*OFFICIAL* Alienware "Graphics Amplifier" Owner's Lounge and Benchmark Thread (All 13, 15 and 17)

You're definitely not going to notice the hit if you are running everything on 1080p. You should feel plenty comfortable that this setup will last you a good while.

 

The Saga Continues:

Folks, I have been unable to use my GA with my 17 R3 no matter what I do. My system would do an endless reboot cycle after initial power on and the screen would never light up. On rare occasion I could get the screen to light up but would then receive an error that only AMD or Nvidida cards are supported (same results with Asus and Gigabyte 1080). Same issue on 1.2.2, 1.2.8, 1.2.15. At this point the system has had over 700 reboots probably and only 2 or 3 times could I get into Windows. Firestrike scores ranged from 13000 to 15000.

I decided to try *one more time* to get things to work and flashed all the way back to firmware 1.2.5 and....FML *facepalm* FML...the system would no longer recognize my OS drive (SM951 1TB, factory image). Could not get around this but right off the bat I noticed the system would power up with the GA attached so I knew I was on to something. I really didn't want to reinstall Windows and start from scratch (I'm a Windows Server Admin and do plenty of that at work...I come home wanting to get my frag on!) but went ahead as I had no choice in the matter. Side note, I haven't been able to get my processor (i7-6820HK) and have a stable system. Frequent blue screens across all firmware versions whenever I try any overlocking - even the built in BIOS configurations.

After reinstalling Windows and all the necessary Dell packages and other drivers I notied in GPU-Z the 1080 cards would both only show PCI-E 2.0 x15 @ x4 2.0 at best. Sometimes @ x4 1.0. I can't get it to show PCIE 3. Before the reinstall it showed as it should based on everyone elses screenshots. Now my Firestrike scores are pathetic - worse than before. When I play BF 4 with my 3 2k screens on LOW SETTINGS I only show 20 FPS so its not even close to being playable. I can't even play Left 4 Dead and that's an old game.

So, WTF is wrong here? Why am I only showing PCI-E 2.0 x16 @ x4 2.0 in GPU-Z? That alone explains the crappy ass performance.

 

Welp,

It seems I'm stuck at BIOS 1.1.5 as my system will no longer take BIOS flashes - just gives an error and forces a restart. I finally bit the bullet and called Dellienware and after a painful almost two hours on he phone they will be sending me a new mobo along with a tech (who hopefully has a clue).

 

On the plus side you may be getting a better 6820hk that you can overclock. Fingers crossed. Also, your issue seems to be more with the AGA. If you have a desktop laying around, try and install the 1080 in that and see if it works. If it does, you will know that the AGA is the problem. I had the infinite boot loop with the first AGA I bought, so I scrapped that and bought another AGA from one of the users on here and haven't had any issues since.

 

I should hope so! My 6820 was junk....crappy performance compared to others and it ran hotter. Unfortunately I don't have a desktop lying around but I did try an Asus and Gigabyte 1080s in the GA and they both exhibit the same symptoms. I put several different server NICs in the GA and Windows would boot up fine into Windows but then I'd get a pop up that the system had to be rebooted (from the Alienware GA software) and the USB ports did not work.

So it sounds like ultimately they'll need to send me a new GA or a new sys board for it to address that issue but at least the new mobo will help some of my problems.

 

waiting to get a graphics card for the AGA

 

Per your signature you're using the AGA for the USB ports.....HOW?!?!? Mine won't work without a graphics card.

 

If you connect the GA to the computer without a GPU, it'll just act as a USB hub, and that's how the computer detects it (that means that the neither BIOS nor Alienware Command Center will detect it as the GA). I used it as a USB hub as well before I got a desktop GPU for it.

 

Not with my set up. If there's no GPU in the AGA, or a PCI card other than a GPU, when I boot Windows an Alienware box pops up saying a reboot is necessary to configure the system. USB ports do not work at this point, so I will reboot the system and when Windows comes back up the same situation repeats. Never been able to get them to work - I had the AGA for months waiting for the GTX 1080 to come out

 

convenient XD

 

I have received the AMD RX 480 today, tried it with the AGA but unfortunately it doesn't work, the AGA disables the card after a reboot request message, the usb hub still works though, anyone knows a solution on how to get this working?

 

Is anyone getting a real low score on Time Spy? I am only getting 200..

 

I tried all the tips and tricks others recommended but nothing worked. Ultimately I could only get it to work by using bios 1.1.5 on my 17 R3. I'm having my sys board replaced and once my laptop itself is back up and running AW will address my GA issues. it's either the cable, system board, or my laptop being the point of failure.

 

I have been trying to solve a really weird bug with system and compressed memory and a GTX 970 with an r2 13 on latest windows 10 home. The CPU usage hovers around 25% for system and compressed memory when plugged into the graphics amplifier, but all is well when it isn't. 25% CPU load makes the computer unusable for photoshop, it is very laggy. I have been pulling my hair out trying to solve it. Nuked all traces of drivers, and tried different combos of drivers.

