Alienware X51 R3 vs. Fujitsu Esprimo Q958

Comparison and Differences

Alienware_X51_R3.jpg case front and back pannelFujitsu_Esprimo_Q958.jpg case front and back pannel
Model
Form factorSmall GamingMicro
CPU optionsIntel Gen6 i3/i5/i7;Intel Gen8&9 i3/i5/i7; Pentium
ChipsetZ170Q370
Dedicated GPU *GeForce GTX 1650 SuperN.A.
RAMDIMM DDR3-2133SODIMM DDR4-2666
RAM slots24
RAM speed2133 MT/s2666 MT/s
RAM max32 GB32 GB
USB ports(4x) USB 3.0 Type A; (2x) USB-A 2.0; (2x) USB 3.1 Type A(2x) USB-A 3.0; (2x) USB-A 2.0; (4x) USB-C 3.1; USB-C 3.1
Video portsHDMI 1.4b;(2x) DisplayPort 1.2; DVI
Other portsRJ45; Headset; Line-Out; Line-In; S/PDFI optical/analog;RJ45; Headphones; Mic; Line out
Optional portsN.A.Serial; VGA; PS/2 (1)
SATA ports32
PCI slotsPCIe 3.0 x16;N.A.
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;2.5in; 5.25 inch
PSU180/240/330 W65 W
Weight5.49 kg (12.10 lbs1.60 kg (3.53 lb)
Released20152018
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 Fujitsu Esprimo Q958

If you are looking for a more modern desktop, then you should go with the Fujitsu Esprimo Q958 which was released in 2018. The Alienware X51 R3 is older and entered production in 2015.

If you are looking for the smaller form factor the Fujitsu Esprimo Q958 is the right one for you. It is smaller than the Alienware X51 R3 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 Fujitsu Esprimo Q958 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 Fujitsu Esprimo Q958 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 Fujitsu Esprimo Q958 is using the faster 2666 MT/s RAM. The Alienware X51 R3 is slower by supporting RAM speeds of up to 2133 MT/s. In addition, you will be able to install the same amount of RAM in both models, and most probably 32 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

In total the Fujitsu Esprimo Q958 has 9 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. It's great that both of the models have USB 3.1 ports which will allow you to exchange data with your peripherals at up to 10Gb/s. But if you need maximum connectivity, go with the Fujitsu Esprimo Q958 as it has 5 USB3.1 ports (the Alienware X51 R3 has 2).

DisplayPort is crucial for any desktop machine. It is good to see that both models are featuring DisplayPorts. However, the Fujitsu Esprimo Q958 comes with 2 ports, while the Alienware X51 R3 has only 1. If you are planning to use multiple monitors, the Fujitsu Esprimo Q958 is the better choice.

None of the models has an HDMI port. If your monitor supports only the HDMI interface, you will need to buy an adapter. Such adapters are cheap so nothing to worry about.

SATA ports are placed on the system board and it is where you connect your HDD, SSD and Optical Disk Drives. More SATA slots will allow you to have more drives running at the same time. In this regard the Alienware X51 R3 is better equipped as it comes with 3 SATA slot(s), while the Fujitsu Esprimo Q958 has 2 slot(s).

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 Fujitsu Esprimo Q958. 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 Fujitsu Esprimo Q958 comes with a decent 65 Watt PSU, but the Alienware X51 R3 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_R3_motherboard.jpg motherboard layoutFujitsu_Esprimo_Q958_motherboard.jpg motherboard layout