Follow up question - what is the standard return window?

Where did you get the backorder information from?  Are there any other delays going on at the moment that you know of?  

Yes, I stated that I was told that in my post above.

So... how many returns do I get before Dell has a problem with me 

They are not sold separately. Only way to get them is to order a system with it.

Dameon2k, during order process before checkout it will give estimated ship date. That is the only way to harvest stock expectation dates.

I want to chime in on something here regarding my first and second comment about returning and re-ordering. Those comments are made from a perspective of frustration, disappointment, and feeling inflexibility and resistance from Dell.

I understand if they allowed orders it would be difficult to prioritize new sales vs existing current buyers vs previous sales wanting upgrades. 

I felt that without further offering some insight people would be inclined to discount my plea for help as another self-entitled american who is selfish and impatient. I am not - tho it may seem that way - I am actually attempting to encourage Dell to reconsider their position on offering after sale support and upgrades due to their supply chain management. They have options available to them. So do I. So I can use my options and cause financial loss and inconvenience and wasted labor and shipping, or they can use theirs and provide reasonable upgrade options for a price, at time of sale or within a window after sale for users who decide they need more then a 3070 but dont want to return the whole system... which right now IS THE CASE.

I have gpus available to me because of unlimited funds and persistence in monitoring supply and availability and spending ALOT of time acquiring cards one at a time. Others do not have the luxury of placing an order today and waiting TWO MONTHS for it to deliver (while paying those two months on their financing with no product received mind you!)  Or having a 3090 on hand to "see if it will fit". 

My frustration with the limited options IS REASONABLE. Even if you feel you could settle on the 6900xt instead of the 3090 to get it quicker... I am willing to pay for BOTH. The 6900xt now, AND full price for the 3090 for two months from now delivery.

Give me some options!!!

F34R, That is REALLY good information! Thank you for such outstanding details. I have hopes of making this 3090 work after all!

@BlakeThoennes the only thing I'd be concerned about is the thermals.  The plastic see-through panel can get very warm lol.  I'd hate to melt the case.

I have enough money to just keep buying and returning Alienware R13 computers to stay within return window until the 3090 R13 ships.
* I don't understand your thought process. Seems like a waste of your time. The sales site clearly states that if you choose the RTX 3090, "GET IT AS SOON AS SATURDAY, APR 30". So why buy the Aurora R13 now without the RTX 3090? Then return it.

So I can use my options and cause financial loss and inconvenience and wasted labor and shipping.
* A single or multiple purchase/return or purchase/cancel is not a financial loss to Dell. They would be out, then back, then sold again or ordered/cancelled, reordered by someone else.

The OEM RTX 3090 part number 869P4 does show as "not for sale" as a stand alone purchase. Why, because any that we do get from the manufacturer first go to whole system (Aurora R13, Aurora R14, XPS 8950) purchases in the queue. Cancelling the order and reordering simply places you at the end of the queue.

Thank you for the concern! I was thinking that too... Removing the front to rear air moving mechanics of the front panel fans would prove to have an immediate effect on pci-e lane thermals. I am going to have to find a way to modify the card or leverage PCIE extension cables to mount the rtx3090 externally of the case. Perhaps I can retrofit some low profile fans or utilize a pci-e slot outside of the gpu to add a rear blower fan to help pull air out of the tower.

I will add photos and follow up in this thread on this project. Tower arrives tomorrow.

The goal will be to not modify the tower at all in any way that is not fully reversible without evidence of modification.

Hello Chris! I didn't think I would get an actual member of staff to see my situation. I figured other community members would start posting - "Wrong forum bro - we are just people like you. Dell won't hear you here." But I guess I was mistaken and as a Liaison/Moderator you would likely know some info that could be helpful. I won't waste this opportunity to address your response!

I have enough money to just keep buying and returning Alienware R13 computers to stay within return window until the 3090 R13 ships.
* I don't understand your thought process. Seems like a waste of your time. The sales site clearly states that if you choose the RTX 3090, "GET IT AS SOON AS SATURDAY, APR 30". So why buy the Aurora R13 now without the RTX 3090? Then return it.

