This Alienware gaming PC is on a massive sale, but can you build something better for even less?
Alienware has slashed the price of their Aurora ACT1250 gaming desktop by 20% for a limited time on Amazon, dropping the price a whopping $600.
With an RTX 5080 GPU, an Intel Core Ultra 9 285 processor, and 32GB of memory, this system will offer extreme performance.
Although, if you’re willing to build your PC yourself, can you build a similar—or even better—desktop for less?
Why Build A PC?
Comparison: Alienware ACT1250 vs DIY Build
Alienware Aurora ACT1250
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- NVIDIA RTX 5080
- 32GB DDR5 RAM
- 1TB NVMe SSD
The Prebuilt: Alienware Aurora ACT1250
This Alienware Aurora ACT1250 comes with a very strong hardware array, offering an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K processor, an NVIDIA RTX 5080 graphics cards, and 32GB of DDR5 memory.
The CPU/GPU configuration is going to be strong enough to allow you to max out even the most demanding titles on a 4K display.
The build also comes with a 1TB NVME SSD, a 240mm AIO cooler, and a 1000-watt power supply.
For ~$2,400 after the 20% discount, this is a pretty good deal on a prebuilt system. However, if you’re willing to build your own PC, you can get something even better for ~$100 less…
DIY Build: 9800X3D + RTX 5080
Better performance & cooling, plus 2X the storage for ~$100 less…
| Part | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D | $479 |
| COOL | ARCTIC Pro 360 A-RGB | $94 |
| MOBO | GIGABYTE X870 AORUS Elite | $254 |
| GPU | PNY RTX 5080 OC | $1000 |
| RAM | 32GB G.SKILL 6000MHz | $90 |
| SSD | 2TB WD_BLACK SN7100 | $120 |
| CASE | LIAN LI LANCOOL 216 | $103 |
| PSU | Corsair RM1000E | $150 |
| Total | $2290 |
Why this build is better than the Aurora ACT1250
- Costs ~$100 less
- Better gaming CPU (9800X3D vs 285K)
- Bigger AIO cooler than the prebuilt’s unit
- Double the storage capacity: 2TB vs 1TB
- Case supports improved airflow configuration
Is the Alienware Aurora ACT1250 a bad choice, then?
No, the Alienware Aurora ACT1250 is not a bad option if you’ve got a big budget and you’re looking for a prebuilt desktop. It’s CPU and GPU combination will have you maxing out any game you throw at it.
However, if you’re up for the challenge of building your own PC, the build we offered shows one example part list of how you can build something that will give you even more performance for a little less money.
How to Build A Gaming PC Step-by-Step
This part list is just one route you can go for a similarly-priced PC build. You can alter this part list as you see fit and build a PC that really suits your needs. There are ways to cut the cost on this build as well without sacrificing too much performance so you can save even more. (If you have any questions on how to do so, leave us a comment below.)
The bottom line is that, while the Alienware Aurora ACT1250 is at a really good price point right now thanks to the limited time sale, there are still more savings and performance to be had by building your own system.
