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

The USB ports in the back of the AGA, they have independent lanes in the cable correct? Having devices plugged in isn't going to hinder performance with the GPU like the Razer Core's USB ports do, right?

 

Thats correct. The USB hub is a separate entitity in the AGA, I Have harddisks etc connected and never saw a drop in performance.

 

Are there any guides on getting the AGA set up? I just ordered one off of Amazon ($170 which is a steal) and it should be getting here Friday. I've heard that some people have problems with the GPU drivers so I'm considering just starting with a completely clean Windows 10 installation and starting with the GPU drivers for the AGA off the bat. Are there specific drivers for the AGA or am I just going to nVidia's website?

 

I just tried the Strix 1080 TI in the GA, and it will not fit. It is too wide and also the side of the amplifier will block airflow from the fans. I seem to remember seeing someone modifying a GA to accomodate a Strix 1080, but I cannot find any pictures when I try googling.

So back to the ASUS FE for me.

-KJ

 

So. Replaced the Strix with a MSI FE, and this works just fine. Temps are ok and the noise is quite ok from the cooling. The loudest noise in games now is the coil whine from the graphics card which was bad on the Strix and just as bad on the FE.

Why does this happen? Is this common in desktop computers as well, or is there something with the way the amplifier is designed that amplifies the whine? (Pun intended.)

-KJ

 

Coil whine is quite common nowadays. There is always coil whine. But it depends the frequency if it is audible or not.

 

Hey guys, I got my AGA today and I'm currently using it with my old GTX 1070 while I'm waiting for my 1080 Ti to come in. The AGA was and is working flawlessly (I think), I just have a few questions.

I know that there obviously a reduction in performance if using the laptop's built in display with the AGA. Luckily, the AGA will only be used at my desk with monitors installed so that performance hit should be the minimum. I have the laptop's display disabled through the Windows display settings--is there anything else to do in terms of disabling the laptop's display to minimize that performance hit or is just doing it through the display settings enough?

Are both 6+2 pin connectors on the AGA's PSU for GPU's? I assume they are but I only ask because they're different colored wires. Is anyone currently using MSI Afterburner or a similar program with their AW laptops and AGA?

If I set Afterburner for settings with my GTX 1070 in the AGA, is that going to affect/mess up my laptop's built in 1060 while the AGA is disconnected?

 

Never mind about this; I didn't see that the laptop's display completely disappears from the Windows display settings when closed...that's actually really cool. My other two questions stand, though.

Also, has anyone found any way to easily wake your laptops from sleep without lifting the screen. I have my 15 R3 sitting on a shelf underneath my monitor and having to move the laptop to lift the screen to hit the power button is kinda a pain.

 

You dont need to disable the screen in the control panel or anything. Just press windows button+P and select the second screen only (external screen) and then you are good to go.

Bit connectors are for the GPU.

 

Hey every one I got my amp and gtx 1080ti today and having an issue .. I installed the desktop drivers and even the newest notebook ones .. when I get the computer to reboot all the gpu show up in device manager .. not sure how to get it to run off the ti .. and now I'm having an issue at book where the screen stays black and the little dots spin around and even the mouse shows but nothing else .. I had to restore to get to boot again and I tried again and it stuck again .. any one have any idea how to fix this ?


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You only need to isntall the desktop driver, remove everything and start again.

 

I did it that was as well


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If I may ask, does your laptop have a G-Sync panel/screen?

 

Yes it does


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As it currently stands, the Graphics Amplifier doesn't work well with the G-Sync panels on the laptops as it cannot disable the GPU that turns on the laptop display. I don't when Alienware is going to fix it as it's a known problem.
So in those cases, it's normal to see the laptop discrete GPU enabled, but you're forced to use an external monitor to use the GPU in the amp. So for the time being, disconnect the Amp, uninstall your Nvidia driver with DDU and install the latest mobile graphics driver. See if that helps. Let's at least get the boot problem fixed first.

 

Oh I didn't know that's! Thanks for the info .. now I'm stuck with a black screen do I just beef to restore again ?


