Dell Alienware Aurora R16 User manual

Alienware Aurora R16
Owner's Manual
Regulatory Model: D30M
Regulatory Type: D30M004
August 2023
Rev. A01

Notes, cautions, and warnings
NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your product.
CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the
problem.
WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death.
© 2023 Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. Dell Technologies, Dell, and other trademarks are trademarks of Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries.
Other trademarks may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Contents
Chapter 1: Views of Alienware Aurora R16............................................................................................ 7
Front...................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Back.......................................................................................................................................................................................8
Back panel............................................................................................................................................................................ 9
Service Tag...........................................................................................................................................................................11
Chapter 2: Set up your computer...........................................................................................................12
Chapter 3: Specifications of Alienware Aurora R16............................................................................. 17
Dimensions and weight.......................................................................................................................................................17
Processor..............................................................................................................................................................................17
Chipset.................................................................................................................................................................................17
Operating system................................................................................................................................................................18
Memory................................................................................................................................................................................18
Ports and connectors.......................................................................................................................................................... 18
Ethernet..............................................................................................................................................................................20
Wireless module................................................................................................................................................................. 20
Audio.................................................................................................................................................................................. 20
Storage................................................................................................................................................................................ 21
Power ratings...................................................................................................................................................................... 21
Video...................................................................................................................................................................................22
Video port resolution....................................................................................................................................................22
Operating and storage environment.................................................................................................................................24
Chapter 4: Working inside your computer........................................................................................... 25
Safety instructions.............................................................................................................................................................. 25
Before working inside your computer......................................................................................................................... 25
Safety precautions........................................................................................................................................................ 26
Electrostatic discharge—ESD protection....................................................................................................................26
ESD field service kit ..................................................................................................................................................... 27
Transporting sensitive components.............................................................................................................................. 28
After working inside your computer............................................................................................................................ 28
Recommended tools...........................................................................................................................................................28
Screw list............................................................................................................................................................................. 28
Major components of Alienware Aurora R16....................................................................................................................30
System-board components................................................................................................................................................ 32
Chapter 5: Thermal solution matrix....................................................................................................... 34
Chapter 6: Removing and installing Customer Replaceable Units (CRUs).........................................35
Antenna.............................................................................................................................................................................. 35
Removing the antenna..................................................................................................................................................35
Installing the antenna....................................................................................................................................................36
Left-side cover................................................................................................................................................................... 36
3

Removing the left-side cover....................................................................................................................................... 36
Installing the left-side cover......................................................................................................................................... 37
Right-side cover................................................................................................................................................................. 38
Removing the right-side cover.....................................................................................................................................38
Installing the right-side cover.......................................................................................................................................39
Front bezel ........................................................................................................................................................................ 40
Removing the front bezel.............................................................................................................................................40
Installing the front bezel...............................................................................................................................................42
Top cover............................................................................................................................................................................ 43
Removing the top cover............................................................................................................................................... 43
Installing the top cover.................................................................................................................................................44
3.5-inch hard drive............................................................................................................................................................ 45
Removing the 3.5-inch hard drive...............................................................................................................................45
Installing the 3.5-inch hard drive.................................................................................................................................47
Identifying the storage device in Device Manager.....................................................................................................49
Identifying the storage device in system setup (BIOS)...............................................................................................49
Coin-cell battery................................................................................................................................................................ 49
Removing the coin-cell battery....................................................................................................................................49
Installing the coin-cell battery..................................................................................................................................... 50
Memory module..................................................................................................................................................................51
Removing the memory module.....................................................................................................................................51
Installing the memory module...................................................................................................................................... 52
Single-graphics card.......................................................................................................................................................... 53
Removing the single-graphics card............................................................................................................................. 53
Installing the single-graphics card............................................................................................................................... 55
Graphics-card bracket and graphics-card end holder...............................................................................................56
Solid-state drive.................................................................................................................................................................56
Removing the M.2 2230 solid-state drive.................................................................................................................. 56
Installing the M.2 2230 solid-state drive.....................................................................................................................57
Removing the M.2 2280 solid-state drive...................................................................................................................58
Installing the M.2 2280 solid-state drive.................................................................................................................... 59
Wireless card......................................................................................................................................................................60
Removing the wireless card..........................................................................................................................................60
Installing the wireless card............................................................................................................................................ 61
Lower front-chassis fan......................................................................................................................................................62
Removing the lower front-chassis fan..........................................................................................................................62
Installing the lower front-chassis fan............................................................................................................................64
Rear-chassis fan..................................................................................................................................................................66
Removing the rear-chassis fan......................................................................................................................................66
Installing the rear-chassis fan........................................................................................................................................67
Top-chassis fan................................................................................................................................................................... 68
Removing the top-chassis fan.......................................................................................................................................68
Installing the top-chassis fan........................................................................................................................................ 69
Chapter 7: Removing and installing Field Replaceable Units (FRUs)................................................. 70
Power-supply unit.............................................................................................................................................................. 70
Removing the power-supply unit.................................................................................................................................70
Installing the power-supply unit...................................................................................................................................72
Processor fan and heat-sink assembly............................................................................................................................... 74
4

