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

guys i need your advice...

i am planning to order a Alienware 15 R2 used primary as desktop replacement-gaming machine with the 980m.

i am not sure if i should take the 6700HQ CPU or the 6820HK (described on the Dell-Homepage as " dynamic overclocked up to 4,1 GHz").

The Price difference is 100 € and i think in the future i will use a Graphic-Amplifier which let me tend to the stronger CPU.

I 've read in a article that the TDP with manual OC to 4 GHz using Intel XTU goes up to around 54 Watt's from NON-OC 2,7 GHz running at 34 Watt's (seen in the diagrams) :

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Skylake-for-Notebooks-Core-i7-6700HQ-and-i7-6820HK-Review.150864.0.html

my questions are now:

the TDP limit for both CPUs is 45 Watts... and on the Dell Homepage it's described as " dynamic overclocked up to 4,1 GHz"

means this that the Turbo-Boost will be disabled/reduced over 45 watt's?

for the Owners of an Alienware 15 R2 with a 6820HK - is it possible to deactivate via BIOS the " dynamic overclocking feature" that the CPU runs on its nominal 2,7 GHz with the normal Turbo-Boost (4active cores around 3,2 GHz) ?

because i am not interested in buying the "6820HK dynamic overclocked up to 4,1 GHz CPU" if it then throttles itself by the exceeded TDP-Limit and i cannot disable the "dynamic OC"

and please 6700HQ and 6820HK-Owners reply your general experience with it... (stable running?, throttling?, etc... )

thx

 

1. Could you please share the direct driver link for the Killer n/w card?
See here - http://www.killernetworking.com/support/driver-downloads

2. I have the 970M as well.. so any M latest ones would work from nVidia?
Yep, see here - http://www.nvidia.co.uk/download/driverResults.aspx/101046/en-uk

3. One more thing.. can i completely nuke the partitions (all including recovery?)
Absolutely, first thing I did!

4. while reinstalling Win 10, the registration will pick up the keys from bios automatically, yes?
Yes.

 

Yeah I would roll back if you're on the latest (1.2.12), it seems that BIOS is slowly killing machines

See here for the older BIOS - http://downloads.dell.com/published/pages/alienware-15-r2.html

 

Super lol. Hopefully it's fine while I'm at work, I left the computer running when I left so it will be on all day :/ Is it possible it could cause damage from running with the new Bios for such a short time? Or is it just a sudden failure? P.s. Thanks for the link!

 

On a side note for the sound drivers there is something else weird that happens. Sometimes when I run the Windows sound test no sound comes out. But the fans will ramp up to full speed, left first, then right. It's like the sound driver controls the fans to turn on instead of the speakers. Don't know how they pulled that one off.

 

Just an update on repasting the CPU/GPU with CLU. It took me about 1 hour to disassemble this thing (most time spent on removing the palmrest/keyboard) and about 10min to reassemble everything.

The original paste job was horrible, they put so much paste that i'm wondering how it didn't spill outside of the heatsink!.

That was the first repaste i ever did and i started with CLU so really seeing myself as a brave dude at this point lol.

First boot, i did a full diagnostic on Dell's website (for some reason, this is the most stressing software for my hardware). The CPU temps went slightly lower than usual (max CPU temp 94, MAX GPU 69). I was already preparing the screwdrivers to disassemble again. I was also seeing some artifacts on HWInfo and i started thinking that i put too much CLU and some circuits around the GPU were in contact with the liquid metal! I also experienced a system freeze on youtube and lower scores in firestrike (Graphic score around 7500)...

Around 45min-1Hour later i re-did the exact same diagnostics on Dell's website (full test). Also repeated benchmarks on 3DMark 2013, 3DMark 11, CPU-Z CPU stress, and Dell's CPU stress and i was really amazed.

Room Temperature 24-25 degrees C.
Max CPU temp 78 degrees (only on Core 1, the other cores do not exceed 72 degrees) Vs up to 98 degrees previously. Idles at 44 degrees when browsing.
Max GPU Temp 69 degrees. Idles at 53 when browsing.
Benchmark results back to normal values.

I got these results with laptop sitting flat on the table without the bottom section exposed to fresh air. (before repaste i had to keep the bottom section exposed to maintain CPU temps below 90 during benchmarks).

Looks like CLU needs to settle a bit before i can see the effect (you may confirm on this).

