Retro Alienware case

Deke59 · 8 Jul 2021 at 15:24

Hi all

I am, pretty much a noob to all of this home building and gaming pc's. I did build my current setup but it was more by muck than judgement.
The build was a starter set up a few years back with an i7 8700k, ASUS TUF Z370 plus Gaming motherboard, GEFORCE 1050 GTX (don't laugh!), BeQuiet L11 400W power supply, 2x8Gb RAM.
However, I have just bought two old Alienware Area 51 7500 cases, one black and one silver. I love the black one and am hoping to use the black case, it looks amazing.

I have also bought a second hand Alienware water cooler for the i7 form eBay which I might also fit.
My gaming needs are fairly humble: Assassins Creed Valhalla, World of warships, Submnatica Below Zero and Eve Online

My questions are:

Could I transfer everything to the Alienware case as is.
If I want the Alienware heads to light up on the case, do I need to buy something to wire them in
As I am tinkering, this might be an upgrade opportunity... any suggestions?

mickyflinn · 8 Jul 2021 at 16:42

Looks like it will fit but what you need to check is the front panel connectors to see if they will connect to your motherboard. Dell are known for using non standard connectors to the motherboard.

Deke59 · 8 Jul 2021 at 17:46

Thanks, although I believe this is a pre Dell Alienware design

Tetras · 8 Jul 2021 at 20:29

With oem cases you'd also need to check:
- the psu mounts and space to fit it in, if you're using your own
- if the psu is built-in, check it uses standard 20/24 pin and 4/8 pin atx connectors
- if the form factor is standard atx (and that the standoffs in the same places as the motherboard requires)
- the drive caddies are present and are usable for normal hdds (or have screw holes that can fit an adapter for SSDs)

The alienware lighting: I have no idea how it's powered, have a look in the case and you'll probably find a connector, if it is USB then you're in luck.

EsaT · 8 Jul 2021 at 22:02

That Aliencrap is bad case for gaming PC.
In general PSU on top as case exhaust design had its best before date expire 15+ years ago.
And that's one of the worser implementations of the layout with "shiny outside, **** inside" design made by marketing scums.

Also unless it can be properly maintained&refilled would stay far away from second hand water pipe coolers.
Unlike heat pipe coolers which can't fail unless broken physically, water pipe cooler have multiple degradation/wear mechanisms and in worst case could start leaking frying parts.
Especially if block and radiator are different metals (as usual in cheap cosntructions) risk of galvanic corrosion and other reactions rises with age and loss of effectiveness of corrosion inhibitors.

jigger · 8 Jul 2021 at 22:52

It should all fit fine, but the cooling requirements of some of the latest hardware might an issue. Avoid the latest Intel and Nvidia hardware and some of AMD’s last gens and you should be OK.