*OFFICIAL* Alienware 15 R1/R2 Owner's Lounge

just got a 4k monitor and when i plug it in via DP i get an instant BSOD, has anyone else got this issue or know how to fix it?

 

It is out! R9 M390X on the Alienwares now!
Now I need help, should I buy the model with the 980M or go to the M390X?

 

980M

 

On what base are you saying that? The performance of the new GPU is worst than the 980M? Do you know something about the new architecture?

 

With quad core Broadwell CPUs announced, I'm really compelled to wait till the end of summer to buy my laptop... But I don't know if or when Alienware will update their lineup. Does anybody have any advice? There's a REALLY good deal out with the Haswell chips out there, wonder if there will be one with the update for September...

 

Nvidia has weird problems with drivers currently but Amd is worse over time. I have no faith that Amd's new M graphics card provides better performance than Gtx980m. Amd has been a long time behind Nvidia now. Do not think this has changed.

 

M2 SSD install with Alien Respawn

Ok, let me tell you a little about my Calvary with the M2 SSD install.

Problem 1: Alien Respawn will automatically restore to the HDD if that was the original fixed hard drive in the laptop.
Problem 2: Even if you overcome the problem above, no amount of BIOS trickery (disabling UEFI, setting custom boot order, etc) have allowed me to boot from the SSD until the HDD had the system partitions.

Why would you want a recovery? Well, it saves the drivers and settings, retains Windows authenticity (although a clean install might just do that as well), and installs the system as it came from factory with the same recovery options you had before.

Soooo. Here's how I have solved it, partially using a similar guide on SSD install/alien respawn. As always, use this at your own risk.

1. Create backup USB with AlienRespawn.
2. Backup everything else. My method will require you to delete all partitions on your HDD.
3. Prepare, on a separate usb stick, something that will let you boot from. It can be any type of Windows (I used a windows 7 usb lying around) or basically anything that gives you the option to delete partitions, format a hdd.
4. Install SSD physically
5. Go to BIOS, check that the SSD is recognized, and password protect your HDD. Set the AlienRespawn USB media as a boot option. Disable Secure Boot, for the time being.
6. Reboot, intentionally give the wrong password 3 times. The HDD will be locked, but you can continue.
7. Respawn comes in, it might be fussing about the missing HDD, but after a looooong analysis, it will install just fine to the SSD.
8. Restart, play the wrong password game and finish install. Check that everything is working fine (note that you will not see the HDD yet!)
9. If everything is peachy, go to bios again, plug in your other bootable media. Depending on the type, you may have to tinker again with the boot options. (UEFI. Secure Boot, etc.)
10. Give the proper hdd password now, but select the USB as a boot option (press f12 at boot for options).
11. Eradicate the system from HDD. Yes, all of it, delete all partitions, format it if you want to but you can do that later from Windows.
12. Go to Bios again, set the boot and everything else as you see fit, remove hdd password (enter current passw. and leave it blank for the new one, confirm blank passw, it gets removed)
13. Your system boots from SSD without any issues. After a couple restarts it even stopped to produce the secure boot error with the wrong media, etc.

I hope I could help, this costed me the better part of yesterday and involved a lot of cursing, disassembling, looking for a USB-to-SATA cable that I know I have somewhere, failing to find the cable, victoriously finding a Windows 7 usb stick, joyfully deleting system partitions, recognizing that I have deleted the system partition from the SSD, doing respawn again, deleting the right partitions for a change and then being happy and exhausted.

Cheers, guys.

 

Hello guys, GeForce 353.06, nvidia drivers are out. Can they be installed in aw15? if not what are the most updated drivers so far?

 

just got a 4k monitor and when i plug it in via DP i get an instant BSOD, has anyone else got this issue or know how to fix it?


hey sorry to bring it up again, but has anyone else had this issue?

 

I am going to buy a AW15, but I will not buy it the R9 M390X if it really comes with a M295x rebadged... Do you think that I should wait a little (to see benchmarks) or buy it with the 980M? I just have until the beggining of next week to decide, since I am going to the USA on the day 19 and returning on the day 29 June and they need a time to produce and ship the laptop...

