Compatible processors from Alienware specifications:

.

What components does your Aurora R4 currently have installed?

Are you interested in keeping your Aurora R4 "authentic" or would you consider upgrading the motherboard for a more modern technology performance experience?

@ProfessorW00d​ 

I've got the low end CPU on that list, the i7-3820.

I have seen this list but was seeking some opinions on the various CPU's.

I do want to keep the R4 stock and period accurate.

I will have to check the pricing on all those options and that will play a factor too.

If the price is right, an Extreme Series (X) does sound nice.

Thx,

@ProfessorW00d​ 

Thx Professor.

I was leaning towards that and possibly the 4930K.

Oh, I do have a 1TB Samsung 870 EVO along with a PCI NVMe card in it.

Spinning drives...yeah, hard pass...lol. :)

@Element115s4​ 

The i7-4930K looks good too. Here is one Brand New for $100 and a big time seller with 100% positive feedback. Also, the seller has 273 of the i7-4930K processors to sell . . . better hurry!

@ProfessorW00d​ 

I think you are tempting me Professor.

There is something fun about having an $1100 CPU (when released) in this R4 for a fraction of the price.

imo X79 is dead end chipset and spending 100 or more on cpu is low yield.  it may sound good to have an X or K befind cpu model when it shows up on screen, but imo more value comes when you upgrade gpu than cpu in this model.  also max out the memory if you do memory intensive work.  the cpu, what you have is good enough. the cpu upgrade benefit is minutus, other than it may make you feel better (there is value in that too).

@redxps630​ 

I hear you.

I do have a GTX970 in there because I don't do AMD anything. :)

It had a Radeon which is the 970's equal if not a tad better on specs.

My goal with the R4 is to be a sort of retro-pc.

I have an Amiga 3000T with a Video Toaster that I'm also trying to fix....now that is retro...lol.

I run Amiga Forever on the R4 and trying some PC emulators (to actually run a simulated PC, bios and all) and I did notice this 3820 was a bit weak.

A 4930K or a 4960X should help that.

The above mentioned systems were way above my purchasing power when they were new so it's kind of neat to make it happen now.

Thx for the feedback though.

Restoring old PC's is like restoring old cars . . . it is a functioning show piece. It's not like you will be using it for Deep Learning or high-end simulations. It is an educational and fun project and, at least in my cases, the $$$ cannot be justified any other way.