When the rebooted Alienware Aurora R16 launched some years ago, we praised it as a capable pre-built gaming desktop that balanced a unique design with capable performance.
This time around, the Alienware Aurora gaming desktop (ACT1250) brings the same distinctive and compact design that feels more office-friendly, yet still has that Alienware flair, thanks to its sleek aesthetic.
Starting at $1,399.99 / £1,699 / AU$2,798.40, the Aurora delivers solid performance across the configuration stack, though higher-spec configurations will obviously see the best performance. It also features some really clever ventilation alongside easy access to its internals, though the interior is rather uninspiring.
For many, the proprietary motherboard and limited upgradability, once configured, are also slightly problematic.
All that said, one thing that just might make this the best gaming PC around is the wide variety of configurations on offer, split between RTX 5060, RTX 5060 Ti, RTX 5070, RTX 5070 Ti, and RTX 5080 GPUs, and Intel Core Ultra 7 and Core Ultra 9 CPUs, with lots of options for storage and memory.
My $2,049.99 / £2,148.98 / AU$3,699.30 review build came packed with an Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF, Nvidia RTX 5070, 32GB DDR5 RAM, and 1TB SSD. That’s just enough for 1440p gaming at respectable frame rates, though our benchmarks showed that there hasn’t been much of a framerate gain in many games over the Aurora R16 from 2023.
(Image credit: Future / Ural Garrett)However, the latest models can play more recently released games like Doom: The Dark Ages and Black Myth: Wukong at good frame rates if settings expectations are managed.
On the other hand, a game like Cyberpunk 2077, which was already fairly old back in 2023, doesn’t gain significant FPS with the 50-series GPU either, unless you use multi-frame generation, which can sometimes introduce a distracting input latency under heavy load.
That said, the new RTX GPUs do feature better AI upscaling through DLSS 4, and the Alienware Command Center app does help a bit when attempting to fine-tune performance.
Other customization options, such as the various RGB lighting settings for the power button, light ring, and other lights, can be managed through the app, too.
Right now, the Aurora R16 remains a striking desktop that blends futuristic design with solid performance, but its limited, post-purchase upgradability and plain interior may disappoint enthusiasts. And while the new 50-series GPUs bring improved AI upscaling and reliable 1440p gameplay, raw framerate gains over the previous generation are modest.
However, for gamers who prioritize style, customization, and dependable out-of-the-box performance, the Alienware Aurora gaming desktop (ACT1250) still stands as one of the best pre-built options on the market.
Alienware Aurora (ACT1250): Price & availability(Image credit: Future / Ural Garrett)The Alienware Aurora (ACT1250) gaming PC is available now in the US, UK, and Australia, starting at $1,399.99 / £1,699 / AU$2,798.40.
My review configuration costs $2,099.99 / £2,198.98 / AU$3,749.30, and is built for solid 1440p performance, though there are cheaper and more expensive builds available that target 1080p and 4K gaming.
The cheapest option for US buyers is a rig featuring an Intel Core Ultra 7 265F, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060, 16GB RAM, and 1TB SSD for some quality 1080p gaming, while those looking for a more maxed-out gaming desktop can get an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, Nvidia RTX 5080, 64GB, and up to 8TB (2x4TB) SSD storage.
My review configuration is actually cheaper than the 2023 Aurora gaming desktop that featured the mid-tiered 40-series of Nvidia’s GPU by around $100, so the price of the Aurora desktop hasn't really gone up.
Despite the new CPU and GPU, though, benchmarks aren’t necessarily better, which means users could find a mid-tier 40-series version of the gaming desktop somewhere for cheaper and get roughly the same native performance, so the biggest draw here is the multi-frame generation.
Base configuration
Review configuration
Max configuration
Price
$1,399.99 / £1,699 / AU$2,798.40
$2,099.99 / £2048.99 / AU$3,498
$4,009.99 / £4,410.19 / AU$5,663.90
OS
Windows 11 Home
Windows 11 Home
Windows 11 Pro
CPU
Intel Core Ultra 7 265F
Intel Core Ultra 7 265F
Intel Core Ultra 9 285F
GPU
Nvidia RTX 5060
Nvidia RTX 5070
Nvidia RTX 5080
Memory
16GB DDR5-5200
32GB DDR5-5200 (16GB in Australia)
64GB DDR5-6400 (32GB DDR5-5200 in Australia)
SSD
1TB SSD
1TB SSD
2 x 4TB SSD (8TB total, 1TB in Australia)
PSU
500W
1000W
1000W
CPU Cooling
Air Cooler
240mm AIO Liquid Cooler
240mm AIO Liquid Cooler
Chassis
Solid side panel
Clear side panel
Clear side panel
With a wide array of configuration options on offer with the latest Nvidia RTX 50-series and Intel Core Ultra 200-series chips, you won't have any trouble configuring a system to your specific performance needs.
