I've got an Alienware Aurora R13 that I bought around three years ago, and I haven't done any upgrades since then. I'm looking to swap out the case because it's too big for my space, but I'm not sure what else I should change. Here are my current specs: Intel i7 12700F, an RTX 3070, and 16GB of RAM. Any advice on upgrades?
4 Answers
Swapping cases may not even be worth it if the components aren't standard. You might be better off just saving up for a new build altogether.
Honestly, increasing your RAM to 32GB would be a solid upgrade. You could look into different GPUs since your i7 12700F can handle more. If you want to upgrade the CPU, you'll need to check if your Dell motherboard supports 13th or 14th gen CPUs, which can be tricky with proprietary setups.
Have you considered selling your PC as a whole? It could be better to back up your data, sell the system, and then build something new. Just a heads up, a good new build can run you around $1200, but you could get something similar for about $800.
Upgrading a pre-built like your Alienware can be tricky. Dell often uses proprietary components, which can make it hard to find compatible cases. Before swapping, check if the motherboard and PSU are standard ATX; they might not fit in a regular case, and you might have issues with the power button too. If you're looking for performance, consider upgrading to a 5000 series GPU if your PSU can handle it and if it fits.
I really need to get a new case because this one is just too massive. It's hard to find a spot for it!
I just found out my motherboard model is 0446JC.