You could get the i5 750 quad core. Im sure it will work since Dell sells that cpu with the system. Anything other then what Dell sells with the system means there is a chance the BIOS will not support it.  Newegg sells the i5 750 for $200.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215

There are Core i7 8xx chips like a  860 that will fit the 1156 pin socket on the Intel P-55 chipset board in the Aurora-R2. However, since an i7 in a P55 Aurora-R2 doesn't appear to be a config that was ever sold ... we don't know if Dell/Foxconn left the BIOS support for those chips in the board. It IS mentioned in the Operators Manual (specs), but that's it. If it was an aftermarket P55 MB from Gigabyte or Asus ... it would surely work.

If you are looking for increased gaming performance with your possible $300 upgrade ... there will be some but probably not $300 worth.

Hate to say it, but if you wanted an i7, you should have bought one of the other machines.

I'm afraid you will just have to try it. Hopefully someone who has already will post ... but I think the machines are too new for users to be looking to do this kind of upgrade already.

 Edit: Only some i5's are true quads, but all have 4 threads of execution.

The R2 certainly is available with an i7, just not direct from Dell:

http://www.amazon.com/Alienware-Aurora-AAR2-2663CSB-Desktop-Cosmic/dp/B003LPUYKM/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Dell-AAR2-2663CSB/14335610

http://www.frys.com/product/6307291?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Alienware+-+Desktop+/+Intel%26%23174%3B+Core%26%23153%3B+i7+Processor+/+6GB+Memory+/+1TB+Hard+Drive/1021392.p?id=1218209982680&skuId=1021392&st=alienware&cp=1&lp=2

So the questions is, does the off-the-shelf R2 have the same mobo as yours?

CPU-Z reports the mobo in my i7-860 R2 as an "Alienware Model 0RV30W A00".  You may want to grab CPU-Z or a similar program and see if it reports the same.

In what way is the motherboard proprietary?

you said yourself yours shows as Alienware Model 0RV30W A00.  That doesnt say Asus or any other manufacturer.  That measn it is produced by Alienware and is therefore proprietary.

Thanks for the info I will have to check my mobo.  But this kind of ticks me off.  One of the selling points in me buying the Aurora was the use of  non proprietary hardware.  It states it right on the page you look at when getting ready to buy one.

"Stay current with the latest technology – The Alienware Aurora utilizes non-proprietary components allowing you to stay current as new technology becomes available without having to replace your entire rig."

It appears the mobo is pretty proprietary.  

Kikken found the machines. Just see what CPUs are installed in those. Looks like Core i7-860 is what you want ... That's a nice chip ... 4core/8 threads just like a i7-9xx

He has one so just find the mobo model like he said.

I thought I had seen i7s in R2s, but I had forgotten where ... it was the pre-config retail boxes. I really doubt those mobos are different in any way.

you said yourself yours shows as Alienware Model 0RV30W A00.  That doesnt say Asus or any other manufacturer.  That measn it is produced by Alienware and is therefore proprietary.

Foxconn made the boards for Dell. Foxconn also makes and sells retail boards. The best I can tell, it's a fairly standard mATX X-58 board.

It's the same arrangement that HP has with Asus/ASRock.

Not only that, but I believe the Power Supply on the Aurora is also proprietary, because it has that plate for the side door panel lighting.   The AlienFX board and PSU on the Area 51's are also proprietary because of the power connections with a special cable. As long as Dell has custom motherboards/control boards, they will most likely have proprietary hardware to go along with them, thus making it difficult for consumers to upgrade their systems.   The motherboards are indeed proprietary, because they only support certain CPUs in the same socket/family. Plus you dont have the extra settings in the BIOS like other manufacturers. Nonetheless, is a custom board made by Alienware.

On the Aurora, the MIO-Board is powered by a legacy 4-pin Molex connector. I wonder why yours is different (or why there are 2 different MIO-Board models in the first place). Aren't the attached devices basically all the same? I wonder if is because of devices we haven't seen yet (liquid gfx coolers, etc.)

Sure, the Aurora PS is proprietary ... but the more I think about it, it would be pretty easy to install a plate to the bottom that would hold that connector plate. Or, just install a proper connector that you have to disconnect (how often do you remove the cover anyway). The side-panel wiring is all external to the PS, so it's really no big deal if you have some modding skills.

As for the wiring harness ... all we need are the pinouts. What would be cool is a little adapter cable that converts it over so we don't have to change the stock harness. Maybe someone like PC Power and Cooling will either make the PS we need or just the adpater that fits theirs (at one time, they made a special Dell PS).

So, the Area51 power-supplies won't fit an Aurora (just physical size and wiring harness connector ... ignore side panel connector)?

With the Power Supply boosters, I'm not sure of the real need, but ... these would be nice targets. If nothing shows up after-market, as an AW community, we could just pick a couple of good power-supplies and figure out how to do it.

Aurora - Corsair 1200w
Area51 - Silverstone 1500w

Not only that, but I believe the Power Supply on the Aurora is also proprietary, because it has that plate for the side door panel lighting.

The AlienFX board and PSU on the Area 51's are also proprietary because of the power connections with a special cable. As long as Dell has custom motherboards/control boards, they will most likely have proprietary hardware to go along with them, thus making it difficult for consumers to upgrade their systems.

The motherboards are indeed proprietary, because they only support certain CPUs in the same socket/family. Plus you dont have the extra settings in the BIOS like other manufacturers. Nonetheless, is a custom board made by Alienware.