*OFFICIAL* Alienware 15 R3 Owner's Lounge

Hawkeye - did you happen to pull the trigger on another system? just curious

 

My order sadly was already too far gone to cancel so I need to first receive this one and then return it.

 

that sucks to hear. was really looking forward to someone ordering the 120hz IPS screen and reporting back.

 

Just ordered the 15 R3 with the 120Hz IPS display. As listed on the website

15.6 inch FHD (1920 x 1080) 120Hz IPS Anti-Glare 300-nits NVIDIA G-SYNC Enabled

But this is interesting, this is what is showing up in my order...

Alienware 15 R3
15.6 inch FHD (1920 x 1080) 120Hz TN+WVA Anti-Glare 400-nits Display
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-7820HK (Quad-Core, 8MB Cache, Overclocking up to 4.4GHz)

 

i was reading another thread and saw this was happening to alot of ppl ordering the same laptop.

 

So could it be something not right and people get TN panels and not IPS panels. Or you guys think it was just a minor typo.

 

I am pretty sure the ips is for real based on this response: https://twitter.com/aw_umar/status/837065071972999170

 

I've emailed them for clarification. So we'll see.

 

The response I got was a TN panel. I asked why there is a discrepancy between the website and what is being shipped.

 

BIOS 1.0.12 Update:

For those running the new vbios and on 1.0.12 ...I've found a bug...

During games there were 4 second freeze/stutters that happened periodically.

At first I had thought there wasn't enough power from the PSU since the GPU is getting fed more juice now, but that was ruled out from the graphs and also the fact that other machines with the same hardware run just fine with the single 330W.

Since I've rolled back to 1.0.8, things are fine now.

So no, it's not the NVIDIA driver, vbios or PSU, instead it is bios 1.0.12 that is the culprit.

 

Thanks for the update man. Still rocking 1.0.8 myself.

Sent from my VS995 using Tapatalk

 

@iunlock +1
I got exactly the same problem...
I already reported to @bagman317 @AzorFrank @aw_umar that this bios is bugged there is now more than 2 weeks, and still nothing.
I didn't spoke about this problem, but about temps raise, bad fan table rpm, and still no new vbios for 1070 with micron vrams...

So if on your side you can make things change

Thank you

 

Hello guys , I'm not that expert , my Alienware 15 r3 will arrive in a week or so, 6700HQ , ips panel 60 , 1060 gtx for 1600 euros . After I read the forum here about the thermal issues and screen , I'm super scare that I select the wrong product , I saw mostly all YouTube reviews and it's a recommended device , im not planing to repaste just I will under volt the CPU ,
Is there any potential tests I should execute to address any expected or unexpected issues ? So I can return the device and use the 14 days return policy .

 

Can anyone please help me understand the current 15 R3 website? I just got ready to configure a system and these were my two screen options:

• 15.6 inch FHD (1920 x 1080) 60Hz IPS Anti-Glare 300-nits NVIDIA G-SYNC Enabled
  
  Included in price

• 15.6 inch FHD (1920 x 1080) 120Hz IPS Anti-Glare 300-nits NVIDIA G-SYNC Enabled
  
  + $150.00

• I was really happy to see a 120Hz option that was IPS so I made the purchase.....After checking my order status the description changed to a 400nit TN panel. Does anyone here have an IPS Gsync 120Hz Panel on this system?

 

I heard its a typo in your order and that it is an IPS screen.

 

Thanks I really hope it's a IPS panel

 

Had similar experience and also rolled back. Also got the feeling the fan curve was set to low on the 1.0.12 BIOS.

 

So the best bios for now is 1.0.8 ?

 

Well if iUnlock say it is, it probably is

I downgraded to 1.09 which seemed to improve the situation but that was on the 17" version so might be some difference.

 

Only problem with 1.0.9 is that it will randomly freeze and cause a bricked Mobo. Even iunlock has said it's a ticking time bomb.

Sent from my VS995 using Tapatalk

 

I'm so confused, I will receive my 15 in a week or so , and don't know from where to start the test of this laptop !!!! I'm afraid I wasted my money !!

 

Well, have a replacement on its way anyway. Seems like any new BIOS is worse than the one before it, does anything actually improve in the BIOSes?

 

No worries. We'll help.

First check to see what bios it came with. If not on 1.0.8, download it from the website or I can email it to you OR send it to you on discord.

I'd recommend a fresh Windows install if you're using your own storage. Even if you're not, I'd still recommend starting fresh.

PM me if you need help.

The new bios has some values off in the tables that seem to throw off the voltage transition under certain conditions.

Bios 1.0.8 is best / latest bios to stick with for now.

