This page sets out the repairs, upgrades and data recovery we carry out on the Alienware Area-51 R4, with notes on what tends to go wrong and what can and cannot be upgraded. It is a gaming desktop from 2017. Parts are matched to the exact chassis, so the model number matters when we quote.
- Model number
- Area-51 R4
- Released
- 2017
- Type
- Gaming desktop
- Storage
- SATA bays and M.2, by configuration
- Memory
- DIMM slots
Alienware Area-51 R4 repairs and upgrades
Power supply repair
We test and replace failed power supplies. Many branded desktops use a manufacturer-specific unit, which we match to the exact chassis.
Overheating and fan repair
Overheating and noise are usually dust or a failing fan. We clean the system, replace what has failed and check temperatures under load.
Windows repair and reinstall
Windows 11 support depends on the processor: versions with an 8th-generation Intel Core or Ryzen 2000-series chip or newer qualify, and earlier ones do not. We check yours and advise.
Graphics repair
We diagnose and replace failed graphics cards, and check that the power supply and case can take the card you want before an upgrade.
SSD and storage upgrade
The Alienware Area-51 R4 has room for SATA drives and, on most boards, an M.2 SSD. The usual upgrade is an SSD for Windows and programs with the old drive kept for storage.
Price confirmed before work starts
Memory upgrade
The Alienware Area-51 R4 uses standard desktop memory. We check the board’s limits and fit matched modules.
We also carry out motherboard repair, virus removal on the Alienware Area-51 R4, along with no-picture and no-boot diagnosis, port repair, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth card replacement and data transfer to a new PC.
What we see on the bench
- Recent Aurora desktops use an Alienware-specific motherboard and power supply layout, which limits like-for-like swaps with standard parts.
- Liquid cooler pump failures and dust build-up are the usual causes of overheating on these.
Data recovery from the Alienware Area-51 R4
Desktop drives are removed and imaged on our own equipment. If the Alienware Area-51 R4 has more than one drive, or a RAID array, bring the whole machine so we can see how it was set up.
Estimate the cost with our data recovery calculator, or read about recovering files after a ransomware attack.
Where the Alienware Area-51 R4 sits in the range
Its nearest relatives in the Alienware Aurora desktops range are the older Alienware Aurora R5 (2016) and the newer Alienware Aurora R8 (2018).
Questions
Can the SSD or memory in the Alienware Area-51 R4 be upgraded?
Drives can be added or replaced. Memory uses standard slots and can be increased.
My Alienware Area-51 R4 will not turn on. Is my data lost?
Usually not. The drive is separate from the fault in most cases, and we can remove it and copy your files even if the machine itself is not worth repairing.
How much does it cost to repair a Alienware Area-51 R4?
Price confirmed before work starts. The exact figure depends on the part your machine needs, and we confirm it before any work starts.
Is a 2017 Alienware Area-51 R4 still worth repairing?
It depends on the fault. A battery, SSD or charging socket is usually worth doing. A major board repair on an older machine may cost more than the machine is worth, and if that is the case we will say so.