Couple of questions for Casse-Ole or whoever can help

Thank you for the quick response!

So..just to confirm..

1. 01YGW is worth the upgrade for both my Aurora R4 and Area 51 R2? On my Area 51 R2 I may need the adapter you use, to use the upgraded cooler? Is that correct?

2. The power supply at my current configuration wouldn't help any sort of performance and would be more of a "feel good" type of upgrade, but if I upgraded videocards later it would benefit? I likely wouldn't upgrade videocards for a year (if not longer) but am still considering the power supply upgrade and am not sure if I should pull the trigger or not.

3. I *THINK* the bracket is installed on mine, but I can't tell..picture attached. Can you tell? It looks the same as what my top fan is attached to.

above is an old photo I made for someone; A-51 5pin cooler connector attempts to fit on a fan header. Aurora 7pin can do the same, so long as there is room; it's a 'tentative connexion' (SL connectors aren't meant for fan headers, lol, but they can be forced on in a pinch ... obviously u must meet its wiring / pin needs relative to fan header pins), but my hand-made adapters are superior (set it and forget it). Use above method to save $10

1. R4 Premium cooler is worth it if u can score one at a good price. If you're forced to buy a used one, be sure to have a spare cooler of any type as a back up. Simply put, I refuse to go back to 25mm whimpy coolers. Last year my R2 was running a 50mm AMD/Asetek cooler to test if the largest coolers fit / work

I also tried to explain how a 7pin might fit onto a fan header here: Alienware CPU Liquid cooling and fans and PSU on new Motherboard

2. The 850, you're not allowed to opt into it on the sales page with dual 1080Ti + Intel eXtreme CPU, it isn't 'validated' for dual 250w+ cards (where you might overclock the CPU + GPUs & lead to shutdown issue, so they say). I'd pull the trigger if u see one $150/shipped or less, but it's your call. We're seeing more & more of these land on eBay in new / new pull / used. When several land at the same time they price war to list lowest price. On the other hand, that $140 last week may be as low as I've seen one go for, ~150 tended to be the norm the past 6months

3. Looks like u 100% have the bracket, but the photo's fuzzy. Mine still doesn't have one (constantly sold out), but see photo of what it looks like when there is not one in that space (the metal boss is waiting for a bracket 'foot')

1. Above is what I make as the best peace-of-mind solution. If we pretend your cooler gets there, were it me I would unplug R2's K31VH pump connector, hold 01YGW in left hand, quickly try to connect its 7pin onto the fan/pump header: if it feels ok (feels / acts relatively secure), go with it. If not, 'added insurance' = get the adapter. Otherwise, concerning Aur R4, it is a direct plug and play swap with the R4, needs nothing. Lastly, push / pull in R4 / R2 = a switch to 25mm fans (0.75amp or less) + fan y-splitter 

2. Agreed. It makes sense when the price is right

3. What we know is that the 'mid-fan' header on your XJKKD mthrbrd is 'dead', generates a constant speed and CmndCntr / Bios has no effect on it. That tends to force one into tapping into the top fan header, and use a y-split so they both fall under CC control. To do that means ditching the high-power 38mil Delta / Nidec and using slimmer less power 25mils as stated. Mr Dell buys those 38mil Deltas by the billions, easily found on eBay (run the model#). To run a pair of them (now ~3amps draw), you'd want to invest in something that taps the power supply Molex or an open SATA cable, effectively a 4pin pwm splitter Area 51 R2 MB Fan Headers support PWM? ... look around for a 2-pack of 25mils as best option in my opinion

Molex splitter, if needed to interface with PSU molex cable (while running FIO board + DVD player)

Okay, sorry to keep bugging you..I just want to make sure I'm fully understanding everything.

1. Even on the R4 I may need the adapter? Or is the adapter just for the Area 51 R2? If so, I may hit you up for two adapters, for when I get the upgraded coolers (just in case).

