Looking for a bit of advice on upgrading an Alienware Aurora R4

[Mal Caindenite]

Hello Linus Tech Tips Community,

I have an Old Alienware R4 from 2013 that I am looking to see what options I have to upgrade it.
The goal is to bring this system to the current era gaming rig. that can support 240FPS on current games if possible.

my current spec is listed below in the images that I have sniped from CPU-Z

QUESTION #1 (Current Build)
If there is anything that could be suggested that would maximize its performance and extend its life from this current built would be very helpful.

CPU: Intel® Core™ i7-3930K Processor

CPU Cooler: Dell Alienware Aurora R4 Asetek H2c 5560W CPU Liquid Cooling

Memory: 32Gb (4x8 Gb DIMMS) DDR3-1600 PC3-12800

Motherboard: I don't have much info on the Motherboard. Dell Alienware Aurora System Motherboard 7JNH0. What I do know is that its a Sandy Bridge E 2011 Socket campable board. If you gather any extra info please pass it along to me thank you.

Graphics Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1070

Case: Using an Alienware Aurora R4 ALX Chassis. This case supports 4 HDD ports. This can be used to suggest Storage options

Dimensions and Weight

Height: 16.77" (426mm) Depth: 25.39" (645mm) Width: 9.847" (250mm) Average Weight: 45lbs (20.41 Kg.)

Main-Storage: Raid-0 Stripe. 2x2.5TB HDD = 5TB total HDD
Power Supply: Alienware™ 875 Watt Multi-GPU Approved Power Supply

 

QUESTION #2

If needed. to upgrade this system build, you may use any means to create a build suggestion.

I am at least looking for these:
CPU: leaning towards an (AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor) unless there is a better suggestion or CPU

CPU Cooler: Is in your hands. (be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 50.5 CFM CPU Cooler) has been suggested by a few others. unless there is a better cooler?

Memory: looking for 32GB or more of ram. I am aware that more than 32 GB of Ram is not required, however, @ 64GB of ram the system will process data extremely faster or so iI have read. With the Motherboard below there are 2 Ram Slots so this will have to lean towards 2x16 or 2x32 ram chips.

Motherboard: Is in your hands (Asus TUF Z390-PRO GAMING ATX LGA1151 Motherboard) has been suggested by many, any other suggestions?

Graphics Card: 2080 or better. Looking for HDMI: 2.0 if possible

Case: Using an Alienware Aurora R4 to utilize what I have on hand. This case supports 4 HDD ports. This can be used to suggest Storage options
Main-Storage: 1TB or more HDD
Sub-Storage: an SSD PCIe is acceptable

USB: looking for 5+ USB ports for my equipment if possible.
Power Supply: is in your hands

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 22, 2019 by Mal Caindenite
Updated Original post

[m777y]

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i9-9900 3.1 GHz 8-Core Processor  ($434.90 @ OutletPC) 
CPU Cooler: RAIJINTEK THEMIS Evo 65.68 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($36.04 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: Asus TUF Z390-PRO GAMING ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($162.01 @ Amazon) 
Memory: G.Skill Trident Z Royal 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 Memory  ($184.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Intel 660p Series 1.02 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive  ($94.99 @ Amazon) 
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($44.89 @ OutletPC) 
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER 8 GB GAMING OC Video Card  ($739.99 @ Amazon) 
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA P2 650 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply  ($85.88 @ OutletPC) 
Monitor: LG 27GK750F-B 27.0" 1920x1080 240 Hz Monitor  ($299.00 @ B&H) 
Total: $2082.69
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-08-18 01:13 EDT-0400

[VEXICUS]

I'll recommend something like this instead...

