Area-51 R2, motherboard replacement

Question

I've seen some older topics on this, but nothing fairly recent, so I'm asking this in the hopes that someone knows the answer.

I spoke with Dell support and apparently my motherboard is dead. If I'm gonna replace it, I might as well get something more recent.

So my question is: are any of the motherboards, from the newer Area-51 revisions, compatible with the R2 case?

speedstep · Accepted Answer

R2 is not going to support newer boards. The I/O board is different for newer models as is the ram and power etc.

You can do some things but you will have to re wire other things.

https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware-General-Read-Only/Alienware-area-51-R2-Motherboard-upgrade/td-p/5598075

Since MSI makes the R2 mthrbrd, most MSIs tend to have a universal front panel header pinout

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Mikas60 · Answer

I was hoping there had been more recent developments, but I guess not. Thanks for your reply. I guess it's just easier for me me to build a new system myself.

Alienware Desktops

Area-51 R2, motherboard replacement

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