Got Your Eyes on that RTX 5090, Huh? Let's Talk Options!
Experience a striking discount on the Alienware desktop, now boasting an RTX 5090 graphics card. Snatch this high-performance powerhouse for an amazing $600 off its original price.
The Nvidia RTX 5090 is the cream of the crop when it comes to consumer graphics cards. But with everyone wanting a piece of that high-performance hardware, it's as rare as a unicorn's tail. Most retailers are out of stock, and prices from those naughty scalpers on eBay range from $3,400 to over $4,000 for a card that's technically supposed to go for around $1,999.
Now, you might think, "Just buy a standalone RTX 5090 and call it a day." Not so fast, partner! Finding one at a reasonable price is about as easy as teaching a pig to tap dance.
Luckily, there's a different route you can take. How about a fully-loaded Alienware Area-51 desktop with an RTX 5090 nestled inside? For a mere $4,899 (reduced from $5,499 during Memorial Day weekend), you can get your paws on an Area-51 with a Core Ultra 9 285K CPU, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, a 2TB SSD, a 1,500-watt power supply, Alienware's swanky case, and, of course, that RTX 5090 you've been lusting after.
If you're thinking, "Sounds expensive, but hey, at least it's one less headache," then you're onto something. You see, we got our grubby mitts on a similarly-configured Alienware Area-51 with RTX 5090 inside, and it left us impressed with its performance. In our review, we compared it to RTX 4090-powered desktops we've tested in the past.
At 1080p, the Area-51's Core Ultra 9 285K CPU held it back a bit in comparison to competitors with the better but older Core i9-14900K processor. But once you step up to 4K resolution, you start to see a noticeable difference between the old and the new.
On Red dead Redemption 2, it scored 109 fps at Medium Settings (this is a very demanding title), outpacing competitors at that resolution by at least 29 fps.
With ray tracing enabled in Cyberpunk 2077, the differences were similarly stark, with the Area-51 beating its nearest competitor by more than 20 percent.
So, there you have it—one powerful gaming desktop begging to be your new best friend.
Note on Availability and Pricing
Here's a rundown of the current situation for standalone Nvidia RTX 5090 graphics cards and Alienware Area-51 desktops with RTX 5090:
Standalone Nvidia RTX 5090 Graphics Card
- Availability: Extremely difficult to find at retail price due to high demand and continuing shortages. Most retail listings are for prebuilt systems, and standalone cards are hard to come by, with many selling well above the MSRP.
- Pricing:
- MSRP: The Nvidia RTX 5090 Founders Edition has an MSRP of approximately $1,999, but prices have consistently exceeded this in the US, often reaching $3,000–$4,000 on the secondary market.
- Discounts and Special Deals: Rarely, deeply discounted cards pop up (e.g., a PNY RTX 5090 was found at Walmart for $1,679 due to a third-party return, but this is an exception and not the norm).
- International Pricing: In the UK and EU, the RTX 5090 has recently started to dip below MSRP in select stores, with some now available below MSRP in the UK/EU markets.
Alienware Area-51 Desktop with RTX 5090
- Availability: Prebuilt systems like the Alienware Area-51 with RTX 5090 are more readily available, though they still experience some stock constraints.
- Pricing:
- Current Price: The Alienware Area-51 with an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, 32GB DDR5 RAM, 2TB SSD, and RTX 5090 is currently priced at $4,949.99, which includes a $550 instant discount.
- Value Proposition: This price is competitive when compared to other high-end prebuilt gaming PCs with similar specifications and the RTX 5090.
- Justification: Considering the high standalone price and limited availability of the RTX 5090, buying a prebuilt system can often be a more reliable (if pricier) way to obtain this GPU.
Key Takeaways
- Standalone RTX 5090 cards are currently challenging to find and tend to sell for well above their official MSRP.
- Prebuilt systems such as the Alienware Area-51 with RTX 5090 offer immediate availability at a premium price, with the advantage of a complete, high-end system.
- International markets are beginning to see more favorable pricing for standalone cards, with some now available below MSRP in the UK/EU, but US buyers still face high markups and limited supply.
With the scarcity of standalone Nvidia RTX 5090 graphics cards and their skyrocketing prices, artificial-intelligence driven gadgets and additional technology conveniences might become a more attractive alternative for enthusiasts looking to enhance their gaming experience. For instance, smart monitors with advanced features like automatic brightness adjustment or built-in AI assistant could complement the high-performance Alienware Area-51 desktop, offering a unique synergy between cutting-edge technology and artificial intelligence.
As for the Alienware Area-51 desktop with an RTX 5090, despite its relatively higher cost, its availability compared to the standalone RTX 5090 graphical processing unit makes it an appealing option for consumers seeking to own the latest and greatest in gaming technology. The prebuilt system's price competes well with other high-end prebuilt gaming PCs, providing the convenience of a complete, high-performance setup that includes the RTX 5090.
