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

To get more PCIe to the Amp would take a redesign or the amp, cable, and connector. There are only enough wires in the cable for x4 right now so kind of capped there. Wish they had a full x8 actually, could have implemented a PCIe switch to take the x8 going to the 1070 and sent them all to the AGA - since you never use them at the same time anyways. Oh well.

I have always favored stability over performance, so I lean towards a stock clocked card which will never need exotic cooling.

 

The problem was always that there weren't/arent enough lanes available from the CPU and the lanes provided by the PCH add additional performance drops. But 4X is still sufficient with current cards. Benchmarks show that it is only a few frames drops on all major cards.

 

Ya, more lanes would mainly be for future proofing. What the next rev of the AGA needs to have is power delivery through the dock connector so you don't also need the power supply.. They do this with their WD15 and TB16 docks and it is AWESOME (I use one with my work Precision 5520). Also, if they can figure out a way to make it hot-pluggable and not require the reboot - that would be cool too.

 

So I ran DDU and installed the 388.13 on my AW15 R1. It installed correctly but the driver it installed wasn't the latest (check Geforce Exprecience for version).

 

W10 automati cupdating is interfering lately with the Nvidia drivers. annoying as ****.

 

Don't think this is related to win 10 updates. Nvidia hasnt restored gm204 support for AW in their drivers.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk

 

Well I have been dealing with W10 rolling back drivers for 2 weeks now to Windows update certified drivers. When that happens I cannot reinstall the Nvidia drivers with the AGA connected (it says the graphics amp is not supported). I had to disable automatic driver updates in the registry, uninstall the Geforce drivers with DDu and reinstall the latest nvidia drivers for it to work.

 

Disable WU and BITS services along with that Set the Wifi connection to metered and no drivers are downloaded

 

I do everything with wired LAN. So unfortunately that didnt work for me. But I could disable it in the registry to update the drivers.

But it is extremely annoying how Microsoft forcing the updates.

 

On home version it doesn't work.

 

I used this method https://www.howtogeek.com/302595/ho...from-automatically-updating-hardware-drivers/

 

Used Winaero tweaker to disable it and Policy Plus to stop it entirely through Group Policy on Home.

 

I've been having a problem with my own amplifier lately. Everytime I plug it in to use it it keeps requesting a driver reinstall and same when I remove it. For whatever reason it doesnt automatically keep the same setting whenever the gpu is changed (internal 1060/aga 1080ti).

Began noticing performance issues on Blade and Soul with the 64bit client sluggish loading and stuck at slow FPS as well as issues with Black Desert not booting properly. Think its something with the nvidia drivers but cant find the root cause of the issue.

 

Are you shutting down, plug in cable, the boot up? Or are you hot plugging?

 

I shut it down to plug it in.

 

Anyone having their Keyboard going silly on the Amp, (if you use it as the USB hub) and having to unplug then re-plug in the Amp?

 

Thanks, going to check it out

 

I have an Alienware 15 R2 hooked up to the graphics amp with a reference gtx 1080 in it. Everything was working great until a few months ago my computer restarted overnight for a windows update. It then started going through a reboot loop everytime I would try and start the system with the amp connected. So what I did was install the latest bios which was 1.3.12 and that made things much worse. I eventually got things to work by rolling back to bios version 1.2.8 which works great. That didn't completely solve my problems though. I had to use an older version of an nvidia mobile driver because the newer versions of nvidias mobile drivers were not working with my gtx 1080.

So here is where I could use some help. I have always disconnected my AGA, booted up the laptop by itself and installed the mobile versions of the nvidia drivers, and then rebooted with the AMP connected. This is how I have been gaming. I have been reading around this massive forum and some people are installing the desktop versions of the nvidia drivers once the AMP is already hooked up. I tried doing this myself recently with the newest nvidia driver and it won't install because it says it is not compatible. I have read about windows causing issues with this, people using DDU to remove some of the desktop drivers, and then reinstalling PARTICULAR versions of the desktop nvidia drivers to get it working with the GTX 1080. Is there any real benefit to using desktop drivers when the mobile ones that I have installed seem to be working fine? If the desktop drivers are much better, then can someone please give me a simple walkthrough on what I need to do to get the proper desktop driver installed and working? Which is the newest nvidia desktop driver version that works? Any help would be very appreciated! Thank you!

EDIT: Just for added info, I looked under device manager and checked my current driver for the gtx 1080. It says the driver provider is NVIDIA, version 22.21.13.8514 from 7/30/2017. I have no idea if that is good or bad. My games play wonderfully, no errors in my system, but I wonder if I am losing out on performance by not having actually installed desktop drivers myself.

