The Small Alien Alpha Turns into a Dream Console After Shedding the Steam System

Alienware Alpha R2

Close-up

The first Alienware Alpha console was the spokesperson for the Steam Machine project. A famous gaming company produced a top-notch console paired with the gaming platform that players love the most – there’s no reason not to love it, right?

Hehe, you are wrong, there really is! Steam OS is a Linux-based operating system that suffers from poor game compatibility, and there are voices from players indicating that Steam’s operating system is slower than Windows when playing games. The previous generation of Alpha only provided a single GPU, simply described as ‘Geforce GTX GPU’, which did not satisfy many PC gamers.

Now, the Alpha returns strongly with a GTX960 and a 6th generation Intel Core processor, and the appearance has also improved. The configuration we tested is Intel Core i7-6700T with 8GB of memory and the aforementioned GTX960, along with a 1TB mechanical hard drive. Will this Alpha shine now that the Alienware X51 has officially retired and SteamOS has been replaced by Windows?

Size Matters

Comparison with Apple SE

One-handed grasp

While the internal configuration has changed dramatically, the appearance has not changed at all. The Alpha is still a square box with a single slanted edge on the front corner. It is significantly smaller than other controllers of the same generation, with only an 8-inch edge; its compact design makes it look like an ordinary TV or audio device when placed next to a TV at home.

This is an Alienware product, which means standard RGB LED backlighting, present on the Alienware logo, power button, and the slanted edge at the front corner. Users can customize them using the accompanying software according to their preferences.

Overall, the appearance meets the standards of Dell’s gaming brand. It overcomes the cheap plastic feel that most small bodies have.

Last Year’s Ports

This Alpha has a total of 5 USB ports – a pair of 3.0 ports on the front and back, and a 2.0 port hidden under the base – perfect for a wireless keyboard, mouse, or other wireless adapters. There are also Ethernet ports, optical audio outputs, and a connection point for the Alienware Graphics Extender on the back.

Compared to other smaller consoles like the Intel Skull Canyon NUC, if the connection performance isn’t particularly outdated, it is very expensive. The lack of DisplayPort, Type-C, or Thunderbolt ports is more pronounced now than in previous years. Since Alienware has redesigned the external connections, it would be perfect if they could make it more cutting-edge in this area. In terms of network cards, there is a standard 802.11ac card, which can be upgraded to a 2*2 card for a fee. Bluetooth 4.2 is also included.

Layout: Compact but Very Neat

Disassembling the Alpha is very simple. Only 4 screws hold the cover over its internals, and with a little thought, you can find a way to open it. Inside, the components are fixed with a metal frame. Exposing the memory card requires removing the CPU fan cover, and thanks to the tool-free clips designed by Alpha, this process is very convenient.

Back view

When the cover is removed, we can see a heat sink covering the CPU. Removing the heat sink reveals a standard processor chip, which can be upgraded to any LGA1151 (of course, considering the size of the Alpha, you shouldn’t be naive enough to think about fitting a Core i7-6700K in there).

The hard drive is on the back and is also secured with four screws. Unfortunately, the common hard drive used by Alienware does not extend to the GPU, which is the only component bound to the motherboard.

In any case, we must give Alienware credit for the tidy and organized layout; the GPU upgradeability is rare in such a small machine.

An Amazingly Fast Processor

The Core i7-6700T is the heart of the console we are testing. It is a quad-core processor with Hyper-Threading, a 2.8GHz base clock and 3.6GHz turbo boost. The only thing to note is its limited 35-watt thermal design power (TDP). For reference, the all-consuming Core i7-6700 has a 3.4GHz base clock and 65-watt TDP. The Core i7-6700K has a base clock of 4GHz and TDP of 91 watts. In high-performance, especially long-duration tests, the Alpha’s limits become quite apparent.

GeekBench single-core and dual-core scores

Decompression test

4K conversion test

To our surprise, the Alpha R2 performed excellently in most tests, even matching up against better processors like the iBuyPower Revolt 2’s non-overclocked Core i7-6700K.

In the GeekBench test, its single-core speed is somewhat strained, but it has no issues with well-threaded loads, matching the scores of iBuyPower. It took just 6 seconds longer than the Revolt 2 and Razer Blade to convert a 4K movie trailer, both of which use Core i7-6700K and Core i7-6700HQ, respectively.

The low-power, sixth-generation Core CPU used in the Alpha exceeded our expectations.

