*OFFICIAL* Alienware 13 R3 Owner's Lounge

From what I know, 1.08 is safe for the 15/17 models. 1.0.6 is the one with the most problems. Not sure if these would work with the 13r3 though

 

13 r3 have individual bios updates from the 15/17

 

I put the same m.2 in my R3 and it is much faster than the stock lite-on they gave me.

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Are you noticing any overheating/ throttling with the 950 Pro? I know that they tend to get pretty hot.

 

Ok something's come to my attention. my 1st unit battery out the box was 2%. After a while it was 0%.
My second unit came with 5%. So any way I cloned the image and continued to use unit 2 to see if it would fix itself. It didn't. Surprise coincidence if was 11% wear. Maybe 5% batteries out the box wear faster maybe? Hmmm not necessarily the case.
Here's why. I copied the clone image to unit one. And instead of 0% battery as it did have. It copied the battery of 5%. I thought that was odd. So anyway I've swapped the batteries over because I know unit 1 battery was "good".
I'm beginning to think this is something more to do with inconsistencies in the factory image because whilst using unit one I did reinstall a clean windows several times during its use before unit 2 arrived and I think that's what rectified the battery. Not just cycling the battery Because the battery should be 0% wear not the cloned 5% wear without any use in between.


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This is interesting!
Mine is now around 12% wear after a few days.
I'll keep an eye on this, cheers.

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So looks like mine has changed to shipping but no date any ideas

 

Ordered December 14, my EDD just got updated to January 1st. But my order still hasnt shipped yet, still showing 'Confirmed'.


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Soooo, I finally got my machine! I still think it is ridiculous that I had to wait over 7 weeks to get it and had to get Frank's attention on Twitter for it to finally happen, but happen it did. With that in mind, I will try to assess the machine separate from the ordering debacle that I went through

A lot has already been said here so I will try to keep it to a minimum, only to add value where I can. At the bottom I've also pasted the results from my furmark + prime95 torture test.

The Good
Overall, the machine looks great. It looks better than I thought, and is just toned-down enough to not scream teen gamer that I don't think I'll be embarrassed when people see me with it.
The machine is also even thinner than I imagined. I'm not sold on the thin and heavy approach, but all else equal, thin is good.
Coming from a Surface Pro, the screen is not as big a revelation as it is for others coming from TN panels and the like. Don't get me wrong - it is the best screen I've seen on a notebook, and that is why this is in the good column, however the incremental improvement from my Surface Pro is subjectively 10-20%. The deep blacks that blend into the bezel are pretty cool, but if the battery life is so bad because of only this, IPS may be the way to go (more on battery in The Bad).
I think the full load noise level is very reasonable. I've gone with lighter, high-powered machines for ages (Toshiba Tecra M3, Sony VPCSA etc) and the noise here is very tolerable. In addition, at idle and during basic work usage, it is dead silent (I have to feel the exhaust to tell whether it is not running or blowing at low speed at idle).
Price - I'm surprised at how few people explicitly say this, but if you spec out a comparable GS43, Blade or Aorus X3, the AW wins. It seriously is the budget choice.
I like the keyboard a lot (excluding the backspace...).

The Bad
It really is heavy, and given the build quality of machines like the XPS, Razer, etc., I don't feel the excess weight is justified. We heard AW preach that their machines will be faster than everyone else's because of the great cooling etc, but this is unfortunately not true.
The CPU and GPU throttle due to power limits. Well, CPU doesn't boost as it should, and GPU throttles. Thermals are fine, not amazing but on mine I do not hit any thermal throttling.
Battery life is obviously not the first priority in a machine like this, but it is inexplicably low in my opinion. For basic web browsing and the like, the XPS15 gets 9 hours (NBC review) with an 84 Whr battery and the same CPU. Getting half of that at best with a 76 Whr battery = something ain't right here.
The bezel is too big, a 14" panel would have EASILY fit in.
I also have a weird-sounding and feeling backspace key.
I also get clicks and weird noises from the speakers.
The BIOS is way too clamped down. Is this an enthusiast/gamer notebook or what? I want to be able to set RAM speeds and timings, control the power limit throttling and so on. This is basic stuff.

Other
There is no sensible reason why the 6820HK was not an option - with halfway decent thermal paste the cooling solution would have handled it 100% fine, plus this becomes an even a bigger factor if you buy an AGA -> then the whole cooling solution can focus on just the CPU. Additionally, if you want to future-proof at all then a 6820HK is way better than a 6700HQ.
I don't yet understand why we OLED folks can't Fn+F7 while the IPS folks can, this makes no sense.
The stuttering is annoying, but not majorly so. It happens only when the NV card takes over from the Intel, not going back. This is not an AW-specific issue. It is unclear both why the stutter happens when switching, but also why random Windows actions (like open the start menu, or right-click on the desktop, or open the battery meter) call for the NV card to turn on for a split-second.