The lack of easy upgradability once you have the system in hand, though, does take away from the overall package, but for a prebuilt system, it's hard to beat.
The 2025 refresh of the Alienware Aurora gaming desktop carries forward the Alienware Aurora R16’s familiar strengths and weaknesses, setting the stage for its enhanced cooling and port design.
This includes the extensive cooling and ventilation system, which combines a side hexagonal array, top exhaust, and front stadium intake. According to Alienware, this makes the desktop around 20 percent quieter and about seven percent cooler than the Alienware Aurora R15.
Beyond the looks is a rig that also offers plenty of ports in both the front and rear, which should serve users of all kinds, from content curators to the most serious gaming enthusiasts.
The front ports include a global 3.5mm headset jack, three USB-A ports, and one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) with PowerShare technology. In the rear, there’s a line-in and line-out port, optical audio port, two USB-C ports, four USB-A ports, and a 2.5 gigabit Ethernet port. Unfortunately, there’s no six-channel 3.5mm audio connection for those who want surround sound set-ups.
It doesn’t help that the cramped space inside will make it difficult for anyone who wants to add something like a sound card into the mix. That extends to how hard it’ll be to upgrade to bigger GPUs in the future as well. At least access to the inside is made easy through one simple screw and latch.
All together, the latest Aurora gaming desktop keeps the sleek, futuristic look of its predecessor while delivering improved cooling, quieter operation, and a wide range of ports. However, limited internal space and upgrade challenges remain its biggest drawbacks, making it best suited for gamers who prioritize style and ready-made performance over long-term expandability.
When looking at the performance of the latest iteration of the Alienware Aurora gaming desktop, the 1440p performance of my review unit looks and feels very impressive, but if you look back to the 2023 benchmarks on this system's predecessor, the refreshed CPU and GPU pairing doesn’t translate into a dramatic leap in raw power.
CPU benchmarksAlienware Aurora ACT1250
NZXT Player PC
Lenovo Legion Tower 5
Geekbench 6 (Single)
3,071
3,081
2,594
Geekbench 6 (Multi)
20,010
18,984
13,554
Cinebench R23 (Single)
2,257
2,263
1,693
Cinebench R23 (Multi)
35,446
35,226
17,376
Cinebench R24 (Single)
136
137
104
Cinebench R24 (Multi)
1,979
1,923
934
Crossmark Overall
2,301
2,298
1,846
Crossmark Productivity
2,152
2,159
1,734
Crossmark Creativity
2,548
2,495
2,127
Crossmark Responsiveness
2,069
2,166
1,454
For instance, Cyberpunk 2077, which remains one of the most demanding titles despite its 2020 release, manages only about 16fps at native 4K on the older build, and with the new Core Ultra 7 and RTX 5070 combo, performance nudges only slightly higher to 17fps. That makes DLSS upscaling essential, though even then, don’t expect substantial gains in titles from the past couple of years.
In more recent tests, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II averaged below 30fps at 1440p max settings (rising to roughly 40-50fps with DLSS), while Doom: The Dark Ages delivered 40-50fps with path tracing enabled.
Meanwhile, Forza Motorsport (2023) held a steady 60fps at 1440p with ray tracing on, maintaining the same level with DLSS active. One great thing about the 50-series is that DLSS 4 does a much better job at preventing (or at least greatly reducing) the ghosting effect that has plagued upscaling tech since the beginning.
GPU benchmarksAlienware Aurora ACT1250
NZXT Player PC
Lenovo Legion Tower 5
3DMark Fire Strike
44,913
45,049
43,845
3DMark Steel Nomad
5,224
4,967
5,495
3DMark Speed Way
5,741
5,855
5,960
3DMark Port Royal
14,062
14,139
14,302
One factor that can boost CPU performance is the option to choose between air or liquid cooling, which not only supports higher frame rates but also helps extend the overall lifespan of the components.
Another way to boost frame rates is through the Alienware Command Center app that comes pre-installed. Here, users can customize settings for games, change performance settings, and customize the RGB lighting too.
Gaming benchmarks (Average FPS)Alienware Aurora ACT1250
NZXT Player PC
Lenovo Legion Tower 5
Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Ultra preset)
69
70
72
Shadow of the Tomb Raider (1080p, Highest)
202
201
207
F1 2024 (1080p, Very High, DLSS Quality)
104
97
119
Total War: Warhammer III: Mirrors of Madness (1080p, Ultra)
181
182
172
Outside of gaming, the Aurora R16 handles creative tasks with ease. It smoothly manages Adobe Photoshop projects with multiple high-resolution layers with no slowdown, while 10-minute 1080p videos in Premiere Pro render and export in seconds, and 4K projects finish within just a few minutes.
