Legacy Area-51 Liquid Cooling

do you have a free internal USB 2.0 header? in that case you can use Corsair H80i GT, H80 V2 for example. they have 1 x 4 pin Y-Cable for the fans and 1 x USB 2.0 internal connector for the Pump and RGB LED Logo.

Yes, you can install after-market Liquid-Cooler if it's Intel Socket-1366 compatible. Since the Dell Liquid-Coolers are nice Asetek clones (with custom wiring) ... most of us have stuck with those over the years.

https://community.dell.com/message/45459

There was also an Alienware logo-ed (Asetek) Aurora-R4 Premium Cooler offered (DPN: 01YGW). It's upgraded for the Intel processors of that time and better metals. If fact, I have a "new parts pulled" one waiting in the closet until my Aurora-R1 needs it. Can you believe it's still using the original one from Summer-2010? Speaks to Asetek quality.

But since the Aurora uses a 7-pin, you have to convert 01YGW over to 5-pin for Area51-R1 (IIRC). 

Pretty sure Cass-Ole did a post on that also.

Yeah, here it is ... It's like this, but I guess opposite? I believe part of the objective here was to make custom-Alienware-wired adapters-cables that did all the conversion magic. It didn't void the Liquid-Cooler's warranty and eased trouble-shooting later by keeping any after-market or non-standard coolers un-modified .

https://community.dell.com/message/31684

I suggest you also check out Cass-Ole  other Area51-R1 build threads, cool mods, and easy upgrades. 

This is all assuming you want to keep MIO-Board functionality with Command Center. If not, then just treat the LQ Install like it's on a more standard clone machine, and follow the manufacturers basic install directions (for Intel socket-1366). To bypass the Alienware MIO-Board, see Anti-MIO Cooling Project.

Edit 2

Thanks for the info. I don't want to try any wiring harness magic.  I've got a new cooling fan (the one that sits on top of the radiator) that I can just keep. I can attach a new aftermarket cooling unit. It's just got a standard 3 pin connector so I won't be using the mio board for that. So the system could still control the fan, just not the pump. It would be on at all times. Do you think this would work?

Yes, that should work in a pinch.

As long as the pump is running, and air is blowing over the radiator, it will work and dissipate some heat. The pump just needs voltage and runs at constant rpm. In the long run, the system needs control of the radiator-fan's RPM (for cooling during high CPU core utilization).

Without a proper interface to MIO-Board, you might have limited functionality and/or monitoring errors with the pump (especially if you hope to continue using Alienware Command Center).

So I found a new liquid cooling assembly on ebay. Its oem so I'm just gonna swap out the old for the new. No new wiring or uncertainty about the mio board recognizing stuff. If the old unit lasted 7 years this one should see me through the life of the PC. Thanks again for the info. I'm sure I'll be back with more questions.

Actually, that's how I like to repair my Retail (high-end pre-built) computers (and my cars, etc.) ... with original OEM parts. Some people are more into retro-fitting and modding scene. "Whatever works for You" is good I say. I guess we all end-up there when working original parts are no longer available.

Yes, as long as the Ebay unit is new (or at least 100% operational with low hours) you should be fine.

once, i destroyed the CPU socket with an Arctic cooler that way.

Glad to hear you got it working. Good work. Yeah, sounds like it got "uneven" when it was too tight.

Thanks for posting the details of your adventure. Maybe it will help someone installing a liquid cooler one day (not just on this older model).