Removing the processor fan and heat-sink assembly..................................................................................................74
Installing the processor fan and heat-sink assembly....................................................................................................75
Processor liquid-cooling assembly.....................................................................................................................................76
Removing the processor liquid-cooling assembly....................................................................................................... 76
Installing the processor liquid-cooling assembly......................................................................................................... 77
Liquid-cooling assembly fan..............................................................................................................................................79
Removing the liquid-cooling assembly fan..................................................................................................................79
Installing the liquid-cooling assembly fan................................................................................................................... 80
Processor............................................................................................................................................................................. 81
Removing the processor................................................................................................................................................81
Installing the processor................................................................................................................................................. 82
SMA cable...........................................................................................................................................................................84
Removing the SMA cable............................................................................................................................................. 84
Installing the SMA cable...............................................................................................................................................86
VR heat sink........................................................................................................................................................................ 87
Removing the VR heat sink...........................................................................................................................................87
Installing the VR heat sink............................................................................................................................................ 89
System board......................................................................................................................................................................90
Removing the system board.........................................................................................................................................90
Installing the system board........................................................................................................................................... 93
Chapter 8: Alienware Command Center.............................................................................................. 98
Chapter 9: Software...............................................................................................................................99
Operating system............................................................................................................................................................... 99
Drivers and downloads...................................................................................................................................................... 99
Chapter 10: BIOS setup.......................................................................................................................100
Entering BIOS setup program......................................................................................................................................... 100
Navigation keys................................................................................................................................................................100
One Time Boot menu....................................................................................................................................................... 100
System setup options........................................................................................................................................................ 101
Updating the BIOS...........................................................................................................................................................106
Updating the BIOS in Windows.................................................................................................................................106
Updating the BIOS using the USB drive in Windows...............................................................................................106
Updating the BIOS from the F12 One Time Boot menu...........................................................................................106
System and setup password............................................................................................................................................. 107
Assigning a system setup password............................................................................................................................107
Deleting or changing an existing system setup password.........................................................................................108
Clearing CMOS settings.............................................................................................................................................108
Clearing BIOS (System Setup) and System passwords............................................................................................. 109
Chapter 11: Troubleshooting.................................................................................................................111
Dell SupportAssist Pre-boot System Performance Check diagnostics........................................................................... 111
Running the SupportAssist Pre-Boot System Performance Check............................................................................111
System-diagnostic lights....................................................................................................................................................111
Recovering the operating system.....................................................................................................................................112
Wi-Fi power cycle.............................................................................................................................................................113
Drain residual flea power (perform hard reset)............................................................................................................... 113
5

Chapter 12: Getting help and contacting Alienware.......................................................................... 114
6