Has anyone else had anything happen similar?

 

MSI 1070. I keep getting the recognizable device alienware graphics amplifier message when i boot up. I have the latest bios installed and the latest mobile and desktop drivers. Any suggestions?

 

There's tons of suggestions in this thread others. I've recently made many posts.

There's the alienware forums too; but you've got to do the time to read up on the GA or you'll not get the most out of your system.

 

Same thing happens again when you reboot?

 

Yes. Command Center prompt tells me to reboot and i get the same message over and over. The card doesn't show up in "device manager" Just my 980m and the intel integrated.

 

In that case I suggest you do a bit of reading. I just made a number of posts on this thread and others about my GA and what I've found out and had to do.

Ultimately you'll need to call Dell from what I've seen. Maybe its your cable. Maybe its your GA. Maybe its your laptop mobo. Inform yourself and go from there.

 

Yeah i called. They just kept saying there should be nothing wrong with the GA and that error has to do with the card since the computer recognizes the GA. I will try to get another card tomorrow from best buy. Maybe a founder edition that only has a 8 pin connection and see how that goes. I was trying to get one today but BB screwed me over with my orders and kept changing my pick up and then finally showing out of stock. Thanks.

 

Happened to me too. You have to force your system to use the external graphics card.

 

Having trouble with Wolfenstein: The New Order when using the AGA. Corrupted textures and random crashes. Works perfectly on internal graphics (970m).

Anyone experience the same? Any fix?

 

Is there any news about a new driver from Dell/Alienware for the AGA to deal with Pascal GPU's? Even with the latest Bios and NVidia drivers my Firestrike score is still stuck at around 15,000 where as my buddies with desktops and a GTX 1080 are getting 20-30% higher scores when an AGA is not used.

 

So as I just got home from my on-duty-travels I could try out again my external 4k screen with my GIGABYTE GTX 1080 G1 GAMING (OC +165MHz Core / 670MHz Mem) and did easily 16700, which feels pretty good, on the first try on Firestrike v1.1

THIS means there is more than 2000 points difference on Firestrike! Also like i said in my later posts - there is a much slower response time on "4k" (only) with "4k internal display" - compared to external monitor.

For 1080p and 1440p gaming it doesn't matter anymore - as at ultra up to maxed out settings all games run smoothly with stable +60FPS and good response time. But 4k @ +60FPS (some games only +50FPS) and a GTX 1080 only works well on external screen... as the response time for 4k/4k internal display is pretty bad and the loss of performance 10-15 FPS...

So again I know that there MUST be a performance drop due to the specs of the alienware AGA (+Cable) but its bad its THAT high with the latest high-end graphic cards!

So as the question came up again...
for FREQUENT TRAVELLERS like me with a GTX1080 OC -> better buy a
1440p laptop screen instead of 4K. -.-
For home users with external screen, performance is great ... so i recommend a 1440p or 4K external screen for high quality gaming @ 60FPS

If you want to run higher FPS than 60 because of a faster monitor (144Hz) - than I would recommend a 1080p to 1440p external display...

Still its funny - that some people seem to have not such a hugh difference (less than 1000 points on Firestrike) between internal and external monitor use....

 

Hi mate, thanks for your findings. Is there any input lag when playing on the internal monitor? Especially for FPS games like battlefield battlefront etc etc? playing at 1080P

 

The lag is only noticeable at 4k

 

I have the same 1080, but the best I can do is +75MHz. Attempting to increase the voltage, memory clock, or power limit just results in driver failure and Firestrike aborting. How did you get yours to work?

Just today I had the new v2 board put in my 17 R3 6820HK but the maximum fire strike score I can get is 15,300. I've seen others with the same system get MUCH higher.

 

Bollocks. You're having a very similar issue to where I was. There was no difference in my issue between the two cards I tried - One was 8 pin the other had two connectors (Asus Strix). I also tried swapping power supplies.

For me a motherboard swap did the trick and my GA is now up and running without a fuss - just the speeds aren't what they should be. For that matter- neither is the CPU - but at least my AGA works.

 

Question is if the 15,300 were reached while using the laptops internal display or external monitor? With internal it would be damn good - With external not good of course.
I use the following (absolutly stable) setting via Gigabyte XTREME GAMING Tool:

• Temp Target 92 Degrees C
• CPU clock +160 MHz
  
• Mem clock +670 MHz
• Voltage +100%
• Power limiter 108%
• FAN: EASY SETTING: TURBO
• ADVANCED OC SETTING: Basic Setting

 

Yep, like Sluggz and I said - at 1080p - 1440p gaming on internal monitor is perfectly smooth without lag (with GTX 1070 - GTX 1080)

 

I had the same issue on my original 13 as well. First i updated the intel graphics drivers and that stopped the system compressed issue. But i was still having issue with what i call screen lag when i drag a program around it would "ghost". I ended up disabling the intel graphics chip when i am connected to the amp. But when you are not using the amp you need to enable it or you will have problems with games using the mobile nvidia card.

