Alienware Intros X51 SFF Gaming PC, Packs Core i7 CPU & Nvidia GPU

A little more than a month after upgrading the Aurora gaming rig, Alienware has come out with the X51, a small form factor desktop that features some top-level specs and targets gamers looking for a more compact machine.

Sporting pretty much the same design cues as the much larger Aurora, the X51 can be placed either vertically or horizontally on the desktop and the Alienware logo on the front can also be rotated to follow the case’ orientation.

Moving to the inside of the X51, we are greeted by Intel’s Sandy Bridge processors, Alienware allows its customers to go for a Core i3, i5 or i7 CPU, which are paired together with 4GB of system memory (8GB max).

Storage is also on the high-end side thanks to a 1TB hard drive spinning at 7,200RPM, and users have the option to add a Blu-ray combo to replace the slot-loading DVD burner that comes as standard.

Graphics wise, the X51 draws its power from a full-size Nvidia GT 545 GPU paired with 1GB of fast GDDR5 video buffer, but a more powerful GT 555 sporting the same VRAM configuration is also available for a small upgrade fee.

All these are powered by a 240W or 330W power supply, while the rest of the specifications sheet includes Gigabit Ethernet and 802.11n WiFi connectivity as well as a high-definition 7.1-channel audio CODEC.

All the regular ports and connectors are also present, including two USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI 1.4 output and a pair of S/PDIF connectors.

As a nice touch, the X51’s lighting accents can be modified from the Alienware Command Center software.

Alienware says that the micro-ITX X51 will start at $699 (546 EUR), but don’t look on its website if you want to buy one as the system “is no longer available for purchase online.” Dell hasn't informed us when this is once again available in its Web store.