 

The problem is windows update. Make sure that drivers are not downloaded from windows update. That is the cause of the compatibility message. After that use DDU. Reboot and make sure the AGA is connected. Install a fresh Nvidia driver and you should be good. There is no distinction between laptop and desktop drivers anymore now by the way.

 

Just throwing this out there I am trying to get rid of an amp with a pny gtx 1080

 

So I followed your advice and disabled driver updates. Ran DDU, installed the Nvidia drivers and BAM. 388.13!

Thanks bro!

 

No prob!

 

Hi guys, just a quick one.

My system is a 1070 with a g-sync panel.
How many of you with amps and a g sync panel have any issues with using the amp ?

Can I use a monitor with g-sync (I have an Alienware 34” monitor with g-sync coming) and have no issues?

Just want to make sure that I don’t end up with issues or waste money on something that doesn’t work!

 

It works, it can have issues though with the wrong driver combinations. Use the latest intel HD driver from the alienware website and do not let windows update overwrite it. Use it with the laptop screen disabled for the most fluid experience.

Widnows animations can stutter otherwise because of a windows bug.

 

Try the latest one from Intel its quite stable and more fluid than old versions.

 

is there anyway to connect alienware graphics amplifier to dmc slot on alienware 18?
if not, is there any e-gpu in the market that can suport 1080 cards?

 

How comes I need the latest intel. Driver?

As my system is gsync enabled it always uses the 1070. Something I didn't know when I bought the system as dell put it in small print only.

 

Just bought a stock amplifier and am thinking about buying a Radeon RX Vega 64 to pair with it, but I'm reading that it might not be compatible or is otherwise buggy. Have any updates been made to address the incompatibilities, or should I start looking elsewhere?

 

I have read someone on here has an RX vega card in their system.

I got my AMP and put a 1080ti in today and it works amazingly well.

 

I'm trying to update GeForce Experience/GPU drivers to the latest version (388.13) on my 15 R3. I can't update through the GeForce Experience with the AGA connected, it says that it doesn't support the AGA. When I disconnect the AGA, use DDU to uninstall the old drivers and reinstall the newest drivers; they install successfully but once I connect the AGA again, it automatically rolls back to 385.14. I saw a comment earlier in the thread that advised rolling back the Intel drivers to the latest on Alienware's website. Will that fix this issue?

 

I just installed my drivers directly from nvidia. Everything worked fine

 

Its not a driver issue itself but the combination with the AGA makes it a bit troublesome. Only the Alienware drivers itself work correctly with the AGA connected.

 

I never used AGA because I don't have a spare GPU.
Tell me, is it crucial MX300 SSD SATA 2.5" better than Samsung 850 EVO because its a little expensive by 13$. Crucial does offer more TBW with less warranty than Samsung. I'm thinking a buying couple of Crucial SSDs, is it good enough and I hope 3 yr warranty will suffice. Or should I go for Samsung EVO?

 

Current crucials unfortunately become really hot. More hot than the NVME Samsungs unfortunately. But I havent tested the EVO series myself. Only have the stock P951 in my laptop still.

 

Its not for alienware because two slots are populated with PM951 and 850 EVO m.2 ssds.
I am looking at crucial mx300 SATA 2.5" for my sister's laptop from Lenovo and for dad's office.
Even 850 EVO m.2 gets notoriously hotter than PM951.

 

Hi guys just purchased my graphics amp and a 1080 ti the one I picked was the
Gigabyte GV-N108TTURBO-11GD AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Turbo 11G the funny thing is I cant find a single review on this card everything is for the xtreme edition, maybe it was just released? reason I picked it is because its one of the only fe sized cards without the fe price will have Bench on Friday when it gets here