 

Just go with a 980m. But your gonna need the bigger ac adapter. Main reason why i went with the 970m

 

Guys, Please help me.
I am on Alienware 15 with GTX 980 and 4710 CPU, with BIOS A00. I am using a 240 watt PSU but i get severe CPU throttling. When playing games, the CPU stay at 2.5 Ghz, never goes to 3.5 Ghz and at times, when CPU utilization goes a bit higher, it throttles to 800 mhz and my frames jump down to 20-25 FPS. For example when playing Far cry 4, for 15 minutes, the CPU is at 2.5 ghz, then randomly, it throttles to 800 mhz, stays there till i alt+tab , give it some time and it comes back to 2.5 Ghz. I have tried increasing voltages, TDP in XTU. It dsnt help much and the issue stays the same. Same happens in Shadow of mordor as well, but less often than in Farcry 4. CPU temps are always below 80 C so its not coz of temps.

Btw, I got the 240 watt used PSU, its model GA240PE1-00. model is compatible, i checked. I have checked with other BIOS as well and the throttling keeps happening. Any ideas or suggestions are welcome.

 

There'll be a BIOS update that address the throttling soon. I do not know the ETA of the BIOS update though.
However, have you tested with the 180w PSU, if you have it? And when are these problems happening (just out-of-the-blue, after powering on, after waking the computer, etc.)?

 

Thnx for the reply. I guess the throttling is related to CPU utilization and happens under load. In XTU, whenever the CPU Throttles to 800, it is always preceeded by a spike in CPU utilization. It happens more in some games and less in others. Funny thing is, under high performance power settings, the CPU is at 3.5 Ghz at idle, i start gaming and it drops to 2.5 ghz. then throttles to 800. It should be vice versa.

Also note that my score in Firestrike in around 7900 to 8100, but i can never get a score higher than 18000 in the skydiver test. Some say skydiver uses more watts and i guess that is the culprit.

 

Have you tried using the balanced battery plan for a bit?

 

Secondly, using the 180 PSU, i can never get the maximum performance i get with 240 watt. CPU throttles random figures between 1.4 to 1.6 to 2.2 to 2.5. average fps is 45 where i get 60 in 240 PSU. However, It does not throttle to 800 for a fixed amount of time like it does for the 240 watt PSU.

 

Yes, did that, it still throttles.

 

Well, the reason I brought up the 180w PSU was to see if the laptop would still have the CPU throttle, ignoring the obvious downsides.
Hmmm... well, I'll think of something later. I rather not give bad suggestions.

 

To be honest, I am done with this laptop. Instead of actually playing games, i have to keep tinkering with the settings, BIOS and trying all kinds of weird ****, to resolve the throttling problems. I kept waiting for the 240 watt PSU to arrive, asuming it would solve the throttling and it was not easy getting the 240 PSU where i live. I got this **** from dubai for around $3,000 and the performance is not worth it. It can run DOTA 2 easily, but my macbook could handle that as well.

Throttling issues like this are inexcusable, Its been five months since AW released this model and they cant figure out the bIOS? wtf is this. They keep making ****ed up throttling BIOS to justify their 180 watt PSU decision. I hate this, there should be a thread out there somewhere telling telling people about this and warning them from buying this.

 

I went YOLO and downgraded from A04 to A02. Alienware is too warm at idle, thinking of doing a paste job and I have never opened a computer before leave alone opening my Alienware. Anyone can give me suggestions on a very good thermal paste and any links/website where I can see how to do this myself. I'm living in Australia and I am not sure whether Dell sends technicians to come over to your place and do these kind of jobs. Anyway I am ready to spend on a thermal paste so please recommend me a very good one and DIY Alienware vivisection links pls...
Note: Also I got this around end of March so I think this would be a good time to do a paste job and I got exams coming over so won't be doing the pasting until June 23rd (my birthday )

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186038

http://www.myfixguide.com/manual/dell-alienware-15-disassembly/

http://ftp.dell.com/Manuals/all-pro...aptops//alienware-15_Service Manual_en-us.pdf

 

Can someone tell me if the Alienware 15 model with 8GB RAM comes with one slot empty or does it use 4GB x2 sticks.

 

4gb x2

 

Hello AW15 owners.
Did someone add an m2 SSD after purchasing the base model with only one HDD? Is it worth it, besides having a faster booting time?

And, most importantly, is it difficult to move the OS from the HDD to the new (m2) SSD? How did you do that? I looked for guides but I've found only a couple of not-very-clear posts on dell community forums. Some should write a guide for dummies (assuming a dummy can accomplish that)

 

Hi Guys,
I'm a Game Developer and a former e-sports player (Counter Strike). I've decided to buy AW 15. Its has pretty awesome config and design. However I've few questions.

