We repair and upgrade the Alienware Aurora R5 at our workshop in Bermondsey, from power and start-up faults to storage upgrades and data recovery. It is a gaming desktop from 2016. Parts are matched to the exact chassis, so the model number matters when we quote.
- Model number
- Aurora R5
- Released
- 2016
- Type
- Gaming desktop
- Storage
- SATA bays and M.2, by configuration
- Memory
- DIMM slots
Repairs we carry out on the Alienware Aurora R5
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.
Windows repair and reinstall
This model does not meet Microsoft’s Windows 11 requirements, and Windows 10 reached end of support in October 2025. We can advise on the realistic options, including a lightweight Linux or ChromeOS Flex installation.
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 Aurora R5 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 Aurora R5 uses standard desktop memory. We check the board’s limits and fit matched modules.
Overheating and fan repair
We clear dust from heatsinks, fans and filters, replace failed fans and renew thermal compound. On liquid-cooled systems we test the pump.
We also carry out motherboard repair, virus removal on the Alienware Aurora R5, along with no-picture and no-boot diagnosis, port repair, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth card replacement and data transfer to a new PC.
Notes from the workshop
- 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 Aurora R5
Desktop drives are removed and imaged on our own equipment. If the Alienware Aurora R5 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 Aurora R5 sits in the range
Its nearest relatives in the Alienware Aurora desktops range are the older Alienware Area-51 R2 (2014) and the newer Alienware Aurora R6 (2017).
Questions
Can the SSD or memory in the Alienware Aurora R5 be upgraded?
Drives can be added or replaced. Memory uses standard slots and can be increased.
My Alienware Aurora R5 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.
Is a 2016 Alienware Aurora R5 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.
Where do I find the model number on my gaming desktop?
The model is on a label on the back, side or underside of the machine. Dell machines also carry a 7-character Service Tag, which identifies the exact build.