XPS vs Alienware (8950 vs R13)

Back in 2009 Dell ended XPS 730X shortly after launch to protect Area 51 R1 because the two product lines were competing with each other, both using same X58 motherboard (different bios), same cpu, different cooler/case.

Now it seems to me XPS 8950 motherboard is highly similar to Aurora r13 (different bios).  You can see the ghost of R13 LED header on 8950 motherboard.  Both Z690 chipset.   No LED bling, side see through window, and AWCC for 8950.  same psu.

storage: 8950 up to two 3.5 hdd, R13 one. both support two M.2 ssd.

air flow: 8950 has no optional top chassis fan.  both case support up to two front 120mm fans.  8950 front bezel top half is solid wall while bottom half is fenestrated, making a 240 mm AIO mod less ideal (top fan only gets air from side vent).

8950

XPS Desktop