*OFFICIAL* Alienware 15 R3 Owner's Lounge

MSI might be cooler by 5-10C out of the box. You see ambient temps 35C and above really puts my 15 r2 idle temps by 50-55C on passive fans. I could do the repaste/repad for you but the prices will be stupidly expensive thanks to the import duty.

 

I also idle around in the 40s range although when rampped up it hits up the ceiling. I thank you for your generosity but the price on those pads really puts me off. Some of the great stuff is barred by that import duty, can't help it. I am using a cooling pad right now helps with the flow. Temps are high but no thermal throttling but considering I'm pegged at 3.5ghz i don't personally find the results very goodi, it's just meh.
Also, i was curious about the cpu being slightly curved as someone on the other forums has also mentioned, so I looked at mine and saw the same curve/bulge on mine maybe that's the reason of improper contact added along with those thermal pads.
Btw do you think that I will be able to get 4-5 years of life from this pc? considering those temps and how quickly mosfets fail.

 

If you're super careful then you can get it working for 5-7 years. You see thanks to Intel, we can actually use better NVMe drives and higher freq. RAM stick to get max performance of 7th and 8th gen PCs minus the throttling. You will not see better benchmark scores but in real world your PC should perform nearly equal to 8th gen because 8950HK can't maintain 4.5GHz-5G on single core since our ambient temps are high.

 

I don't fret over benchmark scores anyway, but that sounds promising. I love the laptop don't get me wrong but it's just I feel like if the machine costs 2.5 Lakhs it shouldn't go over to high 80s territory but as we see from the numerous test ambient temps play a big role. So, fingers-crossed that I can game/develop on this laptop till the time I settle down and build my pc.
Was also looking at the m15 they recently launched and wasn't impressed honestly. I wonder if there are companies that build targeting the Indian kind of climate and ambients, and also the lack of availability of custom/clevo notebooks is a bummer in India too. But hey! I still have these fancy lights to show off!

 

Same here almost paid 2Lacs incl. AGA and lots of AW accessories. I never used AGA at all. I'm had to spend 90% of the time fixing my PC since Dell techs were breaking every part of the 1 week old PC that had worse CPU temps.
You weren't looking correctly to be dead precise. Azom is a Prema Partner Clevo reseller in India.

 

That's sad man. So much money and so little satisfaction.
I saw a couple of azom laptops didn't know there were clevo partners, but have heard horror stories about their build quality. I guess we are pretty restricted to the kind of tech we can get in India. I was planning to get the AGA around the 3year mark to aid temps and focus the cooling on the cpu by using AGA. What do you say? Does it sound like a good plan ? Coz it would be around 1.5 lakh factoring in a then decent gpu to go with the amp.
With the kind of nusance I have faced i am literally craving a desktop to use. 3 lakhs would've bought me a beast with RGB. is Area 51 poor too? or is it just the laptops?

 

If you want more power 1080Ti is the best one and @judal57 swapped the stock oem PSU with aftermarket 550W to OC it on par with 2070 RTX.
A51 is piss poor junkware. Me and former AW users are already thinking of TR2 desktop w/ AiO for a change.

 

If you go that route please do update me here.
What kind of parts are you looking at though? My interest is peaked now!

 

If you want to buy Gelid thermal pads and Kryonaut, I have some extra with me. I am located in NOIDA. I just ordered them extra from Aliexpress due to 1 month shipping time in case of future use.

Have Gelid 0.5mm x 3, 1mm × 3, 1.5mm x 1 and Kryonaut laying around unopened. Just the price I paid for Aliexpress and shipping, nothing extra. You can also come pick it up, if you are nearby.

 

That's great! I am currently away but I'll return back to greater noida after the diwali break will contact you then. Where in noida though?

 

I am located in Amrapali Princely Estate, Sec 76 NOIDA. It's 15 mins cab or auto ride from NOIDA City Centre metro station.

 

Will do. It won't be quick but will purchase the parts once the insane prices go down to sane level.