This makes it a reliable option not only for gamers but also for content creators who need a system that balances performance across both worlds.
Though the Alienware Aurora ACT1250 may not deliver a massive performance leap over past generations, it refines the experience with smarter cooling, better DLSS support, and versatile software controls.
For gamers and creators alike, it remains a sleek, capable desktop that balances style with reliable all-around performance.
Notes
Score
Value
The Alienware Aurora ACT1250 balances style and power across a wide range of price points. For gamers who value design and performance over long-term upgrades, it’s an easy recommendation.
4.5 / 5
Specs
With a lot of configuration options available and the most up-to-date hardware, you have a wide range of specs available with this PC. The proprietary motherboard and limited expandability isn't great though.
4 / 5
Design
Though there haven’t been any tweaks to the Aurora Desktop over the past couple of years, it still stands out as something futuristic despite issues with the proprietary motherboard, which limits upgradability in areas.
4.5 / 5
Performance
Don’t expect max settings at 1440p resolution without using DLSS upscaling, as native performance is good but not great compared to other mid-tier offerings. Those who want 1080p and 4K performance will be satisfied on that end of the spectrum for sure.
4.5 / 5
Final Score
The refreshed Alienware Aurora ACT1250 gaming desktopremains a futuristic-looking gaming desktop that delivers solid 1080p and 4K performance across price points, even if its mid-tier value and limited upgradability hold it back.
4.38 / 5
Buy the Alienware Aurora (ACT1250) if…You want a gaming desktop with a stunning design
The sleek compact design blending an all-black colorway with smart RGB lighting feels so above what’s out there with other gaming desktops, and it’s backed by smart ventilation.
You need specific spec options for 1080p, 1440p and 4K gaming
Regardless of what potential buyers are looking for, there are a wide variety of performance options split between CPU, GPU, RAM and storage. Despite utilizing the Nvidia’s new 50-series of graphic cards, the prices remain respectable.
You want a desktop with a bit more space
The more compact gaming desktop may look fantastic, but while finding space for upgrades is possible, it’s limited.
You want the best 1440p performance
My benchmarks show that 1440p performance was only marginally better than the previous Aurora R16 with 40-series GPU, despite the upgrade to the newer RTX 5070.
If my Alienware Aurora (ACT1250) review has you considering other options, here are two gaming desktops to consider...
NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition)
With very similar specs to the Aurora ACT1250, the NZXT Player PC is a little cheaper than the Aurora PC I tested, but it has nowhere near the configurability of the Aurora either.
Read the full NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) review
Lenovo Legion Tower 5 (2025)
The Lenovo Legion Tower 5 also features comparable specs to the Aurora ACT1250, as well as a similar starting price and a good degree of configurability, but its smaller chassis likewise makes expandability a challenge.
Read the full Lenovo Legion Tower 5 (2025) review
How I tested the Alienware Aurora gaming desktop (ACT1250)built-inOutside of the standard PC benchmarks I run for my reviews, including builkt-in gaming benchmarks in titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Black Myth: Wukong, I also tested modern games including Doom: The Dark Ages, Ninja Gaiden Black II, Forza Motorsport (2023), and Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II for its real-world gaming performance.
For day-to-day tasks, I used it as my day-to-day work PC for about two weeks, including extensive creative work through Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro.
The Lenovo Legion Tower 5 is a high-end gaming PC with a formidable spec designed to handle modern games without sacrificing much in the way of graphical fidelity.
It looks understated yet elegant as far as tower PCs go, thanks in no small part to the matte finish and rounded corners. The vibrant yet tasteful RGB lighting on the fans and through the front panel logo also adds to its allure.
What’s more, its premium appeal is more than skin deep: the Legion Tower 5 can lay claim to having one of the best gaming PC cases in terms of build quality. Every material feels solid and durable, including the glass side cover.
The only aspect I disliked was the top ventilation panel, since its sharp undulating design is uncomfortable to hold. Thankfully, there’s a grab handle at the front for when you need to move the Legion Tower 5; and you’ll certainly need the purchase it provides, since it’s a monstrously heavy unit.
There’s some scope to expand the potential of the Legion Tower 5, but not by much. Three M.2 drives and one HDD can be installed simultaneously, but 32GB is the maximum RAM allowance. I could see two spare SATA ports and one PCIe slot free, but that’s all.
