M15 R2 Review - Linus Tech Tips - If I could only have one computer this would be it

One of my favorite reviewers tests the M15 R2 with 9750H and 2080 Max Q

 

This stupid laptop only does to 3.0-3.2ghz and 97C on the processor.
What kind of idiot cooling did Alienware put on this laptop.

 

yet it's the only computer Linus would keep if he had one choice!

 

Damn he beat me to the review. Although mine will be 9750H + RTX 2060, a more tamable config.

 

The cooling is fine, just needs a re-paste and undervolt. It’s beyond me that Dell doesn’t use quality paste!

Cooling system is enough to get 8 cores to 4.45 GHz at less than 90c once you use LM and undervolt.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/full-speed-9980hk-with-no-throttling-new-m15-r2.830612/

 

"
If I could only have one computer this would be it"

ROTFL! Turns out Linus has to pay bills too.

 

The main problem are Intel hexa-core CPU's built in 14nm tech which produce too much heat for these thin laptops to handle. Quad core i5 is still offered, but only in the base config, unfortunately.

I think Linus at least covered all the important negative angles pretty much here (soldered RAM, achievable clocks on full load, high CPU temps, high noise) for this to be simply written off as a shill review.

 

True, would take thicker and cooler any day, however, at the risk of beating the dead horse a bit too much, yes: the main problems with that laptop are (presumably slow) soldered RAM and WiFi, as well as the inverted mobo design.

 

A better review than gizmo did for sure.

 

Don't worry, the Alienware Memory Amplifier should be coming soon.

 

LOL

 

AHAHAHAH nice one!

 

The only issue is that it uses the same port as the Graphics Amplifier so you'll have to choose which one you need more.

 

I fear the RAM in the Alienware Memory Amplifier would likely be soldered in too.

 

Yeah that goes without saying.

 

I am not interested in the memory amp anyways, it will only support DDR4-2400 when its initially released.

 

Early tests have shown that they can’t get the thermals right with DDR4 so they’ve opted for DDR3L-1866 until Corsair can develop a liquid cooled solution.


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You’ll just have to get the Memory Compatibility Amplifier for the DDR3L to work in the newer systems.


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You guys have it all wrong...I've been playing with the AMP v2.0....here's the details...

1x PCIe 3.0 x8 slot supporting up to 375w double slot GPUs including increased height
4x USB 3.0 ports
460w PSU
2x DDR4 SO-DIMM SLOTS supporting up to 3200Mhz DDR4 HyperX memory
2x M.2 NVMe slots (x4 each) [SSDs are soldered on R3 models]
1x Wi-FI card slot [in case you want to future proof soldered wifi card]

All this on a single AMP v2.0 cable supporting PCIe x16 3.0 total bandwidth. Price starting at $399.99 (they wanted to compete with Razer Core v2)

 

Well they've really impressed me with v2.0!! Looks like they've thought of everything.

This would all be pretty funny if it wasn't actually required......

 

Lolz. Soldered SSD? Duh! It's time to solder the lid. It's too much user access as is. Can win the market by making the laptop even thinner if there is no unnecessry keyboard or screen. Of course there will be a HDMI port for TV connectivity and a Bluetooth controller. Oh wait, why don''t we start directly competing with PS and XBOX <evil laugh of the AW Corporate Commander>

 

Would they need an HDMI port? Why not force a wireless connection? Users can deal with the slight lag.

 

Intel doesn’t design laptops. Maybe the notebook manufacturers should put more money in the cooling and same time stop with the yearly shrinking of chassis thickness.

 

old lineup atleast had some standard in design language, new ones are hybrids.. also i dont understand how company like dell alienware spends so much on RND and comes up with such bad thermal performance, out of box every high end gaming laptop should have better thermals. shame on the industry..

 

They could at least use some premium thermal compound. How much extra could it possibly cost them compared to the bad rep they're getting?? The first thing people do with their new machine shouldn't be stripping it down to repaste.

 

Agree completely. They would actually save money using a higher quality paste due to decreased returns. It’s a no brainer.

 

They prefer use thermal paste created for longevity, not for best thermal conductivity. Many of their customers don’t bother with 100C/thermal throttling. The pros vs cons is already calculated in and Dell know exactly what will give them lowest costs. Not all open up their machines to see how it looks like inside their notebook...

Edit. Intel as well go for thermal paste with not the best thermal conductivity between DIE/IHS. It's all about about Longevity and cost savings.

 

Ahh ok. That does make some sense then.

 

thermal paste is just a secondary thing, if they make the chasis / heatsink / fans properly they will have much better thermal out of box, offcourse with better controls on firmwares / bios etc..

 

If they go cheap on thermal paste... Why should they go expencive on hardware as cooling components? Make thing better will normally result in increased costs. This doesn't fit together brother. See below...

 

I have to disagree with you. If the thermal interface between the hardware components and the heatsink is lousy, it won't matter if you have great heatsink and fans. The thermal transfer will be the limiting factor.

Good mounting pressure, good contact and good thermal interface is what you want.

Not a bandaid solution of slapping a big ol' pile of cheap thermalpaste to try and make up for all of the above.

 

offcourse you cant expect a toothpaste to cool off the alienwares, worst comes from the mounting mechanism, no matter how much u fill the paste if the HS is not balanced its gonna have bad time.. Paste does have some influencial..i dont know about other countries, atleast here in my place the stock dell tech get the Shin Etsu series thermal paste i guess its x23 something or else in service centers they use MX4 white one, but the stamp one which comes on refurb /new heatsink is bad..

either way i need a New Alienware to find out the peformance out of box in humid countries.. currently its costing around 1.5L for the base model around 2150 USD..