 

I know it's been a while, but I thought this was worth updating. the laptop literally NEVER thermal throttles now. Actually, during gaming, it draws OVER 240 watts and discharges the battery slightly at times, while temps stay comfortable. Very satisfied since dell fixed it! Though I may have to invest in a higher wattage power supply.

 

So I don't know how many people noticed, but when they announced the Alienware m15 they also permitted you to configure the Alienware 15 R4 with a 1080 max-q and a 8750H instead of a 8950HK. I wanted to see how well this combo would do in the laptop and decided to get one. ((I wasn't impressed by the m15))

So my settings were -150mv on the CPU,+175 on the GPU core, and Full Performance in Alienware Command center. I'm surprised by the CPU temps and they are pretty solid. So I'm happy with an undervolt keeps that thing cool.

BTW is there a way to bind the fan profiles in the Alienware Command Center to the Macro keys? I'd like to not have to go into the software everytime I want to change it.

 

Okay this is frustrating now,
after a clean install and repasting this is one odd phenomenon i am noticing, when I play games with mouse keyboard the cpu throttles down to 0.78ghz after a minute or if I stress test using xtu and then just keep pressing wasd I see the throttle happen and it is stated as thermal throttling ( temps at 60C) now comes the actual wierd part, connect a Bluetooth m&k or a gamepad no throttle whatsoever. So seriously what the hell is this? tried numerous things related to power throttle and windows settings. Like what the hell is wrong with this system? First alienware and really bad experience.
Can't try throttlestop since it has the winring0.dll error on my installation

 

Install OpenHardwareMonitor. Start that program and then ThrottleStop should start just fine. It also uses the WinRing0 driver but it is hidden within some other dll file. If you use Windows Defender (known to prevent the WinRing0 driver from working) then try another antivirus program.

 

Funny you mention this: I'm on a business trip right now and took my 15R3 with me. At home, I don't use the Laptop Keyboard, as I have an external setup. wit a -150mV undervolt, temps are always good during extended gaming sessions with no throttling. I always keep XTU running to monitor temps after gaming session. I noticed that I was getting some throttling the last two days when playing, but it was wired one second spikes on the chart. I also noticed that it gets really hot where the WASD keys are and your post made me think it may have something to do with the pressure applied sporadically when gaming on the unit itself... Can't tell if that's even logical but thought I would throw it out there.

 

Congrats on the new machine and nice temps. Curious, what are your GPU temps at the same time?

 

Pretty low honestly. Around 58-60 in firestrike.
I fired up The Witcher 3 and messed around for a bout fifteen minutes with the same settings above and another fifteen minutes changing the thermal profile to balanced.
Full Speed playing The Witcher 3 I got 66-68 on the gpu and 73-75 on the CPU

Balanced I got 70-72 on the GPU and 75-84 on the CPU.

The CPU definitely spiked more while playing a game, but it was more often or not just for a second. The coolest core was 78. So that was only a six degree difference between cores. So I'm happy with that.

I guess Dell learned their lesson with the 8950HK and made sure that they do a better job applying the thermal paste. It's good enough that I don't see the need to repaste it.

 

Thanks for the tip, used throttlestop but didn't help (I disabled BD PROCHOT & Speedstep to see if it would help) Same results as XTU.

It's not just the WASD area infact, if you keep pressing or press & hold a key it happens( I tried out by pressing space & holding since that is the key to glide in Batman AK)
The throttle is so bad that I played NFS UG for good old times' sake & guess what even that game drops from 60 to 32fps! Ridiculous!


I read somewhere on R2 forums that this has been a power throttling issue tied to the BIOS but then why does it not happen on the controller or any wireless accessory? If using the keyboard would cause such FPS Drops then what is the point of a gaming notebook pc? I really hope someone can help me out and all these issues have taken out all the fun out of the whole experience of owning an Alienware. If these issues are fixed then all is forgiven in my book atleast.

 

I am guessing your OS is 100% optimized. XTU must be removed for TS to work correctly.
BT K/b and mouse is buggy on W10 v1803 after 345 october update. I recommend using ISLC from Wagnard to purge standby list and see if it improves gaming perf. Also make sure Gaming mode is enabled using Win+G.