Views of Alienware Aurora R16
Front
1. Power button (Alien head)
Press to turn on the computer if it is turned off, in sleep state, or in hibernate state.
Press to put the computer in sleep state if it is turned on.
When the computer is turned on, press the power button to put the computer into sleep state; press and hold the power button
for four seconds to force shut-down the computer.
NOTE: You can customize the power-button behavior in Windows.
2. Headset port
Connect headphones or a headset (headphone and microphone combo).
3. USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (2)
Connect devices such as external storage devices and printers. Provides data transfer speeds up to 5 Gbps.
4. USB 3.2 Gen 1 port with PowerShare
Connect devices such as external storage devices and printers.
Provides data transfer speeds up to 5 Gbps. PowerShare enables you to charge connected USB devices.
7

NOTE: Deep Sleep is enabled by default. Disable Deep Sleep at the BIOS setup to enable PowerShare feature on your
computer.
NOTE: PowerShare enables you to charge your USB devices even when your computer is turned off.
5. USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port with PowerShare
Connect devices such as external storage devices and printers.
Provides data transfer speed up to 10 Gbps. Supports Power Delivery that enables two-way power supply between devices.
Provides up to 15 W power output that enables faster charging. PowerShare enables you to charge connected USB devices.
NOTE: Deep Sleep is enabled by default. Disable Deep Sleep at the BIOS setup to enable PowerShare feature on your
computer.
NOTE: PowerShare enables you to charge your USB devices even when your computer is turned off.
Back
1. Security-cable slot (for Kensington locks)
Connect a security cable to prevent unauthorized movement of your computer.
2. Padlock rings
Attach a standard padlock to prevent unauthorized access to the interior of your computer.
8

3. Side panel release latch
Pull the latch to quickly release the side panel from your computer.
4. Integrated external SMA antenna connectors
Connect the external antenna to improve the memory performance of your computer.
5. Power-supply diagnostics light
Indicates the power-supply state.
6. Power-adapter port
Connect a power adapter to provide power to your computer.
7. PCI-Express X4 slot
Connect a PCI-Express card such as audio, network, or expansion card to enhance the capabilities of your computer.
8. PCI-Express X4 slot
Connect a PCI-Express card such as audio, network, or expansion card to enhance the capabilities of your computer.
9. PCI-Express X16
Connect a PCI-Express graphics card for optimal graphics performance.
10.Service Tag label
The Service Tag is a unique alphanumeric identifier that enables Dell service technicians to identify the hardware components in
your computer and access warranty information.
11. Back panel
Connect USB, audio, video, and other devices.
Back panel
9

1. Hard-drive activity light
The activity light turns on when the computer reads from or writes to the hard drive.
2. Optical S/PDIF port
Connect an amplifier, speakers, or a TV for digital audio output through an optical cable.
3. Rear L/R surround port
Connect audio-output devices such as speakers and amplifiers. In a 5.1 or 7.1 speaker channel setup, connect the rear-left and
rear-right speakers.
4. Side L/R surround port
Connect audio-output devices such as speakers and amplifiers. In a 7.1 speaker channel setup, connect the side-left and
side-right speakers.
5. Microphone port
Connect an external microphone to provide sound input.
6. USB 2.0 ports (2)
Connect devices such as external storage devices and printers. Provides data transfer speeds up to 480 Mbps.
7. USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port
Connect devices such as external storage devices and printers.
Provides data transfer speeds up to 10 Gbps.
8. USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port
Connect devices such as external storage devices and printers. Provides data transfer speeds up to 20 Gbps.
9. USB 2.0 ports with Smart Power On (2)
Connect devices such as external storage devices and printers. Provides data transfer speeds up to 480 Mbps.
NOTE: Deep Sleep is enabled by default. Disable Deep Sleep at the BIOS setup to enable Smart Power On feature on your
computer.
NOTE: Smart Power On is the ability to wake a system from S0ix, S4, and S5 sleep states with a move of a mouse or press of a
key on the keyboard.
NOTE: This port does not support video/audio streaming or power delivery.
10.Network port (with lights)
Connect an Ethernet (RJ45) cable from a router or a broadband modem for network or Internet access.
The two lights next to the connector indicate the connectivity status and network activity.
11. USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (2)
Connect devices such as external storage devices and printers. Provides data transfer speeds up to 5 Gbps.
12. Front L/R surround line-out port
Connect audio-output devices such as speakers and amplifiers. In a 2.1 speaker channel setup, connect the left and right
speakers. In a 5.1 or a 7.1 speaker channel setup, connect the front-left and front-right speakers.
13. Line-in port
Connect recording or playback devices such as a microphone or CD player.
14. Center/subwoofer LFE surround port
Connect the center speaker or the subwoofer.
NOTE: For more information about the speaker setup, refer the documentation that shipped with the speakers.
15.Coaxial S/PDIF port
Connect an amplifier, speakers, or a TV for digital audio output through a coaxial cable.
10