1. Is it harder to install a M.2 ssd into the AW 15 ? I think of buying 1TB HDD version and install SSD on my own. Is there is any chance of damaging my AW 15 while installing SSD ? Will that void the warranty of AW, as i'm scared not to damage my new baby. I'm new into installing SDD. Also what procedure I've to follow to shift my OS into SSD ? Can I get all the softwares and drivers into my ssd ?
2. As I've decided to go for 970m model since its 625$ cheaper than 980m. I can use this money to buy additional monitor and speakers and stuff. Will buying 980m will make that much difference , such that buying 970 looks stupid to you. Please let me know.

These queries are important for me before I sign the deal. Please let me know your valuable suggestions. Its important for me.

 

1. Nope on the first two questions. And yes on that last question. You can either do a clean install or use Alien Respawn.
2. Some people say the 980m is overpriced. Others say who cares, it's almost as good as the GTX 970 (for reference, the GTX 970m is about the level of a GTX 960). I say just go for the 970m.

 

hi all
used this laptop for almost 1 month so far no issue
glad i purchase this awesome machine.
however i need some advice because i plan to do 2 part upgrade to my pc
1. Power Supply
which one is better for my pc (plug n play)

a. Compatible AC Adapter for Dell Alienware M17X 19.5V 12.3A 240W
Input : 100V-240V, 3.5A
Output : 19.5V , 12.3A
Connector diameter : 7.5x0.7x5.0mm
Power cord if not included

b. DELL 19.5V16.9A Adapter 7.4*5.0 ORI
Affordable Price for Quality Products !
Wholesale !
Dealer Welcome !
Specifications:
Product Type : GENUINE replacement Adapter
Conditions : Brand NEW
Model: 19.5V 16.9A AC Adapter
Input: AC100-240V (worldwide use)
Output: 19.5V 16.9A
Power: 330W / Connector: 7.4*5.0mm
Warranty : 1 Year standard ( 1 to 1 exchange )

2. System Memory
a. Impact SODIMM - 16GB Kit* (2x8GB) - DDR3L 2133MHz CL11 SODIMM

b. Gskill Ripjaws SO-DIMM F3-2133C11D-16GRSL

thank you

 

Test after test now show that Dell messed up with testing and development of the new Aw laptop models, a huge mistake to use a weak 180w power supply on the new AW15 and 17r2 models. The engineers at Dell (Alienware) should have been fired from job after this big mistake... It does not matter if you bought a laptop with Nvidia Aw or Amd graphics, i7-4710 / 4720 or i7-4980hq processor. Even Aw 15 should have received a free upgrade to 240W power supply. Not only those who bought a Aw17R2. Everyone who bought AW15 and 17R2should have received a upgraded 240w power supply, wherever they live in this world. It is deeply unfair that all Aw laptop buyers outside the United States and Canada do not have the same rights regardless of whether the rules are different in other countries. Dell must obtain a new certification / verification for approval of a 240W power supply with all 2015 model Aw 15 and 17r2 laptops now for all continents that sell these laptops. It is not enough to offer laptop customers, a crippled "modern" hybrid bios.
A new test of Aw 15 and now with Amd graphics. New review dated13.06.2015... http://www.notebookcheck.com/Test-Alienware-15-R9-M295X-Notebook.144446.0.html

 

I have the i7 with the 970m with the 180w power supply, I think it runs just fine with the 180.

In fact when i am traveling i have a small 90w power supply that i use, it doesnt charge the laptop, but i am still able to run the gpu without any problems.

 

With maximum load use gtx970m up to 83 watts. Not much power again from the 90w power supply to the rest of the hardware.

 

it will be nice if dell send 240w or even 330w psu for free outside NA
or cutting half the price
lol

 

Hm. All this talk worries me some but I still decided to go ahead and get a 15.

Japanese guy here, I got the following specs:

4710 CPU
980m (limited time free upgrade on the Japan Alienware site from 970m so why not)
1x 128GB m2
1x 1TB 7200
8GB RAM
1080p display (prefer matte)

Price for that ended up being roughly $1650 USD - think I got a reasonable deal. Production started and finished within 2 days, should be here end of this week or early next week. Didn't get the 180w PSU so I'm a little concerned about how it'll deal with it - but I can always get one from Amazon next day delivery if I need it (the wonders of living in the biggest city in the world). Going to be mostly gaming on it - required to use Macs for work so this is pretty much going to be a desk bound game machine.