 

I don't have issues with my gaming performance it's just that whenever I am using the inbuilt keyboard I get throttling be it benchmarks, XTU stress test or gaming. The moment I switch to anything that is not the inbuilt keyboard all goes back to full speed and performance.

EDIT: Tried that software saw no difference, same behavior. I have disabled Xbox DVR so no Win + G

In the screenshot the throttling part is when I am just pressing random keys / holding any single key down, the moment I stop that the speeds go back up (This is during a stress test but the same behavior is present during gaming)

 

Have you checked lowering undervolt values?

 

Tried it didn't work and the thing is if the system performs normally when using a controller or an external m&k I don't think there is an issue with my CPU GPU configs.

 

Does 15 r3 expose some VRAM to keyboard metal casing like 15 r2? I used some thermal pads on VRAM and it dissipates heat and my internal keyboard is always warm/hot than stock AW.

 

no memory chips on the keyboard side luckily this timem

 

I feel @msri15603 internal keyboard causing throttling a weird issue.

 

THe throttling is incredibly weird. Something I have never every encountered. Sounds like a software glitch though.

 

Yeah.
@msri15603 Uninstall DPTF drivers and see if it helps.

 

Mind showing us a full hwinfo64 screenshots of your temps? I would like to see a gaming session or when the throttling happens.

 

VERY WEIRD!

I also linked it up to either windows 10 or some driver, did a clean install and saw the same behavior. Thought maybe it was power throttling but nope no power throttle.

Uninstalled those and created the empty folder workaround to prevent windows 10 from re-downloading/installing them and nope no help. Still got throttle.

Sure will do in a while. The thing is my temps never go past 90C now while gaming after a clean install of windows. And the throttle starts in whenever I use the keyboard and kicks in even at temps as low as 60C and even when the CPU is pegged at 0.78GHz and the temps shoot down to 45-48C The throttle still won't let up. Thermal throttling and throttling and when I stop using the keyboard the throttle lifts up.

I could really use all your help guys!

PS : For the time being while I upload HWINFO screenshots Here is my AC Odyssey Benchmark The performance is Great and the temps never crossed 75C for GPU and 88C for CPU
@Vasudev You see these weird temps now? 95C to 88C WTF? (NOT COMPLAINING AT ALL)

 

If you're covered by warranty get a mobo replacement and heatsink replacement.
I always play with VSYNC ON, even without VSYNC I rarely see my temps shoot up the mid 90s. Give or take it might be 80-85C at 30-37C ambient temps.
Do you have the same issue with VSYNC or GSYNC w/ FPS limited to 130?

 

I play with Gsync with fps capped to 117
the temps are in the high 80s for me but considering dell india what issue do I taise for a mobo replacement? considering the lack of actual thermal throttle. dell india bro dell india... :/ india has a lack of decent customer reps. that's a fact whatever brand it may be.

 

800MHz is a hardware defect which @VICKYGAMEBOY had even after multiple mobo replacements. Dell replaces heatsink if your temps are above 93C on stock settings.

 

My temps don't reach that high since the ambient temps are now cooler only way is maybe repaste with toothpaste?
And I don't think Dell would be so kind to provide me a refurb mobo and I'm headed back to college now so I don't want to go that route. what kind of an issue did Vicky have?
My unit isn't like it gets stuck to .78ghz it's ramping up and down all good all the way to 3.78 to 0.78ghz. How can i gather some 'evidence' that my hardware is detective?

 

Yes my friend its caused by BDPROCHOT.. Could Be Some Faulty Sensors From RAM/PCH.. these are the only two things which i could point out, it did happen to me on all my 16+ Motherboard, So i dont think 80-90c on CPU should be a problem, its just the case gets too hot and some sensors give faulty triggers, since 15 R1/R2 have no ventillation like the newer models.. it suffers from BDPROC a lot, i myself ordered a RAM copper plate + a Copper Shim for PCH chip, and using CPU performance mode for aggressive fan profiles and max fan RPM so the internal gets better airflow.. and yes the last 2 AC games which is origins / Oddysey are CPU heavy becuz of the stupid DRM.. even my cpu is always on 75% + load when gaming AC origins.. they dont replace heatsink unless u force them to.. they will say 93c is fine.. you have to tell them that your keyboard area is getting toasty..