Hard Drive Performance Testing

The configuration we tested comes with a 7200RPM mechanical hard drive. Its 1TB capacity is a decent comfort, but it may surprise us like the CPU.

CrystalDiskMark test (read)

CrystalDiskMark test (write)

HDTune average read speed

HDTune access time

The hard drive test results are not ideal. Mid-range USB external hard drives are comparable to it, which is worlds apart from the eSATA SSD found in most consoles.

The turtle-speed hard drive at least affects normal use. We are so used to the instant response of SSD-accelerated systems that we feel confused and disordered by the Alpha’s long boot time into Windows. The good news is that the hard drive can be upgraded to a 256GB M.2 PCIe to replace the less-than-satisfactory data hard drive.

Graphics Card Performance: So Far So Good

The previous generation Alpha used a GPU simply described as ‘GTX GPU 2GB GDDR5’. Not very detailed, which frustrated many users who wanted to clarify their computer’s configuration. This time, Alienware has used a real GTX 960 with 4GB of video memory.

FireStrike GPU score

3DMark Sky Diver score

The performance of the machine’s chip is still very close to the GTX 960 of the X51, which is good news considering its custom structure. It matches the GTX 970M of the 2016 Razer Blade in Sky Diver but falls slightly short in the more challenging Fire Strike test.

This indicates that the Alpha should have similar performance to the X51 and Razer Blade. We have grown accustomed to these systems performing excellently at 1080p, including the drop in performance when the resolution is increased.

Game Testing Begins ^^

The boring part is over; now it’s game time! It should have superior gaming performance compared to the previous generation.

Fallout 4 average frame rate (1080P max settings)

Battlefield 4 average frame rate (1080P max settings)

Crysis 3 average frame rate (1080P ultra settings)

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive average frame rate (1080P high settings)

The test results are basically on par with the X51, which is quite surprising considering its size. At 1080p resolution, the system hits frame rate limits when running Counter-Strike: Global Offensive at medium settings, matching the 2016 Razer Blade.

The performance in Fallout 4 is also similar, achieving 54 frames per second at 1080p and maximum settings. This is a near-perfect score for current AAA games, once again tying with the X51.

Not So Quiet

Everything seems perfect, right? Mostly, yes. But it can’t defy the laws of physics. The hardware occupies too much space, leaving little room for cooling.

Under high benchmark tests, the Alpha must operate at high intensity, causing the fans to spin up easily. The result is a noise level of 44.2 decibels in the 7-Zip test and 55.4 decibels during the FurMark GPU stress test.

When the fans are working, hot air is definitely expelled from the case, meaning the air near the case will heat up. In the Fahrenheit test, it reached an unbearable 118 degrees. This is not an issue for overall performance, but it is a clear drawback for market sale.

The Alpha is designed to be placed next to a TV or other entertainment devices with control functions. Given its heat dissipation and noise, you may need to place it in a well-ventilated area, though this won’t diminish its noise.

This is not just an issue for the Alpha. Many similar small gaming computer devices have this problem, from gaming laptops to high-end desktops like the Origin Chronos, all exceeding 50 decibels of noise under certain stress tests.

OS: As If Steam OS Never Existed

The previous generation Alpha was produced under the Steam Machine plan, using Steam’s operating system. This generation is entirely Windows, with no trace of Steam.

Although this is very comforting for old PC gamers, its initial setup is still cumbersome and not as simple as connecting a PlayStation. Windows 10 is not designed for 10-inch machines, so you need to enlarge and use the large image mode for remote control during setup.

There are many benefits to Windows. The applications for SteamOS are very few, and game performance is clearly inferior to Windows. Although SteamOS has its own interface, it is far less popular and convenient than Windows.

Hope for a Sunny Day After the Rain

The upgraded Alienware Alpha has taken a big step forward for itself. Its performance is unprecedented, and Windows 10 will please a large number of PC gamers.

At a high price-performance ratio, the Alpha cannot be assembled at home. Some systems like the X51 and even Chronos can be assembled by high-end enthusiasts at home. Only this Alpha R2, from its metal shell to its inner parts, cannot be replicated by unofficial means. Its customized GPU and cooling solution are beyond the reach of even the top-tier builders.

The performance improvements of the new Alpha compensate for its heat dissipation and noise. Its highlight is its small size and satisfactory performance at 1080p.

Let’s hope to bring a sunny day to the Alpha series!

In Conclusion

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