::iunlock::

 

i just took a unit from the outlet.

i7 6820HK
15" 4k Igzo whatevs
1070
16 gb ram
1TB
99 Whr battery

afaik the unit is still in transit, comes to my relative on the 9th, comes to me my end of the planet by the 21st. but after reading some of the issues on the lounge, Am i gonna be in heaps of issues on this? should i return it? i am planning on repasting it or have someone do it for me and just buy the Conductonaut and pads.

 

Hi,

Any idea why the 1.08 bios wouldn't be compatible with my 15 R3 please, I went from 1.02 to 1.12 yesterday but after reading the forum think it would be best to change it down to 1.08, after downloading 1.08 from the dell website and trying to execute it, it says the device isn't compatible.
I have a standard build with GTX 1070/ 7700HQ/ 16GB's.
The only difference to the standard build is that I have popped in a 1TB 850 evo m.2 ssd in the spare slot and am using it for games.

One other question, I am on my 4th 15 R3, the others were returned with light bleed problems, this is the first one that when I am downloading games to the 850 Evo, the system goes really slow, for example if I am downloading a 50GB file from Steam using to be fair a fast internet connection (Steam tells me 25MBs second) the mouse movement studders really badly, so you end up overshooting where you want to click.

Thanks,

 

There is a lot of noise on the forum, a lot of which doesnt necessarily apply. The issue I have had is backlight bleed. Returned first laptop because of it. Second laptop has it too. They tried replacing the screen but the replacement was WAY worse. So i am currently "living" with it! On the plus side, you can return it within 14 days no questions asked. We have the exact same system FYI

 

Thank you iunlock , you calmed me down , this machine costs me 1600euros , I don't want to compromise as I fell there is a major problem in this laptop , thank you very much for your kindness , once I receive it sure I will PM you,
About the system I will use the one comes with it I will buy a new ssd m.2 and I will clone the system .

 

Don't clone it instead image the whole drive using Macrium reflect and save it to external HDD for future in case you need it. Start fresh as @iunlock said. Its better to have the OS under your control (with @Phoenix tweaks or your own ) rather than Windows having a mind of its own. Which OS are you planning to install, default W10 Home Retail/SL OR W10 Pro?

 

When the repair center changed my screen and heat sink t came back and my 120 hz monitor wouldn't go to 120 or recognize gsync and looked terrible. I still think they plugged something in wrong on the mobo. I bet the same happened to you. I had to get a replacement eventually the tech couldn't fix it replacing the screen.


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First of all: the battery life is only 1 hr less in the 15 for web surfing.

The 15 has a lot more going on under the hood as well. A lot more display to make etc.

And the wattages are almost identical 15 to 13. I don't know if I'm reading it right but it looks like Optimus only lowers wattage use by about 10? 10/180 total watts isn't a lot under load.

I've been asking and am still waiting for an answer on what 15 non Optimus vs 15 Optimus real world usage battery life difference is. I get about 4.5-5 hours non Optimus life watching a movie. I'm guessing it's around 30 min to an hour more at most.

Admittedly not zero but also not double like most people claim with no evidence.


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It's default win home 10 64 bit, I bought it with HDD thought I can buy m.2 by my self , and get the job done

 

You have gotten my post out of context I think

If you want to compare Optimus vs non Optimus compare then two laptops with the same characteristics. The difference between 15 inch model with or without Gsync is about 3 hours (from 6-7 to 3-4.5, it depends on the review, post you read). Here you have an example https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/comments/5bxit6/alienware_15_r3_battery_life_thread/

For wattage difference I don't have the exact number but I remember it is much more (around 45/50 I think) than what you said.

My comment about the 13 was because 15 model used to have the longest battery life and now it doesn't. The 13 inch has an Optimus display and the 15 inch doesn't.

Research a little if you want to say that people claim with no evidence

 

Like I said I've been looking for 3 months for an answer 15 Optimus vs not on battery life for real world usage and I have to see an answer. Your answer above is literally the first numbers I've received.

And that Reddit thread doesn't have much consistency. The data isn't really comparable or able to be extrapolated to any conclusion.


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Are you in the US or Europe? I'd like to document this and add it to the log.

When it comes to screen stuff, @Mobius 1, @DeeX, and @zergslayer69 are the ones to ask. Perhaps they can chime in.

As for me I don't use any of that stuff due to my usage habits as I'm always plugged in most of the time. (99.9999% of the time) ..

 

With the HDD removed (SSD in place of HDD), CPU undervolt with turbo disabled, GPU undervolted. You can get about 5 hours of non gaming usage with the 1070 +120Hz w/120Hz enabled.

It obviously depends on many different variables and who really wants to waste their time comparing variables for a laptop we are have. But that 5 hours is Skype, Avira, Chrome, Steam, throttlestop and after burner running.