(Image credit: Future)The usual ports can be found on the Legion Tower 5, with plenty of USB-A ports and audio ports on the rear. The front panel is quite sparse though, and the inclusion of a USB-C port at this end might be disappointing to some, depending on the peripherals they have.
As you would expect given its components, the general performance of the Legion Tower 5 is excellent. It’s also free from bloatware, with Lenovo’s bundled software proving unintrusive and even useful. Lenovo Vantage offers some useful system functions and details, while LegionSpace is a simple and effective way to adjust performance settings and fan speeds.
Gaming with the Legion Tower 5 is a joy. It effortlessly runs AAA titles with fps figures in the hundreds. What’s more, it does so in near-silence and without approaching temperatures beyond the mildly tepid.
All this quality and performance does come at a price, but it’s not as eye-watering as some rivals. There are cheaper 5070 builds, but considering the quality of the case and components, not to mention its exceptional cooling abilities, the Legion Tower 5 might just be worth it for those after top-draw performance without sacrificing peace and quiet.
Lenovo Legion Tower 5: Price & availability(Image credit: Future)The Legion Tower 5 is available now in the US, UK, and Australia, starting at $1,449.99 / £1,395 / AU$2,069 for the AMD Ryzen 10th Gen builds, while the Intel-based Tower 5i Gen 10 starts at $1,319.99 / £1,116 / AU$2,519.
For the AMD builds, numerous configurations are available, peaking at builds with a Ryzen 9 7950X3D and an RTX 5070 Ti, while the Intel builds feature up to an Intel Core Ultra 7 265F and an Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti. Maximum capacities for RAM and storage are 32GB and 2TB, respectively – although the latter is expandable with separately purchased drives, thanks to its three M.2 slots and an extra space for a HDD (although storage bays are only available on some models).
This isn’t a bad price considering what’s on offer, but there are still cheaper alternatives. The HP Victus 15L and HP Omen 16L cost significantly less, but you will have to settle for much lower specs. However, we found their performance capable enough for 1080p gaming and their relatively small size and generous front port selection add to their appeal.
A more closely-matched rival to the Legion Tower 5 is the NZXT Player PC, which is similarly priced to the Legion Tower 5 and likewise features an RTX 5070. Like the Legion Tower 5, it’s built to a very high standard, yet it just about undercuts it on price in some regions.
CPU
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D (8 cores), 4.2GHz
Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070, 12GB
RAM
32 GB DDR5-5600MT/s (UDIMM) - (2 x 16 GB)
Storage
1TB NVMe M.2 SSD
Ports
Front I/O: 1x USB-A (5Gbps), 1x USB-C (5Gbps), 1x combo audio
Back I/O: 1x RJ45, 1x USB-C (10Gbps), 2x USB-A (5Gbps), 4x USB-A (hi-speed USB), 3x audio
Wireless
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Lenovo Legion Tower 5: Design(Image credit: Future)The Legion Tower 5 makes a good first impression, with its steely but elegantly designed case. The bright RGB lighting of the fans and front “Legion” logo livens up the unit without being brash.
It’s built to a high standard, too. The materials feel as premium as they look, and every panel feels sturdy and durable, even the glass side cover. The downside, however, is that the Legion Tower 5 is quite large and very heavy, so moving around can be difficult.
And you won’t want to grab it from the top, as the ventilation mesh has a spiked design that can dig uncomfortably into the hand. Fortunately, there’s a useful grab handle just behind the front ports you can hold instead.
There’s some scope for expanding components, but not much. There are four DDR5 memory slots, but only a maximum of 32GB is supported. Up to three M.2 SSDs and one HDD can be installed simultaneously, and there are two spare SATA ports and a spare PCIe 4x slot.
On the rear you’ll find the usual selection of ports. There are six USB ports, although only two of them utilize the SuperSpeed standard. There are also the obligatory headphone, microphone, and line-in connections.
(Image credit: Future)Oddly, the PSU is located at the top, resulting in a dangling power cable: this is never ideal, but here it can potentially obscure other rearside connections, too. What’s more, this placement effectively shortens the length of the cable if your outlet is close to the floor.
At the front, port selection is more scarce. There are two USB ports, although one is type-C, which could prove contentious depending on what you’re connecting. Personally, I would’ve preferred both to have been type-A, given most of my peripherals use this standard – and I suspect many others’ do as well.
My Legion Tower 5 review unit came with a mouse and keyboard: basic affairs that were perfectly functional, but clearly designed for productivity rather than gaming. The keys’ short travel and lack of feedback make them better for typing than WASD use, while the mouse has no DPI selector or even side buttons. Needless to say, Lenovo certainly hasn’t provided the best gaming keyboard or the best gaming mouse here.