Prime95 + Furmark

GPU
Max 82C // 1392Mhz // 82W
Ave 80C // 1265Mhz // 72W

CPU
Max 86/81/88/81C // 3095Mhz // 45W
Ave 83/78/85/79C // 2940Mhz // 45W

Both were power-limited (throttled).

 

just did some overclock out of curiosity. used afterburner. went straight in at 200/300. went higher to 220/230 but no extra gains. so clocks in between what I got will give you in this region. basically stock clocked pictures vs overclocked. I also added a time spy link with the overclocked score. and just did a screen shot of firestrike with the temps on whilst it was over clocked to show that it didn't heat up. the gpu was 66c AND all on stock paste.

http://www.3dmark.com/3dm/16944065

 

I ordered on the same day you did and, after talking to Dell earlier today, now have a shipping date of the 27th and an estimated delivery date of the 29th so I suspect you'll get yours before the 1st.

 

How bad is the battery life?

 

Probably a 4 hour device on average during normal use (video/web/productivity). AT least that's what I'm seeing. It's hard to gauge battery within the first couple weeks since windows does a lot of background tasks (updates/etc). I bet with some tweaking - you could stretch to 5 hours. I do think Alienware's engineers could do some tricks with the OLED at the hardware/firmware level to cut white output so that most folks will experience closer to 6 hours.

 

ran the firestrike stress test and was wondering what was going on. i was like wait my thermals are fine (max temps were 73/72/76/66/76) why am i getting a huge drop. do you know what exactly power limit is?

on the bright side yours did better in P95
i ran the small fft and got in 90s (max temps: 94/79/94/81/94) before the fans kicked in dunno why they have the curve set up like that but after the fans were going i stayed at (83/70/83/70/83) for the rest of prime95


the backspace omg does yours feel uneven too? the right side is super weird feeling/clickier than the rest of the keyboard and the left side is mushy

 

Great review...thanks for sharing. I'd say I agree with most of your points, although I'm not sure I'm detecting any significant throttling? Your temps look similar to mine, although my GPU only gets up to a max of 77C after an hour of a stressing game.

I too, own a Surface Book/Pro - and agree, at first OLED doesn't immediately blow you away coming from the highest quality IPS displays on the market. Though I'll add that over time, the inky blacks get more impressive. I think what detracts from the display during the day are the large bezels, which are much less intrusive on the Surface Book line. It would be a dream to have this display stretch near edge to edge - squeeze a 14" screen in this chassis PLEASE. In the end though, when you realize performance (response/ghosting) is non existent, for a gamers needs, it makes games feel that much tighter. Most high end IPS displays have 50ms response times.

I also have to reinforce your review on the "unnecessary" weight. Although this unit feels like it will survive significant wear/tear - the added weight is a hindrance. I sometimes like propping up my surface book in bed on my chest to watch a show or movie, ro even play a game - no such chance with this device. The weight starts to hurt on the rib cage! The Surface Book I have is 3.5 lbs, and this is 5.8 lbs, and that 2.3 lbs actually matter. I think they should get this under 5 lbs ASAP.

I also agree on the price thing - my deal is umatched in terms of features compared to the razer, which is admittedly the ONLY real competitor. Even ASUS/MSI $1600 variants are more money than I got this AW for, so I don't get all the bias against overpriced AW. I got 20% off retail, plus the whole ebates cash back coming later. Add to that a 10% rewards card (anyone receive theres yet?). SO 30% plus 10% gift card? Who's even close to that with a GTX 1060 powered beast?

 

did you check your cpu frequency? its power limit throttling not thermal

not exactly the right type of computer for watching video in bed lol, i think the weight is justified by the quality.
the heat didnt bother you in bed?
id be more worried about getting burned in bed than the weight, 70C worth of exhaust and the hot bottom of the laptop isnt exactly comfortable. id recomend something like the couchmaster if you want to use this in bed

 

You guys are comparing an H processor laptop to a couple of ultrabooks and a minimalist H processor laptop. Guess where the weight is coming from? Larger battery, larger heatsink (obviously), more ports ect.. Which of those would you trade for the weight loss?

 

Agreed! That's two different units entirely. You have the Aorus x3 witch is a slimmer laptop and apparently have good temps. I haven't tried that one but got a very bad x7. But there's someone in this thread who have the v3 and is very happy with this device.

