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

I mean its def out of my knowledge, but that special AGA cable + port is something nobody else did and no old computers are compatible with. That would be gross if its a forced firmware update, since they force those higher fan speeds all the time. Might even be able to use that to my advantage like "I upgraded my firmware and now this trashbook is an airplane while on Google Chrome" lol.

 

Just ping Alienware VP on Twitter - it will be sorted in a couple of days.

 

From what I have read on these pages, the AGA is physically small and has a weak PSU - it's time DELL (or even a 3rd party) built a new one with beefier PSU and larger case, more ventillation etc.

 

The AGA is designed to power up to 375W graphics. Aka enough for 3090 Founder Edition or ordinary 3090 cards from Nvidia's aib partners.

 

Well, I hope its not too bad. Ofc I am not gonna buy a old GPU as a workaround to avoid firmware update fan speeds, but at the same time I sure af am not gonna use headphones 24/7 or appreciate a laptop that is noisy during web browser use. The firmware I am on now is reasonable, its silent as long as its below 55C or so. But I know one of those newer firmware updates I tried, the fan was going crazy even at like 40-45C, so I downgraded

It is proprietary though, so the odds of that is extremely low. Its more likely someone would sell some kind of "upgrade box", where you buy the AGA, unscrew the PCIE adapter and put it into the new box

 

Well, it could have been an unfair sarcasm on my part - perhaps the new AW VP actually is available on Twitter, Frank style Perhaps Umar stepped up... The odds are so bad I can't be bothered to check

 

I will give AW the benefit of doubt on this one. No-one not even ASUS, EVGA, MSI, etc.. received drivers for the 3080 before launch hence the power issues the 3080 is having. Now that cards are in the wild I expect Alienware will push the required updates. The question is how far back in there product stack they will go back and support.

 

I can't speak for the engineering team or whoever writes the drivers but I know that Umar and Ernie didn't even have 3080's at launch and from what I understand no one else at Alienware did either as there was just no stock to be had. I would give them a week or two to hopefully figure something out. Maybe nothing will change, but from what I understand it's a cluster for this whole launch and even the companies you would think would have stock or time to play around with these, didn't.

 

You seem pretty close to Umar and Ernie.

 

We have a working relationship so I can pass along community concerns and or problems and try to get them fixed. We get a lot of stuff that comes up on Reddit that could be cause for concern, so if I can get that info to them and get a fix for it then hopefully everyone benefits. Compatibility concerns, an influx of issues with a certain BIOS etc.

All I can do is pass stuff along, but I try to do it whenever I can.

 

Please let them aware of this, I am on the verge of ditching Alienware laptops for good and head for the PCMR route if the AGA is useless.

 

Already done, I brought it up a few days ago after we saw some posts on Reddit about it. I have not heard back about it yet. I do know the GPU fits according to those that have them, but they can't get the drivers to install. This might even be an Nvidia driver thing, who knows.

 

Bought the AGA last month and have two orders in for a 3080 - PNY from Dell and EVGA FTW3 Ultra through CDW. Dell currently says 10/22 delivery and I’ll cancel the second order as soon as I have a confirmed card in transit!

Not sure if / when either will come but will not be pleased if this won’t work with my M15 R2. I maxed it out when I bought it with the intention of getting the next gen GPU. I understand I will likely need to run the AGA open, totally fine. I bought a quality Seasonic PSU to ensure adequate power. Alienware better get this figured out!

 

It's not like they intentionally wanted to disappoint people. If you like your notebook, it won't be long before you can enjoy the AGA with your 3000 series GPU. But if you wanted a excuse to move to desktop then maybe your weren't a fan of notebooks to begin with lol

 

Lol I’ve been using Alienware laptop since the Dell era (2009), if I’m not a DTR fan so what am I lol
Moving to desktop is the last resort since I cannot resist the RTX3000 hype train lol


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Thanks, sounds like you work for Dell then .Why not add " @dell/Alienware" / Company Representative tag for clarity?

Anyway, since you're undercover, what's up with Frank's replacement? It's been a year and we haven't heard anything from her.

 

Wow...there is an assumption and a half. I can't just be in it to want to help people in the community?

As for what's up with Vivian, I have no idea, feel free to reach out to her as I have never talked to her and have no idea what she's doing.

 

Well, your statement on Vivian is telling enough for me to throw in another half-assumption backed by appearances - she isn't doing much (good), unfortunately. Hopefully I'm wrong about that too!

 

Alienware is making there own 3080 and it’s small, maybe AGA small?

https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/8/...080-3090-aurora-r11-r10-area-51-monitor-360hz

 

According to Alienware, the PSU supports cards up to 375W, so 3080 should work just fine and depending on the variant, some can also fit in AGA just as well.

Dell just needs to update the AGA app to support the new GPU.