Also I replaced the 8GB ram stick for a nice HyperX 1.2V 16GB

 

I'm in the US. I initially had 100 C temps x4 with stress testing and the screen bezel was separating. Against better judgement (from you even haha) i sent it in for repair. They "fixed" the heatsink and replaced the screen. The heatsink came back definitely fixed, it ran about 70 x4 with OCCT. But the screen was screwed. The colors were way off, the Nvidia settings did not have Gsync even available as an option, and the monitor would only go 60 Hz resolution. Games played decently fast, so the GPU was being used. But the GPU stress test from Alienware Assist would fail on the first test (lighting and something) and the tech also said something about one of the fans not turning on right. They sent the tech to replace the screen, and I confirmed his panel was a 120 Hz panel looking at the item number and description, but I also got a look at my panel he removed and it was an identical item number as the replacement. So it's not that they put a 60 hz screen in. He did not open the bottom of the computer and look at the connections there, but I suspect when they put the heat sink back together they didn't connect stuff correctly hence the fan and screen not working right. I don't know if they plugged the monitor cable into the onboard GPU port instead of the dedicated GPU display port? That seems like it would be the most likely issue.

I got a full replacement with the processor upgraded to 7700 for free, still the 120 hz screen which works fine now.

Yea I can get about 5 hours of non gaming usage with the HDD in even on my 120 Hz 1070.

 

Heard a rumor that my screen is not really 120hz ips and this is a typo... I ordered the ips 120 as it shows in the email confirmation above but when I pull up order details on website, it shows TN... see below




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I'm seeing the same thing with my order (and almost identical to yours except for mem, 16GB, 2667). I'm trying to get some clarification but haven't been successful yet.

 

@iunlock: Do you know why HK series of CPU isn't available in India, all I see is 7700HQ or 6700HQ? Is it because of high ambient temps?

 

I've noticed that some of the latest features with Dell are released to US market first... you are right about India and ambient temps. I spent a month there and had to go to Shimla to escape heat!


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They removed the "IPS" 120hz option from the alienware US website...today

 

I'm not saying it was or wasn't a typo, but I believe they do try to remove options depending on if stock is available. Cuz I was spending like 2-3 weeks deciding what brand laptop I want and I know options kept changing and disappearing

 

What is pissing me off now is that people who are just ordering machines now have an EDD before mine. Ordered on the 19th and all I have to show is some dumb Carrier & Tracking: DHL Global Forwarding G777402. When I go to purchase details the EDD says the 8th but when I chat with customer service they say the 15th in which if you buy one now the EDD is about the same or sooner.

 

So I haven't heard from Dell to say there was a mistake. Are they hoping people just won't notice?!?! Most people ordering Alienware laptops are the type that will be pissed if the screen is different than they ordered. Order still says confirmed... thinking about calling and pitching a fit for a discount... this is BS!


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Hi Guys,

Quick question - If there is no optimus on the 120hz g-sync panels whats the purpose of the onboard Intel HD since you cant switch between them?

 

If you buy the gsync panel, there is not one. You forgo that when you get the gsync panel instead.

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In device manager is showing both Intel 530 & NVidia 1070 - so it is there and working - just not sure what it actually doing?

 

I think manual switching using Fn + F7 will work. If you want longer battery runtime use Intel or otherwise.

 

Unfortunately Fn+F7 does not work with 120hz G-Sync Panels. The only thing I have managed to find out on the net regarding this is this :
http://en.community.dell.com/owners-club/alienware/f/3746/t/19529844

While I cannot give you any definite answer about any future plans, I do not expect it to be "solved". It is inherent to the setup. In order for the switchable graphics to work, there are two screen inverters being used. One for the IGP and one for the GPU. The 120hz screen won't support this, and only runs off the one inverter. To my knowledge, all the hardware is still in the system, and you can change to the 60hz screen and reconnect the secondary inverter and set it up that way, but so long as you have the 120hz screen you cannot use the IGP.

However, the GPU uses four P states, with p12 and p8 being roughly the IGP setup, with p1 and p0 being the higher performing states. p12 and p8 will work on battery or lower Ac adapter, but the p1 and p0 will only work on AC Power. This way you can have equivalent to the IGP power, if not more when OC'd, when not running intensive games and programs, and let the higher power of the GPU take over when you need it to.

I actually find a few pros and cons with this. The IGP setup can sometimes be better than the p12 and p8 states of the GPU, but with some tuning you can make the lower p states better on the GPU.

I am not sure if the above actually relates the 15 R3 specifically - but I am guessing the IGP/DGPU mechanism design should be the same - hence everything is routed via the IGP - therefore required?

Also this thread is of interest :

http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...-is-disabled-w-optional-120hz-3d-wled.549958/

 

Yes no IGP on GSync models, I forgot to mention it.