Alienware X51 R3 vs. Dell XPS 8930

Comparison and Differences

Alienware_X51_R3.jpg case front and back pannelDell_XPS_8930.jpg case front and back pannel
Model
Form factorSmall GamingMini Tower
CPU optionsIntel Gen6 i3/i5/i7;Intel Gen8 i3/i5/i7;
ChipsetZ170Z370
Dedicated GPU *GeForce GTX 1650 SuperGeForce RTX 2060 Super
RAMDIMM DDR3-2133DIMM DDR4-2666/2933
RAM slots24
RAM speed2133 MT/s2666 MT/s
RAM max32 GB64 GB
USB ports(4x) USB 3.0 Type A; (2x) USB-A 2.0; (2x) USB 3.1 Type AUSB 3.1 Type C; USB 3.1 Type A; (2x) USB-A 2.0; (6x) USB-A 3.0;
Video portsHDMI 1.4b;HDMI 1.4; DisplayPort 1.2;
Other portsRJ45; Headset; Line-Out; Line-In; S/PDFI optical/analog;RJ45; Mic; Headset; Card Reader;
Optional portsN.A.N.A.
SATA ports33
PCI slotsPCIe 3.0 x16;PCIe 3.0 x16; (x2) PCIe x4;
M.2 slotsN.A.M.2 2280/2230 M-key (PCIe 3.0 x4, NVMe); M.2 2230 (WiFi/BT);
Drive bays(2x) 2.5in; 3.25in; 5.25in;(3x) 3.5in;
PSU180/240/330 W460 W
Weight5.49 kg (12.10 lbs8.20 kg (18.08 lb)
Released20152017
Manuallinklink
Price**Check PriceCheck Price

** As an Amazon associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
* Dedicated GPU warning: Check if your particular power supply model has enough power. Additionally some PSUs don't come with an auxiliary PCIe power connector and you may need to buy a SATA to PCIe power adapter.

Differences between Alienware X51 R3 and Dell XPS 8930

If you are looking for a more modern desktop, then you should go with the Dell XPS 8930 which was released in 2017. The Alienware X51 R3 is older and entered production in 2015.

If you are looking for the smaller form factor the Alienware X51 R3 is the right one for you. It is smaller than the Dell XPS 8930 and will fit more easily under your desk.

Processor

Usually the newer the generation of the CPU, the better the performance and efficiency is. If your budget allows it, you should go with the Dell XPS 8930 as it is running a newer generation CPU. This is not to say that Alienware X51 R3 is bad - it can still run some powerful CPUs, albeit being an older generation.

Memory

The Dell XPS 8930 has 4 RAM slots while the Alienware X51 R3 has only 2 slot(s). This is not something to worry about. Just make sure you take it into consideration when planning how much RAM you are going to use.

The Dell XPS 8930 is using the faster 2666 MT/s RAM. The Alienware X51 R3 is slower by supporting RAM speeds of up to 2133 MT/s. Additionally, if you will be needing a lot of RAM, better go for the Dell XPS 8930 as it has the ability to run 64 GB of RAM. The Alienware X51 R3 can do a bit less at max 32 GB. Most of the times, this should be sufficient for the majority of users.

Ports

In total the Dell XPS 8930 has 10 USB ports. The Alienware X51 R3 is inferior in this regard and packs 8 USB ports. In any case, if you miss USB ports, you can always purchase a USB hub. Both of the models have USB 3.1 ports which will allow you to exchange data with your peripherals at up to 10Gb/s. This is especially crucial if you are using external drives on a regular basis.

The DisplayPort is usually the more popular video port used with desktops and laptops, while the HDMI is used predominantly in consumer electronics. That's why, it is good to see that both of the models come with a DisplayPort.

The Dell XPS 8930 comes with an HDMI port, while the Alienware X51 R3 does not support the interface. Of course missing HDMI port is something that can be easily fixed with a good adapter (e.g. DisplayPort to HDMI).

SATA slots are located on the motherboard and it is where SSD, HDD and Optical Disk Drives are connected. Each of the two models being compared have 3 SATA slot(s). Keep in mind that having too few SATA slots might limit your options for connecting additional memory drives.

If you want the fastest transfer speeds for your SSD, an M.2 interface is crucial. Thus, if the M.2 SSD slot is a mandatory requirement for you, go with the Dell XPS 8930. Sadly, the Alienware X51 R3 has no such slot, and you will be forced to use the SATA interface instead.

Make sure that the available M.2 slot supports the PCIe (also called NVMe) interface. This is important as there are M.2 slots which support only the inferior SATA III interface. For comparison, the SATA III interface has max speeds of 6Gb/s, while the PCIe 3.0 x4 will support speeds up to 32Gb/s!

Power Supply

Having a Power Supply Unit with high power rating is important, if you are going to use components which require extra power. The Alienware X51 R3 comes with a decent 330 Watt PSU, but the Dell XPS 8930 has a more powerful one rated at 460 Watts. Choosing either one depends on your specific requirements and use case. Also don't forget that some models might have more than one PSU option - try to always get the most powerful one, especially if you plan to upgrade to a powerful GPU.

Motherboard

Alienware_X51_R3_motherboard.jpg motherboard layoutDell_XPS_8930_motherboard.jpg motherboard layout