Having said that, I wouldn't mind a new design with an extra PCI-E slot for sound cards, etc.

 

Whoa! that looks sweet!

Does anyone know if they will do an RTX 3090 card? And update the AGA to recognize them too?

 

all I have seen is that Alienware is aware of the issue so far.

 

Good to know! Let's hope they address this quickly. Especially if they want us to buy Alienware RTS 3000 cards! lol

 

Hi everyone, wondering if I could draw on your expertise for my current issue.

I have an Alienware m15 R1 which I just connected to a new AGA with an EVGA RTX 2080 Super Black seated in it. When I connect the AGA cable to my m15 R1, all of the USB hub functions work, and I am able to control the lighting on the AGA. However, I am unable to see the 2080 Super in Device Manager nor do I see any generic device that I would think could be the external GPU.

I tested the 2080 Super in another desktop to rule out the 2080 Super as defective, as well as tried using an MSI GTX 970 4G (works in other desktop) just to see if the AGA would react differently. In both cases, I see nothing appear in Device Manager and I get no output from the external GPU to my external monitor. I have also uninstalled all of my drivers, re-installed the drivers trying both notebook and desktop but no combination makes the external GPU appear in Device Manager.

Is my AGA defective? Has anyone had the issue of not seeing their any external GPU in Device Manager? Dell support gave me the usual spiel of how these cards are not on the official list of supported cards.

 

Did you try a clean install of the AW Command Center?
Did you try using DDU to fully remove the GPU drivers?

My method of installing drivers and that seems to work perfectly for everyone else, is to install the Desktop GPU drivers. So if you haven't, do this :

1. uninstall Alienware command center + restart.
2. install alienware command center (restart if it asks).
3. use DDU to fully remove GPU drivers + restart.
4. install desktop RTX 2080 drivers.
5. system Should work fine.

 

I tried this, and still no external GPU appeared in the Device Manager and no output came from the external GPU either.

 

AGA (Alienware Graphic Amplifier) FAQ See AGA user's Guide and How to setup the AGA.

See also the fun with Proprietary design. Can't beat stupidity. Proprietary design will always have it's awful drawbacks.

 

Many games nowadays allow for selecting which GPU to use ingame. Does that do nothing in a case like this or is that one of the only workarounds?

I have a m15 R1 and have used a 2080 in it. They are the same exact GPU, the 'XC' 'Black' are just different factory overclocks. I doubt flashing a XC BIOS on a black will suddenly make it work, I feel like there is more to this. The 970 also doesn't work, which leads me to believe it isn't Dell or Nvidias fault, but something faulty with the AGA or a user error. Whether that's the PCIE riser, PSU, or the cable being faulty.

If you have a desktop PSU laying around that you can plug into that PCIE riser + 2080 and try connecting the AGA, it would rule out the PSU being a problem. That PSU is pretty cheap that comes with the AGA. Powering USB is easy. Powering a 200-300W GPU is not

 

Unfortunate that the RTX 3000 series wasn't plug n play with the AMP. I guess it will be interesting to see if AMD's new GPUs work or not.

Anyone tried a TB3 based enclosure on their AW with RTX 3000 series?

 

I would have messed around with it myself if I could get one. But at this point Nvidia might be feeling threatened by AMD and might release better 3070s/80s according to Moores Law is Dead, which makes very good sense. I ordered a 3080 from dell a few weeks ago, but the expected delivery date is January lol.

Little unrelated to AGA, but does Zotac allow for repasting and keeping warranty? I saw on their FB they posted they allow it in 2019, but doesn't mean they still will in 2020/2021.

 

I have seen info on the egpu site with someone on using a 3080 on a TB3 enclosure so they do work.

 

The beauty with proprietary design.

Downgrading bios?

 

Well if this is the case then I guess I will be done supporting Dell. Was gonna see if I will extend my warranty before it ends but I guess there is no point since I can buy a new laptop with the cost. which doesn't have forced voltage locks and idiocy.

 

And nothing can be done. Dell is in its own league... http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/the-throttlestop-guide.531329/page-1232#post-11054610

 

That is just dumb. The only reason their laptops got where they are, is from people undervolting and repasting. Without that nobody would even be supporting a laptop that hits 100C. Not only that, but they keep soldering RAM too. The only notable change they've done in like 10 notebook revisions, was PCH cooling, and everyone else already did that anyway so its not like it w as their idea. I'd like to think this is something so idiotic and unnecessary since no other manufacturers are doing it, but its not like they've been moving in an innovating direction lately

 

To be fair they also introduced the vapour chamber and improved cooling in the latest revision. Still, the soldered RAM is a showstopper. Anyway, the overall impression has to be that of AW going downhill at an even faster rate. You know it's bad when you strart missing Azor! Not a peep from his replacement, and now they cut the Community Manager role.