** I have 30 days from time of purchase (two weeks in now) to return the system. If I order another R13 I will not be able to return if it has issues by the time I receive it. Though I would have the warranty protection - So I should be okay there but it stands as unfortunate circumstance to ordering backordered product. You mention not understanding my thought process - that it would be a waste of time... If you read my messages - You should have read that I needed something NOW. Two weeks was already pushing my upper limit of time I can wait. I have issues with my primary machine and need it 24/7. I have a maxed out 7920. I spent 3k on the two cpus in it on their own. I need a serious powerhouse. The alienware JUST makes the cut with the single i9. But I had to settle for a less than best GPU. So I settled because I have 3090 on hand. But now I know it won't fit. As a side note - I am buying another system from a different vendor that will be a stop-gap coverage while I deal with returning the R13s and waiting for the final product. Maybe I will just end up going full time outside of dells offerings. Or building another 7920 until Dell comes up with a more powerful workstation I can purchase. Its frustrating when you get to this level where price isn't the problem - its vendor capability and stock. Now that you are more in the know of my thought process - you can perhaps empathize with me that I am stuck between a rock and a hard place. I can live with somewhat less for a short time. Two weeks on a bandaided system, to 2 months for a step up in GPU... but when I cannot get that GPU PERIOD unless I wait two months on my bandaided system... Now that requires a different solution.

I love Dell... I appreciate the consistency in quality and support systems in place.

So I can use my options and cause financial loss and inconvenience and wasted labor and shipping.
* A single or multiple purchase/return or purchase/cancel is not a financial loss to Dell. They would be out, then back, then sold again or ordered/cancelled, reordered by someone else.

** Once the package is opened and sold the unit cannot be restocked as new. It enters the outlet at a discount. A discount equals loss in potential profit. Additionally, Labor and Shipping factor into loss in profit. Though not at scale and imperceivable on the balance sheet - It is a expense that would be eliminated by proper options made available to buyers in time of shortage. I feel a measure of "Qualified" buyers being able to trade in or upgrade due to a shortage now, at a future time when stock is available, would be a conceivably less expensive option to Dell than returns and outlet discounts. Additionally lost sales due to the back ordered nature of the R13 with 3090 must be considered as a loss in potential profit as well. I, for example, just bought another vendors system which is shipping with a 3090 in it by April 14th. So I will likely return the R13 and Order the 3090 model as the end result, and use this other system as a band-aid while I return the R13 and fix my 7920 under warranty. I get its "hard" and "complicated" for Dell. I am not bashing them for having a simple system in place... But I question if its "the best solution". I sadly may not end up with an R13 at all because with all this time in between systems I should probably just settle. Also, Dell could have just designed the case to fit a 3090FE... the size and spec is available for them... going with a proprietary design doesnt seem to help anyone.

*The OEM RTX 3090 part number 869P4 does show as "not for sale" as a stand alone purchase. Why, because any that we do get from the manufacturer first go to whole system (Aurora R13, Aurora R14, XPS 8950) purchases in the queue. Cancelling the order and reordering simply places you at the end of the queue.

** I appreciate the details on the part number. I was frustrated they wouldn't give it to me. For records sake, in the future, the part MAY be available for sale. Perhaps even second hand through a well known auction site. The part number can be used to find the exact one that will fit Thank you for sharing it. I also appreciate you sharing which models can be ordered with the card. This additional detail helps spell out the channels of acquisition. Looking into the XPS 8950 as I had not even considered that. Overall, Thank you for your responses. They were on topic, to the point, and I find no issue with your response.

I just went to the Dell web site and I see the 1000 watt option for both Dark Side and Lunar Light

I just ordered an Aurora R13 Dark Side of the Moon system, w/an Intel i9 12900KF, and tried ordering the Nvidia 3090 video card, but it doesn't show the 1000 W power supply option, just the 750.

Will the 750 W power supply be enough to power the 3090?