*OFFICIAL* Alienware 15 R3 Owner's Lounge

idle https://ibb.co/eCiVKT

load https://ibb.co/hnkueT

 

Looks good to me.

 

Yes, I am still very angry, angrier still that Dell has designed a newer heatsink but NOT to address the issues of the AW15 R3.
Could have designed it with the same screw holes to be compatible so we can purchase but NO, they wish us to upgrade to the newer model !
If we do not rage, complain and refrain from future purchase, Dell will continue to treat us like poo.

 

Yeah its sad. Maybe next revisions of laptop might be better

Sent from my iPhone X Papusan edition using Tapatalk

 

Is there a problem with the 15 R3 motherboards? I bought my son a R3 for Christmas and the motherboard went out about a month and a half ago. A tech replaced the motherboard but put a screw in wrong that put a bump in the area you put your palm. So, then dell sent me a refurbished R3. I have had that 2 weeks and the motherboard went out. Another tech came out and replaced the motherboard and powered it up once and the new motherboard went bad and would not boot again. So now they want to send me a third motherboard. I am asking for a different laptop now as I am not having any luck. Should I try and get R4??

 

Given the issues you have had, asking for an R4 is not out of line I think. Part of the problem though is everything is so integrated and soldered directly to the motherboard that any multitude of problems could lead to needing a motherboard replacement.

 

sounds like your chassis is making a short somewhere which kills your board.

 

That would be my guess that there is something shorting the board. But they just want to ship out another board. I got them to agree to ship me out another computer, hopefully a R4.

 

Does anyone know if this model with the 120HZ display has GSYNC?

http://www.microcenter.com/product/507264/alienware-15-r4-156-gaming-laptop-computer---silver

 

I would say, "no." It doesn't specifically state that it's a g-sync, and there is a 120hz tn non-gsync available for that model. I couldn't find anything specific for the model # on Dell's websight.

 

pretty sure any of the over 60 Hz models are G-Sync

 

Yeah as far as i know all AW high refresh rate models have gsync.

 

Hi, can you please check the exact panel model of lg at the back of panel? Also was it fully compatible with your 15 R3?

 

Only had it tested in the R2, but it was the 156WF6-SB1 a glossy panel.

 

Hi guys little question:

Which BIOS version is better for AW 15R3: the 15R3_17R4_SKL1.2.3_KBL1.2.4 - from 08 march 2018 OR the SKL1.3.0_KBL1.2.4 ,1.3.0 from 28 june 2018?

Also i can just run the .exe file or i have to flash from a USB?

Thanks

 

If you want latest spectre fixes, download latest BIOS or you can rely on OS spectre mitigation whilst keeping your current BIOS. You can flash using EXE or USB. I feel USB is a lot safer.

 

but is this last version more stable / improve performace? which version you use mate?

 

I have older model, so i don't know. You can latest version and use usb recovery drive to rollback to older bios.

 

Just being curious here. How bad of an idea would it be to try and install a 15 R4 heatsink onto a 15 R3 motherboard?

 

The TRIPOD leg moved to right. I mean you can buy a mod one for the older R3. Edit. Only for the Aw17R4

 

Yeah, that's what I feared. I knew looking at the heatsink (there was a listing for it on ebay) the top screw hole may have changed, but part of me was hoping it would still line up with the old screw hole.

 

I edited my last post. The CPU-Vacuum-copper mod is for the Aw17R4. From what I know/have read the Cpu heatsink cold plate for Alienware 15R4 is still only copper and not Vapor Chamber for Cpu.

 

The listing is really deceptive, they show a clean copper heatsink but you just receive a reworked 15R4/17R5 heatsink but they still use too thick thermal pads in general.

 

hey guys
Just wandered if anyone has any optimised settings for the bios,
I have a i5 7300 and a GTX 1060, with 8GB ram and a dog of a 1TB hdd

have to say its pretty flaming gimped, not the fasted loading machine in the world, i do know its set to RAID for whatever reason dell decided,

however despite all this, I installed my steam account and can play COD games etc on ultra settings pretty flawlessly, i appreciate they might not be the best test of my system as they are older games, but im happy playing them all day long

upgrades I am installing tomorrow/wed are:
samsung m.2 nvme 970 pro 512GB for system and games and samsung 860 evo 1TB 2.5 ssd for everything else,
AC 9260 wifi card as the killer card is the worst,
Corsair Vengeance® Series 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 SODIMM 2400MHz CL16 Memory Kit

so really want to get the basics right including the BIOS, i have the latest 1803 windows 10 pro to install, and am going to follow this guide by Pheonix for slimming down the junk
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/nbr-windows-10-clean-installation-guide.781178/

also any advice on what drivers to install or not from dell and where else to get them much appreciated,

given my inspiron 15Z is on its last legs, its faster than my 15 r3 at downloads over wireless and LAN, and loading up lol, hope that changes after the upgrades!

