Hello!

Despite having pre-built my last couple of PCs, the current graphics card shortage means I am looking at a pre-built to replace my current PC (since at this point a pre-built is cheaper!), and I can get a very good deal on an R12 with a 3060 through work. I am not a big time gamer anymore, but being able to play games that have been released in the last five years or so is exciting to me.

That said, Alienware's configuration options, as is often the case with pre-built PCs, are a bit pricier than DIY and I figure I can save a bit of cheese buying a few bits myself. I also understand that these PCs are a bit finicky when it comes to supported "aftermarket" parts.

So, my thought is to get the "base" model Aurora with, say, 32gb RAM (since right now adding extra RAM at checkout is cheaper than buying the HyperX Fury DDR2 on NewEgg or elsewhere). That said, if other, cheaper RAM will work fine, I could do that too.

I would probably add a 1TB HDD for files, etc that I don't need on the SSD, rather than adding $400 at checkout for a bigger SSD - does the case have drive bays for additional HDDs? Is the motherboard finicky as far as branding on HDDs the way I have heard it is on RAM and other peripherals?

I have heard these run hot, though mostly on the 3080 and higher models - is a cooling upgrade needed for a filthy casual, or are these sufficiently water cooled from the factory? If a cooling upgrade is needed, again, is the motherboard finicky about branding or can I use, say, some nice Noctua fans or an aftermarket AIO water cooler?

Thank you!