 

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor  ($329.00 @ B&H) 
CPU Cooler: be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 50.5 CFM CPU Cooler  ($89.90 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: Asus TUF GAMING X570-PLUS (WI-FI) ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($195.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Memory: OLOy WarHawk RGB 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory  ($137.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Intel 660p Series 1.02 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive  ($94.99 @ Amazon) 
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 7K3000 3 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($52.23 @ Amazon) 
Video Card: EVGA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER 8 GB BLACK GAMING Video Card  ($699.99 @ Amazon) 
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA P2 650 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply  ($85.88 @ OutletPC) 
Total: $1685.97
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-08-18 02:39 EDT-0400

[Mal Caindenite]

I like this Build suggestion,
I may go with
CPU: Intel Core i9-9900KF 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor
Power Supply: may still be salvageable last that I checked it was 875w
Storage: Looking to get an SSD Card the HDD that I have should still be useable

@m777y
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i9-9900 3.1 GHz 8-Core Processor  ($434.90 @ OutletPC) 

CPU Cooler: RAIJINTEK THEMIS Evo 65.68 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($36.04 @ Amazon) 

If I went with Intel I may have used  Intel Core i9-9900KF 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor
Motherboard: Asus TUF Z390-PRO GAMING ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($162.01 @ Amazon) 

A lot of other builders recommended the same Board.
Memory: G.Skill Trident Z Royal 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 Memory  ($184.99 @ Newegg) 

What are the major differences in this chip over  OLOy WarHawk RGB 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory? G Skills is said to have a limited lifetime warranty is this true?
Storage: Intel 660p Series 1.02 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive  ($94.99 @ Amazon) 
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($44.89 @ OutletPC) 
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER 8 GB GAMING OC Video Card  ($739.99 @ Amazon) 

Why a Gigabyte GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER 8 GB GAMING OC Video Card  over EVGA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER 8 GB BLACK GAMING Video Card  User prefferance
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA P2 650 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply  ($85.88 @ OutletPC) 
Monitor: LG 27GK750F-B 27.0" 1920x1080 240 Hz Monitor  ($299.00 @ B&H) 

Good choice i'll do a more indepth review on this monitor

@VEXICUS

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor  ($329.00 @ B&H) 
Ryzen seems a bit better and cheaper the Intel, I would like to upgrade to the AMD Ryzen 7 3800X 3.9 GHz 8-Core Processor for the higher clock speed
CPU Cooler: be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 50.5 CFM CPU Cooler  ($89.90 @ Amazon) 

Very good review on this cooler.
Motherboard: Asus TUF GAMING X570-PLUS (WI-FI) ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($195.99 @ SuperBiiz)

A lot of other builders recommended the same Board.
Memory: OLOy WarHawk RGB 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory  ($137.99 @ Newegg) 

What are the major differences in this chip over G Skills? I picked G Skills since it was said to have a limited lifetime warranty.
Storage: Intel 660p Series 1.02 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive  ($94.99 @ Amazon) 

 a PCIe sloted SSD will allow more room for other parts
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 7K3000 3 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($52.23 @ Amazon) 
Video Card: EVGA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER 8 GB BLACK GAMING Video Card  ($699.99 @ Amazon) 

Why a EVGA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER 8 GB BLACK GAMING Video Card over Gigabyte GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER 8 GB GAMING OC Video Card User prefferance 
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA P2 650 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($85.88 @ OutletPC)

 

 

Thank you both for your suggestion

[VEXICUS]

33 minutes ago, Mal Caindenite said:

 

@VEXICUS

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor  ($329.00 @ B&H) 
Ryzen seems a bit better and cheaper the Intel, I would like to upgrade to the AMD Ryzen 7 3800X 3.9 GHz 8-Core Processor for the higher clock speed
CPU Cooler: be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 50.5 CFM CPU Cooler  ($89.90 @ Amazon) 

Very good review on this cooler.
Motherboard: Asus TUF GAMING X570-PLUS (WI-FI) ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($195.99 @ SuperBiiz)

A lot of other builders recommended the same Board.
Memory: OLOy WarHawk RGB 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory  ($137.99 @ Newegg) 

What are the major differences in this chip over G Skills? I picked G Skills since it was said to have a limited lifetime warranty.
Storage: Intel 660p Series 1.02 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive  ($94.99 @ Amazon) 

 a PCIe sloted SSD will allow more room for other parts
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 7K3000 3 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($52.23 @ Amazon) 
Video Card: EVGA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER 8 GB BLACK GAMING Video Card  ($699.99 @ Amazon) 

Why a EVGA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER 8 GB BLACK GAMING Video Card over Gigabyte GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER 8 GB GAMING OC Video Card User prefferance 
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA P2 650 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($85.88 @ OutletPC)