 

External display for me. Tried your settings and Firestrike wouldn't even start the test. I can't even go up a slight bit on the settings before things start crapping out. 75Mhz CPU clock increase is the best I can get using the Gigabyte tool. Heck, I can't even get the software to load sometimes. Often it takes 4 or 5 attempts to load - and sometimes a reboot is needed. The Asus Strix software loads without issue but I have returned that card.

Think I'll try the internal display tonight for grins and giggles.

 

So, has anyone had luck getting the new Nvidia Titan X Pascal to work with the AGA? I'm dying to know...

 

The best OC config I could get to successfully run Firestrike is as fire:
Temp target: 89
GPU clock: +75 MHz
Mem clock: +0 MHz
Voltage: +0 MHz
Power limiter: +4%
This yielded a score of 16312. Now, with the stock configuration and no OC at all I received 16149. For both of these tests I had OC level 2 selected in the BIOS. On another thread I'm trying to work through why my new system board is giving me such poor CPU performance, amongst other things.

Anyways - Firestrike score with no GPU OC and INTERNAL / Laptop screen: 14452.

 

Hey guys, Has anyone had an issue with their PCs not booting when the AGA is plugged in. Sometimes everything will boot fine and the AGA works perfectly, but 95% of the time my laptop just gets fails to boot and gets caught in a reboot cycle. I originally had a 780 gtx in the amp but have now purchased a 1080. Same thing happens with both cards. Drivers and everything seem up to date to me.

edit: I should mention I have a stock 17R2

 

Anyone else experiencing bad performance after the anniversary update? Black Ops 3 barely hitting 60 for some reason.

 

Had to roll back from the anniversary update. Both wolfenstein and Black Ops 3 were running very bad.

AW15 r1 with gtx 1080

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

 

Yeah I'll know by hopefully Tuesday next week and let everyone know.

Also, anyone in need for a 2.1 GHz Evga 1080 FTW?

 

Yes, TONS. Go through the past several pages of posts on this thread. I also started a thread about my struggle that ultimately lead to a motherboard replacement to resolve the GA issues - but introduced a bunch of other problems. I still have issues booting with the AGA attached but eventually it will come up.

There's threads all over the interwebs from those with the same issues. Some people have even tried reinstalling Windows - didn't work for me. Or trying a different card - didn't work for me. Or rolling back to BIOS 1.2.8 - didn't work for me. I could only boot using BIOS 1.1.5 from September 2015. That's it.

 

waiting so long for the asus strix gtx 1080 ARGH

 

How is compatibility these days...I have a full desktop but thinking about nixing it to go back to a laptop and just running it (desktop) as a Plex server and getting the GA and throwing a 980Ti in it...

Thx

 

So I'm in the process of buying a 1080 for the AGA, from what I have read both of my choices don't fit with the lid down those would be the EVGA FTW and the MSI gaming Z, do any of you have any advice on what the best option that actually fits would be.

thank you in advance for you opinion

 

I recommend the evga superclocked, not too much different than the ftw and will fit perfectly.

 

My Titan X came in the mail today. Bottom line, not working yet. Even did a DDU driver uninstall. Device Manager recognizes the Titan X by name, but has a yellow triangle indicating some problem. Sucks.

 

That's disappointing =/

Please do let us know how you got it working if / when you do!

 

I contacted Alienware's Facebook page as I know they read and reply to their messages, and others have contacted Dell support. It won't even let me try to install the latest 1080 drivers, so the only option is to wait on a new Nvidia driver or Dell BIOS sadly.

 

Thank you for the reply will do I just ordered the SC, on to another question, I got a really good dean on a new GA but the refrerence is Z01g as opposed to the regular 9r7xn, the specs and photos look the same do you know if there is a difference, I can get it for about 100 less

 

I would return it to be honest. It will be bottlenecked. The 1080 already shows a larger performance drop than the previous generation of Nvidia cards in the AGA.

 

I had an EVGA 1080 FTW that boosted to 2.1 GHz when overclocked and I ran 4 different benchmarks before I sold it, so once the Titan X works I'll overclock and run the same benchmarks and see what happens. If I can get a 20-30% performance increase or 15+ fps improvement like in the reviews I'll keep it.

I was able to get a 5444 graphics score in Firestrike Ultra with the 1080 which is about 5% less than some of the higher scores I've seen online with similar overclocks, although in-game performance is about 10% slower than it should be (all using the internal 4K display), so that's in line with expectations.

I may look into the Razer dock in the future or something similar to use over USB-C if they're affordable and actually work.

 

The Razer core does not perform as well as the AGA. I seem to recall it's about 5-10% less performance.