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For what it's worth, I use my AGA as it's "designed." I have a 15 R3 with a 7700HQ, GTX 1060, and G-SYNC which I use on the go. I have my AGA set up on my desk and it's connected to two external monitors and my TV. While connected to the AGA, my 15 R3 sits on my desk, lid down. When I received my AGA, I did a complete reinstall of Windows 10 Pro, connected the AGA before installing ANY drivers and installed GeForce Experience. GeForce Experience installed perfectly and inside of it, I can see that it detects BOTH my GTX 1060 and the 1070 I'm using in the AGA while I wait for my 1080 Ti to arrive. Under device manager, I can also see both GPU's. Of course, when the laptop is disconnected, the GTX 1070 disappears from both.

I don't know if it's just because I don't use the laptop's display when I have it connected to the AGA but I have no problems with my setup. When my laptop's lid is closed while connected to the AGA, the display disappears completely from both the Windows display settings as well as the nVidia control panel. Everything works perfectly from what I can tell and unless I'm playing a very CPU intensive game, my GTX 1070 is performing within ~2-3% of my previous i7-4790k/1070 setup I was using before I got my AGA.

Just sharing my experience so far. I struggled with the decision of replacing my desktop with an eGPU setup but since I'm currently typing this on my 15 R3 downstairs in my kitchen while the AGA is upstairs, I'm certainly thinking it's worth it.

EDIT: Only downside, G-SYNC, actually. I bought mine from MicroCenter when they had a sale (ended up getting my 15 R3 for like $1250) but they didn't have any non-G-SYNC models. I love the idea of G-SYNC but since the laptop can't switch between the Intel and nVidia GPU, it crushes whatever battery life the laptop is capable of. I average around 3 hours of "normal" use.

 

Have you ever be able to use the laptop display with that egpu?


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What do you mean? When connected to the AGA, I have external monitors, keyboard, mouse, etc. so I don't touch the laptop at all.

 

Right .. is it posable to use the laptop monitor


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So are you using you laptop display


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No, I do not. There's a much higher performance loss when using the laptop's display with the AGA. Up to like ~30%.

 

Yeah .. shoot I was really hoping I could use my laptop screen .. there has to be a away to get it to work


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There are no mobile drivers anymore since they support hot plugging.

 

Correct. I'm actually a fan of that change, the new GeForce Experience holds all drivers IIRC.

 

What do you mean by this? I understand what hot plugging is, but why is it that mobile drivers don't exist?

 

Nvidia makes one unified driver package now. There arent any differences between the mobile and desktop drivers now. Thus someone is just installing 2 times the sa.e driver sets.

 

Just to answer this, most likely no. The G-Sync display is routed to the discrete GPU, not the iGPU. If it were routed to both, then there would be a way by disabling the dGPU and having the iGPU power the display.

 

Ok then maybe you can help me with there I just got a 1080 17r4 in today and still can't get it to power the display .. do you know how to get it to work all three of my GPU show up in device manager


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Game7a1 that's me on the other post I'll stop posting on that one .. so even with the 1080p display I'm having the same issue .. any ideas


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I mean, as dumb and risky as this sounds, have you disabled the GTX 1070 from device manager?
Or better yet, press FN + F7 to switch from discrete to switchable and see if that helps (if you have a non-G-Sync display).

 

I did both of those . This is the non gsync system
The system won't reboot with the amp plug in if i disable the 1070 . So this system is having the same issue as the other one .


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Have you reinstalled the Graphics Amp software and flashed the latest BIOS version?

 

Yep


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Have you reinstalled Command Center and checked to see what it says about the Graphics Amp connections in AlienAdrenaline?
Keep in mind that the eGPU is not routed to the laptop display. What we want is for the iGPU to power the display so the eGPU can be used for it.

 

Shows all 3 connected in that software .. I should one should be disabled


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I'd talk with Alienware Tech Support about this. I'd imagine this may be a bug in the Graphics Amp software and/or BIOS.

