AW15 R1 / AW17 R2 BIOS A06

Given how borderline retarded Alienware engineers and support is, I would readily trust several of our forum members before ANY of the fools at Alienware. Zog has proven himself to be knowledgeable and resourceful on numerous topics, so I wouldn't hesitate to flash his Intel ME firmware.

 

I have some interesting findings regarding the MEI update that Zog posted.
I was using Intel Extreme Tuning Utility and I noticed some "Current Limit Throttling" and it was pretty consistent. It was even happening while I was not doing any gaming or benchmarking, while doing simple stuff in Windows.

Attached are two screenshots. They both are Stress Tests in Intel Extreme Tuning Utility the only difference between the two is the MEI version flashed to the BIOS. As you can see using the MEI that Zog posted causes "Current Limit Throttling" and the one that comes with A06 has no throttling.

Please feel free to test this on your own system. It is easy to flash back to the stock A06 MEI because the BAT that Zog posted makes a backup.

MEI 9.1.30.1008


MEI 9.1.32.1002

 

Is IMEI version from @Lord Zog also tested with bios A06? Cpu Utiliziation is higher on the test with Zog's IMEI .. 96 vs 99%

 

I'm looking into this, my machine isn't showing that behavior.. On A06 MEI and the newer version, my limit is still 0. Nothing was changed in the changelog from MEI with a06 and this one except to fix a crash caused with that version, and to support 512-bit keys in RADIUS certificates. Not sure why CPU Utilization is higher also, it shouldn't be affected...

 

So you have 0 "current limit throttling"? Would the MEI driver matter with this scenario?

This is just weird..

I tried this on two separate Alienware 15 R1's. Could others please test?
Im going to do some more testing.

Yes those were both A06

 

The driver can affect it, but the changelog doesn't reflect any changes to do so.. I know the last update before this one affected BCLK on some models, but it also depends on how the system/model is implemented. But on my 17R2 this isn't happening.. CPU Utilization shouldn't be changing. I'm using MEI driver 11.0.0.1168 and this firmware..

 

You have to test a few more times. Maybe a longer stress test. Also follow closely the CPU Utilization. There should not be any difference between these MEI versions. You can also test with Heaven also in addition to stress test in Xtu.

 

I'm looking into it.. Give me a few mins.. Just finishing this CFW compile for my PS3 firmware. I'm going to look into the MEI a little more between the 2 versions in IDA and try different drivers as I'm not getting this issue, but if he is on 2 separate machines, maybe I overlooked something..

 

Ran the test a few times, this is my 3rd run..

Not getting the limit throttle your showing with 9.1.32.1002 firmware on aw17r2.

 

Likewise, running Zog's ME with no current limit throttle

 

Since I cannot reproduce this issue on my aw17r2, check your Amperage settings in XTU, it looks like it throttled 10% Max.
Also, update your MEI Driver.. I'll host some if this stuff from my DropBox for you. Update these and try again.

Intel MEI - 11.0.0.1168

Intel Dynamic Platform and Thermal Framework - 8.1.10603.192

And for the hell of it, Intel USB 3.0 - 4.0.1.40

These are latest as of today and a lot newer than the drivers on Dell.com.

 

Well even though I was getting this Im glad no one else is.. at least I know its my hardware or software and is isolated.
I will try your suggestions.. Perhaps I will also try a different adapter as well.
Thanks to all that provided feedback.

 

Guys, I need an advice, I'm on 06, 4720HQ, 970m 3Gb, prema vbios, clocked at 1.3ghz boost, 1.087V as a daily driver. The laptop came with 180W Psu. I have my M17XR2 240W PSU, is it the same 240W as newer laptop? I tested it and If I clock the 970m to 1375mhz, 1.150V i get some strange throttling behavior, running the Witcher 3 for example, whether with the 180 PSU my alien head would indicate that additional Wattage was being used from the battery because of the hybrid bios, with the 240W PSU from the 17XR2 I get serious throttling from time to time, like it goes on battery for a while and then back at PSU. (the Psu looks like it trip or is "disconnected").

Shall I try to go back to A00 and the M17XR2 240W PSU? Or get a new 240W PSU for a 2015 17 R2? Temperatures are fine, the 970m with prema v bios can really kick a55 and it has a lot of OC headroom, the 180W PSU is not enough if you OC and I'm not sure of this hybrid bios power function. Anyway I don't care about battery life.

I'm on win 10 pro, latest Nvidia drivers, latest dell drivers for the rest, the M17XR2 PSU is properly recognized by the system at boot up and work as intended when on Windows. The above described behavior happened only on really demanning games and high GPU OC/OV, like the hybrid tech doesn't work properly with the old 240W PSU.. Or it try to kick in using the battery when the 240W should suffice, maybe when the PSU reach the 180W threshold but has enough headroom to supply more power, the hybrid tech kicks in messing things up?

Any thoughts?

 

Read. http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...3-owners-lounge.770314/page-175#post-10131283

 

Hi, just updated to A06, ran intel XTU while grantheftauting for about one hour and found that temps on cpu reached 90°c at some point! (gpu reached 80°c max for a bit), I live in a tropical country so the heat is a thing here and I'd like my 15 to last for a bit, I've read that there is a way to change the speed of the fans in order to achieve better cooling, is that allowed by alienware?, also, a05 seemed better even while it was louder (a06 is whisper quiet but runs warm) but I'm always listening to speakers so there's no way fan noise could be a problem, is there a way to return to a05 without system restore?

 

That's very easy. Just download it from dell and installe!

 

Could you please repost these files on your dropbox?

 

Hey guys im possible looking to pickup an Alienware 17 R2 used with the 4980HQ and GTX 980M for a good deal. The system comes with the 180Watt power adapter which I know I will need to get the 240Watt. Has the throttling and battery discharge been fixed with bios A06 and a 240 Watt power adapter? Want to make sure this is a safe purchase before pulling the trigger.

 

how much are you going to pay? i think yes ... with the 240W you will handle the throttling

 

That's good to hear, the price is $1300 after tax which includes the glossy touchscreen which I prefer due to perceived clearer image, easier to clean, and just looks nicer. Good deal?

 

Depends if you are lucky with the chip or not. @VICKYGAMEBOY tested 4 or 5 motherboard with heavy throttling before he got a newer Skylake model from Dell tech team. Regardless of psu size.. .Early 2015 mod Aw15 / 17 use the same motherboards, hardware and firmware. Same as late 2015 models.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/alienware-15-r1-cpu-issue-warning.788446/