Can you give me your thoughts on these results and also the oustanding artifacts/freeze? Even if i experienced them only once so far i am concerned that there is a contact between the CLU and the pins around the Dies and that the effect may be delayed or not as brutal as i may expect (incremental issues instead of an immediate burnout).

Let me know guys !

 

Those are decent temps. And you will get faster with disassemble the machine xD. Just removed the palmrest etc myself in 15minutes. Did a repaste with ic diamond.

 

So I reinstalled Windows 10 fresh but am still having issues with my sound drivers. Which drivers are you using for your speakers? The generic high definition audio ones or the sound blaster recon3di drivers? And which version do you have? Also, The issue doesn't occur with headphones, only through the internal speakers and only with the sound blaster drivers.

 

i got my Alienware 15 R1 like 5 months ago. I was super excited but one month later a chkdsk loop happened and i took it to the it crew in my office because Alienware was not available in my country. They said it was hdd failure and forcefully Changed my hdd. I was forced to do with a cracked win 10 enterprise instead of my genuine win 10 home. My laptop originally came with 8.1 home but I upgraded it to win 10 home and I deleted the Windows.old folder. Current boot mode is legacy. I want to test whether my old hdd that came with the laptop really failed so since the original boot mode was UEFI, I have to change it to UEFI before plugging in the hdd, right? If the hdd really worked, I plan to use it again. If it works and I was able to boot Windows 10, then I want to set it to factory defaults since I don't really remember the contents inside. So if I reset to factory will it return to 8.1 or stay 10? If it returns to 8.1 I will upgrade it to 10 using a win 10 iso burned to usb drive. Windows will become official again right? Before I test this hdd, I am also going to clean install win 10 on my new hdd, will Windows 10 activate with factory bios oem key and will it still activate if I use old hdd?

Also
My current BIOS version is A01 what advantages does A06 have? If I am going to update to A06 then in what order? What are the risks?
Is a 240W PSU needed for my laptop with Intel core i5 and 965m?
Does Alienware On Screen Display app work on Windows 10? If so pls tell me how to make it work because it doesn't work on mine.
Is it possible to overclock my intel core i5 4210H over the Alienware over lock 3.5ghz

 

Install Windows 10 home yourself and it will be activated legally. The key is stored in your bios after uograding Windows 8.1 once.

 

Use A01. Better fan profile. I think the processor is heavy locked but try Throttlestop to see if your processor can run a bit better. You find it in @unclewebb 's signature.

 

Just a note, they've installed bios 1.2.8 to the new motherboard.

 

Ok thanks.

 

Yes, but I want some of the factory tweaks like stage light app for free and other stuff. So pls answer my other questions above even though they may be long.

 

How do I use the app?

 

Then turn uefi on and try your old drive

 

Read you up in the guide and ask the author @unclewebb for help if you don't understand all. English isn't my first language I have tagged him in the thread so maybe he see your post, but post into the http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/the-throttlestop-guide.531329/ regardless of that.

 

I just received my AW 15 R2 with UHD screen, i installed the drivers for the nvme and works perfectly, windows came installed in it, now i read something about bad bios, i installed the latests from the dell site should i be worried or should i change it?

 

Let me know how you did your downgrade, I can't seem to get past even the BIOS method of flashing without it saying (image denied)

 

Put the bios on a fat32 formatted usb stick. Reboot and press f12 to enter the start menu and choose bios flash from there.

 

Change it to 1.2.2. Version 1.2.12 bricked a lot of systems on this forum.

 

Does Alienware on screen display app work for Windows 10? If it does pls tell me how you got it to work. Do I need a 240 or 330W psu for Intel core i5 and NVIDIA 965M? If I bought it will I get a performance boost?

 

I tried installing osd using the drover i found on the alienware 15 r2 driver site even though mine is the early model. When installing i get the error 'Install common driver fail GetLastError ffffffffffd'. I attahed the log file.

 

that's scary as I updated to 1.2.12 lol

 

to get the R2 use NVME ssd, do I need special driverS?

 

any recommendations to order the 6700HQ or 6820HK CPU?
are there any "throttle-experiences" like with the Alienware 15 R1?

 

There are no throttling issues. The HK is unlocked so you can clock it higher and thus gain 10/15% extra performance for CPU intensive tasks like video rendering. But the 6700HQ is already a great CPU but you cant overclock it.