It all depends on what you want out of your laptop. For me the build quality and cooling solution is far superior than other 13 inch devices. It's idiotic that dell uses crap paste but for people going the distance and repaste the device, it's so cold that CPU performance is not necessarily. I don't break 80 degrees after repaste and heavy gaming. Now that's with silent fans and 15-20 degrees under the critical limits. If I turn on CPU performance mode I'm in the 60-70 degrees range.

And really what does a 6820k give you on a Gtx 1060 13 inch device? There's no reason to overclock in such a small device... You can't have it all... The 1060 won't bottleneck with the CPU anyways.

If I got a 6820k it would undervolt it the same way I did with my current CPU. Only difference would be the temp, as it would run hotter...

 

Is anyone aware of a software that limits the battery charging to a set percentage (say 60%) to avoid overcharging of the battery when plugged in. Such features used to come with bundled in software with laptops, but the 13R3 doesn't have it apparently.

 

What is your fps in GTA V? With almost everything on very high (without the advanced graphics stuff) i get anywhere from 45 to 60 fps. I watched this youtube video and he was using a clevo with the 1060 card and crossed the 70-80 mark constantly.

I have 8gb ram and undervolted by 0.150v.

Is their something wrong or is this expected??

 

if you look at benchmark it looks like hes running high setting on 1080p while youre on "very high"/ultra or 1440p

1920x1080
High/On (Advanced Graphics Off)
8xAF 2xMSAA + FXAA
avg 90fps

1920x1080
Highest Settings possible
16xAF 4xMSAA + FXAA
avg 48 fps

 

I thought maybe that's what he's done as notebook check literally gives the same results you said. But we do t even know if he's running it in 1440p. I did try it briefly but forgot what it was.
Also if he was watching a YouTube video. Usually they show the settings they are using so mirroring the settings shouldn't be a problem. Unless your resolution is definitely it, but can't see how you would miss that

Also link the video please


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This is the link:

And i'm definitely using 1080p not 1440p. I've also outputted to a 1080p TV and get the same fps.

 

Sorry for the double post but when I changed all settings to high instead of very high, the FPS seems to remain the same (45-60 fps) when both with V-sync on and off!

 

What cooler is that, and where can u get it? Looks nice

 

You are clearly not paying attention to the video. He does have the settings up. At the start of the video But has msaa set at x2. Reflection msaa at x2 and AF at x2 and gets 70-80 in built up areas. When he's on the grass in the hills. It drops to around 40.

4:40 When he puts msaa upto x8 reflection msaa x8 and af x16. He averages 45 which is exactly as you get in built up areas. It does drop to around 23fps in the hills and grass parts. He changes the settings several times through out. At this point is the proper highest settings.


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Actually I put my settings exactly as his initial settings and get 55 when im walking around and 45 ish when im driving. He gets 71 above to 60. Not the same at al.

 

3D Mark is a test of graphics for the most part. The Purple line with the dip is your CPU; no reason for that to run at full speeds for 3D mark testing, its only taking what it needs.

AS for temps, I would not run a single BGA machine put out in 2016-2017 without a repaste. You will see a good benefit. Even those with good temps out of the box are using awful thermal paste that will dry in a few months.

 

That no longer matters on modern LiPo batteries. Its all about charge cycles, and charge % makes no difference.

 

Can some one help, it's showing my laptop as shipped but there is no EDD there I'm confused

 

1.) Agree with your assessment of the 6820HK. Aorus was able to put it into their machine and if AW is proclaiming to have the most proprietary and optimal cooling system on the market, then it should be no issue shoving a 6820HK in their 13 R3s.

2.) On your evaluation of the OLED vs IPS panel, another user did some tests and calibrated his IPS panel. He agrees with the right calibration, that the OLED is a marginal improvement in color quality. He includes some post IPS calibrated comparisons in the comments. Very detailed review in the imgur link and on reddit.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/comments/5kgk3f/alienware_13r3_oled_ips_mini_review/

3.) So what's the verdict? (planning on keeping or returning?)

 

the graph itself shows you that it does run the cpu at full speeds tho, and unlike the 3d mark bench test their stress test point is to put a heavy load on your system for 10 minutes straight.

it makes no sense for it to require full speed for 3 minutes and then not for the last 7 minutes if its the same exact "scene" on repeat for 10 minutes.


are you trying to tell me there is no power limit throttling on the alienware 13?


yeah, but no use repasting if youre not keeping the system. gotta test it first, then repaste when i have the money to ship to iunlock

you get the "marginal improved" color over ips, plus you get repsonse times that you would normally need a tn panel to get. i'll have to look at the link but i would also assume you would get better blacks than ips.

isnt the aorus a bigger laptop? (and plastic)

 

I need help, my laptop have been ship but it's still in china ... it's been 4 dayz and it's not moving at all ... How long is take to ship the laptop to you guys ?