Service Tag
The service tag is a unique alphanumeric identifier that allows Dell service technicians to identify the hardware components in your
computer and access warranty information.
11

Set up your computer
About this task
NOTE: The images in this document may differ from your computer depending on the configuration you ordered.
Steps
1. Connect the wired keyboard and mouse to suitable ports. To connect a wireless keyboard and mouse, see the instructions on how
to connect in the documentation that ships with the wireless keyboard and mouse.
2. Connect to your network using an Ethernet cable.
Wired network:
12

Wireless network:
This computer is shipped with an external puck antenna. Connect the external antenna during setup, to connect to WiFi and
Bluetooth and improve the memory performance, while setting up your operating system.
To connect the SMA cables, follow the below procedure:
a. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer.
b. Align and connect the SMA cables to the SMA connectors on the chassis.
c. Tighten the bolts to secure the SMA cables to the SMA connectors on the chassis.
13

Place the antenna in a suitable location.
14

3. Connect the display. For more information about setting up the display, see the documentation that is shipped with your display.
NOTE: Connect the display to the discrete graphics card of your computer.
4. Connect the power cable to the computer and then connect it to the wall outlet.
15

5. Press the power button at the front of computer to turn on the computer.
16

Specifications of Alienware Aurora R16
Dimensions and weight
The following table lists the height, width, depth, and weight of your Alienware Aurora R16.
Table 1. Dimensions and weight
Description Values
Height:
Front height 418 mm (16.46 in.)
Rear height 418 mm (16.46 in.)
Width 197 mm (7.75 in.)
Depth 458.40 mm (18.05 in.)
Weight (maximum) 15.37 kg (33.88 lb)
NOTE: The weight of your computer depends on the
configuration ordered and manufacturing variability.
Processor
The following table lists the details of the processors supported by your Alienware Aurora R16.
Table 2. Processor
Description Option one Option two Option three
Processor type 13th Generation Intel Core
i7-13700F
13th Generation Intel Core
i9-13900F
12th Generation Intel Core
i9-12900F
Processor wattage 65 W 65 W 65 W
Processor core count 16 24 16
Processor thread count 24 32 24
Processor speed 2.10 GHz to 5.20 GHz 2.00 GHz to 5.50 GHz 2.40 GHz to 5.10 GHz
Processor cache 30 MB 36 MB 30 MB
Integrated graphics Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable
Chipset
The following table lists the details of the chipset supported by your Alienware Aurora R16.
Table 3. Chipset
Description Values
Chipset Intel Z690
17