 

After i did a second repaste with CLU yesterday (this time took me 25 min to open, repaste and reassemble) i've been performing several stress tests (XTU) and benchmarks (3DMark11, 13) and all was good so far. Always been playing Black op3 until today without problems.
Today i tried to activate OC lvl3 in Bios to see how good the temps would be. I got pleasing results when only testing CPU (max 73C on 3DMark11, 13 and 80C on XTU stress tests). However, doing Graphics\combined benchmarks with OC lvl3 is no more possible (everytime a graphic test starts i get a BSOD (whea uncorrectable error). Putting back Overclock to disabled solves this issues and i can run the benchmarks without problems.
Any insights on this or did anyone experience this problem before ?

I left the preset values in Bios for multiplier and voltage.

 

The problem is a lack of power, you need to play with the voltage and power limit settings. I really hope you've not actually been using the presets.... Dell has no idea what they are doing with regards to overclocking....

You've seen this thread right? http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...-settings-for-4-0ghz-to-4-3ghz-stable.787791/

If not, have a read. It will help....

 

Alright, thanks mate. Did not look at this thread yet (i'm not really into overclocking, just wanted to test the temps).
Appreciate your feedback

 

Thanks i just flashed back to 1.2.2.

 

Has anyone had an issue with the battery not charging for the r1? It seems, for whatever reason, that the bios isn't recognizing the charger. I have the latest bios and have tried multiple power bricks, all of which were provided by dell

 

try another charger, if this doesnt work, you need to replace the battery

 

I'm still having issues with the speakers on my alienware 15 r2. What sounds drivers is everyone using? Any information on driver versions would be helpful.

 

Just the latest from the Dell website.

 

Ok, thanks for the response. I have a Dell technician coming to take a look at it. There's definitely something wrong with mine.

 

I have tried multiple chargers. Its my girlfriends computer and I have the r3 so I have another charger. The battery health is also fine as I have checked on hwinfo

 

in my case, i had the same problem, the battery didn't want to charge, and suddenly when i boot it says that my battery was damaged and needs to be replaced. strange because i only use my notebook plugged. Now i am using the 240W adapter and no problem. I think that the hybrid Bios was the guilty

 

Where did you get the 240W charger? from dell? for how much?

 

If you have 980m you should get a 240w for free. Even if you have problems and 970m.

 

Yea I think found a workaround. Turning off the computer and then turn it back on with the charger unplugged then reinserting it once you get passed the bios. It is an odd problem though, she has had this bios for 7 months now and this is the first time it stopped recognizing the charger

 

It's free you request it from tech support

 

Yes. I have a 970m and I simply requested for it and they sent it over.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

 

They sent it over as an exchange? Do you see performance improvement with the 240W PSU

 

Yes as an exchange. I am yet to put it to actual test, but it should be able to avoid any throttling at hardware level due to voltage.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

 

I have a question .... how much time the i7 6820hk can hold 4Ghz on four cores ????

 

Assuming there isn't too much voltage and you can keep the temps in check, pretty much as long as you want. I run mine at 3.8GHz (all cores) currently but that is just because there is no noticeable difference in performance, but a whole load of difference in fan noise. I currently have mine undervolted and even when gaming, it is actually fairly quiet.

@4GHZ, I gamed for several hours (while monitoring), I played BF4, GTA5, DA:I and The Division....... It never dipped below 4GHz once........

Thing is, not all chips are the same so what works for me, might not work so well for you..... or you might have a better chip than mine!

 

Think you is bad time for purchase a Alienware 15 R2 with i7 6820hk and 980m 8gb ? Its better wait for Pascal? What you think

 

I would wait. Its only a few months till the Pascals arrive.

 

Hi guys I'm new here and would love to know if I can upgrade my ram with description as follows:

Memory Laptop CORSAIR Vengeance 16GB DDR4 - 2X8GB (CMSX16GX4M2A2400C16)

Memory Size 16GB Kit (2 x 8GB)
SPD Latency 9-9-9-24
SPD Speed 1600MHz
SPD Voltage 1.2V
Speed Rating PC4-19200 (2400MHz)
Tested Latency 16-16-16-39
Tested Speed 2400MHz
Tested Voltage 1.2V
Warranty Limited Lifetime
Fan Included No
Heat Spreader
Memory Configuration SODIMM
Memory Series Vengeance
Memory Type DDR4
Package Memory Format SODIMM
Package Memory Pin 260
Performance Profile none

I'm currently using AW15 R2.
Will it fit and work guys?
I'm a newbie in upgrading laptop's hardware