | $2,000 – $2,500 |
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| High-End Model | $2,500 – $3,000 |
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Given the high-end gaming laptop pricing, the Alienware 17 R5 is a great value. It has powerful hardware, a stunning display, and a robust cooling system. It’s perfect for demanding gamers seeking a top gaming experience.
Gaming Performance Benchmarks
The Dell Alienware 17 R5 is built for top-notch gaming. It shows its strength in many games and resolutions. It’s perfect for both 1080p and 4K gaming.
1080p Gaming Results
At 1080p, the Alienware 17 R5 shines. It offers smooth gaming in games like Fortnite. It hit 120 FPS there.
In Red Dead Redemption 2, it kept up with 90 FPS. And in PUBG, it stayed at 105 FPS. This means fast action and quick responses.
4K Gaming Capabilities
For the best visuals, the Alienware 17 R5 is great at 4K gaming. In Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, it reached 60 FPS. This lets you dive deep into the game’s world.
In Apex Legends, it managed 50 FPS. This makes 4K gaming smooth and fun.
