The Alienware Aurora R16 is considered one of the premier Aurora PCs offered by the company. Unlike the Alienware Aurora R15, which boasts an ultra-futuristic design that marks it as a gaming PC, the Aurora R16 showcases a more understated Legend 3.0 design. With a few minor exceptions, this Alienware desktop fits well within an office setting.

The Aurora R16’s price can vary depending on your chosen configuration. That said, the entry-level model is reasonably priced, making it a fantastic choice for newcomers to PC gaming. Regardless of which configuration you select, you will receive one of the best gaming PCs, capable of running the latest PC games.

Aurora R16: Price

The Alienware Aurora R16 is available officially from Dell’s website at a starting price of $2,349.

This base variant includes Intel Core Ultra 7 265F, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage.

Our reviewed unit features several significant modifications, which have increased its price to $3,999. It features Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080, 64GB of DDR5 RAM, and 2TB of SSD Storage.

Aurora R16: Specs

Aurora R16: Design

In adopting the new Legend 3.0 design, the Alienware Aurora R16 transitions from the ostentatious aesthetics of its predecessors to showcase a significantly more subdued appearance. Absent the RGB light strip located on the left panel, the hexagonal side vents, and the subtle Alienware logo-shaped power button, one might easily misidentify the Aurora R16 as a conventional desktop rather than a dedicated gaming machine.

Our unit features an all-black case with dimensions of 18 x 16.5 x 7.7 inches, allowing it to take up minimal desk space, significantly less than some of its bulkier predecessors. Although it weighs 33.8 pounds, I found it easy to reposition on the desk as needed. I prefer a compact and understated workspace, which makes the Aurora R16 especially attractive to me.

Aurora R16: Upgradibility

Accessing the rig’s interior is straightforward once the Kensington lock on the back has been removed. The interior closely resembles that of the Aurora R15, for better or worse. Although cable clutter is minimal since most cables are routed behind the motherboard, keeping the space looking tidy, it complicates modifications to suit your preferences.

Although I found it easy to navigate the rig’s interior with my large hands, specific components are challenging to shift due to the layout. While removing RAM is straightforward, changing the GPU proves cumbersome as it necessitates removing brackets and relocating components. These challenges stem from Alienware’s use of a proprietary motherboard, which limits upgrade possibilities. However, as I mentioned, this design results in a very organised interior.

Aurora R16: Gaming Performance

Our unit, equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080, as well as 64GB of RAM, delivers an impressive level of power that one would expect from a £3,999 PC. We tested this PC by playing a variety of games, including Grand Theft Auto V (GTA 5), Red Dead Redemption 2, Cyberpunk 2077, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and Far Cry 6. Additionally, we compared the FPS achieved in 1080p and 4K settings with those of other gaming PCs.

In Grand Theft Auto V (GTA 5), our unit demonstrates its power, achieving an average FPS of 200 at 1080p resolution. At 4K resolution, it attains an average of 135 FPS. We are competing against our predecessor, the Alienware Aurora R15, which falls short against our Aurora R16 in every match. While the Vengeance i7500 and Omen 35L provide each other with tough competition, both equipped with the same graphics card (RTX 4090), the Omen 35L finds it difficult to outpace the Vengeance. They both outperform our reviewed unit (Alienware Aurora 16) by a small margin. 

In the video game Cyberpunk 2077, the Alienware Aurora attains a performance of 115 FPS at a resolution of 1080p and 80 FPS at a 4K resolution. Cyberpunk is regarded as one of the most poorly optimized games for PCs, consistently posing a tough challenge to computers. The rankings of PCs remain unchanged; both the Omen 35L and the Vengeance i7500 are achieving similar FPS in both 4K and 1080p. They both surpass our reviewed unit (Alienware Aurora 16) by a slight margin. 

In Shadow of the Tomb Raider, our Aurora R16 averages 125 FPS 125 in 4k resolution and 185 FPS at 1080p. The rankings of PCs remain the same; both the Omen 35L and the Vengeance i7500 achieve similar FPS in both 4K and 1080p. They both slightly outperform our reviewed unit (Alienware Aurora R16). While the Alienware Aurora R15 ranks last, it has nearly 60 fewer frames per second than the Aurora R16.

Aurora R16: Verdict

The Alienware Aurora R16 represents a significant enhancement to the Aurora series of gaming PCs. Its stylish and compact chassis stands out as the most prominent difference from earlier models, ensuring it complements any workspace beautifully. Moreover, it offers configurations with high-performance components, providing ample power under the hood.

A key feature is Alienware’s innovative cooling technology, which enables the system to run quietly and stay cool, even during long and intense gaming sessions.

Though the Aurora R16 can come equipped with high-end parts, its base model, priced at $1,749, provides excellent value as a mid-range system, significantly cheaper than many other PCs that share similar specs.

As I previously mentioned, if you’re new to PC gaming, the Aurora R16 is an excellent entry point. However, if you’re looking for a more affordable choice, the $1,399 Dell XPS 8960 is another impressive gaming desktop that moves away from the standard gaming look.

If you’re looking for a dependable gaming desktop that boasts an appealing design, strong performance, and quiet operation, consider the Alienware Aurora R16.

Gaming PCs with spaceship-inspired designs and significant cases often overlook something crucial. The Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 8, featuring its dark grey finish, is suitable for office environments; however, with a few upgrades, it can be regarded as one of the top PCs for heavy gaming.

The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is a gaming desktop designed to run games in 4K, showcasing a sleek design. The case is easily upgradeable, and the custom RGB lighting enhances its appeal as a gaming machine. It operates as a powerhouse that handles most games in 4K and features a modular power supply. However, certain aspects hinder it from being a perfect PC, including the absence of Wi-Fi 7 support, the lack of a USB-C port on the front, and a limited set of custom configuration options.