 

• I'll recommend 3700x over 3800x. As the gains are very minimal. And you can achieve 3800x like performance by overclocking that 3700x.
• I had included that memory because it had RGB at such a low price. If you want gskill stuff, then you can go with this instead..https://pcpartpicker.com/product/kXbkcf/gskill-memory-f43200c16d32gvk
• There's an m.2 port on that board. So, why not to occupy it with a NVME SSD? 
• EVGA is my personal preference. I like the EVGA for Nvidia cards and sapphire for and cards. I like their cooler design. You can go with that gigabyte card if you want. It's a good card as well. Also, that EVGA card was cheaper.

[m777y]

1 hour ago, Mal Caindenite said:

I like this Build suggestion,
I may go with
CPU: Intel Core i9-9900KF 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor
Power Supply: may still be salvageable last that I checked it was 875w
Storage: Looking to get an SSD Card the HDD that I have should still be useable

@m777y
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i9-9900 3.1 GHz 8-Core Processor  ($434.90 @ OutletPC) 

CPU Cooler: RAIJINTEK THEMIS Evo 65.68 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($36.04 @ Amazon) 

If I went with Intel I may have used  Intel Core i9-9900KF 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor
Motherboard: Asus TUF Z390-PRO GAMING ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($162.01 @ Amazon) 

A lot of other builders recommended the same Board.
Memory: G.Skill Trident Z Royal 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 Memory  ($184.99 @ Newegg) 

What are the major differences in this chip over  OLOy WarHawk RGB 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory? G Skills is said to have a limited lifetime warranty is this true?
Storage: Intel 660p Series 1.02 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive  ($94.99 @ Amazon) 
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($44.89 @ OutletPC) 
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER 8 GB GAMING OC Video Card  ($739.99 @ Amazon) 

Why a Gigabyte GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER 8 GB GAMING OC Video Card  over EVGA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER 8 GB BLACK GAMING Video Card  User prefferance
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA P2 650 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply  ($85.88 @ OutletPC) 
Monitor: LG 27GK750F-B 27.0" 1920x1080 240 Hz Monitor  ($299.00 @ B&H) 

Good choice i'll do a more indepth review on this monitor

@VEXICUS

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor  ($329.00 @ B&H) 
Ryzen seems a bit better and cheaper the Intel, I would like to upgrade to the AMD Ryzen 7 3800X 3.9 GHz 8-Core Processor for the higher clock speed
CPU Cooler: be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 50.5 CFM CPU Cooler  ($89.90 @ Amazon) 

Very good review on this cooler.
Motherboard: Asus TUF GAMING X570-PLUS (WI-FI) ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($195.99 @ SuperBiiz)

A lot of other builders recommended the same Board.
Memory: OLOy WarHawk RGB 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory  ($137.99 @ Newegg) 

What are the major differences in this chip over G Skills? I picked G Skills since it was said to have a limited lifetime warranty.
Storage: Intel 660p Series 1.02 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive  ($94.99 @ Amazon) 

 a PCIe sloted SSD will allow more room for other parts
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 7K3000 3 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($52.23 @ Amazon) 
Video Card: EVGA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER 8 GB BLACK GAMING Video Card  ($699.99 @ Amazon) 

Why a EVGA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER 8 GB BLACK GAMING Video Card over Gigabyte GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER 8 GB GAMING OC Video Card User prefferance 
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA P2 650 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($85.88 @ OutletPC)

 

 

Thank you both for your suggestion

i9 9900kf tdp 95w

i9 9900 tdp 65w

for save temp, better go to 9900, more cool, more lifespan.

[Mal Caindenite]

Thank you both again for your suggestion and recommendations

[VEXICUS]

7 hours ago, m777y said:

i9 9900kf tdp 95w

i9 9900 tdp 65w

for save temp, better go to 9900, more cool, more lifespan.

"More cool, more lifespan"

Can you explain this. I hv been running my old trusty 2600k @ 4.4ghz, I didn't observe any performance degradation whatsoever. 