 

He has the 15R3? I think?

But if it only happens while using the keyboard, somethign really strange is going on.

 

keyboard causing throttle, im not sure about that, i had those protective layer removed once to attach thermal pad to back side of motherboard and keyboard plate, those days when i press really hard on some keys i got artifacts / somettimes my systems powers down, becuz those metal plate touching pins on backside of motherboard causing to it short circuit or something.. but throttling when using keyboard seems kinda weird, @msri15603 can you upload a video taken from your mobile while playing on ur laptop ?? and how do u notice throttle, using HWINFO or stutters on screen when using keyboard

 

Sure I'll upload a video give me half an hour and like I said in my previous post it even happens with nfs Underground

EDIT: Video Update
Here's the video link (compressed video).
https://drive.google.com/file/d/15soaus7gB-PnO6EoWlTKnarfja-GNL6B/view?usp=drivesdk

 

@VICKYGAMEBOY missed out on answering so yeah it's Thermal throttle in XTU whereas no throttle is detected by HWINFO followed by Stutters on screen, weird cracking sound similar to what you get when plugging an earphone, that static distortion kinda sound during gameplay and generally everything just slows terribly down Windows game mouse pointer everything, then as soon as I leave the keyboard everything ramps up smoothly

 

from my guess after seeing your video, its most probably bad drivers.. try fresh install if you can.. here and there i used to encounter random driver issues which causes stuters, since im not familiar with GSYNC.. there are lots of users who report stutter on latest nvidia drivers.. when gsync enabled.. please try DDU and cleanup ur drivers and see.. we have to go step by step.. wish i had time to fiddle around with my friends r4.. sadly its out of hands now..

 

I Tried a fresh install and got this happens with every game no matter new or old, Gsync disabled or not. Will try a fresh install when it becomes noticeable during programming/web development as otherwise I use a gamepad to game anyway. And considering how nonsense is Windows 10 auto driver download how do I narrow it down upon a fresh install?

 

Perhaps its just my theory, do you use VS2017 IDE?

 

I use VS code not the IDE and probably after 4-5 hours it starts lagging a bit.

 

Disable its Telemetry and compile ngen assembly for x86 and x64 using ngen eqi /silent OR ngen update in elevated powershell or cmd. Point to C:/Windows/Microsft.Net/Framework64 and Framework/v4.x

 

Alright will try it.

 

Update!

Fixed the issue by disabling bdprochot & enabling SST in TS.
Wonder what was triggering bd prochot while using the keyboard

EDIT:
Happens even now, Issue not resolved although the amount of lag is much less and thermal throttle is not reported although FPS and CPU clocks quickly fall down and rise back up, Spiking happens alot and is really frustrating me now.
Have clean installed too.
NEW EDIT:
I just found out that the GPU is power throttling why would that be? any ideas, I get PL1 on CPU and Power limit throttle in MSI AB for GPU and also it shows along with NO LOAD throttle while playing games or when CPU under load during a stress test.
@Vasudev @VICKYGAMEBOY any ideas?

 

Is it signs of dying GPU? You see it whilst playing games?

 

no I don't think his gpu is dying. like I told you, I faced similar weird throttle issues recently, its due to bad drivers / corrupted windows power settings..

 

bad firmware / drivers / power profiles.. I had so many random issues when I tested so many different OS version / Drivers for Intel ME / DPTF.. I used to get PL1/PL2 for no reason.. I cleared out the TS limit Reasons Windows.. u can clear it out too.. you have to try out different set of drivers by yourself, according to your ME Firmware version and Windows Version.. GPU no utilization is caused by new nvidia drivers.. where it goes to 135mhz and jumps back immediately, also I saw a guy on reddit posting about his DC cable causing issues for GPU clocks.. but new models have better cables.. so try with drivers first.. hope it works out..