*OFFICIAL* Alienware 15 R3 Owner's Lounge

Unigene Valley, 2hrs 1080p ultra, CPU 71 degrees and GPU 62 with an under volt of 0.0120v.

I then went in to try some overclocking, placed the CPU and fans into performance mode, rebooted and was about to apply an under volt however on loading up XTU I was given a BSOD and reboot. I will try and place XTU back to 0.000v then start playing with the OC and slowly ramp back the core voltage step by step.

 

Although I can't claim to be surprised anymore, isn't it quite amazing that not even laptops made for gaming can get a quality in thermal pasting etc that isn't abysmal ? Are there any manufacturer that actually gets it right? Dell is as we know is known for horrible QC even with non gaming laptops and I would imagine it's the same guys putting together these laptops as their budget range...

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Agreed,

On opening her up I was disappointed, thermal paste was lacklustre and lazy.. thermal pads were an absolute joke, some missing completely and in other places, they were stacked on each other to fill gaps!!

I would highly recommend a repaste and re-pad for any current owners with thermal issues.. my temperatures have been brought right down.. gaming now in the 70's for CPU and 60's on the GPU.

If I am being honest though the core differential is still much higher than I would like... sometimes 8 degs between cores.. but I believe that may be an uneven cooler issue.

That said, it's a fantastic laptop.. just wish they would pay better attention to the things that matter!!

 

Hi again.

So had the time this weekend and downloaded all the drivers and installed over the clean OS.
I am having a couple of issues though.
1. I cannot install the Intel Graphics drivers - I downloaded the Intel HD Graphics 630 Driver (Intel i7-7820HK). On starting installation, they go halfway and then roll back up. The log shows "HardwareID not found" and then the rollback sequence. I have tried using the Guru3d cleaner, fresh download, temp clean up followed by re-install but doesn't work. I see only the nVidia options on right click and nothing around the Intel driver.

2. The screen flickers. A lot. especially during low brightness. I disabled the Tobii thing as well (as it controls brightness) but no effect. Maybe the Intel driver could solve it but since it is failing, can;t really tell.

Have raised this to dell support but awaiting their reply.

Any suggestions in the meanwhile will be hugely appreciated!

Thanks!
CKhurana.

 

Hi all,

Update here. I just tried the Fn + F7 combo and this came up "Not supported with GYNC LCD panel". If I recall correctly, Optimus is not compatible with GSync right?
Maybe that is why I am unable to install the drivers?

Actually, this explains why I am barely pushing 2 hours on a new system.

Question...
1. I have to get the LCD panel replaced (dead pixel). Can I get a non-Gsync one to have optimus back?
2. Which is better in the long run..? I just want to make the right decisions (if I get to make them).

Thanks as always!

 

Hi, your correct your Intel card is disabled on the G Sync models. In answer to your first question I did read somewhere that buying a G Sync panel for a non-original G Sync model does not work as the motherboard does not support it. I am not sure about the situation if reversed like your suggesting. I would not count on a Non-G Sync monitor allowing you to get OPTIMUS.

In answer to your other question I think it depends on your primary use for the laptop. G-Sync is a big deal for me when playing games so I would take that over a slightly longer battery any day of the week.

 

So,

My thermal paste has had time to bed in and settle. I ran Unigene Valley again today, 2 hours standard out of the box clocks (no undervolt etc) Clock speed was a steady 3.7Ghz throughout the test.



So after 2 hours, average temp was 61 degrees on the CPU and 60 on the GPU. Also, the temp variance between the cores has closed dramatically.

Very happy with the results, time to stop testing and enjoy playing I think. D Brand skin has been ordered and Assasins Creed Origins is downloading as I type.

If I could say to anyone with temperature issues... definitely repaste and new thermal pads.. take your time doing it and be safe... Do your research beforehand but definitely, give it a go!!

 

These are impressive temps, what paste did you use?

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Hi

I used Kryonaught Grizzly, I also used the spatula to spread the paste as evenly as possible over the GPU and CPU. Also replaced the thermal pads in some areas using the old ones as templates for the new GELIT ones.

 

How was your experience with opeing the machine? Lost any of the plastic clips? Or was it all good?

 

Hi, I watched all the you tube videos, and was not keen as my 15r3 has the extended 3 year warranty. That said I had no major issues, some of the videos miss out some steps so just take your time when doing it. In particular I found the videos missed the screws for the LED strips either side of the laptop. The cables wrap around the plastic shroud and so I had to unscrew these as I did not want to pull on the cables too much. (Located top left and right - either side of the display hinge bracket) I read issues people had with the wi Fi card and snapping the connections but I was extra careful and had no issues with it.

I gave myself 2 hours to do it and that was plenty of time, I would have no reservations doing it again. No broken plastic clips or anything like that.

It's well worth doing, it's much quieter now, probably on par with my old ASUS G751JY and that thing had an amazing cooling system.

 

Yeah I checked all the videos as well. The alienware videos even lose some of the clips themselves which surprised me. When I repasted it for the first time this machine I lost some clips. When I repasted the models of friends who had the 17inch version I noticed it was much easier to unclip them so I did not lose any of those clips.