 

Could someone with the GTX 1070 OC vBIOS upload a GPU-Z screenshot?

 

Hello all.

I'm trying to replace a 4k panel (SHP1450/40pin) on my Alienware 15 r3 to a 1080p panel.

Will this work?

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/144HZ-IPS-7...r-Asus-ROG-Strix-GL503VS-AUO70ED/163088778061

I'm asking because, on panelook.com

http://www.panelook.com/B156HAN07.0_AUO_15.6_LCM_overview_35106.html

http://www.panelook.com/LQ156D1JW04_SHARP_15.6_LCM_overview_23899.html

Even though they are both 15.6" 1080P, the active and outline size are different from each other.
Does that mean anything?

Thanks

 

Anyone? I need proof to a technical support agent that Alienware did indeed sell 15 R3's with overclocked GTX 1070s.
EDIT: Never mind. I don't think that would help my case.

 

I have a 15r3 7700HQ/1070, and it was running very hot for the first 8 months I owned it. it would often spike randomly to 90 degrees while doing just about anything. Even just watching youtube. Dell told me the temps were "normal" and to watch the average not the spikes. During gameplay it would easily spike to 100 and hold 95 consistently. It started throttling on 3 of 4 cores down to 700 MHZ, which made gameplay nearly impossible in any game. One core stayed at about 80, and did not throttle.

I found this:
https://www.dell.com/support/articl...-or-throttling-during-high-cpu-stress?lang=en
and followed the steps, my laptop wouldn't turbo at all. It wouldn't throttle below 2.7 GHZ, but it wouldn't go higher. Temps hovered at 98 degrees C. I contacted dell with screenshots and some pictures of FPS during gameplay, and they promptly sent out a technician and replaced the motherboard, heatsink/fan assembly, and a few other things.

It's a totally different laptop now. During non intensive use, (when the fan isn't running), it doesn't spike past 60 EVER. It holds turbo speeds all the time. It's much snappier now. it will NOT exceed 80 degrees C during gameplay on the CPU. During CPU stress tests, I have yet to even see 70 with full 3.3 GHZ turbo. Other than the technician leaving it in "manufacturing mode" (had to press fn+x during POST to get it out) it's working great so far.

GPU temps were never an issue for me, they never exceeded 70 before and they don't now.

BTW, in manufacturing mode, they won't charge the battery.

 

Dell does have a funny way of responding back to issues. I guess it pretty much comes down to who you deal with over at DELL and how proactive they are with response.
Good you had it resolved!

 

Hey Everyone!
I have the 15R3 with i7 7820hk and GTX 1080MQ 120Hz Gsync.
My system was "manageable" for the first few months with temps hovering around low 80s mostly while gaming but that was locking fps to 60 and only undervolting. Then a few months later the temps started climbing 90-95 degrees when trying to play with an unlocked fps or >60 fps.
So I recently did a repaste(Had stripped screw on the heatsink and the real LED join, and it was a NIGHTMARE for me). I repasted with CoolerMaster Master Gel Maker(couldn't find TG Kryonaut).
So after an hour of BF1 1080p ultra locked at 90 fps, Cpu undervolted at -150mv stock settings, CPU performance mode enabled no OC though, and GPU undervolted and OCd to maintain a stable 1887 MHz I get these temps.
I live in India and them ambient temps are pretty high here and I currently don't have an AC in my dorm so was hoping for an input from you guys about my temps and was wondering whether repasting with kryonaut would help bring them down even further.

GPU max temp is 78C and min is 48C with a constant clock of 1887Mhz

TL;DR
Playing BF1 Ultra 1080p 90FPS locked for an hour, CPU -150mV,Cpu performance mode enabled no OC, GPU OCd to 1887MHz constant clock
Are the temps fine after repasting with CoolerMaster Master Gel Maker and will they improve a great deal if I could get my hands on Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut?
GPU max temp is 78C and min is 48C with a constant clock of 1887Mhz
CPU stays pegged at 3.49Ghz

PS: Indian Users where can I get TG Kryonaut? I live in Delhi.