Hope the A05 BIOS update will fix some of the issues I've seen above... Wish me luck.

 

I think thats a good deal. i paid 1600$ for exactly what you have except i have the 970m. dont forget to get the 240w psu though.

 

Over a month in with this beast and still impressed(i7/980m) , handles everything I throw at it without breaking a sweat. I've put in many many hours in with the Witcher 3 in Ultra with a few tweaks to hold steady at 60fps, fantastic game. If I was to complain about anything it would be fan noise which isn't terrible but is definitely noticeable. I'm moving soon and will likely be getting a cheaper 4k 50 or 55" tv.. likely the Mseries from vizio. Very much looking forward to playing some games at 4k.. yeah likely a generation old type games.. Bioshock series.. Fallout Series.. Borderland series.. Skyrim series..there is some dlc on those games I haven't played yet and will be fun to revisit them in 4k and they should definitely run 60+fps with the 980m at 4k.

 

All right, people. I got my laptop at around march. I installed batterybar and it showed that my battery is a 96Wh with 1.8% of wear. Fast forward to now, my battery wear is already at 5.6%. is this normal? the battery seem to degrade rather quickly.

 

hi guys, im getting the alienware 15 with the Intel Core i5 4210H and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 965M
plus im getting the 180W PSU, do u think it is enough for the i5 and 965M
I dont want any throttle at all on my upcoming gaming laptop
thanks

 

Its enough for a 970m i7 so i guess its enough for a 966 i5

Sent from my SM-N910S using Tapatalk

 

ok wow thanks for the fast reply, do u know if the throttle problem also affect the i5-4210H model? I saw on the other thread many ppl complaining about throttle problem on the i7 (HQ CPU) model

 

I dont know much as i didnt pay much attention to the i5 people in this thread. I will be having my laptop by 1st week of july yet so i cant comment much but i am pretty sure you wont have any problems with the power supply

Sent from my SM-N910S using Tapatalk

 

r u getting also the i5 ?

 

I7 970m. Thats why i didnt pay much attention to the people with the i5 965 but if it can power the i7 970m i am pretty sure it wont have anyproblems powering a weaker variant

Sent from my SM-N910S using Tapatalk

 

Can someone tell me if this RAM will be compatible with Alienware 15? Thanks

http://www.gskill.com/en/product/f3-1600c11d-16grsl

 

Does someone had a problem with the Alienware 15 about charging? It's plugged but not charging at all? I'm experiencing that and I called Dell, I'll be sending my Alienware to their warehouse to solve that problem

 

Is the Dell Battery Meter recommended to be enabled? Just got a pop-up.

It's supposed to make the battery last longer, and is only charging when the battery is under 50% charged.

Will it make gaming terrible? I.e. low fps?

 

Does anyone know if the miniDP is 1.3 or 1.2?

 

alrighty I ordered a p-series vizio 50" 4k tv($499) that supports 4k at 60hz..now I need to know how to get some 4k 60hz out of my alienware 15 (980m). Will a normal hdmi cable work.. or will I need use a displayport adapter .. if so will it carry audio? Any input on this would be greatly appreciated.

 

You'll have to use the mini DP, but does the TV have a display port on it?

 

Unfortunately no but the Alienware 15 has a mini-display port. After a little research it looks like I'll be getting a mini-display port to hdmi converter.. then go to the one hdmi on the tv that supports 2.0(4k/60hz). http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Displayport-Adapter-White-Supports/dp/B004RHNJOG/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1435267899&sr=1-1&keywords=mini display port to hdmi 2.0

something like that.. hopefully works. Does the hdmi cable have to support hdmi 2.0 or is this a port/software thing.. I've got a ton of old hdmi cables around, hoping to use one of them.

 

The adapter and the HDMI cable should be 2.0. But I'll warn you now: I have never heard a success story with the adapter for UHD 60hz.

 

Is upgrading the current hdmi on the laptop to 2.0 via a firmware update possible? .. has there been any talk of this as a possibility? I know some manufacturers like Sony saying they're older 4k tvs hdmi ports will be upgraded via a firmware patch.
Once I get the tv and the hardware to try this I will post my results..(fingers crossed)