I replaced the palmrest on mine machine but I soon want to do a repad but I am worried to open it up again.

 

I used a Credit Card to gently push the clips down, for most areas.. I may have just been lucky to not lose any of them to be honest but I did take my time and made sure I did not get frustrated with it.

Good luck with your repaste if you go ahead would love to see the difference it makes to your temps.

 

Luckily my temps where already pretty good after my first repaste but a repad might be beneficial.

I did it with a creditcard as well. Maybe just unlucky with the palmrest that came installed on mine machine. Now after I replaced it, it might be easier to open.

But thanks for your insights!

 

You need to switch between iGPU and dGPU using Fn+F7 to install Intel and Nvidia GPU driver.
Display flickers sometimes in Win 10 FCU. You might install generic drivers from Intel and nvidia rather than Dell drivers.

 

Perhaps you missed the part about this being a GSync laptop or have I missed a secret way to enable iGPU on AWs with GSync?

 

Yeah, as you have pointed out that does not work and unfortunately I have not seen anything that would allow a GSync AW use the Intel GPU.

 

No problems, to be honest that's why I did the re padding whilst pasting.. wanted to get both done in one hit.

Benefit of coming into the problem late with loads of insight available on line from previous attempts thankfully.

 

What thickness pads did you use and where (a picture with labels would be extremely helpful). I tried following iunlock's guide but do not have great results (as high as 20c core differentials using AS5 as paste).

Also for disassembly, this kit is amazing

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GF0KV6G/

 

Hi, a mixture of 0.5mm and 1mm Pads mostly, please see above for the ones I replaced. Also I used: http://gelidsolutions.com/thermal-solutions/accessories-gp-extreme/ for thermal pads.

 

Does anyone know if the thermals on a R3 with 1060 tend to be lower than with a 1070? (both 7700HQ models)
I would assume with a lower power draw and between the shared heatsink the heat may get more of a chance to dissipate, but could be wrong. Is there any testing on this?

 

I mean, it's 2 heat pipes for 1060, 3 heat pipes is for the 1070. Read second last post.

 

Damn, read somewhere it was the same.

Is there any information still about the thermal differences?

 

Lower end components are likely to have some small thermal differences but from what I have read so far, the GPU or CPU type does not really matter with the R3.. You either luck out with a decent cooler (no manufacturing issues) and also a decent pad and paste job. I have now read countless posts on the subject, I am no expert, but if you are buying one expect to have to do some thermal work yourself or be calling in with that warranty to do it for you.

That said, I still lean to the fact the majority of AW customers don't have these issues, so it is a bit of a BINGO, unfortunately.

Flick back the last 5 or 6 pages of my personal experience. That said, I don't regret the purchase as the laptop is amazing. just a shame DELL have not sorted out the poor cooler manufacturing and lazy thermal pasting and padding.

I plan to keep testing mine, under volt, and laptop coolers are next on the list... Not normally something I would attest to though from previous experiences with a laptop cooler... But the R3 definitely 100% sufferers from suffocation on imperfect surfaces (even slight) from my tests so far. I will update this thread with my findings.(might start a new thread to stop cluttering this one with my chatter lol)

 

Seems like the 15 R4 and 17 R5 were closer than we thought:

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Alien...-options-vie-for-your-attention.294808.0.html

 

It only says they have a similar chassis but nothing about the internals.

 

I would expect a very similar motherboard and cooling design if not the exact same cooler.

 

They say it has a vapor chamber. From what i see the cooler looks a bit different but not much. But i did not see the underside. Only the top of the cooler.

 

According to an engineer at Alienware, he mentioned that official policy is that so long as the average temps don't exceed 95 it is fine.
He mentioned he doesn't believe that himself. But he also mentioned he doesn't think 'max' temps should be looked at, as they are likely "spikes" that only last a fraction of a second on a single core.
Talking about the new R4 and R5 he seemed to hint at the temps being on the 80s from his testing.

Not sure their views on thermals are the most reassuring however.

 

Well for a part it is true. The wbole temperature curve should be checked in afterburner or xtu.

I do think above 90c or even 85c for that should be avoided. Intel says its fine. But i rather see some safety margins.

 

True, but it would be nice to know you buy a gaming laptop that out of the box won't be throttling to keep it under 95°
Sure if you want to overclock and push the boundaries that would be fine. But stock settings and hitting 90+ light gaming is a bit of a joke, especially considering the size of the laptop compared to other slimmer options that have similar thermals.

Despite my protests I will likely invest in the 15 R4, if the thermals have been improved that is.

 

Considering that this is still a Dellienware, I should assume it will throttle until proven wrong.

 

Yeah it should throttle out of the box ofcourse. Luckily mine never did that. In general the only laptops that throttled that I owned was a Gigabyte P34W v3 and some older models. Also tested the Razer Blade 2014 which throttled but only tested it.

 

Having tried something like 5 different Alienware laptops from the current version, I must say I doubt you got one that didn't throttle. But it seems like you have repasted yours?