 

I ended up moving on from Dell and started looking at Clevo, I like the Alienware aesthetic and the "old" keyboard but they got rid of the keyboard and I am fundamentally opposed to BGA laptops on anything outside of the 13-14" zone.

Dell will simply tell you that 100c is within TJmax, and buying parts from them is stupid too. You have to prove you have what you want the part for otherwise they wont even bother with you.

 

I can live with BGA on 15 inch meant to be reasonably portable (otherwise why bother with a laptop at all), especially if we are talking about Intel, given that their backwards compatibility is a joke - they change sockets like every year. AMD would be another matter. A desktop CPU would kill battery life anyway.

I can't accept soldered RAM though, it's just too wretchedly stupid. Looks to be like AW copied the idiotic Acer design with the inverted mobo and soldered RAM in the post-Azor m15/m17 models, probably something to do with an ex-Acer exec coming in.

 

Nope, GPU's are the highest likely to fail, if its BGA and it fails I have to replace the entire thing for 1 component? no thanks.

I've had no problem with 10 pound laptops, even multiple in the same bag traveling internationally and I am terribly overweight and out of shape.

 

True, the GPU side is more annoying. It is what is. Dell Precisons actually have BGA CPU + upgradeable DGFF GPU combo, but of course these are power limited Quadros, and the availability and pricing of these proprietary cards is a joke.

I had no problems with my 3.5kg AW 15 either. Yes, the m15 is def more handy, but would rather have an upgradeable dGPU, higher capacity battery and better cooling in a larger form factor. Sadly, there is no realistic prospect of Dell delivering this.

 

I just use my t440p, I can tune it for 8 hours of use if I need to on the go, my P750ZM will take care of anything else in between it and my desktop.

I can forgive the BGA CPU, but its annoying that lets say you wanted just the 6820hk / 7820hk with a cheaper get me by until I get back home or the office GPU like a GTX 1050 or Ti variant. Doesnt exist. They defeated the whole reason I had any interest in this kind of scenario. Im already paying the premium for the CPU but also MUST buy a GPU that would then make the AGA kind of moot and/or less justifiable in the first place.

 

When I was checking out laptops nearly 4 years ago, the upgrade-able Clevo were so big and heavy it wasn't really a 'laptop' to me at that point lol. I am gonna check them out again and see what changes they've made. Dell was the perfect in-between, but if their AGA is gonna be locked behind a gimped firmware update, I also don't want a airplane sitting on my desk while browsing the web.

I wonder if its possible that the AGA users that also undervolt, are such a small % that they don't think its something that is a problem?

Edit: looking at Sager and Clevo reminds me why I chose a BGA notebook.
They force you to buy their SSD, Windows, RAM. Like I can see how they would wanna test the hardware before its sent out, but I sure af wouldn't wanna buy a upgradeable laptop and then pay full price for things I can get better quality for same price, or same parts for cheaper elsewhere. At that point I can buy 2 used Alienware for the price of one single Sager and the Alienware might be slightly slower in all categories... but that's two for 2.8k or one upgradeable with low quality parts for 3.1-3.2k

 

Azor was the godmother for soldered ram in the thin Alienware's. Also the godmother for soldered storage in XPS 13. As a notice... Dell went back to normal ssd slots in the XPS 13 refresh after Azor jumped of the ship for AMD. You say you missing Azor. Hoped for soldered storage in the Alienware's as well?

 

Well, to be fair, again, he was also one of the fathers of Alienware, and presumably he fathered Area51m. You could also ping him on Tweeter and get a response I'm not sure he was responsible for soldered RAM in m15, in fact when he presented the idiotic m15 R2 weeks before his departure, he said that RAM is upgradable, and later blamed someone called Bagman for the confusion...

 

I honestly didnt feel that the 51m was a well thought out product, but I may be overly critical of Alienware anymore.

 

I have looked on some Youtube videos with Dell's engineers talking about cooling design (design in it's whole) for their models. The developement and engineering for each model takes 2 years. Refersh also come into this. I'm sure he knew exactly what would come from the developement, design and engineering teams He probably had AMD in his head at that time and totally forgot it It's hard, when your mind is in another place.

 

I would be happy if dell released a AGA R2 at CES with PCIE 4, beefed up power supply and room for the new cards if they were able to remain backwards compatibility over the current laptop lineup of PCIE 3 AGA ports.

 

Guys, do I hear right? The series 3000 will not work with the AGA? No firmware update at all?

 

No love from Dell 3070 RTX on Alienware Graphics Amplifier Issue Already posted several times in the thread.

 

Thanks for answering, my friend!

So it appears that none of the series 3000 is compatible with the AGA... I had a 3070 on the way, but I will sell it to my cousin

Any info for the AMD series 6000, guys? Any chance they would be compatible with the AGA?