Replace main motherboard with non-Alienware MB

Question

Hey all.

I've been wondering about the possibility of swapping out the main Alienware motherboard in my Aurora desktop (from early 2010) with some other motherboard with updated specs (one that has USB3, SATA 3.0, etc.) that my current motherboard doesn't support because obviously the features weren't around at the time. Considering what I think I know about the hardware, the one thing unique to Alienware systems is the AlienFX daughterboard, which controls lights, fans, cooling, etc, and simply connects to the main motherboard via internal USB. It seems a trivial matter to swap the main motherboard with a newer one and simply reconnect everything to that one. Does anyone know if it's possible or has tried such a thing?

Also, I'd prefer not to hear about swapping the board out with another official Alienware board. If that's the case, I'd rather just wait a while and do a completely new build, as I'm no stranger to that anymore. I just want to see if I can minimize costs a bit and keep things like the liquid cooling and the regulated fans/lights.

Hello SpyisSandvich,

Read this thread. It should really help you

http://en.community.dell.com/owners-club/alienware/f/3746/p/19439601/20064841.aspx#20064841

morblore · Accepted Answer

Hey all.&#xa0;I've been wondering about the possibility of swapping out the main Alienware motherboard in my Aurora desktop (from early 2010) with some other motherboard with updated specs (one that has USB3, SATA 3.0, etc.) that my current motherboard doesn't support because obviously the features weren't around at the time. &#xa0;Considering what I think I know about the hardware, the one thing unique to Alienware systems is the AlienFX daughterboard, which controls lights, fans, cooling, etc, and simply connects to the main motherboard via internal USB. &#xa0;It seems a trivial matter to swap the main motherboard with a newer one and simply reconnect everything to that one. &#xa0;Does anyone know if it's possible or has tried such a thing?&#xa0;Also, I'd prefer not to hear about swapping the board out with another official Alienware board. &#xa0;If that's the case, I'd rather just wait a while and do a completely new build, as I'm no stranger to that anymore. &#xa0;I just want to see if I can minimize costs a bit and keep things like the liquid cooling and the regulated fans/lights.&#xa0;Hello SpyisSandvich,Read this thread. It should really help you http://en.community.dell.com/owners-club/alienware/f/3746/p/19439601/20064841.aspx#20064841

SpyisSandvich · Answer

So I guess the motherboard is actually JUST a motherboard then.  Guess that makes sense.  Thanks.

morblore · Answer

So I guess the motherboard is actually JUST a motherboard then.  Guess that makes sense.  Thanks.  Pretty much :) Hope it goes well for you. Come back and post some pics once you get it done.

Tesla1856 · Answer

And this:

http://en.community.dell.com/owners-club/alienware/f/3746/t/19375183.aspx?PageIndex=1

I think you have about a 50/50 chance of the MIO-Board/Command Center working 100%. Do you really want to stick with small mATX case for another few years?

My suggestion is to stick with what you have (mostly) and save and/or put money towards a new build or machine.

For now:
- Run a SSD on SATA-2 ... it will be way fast enough
- Drop a $30 USB-3 card in the last of your extra PCIe slots
- - Or buy external drives or enclosures that use both eSata and USB-3 and just use the eSata for now.
- - Or, buy a Synology NAS and run via Gigabit

Later, sell or gift the Aurora or demote it to lesser role.

Also, you never know ... there might be a new full-sized Alienware desktop released in the future that you might be interested in (that's all I am allowed to say for now).

SpyisSandvich · Answer

And this:

http://en.community.dell.com/owners-club/alienware/f/3746/t/19375183.aspx?PageIndex=1

I think you have about a 50/50 chance of the MIO-Board/Command Center working 100%. Do you really want to stick with small mATX case for another few years?

My suggestion is to stick with what you have (mostly) and save and/or put money towards a new build or machine.

For now:
- Run a SSD on SATA-2 ... it will be way fast enough
- Drop a $30 USB-3 card in the last of your extra PCIe slots
- - Or buy external drives or enclosures that use both eSata and USB-3 and just use the eSata for now.
- - Or, buy a Synology NAS and run via Gigabit

Later, sell or gift the Aurora or demote it to lesser role.

Also, you never know ... there might be a new full-sized Alienware desktop released in the future that you might be interested in (that's all I am allowed to say for now).

Is the Aurora really a microATX size? It seems a lot larger than that...

I am already running a SATA-3 SSD on the computer already, on the SATA-2 port, and compared to the one on my laptop (SATA-3), it rather pales in comparison. I suppose I can just wait on that though.

I'll have to look and see if I have any more PCI-e slots for a USB-3 card, or I may as well just wait to upgrade completely.

Thing is, I'm not going back to Alienware. The AW rig I have was my first prebuilt and is going to be my last, because since then I've built a few computers from scratch and I find I can do it fine. Much more satisfying too.

Tesla1856 · Answer

1. Is the Aurora really a microATX size? It seems a lot larger than that...

2. I am already running a SATA-3 SSD on the computer already, on the SATA-2 port, and compared to the one on my laptop (SATA-3), it rather pales in comparison.

1. Maybe not the case, but the motherboard only holds 2 of today's video cards ... nothing else. Power supply and air-flow are also a bit limiting (with 2 high-end cards).

2. Sure it's possible but you must have some really nice SSDs to be able to saturate SATA2-300.

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Replace main motherboard with non-Alienware MB

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