 

I have afterwards. because I was very curious how low I could go with better paste. But the differences weren't that big. The core temp difference became slightly larger in some cases. Still not more than 4c. it was 3. But I consider that a non issue because thats only with prime95 only. During normal gameplay etc its about 2c... Which can be just the margin of error.

Prime results are included. The main reason why I repasted was that with the GPU also going full blast it would crawl up to 85c after about 2 hours of gameplay. I hoped to rectify this but a repaste shaved only 5c off that in PUBG and Assassins Creed Origins. Other games such as R6 Siege dont even surpass 75c.

All is tested in a climate controlled room with a temp of 22c.

 

Was some time ago that I did benches on the Alienwares but temps like that in Prime95 seems unbelievably low. The screen shot doesn't show CPU frequency though.

 

It was one of the photos i posted somewhere else in this thread. Core clock is stocl 7700hq. Cant overclock it.

 

Sorry, didn't mean to miscredit you, its just that usually when someone posts something like "My Alienware never throttles and temps are great out of the box" they are running in something like Balanced-mode where the CPU might be running at half speed or something like that. QC isn't exactly what Dell is known for and someone here even proved that replacing Dells so called thermal paste with tooth paste made the cooling better

 

Well i documented it, i showed screenshots of multiple runs in multiple scenarios (had 1 bad run though, it was throttled because of old TS settings and stuck at 28x).

What you see there is all cores at 34x.

Also have shown photos of the paste before repasting. In my case they used actual thermal paste on the CPU, slightly thick but not those dry stamps. The paste was also not dried out. Dunno in which topic it was, sucks that this forum doesnt have a functionality to show all uploads of one account in one place. In general no manufacturer uses real good paste though which sucks. I know why they do it but it still sucks. Repaste with Nanogrease didnt improve much, paste was too thick. Kryonaut gave me good results. Only time will tell how long it will stay like that. Has been 1 month now. Temps did not increase yet.

 

Guys so whoever had an issue with heat, power throttling, thermal throttling, and stabilization. I have tinkered with my 15 r3 because I noticed a lot of power throttle in XTU. I want you to try this. Download XTU and change these settings I’m about to tell you. Under advanced tuning change core voltage offset and cache voltage offset to -.120 V. turbo boost short power and turbo boost power max to 90.00W. Do multipliers from top to bottom 40x 39x 38x 37x. These settings removed my power throttle that would kick in and kept my temp at 72c under load. Also get a laptop stand and turn on your fan performance mode in the bios if you plan on playing games with high cpu involvement. Mine has the 7820HK with the 1070. Don’t try to overclock more than this because you will get power throttle which will constantly push your clock speeds down to 3.1ish. This allows my core freq to run at 4.0 at all times without throttle.

 

I had reset everything to stock clocks and had it at -0.095V and was getting PROCHOT again so I figured I would just repaste. Glad I tried your method here. Getting about 85 after an hour of intense gaming on Wildlands but that's better than 97! Thanks for this input as it really worked for me.

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No problem!
It took me about 5 hours of tinkering and watching the lines to make sure I wasn’t throttling and getting good temps. High 80s to low 90s is normal for a laptop with powerful hardware. Don’t be scared of the highest number of degrees, focus on the average. Don’t get a cooling pad either, get amazons ventilated laptop stand. It’s 13 bucks and will allow the Alienware to breathe.

 

I just found it weird since I did do a lot of tinkering and every chip is supposed to be different; yet this setting seems to be a universally good one for temps.

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Sooo yea even though what I recommended worked. I still felt weird that I had to tinker with a 2000 dollar laptop. Called Alienware and they tested it. Reached 98-100 degrees. They are gonna replace it with another one and I will test it to make sure it’s good. Freaking bs.

 

Welcome to the world of Dellienware....I had to return 3 times before getting one that was decent.

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What?!?!! Are u serious? What are your temps now? They guaranteed the one that they will send me will have no issues. They better test it before it leaves.

 

They won't unfortunately. I had 4 replacements myself and 5 repairs and just gave up as I was fairly happy with the performance with this one finally. Plus with your suggestions on the OC it has brought it down to good temperature levels again without the need for a repaste. Honestly with yours, you had found a sweet spot and I would not have exchanged it.

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Ughhhhhh...what is their excuse? 2000 dollar machine and you get defective garbage 4 times?!?!? I did find a sweet spot. However the sweet spot didn’t last long for me. My machine is degrading and thermal throttling now even with undervolt. Alienware tech support tried their best not to send me a replacement but I raised holy hell like a mad man until I got want I wanted.

 

Hello, please help me out here, when i disassembled my 15r3 7820hk with 1080 max-q, i found the thermal pad measurements somewhat different than those posted in the guidelines, please help me out here, should i use the measurements here, or the measurements dell did, thanks guys!

 

I repasted anyway and cleaned out the fans; there was a LOT of dust and fur in there. Had to take the fan housing apart to get at them. As well, added thermal tape from the PCH to the heatsink. Temperatures back down and very good now. Still 6 degree spread but I can deal. After 2 hours of gaming on PUBG and Wildlands max temp is 79 with that OC and undervolt profile. Not bad at all now. Hope it stays more than 5 months like this.