my current rig

Alienware R17 R3

Specifications
Display: 17.3 inch UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) IGZO IPS Anti-Glare 400-nits Display (non-touch)
CPU: Intel Core 6th Generation i7-6700HQ Processor (Quad Core, 2.6 GHz with up to 3.50 GHz turbo boost, 6MB Cache, 45W)
Storage: 128GB m.2 SSD + 1TB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive
Memory: 12GB DDR4 Gskill 2133 MHz (cl15-15-15-32)
Wireless: Killer Wireless 1535 802.11 AC 2x2 + Bluetooth 4.1
Operating System: Windows 10 Home - 64 bit
Graphics: 3GB NVIDIA GTX 970M Dedicated Graphics Card
Webcam: Integrated Webcam and Microphone
Battery: 8 cell - 92whr
Optical Drive: None (this model never comes with an optical drive)
Keyboard: Mechanical, backlit full chromatic
Mouse: Touchpad backlit Chromatic
Chromatic case lighting
System Dimensions
Height:
Front: 34.4 mm. (1.354 in.)
Rear: 34.4 mm. (1.354 in.)
Depth: 291.9 mm. (11.49 in.)
Width: 430 mm. (16.93 in.)
Average weight: 3.780 Kg. (8.33 Lbs.
External Chassis Connections
(1x) Power/DC-in Jack
(1x) Killer E2400 Gigabit Ethernet IPv6
(3x) SuperSpeed USB 3.0 Ports
(1x) Thunderbolt 3 (USB Type C) Port with support for Superspeed USB 10Gbps, 40Gbps Thunderbolt, and Displayport
(1x) Alienware Graphics Amplifier Port (able to use desktop GPU with the graphics amp)
(1x) HDMI 2.0 Output
(1x) 3-in-1 Media Card Reader
(1x) Audio Out 1/8" Ports (Compatible with inline mic headset)
(1x) Headphone 1/8" Port (Retaskable for Microphone/Line-in Analog Audio Input
(1x) Noble Lock port (cable and lock sold separately

 

Well guys due to a shipping error I will not be receiving the AGA until Tuesday so will post bench late tues/wed

 

AGA will be using separate PSU so 180W adapter is enough for AW 17 r3.

 

I would think the 17 would come with a 240W?

 

mine didn't its a 180 stock came with the laptop

 

If you aren't using 970M at all, then its no issue. 970m models come with only 980M unless you decide to OC.

 

@FaTT be interesting to see your results against mine

 

@gschneider well considering you have a gen on me and your ram is 2400 vs my 2133 and running a 1080ti I bet your going to beat me, not by too much but I bet your bench will be better

 

@FaTT, I was going on the fact you have a 1080ti as well. Although your 1 gen behind me it would be a good demonstration of how much that generation difference makes.

 

@gschneider yeah sorry I was just playing captain obvious, been sick as hell the past few days feel like a freaking zombie

 

well they sent me a 1080 instead of the 1080 ti, emailed them they said so sorry they are sending the 1080 ti today, so I now have a 1080 temp until my ti get here and I have no idea why my bench are so low, just updated to latest drivers and stuff anyone have any ideas?

UserBenchmarks: Game 92%, Desk 68%, Work 54%
CPU: Intel Core i7-6700HQ - 73.9%
GPU: Nvidia GTX 1080 - 103.9%
SSD: Crucial MX300 SATA M.2 525GB - 75.6%
SSD: Samsung CM871 M.2 2280 128GB - 39.3%
HDD: HGST Travelstar 7K1000 2.5" 1TB - 60.3%
RAM: Unknown F4-2133C15-8GRS 16GB - 66%
MBD: Alienware 17 R3

 

• Here is a really stupid question? I just picked up the AGA and can't figure out how to have it show on the laptop screen? External screen works fine!

 

When you boot with the AGA right click the desktop open NVidia control panel, manage 3d settings global settings, graphics processor, pick the NVidia one save (that will make it run everything)or right click the shortcut run with graphics pick NVidia high performance (will only run that one program with it)

 

UserBenchmarks: Game 91%, Desk 67%, Work 53%
CPU: Intel Core i7-6700HQ - 74%
GPU: Nvidia GTX 1080 - 103.3%
SSD: Crucial MX300 SATA M.2 525GB - 69%
SSD: Samsung CM871 M.2 2280 128GB - 46.1%
HDD: HGST Travelstar 7K1000 2.5" 1TB - 59.7%
RAM: Unknown F4-2133C15-8GRS 16GB - 66.8%
MBD: Alienware 17 R3

 

So I've had my AGA for over a year and it is out-of-warranty. I just finally got around to getting a graphics card and monitor for it. I went with the GTX 1060 FE. When I plug the cable in and restart the computer, both the laptop and AGA start-up, shutdown (or seem to anyways) and then start-up again. I then get an error message during boot-up that the "card is unrecognized" and the AGA is only designed for AMD or NVIDIA graphics cards...

Do you think my AGA or graphics card may be shot? Where do I start troubleshooting? Here are my specs:

Alienware 17 R3 w/ BIOS version 1.3.12 & Windows 10 OS
GTX 970 M internal graphics
Display driver is whatever Windows 10 installed for my internal graphics. I'm not sure if this is a driver issue or not, but I don't believe it is.
Intel Chipset Driver 10.1.1.42

AGA w/ GTX 1060