Alienware Area 51 r1 build
- Thread starter Akworth24
- Start date
Sure ... you can run CmndCntr 2.8.9 w/out issue, but for the latest/last 2.8.11 then read this & use it to help save the Bios Registry for later How to Install Command Center for a Non-Alienware Motherboard
Buy an ATX mthrbrd, & for an optional wider E-ATX board you must move (or maybe remove depending on the board) the black snap-lok cable organizer thingy over a few inches (I used velcro tape on mine to help move it & hold it to the wall)
The stock original CPU liquid cooler is made by Asetek, for a new mthrbrd you may or will need a new retention ring based on whatever new socket u upgrade to, try them at Amazon
The MIO board has its own CPU_Fan cable (white connector w/ GRN YLW ORG wires), plug it back into the new mthrbrd CPU Fan header & use the Bios or the manufacturers Fan Software to set the new CPU Fan (radiator fan) speed (set a fan curve based on temp & rpm etc)
For a swap guide PDF try here Area-51 ALX: the Alien Transplant & Alienware Area 51 (R1) Skylake Processor / Motherboard / EVGA 1600 P2 Power Supply Swap
Buy an ATX mthrbrd, & for an optional wider E-ATX board you must move (or maybe remove depending on the board) the black snap-lok cable organizer thingy over a few inches (I used velcro tape on mine to help move it & hold it to the wall)
The stock original CPU liquid cooler is made by Asetek, for a new mthrbrd you may or will need a new retention ring based on whatever new socket u upgrade to, try them at Amazon
The MIO board has its own CPU_Fan cable (white connector w/ GRN YLW ORG wires), plug it back into the new mthrbrd CPU Fan header & use the Bios or the manufacturers Fan Software to set the new CPU Fan (radiator fan) speed (set a fan curve based on temp & rpm etc)
For a swap guide PDF try here Area-51 ALX: the Alien Transplant & Alienware Area 51 (R1) Skylake Processor / Motherboard / EVGA 1600 P2 Power Supply Swap
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For those who think they can squeeze another 2-3years out of the original I say get all you can out of it. The idea has normally been to run it until you encounter a GRFX card / cards that cause it to shutoff & if so get a better single 12volt rail aftermarket type from EVGA Corsair Seasonic Be Quiet! etc in the 850-1600w range … for something like new RTX 3080 u might browse 850/1000w range
Aftermarket types can't power the AlienF/X MIO daughterboard which need a hand-made cable so it can interface w/new PSU & work; the EVGA 1600 P2 post from above has the link to my (old archived) PSU Swap page, where you'd browse options & ways to either hand-make your own PSU/MIO swap cable, or my eBay seller page has swap kits I make here
In the past we might have preferred a PSU with a lot of front panel ports - x5 or x6 SATA 6pins & x5 or more 8pins - but w/the advent of NVME drives (now, not all of the x6 HDD bays need power for x6 spinner drives) & the loss of SLI GRFX means something like a Be Quiet! Straight Power 11 850w is viable & won't burden your wallet
FWIW: my swap guide has been locked since maybe 2018, I can't post into it anymore, I've since changed my design for EVGA models to include a 24pin tapped for 5VSB wire in the kit (instead of a 3" 10pin tapped for 5VSB as seen in my guide)
Aftermarket types can't power the AlienF/X MIO daughterboard which need a hand-made cable so it can interface w/new PSU & work; the EVGA 1600 P2 post from above has the link to my (old archived) PSU Swap page, where you'd browse options & ways to either hand-make your own PSU/MIO swap cable, or my eBay seller page has swap kits I make here
In the past we might have preferred a PSU with a lot of front panel ports - x5 or x6 SATA 6pins & x5 or more 8pins - but w/the advent of NVME drives (now, not all of the x6 HDD bays need power for x6 spinner drives) & the loss of SLI GRFX means something like a Be Quiet! Straight Power 11 850w is viable & won't burden your wallet
FWIW: my swap guide has been locked since maybe 2018, I can't post into it anymore, I've since changed my design for EVGA models to include a 24pin tapped for 5VSB wire in the kit (instead of a 3" 10pin tapped for 5VSB as seen in my guide)