Hi all
 
Being a Alienware fan and after MOD my previous Alienware Area 51 5 years ago, I couldn't contain myself and ended buying an Area 51 Case R4 3 weeks ago. My biggest error was that I didn't do my homework so I wasn't aware about AlienFX limitations associated to the ALX Master I/O Control Board, that will make useless all the vents, lights and door, in the event of changing to a non Alienware motherboard.
 
Today I'm committed to make it happen, no matter if I have to find alternatives to overcome AlienFX limitations. My biggest limitation is that I'm a beginner with only one MOD (it was very easy indeed but 5 years ago) and this task looks massive. I hope to receive great advice from this forum in the event of AlienFX not working... 
 
My plan is to:
 
- Replace its motherboard to a ASUS Sabertooth X79 or even an ASUS Rampage IV Extreme X79 (Hopping that the ALX Master I/O Control Board will work)
- Keep its original PSU (1100w)
- Add an H100 for cooling, not sure if I can add push and pull fans (definitely not using the original fans)
- Install a Intel Core i7-3930K 3.20GHz and overclock it up to at least 4.5
- EVGA Nvidia 680 (or 685?)
- RAM: not defined yet, but what about the Crucial Ballistix Tactical 16GB (4x4GB) DDR3 PC3-14900 C9 1866MHz?
 
This plan has taken my budget to its limits, but this is a configuration that has been proven to work.
 
Also I'm going to use this threat as a Log and feel free to participate, and make comments about these components.
 
Currently my only question is about RAM, since I'm not sure if is compatible, but if you have a better option please let me know...
 
... my next post is to share how the case looks today without any modifications...
 
Best wishes to all,
 
Jcmmg
 

Update:
 
After looking around, I bought this RAM:
 
Dominator® with DHX Pro Connector — 1.5V 16GB Quad Channel DDR3 Memory Kit (CMP16GX3M4X1600C7) CMP16GX3M4X1600C7
 
SO the next couple of weeks are going to be interesting!

I also have an Alienware Area 51 ALX case I would love to build a system in. Keep me posted on what you figure out. I have read some people get the MIO to work with other motherboards other than Alienware's. At this moment I don't have extra stuff around to try it but I really love the looks of this case.

So, something like my Predator 2 chasis, but the newer chasis with the top vents?
 

 

 
In place of using the Alienware software, which won't work, I use FindVikas' AuroraLights FX to control the lighting.  This software is more limited, in that it can't produce pulsing effects or change the colors based on application events, it's just a small little program that allows you to assign whatever color you want to each zone.
 
You can try the version available here : http://www.vikasverma.com/AuroraLightsFX/ and see if it works for you.  I had to use an older version of his software that's no longer available on the Internet, if you need it I could toss it into my DropBox and post a link.
 
If you have any other questions, let me know, I've helped a few other people trying to upgrade their Alienware systems.

Very nice project! Yeah I bet it wasn't easy!

Yeah the Area 51 is a wiring nightmare! They have an IO board for lightning, cooling and vents. I have taken mine apart but haven't tried to change it over to different motherboard etc.

Here is a thread of someone that was doing this as well. 
 
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28742

Very nice:) I wish I kept my Alienware case. Sold it when I got my hp blackbird 002 case.

donta1979

Very nice:) I wish I kept my Alienware case. Sold it when I got my hp blackbird 002 case.

I have one and have been thinking about selling it.

It looks great so far!! :)

Any update on getting the MIO to work? Guessing since no CPU haven't messed with it yet?

Hi all
 
Last night I finally got time to work and almost finished my Alienware case (which is amazing, I don’t care how hard and complicate is to work on it) with a full reliable and truly powerful set of hardware (a real gaming machine). What is missing for ending this project is to test how stable it is and of course overclock it!
 
So far these are the things that I have done:
 
1)      Installing the Intel Core i7-3930K
 

 
2)      Installing the H100 pump (I didn’t change the original thermal paste, let see how it work…)
 

 
3)      The front panel connector is not compatible to the motherboard
 

 
4)      After buying a panel kit for 3£ (Maplin UK) and using a soldering tool (similar to a hook), I manage to remove the pins easily.
 

 
5)      Using the original Alienware mother board as a legend, I manage to identify every cable
 

 
6)      This is how the new front panels connectors look
 

 

 
7)      Hard drives bay assembly
 

 
8)      An interesting fan cable that is connects the Alienware IO card and the Motherboard together
 

 
9)      Front door in place...
 

 
10)   A cool feature active! The internal lighting system. Battery powered and very useful.
 

 

 

 

 
10A)     Installing the EVGA GTX 680 Classified (What a big card, I can't install the video card protector, part of the Alienware case)
 

 
11)   Power test… ON!
 

 
12)   Alienware I/O Card has power as well
 

 
13)   First power test OK! Vents, Fans are working but not lights (due to the fact that the system at this moment doesn't have a hard drive)
 

 
14)   After all drivers, Window 7 Ultimate, Alienware Command Centre (one of those software well hidden on the Dell support website), etc installed, this is how my system looks. Full light control, Full vents control, and so far this pc is fast! I have to say that I didn’t allow the installer to upgrade the I/O card firmware… Current idle temp is 20 degrees celcius! Ohh yes!!!
 

 

 

 
So far a success but I need to do some extra tests as the motorised door is not working, is not something important but I will like to have that feature as well. Also I couldn't install the 3.0 USBs on the front panel because a lack of space and cable length (40 cm is not enough!)... at least the cable was cheap...
    
BTW: I think there is no need to buy a Rampage IV to make this case work. After I stared this build there are reports that a Sabertooth X79 is good enough...
 
During next weekend I will write a summary with all the things that I’ve done, like key elements to take care when dealing with this case and my thoughts about the “most upgradable Alienware case” (That statement doesn’t mean is going to be easy…) 
 
Best wishes to all
 
Jcmmg
 

Sajin

NICE. Anyway to swap out the stock PSU for a aftermarket one and keep the lights, vents, etc?

 
No I didn't replace the original Alienware PSU as it requires to modify a 10 pin connector that powers the Alienware I/O card which is the control to all the case features. Apart from this two I've changed everything else.

sweet!!!!!!!!

Hi,
 
Great job on the Mod. 
I am currently throwing together a similar set up;
 
Asus Extreme x79 and Intel 3960x.
I have the system up and running but major fail is the lights. I have looked around for the driver for the command center but with no luck to find the correct set up. The mechanical door operates and the MIO board is live. 
 
Do you recall the version of CC you used?
 
 
Many thanks in advance!!