Review: Alienware Area 51 5300 SFF

Zardon · Aug 28, 2005, 09:56 PM

Small Form Factor systems are continuing to grow in popularity, and rightly so, a well built SFF should in theory be more than capable in fulfilling all your computer needs with the minimum of noise and deskspace. We even [color=#ffffff][color=#cccccc]published an editorial[/color][/color] showing you how to create your own, however we know some of you don't either have time or the skills to do this and want a high end prebuilt system to your specifications .....

Read the review here

Falstaff · Aug 29, 2005, 03:29 AM

I like the Area 51 machines, I really do, in spite of their ugliness, but then I like paper cuts.
I think these folks will lead the way to smaller and more advance micro minaturization for mobos, we shall see within two years or if you believe in Woods Law, a revolution in mobos that will render every single machine we have under our desks and our in our basements obsolete. I also believe that most of the Mom and Pops out there and some of the industry leaders will opt for a common architecture that will become a standard. The difference will be in the various options and bios flexibility as well. And overclocking will become ubiquitous.

Zardon · Aug 29, 2005, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falstaff

I like the Area 51 machines, I really do, in spite of their ugliness.

Ugliness? ehhhhh????? that small form factor is compact, sleek and beautiful.

pr0digal jenius · Aug 29, 2005, 04:40 PM

maybe he prefers beige boxes?

Sandok · Aug 29, 2005, 04:47 PM

he IS old... I find alienwear is always so damn nice looking

Zardon · Aug 29, 2005, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandok

he IS old... I find alienwear is always so damn nice looking

well the SFF case certainly is, its probably one of the nicest finished cases ive seen, so small and understated too. Not quite sure why anyone would say it was ugly !

HawgsHead · Aug 29, 2005, 08:30 PM

Nice reveiw Z.I have had many Alienware systems in the past before I started building my own rigs and I can tell you the fit and finish of EVERY ONE I had was second to none.They would still have my business if I had never stumbled upon this website and started building my own computers.I still have some very good friends down in Miami that supply me with some hard to find hardware.

mike2h · Aug 29, 2005, 08:53 PM

yet another nice review! would be nice to get a heads up against voodoo & falcon nw small ff comps.
while not a fan of alienware(& i definetly do not like their cases) this little machine looks way cool & from your great review i would definetly consider it as a purchase. can you get it with media xp?

Zardon · Aug 29, 2005, 09:01 PM

ill give my contact in Alienware a call tomorrow Mike see if I can find out.

Vesper · Aug 30, 2005, 01:55 AM

Amazing review

It's very in-depth, the benchmarking and overclocking sections were my favorite

Ferret_Style · Mar 11, 2006, 12:55 AM

are these still being made?

lcforums · Jan 9, 2009, 05:52 PM

hi, I recently wipe out the OS on my area-51 5300 and i cant seem to find the driver on the alienware site.
Im aondering If someone can point me to the correct direction. Im missing the network adapter driver.

thanks very much,
Lc

Zardon · Jan 19, 2009, 07:59 PM

this is a very old machine, have you not got a CD or DVD driver disc or reinstallation disc with the computer?

Trying emailing alienware support .....

Aug 28, 2005, 09:56 PM	#1
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	Review: Alienware Area 51 5300 SFF Small Form Factor systems are continuing to grow in popularity, and rightly so, a well built SFF should in theory be more than capable in fulfilling all your computer needs with the minimum of noise and deskspace. We even [color=#ffffff][color=#cccccc]published an editorial[/color][/color] showing you how to create your own, however we know some of you don't either have time or the skills to do this and want a high end prebuilt system to your specifications ..... Read the review here

Aug 29, 2005, 03:29 AM	#2
Falstaff Old Codger Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: USAFA Posts: 19,048 Rep Power: 207	I like the Area 51 machines, I really do, in spite of their ugliness, but then I like paper cuts. I think these folks will lead the way to smaller and more advance micro minaturization for mobos, we shall see within two years or if you believe in Woods Law, a revolution in mobos that will render every single machine we have under our desks and our in our basements obsolete. I also believe that most of the Mom and Pops out there and some of the industry leaders will opt for a common architecture that will become a standard. The difference will be in the various options and bios flexibility as well. And overclocking will become ubiquitous. __________________ "Inspiration is always a surprising visitor."

Aug 29, 2005, 08:30 PM	#7
HawgsHead Rest In Peace Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Danville Virginia.The United States of America"In the God of Abraham,Isaac and Jacob We Trust" Posts: 2,012 Rep Power: 0	Nice reveiw Z.I have had many Alienware systems in the past before I started building my own rigs and I can tell you the fit and finish of EVERY ONE I had was second to none.They would still have my business if I had never stumbled upon this website and started building my own computers.I still have some very good friends down in Miami that supply me with some hard to find hardware. __________________ Rig specs to the left in the boxes....X-Box 360 w/Hitachi 42" HDTV....If Darwins theory of evolution is true then why are monkeys still monkeys?It takes much more faith to believe in Darwin's theory over the Genesis account of creation.

Aug 29, 2005, 08:53 PM	#8
mike2h DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: norcal Posts: 6,483 Rep Power: 91 System Specs	yet another nice review! would be nice to get a heads up against voodoo & falcon nw small ff comps. while not a fan of alienware(& i definetly do not like their cases) this little machine looks way cool & from your great review i would definetly consider it as a purchase. can you get it with media xp? __________________ Last edited by mike2h; Aug 29, 2005 at 09:04 PM.

Jan 9, 2009, 05:52 PM	#12
lcforums DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1 Rep Power: 0	Re: DH Review: Alienware Area 51 5300 SFF hi, I recently wipe out the OS on my area-51 5300 and i cant seem to find the driver on the alienware site. Im aondering If someone can point me to the correct direction. Im missing the network adapter driver. thanks very much, Lc

Aug 29, 2005, 04:40 PM	#4
pr0digal jenius Delete Me Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 14,648 Rep Power: 0	maybe he prefers beige boxes?

Aug 29, 2005, 04:47 PM	#5
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 0	he IS old... I find alienwear is always so damn nice looking

Aug 29, 2005, 09:01 PM	Thread Starter #9
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	ill give my contact in Alienware a call tomorrow Mike see if I can find out.

Aug 30, 2005, 01:55 AM	#10
Vesper Ex-Review Monkey Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 113 Rep Power: 48	Amazing review It's very in-depth, the benchmarking and overclocking sections were my favorite

Jan 19, 2009, 07:59 PM	Thread Starter #13
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	Re: DH Review: Alienware Area 51 5300 SFF this is a very old machine, have you not got a CD or DVD driver disc or reinstallation disc with the computer? Trying emailing alienware support .....