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i: Specifications

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i: Design

Let’s discuss its beautiful and sleek design. The Lenovo Legion 7i merges traditional gaming PCs with business-focused desktops. The most significant aspect of its design is its size; it boasts a stylish look reminiscent of the Mac Pro, although it is less refined than the Mac. On the front, there’s an RGB-lit Legion logo and three lights that can be controlled.

At the top, there is a vent for airflow in and out of the case, along with two exhaust fans. If there were a dust filter on top instead of airflow vents, even a cheaper one, it would be a better choice. A dust filter on top or even in the front can prevent dust from entering, allowing the motherboard to function more efficiently.

With its large size, the Lenovo Legion 7i surpasses many mid-sized desktops, including the Alienware Aurora R16. This is ideal for accommodating NVIDIA’s RTX 4070 Ti Super, which is longer than standard RTX models and also optimised for the 360mm CPU cooling system needed for its high-power Intel Core i9-14900KF processor.

The Lenovo Legion 7i has a sleek glass panel on the left side of its case, giving you a wonderful glimpse of the internal components beautifully lit up by vibrant RGB lights. These lights are bright enough to light up your room. In our case, a GPU is present, and RGB lights also surround the fans. Additionally, a light strip runs along the border of the case, providing extra brightness. These strips feature multiple light sequences that synchronize with other RGB lights.

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i: Ports

There are two sections for ports. At the very top of the Lenovo Legion 7i, you’ll find two USB 2.0 Type-A ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, along with dedicated ports for a microphone and an audio jack, making it super convenient for all your connecting needs! There is no USB-C port on top, which I missed because USB Type-C is now more common, and even laptop chargers typically use Type-C.

On the rear, there are two USB-A ports, 4x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports, a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port, a USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 port, audio ports, and an Ethernet port. The Ethernet port is essential for online gaming, as it enables high-speed internet connectivity. These ports are quite decent for a gaming desktop, and there is nothing particularly noteworthy aside from the new-generation USB-A ports.

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i: Upgradability

If you wish to upgrade or change any device in the Lenovo Legion 7i, it’s quite simple: open the glass case on the left side, unplug the old one, and plug in the new one. The glass panel can be opened easily with a screwdriver by removing the two screws.

From here, all parts are now under your control. It’s up to you how you replace or upgrade its components; you can enhance the RAM, change the cooling system, or even upgrade the GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super. Lenovo uses an ATX motherboard, which means you can also swap it out for another one that allows for more upgrades, and the new parts will be adjusted to fit the motherboard. Other brands, such as Dell and HP, should also adopt this concept.   

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i: Gaming Performance

In the base version, you will receive an Intel Core i9-13900KF processor, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super graphics card, and additional memory and storage options. If you upgrade its GPU to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 for an additional cost, it can power games at their highest settings and even at 4k. However, in 1080p, which demands more CPU power, you may allocate some extra funds toward RTX 4090 for even greater performance.

In this talk, we discuss its base version, which is officially from Lenovo, featuring 32GB RAM and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super, and frame rate ( co)mpare it with other PCs from different brands based on the average FPS obtained from various games.

At the highest setting and with high ray tracing enabled, it can achieve 50 frames per second (FPS), not 60 FPS. While engaged in a fight with a cleansed object of power, it can reach 80 FPS; meanwhile, this area is light. However, in combat situations where more power is utilised, it can barely achieve 40 FPS.

FPS Comparison

In Cyberpunk 2077, our Lenovo Legion Pro 7i reaches an average FPS exceeding 180 while using the RTX 4080 at the 1080p setting. Simultaneously, its competitors, such as Alienware Aurora R15 and MSI Infinite RS, can reach an average of 190 FPS with an upgraded GPU, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090. With the RTX 4080, our Legion competes effectively with these two giants, using the RTX 4090, and there is a slight difference of nearly 10 FPS. Meanwhile, the iBUYPOWER Revolt lags far behind with the RTX 3080.

In Grand Theft Auto 5, the difference is fascinating. At a very high setting in 1080p, the Legion Tower achieves an average FPS of over 190. At the same time, the Aurora R15 and MSI Infinite showed a significant variance in FPS compared to the Legion Tower. The Aurora R15 achieved an average FPS of 234, and the MSI Infinite attained an average FPS of 229. The result is clear, as they acquired RTX 4090, a more powerful GPU than the RTX 4080. 

When we discuss Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the results are pretty similar to those of Grand Theft Auto 5; however, in this case, the Aurora R15 and MSI Infinite experience a drop in FPS, while the Lenovo Legion 7i Tower neither gains nor loses FPS. Nevertheless, when comparing in 4K settings, the difference is staggering, as the Legion Tower achieves 93 FPS, whereas the Aurora R15 and MSI Infinite both attain 129 FPS. 

Upon closer examination of Red Dead Redemption 2 and Far Cry 6, the performance outcomes for the Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 8, Alienware Aurora R15, and MSI Infinite RS are similar. The Legion achieved an average FPS of 130, while the others reached 180 FPS. Meanwhile, the iBUYPOWER Revoult 3 shows different results, obtaining 60 FPS in Red Dead Redemption 2 and 90 FPS in Far Cry 6. In Far Cry 6, it competes well with the Legion Tower by using an RTX 3080. 

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i: Verdict

The Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 8 is a powerful machine, and all its components work efficiently as gaming machine components. Still, its RAM does not operate at full speed, and Lenovo should reevaluate the pre-installed software.

The Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 8 caters to even the most dedicated gamers. This remarkable tower not only runs the latest 4K games efficiently but also boasts an eye-catching design with vivid RGB lighting. Its practical design and reliance on standardised components, including a modular power supply, are noteworthy.