 

In a couple of days, click on the "click here" under tracking number and put in your customer number. It will take you to a Syncreon page that has the delivery date. Its usually 12 days after the ship date, so for you it would be the 7th January

 

It only updates when there is a delay or when it gets into England, which is usually 7-10 days from the shipping date.

 

Thanks guys

 

What's your laptop? Aw13 I assume? If it is try putting the cpu performance to enabled in the bios


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thx ! its been ship the 23th of decembre i'm so excited !!!

 

Mine gets here 29th, cant wait!!!!

 

Nice ! when did they ship it ?

 

It shipped on either the 17th, 18th or 19th depending on which message you look at lol. Im going with the 18th date though. So its been on an 11 day trek. Apparently its in the UK and is now in the hands of a courier.

 

Oh hey looks like mine just shipped! I'm in the US. Shipped with Fedex and is saying that it was 'Picked up' in Nashville, TN. Scheduled delivery date according to Fedex is the 29th.

 

ok thx ! mine is suppose to land in Netherlands ...

 

Im so jealous !

 

I did something stupid, sorry to bother you guys.

I forgot I had turned v sync on manually for GTA V in the nvidia panel due to nauseating screen tearing. This is why it wouldnt go above 60 fps. Turned it off and it did go as high as it did in the video.

Let me basque in the glory of my stupidity now!

 

So what's the verdict on the battery? Is it okay to leave it plugged in? Or should I just use it off the wall and only charge when needed?

 

Yup, it is unlikely you'd see gains going further because even though the clocks are stable, the card is getting power throttled.

It's about 4 hours it seems, yeah. It may be possible to push it further with undervolt, maybe even cap at minimum clocks, turn off all the Tobii, IR camera, lighting etc.

Yeah, it could be power throttling, run some monitoring software during 3dmark and you should be able to tell.

Yeah, the backspace is wonky :/ Not sure if this is worth interacting with Dell to get replaced though.

Thanks man! Looks like we are of like mind on most of the issues. Yeah, the inky blacks aren't getting old yet Throttling is definitely happening, in the form of not-boosting for CPU and actual lower-than-stock throttling for GPU, but both are not because of temps, they are because of power limits being hit. Totally agree on the weight bro!

I'm not sure what you are referring to. The comparisons I listed, Aorus X3, GS43, Blade and Aero 14 are all 6700HQ + 1060. The Aorus and GS43 at least cool just as well as the AW13. The battery in some of them is smaller, in some bigger. They do not lack any significant ports (some are missing TB3, but that's a design decision, not a weight decision). So what exactly are we gaining in the AW13? Those machines are all around 4lbs, so an extra 1.5lbs is a lot of extra weight.

It gives you a MASSIVE performance boost. The HK can be as frugal as the HQ on battery (perhaps even more so, because they are the better binned chips), but when docked you can gain a ton of performance, and like I said it would be massively beneficial for future-proofing and use with the AGA. The cost from Intel for both chips *is the same*! Some games are already limited by the 6700HQ, and this will only get worse. If the Aorus X3 can do it then AW with it's "superior" cooling solution should have done so too, imho.

 

I'm 99% sure I am keeping it. It is the cheapest option, which is a big deal for me right now, plus I like the AGA functionality. If I had to get one of the alternatives, it would almost surely be the Aorus X3 though. However, paying 300-400 bucks more and losing the external graphics capability seems like a very so-so deal.

Yeah, the response time of the OLED is something I think I expected more from. I thought there'd be no ghosting if you, for example, move a window around on the desktop frantically, but there is. Basically the colors are great and the blacks are amazing, but that's about it.

Nope, the Aorus X3 is right in the same class. 13.9" screen, but less bezel, 4lbs, 6820HK + 1060, 73Whr battery. Very similar machine overall. I think AW ripped off their "hinge forward design"

 

For the life of me I cant figure out why they didnt put a 14 inch display in this thing. Is it due to battery?

 

Don't know; The AW 15 and 17 both got a 1.08 bios that throttles the CPU turbo boost because the temps. If they did the same for the 13, try reverting to an earlier bios.

Also try ThrottleStop

To indeed test definitively if it is power throttling, run OCCT And Heaven. 3D mark is not the best program for testing the limits, more of a good comparative benchmark for gaming performance.