 

Yeah I'm in the oboe with them now bee 56 min so far

Maybe Kaybe lake won't work with it ?

Just got off the phone with tech support they couldn't figure it out .. hmmmmmm

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One issue I'm having is the FN F7 does not work Would that be the issue of why it's not disabling the 1070?


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Reinstall the On-Screen Display app.
FN + F7 (or is it FN + F5?) won't disable the dGPU, but it'll allow you to switch from switchable graphics to discrete only (requires a reboot).

 

That worked and now the amplifier works .. it's getting a graphic score of 26800 and total score of 19300


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Greetings everyone,

Please forgive me as this is my first post in this forum (I've also searched and haven't found a solid answer yet). I am trying to decide on whether or not to buy the Alienware Graphics Amplifier. I have looked at the video card compatibility document and noticed the new GTX 10 series supposedly is compatible, however I know that higher end cards require more than 375-460w. I've seen here and there that people have said they have gotten a 1070 or a 1080 to work with the AGA. I am curious as to how to get the 1070 or 1080 to work with the AGA when it only supports 375-460w. Is the PSU that comes with the AGA changeable or am I stuck with using a lower end GTX1060 to 1050?

I also considered the Asus XG Station 2 https://www.asus.com/Graphics-Cards-Accessory/ROG-XG-STATION-2/ however they don't appear to be available in the US currently.

 

The recommended PSU for graphics cards takes into account the whole PC + GPU, not just the GPU. A GTX 1080 is not going to consume more than 375 watts.
The TPD closely resembles how many watts the GPU will consume. It would be best to read that instead of the recommended PSU for thinking of putting a graphics card in the Graphics Amp.

 

Is it possible to use a graphics card with a closed loop water cooling solution with a 120mm fan in the AGA?
Such as:
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...946&cm_re=824142131374-_-14-127-946-_-Product
or
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...231&cm_re=843368044008-_-14-487-281-_-Product

 

Hello everyone.

I have the Alienware 13 R1 and noticed a update for the AGA to have a hot dock feature. Anyone able to get this to work? I can unplug it fine by "restarting later", but if I plug it in again I cannot use the monitor connected to the AGA like the notes say I should be able to.

Looked a bit here and on the Alienware forums and I have not seen any info relating to this new update. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
DJ

 

Does any one know if the gtx 1080 bios works with the uhd display .. it's says in the dell site it's fors the 120hz display. Will it work on both


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Today install my new gtx 1080 ti Aorus X in my 17r4 + Graphic Amplifier. Amazing performance ... much better than my old gtx 1080 g1 (a lot of noise). A little detail, does not close the cover, but I do not care! This way you can see the led of the video card. Has very useful options such as monitoring the temperature by the light of the video card or flash audio to the rhythm of the music. Jeje

 

I have never run a high end GPU with less pcie lanes so I'm curious if anyone knows from a technical standpoint what is actually happening when the bottlenecking happens. It's not like any bottlenecking I encounter on a day to day basis.

For instance, if the GTX 980 was bottlenecked already by the AGA why is going up to the 1080 and then the 1080 ti continuing to show performance gains? Why is looping back to the internal display slower than to the external?

Enlightenment would be much appreciated thanks!

 

The 980 was never bottlenecked by the AGA and the Fury X, 1070GTX and 1080 GTX arent as well. The only bottleneck that can occur is that you pipe back the image to the internal laptop screen. Because the badnwidth has to work both ways then you get a 8~10% loss in performance. If you use an external monitor its extremely minimal. It has been tested multiple times in various outlets that PCI express 3.0 4x only causes drop of 2 or 3 frames. There is just not more bandwidth needed at this time and wont for a while. Drivers where more CPU dependent in the past than now with DX12 and Vulkan so there is even less bandwidth needed.

 

What happens if I plug in the AGA into my AW15R3 which has a Gsync panel? Will I be able to do dual screen ("Extend" in Win10)? Or does the internal panel get disabled because it's connected to the internal GTX1060 which (from reading other posts) becomes disabled when using the AGA's external graphics card.