EDIT: Oh! I have a Sunon HS BTW

Sadly I have a 10C core temp difference between core 0 and core 3.

 

Mastergel maker nano is better for these laptops than kryonaut (but even in ideal circumstancer they only differ 2c according to extensive tests).

But if you have a 10c core temp difference, that means your pressure is not good. Replace the thermal pads as well.

 

I have the latest sunon heatsink the one iunlock details in one if his videos on YouTube.
It has smaller pads as compared to the all .5mm pads in the previous heatsink.
Bending the arm wontw work right?

 

in my experience bending the arm doesnt help. The thermal pads above the CPU you mean right? Just keep those there. But make sure the GPU thermal pads can compress as much as needed. They influence the CPU side greatly.

 

Yes the ones over the cpu,
and right now are the temps okayish? because I don't plan on opening the laptop very soon after the whole stripped screw drama.
What I am meaning to ask is are the temps on the safe side (upper safe side would still be fine) ? or should I most definitely open the laptop and try and fix the heatsink resting over the die.

 

Your screenshot doesnt give a clear temperature picture.

 

Oh well, its not even been a week and now my temps are back up at 96C.
What should I do now, don't want to go the LM way though.

 

Fix the thermal pads, thats the only way. The paste will always pump out/dry out eventually if the pressure is not good.

 

Will definitely try that now.
Also I have scratched screws inside the laptop (the black paint has worn out) so would asking for a replacement work? The laptop was bought in July 2018.
@Vasudev would also love your opinion on this considering we are talking about Dell India.

 

Ah yeah I remember that one. Unfortunately Vaio's where the last brand where at least the expensive models where made in a more advanced manufacturings country.

 

They dont watch the screws with such details but you can always order new screws based on the sizes mentioned in the service manual. Even though I never had issues with the screws used for the heatsink I still replaced them for harder ones after some complaints on this forum just to be sure.

 

They'll more likely say You're using it wrong and will tell you 100C is okay. Only you can fix it.
I did the same thing on mine after I was fed up with constant repair and they denied when I claimed battery was dying and it actually died just 1 month before warranty period. They replaced it when I said ePSA said Battery dead.
They won't void warranty after paint of the screw came off. With some dell techs your display and chassis will be ripped off so take care when they open it.

 

Holy s**t!
Well, I'll definitely do it all by myself not gonna reel in dell if it's gonna mean inviting more trouble.
I'll be opening up the laptop once I get home for Diwali break, will update then. Also, thanks for your input guys! @rinneh @Vasudev
Wish me luck!

 

Goodluck, becareful and dont try to do it quickly and you should be fine. Just take the time for it, study the service manual and videos!

 

Just get a black marker and color over them! New again

 

I still have my Vaio Z, but the battery is dead, bought it in 2009, the rest is still working flawlessly. but the first gen core i7 is slow as hell now. so is the geforce 330 in it

 

REPASTE UPDATE:
Did the repasting and cleaning and saw no viable change, same results laptop still reaches ~ 95C max while gaming on CPU & 80C max on GPU. Very disheartened.

 

Got to change those pads. Get some gelid pads and you'll be happy.

 

Unfortunately I have no thermal pads available, some are but they are foam based cheap ones. Thought of replacing thermal pads with thermal paste but didn't do it.
Thank you for the input though.

 

Look at arctic pads if you're from India which is perfect for ever changing climate https://www.amazon.in/s/ref=nb_sb_n...c+thermal+pads&rh=i:aps,k:arctic+thermal+pads
Get 0.5mm,1mm and 1.5mm [50x50mm sizes if you're just repadding for 15 r3 only]
They are highly priced.

 

I was looking at these same pads but the price comvined with the waiting time put me off. Thank you so much for the help but I guess I'm just stuck with a overheating mess for the next 4-5 years hoping it lasts that long. Ah! so much for going for it's looks. Lesson learnt. Are MSI temps any good in high ambient tenptempera places? Don't know for sure but it seems every gaming laptop is an overheating mess. Hope i settle down soon and get myself to build a normal desktop.