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

Didn't even need to use the AGA.
http://www.3dmark.com/compare/fs/7506459/fs/11073157#
I forgot my password to my TI account, so I can't post there (I'll figure it out).

 

Yeah, that is a excellent example with 16% decrease in physics performance over the span of GUI versions just this year. If you can figure out the password and post it that would be really good. If not, let me know and I will post it with a link here so it is captured. Thanks.

 

Anyone with a GTX 1080 laptop also have a GTX 1080 desktop card and an AGA? I just ordered an AW17 with the 1080 and am wondering how it fares to the desktop part in the AGA. I will know the results come January, but thats a while of waiting.

 

https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NVIDIA/GeForce_GTX_1080_PCI_Express_Scaling/
So this came out. Just like their previous articles on PCI-E scaling, it's worth a read.

 

I would give you and @Papusan rep for these finding but the forum says I should give at least 3 other people rep before I can give again. Excellent information!

 

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1eNqPR4pHVmgZdK5eVM_H_rxlfRO6jSSyQg

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1MBf0r7mSiYU8XvN-HuO1UFLIldxrG3QjCA

Don't have a picture of it closed as it just looks like a regular AGA. Forced to revert to stock PSU as the cables of the CX500 were too thick.

Got the idea from this youtube video.

 

Does the AGA CPU overclock function really make a difference? Should I disable it?

 

doubt that it will

what cpu do you have?

 

I recently received my AGA. Tried it out and got about 20FPS more with a GTX 980ti vs the GTX 1060 with some quick tests. Anyway that isn't my problem. For whatever reason it is difficult to open my AGA. I slid over the little lever. I feel that it is unlocked. But to open it further I have to use more force than I would think is required. And it makes a loud snap. But after opening nothing is broken is this normal?

Second question. Does anyone else find it difficult to unplug the Amp from the laptop. I tried pressing all the buttons but the damn things is still a struggle to unplug. I checked the cord after unplugging and the buttons appear retract the little pieces on the side of the connector. So it doesn't appear broken.

 

Mine always makes that noise... seems normal enough.

As for unplugging it, Its pretty difficult. It has to be a secure connection because if it comes out that could be catestrophic.

 

4720

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk

 

doubt it

 

THere are some plastic clips on the bottom which causes that sound. Its indeed a bit stiff, especially in the beginning.

 

Hi all, I'm having problems getting the AGA + AW13 (OLED) with a Gigabyte G1 GTX1070 to work on anything other than the HDMI port. None of the Display ports seem to work (I have 3 displays). I have re-installed Nvidia drivers but still only displaying via HDMI port no other monitor is recognised. Anyone else got this working with a dual or triple monitor setup? Thanks.

 

Ah problem Solved I had bad display port cables, swapped them out all working now!.

 

any idea if it will run on a Precision 7510 with usb-c ?

 

The AGA needs the AGA port to function.

 

so my only option is still the razer core ;]

 

Well, there are other Thunderbolt 3 eGPU enclosures to consider. Don't think you're still limited to one option.
I think ASUS, Powercolor, and AKITIO have eGPU boxes.

 

Hey guys, just ordered a Gigabyte gtx 1070 OC with Windforce for my AWA without considering the dimensions of the card. I was looking at pics a short while ago and noticed how big it looks! I know for a fact that the G1 model fits in it but I checked the dimensions and it says mine is bigger... can anyone confirm weather or not the the Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1070 OC with Windforce will fit? I fear the worst... :/

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Worst case you may have to just leave the AGA open. I had a EVGA 980ti classified edition in there and just had to leave it open as the card is MASSIVE.

 

Leaving it open isn't really an option. It's bad enough my girlfriend hates the amplifier being so big, she would hate if I had to leave it open with it being basically on display for where it sits in the house. If anyone could so kindly compare their own card dimensions to my own 5.5 x 11.5 x 1.5 in, I would greatly appreciate it. The order hasn't even shipped yet. I could possibly return it for something else, but I happen to score a good deal on it. So you know...

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You should return your girlfriend instead.

 

She bought the laptop a few months ago and gfx card now. So that's not an option.

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Wth its already a small case Why would she complain about the size?

Anyway dont know the exact measurements for what fits or not.

But I used a EVGA 1070GTX FTW edition and modded the case for it to fit. Removed some plastic struts on the inside and used low profile cables. THats all I had to do for it to make it fit.

 

Does anyone know what the original fan connector on the amp is called? I don't want to splice the fan.

Is it a JST mini? 2mm?

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Better take this to overclock.net under their air cooling section, a lot more knowledgeable people there.

 

No need. I can confirm that it is called a micro JST 1.25 2-pin connector.

 

there we go


but you have to splice the aftermarket fans now

 

So a new AGA software was released ten days ago for the latest laptops. It installed fine on my 13 R2, so it should install fine for 15 R2 and 17 R3.
I have no idea what it does, though.

