Forget Buying a Single GPU—Grab an RTX 5080 Alienware Gaming PC Under $2,000 Instead

Here we go again: an entire gaming PC that costs less than a single flagship GPU. If you want an RTX 5080 without paying silly money for just the card, Dell has an Alienware tower that gets you the whole setup for under two grand. Yes, really.

The deal (and why it is kind of wild)

• Model: Alienware Aurora R16 ACT1250 (the current chassis Alienware now just calls 'Alienware Aurora')
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080
• CPU: Intel Core i7
• Memory: 16GB DDR5 (2 sticks)
• Storage: 1TB M.2 SSD
• Cooling: AIO liquid cooler
• PSU: 1,000W
• Price (US): $1,999.99 at Dell right now
• Was: $2,449.99 (Dell shows $450 off on the page; the promo language also calls it $500 off — either way, the final price is $1,999.99)
• Price (UK): £2,449.99 at Dell (down from £2,649.99)

Why this stands out

The punchline: this entire rig costs less than the cheapest RTX 5090 GPU on its own. On top of that, you are not getting a bare-bones box. It includes a high-end Intel Core i7, an AIO liquid cooler, 1TB of NVMe storage, and enough PSU headroom to handle future upgrades, all under $2,000. It is also one of the most affordable ways right now to end up with an RTX 5080 in your cart without chasing sketchy listings or inflated add-ons.

Options if you want to spend more (or less)

You can customize this Aurora if you want beefier parts, but if you are trying to drop the price further, there is a GeForce RTX 5070 configuration for $1,349.99. That shaves another $500 off compared to the 5080 build. The takeaway here is the same: with those discounts, sometimes it makes more sense to snag the whole machine than to pay out the nose for a lone GPU while MSRP is doing its usual disappearing act.

The case situation (aka Alienware being Alienware)

Design-wise, the newer Aurora has moved away from the old R15’s full-on space capsule look to something slimmer and more efficient. It still reads Alienware, just with less bulk and fewer odd curves. Alienware has also been nudging the branding so the R16-era chassis is now simply called 'Alienware Aurora' heading into 2025, and the 5080 build here uses that same refined shell.

Upgrades and the proprietary trade-off

This is the part enthusiasts side-eye: the Aurora uses proprietary bits, including a non-standard motherboard and cooler. That can be a pain if you love tearing down and rebuilding everything. The practical flip side: swapping the GPU later is still on the table, as is upgrading the RAM (there are two DDR5 sticks in there), and the 1,000W power supply gives you room to grow. It is not a tinkerer's dream, but it is not a dead end either.

Hate proprietary? There is an Alienware for that… at a price

If you love the Alienware look but want standard components, Dell’s Area-51 line is the more traditional route. The catch: the RTX 5080 version is $3,399.99 even after a $500 discount. Same visual DNA, far more build-your-own friendly, much higher price.

So, should you?

Most prebuilt RTX 5080 systems run north of $2,000. Those might be easier to customize, and some will toss in more RAM or a higher-tier CPU. But if what you want is a straightforward 4K box that can run new releases without fuss — yes, including Borderlands 4 — this Aurora deal makes a strong, money-sensible case.

Final note on the numbers: Dell’s page shows $2,449.99 crossed out and $1,999.99 live, which is $450 off. The promo language also calls it $500 off. Either way, the price you actually pay is $1,999.99 — and that is the headline here.