Alienware X51 vs. Dell OptiPlex 390 DT

Comparison and Differences

Alienware_X51.jpg case front and back pannelDell_OptiPlex_390_DT.jpg case front and back pannel
Model
Form factorSmall GamingDesktop
CPU optionsIntel Gen2&3 i3/i5/i7;Intel Gen2 i3/i5/i7; Celeron; Pentium;
ChipsetH61H61
Dedicated GPU *GeForce GTX 1650 SuperGeForce GTX 1650 Low Profile
RAMDIMM DDR3-1333DIMM DDR3-1333
RAM slots22
RAM speed1333 MT/s1333 MT/s
RAM max8 GB8 GB
USB ports(2x) USB 3.0 Type A; (6x) USB-A 2.0;(8x)USB-A 2.0;
Video portsHDMIHDMI 1.2; VGA;
Other portsRJ45; Headset; Line-Out; Line-In; S/PDFI optical/analog;RJ45; Hdph; (2x) Mic; Line-Out; Line-In; PS2/COM;
Optional portsN.A.N.A.
SATA ports44
PCI slotsPCIe 3.0 x16;PCIe 2.0 x16; (3x) PCIe 2.0 x1;
M.2 slotsN.A.N.A.
Drive bays3.25in; 5.25in;3.5in; 5.25in;
PSU240/330 W250 W
Weight5.49 kg (12.10 lbs)7.56 kg (16.67 lb)
Released20112011
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 and Dell OptiPlex 390 DT

Both computers, the Dell OptiPlex 390 DT and the Alienware X51, were released during the same year - 2011.

If you are looking for the smaller form factor the Alienware X51 is the right one for you. It is smaller than the Dell OptiPlex 390 DT 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 Alienware X51 as it is running a newer generation CPU. This is not to say that Dell OptiPlex 390 DT is bad - it can still run some powerful CPUs, albeit being an older generation.

Memory

Both models have have equal amount of ram slots (2 RAM). Usually two RAM slots are more than enough for most cases. However, the count should be taken into account when planning how much and what combination of RAM you are going to need for your system.

None of the desktops has an advantage when it comes to the speed of the RAM being used. Both models support RAM speeds of up to 1333. In addition, you will be able to install the same amount of RAM in both models, and most probably 8 GB of RAM will be enough for most people. However, if you will be needing more RAM, make sure to check other desktop models too.

Ports

Both models have the same amount of USB ports for total count of 8. If this is not enough, using a USB hub is always a viable option. None of the desktop models has a USB 3.1 port (10Gb/s), so if you need a fast connection to your peripherals, like external Solid State Drive, you will need to look elsewhere.

Nowadays, almost every new computer comes equipped with a DisplayPort. However, none of the devices being compared here has one. Don't worry though, DisplayPort adapters are very cheap and you can get virtually any combination of conversion types.

In case your monitor supports HDMI only, you will be happy to hear that both models come with an HDMI port.

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 4 SATA slot(s). Keep in mind that having too few SATA slots might limit your options for connecting additional memory drives.

M.2 SSD interface allows you to transfer data with higher speeds compared to the old SATA interface. Unfortunately, neither the Dell OptiPlex 390 DT, nor the Alienware X51 has one. However, you can still use a SATA SSD drive which should give you satisfactory performance.

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 Dell OptiPlex 390 DT comes with a decent 250 Watt PSU, but the Alienware X51 has a more powerful one rated at 330 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_motherboard.jpg motherboard layoutDell_OptiPlex_390_DT_motherboard.jpg motherboard layout