Aurora R1, CPU and GPU upgrade options?

Question

Hi everyone,

Hope you are doing well today! I just received an old 2009 Alienware from a friend. I am trying to identify: 1) what CPUs are compatible; and, 2) what GPUs are compatible. The 1st issue I ran into was even trying to identify what model Alienware this device is.

If anyone can tell me what the Alienware Aurora model is and the compatible CPUs and GPUs it would be much appreciated! I already attempted to look-up my Dell Service Tag in order to identify the model number, but it is not listed. Thank you very much in advance for the help!

Here are the specifications:

Computer Model : Aurora
BIOS Vendor : Alienware

Processor : Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU 930 @ 2.80GHz
Clock Speed : 2.8Ghz
L2 Cache Size : 1024

Memory: M5KH0 Module,Dual In-Line Memory Module,9G,3X2G/3X1G,1333

Network: KD8JF Module,Card,Network,BLTH365,Alienware,World Wide

Base: G810M Base,DEIMOS,ANW-DT,AURORA

CPU: 7WF65 Module,Processor,I7-930,2.8,Bloomfield,ANW DT

GPU: 66KVJ Module,Card,Graphics,JUNIPER,Parker,G

wtw1ster · Accepted Answer

Not that anyone is ever going to need this info, but if you do, I figured it out!

I have a Alienware Aurora R1!

Here is info for the max CPU: https://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/Studio-XPS-435t-9000-compatible-processor-list/m-p/4101408/highlight/true#M924250

Here is info for the max RAM: https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware-General-Read-Only/Aurora-R1-Max-Memory-Speed/td-p/5526963

Here is how to identify which model Alienware Aurora you have: https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware-Desktops/Revision-identification-for-Alienware-Models/td-p/6237337

I'm looking to upgrade to 16GB 1600Mhz RAM ($75), the Intel Xeon 3.33GHz ($30), and then spec out a nice GPU!

You can easily upgrade the hardware in these old beasts very inexpensively! Will also look to get a PCI USB 3.0 card and a nice AC WiFi card. Going to breathe some life back into this old beast!

Mary G · Answer

CPU upgrades are not worth the expense for a small boost of power since you are very limited to compatible CPU's for the motherboard. GPU is the better choice if the model is not too old. If an old model works, use it as is and skip the upgrades.

wtw1ster · Answer

I suspect it is an Alienware Aurora R2, but I am not sure.

wtw1ster · Answer

'CPU upgrades are not worth the expense for a small boost of power since you are very limited to compatible CPUs for the motherboard.' - I do not think this is correct, which is why I am trying to identify compatible CPU upgrades. It's relatively easy to find a nice CPU online and there are probably a ton of inexpensive options considering the age of the motherboard. Thanks anyways!

wtw1ster · Answer

I identified my existing CPU is a Bloomfield socket 1366. It appears I can upgrade to any CPU that is compatible with that socket. The fastest CPU I am finding is the Intel Core i7-990X Extreme Edition Processor 3.46 GHz 6 Core LGA 1366. I see some very inexpensive ones online!!! Nice! If I wanted to save a little $$$, it appears the 980 and 970 would be alternative options.

I would still like to know what model my Alienware is (Dell does not making finding it easy, surprisingly) and what GPUs are compatible. I'd like to spend $300-$700 on a decent GPU. Not going to

wtw1ster · Answer

Yes, it does, but so does the R1! A MOD edited my title and input R1 after they looked up my service tag. Thanks MOD!

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Aurora R1, CPU and GPU upgrade options?

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