 

Hi followed this link and installed it for my R1. it actually installed and now the AGA appears in my command center on my R1. it never did that previously with windows 10. I'm trying to sort an issue where when my aga is plugged in. any time i full screen a youtube video or netflix on my computer the screens go black on my external monitors. if i full screen a video on the laptop screen, the graphics card drivers crash and i have to reboot.

If i disable the internal intel graphics card. Full screen videos works but become laggy. Not sure how i should proceed to troubleshoot this. Anyone have any tips?

Cheers,
Averack

 

I'm having the exact same problem.^^

 

I just completed another test. i used DDU to uninstall the intel driver. Did a clean reinstall with latest driver and replicated the problem. Ran DDU a second time but this time i didnt reinstall the intel driver. i Just left it with base windows 10 default display driver. Full screen works. So it looks like the intel driver is causing the issue / conflict.

I might escalate this to dell now I have an R1 and driver support has been ****. My warranty on this baby doesn't expire till 2019 so i'm going to see what they will do.

Also for those who have the R1 and the AGA doesnt appear in the Command Center, install Version 3.0.11.0, A01-00 of the AGA software. Fixed my problem so i can modify colour etc.

 

Just now ran Firestrike with EVGA GTX 1070 SC. Results were 13700~. The mobile 1070 is around 13400~. A little lost on why desktop GPU is barely beating mobile (notebookcheck benches claim 15000~ for desktop 1070). Any ideas anyone?

 

Gotta look at the Graphics score.
Desktop scores are better in most scenarios because of the better processors as well.

 

Thanks, results were much better.

 

http://www.3dmark.com/fs/11257446

 

Smoking the Razer Blade Pro's 1080 lol

 

haha, overclocked by a **** ton though. +125 to the GPU offset, +350 to the memory offset and +.31mv, all done on EVGA Precision. its a 980 Ti Hybrid. CPU is running at 4.1GHz

 

Nice. Im sure there is a bit more headroom. Specially since the voltage still has ways to go! Pretty amazing none the less. Its even high than a 1080 hooked up over TB3.

 

Pretty surprised with that myself. Temp wise, the CPU was still under 50. I'm sure I can push it some more, but with the 4x pcie connection from the GA to the 15 R2, may not be worth to push it anymore.

 

I think you should be ok. I did some experimenting, hooking up a 1080 over M.2 (PCIe x4) to my P870 and it tops out at about 23.5-24k Graphics score. (Some interesting results here - http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...-g-gtx1080-tb3-hdk-pe4c-v4-1-m-2-ngff.796773/ , the GA is definitely a neater and more convenient solution)

The CPU on the other hand, only gets pushed during the Physics and combined tests mostly. But 4.1 Ghz is pretty respectable for daily use. Im not very familiar with that chip, so cant say much about it.

Till the time there are enough lanes to feed the GA , and the PCH doesn't have to siphon from the x4 that it is using, you should be A-OK!

 

I'm running a raid 0 on 2 m.2 NVME drives (2 Samsung SM951). I'm pretty sure I'm a little low on PCIe lanes as it is. Hahaha

Very impressive setup, by the way. I'm still holding off for the 1080 Ti. But at the same time, I'm not gaming as much anymore, so I may just stay with my 980 Ti

 

Can anyone provide me with some insight as to the 6700hq and if it would bottleneck a gtx 1080? I have been using an HK but don't really like messing with the OC much, I usually just stick it on dells OC3 and leave it there. In the current crop of alienwares, the cooling can be an issue and I was seeing 97degree temps. I am seriously debating getting a 6700hq. I don't really need much cpu power for my day-to-day, I would say gaming is the most CPU intensive task I do. Thoughts?

 

I was wondering the same too. I'm on the fence from switching my order from a 15R3 to a 13R3 and just using a AGA when I decide to play games.

I was going to wait until the GTX 1080 Ti's or the AMD Vega cards are announced at CES. If the GTX 1080 bottlenecks a 6700hq really bad, then I might not wait for the upper tier cards.

 

Funny that you say that because I am now back on my AW 13 after using the AW17R4 for about a week and instantly I am in love all over again. I was debating getting another 17 but I think I may wait a bit for the kaby lake AW13's to come out and then just order another one of those. I hope the bottleneck won't be too bad on the CPU without being able to OC. The major factor though is that the HK allows all cores to run at the higher clocks where as the HQ only allows 1 core to burst that high.

 

The 13 would've been near perfect if the 6820HK were available on them

 

I am 99% sure the cooling could probably handle it too. The HK is really the only reason to get the alienware as even mainstream "gaming" laptops have the 6700hq. Oh well... at least Kaby Lake is a higher clock.

 

Hey gang,

After trading out my old 17r3 for a 15r3 I can no longer set my notebook to sleep with the amp in. They added some kind of update to the old 17 that allowed this function but it seems absent in the new notebooks. Anyone else notice this or am I missing something?

 

Hey,

Now that the AW13 is available with 7700HQ would this along with the Graphics amplifier (with 1080 desktop) be an option to an AW17 with a gtx1080 when it comes to gaming ? or will the 7700HQ be a big bottleneck ?