Table 3. Chipset(continued)
Description Values
Processor ●13th Generation Intel Core i7/i9
●12th Generation Intel Core i9
DRAM bus width 128-bit
Flash EPROM 32 MB
PCIe bus Up to Gen5
Operating system
Your Alienware Aurora R16 supports the following operating systems:
●Windows 11 Pro, 64-bit
●Windows 11 Home, 64-bit
Memory
The following table lists the memory specifications of your Alienware Aurora R16.
Table 4. Memory specifications
Description Values
Memory slots Two
Memory type DDR5
Memory speed Up to 5600 MT/s
Maximum memory configuration 64 GB
Minimum memory configuration 8 GB
Memory size per slot 8 GB, 16 GB, and 32 GB
Memory configurations supported ●16 GB, 2 x 8 GB, DDR5, 5600 MT/s, dual-channel
●32 GB, 2 x 16 GB, DDR5, 5600 MT/s, dual-channel
●64 GB, 2 x 32 GB, DDR5, 5200 MT/s, dual-channel
NOTE: XMP memory support is currently unavailable.
Ports and connectors
The following table lists the external and internal ports available on your Alienware Aurora R16.
Table 5. Ports and connectors
Description Values
External:
Network One RJ-45 port
18

Table 5. Ports and connectors(continued)
Description Values
USB Front ports
●Two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports
●One USB 3.2 Gen 1 port with PowerShare
●One USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port with PowerShare
Rear ports
●Two USB 2.0 ports
●Two USB 2.0 ports with Smart Power On
●One USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port
●Two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports
●One USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port
Audio ●One headset port - 3.5 mm Universal audio jack
●One optical S/PDIF port - Optical
●One coaxial S/PDIF port - RCA
●One audio input/microphone port - 3.5 mm, 6 stack
●One line-in port - 3.5 mm, 6 stack
●One center/subwoofer LFE surround port - 3.5 mm, 6 stack
●One front L/R surround line-out port - 3.5 mm, 6 stack
●One rear L/R surround port - 3.5 mm, 6 stack
●One side L/R surround port - 3.5 mm, 6 stack
Video Supported through discrete GPU
Media-card reader Not supported
Power port 110 V/220 V
Security ●One security-cable slot (wedge-shaped)
●One padlock slot
Internal:
PCIe expansion card slots ●One PCIe x16 mechanical/x16 electrical Gen5 slot
●Two PCIe Gen3 x4 slots
mSATA Not supported
SATA Two
M.2 ●One M.2 2230 slot for WiFi and Bluetooth combo card
●Two M.2 2230/2280 card slots for solid-state drive
NOTE: To learn more about the features of different types
of M.2 cards, see the Knowledge Base resource at https://
www.dell.com/support.
19

Ethernet
The following table lists the wired Ethernet Local Area Network (LAN) specifications of your Alienware Aurora R16.
Table 6. Ethernet specifications
Description Values
Model number Killer E3100G Ethernet controller integrated on the system
board
Transfer rate 10/100/1000/2500 Mbps
Wireless module
The following table lists the Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) modules that are supported on your Alienware Aurora R16.
Table 7. Wireless module specifications
Description Option one Option two
Model number Intel AX210 Intel Killer AX1675x
Transfer rate Up to 2400 Mbps Up to 2400 Mbps
Frequency bands supported 2.4 GHz/5 GHz/6 GHz 2.4 GHz/5 GHz/6 GHz
Wireless standards ●WiFi 802.11a/b/g
●Wi-Fi 4 (WiFi 802.11n)
●Wi-Fi 5 (WiFi 802.11ac)
●Wi-Fi 6E (WiFi 802.11ax)
●WiFi 802.11a/b/g
●Wi-Fi 4 (WiFi 802.11n)
●Wi-Fi 5 (WiFi 802.11ac)
●Wi-Fi 6E (WiFi 802.11ax)
Encryption ●64-bit/128-bit WEP
●AES-CCMP
●TKIP
●64-bit/128-bit WEP
●AES-CCMP
●TKIP
Bluetooth wireless card Bluetooth 5.3 Bluetooth 5.3
NOTE: The version of the Bluetooth wireless card may vary depending on the
operating system that is installed on your computer.
Audio
The following table lists the audio specifications of your Alienware Aurora R16.
Table 8. Audio specifications
Description Values
Audio type Integrated 7.1 channel audio with S/PDIF port
Audio controller Realtek ALC1220
Internal audio interface High-definition audio
External audio interface ●7.1 audio 6-connector stack of retaskable audio ports
●Optical S/PDIF
20