Benchmark
Score
Geekbench 6.4 Single-core
2,594
Geekbench 6.4 Multi-core
13,554
Crossmark Overall
1,846
Crossmark Productivity
1,734
Crossmark Creativity
2,127
Crossmark Responsiveness
1,454
Cinebench R23 Single Core
1,693
Cinebench R23 Multi Core
17,376
Cinebench R24 Single Core
104
Cinebench R24 Multi Core
934
The performance of the Legion Tower 5 is excellent, with the RTX 5070 in my review unit delivering on its promises.
As you would imagine, everyday tasks are handled equally well. Document and spreadsheet workloads are processed instantly, while 4K streaming is seamless, lacking the significant buffering times that can plague less capable machines.
Lenovo Legion Tower 5 Gen 10 (30L AMD) GPU benchmarksBenchmarks
Score
3DMark Fire Strike
43,845
3DMark Steel Nomad
5,495
3DMark Solar Bay
107,638
3DMark Solar Bay Unlimited
105,290
3DMark Speed Way
5,960
3DMark Port Royal
14,302
3DMark Wild Life Extreme
43,652
3DMark Wild Life Extreme Unlimited
42,947
More impressive, however, is just how quiet the Legion Tower 5 is. During my entire time with it, the fans never rose above a gentle whir, even when the system was set to Performance mode.
What’s more, the unit remained remarkably cool throughout, never exceeding lukewarm temperatures. The Legion Tower 5 is exclusively air-cooled, utilizing six fans that offer up to 180W of power – and they certainly seem effective.
Lenovo Legion Tower 5 Gen 10 (30L AMD) gaming benchmarksGame
Average FPS
Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Ultra)
72
Shadow of the Tomb Raider (Highest, 1080p)
208
F1 2024 (Max, 1080p)
119
Total War: Warhammer III (Ultra, 1080p)
172
Thankfully, the Legion Tower 5 isn’t saddled with bloatware. In fact, the two included utility apps, LegionSpace and Lenovo Vantage, are unobtrusive and quite useful; the former for viewing detailed system specs and performing functions such as BIOS updates, and the latter for adjusting performance and fan settings.
The Wi-Fi card was also exemplary. My connection speeds were fast, and I experienced no dropouts or instability.
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Value
The Legion Tower 5 is expensive, but the value is good considering the performance and build quality.
3.5 / 5
Design
The case feels very premium and durable, although it’s very heavy. It’s not the most expandable, either.
4.5 / 5
Performance
The Legion Tower 5 tears through AAA titles without breaking a sweat. It’s also eerily quiet.
5 / 5
Average rating
The Legion Tower 5 is a top-tier gaming desktop that delivers superb gaming performance. It’s large and heavy, and not the most expandable, but the premium design and its hushed operation might be enough to justify its cost.
4.34 / 5
Buy it if...You want great build quality
The case is as premium as they come, looking smart and seeming very durable.
You want excellent gaming performance
The 5070 in my review unit blasted through AAA games without issue, all the while staying perfectly cool and incredibly silent.
You want plenty of expandability
You can only have up to 32GB of RAM, and there aren’t many other slots left spare for upgrading.
You want minimal real estate
The Legion Tower 5 is no mini PC; it’s large and heavy, and the sharp vent panel on the top doesn’t exactly help with ergonomics.
Here are some equally desirable alternatives to the Lenovo Legion Tower 5:
NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition)
Despite having the same RTX card and the same RAM capacity, but twice the installed storage, the NZXT Player PC is a little cheaper than the Legion Tower 5. It doesn’t skimp on quality, either: we were impressed with its ample ventilation and smart, solid construction. The lack of visible expansion slots was about the only drawback we could find.
Read the full NZXT Player PC (5070 Intel Edition) review
Alienware Aurora (ACT1250)
The Alienware Aurora ACT1250 offers an excellent experience at 1440p and beyond, as well as a host of configuration options that allow you to build up the perfect gaming PC for performance needs. It's not great on expandability, though.
Read the full Alienware Aurora (ACT1250) review
How I tested the Lenovo Legion Tower 5I tested the Legion Tower 5 for a couple of days, during which time I used it for a variety of tasks.
I used it for working, browsing, streaming video, and, of course, gaming. I played AAA titles such as Cyberpunk 2077 at various settings, including the highest preset. I also ran TechRadar’s series of benchmarks, to assess various aspects of its performance.
I’ve been PC gaming for over a decade, and have used a variety of systems and components during that time, and have built my own machines. I’ve also reviewed plenty of gaming hardware and laptops.
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