3.  So, I would need to order 2 25mils fans, use the splitter, and sell my current 38mil fan?  Any idea for the best place to get a 2 pack of the 25mil fans? And again, just to confirm..would I actually see any benefit in making this upgrade or should I stick to the one bigger fan?

1. I think I may try to find the premium cooler for both my R4 and Area 51 R2.  So, on my Aurora R4 it won't require anything other than a swap and on my Area 51 R2 it would need the adapter for a smooth transition?

2. I think I may just pull the trigger on the 1500w to have the upgrade for and later (and keep my 850w as a backup).

3. Yeah, I tried taking the picture like five times but it was blurry every time. Mine definitely has the bracket installed because yours looks bare compared to mine. Soooo..can I order the DELL/Alienware FAN since I don't need the bracket or will it be too powerful to combine and I need to order 2 .75 fans and take my top fan out (like I saw you mention in previous posts)? 

Correct

I use eBay, but I've also used Amazon, PerfomancePCs & FrozenCpu. Chances are you want a sleeved black splitter, as short as you can find (6inch 15cm or less is better than 10/12inch 25/30cm), so that may include searching multiple sites to find the 4pin pwm splitter right for u. From there, u tally ship cost & try to bag the best / cheapest one; 'pwm adapter' 'pwm splitter' 'dual pwm' '15cm pwm' form the basis of search terms

I suspected when I typed that it might confuse u. I just made an edit for it

R4: needs nothing > pull old out / pop new in (so long as new cooler comes with thermal grease / paste). Gelid / Phobya / Thermal Grizzly make good pastes if needed. I'm on ArcticSilver5 here, only because RadioShack had them for $2 a tube / store closeout

R2: adapter is optional (if you feel 7pin fails to act secure on fan header by itself. I'll make u one)

Corsair offers two-pack / twin packs, get 4pin pwm types if they offer them (google = corsair pwm two-pack fans). Naturally u can search any type of fan and buy two of them

I myself can't confirm a benefit to adding the missing fan since I can't get the holder, lol. Fan ratings like Static Pressure, CFMs and noise level all factor into it (google search = fans static pressure, see vids / web results). I can't pick u out the best fan to try; black / charcoal Noctuas or Corsair MagLevs is what I'm buying when I get the holder, whether they help or not, lol

I think it's safe to say that the original intent of the case design was for dual-front fans and as a cost-cut they balked on installing the missing fan, yet left a way to get it in action at owner-cost. On paper, dual-front fans should be a blessing, u might add a PCI slot fan as extra exhaust as well. I can promise nothing til I test it all myself ...

Alienware deploys the mid-fan when GPU cooling is ordered (uTube: Tech Talk Alienware Area-51 Airflow and Thermal Management > @4:25)

Message W8Lifts since he's done it: Area 51 R2-Upgrades, Mods, Clarifications

Rosewill RCFC-16002 appears to be a 4incher / 10cm (eBay: Rosewill RCFC-16002 Case Fan Splitter, PWM Fan Splitter Cable, 1 to 2 Black) www.rosewill.com/rosewill-rcfc-16002-pwm-fan-splitter-cable-black-sleeve-3-94.html

Okay, so for R4 it's an easy swap (except for possible thermal paste) and for Area 51 R2 the adapter "may" be needed but would definitely be the easiest/preferred?

I think I may order the two fans, if so would I just order the splitter from ebay or is there a better website option?

Gotcha! I will definitely hit you up for one those adapters then.

Thank you!

Awesome, thank you!

Yeah, looks good. ML120s are 0.2amps each, perfect. You don't need a molex splitter for the MLs 

the fan holder bracket, the top / bottom 'clip on' latches, the fan frame (like ML120) has to be suitable in order for them to attach or clip into place.  I can't tell from the pic if they'll clip into place or not, Kane, you may not know that til they get there. A razorblabe might help mod them in, such is life

Youtube search = Alienware Area-51 R2: Upgrade/Replace Top Fan