 

[Mal Caindenite]

Ok, may have found what I might want to do from your build suggestions.
I will salvage as much part as I am able to, to save money, no sense buying new parts if they are still operational.
If needed I will upgrade with the newer parts that you both recommended.

This is what I will take from your suggestions.
Thank you for your time and advice.

 

Component		Selection
CPU			AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor
Motherboard			Asus TUF GAMING X570-PLUS (WI-FI) ATX AM4 Motherboard
Storage			Intel 660p Series 1.02 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive
Video Card			EVGA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER 8 GB BLACK GAMING Video Card
Monitor			LG 27GK750F-B 27.0" 1920x1080 240 Hz Monitor

[VEXICUS]

1 minute ago, Mal Caindenite said:

Ok, may have found what I might want to do from your build suggestions.
I will salvage as much part as I am able to, to save money, no sense buying new parts if they are still operational.
If needed I will upgrade with the newer parts that you both recommended.

This is what I will take from your suggestions.
Thank you for your time and advice.

 

Component		Selection
CPU			AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor
Motherboard			Asus TUF GAMING X570-PLUS (WI-FI) ATX AM4 Motherboard
Storage			Intel 660p Series 1.02 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive
Video Card			EVGA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER 8 GB BLACK GAMING Video Card
Monitor			LG 27GK750F-B 27.0" 1920x1080 240 Hz Monitor

A 1440p 144hz monitor would be a better buy...

 

This one is a VA panel.

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/HbgzK8/acer-xz271u-bmijpphzx-270-2560x1440-144-hz-monitor-umhx1aa013

 

Or else get a cheapo TN panel which is equally good but smaller in size.

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Xywqqs/aoc-ag241qx-238-2560x1440-144hz-monitor-ag241qx

[Mal Caindenite]

Hello,
Monitors are always a hard thing to choose from.
I'll review all of them to see which one suits my needs

I read that most pick a 144Hz saying that 240Hz is hardly noticeable 

I know they have slight differences as Linius stated in one of his videos.

Thank you for those suggestions

[Mal Caindenite]

@m777y
if you have anything to say about your monitor I would like to hear your insight on this as well.

[Fasauceome]

10 hours ago, m777y said:

i9 9900kf tdp 95w

i9 9900 tdp 65w

for save temp, better go to 9900, more cool, more lifespan.

On top of the fact that Intel is just more money for the same performance, the 9900 and 9900KF are identical if you don't overclock, so Intel's magic TDP figure could use some adjusting. Same turbo, same cores, somehow different tdp?

[m777y]

1 hour ago, Mal Caindenite said:

@m777y
if you have anything to say about your monitor I would like to hear your insight on this as well.

just straight to fact

he proove how good this monitor about input lag. it looks like zero input lag IMO.

1 weakness at the color. the color not great as ips.

 

[VEXICUS]

13 minutes ago, m777y said:

...

 

1 hour ago, fasauceome said:

...

 

1 hour ago, Mal Caindenite said:

@m777y

I'll recommend a higher resolution monitor as compared to 1080p 240hz.

A good 1440p 144hz monitor should be plenty.

1 hour ago, VEXICUS said:

A 1440p 144hz monitor would be a better buy...

 

This one is a VA panel.

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/HbgzK8/acer-xz271u-bmijpphzx-270-2560x1440-144-hz-monitor-umhx1aa013

 

Or else get a cheapo TN panel which is equally good but smaller in size.

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Xywqqs/aoc-ag241qx-238-2560x1440-144hz-monitor-ag241qx

 

[Mal Caindenite]

21 hours ago, m777y said:

just straight to fact

he proove how good this monitor about input lag. it looks like zero input lag IMO.

1 weakness at the color. the color not great as ips.

 

Found this one sale on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/LG-27GK750F-B-27-inch-FHD-1920x1/dp/B078TTSB8V/ref=sr_1_15?keywords=240hz+gaming+monitor&qid=1566271762&s=gateway&sr=8-15

[m777y]

1 hour ago, Mal Caindenite said:

Found this one sale on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/LG-27GK750F-B-27-inch-FHD-1920x1/dp/B078TTSB8V/ref=sr_1_15?keywords=240hz+gaming+monitor&qid=1566271762&s=gateway&sr=8-15

up to you. i just share, not to decide